9 Must-Have Art Supplies for Crafty Children

I think art is the most consistent subject we we do around the Pajama Mama house.  Anyone else like that?  We go through a lot of art supplies.  Here are what we consider our must-haves.

1. Paper  I buy cheap printer paper just for the kids, as well as good art paper-like Strathmore 300 series-the yellow pads at Michael's go on sale a lot.  But don't forget junk mail, magazines, catalogs.

2. Paint, markers, pencils.  What can I say about them?  They're worth the time and mess.  Buy washables when you can.

3. Adhesives  Liquid glue, glue sticks (for making stamps), hot glue (for our gift bookmarks and flower hair clips), glue dots...tape, painters tape, masking tape, packing tape...good grief.

4. Felt We love felt projects-like the iPhone covers and cameras.  Felt is great for simple sewing projects with kids'-no raveling!  This is what I give Belle to practice her sewing-she's made phone cases, eyeglass cases, doll clothes-it's inexpensive and very easy to use large stitches on.

5. Toilet Paper Rolls  I keep these and tissue boxes, and any other materials that you would ordinarily recycle to toss.  See this unbelievable Toilet Paper Brick House, try keeping Memory Jars, and mix science into art with a Tissue Box Marshmallow Catapult.

6. Natural Elements Sticks, stones, seeds, beans, leaves, shells.  Remember our rustic stick stars?  Craft has an entire archive of crafting with nature-love this Stick Weaving.  Linda of Natural Suburbia gives a great tutorial on how to weave with sticks.

7. Beads Larger beads-or cereal oh's are great for improving small kids' fine motor skills.  But Belle and I love using beads for fun uses-like postcards.

8.   Food  I don't think I've met a child who does not love to cook and create with food.  Damaris and Kitchen Corners has some really cool little foodie ideas-like Nutella Play Dough and Stained Glass Jello.

9. Inspiration We have a collection of art idea books-and check out others from the library regularly.  I buy every Usborne Art book I find at used bookstores -so worth the money.


10.  What would you add?

I'm linking this up to Top Ten Tuesday at Oh, Amanda's.

Drawing with Children's Books

Have you read Drummer Hoff?  We brought home a copy from the library on our last trip.  And each of us have commented on the texture of the illustrations...very cool.  Here's a page:

Source

So yesterday I had to try the style myself:

Have you ever tried to imitate an illustration style? just for fun?

DIY Kids' Artwork Portfolio

Our Homeschool Co-op started back up again for the semester, and this time around I'm teaching Drawing with Children, based on the Mona Brooks' book.   Part of my preparation for the class, was making a portfolios for each of the children's artwork.  I wanted the kids to give importance to their work.  And know that I saw their work as significant enough to protect during the semester and when they finally take them home.

These are very simple, and inexpensive, but I think they are pretty cute, too. Just a piece of posterboard folded in half (or two full sheets of posterboard for a larger case-like the ones I use for my kids' keepers at home).  I used red duct tape, because who doesn't loved colored duct tape?  And hole punched the top the case, where I tied red grosgrain ribbon for handles.

I think I've shared this site before, but I love Art Projects for Kids, so I'm giving you a link again.

How do you encourage little artists?

Take a Photoshoot In Your Neighborhood

This past week, I drove around our town with fresh eyes on the lookout for great backdrops. Specifically, I was looking for painted brick walls, solid bold colors, textures that create interest without distracting from the character of the picture. These are some photos I took around our town.

This is the stool that normally sits in front of our fireplace. But I brought it with me and thought it was perfect for this outbuilding across the street from the downtown park:



The backdrop for this photo is a park bathroom. I also brought a tripod and one of the kids' chairs:



Belle at a used car dealership. I love color wheel opposites combined like this orange and blue.




Perhaps this is the new version of pulling over to pick some wildflowers. Only now what we capture on the side of the road can leave a much longer lasting impression.

More DIY backdrop ideas::

Amy of I heart faces posted on creating a studio look in her daughter's nursery.

Emily of Chatting at the Sky gives her tips on getting so close, there's no need to clean the house.

I'm linking this to Kimba's DIY Day. If you're visiting from Kimba's, thanks & check out my Giveaway before you leave!

Artistic Grace

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep."


-- Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert cartoons

Dining Room for Nothing: A Before and After

As promised, here is my Summer Project #2. For those who've been wondering where I've been, Summer Project #1 was my painted armoire.

Sometimes having a zero-dollar budget actually allows you to follow the most current trends.


What?

Did I just say you can have the latest trends with no money? without breaking any laws?

Well, that was my thought when I had an inherited dining table that looked like this:



I also had a can of white paint and some brownish craft paint.

So for $0, a brillo pad, and a couple of days worth of rest-time painting, I was able to jump on the white dining room trend.



That is a trend right?

No?

Oh.

Well, at least I'm not out any money.



If you're visiting from Kimba's DIY Day, thanks! While you're here, check out what I made with felt in today's post, too!

I'm also linking this post up to Gina's Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage.

{Creativity Blessed}

Psalm 90: 17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us;
And confirm for us the work of our hands;
Yes, confirm the work of our hands.

This is the New American Standard Version. Other translations say "bless" the work of our hands, or "establish" or "give permanence" to the work of our hands.

The things we do with our hands today, our work, our creations, however small and trivial, can be blessed in such a way that it's effects can outlive us.



This table cloth was cross-stitched decades ago by my great-grandmother. Though she no longer lives on this earth, I am still touched by the work of her hands.



I love how God has given us each different gifts to encourage others-even those of future generations!

How has God gifted you to impact or touch the lives of others? Have you recognized ways in which you've been blessed though the others' work confirmed by God?

Want to keep encouraging your creativity? Subscribe here.

And for more everyday gifts, stop by Chatting at the Sky for Tuesdays Unwrapped!

{Summer School Art :: Your Turn}

Okay, I'm a lee-tle bit nervous Mr. Linky won't show up, but I'm so glad you did. You have no idea how much I'm looking forward to checking out your creativity!

Just some business…

::Your link can be anything that displays creativity... a beautiful meal, a poem, a sewing tutorial, a framed drawing by a special 4 year old...

::And it doesn't have to be a new post, although, I would be honored if you would link back to Pajama Mama.

::If Mr. Linky isn't here, just leave a comment with your permalink so we can find you!

And now, if I may give one last assignment (after linking up, of course):

I want to know what books you've used in finding inspiration. From an Amy Butler sewing book to the Pottery Barn catalog-leave a comment and tell us inspires you. Remember, each comment = an entry to Giveaway #1!




Summer School Art Participants

1. Amanda @ LOH (Beaded postcard) 2. Amanda @ LOH (House portrait) 3. Amanda @ LOH (bird paintings) 4. Amanda @ LOH (Painted pot)

5. Christina (Beaded Card) 6. Sarah Mae (Bird picture) 7. Joye @ The Joyeful Journey 8. Simply Dawn (watercolor)

9. Simply Dawn (beaded card) 10. Here I am (beaded card) 11. Abigail (Recipe Scrapbook!)

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

{Growing in Creativity}

"All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." - Pablo Picasso

How were you an artist as a child?

Come see me at Like A Warm Cup of Coffee today, talking about growing (or should I say, returning to?) our creativity.

If you're visiting from Sarah Mae's -yay! Thanks for coming over, I'm so glad you're here. Stick around a while-there's a party going on next week-with giveaways!