If you search for book sculptures on the internet, you’ll come across some incredible creations, including one that stares right back at you – artist Hubertus Gojowczyk’s “Latest News.” With Halloween on the brain, I thought this would make the coolest, spooky prop for my favourite time of the year.
Filed under Books, Halloween, mixed media
This is an easy craft to help kids get in on all that Halloween action. They can choose to make traditional Halloween characters, or run wild with their imagination.
It’s never too early to begin thinking about Halloween (can you tell I love it), and making a special box for some of those wonderful treasures you’ve amassed over the years, is a wonderful way to start. A few drawings and images, a little Mod Podge, a trip to the dollar store, and you’re all set.
Filed under Halloween
Many cultures and religions throughout the world use Mandalas as spiritual teaching tools. Their use is rooted in eastern religious traditions, but has also been adopted by the west, as a way of focussing the mind, and encouraging transformation and healing.
Making a chalk mandala is my farewell to summer, and a reluctant welcome to the fall. It is also a wonderful form of creative self-expression, and hopefully something kids will explore on paper as well.
Filed under mandalas
Travelling with a favorite toy and photographing it in front of various landmarks, began as a totally off the wall idea known as the travelling gnome. It originated in Australia in the 1980’s, and is now firmly entrenched in popular culture. I first came across it in the quirky little french film Amélie, and I’ve been dying to do it ever since. Adults may have come up with this idea, but it has plenty of kid appeal. All you need is a toy and a camera.
Since garden gnomes are a bit cumbersome to lug around, we invited our temperamental little friend, iBat, to join us on our USA road trip, where we travelled from Toronto to Florida and back in just under three weeks. We stayed in ten different cities, with plenty of pit stops along the way, and a nice lengthy stay near Hogwarts. iBat was thrilled to come along, but returned home sulking because I forgot to photograph him at the Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Philadelphia. He was right there, hanging off the back of my purse, but I just plain forgot about the little guy, and snapped a ton of shots – without him.
Filed under travel
A stone collected and brought home from a holiday, serves as a wonderful reminder of that time and place. Even stones from day trips and local adventures to forests and beaches, can turn up specimens worthy of being pocketed and brought home. It’s a nice idea for children, who can line them up and stack them along their windowsill, while thinking back on their adventures.
I’ll be looking for some new stones to add to my collection, as we head off on a road trip to Hogwarts. I’m quite possibly more excited than my kids, and can’t wait to visit the Leaky Cauldron, and enjoy a nice cold glass of Butterbeer. Cheers and happy summer to all of you!
Filed under travel
You can’t help but marvel at the idea of personalizing a vehicle to this extent, and admittedly, I’m a wee bit jealous. But car leases being what they are, my vehicle will have to be returned with no bugs attached. The Art of Bugs van is a fixture in midtown Toronto, and I’ve been catching glimpses of it for years. It’s owned by Continue reading
Filed under ArtsBeat
Spring reveals all sorts of treasures, hidden under leaves and raccoon droppings. The plaster cast above is one of the treasures we found in our garden, and has managed to remain intact for close to ten years. So now that lovely weather is finally upon us, it won’t take much encouraging to get kids outside exploring and collecting items to make their own impressions of nature. Isn’t that what all those cargo pant pockets are for?
Filed under Art and Nature, plaster
The human body is an amazing canvas, which we adorn daily with both temporary and permanent expressions of who we are. Think makeup, hair dye, tattoos and piercings. Hands make a particularly cool canvas for kids, allowing them to easily paint their designs and bring them to life with motion.
Filed under hand painting
The end of another school year is just around the corner, and parties are a great way to celebrate two months of homework-free bliss. All you need is a nice sunny day, some water balloons and sidewalk chalk, great food, good friends, and of course a piñata. They’re fun to make, to fill and destroy!
Filed under paper mâché, piñata
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