MAKE

One of my kids favorite activities is drawing. They can stay busy for hours with just plain old copy paper, markers, crayons, and coloring pencils. They draw at least 5 pictures a day, if not more. While I love all their artwork, it can quickly pile up. And I’m forbidden to throw any of it away.  My kids know me and know my penchant for, “cleaning out.” They put all of their drawings in what they have declared the safe pile. As it turns out, every single drawing has been marked as safe. I could do a book and have plans to do so, but I would have to do the equivalent of an encyclopedia set.

I’m always looking for alternatives to books.  I was out shopping this weekend, when I spotted these white artificial pumpkins on sale at Michaels. I’ve seen others that have been decoupaged with tissue paper, so I thought it would be a lot a fun for the kids to cut and glue their artwork onto the pumpkins. I picked up three different sizes and brought them home. I knew Savannah was going to be my hardest sell. She is very attached to her art, in it’s completely unaltered state. The only way she would go along with my idea, is if I agreed that she could keep her pumpkin out year round. So, I did.

For this project you’ll need the following supplies:

White artificial pumpkins (or you could paint them)
Mod Podge
Foam brushes
Scissors
Kid’s artwork (pictures drawn with waterproof materials, such as crayons and colored pencils)

First, we went through their artwork and picked out pictures that were suitable for decoupage. You can’t use anything with washable inks, as it will just smear when you add the Mod Podge. Then, I had them cut them up and place them all in a pile. Once they had their pictures ready, I showed them how to add just enough glue to the backs of the picture. Things can go downhill fast when we are working with glue, so this was a must. Next they began placing them on their pumpkins. Some of the bigger pictures will wrinkle, but that’s okay. After all the pictures were glued onto the pumpkin, they applied the top layer of Mod Podge. At this point, they can smooth out some of those wrinkles, by just pressing on them with their fingers. You’ll want to add the top layer in sections, letting the previous dry to the touch, before moving on.

I adore how they turned out! I’m always a sucker for my kid’s artwork even when it’s taking over my house. I just love knowing I will have these out every year for Halloween. Or in Savannah’s case, everyday.

In preparation for Father’s Day, we made a mushroom bouquet for Daddy, because he’s a fungi. Get it? He’s a “fun guy”…hahahaha! I’m not sure my kids could really appreciate the play on words, but they laughed anyway. Sweet babies. This was the simplest of projects and required minimal supplies. Savannah and Annie especially loved painting the mushrooms. I think they painted about 5 each. They picked their favorites and we tied off the bouquet with a card for Daddy. Who says bouquets are just for Mother’s Day? He’ll love it!

You’ll need:
Brown lunch bags
Acrylic paints
Paintbrushes
Tag or small card

Instructions:
Open brown lunch bag and turn upside down.
Gather the bag just under the bottom to form your cap.
Begin twisting bag to make the stalk.
Fold the four corners under to finish the cap.
Have fun and paint the mushrooms.
Tie a simple tag to your bouquet.

In our homeschool, one of our daily subjects is copywork. I usually prepare a sentence from a book we are reading and the kids have to copy it as best they can. It allows them to practice their penmanship and grammar. It’s definitely not their favorite thing to do. Today on I Heart Nap Time, I’m sharing a fun way to keep in touch with friends and family over the summer months with kid made postcards. I also love, that my kids are utilizing their writing skills that we have practiced all year, but in a way they can get excited about it. Sneaky! Get the full details here.

I am still working hard to simplify things around here. I am a purger by nature. The purging wheel is constantly cranking at my house. My husband doesn’t get why I have to constantly weed through his things (in secret of course). It’s like it just calls to me…Krisha…throw me away…Goodwill me. Don’t hate me…hate the disease, I say. However, despite this overwhelming need to rid my house of extra, I have sentiment when it comes to cards, letters, or handmade gifts from my babies. I still have a file folder full of notes and cards from my best friend. I love reminding her how dramatic she was back in High School. I even have a fax from her, because faxing was all the rage in the day. It’s on thermal paper, so the writing has faded over the years and I can barely read the words. Yet, I still have it. I have saved all my babies birthday cards. They keep special ones from their Gigi and Papa in their drawers. I have an Aunt, who has never forgotten a birthday, an anniversary, a holiday since I was a child. She has carried on the tradition for my kids. They love getting her cards. I have many cards from my husband, that were so eloquently written by the card designer and he thoughtfully signed it Love, Chris. Even those will stay. They could all pile high as the sky and I’d never throw them away. Never. So when a friend posted this on her Facebook page a couple of weeks ago, I was immediately smitten with the idea of having all my Mother’s Day cards contained in one place. I much prefer a homemade card to store bought card. I loved this idea so much, I thought, why not make this a family card journal? With 5 birthdays in the house to celebrate, plus special holidays like Mother’s Day, there are always cards floating around. I thought it would be great to pass the book around on these special days and make cards within the pages of our family card journal. We could make a collective card or separate ones. When one journal fills up, make another, and another. Different volumes of family card journals to look back through…on days when you are feeling nostalgic. I don’t just love this. I luuuuuuurve this!
I bought a plain kraft journal and had Savannah decorate the front with her artwork for our first family card journal. That’s me on the cover next to a giant cherry tree, under the bright blue sky. See how happy I am? That’s because, I no longer have to stuff cards and papers into drawers!