tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44245886394209858622024-02-19T14:53:57.241-05:00Art For Little HandsLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-44832796555921366712013-04-01T17:44:00.000-04:002013-04-01T17:44:37.603-04:00Chalk for sports<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We really enjoy doing chalk outside. We don't really have a driveway that can be drawn upon so we have found our wall in the back yard to be perfect for chalk drawing. The other day I had an idea for how to use the wall, chalk, and a little art to help my daughter in her soccer practice. <script src="http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script></center>
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After telling my daughter the idea she got to work. First she drew a goal with a goalie girl in the middle. </center>
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Then she went to work practicing. We did several drills for about 30 min. using this goal. Doing what we call tick tocks, then shooting at the goal. Doing what we call tippy toes then again shooting at the goal. The best part is the ball comes back to you for easy set up to do again. Better than a goal you can buy in the store. She improved lots in that 30 min. and it was fun. Art can be used in everything!! Now to think of other fun things like this to do with the wall. Nerf shooting practice maybe? </center>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-60929608432169265602013-03-16T10:36:00.000-04:002013-03-16T10:36:13.605-04:00Acrylic Painting with Children<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The other day I pulled out some crayola brand acrylic paint and nice acrylic paper for some simple art time. I have done acrylic paint in the past with my other children and not had as much fun as we did this last time. Usually I dump a little paint onto a paper plate, use some printer paper, and let them try. This time I used a painting pallet, acrylic paint for kids, and nicer paper. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A painting pallet can be purchased at any art store. There are many different types and sizes. I have lots of them, but the one I used with my daughter was probably the smallest type and about a dollar in price. It is a nice way to keep your colors, mix colors, and keep everything neat and tidy. </div>
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Acrylic paint dries really fast and is permanent. It is a harder medium to paint with than watercolor because once the color is put down it is set. You cannot lift the color with water. Most the time young kids like my daughter don't feel the need to have to lift their paint, but it is permanent on clothing as well. Using a crayola washable acrylic is a bit different. It actually did lift a little. It says it is washable and I found it came off of the table we were panting on. It also did not dry as fast as regular acrylic paint so we didn't have to re-wet the paint on the pallet. However it did dry rather rapidly once she was finished with her paintings and we laid them out to dry. </div>
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<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8391/8562488550_10f278e8e2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8391/8562488550_10f278e8e2_b.jpg" width="640" /></a>Acrylic paper can be bought at art or craft stores. It can range in price from very expensive to relatively cheep. I purchased a book of 400 series paper. The thicker paper is much better for holding paint. I remember with my other children having the paint and water make the paper wet and since it was copy paper it would soon have holes in the paper. Paint just works better on the better paper. I find even with little artists it is nice to use something better than copy or construction paper. </div>
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This was definitely a fun activity for my three year old. She enjoyed using the paint and painted for about an hour. I sat down and painted with her on my own paper. I find when I do this my children focus as long on their painting as I do on mine. I filled my entire paper with color and so did she. I am almost certain that if I had not sat and painted an entire picture that she would have stopped sooner. She filled her paper and gave lots of attention to her "mountain with green people on top" painting. </div>
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What are your tips for painting with acrylics with children? Have you tried it? If not I challenge you to let your child enjoy this medium this week. </div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-65380713091565151812013-02-27T11:12:00.000-05:002013-02-27T11:12:00.145-05:00Life size drawings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Long butcher paper is a great supply to have when you have young children at home. Kids love drawing big. This activity teaches them an awareness of themselves. It also kept my three year old occupied at 15-20 minute increments on about 5 separate occasions. </div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-58644938449185263202013-02-23T11:29:00.000-05:002013-02-23T11:29:55.054-05:00Learning Letters with Salt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My three year old has been in a phase of noticing letters all around her. This is one of my favorite stages of childhood. It is fun to know that they are paying attention. That they realize now that the things around them have meaning. <script src="http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script></center>
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There are lots and lots of ways to help a toddler learn his or her letters and there is so much to learn. They must learn the alphabet song, understand lower case and upper case writing, the letter name and the letter sound, and then that letters come together to make words. What a huge thing to be learning. </center>
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This new phase in her life is certainly fun because she can learn these things using the arts. This week we took a can of salt and mixed in her favorite color of food coloring to make it more fun. (One hint, it wasn't easy mixing in the color. I had to really stir and grind the color into the salt and stir and grind, but it eventually comes together.) I spread the colored salt onto a cookie sheet. This was then used for writing her letters. </center>
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I took a fun ABC book and went through it page by page with her. I would read the page, write the letter, talk about the letter sound and then have her try writing the letter next to mine. After we wrote the letters you just give the tray a few shakes back and forth and it is ready for the next letter.</center>
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We only did upper case this time. Some letters were difficult for her so I would have her just trace over my letter. It is important when learning letters for it to not be difficult or frustrating for your child. I always fear if it is frustrating they will learn that writing and reading are not fun activities. If frustration sets in stop and just let them play with the salt. That was lots of fun too.</center>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-38791024238967870022013-02-08T15:44:00.000-05:002013-02-08T17:25:33.966-05:00Gak<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8381/8455033721_d7815f807d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #838383; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: initial;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8381/8455033721_d7815f807d_b.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 236, 236); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a>Are you tired of the winter weather? We sure are. I call these kind of grey winter ugly days, GAK days. A GAK day is a day where you just need something to mix and mold and play with to get your mind off the fact that we are only halfway through winter. </div>
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<u><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">To make Gak you need</span></u><span style="font-size: x-small;">:</span></div>
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8 oz bottle of elmers glue</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">1/3 teas of borax (found in the laundry section of your grocery) </span></span></div>
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Mix 8 oz elmers glue with 8 oz water. Then in a separate bowl mix 1/3 teas borax into a half a cup of water (add food coloring to this if you want). When that is all mixed poor the borax concoction with the elmers glue concoction and keep mixing. You have to get your hands into it at this point and mix and mix. If it is too slimy keep mixing and mixing and eventually it gets better. </div>
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Then just give the concoction to your child and let them go to town. You can give them tools to look at and see what they do. You can also provide some markers (that will get ruined sometimes by writing on the gak.) Just sit back and see what they do. If you show them how to play with it you take away the fun. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Remember the last time we did</span></span><a href="http://art4littlehands.blogspot.com/2011/09/first-scissor-cutting.html" style="color: #838383; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: initial;"> Gak</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">? She was so little. It was the best way to learn to use those scissors however! Made me miss the art blog so I may be back.</span></span></div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-42349047635572223032012-03-02T09:03:00.001-05:002013-02-08T14:10:19.278-05:00Happy Birthday Dr.Seuss<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</script></center><center style="text-align: left;">Dr. Dr. Seuss,</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Thank you so much for the work you did while you lived on this earth. You have greatly enriched my life and your books are a staple in my home. My kids were home sick one day this week and I have been down with sickness and back pain as well. I was laying in bed when I heard my eight year old say to my six year old. "Let's read this book -- it is a good one." I then heard her start reading him <i>The Lorax</i>. I quickly got up and grabbed my camera because it was one of those moments in time as a mother that I didn't want to forget. I almost wanted to cry thinking about how I love your books and now my children do too. After reading <i>The Lorax</i> we grabbed our favorite <i>Wacky Wednesday</i> and they enjoyed looking and reading the wackiness.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">I rotate all my children's books so that we don't read the same ones each month, but your books are never in the rotation. They have their own place where we will use them as often as possible. I enjoy the deeper meaning in almost all of your stories and my children learn so much from the rhyming and rhythm. Your philosophy is beautiful and will continue on forever because you were who you were. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the work that you did. All I can say is you have a special place in our home and always will.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Thank you Dr. Seuss,</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Laura</center></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-29173990519949512862012-01-22T21:44:00.002-05:002013-02-08T14:13:25.974-05:00Art For the soul: Pass It On<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today I was at Ikea buying a new wardrobe. It was heavy and I was trying to load it into my van by myself. I really wasn't sure how I was going to do it when a man stopped and helped me out (two people walked by before him.) May have not been a big deal to him, but it was to me. Maybe because I saw this video this week:<br />
