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craft thursday #7

August 12, 2010

hey look…..it's actually thursday when i posted craft thursday!
cool.

stepping stones was on the summer list.

i could make this stuff every day….well at least for a week.

there are cheaper ways to make these….but i didn't want to mess up…or risk them not turning out.
so i went with the tried and true KIT.
we bought 3 boxes at hobby lobby.
and the plastic molds too.

i made each one sepreately.
very easy….1 cup of water and the bag of cement.
mix.

till it looks like this.
you can add more water if it seems too thick.

pour it in the mold and smooth it out.
i used the paint stick and then i shook it side to side and THEN i patted it down with my hands.

then i let them go crazy with beads, glass bubbles, tiles, broken dishes and our junk collection.

what i love about mosaics is that you can practically use ANYTHING.

talby's stone.

annie's stone.

sean's stone.

this project is messy and takes prep.
but i loved it.

my mirror was one of my favorite projects i ever made.
i need to make more stuff like that.

there is not enough time to make all that i want to make!!!

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crystal b - These are stunning! I hope you make a path to a magic spot in your yard — like that gazebo I spied in one of your pictures.

Lucylu ~ - Hey Meg,
did you use my pebbles i gave you when i last saw you?
just Wondering, Lucy

Melanie - Looks like a fun craft:)

Courtney Walsh - love this, Meg!!! 🙂 Such a great project!

Phoenix_Rising - I thought Annie’s was my favorite but now I’m intrigued by Sean’s. I love Talby’s name on hers. Great work by the kiddos!

kristine - annie’s hair is so blonde!!

Jenn - I LOVE ANNIE’s STONE. I love how it isn’t organized and she fills every space with something fun. Your kids are so creative!

sara's art house - Love, love, love this! I need to do this with my kids!

Caitle.wordpress.com - Great idea! They really turned out very nicely. Are the broken dishes old things from your house or do you go looking for cool colors/designs?

crystal - Meg, I love your blog. Of all the blogs I subscribe to, this is the one I check everyday! I always love your beautiful photos, and love seeing into a window of your lives! These garden stones are 10 times better than anything you can buy in a store! I love that it’s an activity any age can do!
P.S. – tell Emily, who posted a comment earlier than me, that my blog has great ideas for younger kids: http://easystayathomefun.blogspot.com

heidi @ wonder woman wannabe - now, that’s craft-tastic! 😉

miss r - They remind me of I Spy! Very fun.

Krista - We made these this summer and I thought of you (silly, I know, but when I craft you come to mind). The kits make it really easy. I love that you keep all of the broken dishes and other stuff that would normally get thrown out, so you can recycle them. I wish I could remember to do that.

www.Kellyloves.wordpress.com - so cute! i’ve been wanting to make some of these forever!
http://www.kellyloves.wordpress.com

Tanya @ Life in 3D - So fun and so fab!

Kelly - What kind of birds did you use on the mirror Meg? That is really cool!
I love the use of the necklace in the stepping stone. I am going to start a junk box right now!

jennifer - Those are SO cool!

Linda Juul - Thanks for the great post! I have been wanting to make these again b/c the ones I made last summer were not so hot 🙁 I think your instructions will be wonderful.

ruthi - love your blog and the creative inspiration you share!

Heather - These are so great! I made two when my two oldest were still tiny and did their feet and hands. Still one of my favorite things. What wonderful keepsakes!
I just love Annie’s face when she does crafts- she looks so serious and focused!! Precious.
Blessings,
Heather:)

Heather R. - They turned out AWESOME!!! I want to make these :).

Nicole Q. - Love these. My mom has done one with each of her grandkids at age 2 of their hand prints.

Emily - i love all of the fun crafts you do! They all look so fun but my daughter is only 2 and they all seem so far away! Any fun craft ideas for younger kids?

Kelly - I think it’s so wonderful how you do crafts with your children!

Jessie - Looks like they had a blast!…now I’m wondering what the rest of your kids middle names are 😉

shelly@familyblt - So fun–I love all the things your kiddos chose to use–so unique!

julia - it’s so neat how, when doing an art project, each child’s personality shows through. your son’s looks like a guy tile for sure!

katy - those are so much fun to do, just remind people to not actually “step” on them…….they’ll break…we have one that has not broken and we’ve made at least 5 of them. 🙁
yours look sweet!!!

Tammy - fun project! we did it last week for our Craft Tuesday! Great minds must think alike!!

adrienne - fun mom… very fun mom!!! they are all wonderful!

kristin - okay. i want to do this.
i LOVE it.

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Oh you have me wanting to craft. That’s not a good thing. I need to clean…not craft. Lovin’ this project. Must.make.one.

amandadod - Those look great! I have that same kit sitting in my garage waiting to be done … I may have to pull it out today 🙂

Holly - very cool!

Laura Phelps - fabulous!!! The kids and I made NIck a stepping stone for Fathers Day..it made the whole trip from LA to CT without breaking, we put it outside, and the next day, Luke broke it. ugh
Now, you need to stop crafting and fill out our application for The Amazing Race!!!!!!

AshleyAnn - You make me wish I had done a craft each week with the kids…looks like yours had a great time. Love the mirror!

Debra - We plan on making some when we move back Stateside. Love ’em!

Julie - Those are so cool! And yes, your mirror is great!! I can see why it would be a favorite!

lorel - very nice!

Lisa - Wow these are awesome! really really great. A must do for our family. xxx

mother★lode - these are fantastic! stepping stones are on my forever growing list of projects to make, you’ve moved them closer to the top with your inspiring renditions! well done!

Dana D@BoysMyJoys - They are all great!
So inspiring!!!

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craft thursday #6

August 7, 2010

this project would be categorized as free play.

they each picked a letter at hobby lobby and they decorated it with anything we had.

we went threw probably 20 glue sticks.

not really what i was thinking they would make….
but still fine.
BEING creative is the point.

mine was fun.
i couldn't stop….mine took twice as long as theirs.

what do you think?
too much?

and then as soon as we were done…..

CRASH.

ugh.

yay for craft thursdays.
it's still worth it….even with pounds of sequins on my floor.

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Vicki - seriously, i had the best laugh i’ve had for ages over your ‘too much’ comment! and then the crash scene….oh my your words made me laugh.
great crafting!

marnie scott - that mess makes me smile. that is COMFORT. i might have to copy your M. and the mess that goes with it!

sallymander - I’ve never commented before, but your projects are always awesome 😀 A little tip for the spilled sequins (or beads, or buttons, etc.), rubber band the leg of a pair of pantyhose or a knee-high over the end of your vacuum cleaner nozzle and vacuum away. Be sure to hold the nozzle pointed up in the air when you turn it off!

Stephanie@Geezees - Thanks Meg, this is a great idea to keep the kids busy!!

Georgia - Hey Meg, i had a thought, have you thought of doing a ’52 weeks of craft’ book? For like a personal ‘photo’ book something to look back on when your older or to pass to you kids when they have kids …
xx

shiela - Hi Meg-
Are you planning on traveling to Southern California between now & the end of this year? Would you do photo shoots if you decide to travel here-CA? Your photos are just such jewels!

