Well, it happened. Jackson came home with an assignment on his first day of preschool. The directions were attached to a large piece of white construction paper. I was supposed to help Jackson make a banner using our family name. We could trace our hand prints, glue things on it, use pictures, or do whatever we wanted to tell our family’s story. They kids would get to present their banners to the class. Having just been on a great vacation to Wyoming that produced tons of fun pictures, I thought we should put them to good use. I’ve always loved making collages, so this would be fun.
Then the questions started bombarding my mind. Does this need to look like a child did it, or do they really want me to do it? The directions said it would go on the wall, so maybe it’s supposed to be part of the room decor and it needs to look nice.
Being a first-time preschool parent, I’d never been faced with this dilemma before. BigMama’s stories about Caroline’s Fiesta float came to mind. If I err, do I want to err on the side of not good enough or too good? My perfectionist tendencies overtook my willingness to submit myself to my three-year-old’s creative genius and it came out like this.
I’m so ashamed. I did let Jackson pick out the pictures, though. And he sat beside me and cut scraps of paper while I did the work. Not that that makes it okay.
Curtis is the one who takes Jackson to school, so I called him just minutes after I knew he would have dropped him off. “Did you see the other posters?” I begged him to tell me they all looked like ours. He’d only glimpsed a corner of one and couldn’t tell. “The teacher said it looked nice.”
Nice. Is that good or bad?
As I entered the wing of classrooms to pick him up yesterday afternoon, I was faced with the humiliation of my life. There on the wall of the hallway – not inside the classroom as I had thought – the children’s artwork was prominently displayed. It took .5 seconds for me to realize that one of these things is not like the others. Every other poster had hand prints. Every other poster had evidence of a three-year-old’s art skills. Every other poster was right and ours was wrong! Wrong in big, bold letters, with brightly colored polkadot scrap paper and obnoxious Disney pictures. Wrong with our named spelled out for everyone to see! Wrong with the faces of our family, so that the horrible mother who is too OCD to do crafts with her son can be easily identified! Oh the horror!
Seriously, I’ve never been more embarrassed. All I could say to the teachers was a mild thank you as they returned my boy to me. I didn’t dare make eye contact in case I was about to get in big trouble and have to go to the principal’s office. I scurried away as fast as one can with a baby on the right hip and a leaping, bounding child holding the left hand.
I have no idea how long those posters are going to greet every single person who passes through the hallway, but I am praying to our merciful Lord that He will see that I’ve learned my lesson and let them come down soon. I don’t know how long I can bear to face my public shame!
Please, someone, comfort me in my time of trouble and tell me I’m not alone. Did you do something really dumb when your kid was in school?
I called my mom as soon as I got in the car. She was both embarrassed for me and pleased to have been given such a great laugh at my expense. I had just been to my first Motherwise meeting that morning and she said, “Honey, one day when your kids are grown and you’re helping lead something like Motherwise, that’s the story you’re going to share.” She’s probably right. But if anyone would like to go ahead and learn my lesson now, then be my guest.
As a brand new preschool director at a church, I say BRAVO, you did great! It expresses the Jones's and that was the assignment. I'd be proud to have it in the hallway of our school!
cathy in tx
HA!!!
I have done the same thing! Especially since I was an elementary teacher AND Art minor – agh – oh the pressure! 😉
Oh gosh…I am still laughing at your story (not at you!) but I can soooo relate! It's good to learn this one in pre-school because those projects keep coming!
I thought of Travis's story this past weekend of his daughter's school project he was 'helping' with…remember? Same thing! I LOVED that story because he was sharing how we need to learn to worship God with our own unique voice and heart…that Travis will lead the glorious procession in a setting like we were in, but God desires our own voice and souls cry to worship Him! That he (Travis) can't do it for us, but to do it ourselves – wow!
I just LOVED that example – it was so perfect for that moment in Green Bay – yes I was there and am still DELIGHTING (and cleaning my windows today)!
Now I'll remember that story when I'm worshiping or parenting – HA!