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As I drove home from Ikea and off to Target and a few other errands I kept thinking about <span style="color: #990000;"><b>what I was going to do to pass it on</b></span>. I rehearsed in my mind things I could do. If I see a person with a flat on the side of the road I always drive by. I always feel that is a man's job to help. Maybe not. Maybe I can be of help in those situations. I never leave a penny because I never take a penny. Maybe I should be leaving some anyway. I don't often take cookies to my neighbor for no reason at all. Maybe I should. Wouldn't it be fun to leave a quarter in the cart at Aldi for someone? Maybe it would <span style="color: #990000;"><b>make their day</b></span>. Or even put a few quarters on top of the gum ball machine to<b><span style="color: #990000;"> make some kids day!</span></b></div>
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I do a few things already that I hope make people want to<b><span style="color: #990000;"> pass it on</span></b>. I always let people ahead of me in the grocery line if they have one item and I have a thousand. I always smile at strangers and people in stores. This may be a fault of mine because many many times people assume I work in the store and ask me where something is. Today I smiled at an old lady so much because she just wouldn't smile back. I kept thinking if only she would smile back maybe she would feel a little more happiness in life. Seriously she looked so sad. I always slow down and let cars in front of me if they put their blinker on in heavy traffic. I also try to never get mad or show annoyance after standing in line at a store or waiting too long at the bank. It isn't always the workers fault. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>What do you do to pass it on?</b></span> </span> </div>
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Are there small things you do each day that you hope puts a little light in someone's day? Let me know. I would love to have a list of things I am prepared to do for others in need. </div>
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</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-7632456058037303862012-01-18T08:00:00.000-05:002013-02-08T14:17:26.781-05:00The Art Of Play: Finger Puppets and literature<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Puppet theaters are a great way for children to learn the art of story telling. It also helps children to process the knowledge of things they have learned. Puppet theaters can be as complicated or uncomplicated as you want them to. Once I made <a href="http://www.art4littlehands.com/2011/05/make-shift-puppet-theatre.html" target="_blank">a very simple one</a> out of a spring shower rod and a curtain between a doorway. I have seen others with much more complicated ideas as well like this<a href="http://www.makeandtakes.com/circus-inspired-puppet-theater" target="_blank"> circus one</a> at make and takes.<br />
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On a smaller version finger puppets can be even easier to make. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6647486831/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="finger play by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="finger play" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6647486831_cb400229a4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This simple finger puppet theater was given to us by my mother. She bought it at IKEA. But how simple this would be to make out of cardboard as well. <br />
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Finger puppets seem to be everywhere. From the dollar store to Ikea. Making your own can be easy too. I loved this idea from craft Jr making <a href="http://www.craftjr.com/easy-easter-crafts-easter-finger-puppets/" target="_blank">finger puppets from pipe cleaners</a>. These <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/crafts-by-age/toddler-crafts/waterproof-puppet-theater-796098/" target="_blank">waterproof ones</a> from family fun are on my to do list.
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Allison is my oldest and also a writer. She loves to write stories and tell stories. She made up a play about a spy and an even worse spy. I think this picture shows much of the fun she was having!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6647491281/" title="finger play by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="finger play" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6647491281_c14a02aa5d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<br /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-62663163473463595092012-01-15T23:10:00.001-05:002013-02-08T14:13:26.035-05:00Art for The Soul: Missing Pieces<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #990000; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and begining the work at becoming yourself."</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: bold;">Anna Quindlen</span></span><br />
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<b>Don't we all aim for perfection?</b> I feel it is something we are taught from a very young age. Searching and searching for what we are to be. How we can make our mark in the world. What it is that will make us whole. Something that says "I have arrived."</div>
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Do you struggle with trying to be perfect? I know I do. In fact I came to the conclusion recently that I was worthless because I can't seem to be that person I aim to be. I actually gave up. Literally had a nervous breakdown because I knew the person I want to be will never reflect back to me in the mirror. A book by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060256710/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=artfourlittle-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0060256710">Shel Silverstein called "The Missing Piece"</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=artfourlittle-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0060256710" style="border-bottom-style: none !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /> struck me hard today. It was the first I ever heard it or read it. Here is a beautiful youtube video showing the book:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Zb1VWwOK2nQ" style="text-align: left;" width="420"></iframe></div>
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<b>Life is a journey not a place we will ever reach perfection.</b> In fact being perfect is somewhat uninteresting. In the story "The Missing Piece" once perfection is achieved life became not as enjoyable, not as exciting, too fast, and mundane. Do you agree? I can say that I haven't always agreed with that, but today it is an idea muddling around in my mind. Ernst Fischer said, "As machines become more and more efficient and perfect, so it will become clear that imperfection is the greatness of man." As I think on this quote, my mind moves towards evolution and the fact that progress would never have even happened if it weren't for imperfections or mutations. Now this is not to say that improving ourselves is not good. I think it is, but we should do it without the goal of perfection. Instead our goal should be of discovery and enjoying life to the fullest. <b>Just as we teach our children it is about the process not the product so we too should believe that way about ourselves and our lives.</b><br />
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<b>Our lives are about the process not just the product. </b> Fail at your attempts. Try and try again. Make lots of mistakes. And the wrinkles will come. The grey hair will show through. The imperfections will show making you greater than anything you could imagine. </div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><b>"A beautiful thing is never perfect." </b></span><br />
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</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-50902513757446378542012-01-13T08:00:00.000-05:002013-02-23T12:22:47.955-05:00Studying Great Artists: Vincent Van Gogh<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6670022147/" title="Vincent Van Gogh art by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Vincent Van Gogh art" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6670022147_a4856a3eee_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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I have wanted to study great artists myself for a long time and I finally decided to give it a go. My search very quickly led to me a book by <b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0935607099/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=artfourlittle-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0935607099">MaryAnn F. Kohl called Discovering Great Artists</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=artfourlittle-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0935607099" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></b>. I will be exploring this book a lot this year. It is excellently done. I had the book in my home for a few weeks and still hadn't taken the time to look into it much when my son brought up how cool his art lesson was at school as we were driving home last week. He said he learned about an artists that drew a cool starry sky. He couldn't remember his name, but I knew right away what he was talking about. <script src="http://wms.assoc-amazon.com/20070822/US/js/link-enhancer-common.js?tag=artfourlittle-20" type="text/javascript">
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My kids school has an art teacher independent of the other teachers. This is nice in that my daughter had the exact same lesson although she wasn't in his class. They had watched a film about <span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Vincent Van Gogh</b></span>, but that was it. They were given a coloring sheet to color in of his starry night! Really. A coloring sheet! I think the art teacher is okay. Some of the things the kids do in there is very educational, but I was so frustrated with a coloring sheet on Van Gogh. So I told my kids about my new book.<br />
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When we had time we looked at the two pages about Van Gogh. It has a bit about his life and how he painted. We learned that he painted in a style called <b>Impasto</b>. <span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Impasto is painting done with very thick paint</b></span>. It is usually applied with a knife or brush and the brush strokes or knife strokes are shown because of the thickness. <br />
