Book Notes :: Show Me a Story

Thursday, March 28th, 2013

It is a rainy, gray day in Massachusetts, my younger daughter has a day off of school and I’m reminded that we are entering the season of long damp days.  In preparation, I thought it would be the perfect time to share my new educational craft book, Show Me a Story, with you!  It is a curriculum rich book with projects and activities that nurture children’s natural inclination to tell their own imaginative stories and it is meant to be an inspiring companion for anyone who does creative work with children. With 40 creative projects and activities, my hope is that it will help to entertain children as well as spark their creative minds.

So far, it has won four awards including a Dr. Toy 2012 Best Picks and a 2012  Family Choice award.  Oh my! Very exciting. I’d love to hear what all of you lovely readers you think! If you would like to peek or learn more, you can find more information here.

I’m off to get cozy on the couch with my daughter and a pile of Story Stones.  Then, we’re off to an afternoon of disco roller skating. Does it get any better than that?

Happy day!

xo emily

Inspired :: Drawing

Thursday, February 21st, 2013

Ask your child to draw you a picture of an imaginary dream house — a fantastical place that she could inhabit in her dreams What color would it be?  Would there be ladders and rainbows?  Grassy fields and forests?  Would it be on an island surrounded by dolphins?

xo emily

Vacation Fun :: mixed media collage

Tuesday, February 19th, 2013

For many families, this is vacation week, which means different things for different families.  It can translate to trips to the slopes and flights to warm oceans or it might mean slow days at home with crafts, toys, and movies.   If you happen to be home and are still in your pajamas (ahem!), why not take the opportunity to encourage your children to get creative?!

Pieces of scrap wood are perfect blank canvases for mixed media collages.  If you happen to have a few hanging around, sand the edges a bit, and place them on the table.  Break out your markers, watercolor paints, paper, magazines, buttons, and other bits and bobbles like tiny pasta, beans, and sea shells, etc.  You’ll want to offer some brushes,  a little bowl of glue, and a cup of water (for the watercolors).  Ask children to consider painting or drawing on the wood before they begin gluing.

I love this project because the layering of colors and textures is captivating and so satisfying!

xo emily

5 Bright Spots :: Valentine’s Day

Friday, February 8th, 2013

1. Melanie of You Are My Fave developed this adorable Valentine pin project.  I love the colors, the shapes, the imperfection of the hearts, and the packaging.  So sweet!

2. Jessica’s Glowing Cupid Arrows look SO FUN!

3. This simple, hand drawn hearts  project is a lovely, independent activity for wee hands.

4. My children are making these watercolor Valentines for their classroom parties.  (Project by Bar Rucci on You Are My Fave)

5. Oh! Stitched Heart Bookmarks!

xo emily

Valentine’s Day :: sew-a-heart

Tuesday, February 5th, 2013

Last February, I posted this Sew-A-Heart project on my blog and it was a big hit!  My children loved making this sweet and simple project for their friends.  It is easily modifiable for children of different ages: parents and teachers can punch the holes for little ones, so they can simply stitch, and older children can punch their own creative designs.

The best part?  You can transform stuff that you already have in your house (cereal boxes and random bits of yarn) into cheerful messages of love.

xo emily