DIY-Kid's art portfolio

Here is a fun project to make with your kids. It's great in two ways: 1) they get to enjoy making mini masterpieces with different mediums and 2) you get to document their growth as mini-Picassos. Also, as your children grow and continue to create, you can add to their portfolio and it will grow with them.

The Mediums:

1. pastels 2. acrylic paint 3. archival ink 4. watercolors

The Supplies:

1. background paper: I used black for E's portfolio and white for S's. This paper is also the title page of the portfolio.

2. stickers for the cover, to spell out "art".

3. archival water color paper: we used this for all of the mediums. I also precut the paper and hole punched it so the girls would know how much space they had to work with.

4. transparency paper: to insert between the photo and the artwork.

5. gluestick and holepunch

6. black and white photos of the artists-printed the same size as the artwork

7. albums: I used a modern acrylic album, you could also use chipboard or an album with page protectors

8. and, of course, the masterpieces

The Process:

Remember to take lots of photos of your kids as they make their pictures.

When they are finished with their piece ask them to give it a title. Go with whatever title they choose; it doesn't matter if it makes sense, let 'em own it!

The Assembly:

Step 1: cut your photos and backing paper to same size as the artwork

Step 2: attach title to front page

Step 3: attach photo to back of front page

Step 4: attach artwork to second piece of backing paper

Step 5. insert transparency between photo and artwork

Step 6: Attach next photo to previous artwork backing.

Step 7: repeat steps 3-4

Finished Portfolio!

Sit down and look through it with your little artist.

Thanks for reading, and let me know how this project goes with your kids!

Edited: I added this to the list of other great craft ideas over at

Today's Creative Blog.

McMaster and Storm

McMaster and Storm is a delightful "petite department store" in Ohio. Oh, how I wish I could visit the store in person! I ordered a few items from the owners, Kara, one of the owners, for Christmas gifts last year. It was all handled through email and a phone call and it was the most wonderful shopping experience! When the package arrived, I had to take pictures of the inside because everything was wrapped so beautifully. And since a road trip to Ohio is not in my future, I can shop on their new website that launched today, and now you can shop there too!

www.mcmasterandstorm.com

You can also visit their blog, mcmasterandstorm.blogspot.com

And, a photo of our almost four year old wearing a necklace she made last week. I found the kit at Michaels on an end cap. It was a great quick project for her.


And, Stella perusing our December Daily album, a couple of friends came over and we put these together for next Christmas. Now if only I can finish Stella's stocking to hang up with the others.

And, more style filing has been happening around here.

catching up...

This girl loves to color, just like her big sister. Crayons, markers, colored pencils, paper, chairs, walls, pantry, face. . .you name it.


A big d. reeves design house order shipped out last week. That and two little ones staying up WAY past their bedtime as well (11 pm and midnight almost every night!) made for many opportunities for sanctification and patience testing during the day.

11:00 pm

I did manage to finish up Emma's ornament box. As I was wrapping up her ornaments to store inside, I thought I would share these.


Made by my sweet sister in law, Kelly. She made these for the tree in Emma's room and they coordinate beautifully with the bedding. The bedding in the girls room was sewn by both my mom and mother in law. Jeremy and I picked out the fabrics, from Moda's Paris Flea Market line a few years ago. These ornaments are just perfect for the room and such a treasure to us.


I also created a little thank you gift with the d. reeves 3x5 clear album. You can see more photos of the inside here.

And now for some sweet photos of Stella with her very first pigtails.

And finally a bit of a follow up on this post. A splash of turquoise, the pressed tin used to be brown and rusty. Jeremy used a paint brush to apply the paint since we could not find the right shade in spray paint. Love it!

I am so happy this girl moved to town, just a few blocks away from me too! We got to hang out and talk scrapbooking which I love to do. Speaking of scrapbooking, I created my first layout in months, so I thought I would share.

I hope to catch up on reading my regular blogs today. It has been awhile.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Like mother. . .


like daughter...