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First I had the children look through a bunch of Van Gogh paintings to get the idea of the Impasto style. They wanted to draw the exact pictures they liked. James chose Starry Night, Ally chose Sunflowers, Grace did her own thing, and I chose Starry Night over Rhone. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6670004599/" title="Vincent Van Gogh art by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Vincent Van Gogh art" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6670004599_c3e244d719_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6670011387/" title="Vincent Van Gogh art by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Vincent Van Gogh art" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6670011387_21dca9eb1a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<b>We thickened our paint up with laundry soap</b> (next time I will use flour or corn starch.) I actually used borax thinking it was just laundry soap, but I think that is the <b>wrong</b> thing. It made the paint like sand. We worked with it anyway, but I think a thicker not grainier paint was what we were supposed to do.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6670006595/" title="Vincent Van Gogh art by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Vincent Van Gogh art" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6670006595_0458c3a272_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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The paint was really hard to work with at this point to apply. It didn't stick to our papers. My eldest who tends to complain eventually went to just regular paint without any thickeners.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6670016167/" title="Vincent Van Gogh art by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Vincent Van Gogh art" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6670016167_de87e61e53_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
My son struggled too and I told him just to use regular paint, but he was insistent on doing it just like Van Gogh. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6670014423/" title="Vincent Van Gogh art by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Vincent Van Gogh art" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6670014423_9407316fb0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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My baby had no problems. Two year olds are perfect for tyring new things. She got right in and into it. No complaining. Just slopped it on and moved it around!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6670013729/" title="Vincent Van Gogh art by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Vincent Van Gogh art" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7023/6670013729_75a4c44b35_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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I used a knife the entire time and even tried mixing my colors right on the paper as Van Gogh did. It was really hard. I found this method to make my drawing look even more childish than my children's paintings, but it was interesting to see the textures it helped me to make too. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6670023527/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Vincent Van Gogh art by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Vincent Van Gogh art" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6670023527_71582c8c69_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starry Night over Rhone by Laura</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6670024761/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Vincent Van Gogh art by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Vincent Van Gogh art" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6670024761_cd37d250b4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starry Night (not finished yet) by James</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6670022147/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Vincent Van Gogh art by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Vincent Van Gogh art" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6670022147_a4856a3eee_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunflowers by Ally</td></tr>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-38145580023845143072012-01-11T08:00:00.000-05:002013-02-08T14:17:26.723-05:00The Art Of Play: Watching Movies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6647493191/" title="Movie night by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Movie night" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6647493191_283187bc35_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<b>I am a lover of television and movies</b>. I enjoy being entertained by this type of art form. And I think it truly is an <b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">art form</span></b>. From the time my kids were mere babies they have also developed a love for the entertainment that comes through a mesh of wires in a thin box. I read lots of blogs and I admire families that don't have television in their lives. I see value in that. I see some of the craziness television causes for me in my life. My kids beg for it. They want it on all the time. I can imagine life could be more meaningful if we just took the television to the curb. I am also a believer that if I don't allow something for my children that I shouldn't allow it for me. I can't take away television from myself so I will not be taking it from them. That is not to say I don't try to limit it.<br />
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<b>Does television help your children?</b> I think it helps mine. Often they will be watching something and their curiosity explodes. They soon are cutting, paisting, and putting on a play. My daughter started reading really young. I attribute it to not only her genious, but to PBS kids and Leapster alphabet shows. My sons art often reflects the video games and movies he watches. I can see how some would think this to be sad. Maybe his inspiration should come from going to the zoo, or playing outside, but he does that too. Petronius said "Moderation in all things including moderation." I like this saying. Should we watch television all the time? NO. Can we once and a while? SURE. A day of television is something we do and enjoy often! I feel as if I am letting you know a dirty secret in our home. But when they watch it and make scenes like these I have to say, I love my children more than anyone could ever know. <b><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">I</span></span></b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b> mean what stuffed animal doesn't want to be leashed up by pipe cleaners for a movie night?</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6647493993/" title="Movie night by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Movie night" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6647493993_e38e88b1a6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-10423998261529351202012-01-08T11:54:00.001-05:002013-02-08T14:13:25.934-05:00Art For The Soul: Breath<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Etty_Hillesum/" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><b>Etty Hillesum</b></a></span></span>
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<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: deepskyblue; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6647499515/" title="Tea party by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Tea party" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6647499515_31367e314a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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When did life get so complicated? Did it happen? or is it in my mind? Do I make everything more complicated than it needs to be?<br />
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Remember playing tea time as a little girl? So simple, so easy. No need for even liquid in the glasses. Pretending works just fine. No need to invite guests that may not show up. Just fill your chairs with stuffed animal friends and you are good to go.<br />
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Do you have a time of rest each day? A time for relaxation and thinking. Sit and relax. Breath in and out. Savor a cup of something you love. This is something we all need from time to time.<br />
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I recently started going to a yoga class each day. At the end of class we meditate. We just get in a comfortable position and let our breathing slow down. We relax, I repeat a mantra, some may just nap for a minute. It is a time to take yourself out of the world. Slow down. Reflect. The teacher has to at some point stop us from our meditations. She doesn't do it abruptly. She starts by saying, "Open your eyelids, slowly let them adjust, breath in and out. Now slowly move your body. One limb at a time. Breath in awareness to your surroundings. To your life. Breath out and feel good you took time for you. You need it. You deserve it."<br />
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Today at church the pastor spoke to the children about 24/7. He told them about a good pastor friend of his who calls it 24/6 to remind everyone that there is need for a time out. Need for a day of rest. I think we also need times of rest each day. I challenge myself and you to do this. Have some tea, coffee, hot chocolate, a coke, or just a glass of water. Sit without distractions. Breath in, sip, breath out and repeat. Take in the silence, renew your spirit if only for a moment. <br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #990000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“The quieter you become, the more you can hear.”</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #990000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.spiritual-experiences.com/spiritual-quotes/quote.php?teacher=26" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Baba Ram Dass</a></span></span> </span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"> </span></b></div>
</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-7134402963236301712012-01-03T09:27:00.000-05:002013-02-08T14:28:19.421-05:00Favorite Posts of 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hard to think that 2011 is already over. Time flies faster and faster the older a person gets. I am excited for this next year of blogging. I am hoping to bring more art ideas into your life as well as mine. I am hoping to <span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">refocus</span></b> </span>and spend more time on <span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">real art - less craft</span>. I am wanting to bring my blog back to the vision I started with. When I first started the blog I was hoping to look at real artists and learn their style with my children not only teaching them to be more artistic, but bringing art into my life. As I started blogging, I started reading a million more blogs and I feel that led me to focus more on the product than the process. I am recommitting myself to what I intended. I hope to have a focus each month and an art process we explore fully throughout that month. <span style="color: #990000;"><b>Hope you keep reading along with me!</b></span><br />