Rebekah Brummel - You are awesomely creative and I am DESPERATE for creativity. I need ideas for an adoption announcement for my 5 year old son fresh off the plane from Ethiopia. SO tired of the standard 5×7 photo card… . . . . I need a CREATIVITY HERO, any ideas?????

kristine - omg! if only it was food that waffle could come lick up!! what a great way to use up some stuff too! love them all!

Sara - This has given me a great idea for first week art project at school! thanks Meg!

Jennifer - Love this craft! It’s my favorite one yet!

Lynn - Look what you started, Meg! I love all the kids letters, but that M has to have a prominent place in the house! Love, love, LOVE it! : )

heidi @ wonder woman wannabe - Your M is simply MMMMMMMarvelous! Where, oh where will you be displaying it!?

tasha roe - CUTE!

Holly - looks like fun Meg! We love doing crafts around here but since the kids are back in school and cheer we may have to do “Craft after we get home from church on Sundays”lol. BTW we are making Craigs meatballs tonight!

Georgia - Oooooh Im loving this idea!!!
Im going to do it too, just little old me so i can have it displayed in my flat.
Im the clumsiest person alive, so them sequins would be a regular occurance in my home.. hehe
Great Craft day!!
xx

Heather Lea - Giant craft “M” = shop update?!

Henry - Wow, very interesting thursday you had there. You did an amazing job at creating those. Awesome!!

merlin - Wish I could be a kid for a day at your house…what fun!

nikki - Why do craft days always turn into MESSY days?, but you are right, it’s always still worth it. Your M is quite pretty!

amy jupin - i see you made it to hobby lobby afterall!
i’m with kimberlee on this one–bead-encrusted letters will soon be sweeping the nation!
did you see your “r-e-a-d” letters in the fall pottery barn kids? looks like they are stealing your ideas too! 🙂

Staci - It’s NEVER too much for you Megan 🙂 Your M is great!!!! And wow! Sean’s S is so perfect 🙂 Cute cute 🙂

shelly@familyblt - I LURVE your m! So fun!

Kp - Looks just like my dining room, but missing the glitter paint foot prints! Our poor pup always has something
Sticking to the bottoms of his paws I.e. Stickers, sequins, play do, paint…love it! Thanks, too, for the link to Deep Space Sparkle – my youngest picks her projects and is ready to start by 7a.m.!

j - I love your “M”.

Dana@Bungalow'56 - Megan,
A woman can never have too many sequins.
Dana

Gekakel - Your craft Thursdays really rock!

Anna Marie - YEAH!!! You’re with BlogHer now! Congrats to you Meg!
(Love your “M”…definitely not too much!)

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Awesome! I love this idea I think the best of all your craft projects so far. Yours turned out fabulous M:) Have a great weekend.

Sara @ It's Good to be Queen - this is a great idea! i love seeing your messy, painted table. my white table gets like that every single day. yay for soft scrub with bleach. 🙂 it makes me sad when so many moms don’t let their kids create because of the mess. i think creating is the stuff of childhood….well life actually. thanks for this.

Niki - NE-VAH! There are never too many sequins. Except maybe on a drag queen outfit? Maybe? LOL
I LOVE this idea! You rock, you creative Mama!

Julie - This is fantastic! I always like to see how your kids create to fit their own styles – and your M is magnificent!

Beth - I can so relate. I taught a polymer clay class at the rec. center this summer. There was SO MUCH clay on the floor it had to be scraped off. I did some of it, with help from my students, and then left the rest. I’m sure the custodial staff didn’t care much for me that week!!! The mess is kind of a let-down after the creating, isn’t it!?! Love your M. Definitely not too much.

Lorie - You are a wonderfully creative mommy! I love how you let your kids create! Great idea!

Lori - Yours is absolutely not too much – love it and love the idea. Craft stores really do rock. And the nice thing is that it didn’t cost too much, I’m sure.
Ooh, I hate it when something like that turns over. I call it my spaz moment. It’s almost as if you can see it happening in slow motion. Ugh.
enjoy your weekend.

sandy toe - My girls would love to be in your family with all the art!
sandy toe

Ruth - there is no such thing as too many sequins. love these!

Sophie - So cute! I might have to use this kind of idea to make my initials to put somewhere, though I think mine might be completely solidly covered in buttons. I LOVE buttons.
And also, I know the feeling with all the mess. I have a huge tub of beads, like the little teeny tiny ones that you have to use stupid small needles for? I had an accident with it the other day and I’m still finding hoardes of tiny beads everywhere. Not fun.

Katy Stone - ahhh!! I LOOOOOVE your’s!!
How, exactly, did you do it?

Kat - I was also going to ask where is the “M” going?
Love, love letters.
I am on at my Hubby to cut me out some letters so I can make words around our house.(like your EAT, but maybe others like Joy, Home and family.)
Love what your kids did with theirs, very much a reflection of each of their personalities.
Great idea Meg!

Anya - Love love love your craft Thursdays! You can’t have fun without mess.
Where are you going to put your ‘M’???

Brooke - Thanks Meg, another good idea to keep the kids busy! I love my daily visit by the way!
Cheers, Brooke

Gemma - I love this idea! I am going to try and recreate the “EAT” sign you have as I love it : )
Gemma x

Maria - i love your crafty thursdays…our summer flew by and I’m not sure how many we ended up having…but I have been promising the boys one more before school starts…so I’m thinking craft saturday…something with sharpies and watercolors…although I may bring in some oil pastels too…

Kimberlee J. - I see in the not so distant future button-dazzled initials going up in people’s homes all over America…and the world…and I love it!

Kristi - What a good mama you are. Funny how their initials spell a word. And how Annie spelled her name backwards. I decoupaged with scrapbook paper, my new niece’s initials for her nursery and now my daughter is in the process of doing her own name. I need to just chill and let her do it her way instead of trying to “suggest” papers for her.

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craft thursday #5…in michigan

August 4, 2010

while on vacation jenny said "well….it's thursday! what craft do you have planned for us?!"
ha.

our internet was out like it was 85% of the time.
so we had to go with a picture of a craft i wanted to do but couldn't look up the details.

THIS ONE right here at deep space sparkle (again).

drawing fish with sharpie markers.
painting the picture with watercolor paints.

i actually ran back in the house as we pulled out the driveway leaving for vacation to get my paints.
craig looked at me like i was crazy.
i said "you'll thank me if it rains!!!"
i brought my big sketchpad paper too.

it was cloudy outside.
perfect time to take a break from the beach.

fish drawn with a crayola marker and not a sharpie.

no one was listening to me about using a sharpie marker.
when you don't….and then you paint….the marker bleeds.

dangurs fish.
i LOVE that.
jake used a sharpie. good boy.

sean rarely follows my instructions.
mrs. burns…..i feel for you.
he used oill pastels for the whole thing. no marker or paint.

no marker.
paint only.

i had one out of five following instructions.
i am not a good teacher.
oh well…the point of craft thursday is to CRAFT.
not to follow my instructions.

this was mine.
annie asked "mom….are the other animals laughing at the squid cause his eyes are so wrong?"
(cheryl just pointed out that my picture is also not done in sharpie! ha ha ha
i forgot.
i was using oil pastel because that works also with water color paint.
so sharpie or oil pastel or crayon works if you want to paint over it without it bleeding all over.
thanks cheryl. :)

there was actually LOTS of art at this table over the week.
chicago jen's kids are very artistic.
dave made his own sign that hung in the kitchen all week.

since i am thinking about michigan again….
let's see the last pictures from our trip. (i promise)

lego letters made by DAVE.

peach raspberry tart made by JEN.

lego space shuttle made by SEAN in two days….for ages 16+ on the box.

goofing around at an awesome toy store in st. joseph.

makes me want a tire swing in our yard right. this. minute.

sean's birthday cake.
chili's molten lava….mmmmmm.

