Well how did we go with our blank canvas week? Both girls ended up being sick at home but that didn't stop us from having a little bit of fun and our inspiration came from all kinds of places. We now have a few wonderful people and places to thank....
Tuesday - Thanks to SqiggleMum 's blog post 'Flat Out Flora' we were inspired to buy this cute little flower press back when we were on holidays. Tuesday seemed like a good day to open it up to find our flowers and leaves pressed and ready to make cards. So that's just what we did - we made cards! Phew, it was a long wait but what a special activity, one that I remember enjoying with my own press as a child. If you want to find out more about pressing flowers (even if you don't own a flower press) head over to SquiggleMum. Her lovely blog may inspire you to give it a go too!
Wednesday - No mums group for us on Wednesday but we can thank the ipswichartgallery for our fun instead. When we visited Wonderland in the school holidays the kids were given plasticine to make colourful art on cardboard. I thought this was a wonderful tactile experience! We found some plasticine while we were at the supermarket shopping (for more tissues!) so we bought a packet for $1 to make another piece of art at home.
Plasticine Art
You will need...
Plasticine
Cardboard
Using your thumbs press pieces of the plasticine onto the cardboard. You can make any kind of picture you like but be sure to smudge the plasticine till it's flat or it won't stick very well.
Thursday - It was hard to find Miss M amongst the pile of tissues but if you went looking for her on Thursday morning she was watching a little more tv than usual. Playschool was on and they were playing libraries. We've played this game plenty of times too and it's always fun. We decided to play it again all thanks to Playschool. We set up the library in Miss M's bedroom where the bookshelf of children's books are. We got the cash register out so it could be the computer and we found my old library card to play with. Milly, Olivia, Jessie and Sophie (Miss M and Miss H's dolls) were also invited to play the game which was so enjoyable. It was wonderful to see Miss M become the librarian. She ran the books and rhymes class for us all as well as checked the books in and out. Lots of fun together! Miss H especially loved being included and clapped along happily.
We can also thank my friend Cass who gives us such interesting crafts to do. We share craft packs and ideas with one another. On Thursday we tried the sun and rain drop collages which we've had sitting there just waiting to be done. Next week we'll have to do the umbrella and clouds from the same set.
Friday - No boredom here - we played board games today! Three is a great age as it opens up the opportunity to discover games. The Mr Potato Head Game is a firm favourite. (for us all!) We played a few rounds of this before enjoying Elefun and a Maisy Dominoes Matching Game. The thank you here goes to the local "treasure shop" (Op Shop) where I have been able to pick up many great games in fantastic condition for only a few dollars. The Maisy Game was found in a fill a bag for $2 stand. I was surprised when lunch time came around as we had been playing all morning. (usually I'm watching the clock wondering when lunch time will arrive!)
It's great to draw from those around you and the places you visit. Thanks to a little inspiration our blank canvas week turned into a brightly coloured canvas in the end.
I'm curious...where do you draw your inspiration for children's activities from?
NB Experiencing some problems with links so here are the addresses....
www.SquiggleMum.com
www.ipswichartgallery.qld.gov.au
6 comments:
Thanks for the shout out Amanda! Glad you enjoyed making cards with your pressed leaves and flowers. It's such a fun activity. I'm thinking for Christmas 2010 we'll go for a natural theme, so our flower press might get a good workout!
Love your idea Catherine! You seem to have lots of lovely flowers and leaves in your garden which you could use.
Hi Amanda
Even though your girls were sick you still managed to have a lot of fun at home.
We don't have a flower press yet, but we plan on buying Savanna one this Christmas. Where did you get your flower press from? Making cards with pressed flowers is such a beautiful thing to do.
We also went to the Wonderland Exhibition and really enjoyed the visual feast that it was.
I think it is wonderful that you have a friend like Cass where you exchange craft packs and ideas. I would love to particiapte in something like that.
Games are becoming pretty popular at our place as well. Savvy still really enjoys playing Bright Buttons as well as memory.
I hope you have a lovely weekend and that your girls recover quickly. I also hope that you don't come down with this nasty cold.
Hi Elise,
Yeah we did find some fun.
We purchased our gorgeous flower press in a beautiful shop in Bangalow (near Byron Bay). It's one of our favourite stores as it has shelves of unique wooden and tin toys. We always go there on our Bryon Holiday. (Our wedding reception was in that street so it holds wonderful memories for us!)Not sure where you'd get a flower press otherwise. There's always the option of making one yourself. Last month's edition of Better Homes and Garden's Magazine showed how to do it. With your creativity I'm sure you could make a lovely one.
The craft swapping works very well. Although I must admit that I have been a bit slacker since having Miss H. I have to get back into it more because it works so well. I love getting her packs because they are so different to the things I put together for her.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend too. We're starting what you are in the middle of - renovations!! We've just purchased a "renovator's delight" so maybe we can not only swap stories of kids crafts but renovation tales as well.
Blessings,
Amanda
You are such a great mum!
How exciting to live in your house :)
Blessings and encouragement to you xox
Sounds like you enjoyed your blank canvas week.
Post a Comment