Freezer Paper Stencils

While my mom was here, I got really ambitious about a project I've been wanting to try with Makili: freezer paper stencils. To be fair I got the idea from Amanda Soule's book (The Creative Family), but the idea is also all over the internet, so I don't feel too bad about sharing. It is an awesome way to make cool shirts or repurpose some old fabric (like Dad's ripped pants, which is what we used).

Start with a drawing (I traced this from google images, which I'm sure will disappoint my artsy friends, but come on, I'm on a timeline here with two kids!)

Traced drawing onto freezer paper (shiny side down). Cut out with exacto knife (obviously my job, not MAkili's )Iron paper onto fabric (again shiny side down). You can put a piece of freezer paper inside a t-shirt (shiny side up) to keep paint from going through.
Paint inside (or outside depending on your preference - we did both) the stencil.

Let dry for 24 hours (or until you're tired of waiting.) Heat set it by ironing it per the instruction on the fabric paint and voila! you've got awesome stuff. I heart this project.

About art

So I got this book at the thrift store for 25 cents called Young at Art. It looked interesting and I started reading about kids' development in various artistic endeavors. I realized that at Makili's age, he really ought to be doing more than drawing circles and H's, which is all he ever really seemed into. So I sat him down and give him a bit more attention and encouragement. And almost immediately, he amazed me. He drew this tractor and then a little later he drew me! I thought this tractor was pretty impressive though! It actually looks like a tractor.And this is the tutu we made for Gabrielle.

We're back on the grid now, but my mom is visiting so we're kind of busy. But I thought I post this while I'm thinking about it.

War Paint

Last time I was home at my parents' house, we went to the Children's Museum, where I picked up some of these watersoluble face paint crayons. Though they are actually designed for this purpose they work great and wash off easily. The Museum has been using them forever (I used to work there). I broke them out yesterday when we needed a minute of calm and let the kids go at it. They were a bit timid at first, and Gabrielle was definitely far more interested than Makili, but both of them had a great time and it was fun to watch the little Indians run around all morning. This is an AWESOME activity for kids and I intend to do a lot more of this! The crayons aren't cheap, but they last a good while. And just in case you buy some, they need to be dipped in water before they will work.

An Art Project Before We Go

We are headed out to go on a ski trip with 30 exchange students, and then onto visit the Arkansas Mattys, so I don't know how much I'll be posting in the next few days, but I was pretty proud of myself yesterday for the art project I came up with for doing with Makili.

Raph bought me a bunch of block printing materials for Christmas that I've been dying to get around to work on. (So many things going on all the time!) Yesterday I decided to modify the project for Makili.

We used those styrofoam trays that food comes packaged on in Market Basket. I save them for using under plants in the greenhouse, and I've used them in the past to make crafts for decorations, like at Makili's birthday luau. I decided yesterday to try using them as printing plates. I cut them to the size I wanted with scissors, and then Makili used a chop stick to draw on them, though some of his lines weren't deep enough so I also had him draw with a Sharpie, and then I traced his drawing with a chop stick.

Here is a plate ready for printing. As you can see, Makili also liked poking holes. And the smily face was my demonstration for him as to how to draw on there. He didn't do that (obviously).
Then we inked up the plate using some block printing ink and a brayer. Makili really like this part, and of course he chose red.

Here is an inked plate.Then we put the plate on the paper, turned it over and rubbed it.
Then we peeled off the finished print.
I'm not showing the best works here because a few of you might find Valentines in the mail from Makili and I don't want to ruin the surprise. Let me just tell you that my favorite works were "Tractor" and "Mommy." Limited editions, of course. I LOVED this project and the finished products were really nice. I recommend this project highly!

Like Mama

Makili had his first sewing lesson yesterday. He loved it and made a really cool piece of art that is now hanging on my wall. I've been really trying lately to get him to do more creative stuff, since one can only build so many block garages. I have some other projects that I'll post pictures of at some point, but I have to say doing things like this with him is so good for me! We have this structured time together and then he is happy to play independently for a little while. So good.