How To: Preserve photos with pazazz

book: photo album

many of my friends are so skilled at displaying and preserving precious photos in amazing ways. but i still need to find inspiration to get myself motivated. So when i found this book i was super excited. And saw that the talented vanessa holden {think real simple magazine} is involved and one of the authors. It's a slam dunk! So get those digital photos off the computer and printed! 

Craft: DIY Sidewalk Chalk

who doesn't love sidewalk chalk?...

I know I do...

any excuse to 

get outside 

and create

some art,

NOW THAT'S FUN!

Also...you can get a good workout

while helping your little ones use

up all that new sidewalk chalk!

SO GET OUT THERE!

Tools and Materials

• Cardboard tube (saved from center of paper towels or toilet paper
• Scissors
• Duct tape
• Freezer paper
• 32-ounce plastic containers (saved yogurt containers work great)
• Tempera paint in a variety of colors
• 1 cup water
• Mixing spoon
• 1 1/2 cups Plaster of Paris
• Rubber spatula
• Cooling rack

Tip: Silicone baking trays also make great chalk molds, and come in fun shapes such as letters and numbers (we bought the ones from Sillycone)

Sidewalk Chalk How-To
1. If necessary, cut cardboard tube to about 5 1/2-inch lengths (the size of half a paper towel tube). Other sizes can be used as well. Use duct tape to tape off one side of each tube.

2. Insert a sheet of freezer paper, cut to size (with paper inside the tube).

3. In a plastic container, mix 2 to 4 tablespoons (depending on color desired) of paint into the cup of water. Continue mixing while slowly adding the Plaster of Paris to the water, until completely combined. The mixture should be about the texture of frosting.

4. Fill prepared tube with mixture, assisting with a rubber spatula. Tap tube on work surface to release air bubbles.

5. The plaster will set in about a half hour, and can be removed from tube after about one hour (check for hardness by gently squeezing tube). Once chalk is removed from tube, place on a cooling rack and let dry completely (at least 24 hours) before using.


I will add some more pictures later. It is raining here now! So now sidewalk chalk today!

Beautiful spring tulips

 

Our tulips are blooming! Spotted these on  Abby Try Again

Your kids and the importance of ART

Don't forget ART!!

Getting an early start in the arts can make a real difference in the lives of children. The arts impact the developmental growth of every child. When children express themselves through the arts, they benefit in many ways. Research shows that the benefits of early arts education extend way beyond providing an important creative outlet for children. Young children build fine motor, language and cognitive skills. Elementary age students strengthen problem-solving and critical thinking skills, which helps to increase overall academic achievement and school success. When children use their imaginations, they enjoy a sense of accomplishment, as well as build confidence in themselves.

Art education also helps children develop a sense of craftsmanship, quality task performance, and goal-setting, which are valuable skills needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond. The arts help children to develop more appreciation and tolerance for other people’s unique point of view. A quality art program also introduces children to world cultures through art forms and activities unique to different regions and countries. From broadening perspective to expressing thoughts, feelings and perceptions, the visual arts are a smart choice for children. Art is one activity that offers children a release from the increasing pressures of academics, sports and many other competitively-focused enrichment activities. A balm for the soul, art also helps kids learn how to see the big picture, which is an important life skill.

Courtesy of Art for Creativity ~ http://www.abrakadoodle.com/blog/?cat=16

Design Idea: Simplify

I need to simplify

Today I looked around my house and noticed what a busy mess it has become lately. This is all about priorities. My working hours are piling up lately (for good reasons mind you...many exciting things happening here). But instead of cleaning and organizing my business and house I CHOOSE to spend my free time with family. I know you second this right? 

And when I saw this little bedroom cabinet on Carrie Can & You Are My Fave I couldn't resist to post. THINK OF IT...water, flowers, a journal....sans alarm clock! ALRIGHT!

Mom crush: Make & Mingle

I hightailed it up to Fairfield to meet one of the dynamic ladies that owns the store Make & Mingle. If you live in the area (or even if you don't) you have to see their cool space and take a class in their open and airy studio. I sat down in their white leather couch to chat about how we can collaborate and just didn't want to leave! Poor Karen!

The store is focused around offering amazing fabrics to buy as well as thinking up cool classes to offer for tweens, adults, and kids focused on sewing and creating!

And if you love to craft or sew just go on down. I think we will be doing some very fun things with these crafty ladies.

& p.s. I signed up for the "make your own Tunic" class in May. Sew fun!

Daisy Dough coming soon

Create your own collage

Quote of the week

What gift do you have? Think about it. And do try and appreciate any and every one of them.


I can't remember how I found this quote. But still...it makes me think...and appreciate.

Brookyln

Brooke woke up this morning and the first words from her tiny two year old mouth were, "Mommy, I want my brother"...

So here's for her big brother...I thought this was perfect for the birthday month eh Andrew?

{ another great card from paper pastries }

CRAFT: Bubble Wrap Printing

Don't you just love bubble wrap?

I do. And when I saw this craft idea I could not resist trying it out in our classes. We did some color mixing experiments with the kids so they can start to comprehend how the colors blend! Red + Blue = Purple! Awesome! 