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I did want to share with everyone some of the favorite posts from my blog last year. </div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">The favorite post of readers was our</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.art4littlehands.com/2011/07/embroidery-solar-system.html" target="_blank">embroidery thread solar system</a>:</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1f00mtVdt0FpQPB_L8QrdKvx3EWwtWZUn85-0ulLzF_GNLCvKaebDqJ1OLAV7adDf9XZDQX1avyW1s7lfyiMBZNwbrku8Fu7zrdBOFQ2q8GivDW5nPvbGAZsVJ1zQMxJQP7bvr055dTD/s640/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1f00mtVdt0FpQPB_L8QrdKvx3EWwtWZUn85-0ulLzF_GNLCvKaebDqJ1OLAV7adDf9XZDQX1avyW1s7lfyiMBZNwbrku8Fu7zrdBOFQ2q8GivDW5nPvbGAZsVJ1zQMxJQP7bvr055dTD/s640/047.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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I can see why everyone liked it. It was a beautiful sculpture once finished. I wish we still had it hanging. My naughty kids thought it fun to jump and hit the planets with their hands and slowly each one fell down. We were left with just red mars in the end and I don't really have the heart or energy to try and redo the project. As they hit them and they fell each planet was ruined in the process especially the bigger planets. If I was to do this project over again I would secure the plants better to the ceiling and put more sting than we even used to make them stronger. Check it out <a href="http://www.art4littlehands.com/2011/07/embroidery-solar-system.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">here</span></b></a>. </div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>My favorite post that was seen by few was</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.art4littlehands.com/2011/03/day-babies-crawled-away.html" target="_blank">The Day the Babies Crawled Away</a></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.art4littlehands.com/2011/03/day-babies-crawled-away.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEior5gEq6Mf0nSJPxq3GmIWCdvgCRcVkJJFGHqqBOzFs6N3gTfQ5_GcCJjL3bz1REtSXF1kwzm8mCgmyZhOqeHyeCh-Fsr2aeonqwRJ2PghpjobEOivkxC5bqMGlZ23yIXtKG1B_70dhTNG/s640/139.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was one of my very first posts. That is probably why it wasn't seen by many and not too popular. It was the art project we did that sparked me wanting to share with others the art we do in our home through a blog format. In this project we read a book by <span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Peggy Rathmann called "</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/039923196X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=artfourlittle-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=039923196X" style="font-size: 15px;">The Day the Babies Crawled Away</a><span style="border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-width: initial !important; font-size: 15px;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=artfourlittle-20&l=as2&o=1&a=039923196X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><span style="font-size: 15px;">." The artwork in this children's story is astounding. Worth reading even if you don't intend on doing the art along with the book. Check out the full post</span><b><u><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.art4littlehands.com/2011/03/day-babies-crawled-away.html" target="_blank">here</a></span></u></b><span style="font-size: 15px;">. </span></span></div>
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</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-84541918616505517392011-12-31T13:19:00.003-05:002013-02-08T14:10:19.346-05:00Goodbye 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6600965871/" title="Time Square by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Time Square" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6600965871_ba40abd8e1_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><b>Happy Holidays </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><b>from my family to yours</b></span></div>
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It has been crazy starting this blog earlier this year. I seriously decided on a whim. One second I was reading Artful Parent and the next I was starting a blog. I really put that little of thought into it. I can't believe how accepting the blog community has been of me, the many fans and readers I have gained in such a short time, and how much support strangers have given me. I am overwhelmed with your comments and love towards me. </div>
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I took a little blog break for Christmas. We spent the holiday in New York and enjoyed no electronics and pure family time. Can't wait to get back to the blog next year! </div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">I would love ideas from you about art materials, art projects, and subjects you want to see on the blog next year. Please don't be shy. </span></div>
</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-30486009981500211902011-12-20T10:00:00.000-05:002013-02-23T12:07:49.961-05:00Hands On As We Grow<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Have you been reading <a href="http://www.handsonaswegrow.com/2011/12/art-christmas-coffee-filter-garland.html" target="_blank">Hands On As We Grow</a>? </span></b> </span><br />
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It is a wonderful blog all about being a <b>hands on mom</b>. Jamie works very hard to bring her readers knowledge about <b>exploring art and creating crafts</b>, as well as<b> embracing energetic play</b> with active and fun activities. She has two very active boys and I find her blog to be a plethora of great information for mothers and caregivers. <br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Today, I am a guest writer on her blog. </span></b><br />
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We made a fun <b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.handsonaswegrow.com/2011/12/art-christmas-coffee-filter-garland.html" target="_blank">Coffee Filter Banner</a></span></b> that is perfect for any holiday. Be sure to head over and check it out as well as the rest of Jamie's blog. </div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-82478033689658752382011-12-19T09:40:00.000-05:002013-02-08T14:13:26.077-05:00Monday Madness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Is it already Monday? I can't believe it. I am not keeping up on things lately. How are you doing? Christmas and Hanukkah are this week as well as I am sure other religious traditions. It is such a busy week that Monday Madness will run for two weeks this time around! Last week we had a lot of great ideas shared. Even some new blogs I haven't seen before and I read way too many blogs. So glad for all that come and share and those that come and enjoy. Thanks everyone so much. <br />
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Here are three posts that really caught my eye last week.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://creativewithkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/IMAG1382-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://creativewithkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/IMAG1382-300x300.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a wonderful post by <a href="http://creativewithkids.com/10-way-to-guarantee-you-will-hate-doing-kids-crafts/comment-page-1/#comment-1596" target="_blank">Creative With Kids</a> about how not to do a art project with kids. I have done a few of the no no's myself. Have you?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://linkyimg.arvixededicated.com/thumbnails/20111212/08ccd78f-a889-4fb4-866a-d808113e62e6_thumb_BR_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://linkyimg.arvixededicated.com/thumbnails/20111212/08ccd78f-a889-4fb4-866a-d808113e62e6_thumb_BR_14.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The <a href="http://theiowafarmerswife.blogspot.com/2011/12/felt-gingerbreadmangirl-dress-up-doll.html?" target="_blank">Iowa Farmer's Wife </a>shared a cute idea of making a felt gingerbread man and women to dress up. So cute. Sorry, I had to copy the thumbnail so the picture is small, but go over and <a href="http://theiowafarmerswife.blogspot.com/2011/12/felt-gingerbreadmangirl-dress-up-doll.html?" target="_blank">check it out </a>yourself to see it larger.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsV18PBhyfrUEiUtyz3IkvZeeZxhiGkYx1GaeBeQFFcXdfYNzsD0eIFjJRkOkw_lwvDcQojZMkGRlUrvDOwgbew4OlaRc3zVNd_WuCYhlXg4fImzCTy2BcNcDwA4evPx3WjheaWWZN4Y/s400/IMG_7071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsV18PBhyfrUEiUtyz3IkvZeeZxhiGkYx1GaeBeQFFcXdfYNzsD0eIFjJRkOkw_lwvDcQojZMkGRlUrvDOwgbew4OlaRc3zVNd_WuCYhlXg4fImzCTy2BcNcDwA4evPx3WjheaWWZN4Y/s400/IMG_7071.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Waldorf inspired manger scene is so beautiful. I need to get to a park with some nature to steal for this beautiful idea from<a href="http://exploreandexpress-sheila.blogspot.com/2011/12/nature-nativity.html" target="_blank"> Explore and Express</a>.</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">If you were featured above be sure to grab a featured button in my sidebar. Also be sure to check out who was featured over at my co-hosts blog <a href="http://letkidscreate.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Let Kids Create</a>.</span></b></div>
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Now onto our two week Monday Madness party. Please share a post or two, past or present that you think will inspire and delight. Grab our button and link back to us. We will share a few posts on our next Monday Madness as well as on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/artforlittlehands" target="_blank"> facebook </a>or <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/art4littlehands" target="_blank">twitter</a>*.</div>
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<a href="http://www.art4littlehands.com/" target="Art For Little Hands"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z423/art4littlehands/Art%20For%20Little%20Hands/MondayMadness.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>*with your link you give me permission to use pictures from your post to share with others on my blog and on social media outlets.</i></div>
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</center></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-90082675880985640422011-12-16T09:00:00.000-05:002013-02-23T12:07:49.975-05:00Magazine Trees<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6506311557/" title="Magazine folded trees by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Magazine folded trees" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6506311557_e1c3262bb7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It is really the month of <a href="http://www.art4littlehands.com/search/label/magazines" target="_blank">magazines</a> here in our house. I have been a bit under the weather for most of the month with headaches and general crummy feelings. So we have been watching lots of movies and resting and playing. Not much art going on in our house. So sad. Last week my daughter and I were able to make a cute decoration out of magazines. Magazine trees are so easy to do. I found a free magazine in the doctors office that was perfect for my daughter to do. At the age of barely 8 she seemed to have the perfect attention span to finish the entire thing by herself. I don't think this would be a good project for many younger than her. Maybe an advanced 6 or 7 year old. <br />
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Here is how you fold the tree:<br />
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Step One: Take top corner and fold down to edge<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6506292837/" title="Magazine folded trees by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Magazine folded trees" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6506292837_5c5b4d2a73_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
Step Two: another fold down into a triangle<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6506294017/" title="Magazine folded trees by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Magazine folded trees" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6506294017_444d58f666_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