I have been seeing a lot of these lately


We had a drawing on the d. reeves design house blog for a style file. This is my inspiration file. You can see a few more photos here.



She loves her shoes and socks

I am looking forward to hanging out with this sweet girl tomorrow. We met our freshman year of high school and here we are- both in Waco, mamas to precious little ones...who would of thought this is where we would be when we were sitting on the bleachers at the dance competitions our freshman year.

I can't wait!

saturday

I am taking it easy this weekend, I came down with a fever yesterday. And, how have a I spent my time? Browsing through each and every post on this blog, Craving Anthropologie. I know those who share my love for this store, and like me, do not get to go in one very often, will love this blog. The few times I do get to visit the store in Houston, I quickly become overwhelmed with all of the inspiration and start making a gazillion mental notes of what I want to remember.



I forgot to mention in my last post that I updated my d. reeves design house blog. You can see samples I made with our new products.

Also, we watched a great movie last night, 3:10 to Yuma.


edited: I forgot to mention Jeremy updated our family's blog with Christmas photos, so family take a look.

all work and no play...

that is usually what happens when I have a lot on my plate, but not this time! Jeremy is wearing off on me. There is still room for fun, no matter how many boxes stack up each day.



A few weekends ago, we took Emma to a Justin Roberts Concert at the Children's Festival held at the Woodlands. We loved it! I am not sure if Emma completely understood the whole concert concept. Her favorite part was running around in the grass. Afterward, we got to meet the band and get their autographs. Maybe we will become groupies.




More photos to come...

Emma had her first preschool performance. Her class sang at a fund raiser for the school. Love it!

We went to a Harvest Ball this past weekend at our church. Lots of families and little kids. Emma running around with her friends, Stella in the Bjorn, like the other babies, dancing with their parents. We learned a lot of group dances. My favorite is called the Charleston Stroll...I think that is the correct name. Anyways, this was the second, of hopefully many more dances to come in the future. Love that our girls got to experience it.



And, I had a good mail day. These are crucial and I must have a least one good mail day a week. Wouldn't that be nice? I have had several lately. Some I can't share because it involves Christmas gifts-I don't want anybody peaking. But I had to share that I just got my Life Artist book in the mail-perfect for browsing on our upcoming road trip.



These inspire me...



OK, off to bed.

and the winners are...

Thanks for all of your comments. I love finding out who reads this blog.

Here are the five winners:

Erin said...

such fun products!
I have a mini in my cocoa daisy kit I keep looking at, but haven't started yet...

aday said...

These seriously rock I want to get more into the pendants for a different creative release

Abby said...

Thanks for the tutorial! I can't wait to try them.

krista said...

You have wonderful products! Are they only available online? Thanks for the great products!

Peggy Maier said...

What a cute idea! Very creative - now I just have to hope I win!

If you won, please send me an email with your address and if you would like a package of circle or square pendants-it's your choice!

The link for my email is on the left, right above my flicker photo collage. If you have any problems with that link, you can roll your mouse over the link and my email address will appear at the bottom left hand corner of your screen. You can see what it is then type it into your email.

Thanks again you guys for visiting my blog!

Have a good night.

Pendant Tutorial

Supplies:
Pattern Paper
Krylon Paper Finishes Spray adhesive- I purchased mine at Hobby Lobby
craft knife
pendants
crop-o-dile or other small hole punch (not pictured)

After you have selected the paper you want to use for your pendent, peel both sides of the brown protective wrapping off the pendant.

Determine what part of the paper’s design you want on the pendant.


Cut the design out, leaving some extra space to allow for easy handling.

For the bird pendant, I punched the circle out with my circle punch. Then I attached it to the green and cream paper with a tape runner.


Place your paper on the cardboard outside.

When I go outside to spray the glue I usually put the pendants separately in my pockets. This prevents them from getting scratched and from the glue landing on them.