.

the grill masters.
(not to be confused with the thigh masters….)

fireworks on our last night….just for fun!

photographer dave.
he is really good…even if he did buy a nikon.

last shot before we headed for home.

sad.

as i have said many times….it was a great trip.
so good.
loved it all.
too short for me and jen.
i am ready for a trip with just the grown ups….where to jen?

michigan rocks.
dave and jen you are the best.
you are definitely….with out a doubt….our best first hand mates!

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Melanie - Great photos!

Jenica Cory - Was this a house rental? We vacation near St. Joe and are looking for a house for next summer. If it’s a rental could you pass along the info, please! It looks amazing!

amy jupin - this whole series of posts have made me miss my best friend like crazy. and i loved the pics (of course). your photography is really shining meg. really so good.

Nicole Q. - I want that tire swing in my yard too!! I also want the adults only trip too!!

Mindy Harris - awesome post, as usual. love the sunset pictures. the last picture is just darling but your shirt is blue rather than purple. ha.
k-state is my alma mater…so my allegiance will forever lie there.
hugs from our family!

Jodi - What a fun trip! Your pictures just convey the energy and how fun everyone is! I read everyday! What an inspiration you are!

www.Kellyloves.wordpress.com - Bowlarama .. hilarious! I also love the slip and slide shot. what fun!
http://www.kellyloves.wordpress.com

Stephanie - totally LOVE your blog!!! I look forward to every post. It is just such a happy place, even when you are having a bad day. I like that it is just REAL! Anyway, I have a big question that is going to rock your world….what kind of water colors do you use? I’ve been wondering this forever. They are so vibrant. Mine always look so pastel. I hate that. I need bright, happy colors. Actually, a post on your favorite art supplies would be great. Thanks a bunch. I hope you are having a wonderfully colorful day!

Jess Mead - Love the fish pictures!!!! Thanks for the Sharpie tip!!!

mkpoggie - I nknow how you feel! Our best friends live in Minnesota (we’re in AZ) and when the four of us are together we forget to relish the time because being together just seems so natural…Then, when vacation is over, we go, “Oh, no! Where are my friends?!?! That was too short! I didn’t stare into your faces enough! Panic! Panic! Panic!”

tammy kay - the painting looks like so much fun!
I don’t think I’ve ever commented before. “HI”
Love your blog and all the color that it brings each day.
Glad you had such a wonderful time with your friends!

Tara - Great pics…fun crafts…we’ve done several of the sharpie/watercolor crafts from Deep Space Sparkle this summer…ALL THANKS TO YOU! 🙂

tara pollard pakosta - You are so blessed to have friends that you can travel with!!! I can’t think really of any couples that we could travel with and have such a great time!
from the legos, puzzles, painting, reading to all the fun at the beach = an amazing triP! cant’ wait to see if you scrapbook these?!
tara

Beth - P.S. Oil pastels and then watercolor are one of my favorites!!! I taught a “water media” class last week and we learned about an artist who did that (Paul Cezanne). Very cool!

Beth - Your trip truly looks idyllic. So nice to have family times like that! Great memories. And I laughed out loud at your comment about following instructions. Creating is the most important though, I so agree with that and strive for it, although in a room full of 25 kids . . . sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of that!!! And the bleeding marker — natural consequence. Sometimes we learn better when things go just like that, hmmmm maybe mom (dad, Mrs. Burns) did know what they were talking about when they said to use sharpie or crayon or oil pastel 🙂 I still remember and love Sean’s comment during printmaking last year “this is actually fun” (like he was surprised by it!).

nichole shinners - I love all the pictures from Michigan. I am originally from there and ( now in cali) I try to sneak back as often as my husband lets me! There is nothing out here like the lakes, the wide open farms and fields, the sun setting over the corn fields, and chasing the fire flys. I try to get my girls back there as often as I can, so that they have those same memories stamped on their hearts. Pure summer Magic!

Andrea - You have inspired me! I want to plan a vaca to Michigan right now! Where was this?

Julie - The tire swing picture is my favorite; had one growing up and every child should have one! Sean’s lego space shuttle ~ WOW!!!!

Heather R. - Sean did great with his Lego set! Annie presenting a sunset…sweet. I want a tire swing, too, now.
Great pics, as always.
~Heather R.

Sharla - Love them all – especially the tire swing photo, Annie pointing at the sunset and the lego letters. I love the Lauren’s shirt too! 🙂

Jennifer - Looks like a blast! Did anybody run into your face while you taking the slip n’ slide shots? Anything for a great pic!

Leslie - An entire family that you can vacation with and everyone has fun. The hubbies like each other, the kids like each other. Priceless!! We are blessed to have three of them and often go on huge family vacations together. We are off to the lake for a long weekend before school starts. So fun!!
PS Lauren’s shirt rocks!

donna - hi meg. as always ~ great pics. i live in michigan and we always seem to get such a bad rap here – i am glad that you are showing the blog world that michigan really isn’t so bad. however, everything you do always looks so fantastic – even if it’s your piles of laundry – love it!

Marina - Where did Lauren got that Where the Wild Things Are shirt??
It’s awesome!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - So fun. I feel like I was there with you. Great craft project too. I looked up that site and did one with our girls a week or two ago. We did the hot air balloons. I didn’t make one though. Now I want to go back and do it again. Oh and you NEED a tire swing. That would be a perfect addition for your family.

deb meyers - so fun! I love that you share your vacation : )
I think Lego puts “16 and up” on its boxes so sons who too soon pass the Lego stage feel that it is still okay to spend some time fooling with them (as my 16yo has done this summer, and as Chicago Dave proves), and the younger guys can feel cool and ahead of the curve. STILL … impressive Sean!

Staci - Pure awesomeness!!! Wanna go there!! And way to go Sean!! IMPRESSIVE!!!!!!

Laura Phelps - I am surprised that Sean didnt go for the sharpies….
I love you Meg
that is all
really
I miss you
and I want to craft with you
and vacation with you
and have our kids run around til mid night together

Cheryl @ a pretty cool life. - Um…did you forget to use Sharpie on your drawing too?? LOL Great pics. Looks like fun!

Kim - I live in Michigan. Not far from where you were on vacation – had I known…… Think of yourself as a celebrity and some random stranger comes up to you and says, “Are you Meg from Whatever?” That would have been fun! Come back any time to Michigan!!