Love you girls!!! 😉
Um yes, I will TOTALLY learn this preschool lesson now, rather than a couple of years from now, when my lil Anna Malia enters into her preschool status! Aack, I felt like I was reading my own blog post just now and totally laughed my head off at myself as I was envisioning my very own "Irwin" preschool poster on the wall, key words MY VERY OWN, not Anna's. And then I proceeded to go get her changed for the day and morning napped and realized as she was completely undoing her perfectly-organized-with-long-and-short-sleeved-shirts-color-coordinated drawer, at lightning speed, that I am not just that mom in the poster arena, but in every arena of her and my life. I was praying even during Anna's pregnancy that God would beginning freeing me from my OCD-perfectionistic controlled, little perfectly sealed with a ribbon on top world (which in reality, I am fully aware that it is all very far from perfect and in much need daily of Jesus' saving grace) and guess what? HE answered! I have a little mini-version of my totally hyperactive destroy a room in 2 seconds flat husband, in a wee girl's body! Ha! HE sure has a strong sense of humor and totally knows what we need, doesn't HE?! And oh I so needed my beloved Will too! So, as I allowed her to completely undo the organized drawer, while I dressed her in her coordinated outfit, and ruminated over your transparent and dear to my heart words, I prayed once again…dear Lord, please let my standards of perfection and controlling nature never become a weight or a yoke of bondage on this little girl's heart and life, but let her always know the perfect beauty you have already made her to be in YOUR eyes, which is all that really matters and teach her to flow in life to Your rhythms of grace that I still struggle to understand how to dance to.
And P.S. YES, I did reorganize that drawer right after she had moved onto another little project. Aren't there just a FEW things we don't really have to let go of the control of? Oh LORD help me, one day at a time!
Thank you for your willingness to share the real you with us Amanda! Your family's vulnerability has helped transform my life in more ways than just this lil preschool lesson.
My two little ones 4 and 5 were in preschool last year and we had to make a postor. They encouraged us to help our children to make a postor. We as mothers couldnt let them do it themselves and then let them mess up and fail. My little ones helped me do some gluing and picked the ppictures and we both helped to decide where to put them. But all in all in was done by most of them. It is too easy to say here are the pictures and glue have at it by a 4 and 5 year old I dont think anyone would be able to tell. Good job to you for taking the time to spend it with your little guy.
My 4 year old daughter takes Ballet. Every year they do a contest for each age group. Your child draws a picture about their dance experience. If your child wins you get a scholarship for dance classes that upcoming year. My sweet Whit drew a picture. I encouraged her to draw another, then another, (oh God help me) then another…(thank goodness she does like to draw) then just one more…We had several to pick from and I decided that I would pick. But the guilt overwhelmed me and I let her pick.I still feel guilty …what was I thinking? What was I going to do next? DRAW IT FOR HER?
I just found this blog the other night…I already feel like family 😉
Sarah
Moravian Falls, NC
Dear girl, you are just getting started! There will be many humbling moments along the way–all fodder for a volume of books!
Just this morning I attended my children's uniform resale, which is a garage sale type of event for our school's uniforms. Last year they had passed out a suggested price list which I followed rigoriously. $4-5 for a jumper, $3-4 for pants, etc.
Our names and phone numbers have to be included on the tag as well.
As I am sorting through the next higher sizes for my kids, I notice EVERYTHING is priced at 50 cents to $1.00. Absolutely nothing is priced above $3! And here, emblazoned with my name and phone number, is my overpriced, used uniforms at $4-5, depending on the item. I was mortified that people will think I put such a high value on my kid's used clothing!
And of course, there is nothing to do about it. My items stick out like a sore thumb and once again, everyone is on the same page but me.
But also, it's just clothes and embarrassment. My kids are beautiful, healthy and privledged to attend a wonderful school. And I got my cursory embarrassment out the way for the day.
Chin up dear! Be proud! I give you a gold star!
Last year my daughter was in pre=school. She was home sick the day the kids painted flower pots for their Mother's day gifts they were doing the next week. The teacher sent her unpainted pot home and told us to decorate it and bring it back. We walked in with the painted pot and I was horrified to see all the cute, obviously done by 4 year olds, pots. My daughters was perfectly painted, had polka dots, detailing at the top…..The teacher took one look at it and started laughing. It was obvious who had painted it; the mother!
Amanda, I still have high school students that turn in math homework that was done by mom and/or dad.
Amanda,
I cannot begin to tell you how many times I did something really dumb when my kids were in school. It seemed that EVERY time I took one approach EVERYBODY else took the other. It was terrible!
