My Art book Animals and artwork with foil

My Art book: Animals is full of special, easy to follow art projects.  The projects are inspired by a variety of famous masterpieces.  Animals were the inspiration of the artwork that was done by these artists. 

The step-by-step instructions in the book help us to make our own artwork.  We can add our own creative flair, discuss, discover and interpret the techniques the artists have used.

Here is a project from the book that we added our own creativity to.  The book has a project on tin tortoise, which is inspired by the wooden rhino.

Making an engraved painting with tin foil

foil tray preferably one without any markings

masking tape

scissors

tracing paper

pens

wooden skewers

paint

brush

Find an image you like and trace the outline of it.

Cut the foil tray to a slightly bigger size than the traced image.

Tape the tracing paper over the cut foil.

Using a different colour pen press firmly and draw over the outline of the picture.  

Then using another colour pen draw details.  Check every now and again without moving the foil out of place to see if the prints are visible on the foil.

Once the drawing part is done.  Colour the outside with paint.  I painted a smooth thick layer in black.  My daughter painted the background with the paintbrush in a sponge painting technique using green.

The finished artwork can be displayed or can be placed has a shiny cover for a binder or notebook.

There were instructions on how to draw animals with charcoal, making stencils with household goods, paper collage using different tones of colour, making wire sculptures using garden wires and pliers and many more projects.  The glossary in the book explains the meanings of art techniques and art media.  

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Sharpie brush tip marker

With this new brush tip Sharpie markers we can create fine or bold lines and use it for shading.    
Children and Adults will enjoy using these permanent markers in a variety of surfaces such as posters, notebooks, helmets, skateboards, bicycles and signs etc. to express their artistic flare.

My children and I enjoyed designing these tea light candles.  It was easy to use, so we had lots of fun creating these unique designs within a few minutes.

We painted this ceramic pot easily without leaving a mess to clean :) so I am looking forward to do more projects with these markers.

To paint this pot, we need
Sharpie brush tip markers*
clay or ceramic pot
and your imagination :)


Use the markers to paint on the pot, the tip changes to the pressure we put in our hands.  Although it dries really fast, try not to touch the painted surface right away as you paint to avoid smudges.
*The markers are available at Staples, Walmart, Real Canadian superstore, DeSerres in packages of 4 and 8.

Giveaway:
If you would like to win these Sharpie products and express yourself please leave a comment on this post before August 5th.  Open to Canadian readers.
Follow me on twitter and Facebook so I can contact you if you are the winner.
Update: The winner is did you know canada. 

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Children's music

Someone else's shoes by Recess music is quality music that is fun to listen to.  It conveys messages such as self-esteem, making positive & constructive choices and polite actions that will promote empathy.   Empathy is a key ingredient for living in harmony with others.  When children and adults walk in someone else's shoes they become better people who will celebrate other people's triumphs, become understanding and helpful.
This 45 minutes long album is for children age 4 to 11 years.  The 15 songs start discussions among parents, children and educators about caring, understanding, social justice, global peace and challenges that are caused by intimidation and bully behaviour.  
Some of the songs are,
Take a walk in someone else's shoes (talks about respect, appreciation and empathy)
Teamwork
You hurt m feelings
Give a little love away
Be nice to old people
There's no place for bullies in our school
and more.

The Cat's Pajamas is a funny title for the upbeat live sound album by Backseat driver.  Children and adults will enjoy this music, which is good to have during family road trips.
Some of the songs in this album are
Driving in my car (vroom, vroom, vroom)
Funky bears (a rap-happy Goldilocks update)
Humpty Dumpty
I love my toes
and more

Big Bang Boom's Because I said so is loud, fun, parent-friendly music.  Dad musicians have written the lyrics in a child's perspective using child familiar meaningful language that children and adults will enjoy.  They mix pop, alternative, hip-hop, country and other styles to create their contemporary sounds.  
Some of the songs are,
Green light (inspired by the backyard game red light/green light)
Hippie mom
I can sing
Are we there yet
and more.