Julie - I just came home from my second Michigan trip this summer and now I am ready to go back again!
These are beautiful pictures and memories.

tara - i don’t know why but this made me cry.
just so fun and happy.
great memories.
gorgeous families.

Holly - very cool photos Meg! Thanks for sharing!

Gemma - You guys are so lucky to have a great relationship with another couple/family! I hope I have the same someday : )
Gemma x

Sarah - Thank you for your lovely blog… it cheers me up when little else can.

Dana@Bungalow'56 - What is truly amazing is that you all get along together as couples and as families. This is definitely something special.
Dana

Kat - Awww, I so want to go on a holiday with my bestie, who lives too far away.
It looked like a truly awesome trip.
Happiness everywhere in those pics and that tart looks goooood! 🙂

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Oh, you guys look so happy! makes me miss my best friend Chicago Jen (who has just relocated to DC). I need to go write her a letter. And go on vacation. And eat a raspberry tart thingy. And hang a tire swing!
I loved your vacation pics! Thank you for sharing them with us!

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creations.

July 13, 2010

the three youngest kids took a clay class here in town.
i think having a real clay studio is not that common for a small town.
but we are lucky.

i convinced talby to take it with sean since he would be the only boy.
then when we went to the first class annie announced "i can't come here cause i'm too young!"
which is what i told her.
the teacher said "you can come….you are old enough"
i smiled.
ok….i guess we can put one more of you in class…it's only money right? ha ha ha NOT.

then i left.
alone.
that was the second best part of the class….1.5 hours to myself.
doesn't seem like much but after weeks and weeks of 24 -7….it was so good.

this mug is really a small pitcher!

annie's horse.

annie's bunny.

this was a plate of annie's…she drew robots, rockets and sunflowers on it.
it is my favorite thing of hers.

sean's vase.
i love this for many reasons….so cool.

talby's fish.
she doesn't like it because it's weird.
i said "do you know how many crazy weird fish God made in the ocean?! this is perfect!"

talby's bunny.

talby's.

this is the prettiest cup.
the butterfly turned out so lovely.
and i love how you can see the texture of canvas on the inside too!

i loved that they got to work in a real studio.
using the real tools.
they were so proud of their work…loved the class…and the cats there too.
it was a good investment.

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kristine - good answer to talby! i will have to remember that!
i want to eat talby’s bunny – it looks like a cinnamon roll!
your kids are great artists! it runs in the fam!
great pics! looks like you could do the brochure for their art gallery!

coach suitcase - Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful，and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.

Thedomesticfringe.wordpress.com - I think I just lost my comment. 🙁
Love what your kids created. Sounds like just the type of class my own children would enjoy and I’d definitely take full advantage of the 1.5 hours alone.
-FringeGirl

Rachel / cREaTe - so fun. these were always my favorite type of summer activities … i could totally relate to talby’s fish … when i was in grade school i made a bird that was “weird”. and my mom still has it displayed on a shelf. it’s still weird, still bugs. 🙂 ha ha but your response is perfect.

crystal - Once again, your children have created such beautiful artwork! These are fantastic!

Gekakel - What a beautiful creations they made! I love Sean´s vase and the cup with the butterfly.

Gail - Wow! I love this as an activity for kids – so different to the usual classes! I think my daughter would love it.
I just had a sneaky browse around your site – visiting from Laura’s.
Will be back for sure!

jeanne - These are REALLY good. So wonderful that you have that available in your town.

bobbie - that is awesome. I’m dying to take another clay class myself but I guess I just need to make the time to do it.

Lia - I think Annie really has a special talent. That bunny was awesome! I wish I was that talented when I was 5…or even now I guess.

Kelly - Wow! They sure were productive in only an hour and a half! It’s wonderful that they are exposed to so much. They will become well-rounded adults later in life. What wonderful memories you’re creating!

Holly @ Roller Coaster Life Rhodes - how awesome is that!!! i would love to do something like that myself!! and way to go to the teacher for hanging out with all of those.. kids!! 2 is enough for me!

Mallory Simonis - Dear Meg,
By complete and utter accident, I came across your blog. I was in Lowes with my husband, and just so happened to pick up “Flea Market Style.” I somehow flipped to a section with your blog mentioned in it, and wrote down your web address. I looked at a few other websites that were mentioned, but then immediately fell in love with yours. I have been reading every single post that you’ve written since 2007. Yes, I’m weird, but I got hooked.
The reason I’m writing now is just to say, thank you! Thank you so much for inspiring me to pick up my grandmother’s old sewing machine and attempt to carry on her beautiful tradition.
Thank you for inspiring me to attempt scrap booking, and finally buy that cheap little scap book set, on sale at Wal-Mart for $10.
Thank you for teaching me (a newlywed, 24 years old) how to cook a great meal, without having 10 million ingredients or directions to worry about.
Thank you for allowing me to dream about one day having a beautiful home back in the Mid-West, with lots of color!
Most of all, thank you for being such a strong Christian woman. I am so grateful that I came across your blog, and I am so happy that God is using you to inspire woman all over the world. You are a beautiful instrument of what He can do!
God’s richest blessings be with you and your beautiful family!

Linda Johnson - Beautifully talented children and I admire you so much for exposing them to the finer things in life and keeping them busy. They are very lucky to have you as their mother.
Linda~

Shann - Those are all awesome! Even the fish! 🙂 You are raising very artsy/creative kiddos! Thanks for sharing their masterpieces with us! 🙂

Ruth - these are so good! what a talented bunch you are. that last photo, talby looks so cute, and annie and the cat… priceless!

sheryl - What an awesome experience for your kids! They are quite creative!

Anya - They did all that in an hour and a half, that’s amazing. I wish I had been there, looks like fun, and I love the colours of the glazes. Treasures to keep forever.

Desiree Fawn - Oh gosh, that last photo is so sweet — esp. with the kitty in the background!

Maria - how neat! such a step up from just going into a place and painting on pre-made stuff…I’m going to have to look up and see if we have anything like that around here…

Holly - how fun! We have one here. they are pretty commmon in small towns I guess!

Rachael B - I love that Annie is just petting the cat in the background of the last picture. It’s so funny!

betsy - Did they make ALL of that in just 1.5 hours? That’s amazing! We used to take pottery class at our summer camp & my Mom still uses the bowls & platters we made 15-20 years ago!

Ashley Stinson - what a fun experience for your kiddos! i love all of the projects you do with them… i’m sure they are such creative, artistic, and imaginative people because of it. and i love how you told your daughter that God created lots of funny looking fish in the ocean… so sweet… and true! 🙂

Amanda C. - It’s a priceless investment! My mom, who is almost 50, (young!) has a clay elephant she made when she was probably Talby’s age. She treasures that elephant. It’s such a wonderful gift to give your kids!

dianereeves - I love Talby’s butterfly cup-it’s beautiful!

Sophie - So cute! Looks like you passed your creativity onto your kids (:
I’m especially a fan on Sean’s vase! Reminds me of when I was a kid. When I was about 6 or 7, I drew a picture of a white and blue striped vase with some flowers in it for my mom. She looked at it and said she’d love to have a real vase just like it, so my dad got an exact replica made for her birthday.
Ten years later, and it’s still sitting pretty in our dining room! (:

kamana - how wonderful! these are so creative.

amy d - all of their creations turned out so good!
i can’t even pick a favorite, cause there all so darn cute and amazing…i love to see what little minds come up with!
…and talby should know that even some of miss amy’s fish look a little wonky!

