270/366: Pintember Rocks Again

This is one of those projects where it looks so much easier than it really is.

Kind of bummed about that.

I used my favorite Sharpie Oil Based Paint Markers again for this project.

Here is the inspiration pin:

Source: bing.com via Carrie on Pinterest

Amazing. 

I didn't need to paint my rocks first, this obvioulsy was a big mistake.  Especially on the black one.  The white just doesn't cover the black enough.

Ick!

I will keep my head up because I tried, and down so I can pick up more rocks!

246/366: Pintember - Rock Painting

I LOVED this project.

It brought out all the loves of childhood:  painting, creativity and collecting.

The original post is here:

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Source: colormekatie.blogspot.com via Carrie on Pinterest

Although I did a couple with hearts, the idea of turning a rock into something else, was much more interesting.  We found the best rocks at the beach.  The smoothness was much better for the markers, too.  Once we got to the mountains and did this craft again, the marker tips began to fray and make me sad.

I ended up getting Sharpie Brand Oil Based Paint Markers.  The more coats, the shinier the rock is.  They don't even require any special coating.

My niece was in love with this craft, always asking "Aunt Carrie, can I paint rocks?"

Must have a turtle!

This project is another thumbs up.  Definitely bringing the paint markers every time we go camping.  It really kept the kids occupied and happy.



Thing A Day: 20

Happy President's Day (Week).

The kids are off all week, going to be a long one.

I had a bunch of fun painting these little guys inspired by these (much more refined) examples.  Niagara Hobby and Craft Mart carries all the wooden bits and pieces, we love that place.  Abe's hat is a circle cut from a paper plate and a cap to a long worn out lip balm, painted black and hot glued in place.

The kids didn't enjoy it as much as I did.  Little Man got his face on George in 1 minute flat.  That's a fast painter.  They had bad guys to freeze and portals to control.

It's always fun to pick up a paintbrush and do something I don't normally do.  Brings back thoughts of earlier, easier, free-time.

Free-time.  I miss that Thing.

Magnetic Chalkboard

A month ago, in bribery to get my kids to go to Lowe's with me, I told them we'd buy some chalkboard paint for their rooms.

After strolling the paint aisles three times, I asked the adorable 19 year old if they had chalkboard paint.

I was easily up sold (he was totally cute!) on the magnetic paint to go under the chalkboard paint. A wink or nudge could have gotten me to buy the dry erase paint, too. Yeah, to be 19 again!

Okay, where was eye? Oh, yes his eyes. I mean, no.

Where was I? Ah, yes, looking at my two children and sporting a new 'Mom' cut we bought a can of magnetic and a can of chalkboard paint.

And then it sat. And sat.

In an uncommon moment, Tom took the boys across the street to play and I was left home alone. I grabbed the painters tape, the level and a brush.

FIVE coats later, the magnetic seems to be magnetizing. I would highly suggest using the magnetic paint as soon as you get home from the paint store where they so kindly shake your paint for you. (That was so kind of my little 19 yr old, seriously, he shook my paint).


And there they sit. Only the magnetic paint, that doesn't really hold a decent magnet. I figure once I put the chalkboard paint on, it will be even less magnetic.

But you know what? It was fun to tape it up and slowly apply coat after coat after coat after coat after coat. It was relaxing and meditative.

I did enjoy painting, but I think the purchase may have been the most fun!

Budding Artists

My boys were trying to come up with ways to make money. All so that they can buy toys. Lego's to be exact.

They decided that painting pictures and selling them would be a great idea. These are all available for purchase, many priced at $10 to make the math easier when saving for $100. Yes, that's a big Lego set. Prices are negotiable for sure. More on my Facebook page here.

I love that they were creative and didn't just beg me to death (which still may happen).

New Trick for Old Head

You have seen pictures like this from me. Over the head at the kitchen table, usually with paint. This time, it is different. Any ideas?

No, not the newspaper vs. the more common plastic bag ripped in half.

No, not the fact that there are pigs and cats and not paper.

Give up?

Check out the paint, kids. Solid colors. Multiple colors but not GRAY BROWN BEIGE concoction that comes with too many pretty colors of paint on the same plate. This momma learned her lesson. Don't get me wrong, anything made by my kids is genius, however, the GRAY BROWN BEIGE color is starting to overpower my home and head.

Trick: One paint color, one tray, one at a time. When pink was done, I rinsed off the plates and brushes and went to the next color. My other key, no longer a need for a rinse bucket that becomes it's own media, Soggy everything.

I know, not brain surgery (or PharmD studies), but it feels like the last frontier. I figured out how to make painting and creating fun for them, and more importantly, fun for me.

The gifts were enjoyed just as any other, but this time, no one had to get past that tragic color.

Craft: Eric Carle is Awesome!

I really try to rotate craft, art, food, funny, music, shameless self promotion. But I really wanted to share this kid craft with you. Sam was learning about Eric Carle, technique and stories. He saw a video in art class on how Eric Carle creates his illustrations. And Sam said, "I really want to do Eric Carle craft". So, we did. This is simple and fun.

What you need:

10-12 sheets of heavy weight paper/card stock. We did a couple on regular bond paper and they curled, but still worked fine.

Assorted Acrylic paints

Assorted paint brushes or tools for adding texture to paint. We had sponge brushes and bristle brushes. You could use forks, crumpled tissue paper, or Q-tips, anything to bring a cool pattern to the paper.

Scissors, tape or glue dots.

We looked at Brown Bear for inspiration. Each boy drew a little outline of the animal we were going to create. I cut out the shapes for them, and they attached them with scrapbook tape. After the giraffe, Sam cut out the butterfly wings and some of the design by himself. He loved it.

This is such an easy craft and so much fun. Gets their little minds working differently. How to cut a shape out, instead of drawing it flat.

And yes, I loved every minute of it.

Well, except for the cleaning paint off the rug and picking up schniffles of paper.

If you try it, please send me pictures or links to your pictures. (yeah, I'm talking to all of you, even those without kids). Do it.

Mixing Paint

We bought red.
We bought lime green.
We bought turquoise.

All beautiful.
All vibrant.

Until they are mixed together.

Why can't I just let boys be boys and not get upset with the mucky gray brown purple slop that adorns every "craft project". I actually yelled at them yesterday. It drives me nuts.

I am going to challenge myself to allow them to be free, and walk away if I need to.

Well, even though I walked away yesterday, it technically made it worse. You see a two year old painting with red paint may, by chance, get a tad bit of red paint on his arms and a smidgen on his wrist and a touch on his fingers and that said 2yr old may want his Binky that perhaps is on the brown suede couch.

Red paint. On my brown couch.

I only wish he would have mixed all the colors, at least then, it would have matched.

Art Time

I may have created a monster. A good monster. This was the scene a couple days ago and since then, I hear 'Where are my dots? Can I have my dots? Wanna do dots, Mom?'

O calls his watercolor tray, Dots. They both did quite well. After four or five painting sessions, we only had one small water spill. I think I like watercolors more than markers. Watercolors wash up, wipe out and clean off much easier than even a washable marker.

We also learned something new. Papa, pay attention, you may not yet know this but, blowing on the brush makes the colors stick to the paper better. See example below.

If you are a Mom of young ones, and think painting is too messy, pick up a pack of Crayola watercolors (or two, we are in the fighting mode now that the tray Sam was using is gone) and let them play. You will get a good 20 minutes, at least, of 'Mom Time'.
But, if you aren't a mom, pick yourself up a tray of watercolors. They really are fun!