All rights reserved on photographs and written content unless mentioned Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Crafts with clay

Creative play is very important in my home, as it is a key element in children's development.  As a parent, I like getting involved and giving my children the opportunity to become creative.  It also allows me to have fun and be a child again :)

Crayola has lots of products that inspire us to become creative.  I bought this tub of air drying clay, which is available at craft stores and office supply sections.  The clay was available in natural clay and white, we chose the white one.

To do this activity we need...

1 tub of Crayola air drying clay

beads optional

our hands and imagination :)

Let children create whatever they like using their imagination.  I liked that the clay wasn't drying too fast, which is important with little hands working and reworking the clay.  

My son created this submarine and many little fun figures, which he accompanied with his stories.  

My daughter wanted to make a big bowl, so I showed her the coiling method by rolling the clay into ropes then shaping it.  After we made it into the shape we like, we pressed in some beads for colour.

After many hours of drying we placed our finished products on our worktables for decor and to hold pens, pencils/ accessories.  

This would be a good activity to do in the summer for fun. We can create useful homemade gifts that grandparents and family will appreciate :) 

Here is a list of more creative ideas that you can do with your children.

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Candle painting

paper

candles paraffin pillar candles work best

watercolours or diluted paint

paint brush

water

Draw a picture with the candles.

Paint over it with different colours to cover the whole page.

Let it dry and display.

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

March break giveaway from DK books and Face plate craft

Next week is March break :) We get to spend some quality time with our children during the day. It is better to plan the week;) at least some of the days so it will be smooth.

Books like My Art book and Make it today, give inspiring ideas. They have lots of familiar and new crafts and art to do with our children i.e. painting faces, making masks, picture frames and painting stones.

My Art Book published by DK publishing is a fabulous, creative book with glossy step-by-step pictures and instructions that explain and inspire children to watercolour landscapes, pastel portraits, to make mosaics etc... It is a lovely introduction to history and technique of art with young children.

Make it by Jane Bull is a book filled with craft ideas made from recycled material and things we find around our home. It teaches eco-friendly ideas to children as they create personalized artwork and jewelry.

We look forward to put these books to good use during the break.

Here is an idea from Createwithmom to make Face plates

paper plates

construction paper

oil pastel

glue

scissors

popsicle sticks optional

Let the children imagine any type of face they want to make. Then tell them to think big :) draw the features of the character i.e. bunny, a person etc... on the construction paper. Then cut the shapes. Older children can cut it by themselves and help the young children to cut.

Let the children stick the features however they imagine on to the paper plates. They might want to put popsicle sticks to create a play. You can improve their literacy and imagination by asking them to tell you a story about the characters they have made.

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

The joy of writing with Papermate

Writing is a gift, so I take every opportunity I can to write the old fashion way, using a pen.

Wee can too edible paint

Wee Can Too is a paint product that is safe to use with our infants and toddlers without the worry of "what if they eat or lick it". I know as a mom, I prefer to use products like Wee Can Too with babies and young children because it is non-toxic and is made from organic food based products. It is gluten free, vegan and dairy free so it could be safely used with children over 6 months.

It gives a lovely opportunity for children to start painting at a young age. The tottle set comes with purple, orange, green, red/pink and yellow. The paint is in a powder form. It is better to put it in a container and mix it with the amount of water you prefer; this way you can use it many times. It is a squeezable container, so we can add the water directly and do a squeeze painting with an older child. If there is any painting remaining it can be refrigerated for up to a month.

The texture and the faint smell reminded me of baby cereal. It is better to use paint clothes with the little ones because the fruit and vegetable extracts i.e. blueberries may stain clothing. Although it is made with safe edible ingredients, doesn't mean it is for consumption.

The sidewalk chalk made with edible products would be perfect for us to have fun with babies outside during spring and summer.

This is a lovely product that promotes "Art from the Start" and We Can Too is a finalist at the Crisbie Awards so vote for it and confirm your vote at the bottom of the page. Every vote counts, as the Honest Company will donate a diaper to Baby2Baby. Have fun with your little messy artists and win your tottle set by following their Facebook and tweets.

All rights reserved on photographs and opinion of the written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Sharpie fabric paint

Sharpie® has launched a new product Stained by Sharpie, which is a marker to paint on fabric.

