Today I bring out my art journal, an old friend who needed some attention. I’ve started a thousand journals in my lifetime. When I was young, I called them diaries. I had many. The ones with locks were the most coveted. I would write feverishly in a new diary for the first six to eight pages. After…
DIY
Rainbow Pom-Pom DIY
We make pom-poms all the time in art class, and at home. It seems like whenever we have a little time left over, the kids gravitate towards the basket of yarn and ask to make pom-poms. I thought I would show you my best attempt at a perfect rainbow pom-pom, using our favorite pom-pom makers….
How to Hollow Out an Egg
Have you ever hollowed out an egg? Otherwise known as blowing out an egg – but I can’t say that without making a weird face, so I’m sticking with hollow. I have a vague memory of doing this as a child. I remember the “blow really hard” part because it’s such an unusual thing to do…
Yarn Wrapped Cardboard Letters
I’ve been wanting to share these cardboard letters for so long! My art camp kids made them back in July. The other day, as I was going through these photos, I realized that four of the letters spelled C.A.L.M. Boy, did I need this message. If there is anything that I am not these days,…
Cardboard Hearts from Cereal Boxes
These cardboard hearts made from cereal boxes are SO easy and look really artsy and kind of profesh. Let me tell you how I made them! You know I love using materials that are free. One of my faves is cereal boxes. They have that cardboard box look, but easier to cut! I save practically…
Doily Snowflake Stars
The idea for these beautiful, lacy snowflake stars came from the paperbag stars we made last summer. SITS Girls had the original idea and made them out of white paper bags. I became obsessed with them because they are so fast and easy! So last summer we made them in art camp and painted them…
Washi Tape Paper Plates
Paper plates are a fantastic art material. I mean, there are literally hundreds of crafts on Pinterest that use paper plates! I think the possibilities are endless, they really are. I especially love what my friend Leslie from Pink Stripey Socks does with paper plates. I think she needs to write a book! And we’ve…
Stenciled Backpacks by Kids
My art campers made these! I love this process, and I love the way they turned out. We used the scrape painting technique that we are really addicted to, and added some freezer paper stencils. It was basically a big experiment, and it worked! Mostly. Well, there were a few lessons learned that I will share…
Watercolor Valentine Hearts
It occurred to me today, as my daughter was painting hearts, that I should share with you the way we’ve been painting hearts for years. I even dug up an old photo of my other daughter from 6 years ago and she is painting hearts the same way. It’s not anything all that revelatory, but I…
Recycled Wrap from Kraft Paper
Ok, so I realize that my situation is unique as an art teacher, and that not everyone covers their tables before an art project. But I really wanted to share this idea so that maybe you will be inspired by the beauty of the mess that is leftover after an art project is completed. Maybe next time…