Step Three: fold the bottom part under and into the triangle<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6506295307/" title="Magazine folded trees by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Magazine folded trees" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6506295307_f504a7a0d9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
Repeat:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6506298103/" title="Magazine folded trees by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Magazine folded trees" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6506298103_fef17f4e2b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
and Repeat:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6506299579/" title="Magazine folded trees by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Magazine folded trees" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6506299579_1877906712_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
and repeat:</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6506300841/" title="Magazine folded trees by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Magazine folded trees" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6506300841_8b9eb21318_z.jpg" width="427" /></a> </div>
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Ally's system for folding was so cute. Used her foot and all:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6506304421/" title="Magazine folded trees by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Magazine folded trees" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6506304421_bc42c9abab_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
Beautiful Decoration
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6506311557/" title="Magazine folded trees by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Magazine folded trees" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6506311557_e1c3262bb7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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HINTS: Our trees turned out a bit lopsided. The backs were not as pretty as the fronts you see in the photo. I am not sure why except that after I did these I saw another tutorial for them from the linky party last week. <a href="http://makedoandfriend.blogspot.com/2011/12/magazine-christmas-trees.html" target="_blank">Make and Do Friends </a> took the cover off the magazine before she began. I am thinking this may be the reason my back of the tree didn't look as nice. My hint is to try it that way! Also Ally's tree is in the front, remember that when kids are doing fun things like this it is okay not to have it look perfect. Her folds got less and less precise as she went along. Doesn't really matter! Still looks just like a tree!</div>
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I often link to <a href="http://www.art4littlehands.com/p/link-parties.html">these</a> blogs.</div>
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</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-83616552340990720892011-12-14T00:00:00.000-05:002013-02-23T12:17:00.892-05:00Creative Christmas Countdown: Drawing Games<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today is day 14 of the <a href="http://creativewithkids.com/creative-christmas-countdown/" target="_blank">Creative Christmas Countdown</a> which means I get to share with you a wonderful activity you can do with your family during advent! Welcome to all you coming over from Creative with Kids, I hope you take some time to look around Art For Little Hands and see all the other wonderful <a href="http://www.art4littlehands.com/p/projects-by-type.html" target="_blank">activities</a> we do in our home. </div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6506610997/" title="Christmas Pictionary by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas Pictionary" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6506610997_3b8d0c38aa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Today I am going to share with you fun ideas for playing drawing games. Drawing games are great for little ones and an easy way to entertain them anytime. <b> Do you ever feel your child only draws the exact same picture every time they draw?</b> That is my 8 year old. A few flowers in the sun is her favorite picture to draw. I wish she would try new things, but for some kids that is intimidating. Drawing games are a great way to get your child to try new things to draw and challenge themselves to try drawing things they didn't even think they could. There are probably many drawing games you can do in your home, but I wanted to share with you the three that we do often (and almost every time we are waiting at the doctors or church or anywhere they need to be entertained and a bit quiet.) </div>
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<u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Pictionary with a theme:</span></b></u></div>
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You don't need a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0033UE1FE/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=artfourlittle-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0033UE1FE" style="text-align: left;">pictionary</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=artfourlittle-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0033UE1FE" style="border-bottom-style: none !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; text-align: left;" width="1" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: left;">
game to play pictionary anytime. In fact with little ones I find it better to play without the gameboard and really without scoring at all. To play all you need to do is think up a bunch of words you think would be fun for your children to draw. I simply took the children out into the hallway and whispered the word, but if your children are old enough to read you can write them out on pieces of paper. Each child takes a turn drawing a word that only he or she sees and then the family tries to guess what the word is that he or she is drawing. If your family is large enough you can split into teams and take score. It was only me and my two older children playing so we didn't keep score.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6506139173/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Christmas Pictionary by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas Pictionary" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/6506139173_bcf3daa8bb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6506142319/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Christmas Pictionary by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas Pictionary" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6506142319_d7c3294664_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">Here is a list of good Christmas words to get you going with this in your home tonight:</span></div>
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<li>Manger</li>
<li>Star of Bethlehem</li>
<li>Stable</li>
<li>Baby Jesus</li>
<li>Shepherds</li>
<li>Three wise men</li>
<li>Christmas tree</li>
<li>Santa Clause</li>
<li>Stocking</li>
<li>Frosty the Snowman</li>
<li>snowflake</li>
<li>Elves</li>
<li>hot cocoa</li>
<li>ornament</li>
<li>presents</li>
<li>nutcracker</li>
<li>carol singing</li>
<li>Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer</li>
<li>candy cane</li>
<li>Christmas lights</li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><b><u>Timed Drawing:</u></b></span></div>
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To play a timed drawing game you need drawing materals, a minute timer, and two or more people. So easy. What you do is have each member of the family draw a picture of the same thing and then compare drawings. I played with just my daughter and in the end she said, that was so much fun! I would really like to do this with everyone in the family just haven't had my husband around enough. I think the kids would get a kick out of their dad playing this with them. For this game it is also fun to have song titles for the pictures to draw and even to sing the songs as you draw.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6507434113/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Drawing Games by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Drawing Games" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6507434113_94dbf89a53_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mine: Top, Ally: Bottom -- can you guess the song?<br />
ʞɔoɹ llǝq ǝlƃuıɾ :ɹǝʍsuɐ</td></tr>
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Here is a list of songs to draw I came up with:</div>
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<li>Oh Little Town of Bethlehem</li>
<li>Away in a Manger</li>
<li>Let It Snow</li>
<li>Frosty the Snowman</li>
<li>Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer</li>
<li>We Three Kings</li>
<li>Jingle Bell Rock</li>
<li>Baby It's Cold Outside</li>
<li>The Little Drummer Boy</li>
<li>Oh Christmas Tree</li>
<li>Noel (this is a hard one!)</li>
<li>Silent Night</li>
<li>Up on the Rooftop</li>
<li>Santa Clause is Coming to Town</li>
<li>Joy to the World</li>
<li>I saw Mommy kissing Santa Clause</li>
<li>It's the Most wonderful time of the year</li>
<li>Santa baby</li>
<li>Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree</li>
<li>All I want for Christmas</li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><b><u>Pass the Drawing: </u></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">This is a game I play often with my son when we are at church or waiting somewhere. Each person takes a turn drawing one thing to make a whole picture. You go back and forth until the picture seems done. This is also a fun one to do with toddlers. My eldest and me also enjoy doing this in <a href="http://www.art4littlehands.com/search/label/mandalas" target="_blank">mandala</a> form each taking a turn making the next layer of the mandala. To give this a theme you can make a rule that each part of the drawing has to go with the theme of Christmas, or whatever theme you chose. This activity is really good to do with a child that doesn't ever particularly want to fill in all the space on their paper or go into much detail. Also works with toddlers, just don't expect them to want to keep going always. My toddler lasted about 2 passes.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6507416215/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Drawing Games by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Drawing Games" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6507416215_c3816faa9e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For this activity it is good to draw a room to start with, but not necessary. Lots to fill up in a room. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6507419283/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Drawing Games by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Drawing Games" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6507419283_779fd3df6c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my rule is one thing to draw each time. I say only one color, but my kids hate that and never obey the rule.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6507425719/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Drawing Games by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><img alt="Drawing Games" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6507425719_e2c9db18b2_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also like to draw blank things like a blank fireplace and let them add the </td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">embellishment</span>s</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6507428039/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Drawing Games by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Drawing Games" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6507428039_8ccd5af5b3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pictures on the wall are fun for kids to fill in</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6507432923/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Drawing Games by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Drawing Games" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6507432923_7fa3dd093e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our finished picture done together. I love the little mouse hole my daughter drew on the left wall!</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Now you are off to do a drawing game with your little ones</b></span>. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">Takes only a few minutes and is sure to delight. Or remember paper and crayons to carry in your purse for those emergency "need to entertain a little one moment" all parents have.</span></div>
