CMOM Productions: HeArt for Art

My youngest son has a huge heart for art.  Although both of my boys love to draw, M has a passion for creating and trying new projects.  One of his favorite recent creations can be seen in the photos.  We came up with this one because his fabulous Art teacher had it pinned on Pinterest. All we needed were art pastels (not chalk), a plastic bin (big enough for paper), cardstock, water, a place to dry your paper, and a craft stick.  Pastels sealing spray is suggested, but optional.  If you get the opportunity, give it a try.  A black silhouette of your favorite image is great addition to glue on after the paper is dry.  Frame it for yourself or as a great gift!  I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Step 1:  Fill your container with water.

Step 2:  Use a craft stick to shave off flakes of pastels in various colors

Tip:  Where it sits in the water is where it will show up on the paper

Step 3:  Place your paper into the water face down

Step 4:  Carefully remove your paper

Step 5:  Place it somewhere to dry (if you have empty space, shave off more pastels onto the blank spots)

Step 6:  Once it dries, put a black silhouette image on it or enjoy as is.
*Spray it with pastel sealer if you desire.

On Another Note:

I've recently run out of photo storage on my blog.  The decision to remove old photos currently in place or switch over to my website blog is being weighed at this time.  I do not wish to purchase more "space."  As a result, the next few blog postings may not have photos to accompany them.  My plate is full with Christmas happenings, so I've resolved to make the decision after the holidays.

Meeting Jeff Kinney

Authors are the new rock star!  At least that's how things roll in my family.  Anyone who can get kids excited about reading deserves a cheering section.

My excitement about their excitement was overwhelming when I surprised my sons (and a friend) with tickets to meet one of their favorite authors, Jeff Kinney.  I even managed to get my little men to wear Wimpy Kid shirts without spoiling the surprise.  After picking them all up early from school, I handed out 3 Christmas wrapped books (the latest DOAWK book) and let them know it was an early Christmas gift.  Afterwards, I handed my oldest son a manilla envelope that I stamped with the Wimpy Kid (a previous handmade project) and a santa hat.  He pulled out 3 tickets to a book signing with Jeff Kinney and read them out loud.  When O realized that we were going to meet one of his favorite authors at that very moment, he responded with an energetic, "are you serious?"  He was stoked and the other two boys sat with stunned looks on their faces in amazement.  They all thought I had an appointment that day, so they couldn't believe I had pulled one over on them.

Thanks to a local book store, each of the boys got the latest book in the Wimpy Kid series autographed (along with a drawing of Greg or Manny), a magnet, and a tattoo.  Mr. Kinney spoke with the boys as he signed and shared with them that his kids were in the same grades that they are in.  The boys chose to get a group photo with the amazing author before we headed out.

Thanks Schuler Books & Mr. Kinney!