Painting Tips

Painting intimidated me... I was unsure how to do the wet-on-wet painting, the set-up and everything!

Someone finally told me to mix the paints up ahead of time and store in fridge! (you don't have to do this but I like it, saves time and my paint dried up before) I just pour into small jars what we need and if I have extra leftover, I pour it back into large jars- no waste!

I have a large tub that I fill with water. The girls dunk their paper into it and let it drip off before placing onto the art board. **Then they sponge off the access water and smooth wrinkles.**

I also have them use the sponge to remove access paint on brushes. Then we relax and have fun mixing colors and creating beautiful paintings.

Sweet felt snails

Our handwork project this week was these adorable felt snails from Living Crafts magazine.

I had to help needle felt a bit, but the girls helped wrap the wool and choose the colors.

Turns out, they are finger puppets! So cute

Next Letter- V

We continued our container story and I told the "Valley of the Weavers". The girls practiced their form again and we talked about V. Then we used our block crayons and drew from the story. I love all this drawing! It really gives me a creative outlet. Second week is settling nicely and I feel a flow forming. Yeah!

Letter "M"

This morning we discussed the letter M. I told the container story and then the Princess and the Glass Mountain. I really followed the great suggestion of reading that story 3 nights in a row. I couldn't believe how much I absorbed and was able to re-tell to them. It was a treat to watch their eyes and facial expression while I was telling.

I had the blackboard drawing ready this morning. The girls drew the new form and then did capital and lowercase M. Then they drew from the story in their main lesson books. We talked of other words that begin with M.

What fun! I can't wait to see what they will re-tell tomorrow.

Grapes to Raisins

The girls wanted to try this so I thought what a fun science experiment! We got some seedless black grapes, washed them thoroughly and placed them on a cookie sheet in the sun. (cover with cheese cloth)

Now if the sun will cooperate and shine, we may have real "Sun Dried" Raisins...

Beeswax Forms

This morning I told a folk tale while the girls warmed the beeswax in their hands. Then we all shaped it into our forms for the week. I used the plant dyed beeswax from A Little Garden Flower It is fantastic! We haven't done much with the beeswax in the past, but this has changed my mind. More creations to come...

Felt Playmat

After receiving the Fall issueof Living Crafts magazine, I wanted to make this beautiful playmat.
I was inspired after another mom made one, so here it is! It has taken awhile, but the girls love it! They are hiding their animals in the cave already.

We wet felted the base part.

Then I needle felted it to make it stronger and added the cave

Next came some trees... quite a challenge as I broke a needle on the pipe cleaner.

Making the boulders and rocks for the waterfall/pond was easy and fun!




I added the waterfall and some plants around the rocks.

Then I added the large gnarly tree and garden. The big tree took some doing. I think I may use as a seasonal tree and add different color leaves or bare in the winter. Whew!