create (with kids): the nature of chalk

We're big fans of the standard drawing with chalk on the sidewalk around here. But since the sidewalks are in the front of the house and we spend most of our time playing in the backyard... well, we've begun to venture in some other directions...

create (a moment)

"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

(words and inspiration via Soulemama.com)

 . . . . . . . .

Except that I'm breaking the rules and adding words today. Because this picture was taken on my Nikon which I finally have a new battery for! (Story of the original's demise, here) And also to share that this is my nine-month-old son trying to climb our play kitchen. Our daughter was content to sit and play until ten months, when she finally decided there was a larger world worth exploring. Not this one, he has a big sis to keep up with, and he's dedicated to his task!

Create (a life): bingo markers

I think it's good practice in parenting and art to remember that sometimes simple is best. I saw some high-end paint dot markers, with books to match, at our local art supply store. They were very pretty, and probably even washable too. However...

 

they did not cost $1 like these Bingo Markers I bought almost a year ago at our dollar store. You heard right, almost a year ago and with weekly lovin' they're still not empty. Even though they do leave residual marks behind for a couple days after-wards, usually coinciding with important picture-taking family events (ahem), I think they're worth every (saved) penny. 

What simple art material are you creating with? 

*Linking up to Wonderfull Wendesday, here. 

create (with kids): busy with hues

I am still without a camera battery for my Nikon, but am making do with my faithful point and shoot in the meantime. I used to run quick errands downtown without a second thought, now I tell the kiddos "get ready to go on an adventure"- and it's true! Speaking of kiddos, here is a quick, inexpensive activity to assemble to help them practice their hue differentiation (different values of the same color) and fine-motor skills. 

create (with kids): nature art

Oh dear, it's been one of those weeks. A week during which I'm convinced I flushed my Nikon battery. It was being stored it in my back pocket to keep it out of little hands, instead of running to my camera and putting it in right away (ahem). At least it was in said back pocket before I took a quick stop at the restroom, after which it was nowhere to be found. And now that our daily kid count is at four with the addition of two friends, whom I'll introduce shortly, the chance to run out and pick another up has been pretty slim. In the interim I picked up my old handy digital point & shoot to capture our life- without realizing that the memory card wasn't fully inserted (double ahem). So there you have it, a week of technological shortcomings and one tired Mama from running after the two large kids, and crawling after the two littlest ones. But I shall prevail, and share not one- but two!- crafts with you after the brief absence.

create (food): white bean dip

I am learning to be a summer cook. When's there snow outside and I can cook up cozy soups and casseroles from scratch, that's the cooking I do best. It's when the days get hot, and a fresh-from-the-oven casserole no longer sounds tempting, that I start to struggle with our daily menu a bit more. I think this beautiful little bean dip might be just the thing to see us through some upcoming summer heat...

create (Mama): a sweet use for artworks

If you store every artwork of your child's lovingly away in plastic bins, I admire you. I did keep every artwork at first, but I realized we make so much of it that I needed to find another use for some of it- or hire out space (smile). It was a good problem to have. And as I look back through the ones I have kept aside, I'm still happy with my choices. Being a bit of an art ed geek, I do usually jot the date and draw arrow with notes sharing the significance. So in the future, if Isia asks me when she first drew something representational I can look back and remember it was a hand. We use a lot of paintings as wrapping paper and cards. But this painting became the holder for something sweet indeed...