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Sean’s Vase, Talby’s butterfly and Annie’s bunny. Those are my favorites 🙂

Sharla - Wow, those are awesome. My 6 year old got a potterywheel for his bday from Hobby Lobby and we took the clay out this week and it was rock hard. He was so upset. We’re getting more, but he would LOVE this class! I loved everything – these are keepers!

Heather - love it! my son is taking one right now and i love seeing him in a real studio using real tools. it’s pretty empowering for a little kid.

Staci - Soooo fun!!!!!!!

AshleyAnn - I have a minor (though enough hours for a major) in ceramics…these pictures make me miss it so much. So who is more anxious to see your urban family shots…you or me?

mary beth - Hey I want to take that class! If I cried “I’m too old do you think the teacher would let me in???” Those pieces are so great and worth every penny, even if you have to go without milk for a week! Precious!

Dana@Bungalow'56 - Megan,
I understood the extra addition to the class immediately. So hard to say no. Wow, when we sign up for a clay class, it is far less in depth. I would be proud of these creations too. You are right, very very lucky to have this available to you. I know my kids would have loved it. Art with kids, something so organic about what they do. Loved this post.
Dana

Kirsten - What great creations!!! So funny, I had this conversation with the girl at Trader Joe’s not too long ago about teaching art at my daughter’s class, and she said she’s been thinking about opening a clay studio…

Brooke @ beachy keen girl - So awesome! Such artist 🙂 And I’m glad you got to enjoy 1.5 hrs to yourself — I’m sure it was a blast.

Melanie - They are so good. I love Talby’s butterfly!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - You are raising little artists. I love that. The butterfly cup was my favorite. Few things are as fun to me as doing just that. Those little clay places are just the best.

Tracey Garcia - My oldest started taking clay classes last summer and is doing it again this year. His creations are some of my greatest treasures. And our studio has two orange cats two!

Gemma - Lovely creations!! Annie terrorising the cat in the last picture made me laugh : )!!!
I’m having a giveaway to win a gift voucher worth £40/ $40 to spend with CSN! Simply comment on this post (saying what you’d buy) to enter
http://musings-of-a-gem.blogspot.com/2010/07/giveaway.html
Gemma x

Meg - My kids have taken several classes there, the first thing the teacher told them on their first class was that she would help them to make anything they could imagine….and she did. We came home with Christmas ornaments, turtles, snowmen and the most beautiful red and purple glazed vase I have ever set my eyes on.

laura - cool idea! they’ll remember that forever!

Christy - Awesome masterpieces!

Beth - My kids all took classes there too — really an awesome asset in our community!! So many “Ceramic” studios are the poured mold ceramics. I’m not saying there’s not a place in the world for those, but this is the real deal! Love it!

tami - Looks like soo much fun! I want to take my kids, love pottery.

mary elizabeth - That so rocks!!! Maddie will now make me go buy clay so it can be her artful day project (as she makes me check your blog daily for the artful project!) love that butterfly! I love Annie in the last picture loving the cat!!! 🙂
I just feel so good after I read orlook at your blog – it fills me with warm fuzzies – always no matter what!!!

se7en - Love it!!!

Bethany - These are so fun! They remind me of stuff my baby sister used to make… now she’s selling some of her pottery at $200 a pop. (Maybe the extra cost to put Annie in the class will eventually pay off!)

Vera - COOL!!!!! Of course it doesn’t surprise me at all that your kids are crazy awesome creative.

Michelle - You have some amazing artists there Meg! I love how Annie just got herself a seat in that class.

lorel - These are fantastic you guys!

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craft thursday #4

June 28, 2010

on a sunday.

posted on a monday.

we painted bird houses.
not a super creative project…but still a project.
they saw them at hobby lobby and begged to get them.
they were 50% off.

so i agreed.

the froot loops…are to eat.
nothing crafty there.
just a snack.

THEN there was some excitement.
i saw a skink.

so we had a skink break.
they tried to work together to catch it….but never could.

the girls wanted to glue beads and things to their bird houses.
to attract more birds.
we used hot glue.

and sean couldn't concentrate after the skink.
he wanted to catch it so bad.

fun.

i guess if you were going to hang these outside you would want to put polyurethane over the paint.
who knows where these will go.
they want to hang them outside.
so i will add that to my 253 things to do…..

************************************************************************************************************************
did you vote for my picture HERE?
today is the last day.
i would hate to see the peanut butter baby sneak in at the end….
it's super easy to vote.

if you haven't voted PLEASE do.
🙂

this is an iPad we're talking about!

leave a comment HERE on the first post if you voted…if you haven't already.
i will draw the pillow winner when the contest closes.

thanks!
************************************************************************************************************************
i have so much to talk about with ya'll.
i wish we could just sit down over coffee….that would be awesome.
maybe tomorrow.

i am cleaning today.

UGH.

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Jordan Shoes - sanning this website then you will get good things.

Jordan Shoes - sanning this website and you won’t regret it.

jordan shoes - This article the reality of the matter. pleased, It is nice to see views that are informative beneficial anyway.

kristine - is talby’s birdhouse for sale?! 🙂 LOVE.

heather - i can’t vote. it won’t let me sorry

Jaime A. - Hmm. I tried to go in to see who was in the lead or who won, but now when I try to go to the page via your link or the URL I have – it says it’s forbidden. Uh-oh! Can anyone else get to the site?

katy - I love crafts, my kids love crafts……we should craft today and make cookies!!!!!! 🙂 the birdhouses turned out lovely, and yes I voted for your photo..yay and hope you win!

jeanne - your kids are so good at taking their time on crafts…mine zip right through them.

Lora - You are a super awesome mom! I’m so getting my kids birdhouses!

Melanie - Talby did a great job on her birdhouse. She is very orderly and precise! I love it.

Seleta - Such dedication to craft with your kids every Thursday. You really inspire me to be a better mom. : )

teresa - i couldn’t find your photo…and it wouldn’t let me go to the second page of photos. does anyone know if i’m doing something wrong?

kim - Just discovered your blog. What a fun blog you have! I love your photos. They’re so colorful and full of love for your family. I’ll be back often.
Hope you win your iPad!

A pocket full of posies... - love the birdie houses!! but most of all…love the “Thursday” craft- done on Sunday- posted on Monday! 🙂 sounds alot like our house!!
Happy cleaning!
Blessings!
Jill

Shelley Laming - I’ve read your blog for months and comment inside my head 🙂 … but felt compelled to post today to say I voted for you. Love your blog! That is a great pic that certainly made me smile. Best of luck — I hope you win!
I cannot some people (CathW) can be so catty. Seriously?! wow.

Selina - LOL at the days you post your Craft Thursday! I love the color your children chose.

