Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

The art cart is producing many a project!
I wanted to try using paper plates as a canvas. Throw in some paint and feathers, and you’ve got a …….

chicken? Ok. sure.

Then, today, we worked on a forgiveness lesson. After we learned a verse: “The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.” (Psalm 145:8)

I put some tape on some watercolor paper in the shape of a cross. Then we went to town water-coloring all over it!

 

 

No peaking yet!

Then I removed the tape and a WHITE cross was revealed. Every time she sees this cross she is reminded that we are forgiven and our sins are washed away clean and white as snow.

Now, we can live in gratitude and model this kind of forgiveness to others.

This idea has been percolating in my head for weeks now. Pinterest definitely made it come altogether. I wanted a one-stop place for all of her art supplies so they were available at anytime and accessible. Plus, in sight, in mind. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

First, I wanted to have more space for us to do art together, so I purchased one more table to make a large square. (Thank you, Doug for constructing!)

It was time to unveil level by level.

First, the bottom:

What is under there??

Paper of all kinds! Cardstock of all colors, pastel paper, watercolor paper, white paper, construction paper, stencils, origami, and some drawing books.

Now let’s add a shelf.

Then we unveiled the second level.

Paints of all kinds from dot paints to watercolors. Then chalk pastels, oil pastels and other what-nots like pipe cleaners, cupcake holders, pompoms, clothes pins, stickers, and fancy washi tape.

And finally…….the top!!!

What do we have here? Any kind of marker you can imagine from Sharpies, Mr. Sketch, Crayola colors (various tips), tape, glue and glue sticks, popsicle sticks, paint brushes of all sizes, and of course scissors, q-Tips, hole punchers, brads and the ever so popular glitter glue. I’m sure I’m missing something but you get the picture. It’s stocked!

We’ll just add that to the top and screw it in.

Now, the fun little accoutrements. Little containers that are magnetized and filled with all kind of gems. Sparkles, letters, and plastic parts to add to paper and crafts.

Ta da!

I’m taller than it, Mommy!

It’s ready for action now.

We each have a plastic tray on which to work.

And now we are ready with our watercolor paper and paint brushes.

She decided to practice a bunny.

We did not finish our project so we parked the art cart in the corner for later.

She played with it all day, and tomorrow? We will figure out what to do now that we are truly stocked and prepared.

When I picked up Tatum from school on Monday, two little girls were playing right next to Tatum. The two little girls seemed to be playing with a baby doll. They apparently named her Tatum.

As I approached Tatum, she seemed sad. She said that the two little girls were calling her a baby. I told Tatum that it was probably the baby they were playing with, so she asked them. The girls said, “No, it’s you that is a baby. Why are you in this class anyway?”

My mother claws came out. WWWHHHHAAAAT did you say to my child!? But I did not say that. I said, “Do you think that is kind?”

I told the girls she belonged in the class right with them and maybe they should be kinder.

I then spoke to Ms. V. She mentioned that she’d chat with the little girls.

When I got home that night, I encouraged Tatum that her little self was huge with a beautiful heart and tremendous might. I then read her this book

It’s a great book by Max Lucado about not the size of the person but what is inside that matters as this boy was reminded by Jesus.

Later that week, the two girls apologized to me and they all played together. No matter either way because Tatum can truly hold her own. I’m proud of the way she handled it anyway. She was kind back no matter how it went down. That is all that I can ask.

 

We made it so.

Today’s craft? Recycled parts of mismashed items into a wonder robot puppet. Thanks to some research online and coming upon this expert’s site (since I have not the talent or creativity).  I found this little gem filled with ideas and tools to help this amateur artist.

First thing I had to do was find some of her old artwork and make some various squares and rectangles. I cut them up and put them in piles.

Then, it was time to decorate the head. (the smaller square).

We had all sorts of eyeballs, sparkly pieces, buttons and stickers to make the decorations.

Body time:

We then stuck the head to the body and picked out some legs and arms while Coti watched of course

Using brads, we connected the arms and legs.

Then we added the stick which was just removed from a hanger (the cardboard piece). A popsicle stick at the top and some glue did the trick. VOILA!

What do you think Coti?

Rolan and Pogan. At least these are the names of the moment. The show shall begin!

For the piece de resistance, Tatum decided to retire to the closet for some quiet coloring.

Puppeteering is quite tiring!

Stay tuned for more “artistic” work with the Tot and me!

It was 5 years ago TODAY that a phone call came to me in my classroom. It was the first day of school, and a message was left on my voicemail to call Dr. Kaufman back. I couldn’t get to him immediately since it was the first day, so I called him after school. A phone call that would change my life forever.

