We had the opportunity to try out a Japanese brush painting activity yesterday. A rather magical one, in fact, with "disappearing ink." Maia kept asking if it was magic, anyway, even though she knew it was just water she was painting with. I could understand her awe, though, as the effect of the water painted on the special paper-covered sumi-e board was just like that of black ink until it disappeared and left us with a blank slate to start all over again (and again).
I am excited to share a series of guest posts with you by other Artful Parents and teachers while I step back from the blog a bit this month! I hope you enjoy the new perspectives, different ideas, and fresh energy that each brings to this space. And I encourage you to leave a comment to continue the discussion, add your own viewpoint, or simply say thanks!
Sometimes I read for the story. Sometimes I read for the inspiration. Here are a few particularly inspiring picture books that just may spark your imagination like they did mine.
You may recognize Marcus Pfister from his Rainbow Fish series, but his latest book is a bit of a departure for him. Questions, Questions is a poetic look at the natural world that may have your children wondering about the world around them. The deceptively simple illusrations work well with the rhyming couplets, and the author's note at the end of the book describes Pfister's technique for creating the unique textured prints. Visually creative families may enjoy creating their own nature inspired prints.
Today's giveaway is for a wooden "Magic Beans" scoop and transfer toy by Etsy seller Apple n Amos.
Can your child transfer the colorful beans from the bowl to the covered pot and back using the scoop provided? This would make a lovely addition to a play kitchen or simply a fun toy for a little one to play with (while improving fine motor skills, of course...). For more information, including ideas on other ways to play with this scoop toy, check out the description for Magic Beans on Etsy.
Today's giveaway is for four of our family's favorite Barefoot Books products. I couldn't run a series of giveaways without doing my own!
I have been loving all these artful giveaways, by the way! Besides sharing wonderful companies, products, and people, the excitement generated is so much fun for me. I especially love e-mailing people to let them know they won something on my blog! Everyone is so thrilled and most say they usually never win anything. This series of giveaways to celebrate my four year blogiversary will continue through the end of the month so two more to go, plus a few that are still open. Enter! It may be you whom I e-mail with congratulations on winning!
I am excited to share a series of guest posts with you by other Artful Parents and teachers while I step back from the blog a bit this month! I hope you enjoy the new perspectives, different ideas, and fresh energy that each brings to this space. And I encourage you to leave a comment to continue the discussion, add your own viewpoint, or simply say thanks!
In the past, my valentine projects have been entirely of my own doing or they have incorporated my daughter's artwork but still were mostly an adult project. This year, with my daughter now being 3 years old, I was hoping to give her a little more creative control.
I had previously purchased a circle Fiskars squeeze punch for use in creating ornamental balls. The large handles make it very easy to use and we recently discovered that even my preschooler could successfully manage it. This inspired me to purchase a heart-shaped punch for our valentine creating!
Jae Jun is a Montessori teacher and mother who runs the website Bella's Casa, a resource for parents who want to "create at-home learning spaces and activities that will grow a child's mind and instill confidence." Sounds like what we all want, right? She also has an etsy shop where she sells mobiles and learning tools, including this lovely set of animal art cards.
I am excited to share a series of guest posts with you by other Artful Parents and teachers while I step back from the blog a bit this month! I hope you enjoy the new perspectives, different ideas, and fresh energy that each brings to this space. And I encourage you to leave a comment to continue the discussion, add your own viewpoint, or simply say thanks!
As a faithful Artful Parent reader, I often hear a soundtrack of music running through my head as I read the blog. I can usually hear the folksy tunes of Elizabeth Mitchell or the energetic music of Dan Zanes as I scan the most recent posts for inspiration. At our house music plays a big role in our day-to-day life. Not playing it, although my husband does play the guitar and compose (usually sweet and silly) songs for our girls, but listening to it. Music helps us keep calm and carry on. It helps us focus and daydream, sleep and dance, and especially it helps us make art!
Do you wonder what to do with all the art your child creates? You can store it, yes, but have you thought of preserving some in book format?
SouvenarteBooks, a design studio in New York City, will work with you to create a one-of-a-kind book of your child's artwork that you and your family will surely treasure for years to come. What a lovely way to save and honor children's creative work! And the artist in question will no doubt be proud to flip through the pages of his or her very own art book.
A friend introduced me to Bare Books and I have to say that I am in love. They sell all kinds of blank (or bare) items just waiting for a child's creative touch. Blank books, blank puzzles, blank calendars, and design-your-own game sets. While we've only tried the books so far, I can't wait to present my game-loving six-year-old with the game kit!
Would your kids enjoy making their own books, puzzles, or games?
Stubby Pencil Studio is like a candy store for art lovers. With the tagline of "eco products for creative kids" you can imagine the fun goodies available—everything from crayon rocks and cute hedgehog erasers to a wide array of sketchbooks and pencils (colored and otherwise). I love to browse her shop "aisles" looking for something novel to try.
A few of our family's favorite art products come from Stubby Pencil Studio and include these SuperColor Jumbo Felt Pens by Alpino (bigger than you would expect, plus they come with a marker stand!), crayon rocks (always fun!), and Trimax Jumbo Colored Pencils (great quality and good for little fingers).
