Monday, February 11th, 2013
Sometimes the most beautiful art is unintentional. I like to search for gorgeous colors, shapes, and patterns in the scraps and outer edges of my work — places where art wasn’t intended. Pay attention to scraps, blotting towels, and brush rinsing jars; search for interesting colors and curious shapes in your mistakes. The blue blob on the paper towel looks like it could become a hedgehog, right? Encourage children to pay attention to full process of making art!
My student and I decided that this is the color of an early morning summer sky.
xo emily
p.s. Visit my blog for a fabulous book giveaway and author interview!
Categories: Crafts, Everyday Fun, Fun, Group Activities, Inspired | Tags: art, blue, color, creative, inspiration, mistakes, paint, patterns, scraps, shapes
Wednesday, January 9th, 2013
At our house, playtime with clay typically amounts to tiny pinch pots, pretend food, and, occasionally, pretend eggs. The other day, we added flexible clay molds to the mix, and we couldn’t stop making all sorts of cute little critters and shapes. My favorite is the fern, my eight-year-old daughter’s favorite is the butterfly, and my five-year-old opted for the pinch pot standby.
We used white air dry clay and a plastic sculpting tool for cleaning up the designs. There is something so nice about crisp, white clay! Our creations have been brightening the center of our table since we made them, and we all agree that they are charming. You can give them as little love gifts, display them in a dish, or paint them on a rainy day.
These are the molds that we experimented with, but there are plenty of fun sets floating around the internet. Perhaps, snowflakes will be next on our list?
xo emily
Categories: Crafts, Everyday Fun, Fun, Group Activities, Must Read | Tags: butterfly, children, clay, craft, crafting, fern, fun, leaves, molds, shapes, stars
