Category Archives: crafting

30 Days of Creativity – Day 27

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Four challenges to go in the 30 Days of Creativity

Day 27: What is the usual theme of your work?  If you tend to create joyful, bright and optimistic art, then try to create something somber or dark… or vice versa.

I never considered if I have a usual theme in my work, but if I had to describe it somehow, I guess it would tend to be on the positive side and easily understood. Though I love abstract and sometimes eerie art, I haven’t had much success in that. Here’s an attempt at something off my norm – a little darker, maybe? And using magnetic poetry.

What’s your usual theme?

30 Days of Creativity – Day 26

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Another installment of 30 Days of Creativity – Day 26: Write, draw or paint something with your non-dominant hand.

It was funny explaining this exercise to my kids, and I found it somewhat easier than I expected. My little one told me a few times to switch hands to make drawing easier. He can be so logical. Drawing felt a little weird, and I had to think a lot more about how to form letters, which way my pen was going. Would this be like being in a reverse universe?

30 Days of Creativity – Days 23 and 24

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More 30 Days of Creativity

Day 23: Listen to a favorite song or artist and create something inspired by that music.

Earlier this year, I created some doodles inspired by Maroon 5. (Oh how their music just rocks my world!)

But since Christmas and holiday music is, well, everywhere, it seems fitting to share with you some wintery pieces I’ve doodled recently. This one was from my new smart phone?! RotoDoodle is such a cool app – I can spirograph anytime, anywhere!

spirograph-project.tumblr.com

Snowflake spirograph

 

Day 24: What is your “Creative Bucket List”?  List 12 creative things you want to learn more about.

  1. Soap Making
  2. Quilting
  3. Embroidery
  4. Chinese Watercolor Painting (I’m attempting a few cards this week… talk about last minute.)
  5. Mixed media
  6. Knitting
  7. Crocheting
  8. Photography
  9. Jewelry
  10. Photoshop
  11. Furniture refinishing
  12. Vintage art

I’m curious what creative things everyone else is learning about, or wants to learn about – feel free to share in the comments!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

30 Days of Creativity – Days 21 and 22

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Time to pull this all together! 30 Days of Creativity has turned into something like “months-and-months” of creativity. I’m wondering how many others have kept up with this challenge. And that’s exactly what it’s been… challenging.

Day 21: Find and photograph one object in your home and create something inspired by it.

Our stairwell. It greets me each morning – and when the sun is out, an amazing amount of light comes pouring in.

I’ve been sketching lines upon lines trying to capture the geometry, but I still want to incorporate some shadowing. So, the project isn’t done… yet.

Day 22: Take time today to thank your favorite creative people for their talents.  Comment on their blogs, Facebook and Twitter.

If you have a little time, visit these sites of goodness!

Mod Podge Rocks by Amy Anderson | Angry Chicken with Amy Karol | Ashley at Film in the Fridge | Architecture at Searching for Silsbee

Churchmouse Yarns & Teas | Share the world of tea with TeaLula

Craft Book Review and Giveaway: Make and Takes for Kids by Marie LeBaron

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Sometimes (more often than you might think) I run out of crafty ideas. Really. Enter Marie LeBaron, founder and managing editor at Make and Takes. Her book “Make and Takes for Kids: 50 Crafts Throughout the Year” (Wiley) arrived and I devoured it cover-to-cover.

Marie LeBaron uses her background in early childhood development and creative edge to develop kid-friendly projects. But what sets this book apart is the fact that she outlines learning objectives and skills associated with the projects. The creative process is the focus for the kids, not necessarily the final project. However, if you’re looking for inspiration to make new things to sell, this is not your book – personal use only.

The projects are organized by months with four projects per month, some have five. The colorful book is beautifully layed out.

And, like a good educator, LeBaron gives a nice overview (at the beginning of the book) of basic supplies needed, which you probably have lying around in your house or they’re easily found at a craft supply support. The “simple instructions” for seasonal and holiday creations, edible and decorative, are exactly spot-on.

We tried the Paper Spiral Christmas tree project with some supplies we have in our stockpile.

Not too shabby working on identifying shapes, cutting and fine motor skills. My kids and I can’t wait to try more!

I would love to share this fun and insightful book with a reader, and what better time as we head into the holidays. If you love spending time creating with kids, won’t you share a favorite craft or food idea that you like to do in your home? Leave a comment by December 1, 2011 (11:59 pm CST) and I’ll randomly choose a lucky reader to send a copy of “Make and Takes for Kids”! Don’t forget to include your e-mail so I can contact you if you’re chosen.

Thanks and enjoy the weekend!

**This giveaway is not affiliated with Wiley, MakeandTakes.com, or Craft Critique**

Let the Lego Birthday Party Planning Begin

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Birthdays have always been a large part of my childhood. My mom and dad hosted birthday parties for me until I was 22 years old, believe it or not. A summer birthday meant picnics, backyard games, lots of family and friends. Sometimes we’d just go out to eat at a nice restaurant.

I always thought I’d give my kids memorable birthdays and fun parties. Just two years ago (almost three) we hosted a Webkinz party for our daughter. Some of her friends still talk about it. And now my son’s turn…it started with him in January of this year. “I wanna Lego theme birthday party!” How strange (or cool) is it that a four-year old thinks about party themes? My planning started two weeks ago since I get worked up over these things. I hope by sharing the process I’ll minimize the amount of Maalox I drink on top of the acid reflux pill I already take.

For this Lego birthday invite, I had Ollie pose his Lego figures and we had a little photo shoot. I edited the pictures in Picasa, made a collage and added invitation text in the empty space. Instead of printing the invitations at home, I uploaded the completed picture to a major store (think Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, etc.) and ordered 5 x 7 prints. They turned out so well, and it was very easy to do!

Hope this inspires you to do your own invitations!

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