Probably the worst example that stands out in my mind (and also stands out in my daughter's mind I might add) is when she was in the sixth grade. They were having an end-of-the-year dance. It was called "semi-formal." Now, in my mind semi-formal for a sixth grader means a nice dress instead of jeans. No. Semi-formal meant an actual "prom-type" formal-wear type dress, complete with sequins.
My daughter and her three little friends were the only ones dressed in "regular" clothes for this dance. They sat at a table, too mortified to get up.
But now I ask you, would you think that semi-formal meant prom dresses for SIXTH GRADERS? These girls were 11 and 12 years old, for heaven's sake!
Fortunately, my daughter's friends' mothers were just as naive as I was. Otherwise she would have been all alone in her misery, but my daughter still goes on about it, and she's 26 years old now.
I hate to tell you but it probably won't be the last time something like this happens to you. But just think what funny stories you'll have for another mother 20 years from now! What a hoot!
I hate to tell you this, Amanda, but the projects never stop. My daughter is 13 years old and in 8th grade. She had a "family history" timeline she had to do with pictures, etc. for social studies. She wanted to do it all on her own, so I didn't do anything to help. At Back to School night on Tuesday, some of the kids' projects were up around the room. Her's was not as creative as some of the others. One was 3-D in the shape of a hat! My poor kid did her's on a piece of poster board. My guilt is that she inherited my "I don't have a creative bone in my body" gene.
Oh Amanda – I feel for you but believe me when I tell you be glad that you have learned this lesson early. We as mothers try too hard to protect and make sure our children do well and by doing this we create weakness in the child not self-esteem as we hope. It took child number 2 and lots of mistakes for me to learn this one and yes God in His mercy does allow our children to forget these mortifying events! Your mom is so right, one day you will use this again (I say again because you have taught many today) to help others on this mothering journey.
Oh, this post made me giggle! As a former kindergarten teacher, Mom and now grandparent, I would eat the "humble pie," talk to the teacher ASAP, tell her that you did not totally understand the directions, ask for another piece of paper, and let Jackson have a "do-over". I always thought that each child should have opportunity to have ONE "do-over" if not satisfied with their "original" art piece. Then after the second picture goes up, you won't be "humiliated" each time you walk down that hallway.(I could about bet that these pictures will be there for a few weeks!)
Be sure to ask the teacher for the original back, as someday, like your Mom said, this will be a great thing to share! The content of this post is priceless—you have such a wonderful way of sharing, and through Jackson's upcoming schooldays, there will be MUCH to share. Thanks for keeping all of us in touch with your precious family.
Paula, Earlham, IA
Don't worry about it too much. We all have done something like that one time or another. My son was picked to be "Star Student" in Kindergarten for the week. He had to bring in a poster with pictures that represent him. I let him pick the pictures and some of the decorations but I put it together how I thought it should look. A couple of years earlier, when it was my daughter's turn, I had mostly pictures of our newest addition, born just the week or two before. Looking back now, I am embarrassed that I wasn't more thoughtful of Hannah. Like I said, it happens to all of us one time or another (and sometimes more than once). Just roll with it and keep moving.
oh Amanda, how wonderful it is to be reminded that we are all just real people. I LOVE that story-so did my teenagers. Thank you so much for sharing. PS. With only love and tenderness-we did get a good laugh.
You're the best……
Hi Amanda!
Listen, the world needs people like you who are so conscientous!
The directions didn't specify how much the parent vs. how much the child need to contribute.
But if it truly bothers you, this is your opportunity to show Jackson's teacher the incredible mom you are – when you go to pick him up, just ask her if you could speak to her for a moment – and tell her, just like you told us – and ask if Jackson could make another poster. Take the one you made to the office, and let it be a loving reminder of the lesson learned. Love, Pouneh
OH MAN!!!! I have a daughter in the 2nd grade, and my husband gets on me ALL the time about "helping". I just intend to "over-see" the project and before I know it, there I sit covered in glitter, glue, and pipe cleaners, in a fury of Craftiness, and there my daughter sits with her head in her hands, brow furrowed and growling at her Mama. Hummmm…. maybe they should send TWO projects home. One for her and one for me…. =0)
Don't worry. As a former K teacher, we referred to these assignments at "family projects" My main goal was for the family to do something together. I am sure that Jackson's teacher had the same goal. My worst day as a mommy: Our school celebrated heritage week every year. I dressed my little first grade girl up as the hostess of the Edenton tea party complete with a long skirt, bonnet and tea pot. She screamed "I don't want to dress up!!" Cried all the way to school, but I insisted (as a teacher myself, my child was going to participate!!!!) I got a call from her teacher, "did you know that heritage week is NEXT WEEK?!" Now don't you feel better? My little girl is now 25 and a kindergarten teacher herself, so I guess she was not scarred too badly.
