Kids' Canvas: A Pot of Gold Watercolors

Usually throughout the month, the kids and I can squeeze in a few different art projects. Most often with Meli. Colin will join for at least one, especially if it has to do with a holiday. This year for St. Patrick's Day, we did a pot of gold.

We were short on time, so I used some big magnets we had to trace the pot of gold and three-leaf clovers. The kids used color crayons to color them in. Then, we went over them with watercolor.

Meli also traced a Fluttershy

Colin also drew a Link from Zelda. He traced the outline from a magnet.

Until next time...Happy Creating!

 Love, Hugs & Kisses ~ The B Family

Our Canvas: My Painting Buddy

Meli has been my most consistent painting partner. Colin will join in occasionally. Will and I are even going to have a night where we drink wine and try our hands at a Bob Ross tutorial! We have been watching those at night for fun. I cannot believe I did not watch him as a kid. This Christmas, I totally scored in the art department with canvases, acrylics, oils, an awesome wood box/easel. Thrilled me to my core! I am inspired to really invest time in this hobby.

To get Meli comfortable with paints, she will pick out something she wants to paint. Then I will draw a basic outline for her to follow. Then she paints away.

Then I get to work on my own painting next to her.

Heart & Rainbow

Black Kitty in a field of flowers

 We are making some final touches on it today.

 ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

                                                                       The B Family

Our Canvas: Seasonal

After years of not touching a brush, I have decided to pick up painting again. I was never a full-blown painter, but I enjoyed it during my school years. I was always more of a sketcher with pencil or charcoal and still not necessarily very good.

Since the kids have been able to walk (possibly before) we have had art time. We have explored watercolors and finger paints. Now we are exploring acrylics and soon oils and different techniques. Meli has loved moving to canvases and using my tall easel. I seem to always get my small wooden table one, which I actually do prefer.

Over the past few months we have stuck to some seasonal themes. Meli and Colin both did a fall foliage inspired piece. For this one we bundled Q-tips together and the kids used them for the leaves. I thought this method was pretty neat. The Q-tips added a cool texture.

Colin's tree

Meli kind of sits like I used to when creating!

Colin's tree

Meli's tree

Meli is the only one that did a Christmas one. She will want to paint on her own often.

She has started to explore mixing colors. 

                                                          ~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~
                                                                   The B Family

Art Corner - Meli's My Little Ponies

Meli and I started this project a couple months ago and just got to finishing it the other day. We thought it would be fun to paint her white letters that spell her name as My Little Ponies. She picked four (which her choice surprised me because she left out Apple Jack which she likes a lot more than Rarity. Maybe it was more for the colors. So, we did Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity. Meli is pretty meticulous with her painting. She did a wonderful job!!

She wanted to help me with the cutie marks. I was reluctant at first, but it is for her room. I was very impressed with her ability to stay in the drawings I did for the most part. I had to go over it a little bit and did some of the smaller parts of the design. We had such a fun time doing this. Colin wants to do Pokemon for his name. We will see how that goes!

While I was touching up, Meli made this frame for Grandma. I thought it turned out pretty creative and cute!

My first dress!!!

I finished sewing my first dress for Meli! I am so proud of it. Excuse the pictures. Meli was not cooperating with me. The pattern used was New Look (Simplicity) 6202.

My mom was teaching me at each step. There was some difficult parts, but not too bad overall.

Next up is pajamas for everyone, a skirt and dress for Meli, and a Maxi dress (or skirt) for me!

 

 

Working on my sewing skills...

 

 

Here are a few of my sewing projects recently. I am having such a good time with it. I have been doing the little totes for birthday gifts for Colin and Mae's friends. I still need to get ones done for my kids. We are going to use them as library bags. I am also working on my first dress for Meli. I am very excited! Hopefully I can finish it soon.

Aprons

 

I finally finished the kids' aprons. My little cuties! I did not use a pattern, so I can definitely see a few areas that could be different...but they are functional and the kids love them. Works for me!

 

 

 

Sewing Lessons

My mom has tried for years to get me into sewing. She is very good and was always working on projects when I was growing up. She would see clothes for us, a prom dress for me, bridal dresses, etc. I never really had an interest in the actual sewing part. I more enjoyed the designing of what she would make. She did get me to make pillows one year for Christmas when I was about 12.

Now that I am older, I love the idea of sewing. I have been wanting to start the last few years. Now that I am closer to her we are finally doing it. For an early Christmas gift she got me a sewing machine. I love it! It is a Brother and pretty fancy compared to what I used to have.

I started with aprons and tote bags. I made 12 aprons and about 10 tote bags. It ended up being a lot to do before Christmas because I was sick for about a week. I did it though! I am having so much fun with it. I am also making an apron for both the kids and matching totes. Meli picked out a Disney Princess fabric and Colin (of course) Superheroes.

 

A Crafty Weekend

This weekend the kids and I were able to do quite a few crafts. Yes, yes, they are from Pinterest...I know, I know...I cannot help it I am hooked.  Whoever came up with the idea - I am jealous...Such a good idea.

Colin and I did a firework painting.  We meant to do it before the fourth of July but did not get a chance since I was on a trip.  Here is the blog. It is a really cute idea.  We may try it again next year to send out cards. 

A craft idea that was a big success and very fun for both kids was this mess free painting. We taped them to the floor instead of a table.  Meli had a blast walking all over hers and Colin used his fingers.  He would get mad when Meli would walk on his.  Lesson learned - spread them out more next time so that baby girl could not walk so easily on both. It will give me more time to intervene.

We did not get a chance to do this one yet, but we are going to do it this weekend.  I think this project will be good for time-out.  Colin is doing blue and Meli will have a pink one.  They are going to love them! Another thing I love about Pinterest is that I get to find new blogs to follow.  I am thinking of following the Hippie Housewife...actually probably all three.  I love blogs!!

Oh, I have to add another recipe on this entry. It is a creamy tomato soup.  It was delicious!!  Absolutely delicious.  I actually stayed pretty true to the recipe but used crushed tomatoes with basil and then used fresh cilantro.  I hate wasting ingredients, so anything I could replace the past two weeks with cilantro (since I bought it fresh) I did.  Plus, I love cilantro.  The recipe is here. I love tomato soup. 

Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family