Lynette - Meg~
You have an AWESOME blog, and you take AWESOME pictures. That is why YOU should win the contest! Just my opinion…
I did the birdhouse craft project years ago when my boys were younger. I did poly the outside of the houses and put them outside (We live in Nebraska – similar climate to you). I used little L-brackets and screwed them to the wood fence. We had 3 birdhouses (like yours). Birds moved in to 2 of the houses. Wasps in the other one. The houses lasted for 3 years before they fell apart. Maybe I was supposed to poly them every year? It was neat to see something we made being used by nature.
Good luck in the contest!

amy - love the bird houses…that’s something i have not done yet with the kids…love the blue one..and a skink? really? my boy loves the blue-tongued skink at the zoo!

www.Kellyloves.wordpress.com - oh i love the birdhouses. the blue one especially. what artists you have!
http://www.kellyloves.wordpress.com

angela carter - I voted! I voted for you because I love your blog, would love to know you for real, and you inspire me! THANK YOU!

Lindsey - I tried to vote again, but it wouldnt let me

Sandy - Talby looks just like you in the picture where she’s holding her pretty blue fingernail up. Have a fun day!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - I would LOVE to sit and chat with you over coffee! Wouldn’t that be fun? I need to clean too. Thanks for the reminder;) Have a great day Meg.

Jaime A. - If someone entered that contest, it probably means they have both a camera and a computer (and who cares what size house they have?)… If I win, please dontate my pillow to the PB lady. Better yet, maybe to Cath W (the first commenter on this post)! I’m just sayin’… =)
Wait – I am just kidding. If I win, I would like to keep my pillow, thankyouverymuch!!
Meg – It def. won’t let me vote again – I tried!
Re: Craft Thursday #4 turned out great! We tried your Craft Thursday #2 with OK results! lol… maybe 4 is more up our alley! Although, everytime we use a glue gun, we spend forever peeling glue off of our hands! lol…

Dana@Bungalow'56 - Love all the bright colours. They would look great in a back yard. There is poly spray that would be really nice and quick. Just checked out your picture and it says your are number one. Looks like an ipad is in your future.

Staci - FUN!!! Maybe I need to just suck it up and go to Hobby Lobby…been trying to stay away 🙂 I spend waaay too much money every time I go 🙂

candace - Ha! Peanut Butter baby is cute too – if it is close, I completely understand. I voted the max # of times. Where are you displaying all of the other crafts? In the craft room? I love that bright turquoise of Talby’s!

Cara - The birdhouses turned out great!! We painted some birdhouses recently too. I found ours in the dollar bins at Michael’s, in case anyone is looking…they were a little bit smaller than Meg’s. I LOVE the beads glued on! Why didn’t I think of that?!

sara's art house - LOVE the beads glued to the bird houses- cute!

Michelle - Thank you for yet another wonderful post Meg. It’s the middle of winter here in Australia. We have the heating on despite it being a sub-tropical climate. And your posts bring a sunny, warm and colourful blast to my screen. I love them!

Gemma - I really love the bird houses! Love the colour Talby used…summery blue : )
Looking forward to hearing your news or whatever!
Gemma X

Cath W - Maybe Peanut Butter Baby’s Mum doesn’t have a nice big house with a computer and laptop, and money for birdhouses on ‘Craft Thursday’. Maybe she doesn’t have time to make pillows to bribe people to vote for her with. Just sayin’ that it doesn’t seem fair somehow. Just an opinion.

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rambling….and craft thursday #4

June 21, 2010

i have an opening for photos this thursday JUNE 24 at 7 PM.
any one want to take it?
—————————————————————————————-

anyone know a cheap(er) way to get photoshop? (for a Mac)
where did you buy yours?
how much was it?

—————————————————————————————-

i made julie/heather's salted caramel cupcakes last week.

i loved them.
like really loooooved them.
i didn't have the candy for the top because i forget everything when i go to the store.
and they were just as good without.

—————————————————————————————-

we went to sugar sisters last week.

we heard they may be in financial trouble so we made sure to get there at least one more time.
i had the strawberry babycake.
it was the best cupcake i have had there yet.
yum yum yum.
it will be sad if they have to close….i like it there.

did you guess that my sugar ban is over?
i am all about moderation now.
i proved that i could do with out completely….and it makes me sick now when i have had much at all.
but a taste is good.
let's hope i can keep from becoming a junkie again.
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two of my children went to camp yesterday.
i keep thinking i forgot someone…or i need to pick someone up.
this week should be a breeze having only three to keep tabs on.

—————————————————————————————-

at the Y last week i was jogging on the track.
my iPod was on (with my rap music) at the highest volume….just the way i like it.
two ladies were walking and talking together on the track ahead of me.
i thought "i wish i was talking with my friends" as i came up on them.
they turned to me as i was passing them and smiled and said "we love your blog"
at least that is what i think they said because my headphones were blasting.
ha!

ladies….you made my day.
🙂
the rest of my run was like i floating.
thanks.

—————————————————————————————-

this is the house i grew up in.
it was a lighter yellow back then…not quite so bright.
there used to be a porch swing on the right side of the porch.
craig and i sat out there for hours.
talking.

yeah…that's it….talking.

—————————————————————————————-
craft thursday…done on a friday…posted on a monday.

we choose another project from deep space sparkle.

we made tissue paper dragons.
it was difficult to change the mindset to having a perfect dragon to a free form dragon.
i kept saying "just tear and then find a way to make that shape work somewhere."
and the mantra of "it doesn't have to be perfect…it's ART"

sean disagreed.
he would have preferred to use scissors.
but talby and annie could "see" the dragon in the shapes.

i used watered down glue and our watercolor paint brushes.
our projects are almost always done on mediumweight Sketch Pad paper…found at walmart.

when we were done i outlined them in sharpie and cut them out to hang up.

talby

sean

annie

mine

another successful craft thursday.
yay!

————————————————————————————-

on saturday morning my friend kerry had a baby girl.
and i got to photograph her birth.
it was amazing and emotional and extremely humbling to be there.
i love her family so much.

her sweet baby Kyler is in the NICU now.
will you pray for them?
God hears every prayer.
He has a plan for them and He is in control.
i am sure of that.
—————————————————————————————-

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webcams - I will definitely visit your site more often cause I like your ideas and the information you post. free les chat live chat adult finder free free chat

Lori - A prayer for sweet Kyler-done.

crystal - Those Dragons rock! I love your Blog too!!!!

Robyn - i love this craft! so cute. i may try something similar but maybe with fish or birds.
i hope your friends baby i ok. my godson has been in and out of the nicu for a long time and its SO scary. life changing. and prayers have helped him come a long way. he has a long road still but the prayers have helped him come out of the woods!
so im adding your friends baby girl to my prayer list!

Whitney - I would suggest that you get one of the creative suites… I got Elements and was a little bored with it. I got it while I was in college and got a huge discount! Try to find someone in college who could use their ID for you! I have all of my old Id’s… I’ll just mail you a copy! 🙂
As for the sugar, I have been trying to avoid it too. I went 12 days and then had to have flourless chocolate cake-it was worth it, but also too sweet. I have been reading a book called “Potatoes Not Prozac”- it’s all about people who are sugar sensitive- very interesting and fit me to a t! I highly recommend it!
Just like the ladies walking on the track, I love your blog too!