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If you haven't had a chance be sure to check out day 1-13 of the <a href="http://creativewithkids.com/creative-christmas-countdown/" target="_blank">Creative Christmas Countdown </a>and keep following along. Lots of good ideas have been shared already such as <a href="http://letkidscreate.blogspot.com/2011/11/24-days-of-holiday-books-creative.html" target="_blank">holiday book advent</a>, <a href="http://www.dillydaliart.com/2011/11/creative-christmas-countdown-day-2.html" target="_blank">Homemade Christmas cards</a>, <a href="http://www.redtedart.com/2011/12/03/kids-crafts-traditional-walnut-babies/" target="_blank">walnut baby ornaments</a>, <a href="http://www.teachpreschool.org/2011/12/creative-christmas-countdown-day-4-thank-you-cards/" target="_blank">Handmade Thank you cards</a>, <a href="http://www.angeliquefelix.com/blog/magical-christmas-singing-under-tree-and-counting-twinkeling-stars" target="_blank">Sing a Song</a>, <a href="http://rainydaymum.co.uk/day6-creative-christmas-countdown" target="_blank">Fun with Grandparents</a>, <a href="http://www.theimaginationtree.com/2011/12/hot-chocolate-and-marshmallows-advent.html" target="_blank">Hot Cocoa Party</a>, <a href="http://mamapeapod.blogspot.com/2011/12/creative-christmas-countdown-day-8.html" target="_blank">Paper Trees</a>, <a href="http://momto2poshlildivas.blogspot.com/2011/12/decorating-gingerbread-houses-creative.html" target="_blank">Gingerbread house</a>s, <a href="http://nurturestore.co.uk/how-to-make-a-bird-feeder" target="_blank">handmade bird feeders</a>, <a href="http://amomwithalessonplan.com/2011/12/11/creative-christmas-countdown-day-11-me/" target="_blank">peppermint play dough</a>, <a href="http://www.handsonaswegrow.com/2011/12/day-12-creative-christmas-countdown.html" target="_blank">decorate kids rooms for the holidays</a>, and <a href="http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/2011/12/day-13-creative-christmas-countdown.html" target="_blank">handmade gift wrap</a>. I can't wait to see the last 10 activities. </div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-14230216628808607682011-12-06T00:00:00.000-05:002013-02-23T12:14:29.000-05:00Magazine Coasters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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There are so many ways to upcycle your magazines. We actually don't get many magazines in our house, but we were at the library and they had stacks of them for sale at 10 cents each. I really enjoyed getting them and exploring them with my children while were were doing the <a href="http://www.art4littlehands.com/2011/12/magazine-play-houses.html" target="_blank">magazine creative challenge</a>.<br />
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Since we had so many magazines in our house there was no way we could do just one art project with stacks and stacks of papers. So we tried our hand at magazine coasters.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6457264779/" title="Magazine Upcycle coasters by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Magazine Upcycle coasters" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7175/6457264779_4667af8d57_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Magazine Coasters</b></span><br />
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This activity was very difficult for me and my seven year old to do. It takes patience and perfection. Not something that is a good mix for children or sloppy adults. With this project you simply chose several pictures in a magazine you like. Even using just pages of words would look really retro and cool. Ally wanted earth tones so we went with any picture that had lots of blues and greens. I think If we were to do it again I would mix it up with some plain text or a third more opposing color. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6437422505/" title="Magazine weaving by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Magazine weaving" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6437422505_c7522da7aa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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We made our coasters by weaving 1 inch strips of magazine paper together. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6437426925/" title="Magazine weaving by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Magazine weaving" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6437426925_462480e9d7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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We folded our papers over which is what made this activity more difficult to do. You have to be certain you are weaving the top layer and the bottom layer correctly at the same time. It got confusing at times and often the project would just fall apart if your hands weren't holding it together tightly. We found after trial an error that using glue as we went helped tremendously.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6437431217/" title="Magazine weaving by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Magazine weaving" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6437431217_c5ebf7eb06_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6437438181/" title="Magazine weaving by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Magazine weaving" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6437438181_f0e89887ac_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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Ally was a good sport. She threw in the bucket a few times so to speak. It really was difficult ( how much can I say that?) Of the four that we did. Ally completed one in the time it took me to do the other three and I also experimented with other ways we could have done the activity. I found this was probably the simplest for her. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6457223165/" title="Magazine Upcycle coasters by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Magazine Upcycle coasters" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6457223165_82df22e0dd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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We found the coasters were a bit too thin. Ally had the idea of adding cardboard to the bottom. We used modge podge to create a finished look on both the top and bottom of the project. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6457224969/" title="Magazine Upcycle coasters by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Magazine Upcycle coasters" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6457224969_51203fef18_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Four coasters ready for a Christmas ribbon!</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6457259189/" title="Magazine Upcycle coasters by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Magazine Upcycle coasters" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6457259189_b9cb4d2a0f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What have you done with magazines lately. This blog hop started by <a href="http://tinkerlab.com/" target="_blank">tinkerlab</a> is a great place to share your ideas:<br />
<br /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-59990214054666930562011-12-02T13:00:00.000-05:002013-02-23T12:21:41.781-05:00Coffee Filter Snowflakes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6439824209/" title="IMG_2228 by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2228" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6439824209_fc957cdf40_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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I don't have a coffee pot and therefore don't have a need for coffee filters. How crazy is it that I just stocked up on coffee filters then? There are so many fun ideas for ways to use a coffee filter other than for making coffee. This month we are going to explore coffee filters a bit at Art For Little Hands. First up is Coffee Filter Snowflakes!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6437450663/" title="Snowflake Craft by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Snowflake Craft" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6437450663_a2bb08f7fa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
Coffee filter snowflakes are so easy and so beautiful. Usually when I cut snowflakes, I have to get out a bunch of bowls, draw and cut circles onto white paper and then start. With a coffee filter the circle is done and awaiting your creativity. You can also make the circle much smaller simply by cutting it down after you have folded your circle for cutting. Coffee filters are very thin so cutting through several layers is much easier for little artists than when using paper.<br />
<a href="http://s1189.photobucket.com/albums/z423/art4littlehands/?action=view&current=IMG_2215-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="530" src="http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z423/art4littlehands/IMG_2215-1.jpg" width="640" /></a>
Cutting snowflakes is so easy. First you have to fold the circle several times until it is a triangular shape. After you have folded; cut parts of the sides, middle, and outside to create patterns.<br />
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<a href="http://s1189.photobucket.com/albums/z423/art4littlehands/?action=view&current=IMG_2223-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="640" src="http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z423/art4littlehands/IMG_2223-1.jpg" width="640" /></a>