Amanda, darling. I am 34… 35 next month and I have 7 children. I still help my 14 year old son do his projects! I can't help it. I'm OCD. It's just who I am… all of his teachers know he has his feedback but Momma does most of it LOL! He does awesome Power Point presentations though!!!
It's best to just go ahead and accept you for who you are. 🙂
Delaney
Allen, TX
Oh girl our family is soo guilty of this! The worst was when my daughter had to make an Indian habitat for school. My husband "helped" her and proceeded to make a model worthy of the Smithsonian! I was so embarassed to take it to school. I wanted to put a sign on it saying my HUSBAND did this absurdity and NOT me!!! You are a great momma! Don't fret!
Wow, Amanda! It seems your situation brought up a ton of memories from women. We've all been there, done that and bought that t-shirt. I guess it's one of those mommy things that someone can tell you about but we all have to experience it for ourselves. Growing Pains! Love ya
I haven't read all the comments, but … this immediately made me think of Travis's story during the simulcast. You are not alone. : )
S.
Oh boy, this is my story too. 🙂 I redeemed myself though when I didn't take over my oldest's assignment to write her own biography in first grade. Let's just say there were some family facts that just didn't need to be shared with the entire first grade. 🙂 It's funny now but not so funny then.
BTW- I think your…um Jackson's, Poster looks GREAT!!!
Hugs
steph.
No matter what, sometimes as a mom, you will make the wrong decision. I had to do a family shield for my child's preschool class and chose to let him do it himself. I swear all the other moms in his class did it for their child. I was the embarrassed one thinking that they probably thought I didn't care or had no artistic talent.
I don't think you should feel bad, Amanda. I remember being in school and having the opposite thing happen to me all the time. My parents helped by giving suggestions, but they always insisted that the work be my own. It seemed like the vast majority of other parents didn't insist on this, and I always had to put my "kid's work" up against some pretty impressive items. This is probably one reason I will end up doing what you did when it comes to my own kids!
Just wait. It gets more complicated all of the time. I have one friend who's very bright daughter has been doing too well on craft projects sent home from first grade, and now they are monitoring her to make sure everything looks like something a 7 year old could produce. How much help is help, after all?
Every time we get a home project, I groan with dread. Then when they are posted in the hall (which they always are), I compare with the other kids to see how much "help" was too much. I've started to err on the side of too much kid work and not enough me work, so that I can look smug and kid-friendly.
Hang in there!
Amanda, if the teacher doesn't give specific instructions then it's up to every parent's interpretation…right? 🙂 You are a wonderful Mom and I loved how the project turned out. I have two kids in elementary now and we do extra home school work (to help offset the cost of extra-curricular activities). So I have double the opportunities to "do things" for them. I am gradually learning to let go and let their work stand on it's own…which can be very challenging with Art projects! 🙂 Thank goodness we're learning and growing too!
Amanda,
I learned with my oldest daughter. When she was in fourth grade, she had to do a California Mission. I got an A+ on that mission…and we didn't use a kit. It was made from scratch.
Kels
This so easily could have been my story! Been there so many times!!! Sadly, I'm still trying to overcome this problem, and my former pre-schooler is now in 7th grade. I an also a perfectionist with OCD tendencies, and my Type B daughter gets rather frustrated by my "help" sometimes. Oh the things I do!
Oh bless you, sweet girl. I don't have kids yet (we're about to start trying for some) but I KNOW for a FACT I would have done the exact same thing. And reacted the same way too. Be encouraged, friend. You are not alone. Who knows what kind of embarrassment awaits me!? haha. I'll pray for a swift removal of the collages too! xoxox 🙂
Oh, Amanda. I'll make you feel better, too. 🙂
When my daughter was in preschool, the kids and moms in the class helped to make a scrapbook of memories from throughout the year. Just before the end of the year, the scrapbook would be sent home with each child so that he or she could show his family.