Once you thoroughly spray the paper, pull the pendants out and press the paper firmly to the pendants. You could even use a one folder or a brayer on the back to ensure a firm bond.

Let the pendants dry- I usually bring them inside to dry

Once the glue is dry or you can’t wait any longer, use the craft knife to trim the excess off. I used it for both the square and round pendants. For the round pendants, I also used some small Fiskers scissors to finish off little bits of paper that were hard to get with the craft knife.


It is great to use double sided paper so the pendants look finished on the back. If you choose a single sided paper you can finish off the back by attaching paper or stamping on the back. I applied ledger paper to the back of the square pendant using a tape runner. I stamped on the back of the circle pendant using distress inks-this can make for a nice personal gift.


Use the small side of the hole punch on the crop-o-dile to make your hole in the paper. Then add your jump rings which are included in the package.

Here is the finished product! They kind of look like vintage wallpaper.

A quick and easy project. These would make great gifts too!

I would love to see what you make!

d. reeves design house

I have had a lot of questions about making acrylic pendants. I will be posting a tutorial for making them on Monday. I will also be hosting a giveaway, so be sure to come back and visit next week.

Have a good weekend. I will spend it by filling orders and finishing up (hopefully) some house projects.

first day of preschool, first day of MOPS and some dress up

Emma started preschool today. Yesterday, we went up to her school to meet her teachers and explore her classroom. I know she is going to love it. I love her teachers. I never expected to take her to preschool, we had talked about homeschooling for years, before kids were in the picture, in fact, even before we were married.

After having such a positive experience with Mother's Day Out, we felt like Emma would enjoy going to preschool at the same place. It seems like the best thing for us right now. I am so excited about all of the extra things that will happen this year like donuts with dad and tea with mom. I also signed up to help with the Valentine's party-yeah!

With preschool and Mops today it made for a pretty crazy morning. The rain didn't help, neither did my bad attitude. Oh, thank goodness for grace and mercy.

This certainly made me smile:

august 2007

Good times in Tulsa, Emma got to help in the kitchen a lot-which she loves! At both sets of her grandparents homes she has a designated area for her creative play. An adorable desk at her Papa and ZeZe's and the table Glenn and I used growing up, at her Bopa and Mimi's. I love that they have a special place like that for Emma and before too long, for Stella.



Stella learned to climb the stairs and had fun on the horse. I can't believe she will be one in less than a month!

Flowers from J when we returned...
Thursday Night: Family night, which is usually spent swimming at the Y, but due to the rainy forecast we stayed home and baked this yummy dessert.

Stella participated by gnawing on a biter biscuit, her favorite treat.

While in Tulsa, I brought this wooden set of Ikea drawers to alter, it holds the girls hair accessories and jewelry. I used spray paint and the Heidi Swapp bird mask.

I found this little butterfly hook on clearance at Micheals and covered it with this fun paper. I have no idea where I will hang it. Sometimes I just need a small little project that I can complete to get the creative juices flowing.


I also but an adorable Amy Butler mini album kit (forgot to take photos) but will when I add pictures to the album. I will use it to document how Emma plays right now. I love her imagination and it seems like turning three has been a big changing point in that.


Okay, so I am making up for my absenteeism. I have decided that I will use turquoise as a fall color on my fall decor this year. I found this little pumpkin at Hobby Lobby for half off, so it was less than $3! The photo doesn't quite capture the perfect shade of blue that it is. I looove it! I also found the wire one there as well. Both will be paired with a ceramic cream pumpkin in a fall display.
Look, Cottage Living even agrees:

And finally, some other little projects:

This is a custom size album I use for my day planner. It is the perfect for 8.5" x 5.5" dividers and notebook paper I love it because it is so sturdy I know it will be fine tossing it in my purse or bag. The cover design is inspired by a mini-album made by Kristina Contes.


And some pendants:
The new home office area is coming along. We are waiting on a shipment of shelves from Ikea, and little curtain to be made by me. I can't wait untill it all comes together!