We found it really fun to use a hole punch as well. Just be sure not to cut an entire side off or you will end up with a completely fallen apart snowflake.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6439887727/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_2289 by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2289" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6439887727_554ab1704f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Displaying our snowflakes in our front window is really beautiful. At night when the moon shines in and the curtains are shut you can see the shadows on the curtains. In the day it is very inviting to walk up to the house seeing the bright and cheerful snowflakes.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6437449889/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Snowflake Craft by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Snowflake Craft" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6437449889_070f99803e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>How have you used a coffee filter unconventionally?</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>I often link to <a href="http://www.art4littlehands.com/p/link-parties.html">these</a> blogs.</b></span></div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-2392661114833825902011-12-01T21:11:00.001-05:002013-02-23T12:18:18.624-05:00Creative Christmas Day 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://creativewithkids.com/creative-christmas-countdown" target="_blank" title=" Creative Christmas Countdown "><img alt=" Creative Christmas Countdown " height="200" src=" http://creativewithkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Countdown-Background2.jpg " width="200" /></a><center>
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<b>You know the Creative Christmas Countdown started today right?</b> I am so excited as well as the other 23 of my blogging friends to share our activities with you each day. I am not going to be doing every activity myself and you don't need to either. If you do every activity you will win caregiver of the year award. Lets face it December is a very very busy month!<br />
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I also am not going to post what you can do each and every day. <a href="http://creativewithkids.com/creative-christmas-countdown/" target="_blank">You can refer to the Creative Christmas Countdown page over at Creative With Kids</a>. If you don't want to be surprised each day you can print out the list of activities ahead of time<a href="http://creativewithkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Creative-Christmas-Countdown-Printable.pdf" target="_blank"> here</a>. <br />
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I also wanted to give you a bit more info about this since I feel I may have been a bit vague in my last post about it. Each day a different blogger is posting about an activity you can do with your family as you count down the days to Christmas. That is 24 great and mostly simple ways to bring creativity to your holiday season. You don’t need to worry about doing exactly what the day says, just let the idea inspire you. For instance when a day says, “A tradition with grandparents” You might think about just telling a story to your kids about how Christmas was for your parents. Make this simple for yourself!<br />
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So today started over at <a href="http://letkidscreate.blogspot.com/2011/11/24-days-of-holiday-books-creative.html" target="_blank">Let Kids Create with 24 days of holiday books</a>. This is an idea I have wanted to do for a long time. It is an idea where you wrap 24 books up under the tree and each night before Christmas you let a child pick a present, unwrap it and then read the book as a family. You must check out <a href="http://letkidscreate.blogspot.com/2011/11/24-days-of-holiday-books-creative.html" target="_blank">Brooke's post</a> about how to do it. She has wonderful tips so you don't have to buy all your books. I fortunately already had over 24 December themed books ready to go. I am a bit crazy when it comes to <a href="http://www.art4littlehands.com/2011/08/too-many-books.html" target="_blank">buying books</a>. I probably buy about one Christmas type book a year and I have been given many more. <br />
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Today I went through our December book pile and chose 24 of our books that are now nicely wrapped under the tree ready to be read each night. My 7 year old was thrilled! She said, "we get to open a present already." My husband thought I had bought 24 things for each night and was a bit upset until I explained. Everyone enjoyed reading our first book tonight. <br />
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Here is the list of the 24 books we will be reading this month in case you are having a hard time coming up with 24:<br />
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<li>The Polar Express</li>
<li>Snowmen at Night</li>
<li>Olive, the other Reindeer</li>
<li>Night Tree</li>
<li>Mooseltoe</li>
<li>Baboushka and the Three Kings</li>
<li>The Legend of the Poinsettia</li>
<li>If you take a Mouse to the Movies</li>
<li>A Christmas Dress for Ellen</li>
<li>Christmas Day in the Morning</li>
<li>The Christmas Pea Coat</li>
<li>Christmas Oranges</li>
<li>The Donkey's Christmas Song</li>
<li>No Room at the Inn: A Nativity Story</li>
<li>A Christmas Carol (picture book edition)</li>
<li>Clifford's First Christmas</li>
<li>Merry Christmas Mom and Dad</li>
<li>Laughing All the Way</li>
<li>The Barnyard Night Before Christmas</li>
<li>The Penguin who wanted to be different</li>
<li>The biggest Christmas Tree Ever</li>
<li>How Murray Saved Christmas</li>
<li>Small Camel Follows the Star</li>
<li>The last night we are going to read the Nativity story from the Bible</li>
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Click on the pictures to find out more about any of these books:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0395389496/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=artfourlittle-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0395389496"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0395389496&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=artfourlittle-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=artfourlittle-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0395389496" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0698115678/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=artfourlittle-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0698115678"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0698115678&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=artfourlittle-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=artfourlittle-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0698115678" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060278676/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=artfourlittle-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0060278676"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0060278676&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=artfourlittle-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=artfourlittle-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0060278676" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1590383869/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=artfourlittle-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1590383869"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1590383869&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=artfourlittle-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=artfourlittle-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1590383869" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0824954742/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=artfourlittle-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0824954742"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0824954742&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=artfourlittle-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=artfourlittle-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0824954742" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0439273145/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=artfourlittle-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0439273145"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0439273145&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=artfourlittle-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=artfourlittle-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0439273145" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061650994/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=artfourlittle-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0061650994"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0061650994&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=artfourlittle-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=artfourlittle-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0061650994" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/030711886X/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=artfourlittle-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=030711886X"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=030711886X&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=artfourlittle-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=artfourlittle-20&l=as2&o=1&a=030711886X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375836829/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=artfourlittle-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0375836829"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0375836829&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=artfourlittle-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=artfourlittle-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0375836829" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0545121191/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=artfourlittle-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0545121191"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0545121191&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=artfourlittle-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=artfourlittle-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0545121191" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Is this a tradition you have done in your family? If not will this be your first year doing it?</span></b></div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-7201919445291628272011-12-01T13:14:00.001-05:002013-02-23T12:18:46.779-05:00Coffee Filter Banner<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6437446103/" title="Coffee filter banner by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Coffee filter banner" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6437446103_6331289b89_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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How many alternate uses are there for coffee filters? A google search of coffee filter craft brings up 1,680,000 pictures of crafts you can do with a coffee filters. This month at<a href="http://www.art4littlehands.com/" target="_blank"> Art For Little Hands </a>we are doing several art projects using the medium of a coffee filter. One of those projects we worked on this last week was a coffee filter banner. This is such a simple and easy way to dress your house up for any occasion. I love that anyone can take part in this art project. As long as someone can hold a marker they can take pride in the final results. <br />
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For this art project you will need:<br />
1. coffee filters<br />
2. markers: we used both bingo dot markers and crayola washable markers<br />
3. a long piece of string, ribbon, or thread<br />
4. glue<br />