You can do this with even the youngest toddler. We did it with our 15 month - 2 year old class. They got it. So go for it....

Set out large brushes or rollers with brightly colored paint.

Tape bubble wrap to your table cover. Newspaper or a reusable, coated tablecloth work well.

Paint on the bubble wrap until you feel happy.

Press a sheet of paper on top of the paint and rub lightly. Peel off the paper to reveal your print.

Voila!

{ yeah to Clementine Art for having such awesome ideas...and hey! She is another amazingly creative and savvy gal! these are her pics/idea }




Little Birdie Art, Greenwich CT ~ a children's studio (203-869-0925 OR LittleBirdieArt.com)


In Art,

Enjoy your Easter

My friends, what are you doing this weekend? I hope you'll be with family and loved ones. The sun has finally arrived here in Connecticut and I'd like to go for a walk at the beach, carry out our Easter Egg hunt family tradition, and enjoy every minute with my family (and maybe some yummy Easter candy too)!

Cheers to you for a relaxing weekend.

And here is an easy Easter Egg craft to try: 

{ marble eggs are easy to make! photo www.marthastewart.com } 

MARBLE LOOK
Buy the cheap grocery store egg dyeing kit with the cups and dye

1. Mix all the cups of dye
2. Dye all of the eggs one color
3. THEN! Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to all of the color cups
4. Then go back in and dye those same eggs in a different colors
VOILA - Marble eggs

WINK

Oh...I miss WINK PHOTOGRAPHY. But if you live in or around Chicago don't miss Char this July. This was a year ago. 

here is her blog.... http://www.wink.typepad.com/

Back to Cali

wonderful trip to Cali. Nice to have extra pairs of hands to help with kids and enjoy family.

 { card and photo courtesy of: http://paperpastries.bigcartel.com/product/the-golden-state-note-card } 

And although our welcome mat ran out after ten days we did understand and we were happy to see everyone, share our awesome Brooke, and spend every eighty-degree day in the pool....together

{ JW Marriott Desert Hot Springs - Desert Springs, CA } 

Our new mascot..drum roll please....

Here is the preview of the new Little Birdie mascot

What do you think? 

Love is in the air.

Happy Valentine's Day.

we had a small class this morning. it was really nice.
we spent the whole time making things for those we love.
how simple and sweet.

TWO HOLIDAYS in one looooong weekend! Enjoy it....


{ courtesy of ominitia on www.flickr.com } 

Craft: Homemade Finger Paint

Here is a good one for you to try out! Let me know how you like it!
Homemade Finger Paint

1/2 cup flour
2 cups water
1 tablespoon glycerine
2 teaspoon lemon extract for preservative
small screw-top jars (recycle baby food jars anyone!)
Wilton food coloring paste

1. In a saucepan, mix flour with a 1/2 cup of water to form a paste.
2. Add the rest of the water and cook over low heat until thick and clear, stirring constantly.
3. Let cool. Add glycerine and lemon extract. If mixture is too thick and does not spread easily, add a little more water. Divide and pour into smal, screw-top jars (baby jars are great for this). Add food coloring to tint.
Store in airtight containers. Refrigerate for longer shelf life.


Another suggestion...try adding food coloring to yogurt and you can finger paint like this too. Nom, nom, nom!

{ recipe and picture from Busy Little Elf blog ~ thanx } 

In art,

Craft: Make Your Own Paste Recipe

When toddlers first experiment with paste I find they are more interested in getting their hands in it to feel it. So instead of putting some in front of them to stick together, just make a batch and let them play with it a bit. 

Squish! Squish! Messy fun!

Homemade Paste

1/2 Cup of Flour (we use all -purpose organic)

1/2 Cup Sugar

3 1/4 cups Water

any extract (vanilla, orange, peppermint, etc. for smell)

OR 2 drops food coloring

We combine our sugar, flour, and 1/4 cup of water in a bowl. 

Then bring 3 cups of water to boil in a saucepan. Stir in the flour mixture

and reduce the heat. Cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes (but stir constantly!)

Once it is thick remove it from stove heat + add your extract or food coloring (or both).

We save ours in an airtight container in the refridgerator for up to two weeks when not in use. 

Voila! Try it out and let me know what you think! We won't be selling this (we are starting to sell our organic playdough). But we do use this in our classes. Whatever we can make ourselves or recycle/precycle we do!

I will take some pictures later this afternoon for you to see it's consistency.

Pics from OPEN HOUSE Jan 28

I am so tired now. We had a full house! I loved how the kids were clambering to get in the door and to the art room! They were so eager and all jumped right in. We had kids from ages 20 months up to 5 years old.

Thank you to all the parents who brought their little birdies. We really appreciate your support! I hope you all had a great time (and will spread the word if you did).

I will let the pictures speak for themselves...

"Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world." Montessori

OPEN HOUSE 1/28/10

O P E N   H O U S E

Thursday, 1/28/10

We are opening our doors for an afternoon of fun. Learn about our rich array of classes for children...hands on! 

Come see what our studio is all about! Space is limited so please R.S.V.P. to secure a spot

ages 20 months - 5 years old

2:30pm - 4:00pm

R.S.V.P. to this event by email: nicoleperrelle@me.com