It is a brush tip with fabric ink that creates thick and thin lines. Ink is AP-certified and non-toxic. The paint doesn't fade on most fabric when washed on a normal wash cycle. It is suggested for best results the clothes stained by the markers should be hang to dry. There are eight vibrant colours sold individually and in packs of 4 and 8.

They could have added 2 more colours white and brown :)

Here is a design I painted on my daughter's shirt. All I had to do is keep a pad of paper under the shirt, so it doesn't stain the back of the shirt and paint on it. There was no need to iron or do any other step after painting. It was so easy that we are planning on colouring more fabric.

It makes it so much easier to personalize fabric items with these markers i.e. sending things to school and trips.

So get a hold of these cool Stained by Sharpie markers, and express yourself by turning your everyday items to something special anytime anywhere.

In April Sharpie and MuchMusic will team up to inspire and showcase Canadian Sharpie creations.

To win a prize pack $50 worth of products from Sharpie® please leave a comment on this post and tell me what would you do with these markers. The giveaway is open for everyone in Canada and ends on March 15th.

Please follow Createwithmom on google friends, twitter and Facebook to know about more reviews, giveaways and contests.

Updated : The winner is flowerchild

All rights reserved on photographs, opinion of the written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Chocolate macaroons, decorative garland and an event

To make these macaroons will need...

4 egg whites

1 cup of vanilla flavoured sugar

1/4 tsp salt

3 cups desiccated coconut

1/2 cup cake flour

Detailed recipe on how to make these delicious easy macaroons are here.

Chocolate dip

1/4 cup milk or semi-sweet chocolate

1 to 2 tbsp cream

Melt the chocolate in a double broiler or microwave and dip or drizzle the macaroons.

Let it sit on the counter (if the weather is cool) or in the fridge until it sets and serve.

To make the decorative garland paper chain you will need...

construction papers in different colours

decorations such as stickers, foam shapes

glue

Cut the paper into strips of 2" to 3" in thickness. Let the children decorate as they please. Connect the ends of one of the strips and glue it. Then connect another strip by putting it through the connected circular strip, connect the ends and glue it.

Keep connecting as many as you want to make a garland or to decorate anywhere you please.

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Stained vase craft and Kinder® contest to win $500

The Family day long weekend and the March break is just around the corner. I am planning on spending some quality time during the day with the children making crafts and food. I am also looking forward to relax, stay close to home and visit local attractions like the Ontario Science Centre :)

Cupcake flowers and nutella cupcake

To make these fun cupcake flowers you will need...

different size coloured cupcake liners *

paper cut for leaves in an oval shape

paper cut for stems in a rectangle shape

marker

glue

scissors

* If you only have white cupcake liners you can decorate and colour it.

Let the children stick the leaves anyway they like on the stem. Attach the cupcake liners onto the top of the stem. They can decorate and draw to put details with markers.

Here is a recipe to make Nutella cupcakes in 10 minutes with only 4 ingredients

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Fondant caterpillar

My children had a fabulous time creating different things with fondant. This activity kept them pretty busy :) My daughter made this caterpillar.

She used a little bit of green fondant to decorate and orange fondant rolled into ball to create this little garden friend :)

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Paper bag puppet

This paper bag puppet creates lots of imaginary play and conversation, so make it and put on a play.

You will need...

1 paper bag for each puppet

leftover cloth and felt material

glue

scissors

Let children use their imagination and have fun decorating any way they want. 

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2011. Please Ask First

Kodak picture kiosk

I was very happy to be invited to experience the Kodak picture kiosk in a one-on-one session; and to print some fabulous keepsakes.

Using the Kodak kiosk we can print:

- pictures in different sizes 4 x 6, 5 x 7, 8 x 10, wallet size pictures, collages

- greeting cards

- calendars

- photo books

- creative themed pictures with borders

- personalized items i.e. mugs

- we can scan old pictures and print

- prints from Facebook, Picasa

- can edit and crop

I was very happy with the outcome of the pictures as the prints were beautiful. The printed pictures can be touched right away without worrying about finger prints :)

It is fun, easy and creative to make affordable personalized gifts. Do take a look at the Kodak kiosk at supermarkets and grocery stores if you get a chance. Hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2011. Please Ask First