Well. We took our turn and shared the scrapbook on home, and I had it all set to be returned the next preschool day. Loading up my van – with my 3 year old and my baby – I put the scrapbook on the roof of the van. "Just for a minute."
I drove off, and we never saw that album again. I was MORTIFIED. Mortified! I had to explain to the teacher what happened and I still cringe when I think of it now – 11 years later.
For what it's worth, the teacher told me it wasn't the first time it had happened!
Lesson learned…I haven't put ANYTHING on top of my van since. 🙂
Debbie in IL
I was a preschool teacher for a long while and believe me, you are NOT the 1st parent to do their child's homework for them. It is okay! You are not alone!!
I had SO many children's projects coming back looking "perfect." It's no big deal– I think that teachers expect it.
Don't be embarassed!! You made a good project and its pretty. LOTS of parents will end up doing the same thing throughout the year.
Amanda:
First I laughed out loud when I saw that "Daddy" on Jackson's poster was a big shark bearing its pearly whites… then I laughed out loud again when I realized that wasn't Daddy!!! 🙂
Oh: just this morning… typing my 6th grader's paper. Do I correct that little error? Tweak that sentence? Yes, I did. Now I'm ashamed. Lord have mercy on us perfectionist mamas.
I totally feel your pain, Amanda. Sometimes you just don't know what the teachers expect or what the other parents are going to do. Sometimes I just have to grit my teeth and stay out of it even though I'm dying inside to "fix" something. This past weekend I "helped" my 6th grader (she IS special needs) with a project that was way above her ability. It turned out really good (but I worried that it might have been too good – like it looked adult level and not 6th grade level), but I emailed the teacher and told her I mostly did it. She emailed back with much understanding. I just couldn't bear, like you, to send something below expectations. Just think, there could be humiliation on the other side too – what if you didn't help and the other moms did? You would have born the humiliation of not being good enough…Ah, the lies of the enemy: we are too much or not enough. Thankfully, our Daddy in heaven thinks we're just right and quite talented too (just look at Jackson's project!).
Amanda,
What a great story! I loved it and have struggled with the same as our 3 daughters have had their share of projects!
I clearly remember what my pediatrician said 20 yrs ago when our first daughter was born. He was very Mr. Rodgers-like: kind, humble, soft-spoken. He said his young son had dressed himself that morning and his shirt was on backwards. His son was so proud of his accomplishment! The dr decided to let him play at the park with his shirt on backwards. He said, "I was so proud of his effort and not embarrassed by his lack of perfection." I loved that! It changed how I parented. How thankful I am that God does not expect perfection from me and blesses my efforts.
You are a wonderful Mom! Forgive yourself and let it go. God will teach you so many incredible lessons through your children.
Thanks for sharing. You and yours are well-loved.
So, apperently when you child is in 3rd grade and is assigned to the "Endangered Species" report and has to make a project out of clay…..YOU can do it for them! I let me 3rd grader do her MOSTLY on her own, and she was VERY sad b/c her's wasn't quite up to speed! So, don't worry…soon enough you WILL be able to do it for them!!!! (sacastically speaking, of course!)
Heather
Your killing me. I'm the mom who's kid is crying because I forgot the poster all together. I thought you did a great job… A+ girlfriend!
P.S. so glad to see you are in Motherwise. I love Denise Glenn. My mom is actually on her staff(international relations). You will learn so much. Happy spanking!
Your heart was in the right place. It has been my experience, that my child's poster is the ONLY one that looks like a child did it…equally embarrassing. I guess it goes to show…mother's can't win.
When I lived in Texas, the kids did the project…here in Florida it seems the Mom's do them. It's all so confusing!
Ha Ha,
Teri
Amanda – this too shall pass. And no parent is going to remember what poster your son brought to school! I promise. 🙂 It will all be better tomorrow after a good night's sleep.
I was the parent on pajama day when my daughter was in kindergarten, that forgot to send in her pajamas to change into.
My daughter called me in tears to bring in the pajamas since 'she was the only one with no pajamas'. The worst part was her teacher getting on the phone and said…"How could I have forgotten…a note was sent home..??!!"
Note?? what note…
I am sure the teacher was looking at the note still in my daughters backpack.
Don't beat yourself up over your beautiful poster with wonderful family memories that you will cherish forever!!