Rachel / cREaTe - soooooooooo CUTE! LOVE that project!!!!! 🙂 and love that sean always crafts with goggles around his neck. ha!

Heather @ Cookie Mondays - Chloe got the swimsuit! And lives in it.
Financial trouble?! How can that be?! Poor Sugar Sisters 🙁

Lisa - I use PhotoShop all the time both at work and home. I always purchase my software from AcademicSuperstore.com Great prices for teachers and students! Hope this helps.

Gina - You can get the student version of photoshop because you have a student. You’ll need her to go with you and have her ID. It’s the same thing but WAY cheaper. We have it on our computer and it works fine. Not that I’d know because I have no clue how to use it…but my husband says it’s great…
If I could drive there Thursday night from Chicago, I’d take that appointment in a heartbeat. I’ll keep dreaming…

Emily B. - That was my friend Jodi and I at the Y! And we DID say that we love your blog! We were both so excited to see you. We realized that you might not have heard us and that it might have just looked like we were smiling and clapping at you as you went by! It made us laugh so hard that I let out a really loud and spastic laugh that echoed in the gym… what a goof. 🙂
I’m so glad it made your day! It made ours to see you!

kristine - sweet art!
will pray for kyler and fam. xo

Rachel - Definitely check out http://www.academicsuperstore.com/. The prices are significantly better and it’s totally legit. I use both LR and PS for editing. The workflow in LR is amazing and it’s really easy to bulk edit a bunch of pictures. Scott Kelby’s Lightroom 2 book really helped me to figure it out how to use it to it’s full potential. You can do way more with PS in terms of editing (ie. layers, masks, more brushes, tools etc). I find myself using PS more when I’m editing for clients or when I want to print something larger for myself. It’s still over my head though so I’m planning to take a PS course for photographers in the fall so I can get the most out of it.

Laura - What a lovely post. God is always in control! Isn’t it great!? I will be praying.

Courtney Walsh - I love those dragons!! How adorable! 🙂
…and I’ve always dreamed of a butter yellow house. Maybe someday…:) I’ll make sure if I have a porch swing talking is the ONLY thing done on it! hahahaha.

se7en - Those dragons are darling!!!

Laura - I bought Adobe Photoshop Elements from Amazon.com for $80-something. Adobe was having a $20 rebate (which happens occasionally). So, I got it for $60-something. I have worked on both and find Elements does exactly what I need – at a fraction of the price. I was thrilled to get such a great deal!
Good luck with your shopping!
Laura

shelly @familyblt - Great post today. I want photoshop too! I couldn’t justlfy it yet though. I want a cupcake now too. yum

tinycandi - I used the free trial of PS…but I wasn’t impressed enough to switch over from Paint Shop Pro. I have PSP Photo XI and absolutely love it. There are so many things I can do with just a click of a mouse. It’s so much more user friendly than PS. I am hoping to upgrade soon now that X3 is out. It’s so much cheaper than PS.

teresa - tell the kids i give their dragons two thumbs up! very nice!

tasha roe - bought mine with my student discount through journeyed.com huge savings!

Michelle - NOOOOO! Sugar Sister’s can’t close. That would make me so sad. I need to get there this week!

Shannon - Lots of memories in that big yellow house! I loved that house

Marie Tere - I just got the PS — $89 with $20 off, $69 wasn’t so bad.
Prayers to baby Kyler.

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Praying for baby Kyler… please keep us updated. Thanks!

Georgia - Meg, the house you grew up in is like a dolls house!!!
Thats my dream house!!! lol
UK houses are not so picturesque as the usa. damn its unfair lol
Happy Monday!!!

jennifer - Love the photos of the cupcake shop. It looks adorable! And those dragons looks like a fun project too!
We’ve got an unused copy of PS Elements that I’d gladly barter, or just give you. 🙂 Let me just make sure I can find it! Let me know if you’re interested…

Lisa Currie-Gurney - IF WE LIVED IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD, WE’D BE SUCH GOOD FRIENDS. YOU KNOW, THE KIND THAT WALKS IN WITHOUT KNOCKING. GRABS COFFEE FROM THE POT WITHOUT NEEDING TO BE OFFERED. TAKES THE KIDS SWIMMING FOR THE AFTERNOON.
YEAH… THAT WOULD BE US.
HUGS FROM MAINE

KK - Those are adorable dragons! I love each of them. It is amazing how, even though people work on the same project, they all come up with their own interpretation.
I will pray for Kyler and your friend! 🙂
Have a good day!

Patty - The dragons are wonderful. Again, I impressed with how you organize your days…not easy wrangling kids to do an art project on a hot, summer day. Tell Sean that I thought his dragon was very precise, despite the fact that no scissors were used!

Nicole Q. - Love all your random thoughts . . . I think I’ll have to do the dragon craft with my boys. Looks like a fun one! Have a good with a few less kiddos.

Vera - That dragon craft is AWESOME! We are so going to do that. Will pray for your friend’s baby!

patti - what a great craft! I’m going to look at that site now to get some ideas for my kids too. i know i’ve said it before, but i’m sure it’s nice to hear: thanks so much for sharing these everyday looks into your life. i really appreciate it!
cheers to a great week!

www.Kellyloves.wordpress.com - I love the dragons. Super cute. Will def pray for Kyle!
http://www.kellyloves.wordpress.com

Kirsten - Megan, you continue to inspire and amaze, even with photos of cupcakes! Prayers and hugs for your friends and sweet new little Kyler.
And I’m jealous that your kids get to wear swimsuits – we had a softball tournament get rained out this weekend…

Amber - i don’t see where anyone has mentioned this yet…but have you ever looked at http://www.academicsuperstore.com ? i believe ps is about half price there. i haven’t actually purchased from them…but if i were to make THE splurge…i would probably go w/ them. you are supposed to meet the qualifications…but i’m sure you could order via your children’s student i.d.

susie whyte - love the dragons, love the house, love everything. 🙂
sugar sisters was broken into. my husband had to interview one of the owners after the incident. they got a little over $240. if they’re in financial crisis, it’s cause they charge $2.50 a cupcake!! 🙂 haha. if they have to close, i will be so sad. maybe they’ll have to sell their plates. i want their plates so bad. the ones with the metal rims. and the blue melmac flower plates. haha!!

tara pollard pakosta - gorgeous dragons!
we are going to have to make those!
super CUTE!
praying for the sweet baby kyler–
God will hear us all….
bless your sweet blog, it’s amazing.
tara

Amber Zimmerman - Love the craft thursdays (and fridays) posts. 🙂 I’m glad you mentioned the paper you use too. As for photoshop – I have a student version which is much cheaper. It is the same thing, just cheaper for students. I’m not sure if you could ask a student to purchase for you at a local college (someone you know?) or if that is frowned upon? Worth a check at least! 🙂
Prayers for baby Kyler!

