kidmade

Taking a bit of a Break

2008-12-09T07:03:43-08:00

As you can see things have been very quiet around here. I have not managed to get a new challenge up over the last month nor have I set up the last few galleries. I'm very sorry to those of you that have sent in submissions. (I promise to get them up soon). For those of you still checking in thank you so much.

I'm thinking that instead of having kidmade floating in the background of my mind as another responsibilty I'm not getting to I need to just take a bit of an official break. The fact that I haven't managed to complete the last two challenges with my own kids says volumes about the need for a break. It also lets me know that kidmade has lost a bit of it's focus and original intent. So I'm going to take a little break and let this site stew in my head for a bit, without feeling guilty about not updating and come back in the new year with a fresh perspective (hopefully) and some fresh ideas.

In the meantime, I would love some feedback from all of you.

What types of challenges would you enjoy?

What was inspirational about the challenges?

What was prohibitive?

Anything else?

Thank you all for stopping in and participating in this little venture of mine. I really was amazed and inspired by all of you.

Mary

kidmade challenge #4: Something to Crow About

2008-10-08T17:38:56-07:00

1. L e n o r a , 2. MisterPeter!, 3. lalla2006, 4. Koelimoe, 5. Sugar Crisp, 6. jo-h, 7. dullhunk , 8. guido.r, 9. Moi of Ra, Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

Ahem, sorry to all of you for disappearing for the last few months. My biggest apologies to those of you that submitted for the Rolling, Rolling, Rolling Challenge. I will have the gallery up by the weekend. I also popped this post up before it was done so sorry if that threw anyone off. Okay, on to the challenge.

This months challenge is a request from my daughter. She asked if we could do a Scarecrow Challenge. I thought it was a great idea and would be a fun family activity. It's one of those things we always plan to do but never get around to, nothing like a deadline to make me get it done.

So, for this months challenge make a scarecrow. Any materials can be used, it can be big or small, indoors or outdoors. Hooray to flickr for the easy access to loads of inspiration. The above images are but a few of the amazing scarecrow images you can find. I love the variety of materials and the range from traditional to industrial. Submissions will be due on the last day of the month, October 31st. (As always this is not test so no points will be taken off if you miss the deadline, send your submissions along whenever you can.) You can email the pictures to kidmadeATyahoo.com. Don't forget to iclude your name(s), age(s) and a bit about what you have created.

For a bit more inspiration I have included a bunch of scarecrow books in the amazon list to the right and there are loads more images on flickr. You can check out these two groups. Scarecrows and Scarecrows Worldwide.

Here are few how-tos to get you started. EHow and Make Scarecrows.

Rolling, Rolling , Rolling..... In August

2008-08-07T05:42:40-07:00

It seems all the summer fun has me running behind on my kidmade responsibilities. Many of you must be enjoying all the delights of summer too as we only had one submission for the July challenge (It wasn't even from this kidmade mom and her kiddos) so I thought we would carry over the challenge for the month of August. This should give you all a bit of time to take on the challenge. You can refresh your memories here.

If you need a bit of inspriation here is a link to the one submission from the homeschooled twins blog. It is amazing, check it out. Submissions are due on August 31st.

Enjoy the rest of your summer.

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling -Part 1

2008-07-06T09:03:20-07:00

We've done a lot of art exploration here at kidmade so I thought we would mix it up with a creativity challenge for the engineer in all of us.

This month's challenge is to engineer the longest marble ramp you can using only cardboard and duct tape. Feel free to use chairs, tables, railings and ladders to support your ramp and decorate to your hearts content with paint,markers and fiddly-bits. Your ramp can be a straight run or zig-zag down a wall. We're looking for total ramp length.

Start digging through your recycling bin and saving boxes, cylinders and tubes. Wrapping paper tubes are great for a nice long run and I've had luck calling the fabric store and asking them to save tubes from the bolts of fabric. Anything goes as long as it's cardboard and duct tape.

When you've finished your ramp; take a picture and send it to kidmadeATyahoo.com and include:

Your Name

Your Age

The Length of your Ramp

Some comments on your experience

A bit of inspiration, a couple of books and a link to my favorite wacky engineer Rube Goldberg.