I know my daughters at times wish I had more creative talents…:)
Amanda,
The poster is wonderful! And I bet that not one of those posters was done 100% by any of the other children – there will be evidence of parent help somewhere!
You spent quality time with Jackson, and that has more value than anything else. The memories of that will last far longer than the poster will!
Your heart was in the right place. I don't have children, but as a teacher, I admit I get frustrated with parents that don't want to have their child's "self-esteem" damaged and do EVERYTHING for them, and also with those who refuse to help when the child could really use some assistance. I wish I could scream and intervene (but open mouth and insert foot hurts more, right?)
You fall in the middle with your desire for a healthy balance, so kudos to you!
Don't worry about it anymore, and enjoy this time. And hang that poster proudly at home – on the front door if need be (because it looks bigger than the fridge). It looks incredibly welcoming!
Oh Amanda-how I can sympathize with you. When my son was in kindergarten, I worked a whopping 1 1/2 hours away from his school. One morning after I arrived at work, it was to my horror that I realized it was "FARM DAY" and I had forgot to pack his lunch and send his "Farm" clothes. I called my sister who was staying with us at that time and asked her to please find a way to get to my son's school and take his things to him on this ever so special day. And boy did she find a way. She called the only person she had met in town besides us–the mayor's wife. Bless both of their hearts. They got a lunch packed and picked out some nice "farm" clothes and proceeded to his elementary school and into his classroom and presented him with his goodies…only to hear him say "what are you doing here? Today is not farm day…that is next week." They were embarrassed, I was so embarrassed, and my son was so embarrassed. So take heart-we are mothers and women and we are fixers. That is the way the good LORD made us. Most all of us have been in the "lesson of life" shoes.
Much love,
Tisha
Amanda, At least your poster was beautiful. I probably would have made my child's poster and it still would have looked like a child did it. Art is not my gift. This will pass quickly and you'll still be talented and artistic. Something you can pass on to your children!
Amanda, as a retired teacher I can tell you a much worse story than yours. I had a child in 2nd grade one year whose mother always did her homework. When they had to write a story, the mother made up the story, printed it in her best printing and drew a beautiful cover picture and honestly believed that I would think that her daughter did the work. So, don't be embarrassed as you're just starting out and you'll learn much more quickly than this lady did. BTW, I really liked your poster. Maybe you could make another one with Jackson and let him do more of the work just to see what he can do. He's bound to have inherited some of your talent.
Thanks for sharing your story and I must say that I, like Beth, had a good laugh. Hang in there, Girl, it will get easier.
Oh girl. I haven't had to do a "project" yet, but I'm seeing my OCDness everywhere…
Hearing my son say to his friends when they come over, "If you want to play with that toy, you'll have to put that other one away."
Hearing him say, "If I'm wearing a jacket it should be zipped and to wear my hood up."
What have I done?
(and by the way, I'm a scrapbooker, so I know there will come a day…)
I think it is a brilliant idea if we were assigned projects like this by say – our Sunday School teacher. Then all those creative juices could be set free and we could color and cut and paste and glitterize to our little hearts content. Then when our children have a project we can hand them some supplies and tell them to handle this on their own "cause momma is gonna add sound effects to her collage." It's an idea.
I read your post this morning and have had the giggles all day. Everytime I think of it, there I go again. Too funny.
Oh goodness, I am sorry for your embarrassment but that is too funny! Mostly b/c I am sure I will be experiencing that exact same thing in a few years! On the plus side your poster looks gorgeous! 🙂 I think I am going to be very afraid the first time my daughter goes to school and comes home with a project. Between you and BigMama I don't know what to think!!!
My kids start kindergarten next year and have never been to preschool…thanks for letting me learn from your mistake! I wouldn't have known what was expected either!
sounds like the time I got a "C" on a 6th grade science fair project.
i feel your pain, dear, being another mom who was too OCD to do crafts with her son!! i wish i'd gotten over that now, as he doesn't have a creative bone in his body and has only me to thank for that! i implore you, get out the crayons and let him color outside the lines. or take him to your mom's house and let her do it with him so you don't have to watch!
and i'll echo what the others have said…the years you'll be doing said projects are MANY, so either prepare to wear sunglasses a lot when picking up your child or find someone who can be your "hotline helper" for assistance when craft projects come home!