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At Art For Little Hands, we like to do art that is more open ended. The only thing I told my children they should do was try to make their art look like Christmas. After folding the coffee filter one time in half, I let the children create. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6437418657/" title="Coffee filter banner by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Coffee filter banner" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6437418657_d0b302509c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6437409643/" title="Coffee filter banner by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Coffee filter banner" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6437409643_6de04bc205_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6437410765/" title="Coffee filter banner by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Coffee filter banner" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6437410765_ec1e43c1bf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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After each child had made about three or more coffee filter art pieces, I then glued the filter onto a long piece of wrapping ribbon using my two year old as a helper.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6437444159/" title="Coffee filter banner by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Coffee filter banner" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6437444159_5b54855699_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The banner is now an inviting part of our Christmas decor and the kids feel proud that their art work is on display!</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6437447879/" title="Coffee filter banner by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Coffee filter banner" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6437447879_5c67aa82fa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-55090413122125003282011-11-30T13:51:00.001-05:002013-02-23T12:17:08.038-05:00Bead Pet Giveaway winner....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Using random.org, the number generated for the giveaway was 18. So Kim Lovejoy come on down! Your the winner of the <a href="http://www.art4littlehands.com/2011/11/bead-pets-product-review-and-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Bead Pet kit</a>. I will be contacting you soon for your address and <a href="http://www.craftprojectideas.com/" target="_blank">Kid Craf</a>t will send your kit right out to you. I know your girls will have fun creating with it. Thanks to all who entered. I just went into Walmart the other day and bought this kit for my niece for Christmas along with their weaving kit for only about $5 dollars. If you are having a hard time finding something for a little one in your life be sure to check out all the products from <a href="http://www.craftprojectideas.com/" target="_blank">Kid Craft</a>. Most things are under $10 and everything I have used so far has been wonderful! Thanks Kid Craft for providing this kit free to me and my lucky winner and thanks to all my fans who read this blog and enjoy my ideas. You make it worth the time!</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-12880589736992712952011-11-30T10:00:00.000-05:002013-02-23T12:17:16.655-05:00Virtual Advent Calendar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am getting so excited for Christmas! Are you? Each year we do a lot of different types of advent calendars. We often have and activity advent using a paper chain, a book advent by opening a book each day, and a candy advent by opening doors with hidden candy behind each day. This year I am participating in a virtual advent calendar as well and you are welcome to join along with me too. Look for me on day 14.</div>
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/308975_2476524286771_1662391056_2379165_583992418_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/308975_2476524286771_1662391056_2379165_583992418_n.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>
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<b>24 bloggers from across the globe have come together to bring you a different activity to do each day from December 1st through Christmas. So many fun and unique ideas to bring cheer to your household. </b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Click on the button below and find out what your next activity will be! It is going to be lots of fun. This button is also in my sidebar near the top so it will be easy for you to get to it right from my blog. </span></div>
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<a href="http://creativewithkids.com/creative-christmas-countdown" target="_blank" title=" Creative Christmas Countdown "><img alt=" Creative Christmas Countdown " height="200" src=" http://creativewithkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Countdown-Background2.jpg " width="200" /></a><center>
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Here is a list of the blogs taking part:</center>
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1. <a href="http://letkidscreate.blogspot.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #ff4b33; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Let Kids Create</a><br />
2. <a href="http://www.dillydaliart.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Dilly-Dali Art</a><br />
3. <a href="http://www.redtedart.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Red Ted Art</a><br />
4. <a href="http://www.teachpreschool.org/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Teach Preschool</a><br />
5. <a href="http://www.angeliquefelix.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Angelique Felix</a><br />
6. <a href="http://rainydaymum.wordpress.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Rainy Day Mum</a><br />
7. <a href="http://www.theimaginationtree.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Imagination Tree</a><br />
8. <a href="http://mamapeapod.blogspot.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mama Pea Pod</a><br />
9. <a href="http://momto2poshlildivas.blogspot.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas</a><br />
10. <a href="http://www.nurturestore.co.uk/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Nurture Store</a><br />
11. <a href="http://amomwithalessonplan.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Mom With A Lesson Plan</a><br />
12. <a href="http://www.handsonaswegrow.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">hands on : as we grow</a><br />
13. <a href="http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Frugal Family Fun</a><br />
14.<a href="http://www.art4littlehands.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> Art for Little Hands</a><br />
15. <a href="http://kitchencounterchronicles.blogspot.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kitchen Counter Chronicles</a><br />
16. <a href="http://livingatthewhiteheadszoo.blogspot.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Living at Whitehead’s Zoo</a><br />
17. <a href="http://www.mycreativefamily.blogspot.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">My Creative Family</a><br />
18. <a href="http://sunhatswellieboots.blogspot.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sun Hats & Wellie Boots</a><br />
19.<a href="http://toddlerapproved.blogspot.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> Toddler Approved</a><br />
20. <a href="http://dinosaursandoctopuses.blogspot.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Dinosaurs & Octopuses</a><br />
21. <a href="http://creativewithkids.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Creative With Kids</a><br />
22. <a href="http://wwww.science-sparks.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Science Sparks</a><br />
23. <a href="http://theoutlawmom.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Outlaw Mom Blog</a><br />
24. <a href="http://creativeconnectionsforkids.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Creative Connections For Kids</a></div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4424588639420985862.post-45592968545669927502011-11-29T12:58:00.001-05:002013-02-23T12:18:57.662-05:00Handmade Ornaments<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6426083361/" title="James Ornament by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="James Ornament" height="640" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6217/6426083361_7d2bdec4c1_z.jpg" width="425" /></a>
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We like to make handmade ornaments each year for our Christmas Tree. There are so many ways and ideas for how to do this. This year we decided to try a new product to our home called Model Magic. I was very impressed with this product (and I am not being paid or endorsed in any way by crayola.)<br />
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The first batch of ornaments we made were very simple. I had the children roll out the dough and use a cookie cutter to make the handmade ornament. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6425866515/" title="Making ornaments by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Making ornaments" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6425866515_9479bfb8ab_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6425867313/" title="Making ornaments by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Making ornaments" height="427" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6035/6425867313_efde94cb6d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Using a straw I put a small hole to make the ornaments. The straw worked really well and we were able to use the same straw for all of the ornaments. The dough just moved up the straw as we went. <br />
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After making the simple ornaments with the kids I brought out all the colors and cookie cutters and let them go on their own. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6423608899/" title="Christmas Ornament making by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas Ornament making" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6423608899_1c026630db_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
We bought all the primary colors and mixed up the green, orange, purple, and brown on our own. The kids got a kick out of mixing the colors. The older two are now very proficient with knowing what colors to mix together to make the color they want. I see this as so valuable for when they really take off with water coloring or oil painting.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6425870387/" title="Making ornaments by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Making ornaments" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6425870387_7fd467dd5f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Our handmade ornaments took only about a day to dry. I did turn them over after about 12 hours. I was surprised how they felt when they were dry. I was expecting it to be hard like clay, but it is soft and a lot like craft foam. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6423610001/" title="Christmas Ornament making by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas Ornament making" height="427" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6229/6423610001_9262996254_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I do have to say that my favorite ornament had to be the one by my two year old. Not sure what she was going for, but she was so proud of her work!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bglawilliams/6426085585/" title="Grace Ornament by bglawilliams, on Flickr"><img alt="Grace Ornament" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6426085585_523910b43a_z.jpg" width="427" /></a>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I often link to <a href="http://www.art4littlehands.com/p/link-parties.html">these</a> blogs.</span></div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01572016720759746974noreply@blogger.com10