Rube Goldberg

Raceways: Having Fun with Ball and Tracksby Bernie Zubrowski

Adventures with a Cardboard Tubeby Harry Milgrom

Roll, Slope, and Slide: A Book About Ramps by Michael Dahl

Inclined Planes in My World by Joanne Randolph

Build a Better Mousetrap: Make Classic Inventions, Discover Your Problem Solving Genius, and Take the Inventor's Challenge

For all of you that noticed the Part 1 in the challenge title we will be building on our ramp building skills in a future challenge. Happy Building.

Take Only Pictures, Make Only Art Gallery is up.

2008-07-01T09:17:01-07:00

Amazing, truly amazing. The submissions for this months challenge were stunning and inspiring. Check out the gallery here. I love how the all the links inspired such varied pieces of ephemeral art.

I think this comment by Karah sums this all up for me...

"After looking through the long list of links, slowly, thoughtfully, and falling in love with the "flower girls", she went outside, and carefully laid this out. I was at work, and when I came home the next morning, she had this beautiful composition. I was bursting with pride, let me tell ya. Kidmade and all the fabulous links you include have opened our eyes to the beauty and artistry out there! Thanks so much."

Really, I want to thank all of you for participating and inpiring me with all of your creativity. On to the next challenge.....

Take Only Pictures, Make Only Art submissions due today.

2008-06-30T08:02:18-07:00

Just a quick reminder that submissions for the Take Only Pictures, Make Only Art are due today. We have had some amazing submissions coming in and I can't wait to see more amazing work.

By the way, I pretty much send out all belated birthday cards so if you don't get your submission in today please still send it along and I will add it to the gallery.

I should have the gallery up by tomorrow and the new challenge posted by tomorrow night. Happy Creating.

Blowin' in the Wind gallery is up.

2008-06-10T20:49:15-07:00

I'm totally blown away (sorry, couldn't resist) by all the amazing Blowin' in the Wind submissions. You can check them all out here. Such fun and creative ways to showcase the winds' power.

Take Only Pictures, Make only Art.

2008-06-07T07:57:48-07:00

"I enjoy the freedom of just using my hands and "found" tools - a sharp stone, the quill of a feather, thorns. I take the opportunities each day offers: if it is snowing, I work with snow, at leaf-fall it will be with leaves; a blown-over tree becomes a source of twigs and branches. I stop at a place or pick up a material because I feel that there is something to be discovered. Here is where I can learn." -Andrew Goldsworthy

When we are out in nature we are all drawn to sticks, rocks, shells and seeds. The shape, the texture, the color. For this months kidmade challenge head out for a walk in the woods, a stroll on the beach or just a lazy day in the backyard and gather up some inspiration from nature. This month, kidmade challenges you to make Ephemeral Art-art that is short-lived, fleeting, temporary. Can you paint with petals, sculpt with twigs or construct with sand and shells? Show us what nature inspires you to create.

Take a picture of your artwork and submit photos by June 30th to kidmadeATyahoo.com. Include your first name, age and a bit about your experience. Mom's and Dad's please feel free to play along and send in your own submission. If you have questions or other links please leave a comment or email at kidmadeATyahoo.com

Looking for a bit of inspiration....

Andrew Goldsworthy

Nicloe Dextras natural material dresses

The Still Life project from SeedPod

Richard Long
Elista

Patrick Dougherty

Amazing Sand Sculptures

Found on flickr

this this this this this

the Land Art group

the Ephemeral creation pool

Blowin' in the Wind Challenge

2008-06-03T07:07:58-07:00

I've decided to extend the submission date for the Blowin' in the Wind Challenge for a week. I had a few people say that they wanted to submit but missed the deadline. How about Monday June 9th. that will give everyone a couple of extra days and something to do with the kids during those first few days out of school. Did you see the great picture on the top of the windblower Emily, age 7 made? I'll have the June Challenge up later today. Have a windy week.

Blowin' in the Wind submissions due by June 1st.

2008-05-31T07:46:13-07:00

Don't forget the Blowin' in the Wind submissions are due tomorrow. I'll have the new challenge up on June 1st and the Blowin' in the Wind gallery up by Monday. If you haven't already checked out the Self Portrait Gallery you can click on the link on the left sidebar. If you live in the Chicago area and want a bit of windy inspiration you can check-out the Kinetic Art exhibit along the Magnificent Mile. Hope you all have a great windy weekend.