Three months later, I’m cutting the cord of this beautiful

 

baby girl.

My cup overfloweth

Today, I cannot believe it has been five years since that day. I have never experienced this kind of love, and having her in my life has exploded my heart and given me a depth of love only a parent could feel. I get it, God. I see how you feel about me! Your heart breaks for me as mine does for my Tot.

I pray for her protection, but at the same time, I pray for her opportunity to experience the gamut of challenge and struggle so she can grow into the woman You created her to be. A scary thought but probably necessary. Can it be that she can be given true Godly character with just enough struggle and climb that it could occur with a righteous amount of cushion?? You know my heart, Lord. Guide her and please keep her in your arms.

She is a strong girl with fervor! Just look at her sing to Coti with all of her might!

I was a bit more timid as a tot. Strong in spirit, but…

this tot!!? Quite the dynamo. Strong in spirit and might.

(Mom recycled it for Tatum). She wears it with gusto!

Thanks Mama!

Today, we will celebrate. Well, I’ll celebrate Tatum being in my life and her taking hold of this life and LIVING it with full passion and wonder as she has since that first day of her life.

I love you Tatum Isabella Knight. May God bless your steps and may He continue to give me wisdom raising you!

Fridays….ah. One of my favorite days of the week. Why? Because it is Tot and my day to enjoy each other. And Coti of course.

We love you Snuggle Bug. Notice his happy spot with a MyPillow Bed. This dog is definitely blessed.

Ok. Back to the day.

So, I decided to inspire Tot with some art from Wayne Thiebaud. I found some of his art on a Pinterest post. He is a dessert artist, so what could be more fun!?
First we made some scrappy dos! You can use any kind of scraps from old random pieces of paper. No waste allowed.

Then once we had a pile of confetti….

I showed her a YouTube of his art. 

Then we got to work on some ice cream cones! This guy makes dessert come alive.  Here is a picture of some art inspired by his cones.

We made the cones

She cut them out… (notice the shapes!)

Then we started the flavors. What shall we make? I made lemon.

She made lime with a cherry

VOILA! Blueberry, lime, and (blue) raspberry dripping down.

She did it all by herself. My little artist.

She wanted to continue so she got the paint, disrobed, and went to work. (couldn’t find her smock so hey? Why not!)

Coti was exhausted watching her. So he kept her shirt warm.

I’m making a DOT now!

Masterpieces done and drying.

I worked on my latest creation (TBA) while she artisted it up.

We will continue to create together! I love our Fridays for extended projects.

Skating, swimming, and snuggling later. Perfecto! (OH, and we did have some real ice cream to celebrate).

Tuesdays. They used to be a day for Tatum and me. Now, she is in school 9-12. This means that I need to make sure when I’m with her, we spend solid quality time.

One thing she is doing daily is a little phonics with my mom. She also does some math or practicing of her letters or spelling. This is wonderful for her academic growth, but one thing that definitely could be nurtured is her creative bent. My sister-in-law reminded of this, and I got inspired. Probably too inspired! I want to do an art project (even if it’s 5 minutes) daily.

When I get an idea, I tend to go overboard in my plan. I don’t usually do something halfway. I go ALL OUT! So, I started looking up art ideas. This led me to wanting to create an “art center” in her room. Why not!? The blueprint of how her room could be set up is now an obsession. How can I organize it to make it conducive to art projects? This then led me to Pinterest which led me to Michaels. (can you say cha-ching!) Yep. I purchased a few items to make this work. Then, I hit Amazon of course and the money continues to be plucked from my wallet as if it grows on trees. (doesn’t it??) Well, stay tuned for what I do next with this “art center.”

In the meantime, we are making art from the heart. I love giraffes, so we decided to embark on this mini idea. It did not require much in terms of materials so perfect!

We got started making the body and I let Tot decorate.

Add the legs (clothes pins)

And of course give them names. Ollie and Wally.

Daily, Tatum wants me to make her a watch, bracelet, ring or glasses. One of these wearable artistic pieces. Today, a pair of glasses and a watch so she could time herself. Now, if I took pictures of every piece we made, I could fill a whole blog book. Ha!

She wanted glitter on these babies.

While it dries, she will wait. Patience is our skill of the week. (for all of us, mind you). I’m not sure it worked because we instantly moved to making the watch. Now,  she …….Tick tock tick tock….

 

….wants to know when the glasses will be dry.

Aye yie yie! Patience is a virtue my child.

All in an attempt in making art from the heart.

Stay tuned for more art projects and designs.