Havasu Magazine's Crafts for Kids, Old Favorites
Copyright © 2009 Robeth Publishing, LLC
Potato Stamp
During this holiday season many people send out special greeting cards. With the advent of home computers, and the accessibility children now have to the technology, many youngsters are well versed in sending e-cards or using the home computer and printing software program to create their own professional looking cards.
Yet, there is no replacement for the charm of handcrafted greeting cards. Before it becomes a lost art, introduce your child to an age-old printing experience.
Materials Needed:
Potato
Paring knife
Paint
Pie Tin
Construction paper
Scissors or pinking shears
Newspaper
Directions:
Protect your working surface with a covering of newspaper. Choose your desired size of paper and fold in half to create a card. For extra pizzazz, trim the outer edge of the card with the pinking shears for a zigzag border.
Cut a potato in half. This will be used to create a stamp. On the cut middle of the potato, carve out a shape (leaving the end flat), such as a heart or star. This should be done by an adult, or an older child if he or she can safely handle the knife. One potato should make two stamps.
Cover the bottom of the pie tin with paint. You should have a separate pie tin for each color you choose to use. Dab the potato stamp into the paint and then pat down on your paper, creating a stamp impression. Repeat process using different colors and shapes. Rinse stamp using a new color.
Allow to dry, and write a greeting inside the card.