This amazing piece of abstract art is the result of a failed experiment, it just goes to show… mistakes are often magic in the making! Elmer’s blue school gel can be used to make batik fabric, it peels right off and leaves behind contrasting white stripes. I hoped to recreate the same thing on paper (like you would with rubber cement, but a less stinky option … Continue reading Batik on Paper + Salt Watercolor Experimentation
Wow. I’m so excited! Head over to The Artful Parent and check out my interview today! I’ve admired Jean’s site for YEARS and was just thrilled to answer her questions about encouraging children’s creativity. I may or may not have told her I thought of naming my blog “Things I Saw The Artful Parent Do and Must Try Too.” Okay, so I did. And thank … Continue reading Interview over at The Artful Parent
My 3 year old adores JRR Tolkien. No really, she does! Most especially when Daddy reads “Mr. Bliss” to her. Wandering around the stacks at the library (my favorite pastime) I noticed Claire swipe a book from one of the low shelves. As I was turning to unleash my stern voice, I realized she had picked up a children’s book by JRR Tolkien! That’s right, … Continue reading My 3 Year Old Reads Tolkien
It’s confession time – Sometimes I’m discouraged when I read other people’s blogs – especially creative blogs where every resulting project is perfect and looks like Martha Stewart helped in the final styling. I’m dying to know what happens behind the scenes. Do they ever mess up? Is their house a disaster? Mine is. But I’ve shown you those pictures before. For posterity though: Someone … Continue reading Thoughts on Failure and Honesty
It’s been a while since I posted a free printable. Fancy some St. Patrick’s Day lace up cards? I couldn’t find any printables online so I whipped up my own. You’ll have to excuse my less than perfect attempt in Photoshop, but it gets the job done. I’m thinking this is far less of a craft failure then my puffy paint to soap crayon attempt (sorry, couldn’t help … Continue reading St. Patrick’s Day Lacing Cards | Shamrock and Rainbow Lace Ups
Earlier this morning, I was in desperate need of a quiet, mess free activity for Claire so I could nurse a cup of tea and fight off the cold my mother so kindly shared (thanks Ma). The fact that I managed to sneak in a little literacy lesson on Read Across America Day (happy birthday Dr. Seuss!) was an added bonus. A random piece of … Continue reading Easiest Letter Activity EVER
Some of the most spoiled birds in the northeast live right in my backyard. During the past few months we’ve faithfully provided gourmet food , braving ice and snow to access the feeding station. Claire spends hours snug in her pajamas gazing out the living room window laughing at the antics of the tree clinging nuthatches and the clever tufted titmouse. You’d be hard pressed to find … Continue reading DIY Nesting Material Dispenser | Backyard Birding with Kids
Chalk In My Pocket 