Thursday, March 26, 2009

green idea #1


green idea #1
Originally uploaded by imotylek
so here is a little tip to save you money and save the environment at the same time.

Instead of buying the plastic cups for paint, use an egg carton instead. I cut it in half and use the bottom part as a paint holder. I reuse it as much as possible.

Happy painting!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

clay art


clay art
Originally uploaded by imotylek
Sometimes I think Tristan is too little for some projects but I decided to try this one out when he was about 20 months. I bought the CRAYOLA AIR-DRY CLAY (you don't need oven for this project = less pain) and we both had an amazing time creating different shapes out of it. He molded some impressive shapes and we let them dry for a day or two. At that time I had an idea right away - we will use those little shapes as pendants for grandmas' necklaces (Christmas gift) so I made a hole thru them.

After couple days we sat back down with these little amulets, this time with some paint and brushes, and Tristan painted them!!! Don't they look adorable?

Last step was my turn - I took glaze and painted over the paint so that the pendants are shiny. Then we put them on a string that we picked out together in Hobby Lobby and presents were finished!!!

I smile every time I see either one of grandmas wearing theirs... and Tristan? He is soooo proud!!!!

Happy molding!

Sunday, March 08, 2009

beary good lunch


bear
Originally uploaded by imotylek
One morning when Bella fell asleep (just like usual the only time we have for anything :-)) Tristan and I pulled out our art supplies and got to work on something that will make daddy smile!

We took a brown paper bag (the one you can put sandwiches into), glue, scissors, markers and a regular paper. I drew the shapes for ears, eyes, and nose and Tristan colored them with a marker. I cut them out and he glued them to the bag. This is a great way to teach your kids how to use glue... Tristan made a bear and I made a cat.

After the bear and the cat dried we played a bit of a puppet show with them. This has been about a week ago and now they are old news... So we decided to surprise daddy tomorrow and pack his lunch in the bear puppet Tristan made! We know this will make him smile - we miss him all day!!!

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

creative wrap


IMG_1453
Originally uploaded by imotylek
... and yet another idea how to put your kiddies' art projects to some good use.

Give them a big piece of paper - I gather the thin paper they use in stores to wrap fragile items before they put them in your bag. Then give them some finger paint or simply washable paint and put them to work! After the paint dries and your child had every opportunity to share his/her art piece with all of his/her friends and other admirers, put it in the place you keep wrapping paper. When you need to wrap grandma's present - here you go.

Not to mention that you help your wallet and the environment by wrapping gift with your kids' art.

Happy painting!!!

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

kids' art turned into greeting cards


DSC07262
Originally uploaded by imotylek
Last week I decided it's time for Tristan to learn how to use glue. I realized I will have to buy him one that's easy to use as the one we have is so hard to squeeze and he was so cute to try to do it all by himself. So we took some fancy looking feathers (always a hit with T) and glued them on a paper. I had an idea - let's turn it into a card instead of throwing it out after couple of days! He did it all by himself and now he is so proud! We will be giving it to his girlfriend for her birthday on Friday!

you can take any art your children create on paper and turn it into one of these. They will be proud that you would like to use it and someone's heart will be touched by this homemade gift!