Need a craft idea for a women's retreat...

[HuggaBuggaMommy]

I am the official person in charge of our church's women's retreat craft activity. Honestly, I hate having to come up with a craft every year. Any ideas? It has to be something:

-ladies ages 30-80 can do
-that can be finished in an hour
-that does not require sewing, melting, or any major tools
-can be made for about $5 per craft (it *always* goes over but I pay the difference)
-has some sort of practical purpose

I know. I've been scouring the Web looking for ideas. In previous years, we've made hummingbird feeders (with bottles, beads, and copper wire), tea cup lamps, decoupage serving platters, and locket broaches.

[Singingmom]

I'm not all that crafty, but I'll throw out a simple idea. I did this once for Christmas gifts and am still using mine...

Tile coasters: You start with a tile, about 4x4 in, and stamp a picture you like on it. (The stamps would have to be on loan from crafty ladies who make cards and things since they're expensive). I used a lighthouse. You want something that fills up a lot of space on the tile. My friend sponge painted the edges, but I liked mine plain so I went straight to the sealer (I forget what it was called specifically, something to paint on that will seal it from moisture). You can have an assortment of neutrals and more colorful tiles for them to choose from. On the bottom I put self-adhesive strips of thick felt to pad the coasters. You can sign the bottom, maybe inside another smaller stamp. Each woman could make a set of four and tie them up in a ribbon for a gift or keep them for her own family.

I should add, if your glass sweats a lot these won't absorb the water... that sounds bad, but I've never had that problem. Maybe not for use outdoors in the summer with ice cold beverages.

You can also make trivets using flooring tiles and decorate them another way (stamps might not look right on a large area).

[mamaKristin]

My friends and I did a women's weekend retreat a few years ago, and we painted clay pots. Pots, paint, brushes and I think we used a clear coat sealer on top. Oh, and seeds too.

[hey mommy]

This year at retreat we made seed cards. We each got a bag of seeds(flowers), made cards w/card-stock and glued the seed pack on the front. Very pretty. Very sweet.

She had all the stuff ready to assemble, so all we had to do was assemble it and then cut out the cardstock envelope. I can take pics tomorrow if you want.

[musicmama]

how about salt or sugar scrubs? You could get jars at the thrift store or ask around, or even canning jars at Walmart

http://www.ehow.com/how_4662350_brow...ody-scrub.html

[musicmama]

Or how about painting/stamping canvas totes (the cotton canvas on this site are $1.49 each http://www.cheaptotebags.com/Canvas_Totes.html)

[HuggaBuggaMommy]

Thanks for all the ideas. I'd love more!

[tigerlily]

We made this in MOPS:

You start with a small clipboard for everyone. Then a big stock of various scrapbooking paper. You also need Modpodge and brushes to appy it.

Cut and layer paper to make an attractive background for your clipboard. You might want to weaving the paper or using large circle punches or other decorative cuts to embellish your board. Make sure every table has sisscors to cut out an opening for the clip. "Paint" Modpodge onto the board and then apply the paper -- leave enough edge on the paper to have it overlap to the back of the board by a min. of 1/4". Modgepodge over the top of the paper for finish coat -- this should dry fairly quickly, just be careful with it. Add magnets to the back so they can hang on their refridgerator and have pretty ribbon strips that they can decorate the hole on the clip with.