This is a very fun and quite simple art idea for the whole family. All my kids got involved — my 6-yr old stayed with it for hours! We printed on a long roll of paper (our intention was to make wrapping paper), but you can also just use sheets and hang them up as…
Archives for 2012
The Importance of Play
I have just finished reading Nurture Shock, by Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman, for the second time. Forgetting that I’d already read it, I picked it up again and was just as fascinated. It’s nothing like a parenting manual. In fact, this insightful book transcends basic child rearing. I highly recommend this book. The authors propose…
Red + White + Blue
Today I made a collage of my own personal photos. I have always loved reds and blues, but now these colors have a whole new meaning in my life. Two years ago, on July 3rd, I was sworn in as a US citizen. It was about time! I had put it off for years, thanks…
Carnevale Masks
I came across these Carnevale Masks by Spanish artist Neusa Lopez and her art students. They are so colorful and creative and BIG! A little cardboard, a little paint, some glue… amazing what a few art supplies can create. Thanks for inspiring us, Neusa! These are just so incredible. Can’t wait to make some of our…
Summer List 2012
Last day of school was Thursday. It’s officially summer vacation and we are quite literally jumping for joy! Here is our Summer List 2012: 1. swim + boat / 2. outdoor movie / 3. red velvet ice-cream sandwiches / 4. pipe-cleaner letters / 5. finger knitting / 6. fiesta pom-poms / 7. cloud dough /…
Ideal Art Supply Cupboard
It’s official…summer is here! Time for lots of arts and crafts. If you are like me, you want to keep the crafts simple. But what are the best art supplies to keep at hand in your cupboard? Believe me when I tell you that you need very few. Often we just use the same three:…
Scrap Paper Collage
This was move-out week! We rent our house out in the summer and spend weeks cleaning out closets, sprucing up rooms, and leaving behind empty shelves that are clean and ready for a new family. Since school is out for my little guy, he had to fend for himself for many hours each day (without…
Daddy Portraits
Being a good dad is a hard job, and can often go unappreciated. This year, the kids spent some time painting a portrait of their dad and writing him a special note to let him know that he really is one of the best. This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support! Supplies…
Magazine Flowers
These flowers are actually made from J. Crew catalogs, but you can make them from magazines and newspapers as well. I love this craft for three reasons: 1) I can use all of those pretty catalogs that pile up in my recycle bin, 2) I learn about new color names like tidepool and Hampton purple,…
My Favorite Artist: My Dad
Ruud Bergmans was born in Holland in 1939. He was number five of seven kids, and he always had an itch to leave his small town and large family. He married my mom, a girl from the town next door who was also ready for an adventure, had three kids, and moved 11 times by…