It's been a long week at my house. Sickness, home from school, lots of free time on our hands.

After countless books, trips to my daughter's "store" and "restaurant," and the real doctor, I pulled out the craft box. Ugh, I thought. I had no clue what to do.

Then I saw the empty roll of toilet paper in the bathroom and got inspired.

The product was Chopsticks, a bunny named and made by my 3-year-old. "She's beautiful!" she exclaimed when the last cotton ball was glued on. She put it on the kitchen table in the spot where Grandma sits so she would be sure to see it next time she came. Then she forgot about it.

I haven't. It's still sitting right there on the table, staring straight at me. I am about a million times more excited about it than she is.

I'm not crafty. I can't draw a dog or even a straight line very well. When I'm faced with a Scrap Exchange table at a local festival, I freeze. I have no idea what to do with foam, some old VHS tapes and fabric scraps. I look over and see moms and dads putting together elaborate designs. Their kids are squealing with delight. I just get frustrated.

I've tried to get excited about crafts. I scan Web sites, such as Family Fun, for ideas. I know it's good for my daughter to work with her hands in this way. I have had her make wrapping paper using finger paints and large pieces of packing paper, another proud accomplishment. But usually I rarely follow through.

So Chopsticks was a turning point for me. There my daughter was, squealing with delight at every cotton ball she stuck on the toilet paper roll. (You can't see it, but Chopsticks also has a very cute orange tail).

Reading some of our member profiles, I know that many of you are crafty.

So please, help me continue to crawl out of this craft rut. What are your favorite projects? Where do you go for ideas?

To make Chopsticks

Empty roll of toilet paper

Cotton balls

Construction paper to make ears and teeth

Googly eyes

Glue

Directions: Pretty obvious

Every weekend, a rotating group of writers offer ways to relax with your kids.

Check out our daily themes at TriangleMom2Mom:

MONDAY: Meet!
TUESDAY: Ask!
WEDNESDAY: Eat!
THURSDAY: Play!
FRIDAY: Out!

WEEKEND: Relax!