AshleyAnn - Those are gorgeous! I am looking forward to the days my kids can do projects like that…one down 3 to go…

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Great craft. Those kids are GOOD.
I had someone recognize me at the gym the other day too. It was really surreal. I felt famous…so I get it. I think I had a goofy grin on my face the rest of the day:)
That house you grew up in was just adorable. I was just thinking the other night how I missed the days when Honey and I would just “talk” for what seemed like hours. Oh to be a youngin’ again.

Juli - Kyler and his family will be on my prayer list.
I adore those dragons and I love your childhood home. Why in the world would anyone take down a porch swing? My hubby’s HS/College yrs were in 1930’s bungalow with a front porch swing. He & I sat and “talked” plenty there. I would swing my niece, while singing her “Edelweiss” as a tiny infant on that swing, when I came home from college. That tiny “baby” got engaged this weekend!

Julie K. - Hey Megan! I LOVE your dragons. So cute.
I use Lightroom for 95% of my work and then Photoshop Elements for any detail work on occasion. It’s so much easier to navigate. The combo of the two are just perfect. But I really really LOVE Lightroom. Just my two cents.
xo ~julie

Tam - The cupcakes look devine! I would like one for breakfast! I also want to purchase PS, i’m thinking Elements is more my speed though. The dragons are wicked cool.

mom - I use PS Elements too at work. I went to a PS workshop and the elements are easier to understand. But you are the professional! It might be good to enroll in a class after you purchase it – it really did help.

Bec - I use full blown photoshop to edit my pictures and honestly, it took me almost 3 years to really come to terms with it and truly start using it to it’s potential. I still have a whole lot to learn, but I’m getting there. I would highly suggest, if you are only going to use it for photo editing, getting photoshop elements. The same controls as photoshop but not overwhelming. I wish I would have gone that route to start with.

Melanie - The cupcakes look delish. I sure whis I had one:)

Patty - Thank you for the mention of the paper you use for Craft Thursdays. Prayers for baby Kyler. Happy day to you.

Christy - Awesome dragons! The house where you grew up is so cute!

katie - i made those cupcakes too…. HEAVEN!!!

Jill - LOVE those dragons! Great work, kids! (and Meg!)

A pocket full of posies... - Covering baby Kyler with many, many prayers!!! (and new mommy and daddy too!)
Many Blessings!
Jill

Amy Cygan - I have lightroom. Really easy learning curve and can export to photoshop if more editing needs to be done. It does a lot. It’s inbetween elements and photoshop as far as what it can do.
I got mine through acedemic superstore. If have to fax/email student report card/ proof of student, and you’ll get a great price. I’ve ordered several times from there. Think about Adobe lightroom. e-mail me if you got questions really. Amy paris626@earthlink.net
I have a dslr and been using lightroom since it’s first version. I do have CS3 but hardly use it.

kat - said a prayer for your friend 🙂
the dragons are cute !

Michelle - The dragons are awesome! Those cupcakes are on my list to make… I just need an occasion.

the road less traveled - two words for your photoshop question…
e bay.
🙂
love the tissue dragons.
and your childhood home~ lovely.

Kimberlee J. - We hit sugar sisters this weekend too. They made Ella’s birthday cupcakes. 🙂

Jodi - Yes, the best way to purchase PS for a MAC is to buy the student version at the Apple Store. Take in your high school daughter, have her show her student ID, and voila, it’s yours for a fraction of the cost. Whoops…hope I don’t get in trouble for telling you that. Mine is a bootleg from a friend of a friend. I LOVE it.
The dragon tissue project is perfect!

Sally Mangham - In regards to photoshop! Have you considered Photoshop Elements? I have been asking a dear friend of mine who runs a tech/imagining business and he suggested that I look at Photoshop Elments because he said if you haven’t ever learned Photoshop it’s a great start with the same editing advantage. Also, I recently discovered an online wk shop — http://everydayelementsonline.com/ . I purchased mine at Fry’s Electronics.
If you decided that you have enough experience and are ready to purchase Photoshop here is a great link http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/80-best-photoshop-text-effects-tutorials-part-iii/
Good luck! Sally M.

Gemma - Hi Meg,
Those cupcakes look yummy! Might have to give them a try. Loved your craft Thrusday/Friday.
Gemma X
http://musings-of-a-gem.blogspot.com/

Kevyn - I made those same cupcakes from Julie’s blog- for my husband for part of his father’s day. HE LOVED THEM. He is not a cupcake person but thought these were awesome. Love your blog! 🙂

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craft thursday #3

June 11, 2010

the kids were very excited to do this project.
annie requested we wait until she got home from her friend's home to start craft thursday.
we did.
and we gained another friend for craft thursday.

today's project was from Deep Space Sparkle
another fabulous blog FULL of great art for children.

they drew castles.
first with pencil then sharpie.
then painted with watercolor.

they were very detailed.
talby said "i think this is the best picture i have ever made…i am going to hang it in my room!"

sean kept saying "mine is made out of brimstone!"
??
i don't know if that is a real thing….or just from stories?
ha.

genius!
a rainbow castle!
pure dreaminess.
and of course she said "i am going to give it to ms. kristin!"

did you notice i don't require shirts for craft thursday?

annie's castle with drawbridge.
the most colorful castle ever to be made…i am sure of it.
(oh…i drew her sun and hills for her because she asked me to)

sean's castle.
he worked so long on the drawing…the shade moved off the table and he was getting hot.
he had a friend over and was ready to swim…so he didn't quite finish.
but i like his red dragon sneaking in the right side.

talby's castle…sitting in the sunny snowcapped mountains…with a speedboat in her moat.

i loved this craft.
i wished i had made one too.
but the table was full.

happy weekend everyone.
i'll be back on monday!

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add a comment

mel - I meant craft thursday! lol

mel - Ok so your are the most amazing talented coolest mom EVAH! I am so going to start Craft Tuesday! Your kids are so talented…cant wait to start!
xoxo

Tonya - You inspire me to be a better mom. I’m going to implement a craft day into our week. How fun! And with friends? Even more fun!!

amber - those castles are awesome! way better than I could ever do

amy d - hahaha… i love talby’s motorboat!

Staci Danford - What wonderful fun… and memories they will cherish much longer than we will know.. My “big” kids are always telling me things that they loved and they remember them with such detail.. so many times I have not one single clue about what they are saying…but I sorta feel like I wasn’t a heel of a mother. haha Your kids will treasure so much these summer days full of art and a loving MOM.
Staci

Tanya H - Perfect! Thank you!!! I am looking for ideas! 🙂

jasmine bailey-barfuss - Look at these gorgeous creations! So beautiful, so individual! Must do this also 🙂 Call me the big copycat ha ha… Now we just need the rain to flipping stop here! What is this Utah weather at the moment, gal!

Melanie - I am enjoying Craft Thursday. It looks like so much fun. Have a good weekend.

Alicia Butler - Thanks for sharing the blog address. This is the lady (Pam’s friend that called you this week.)
Any other blog addresses?
Blessings.

Thea - AWESOME craft! We will be doing this tomorrow…”craft Saturday!!”…LOL

Heather - i love seeing how each one turns out so different even though they start with the same theme. really fun!

Julie - Those are WONDERFUL! All castles have their own personality; these certainly do too. 😉

MomBE - do you see the skull in annies painting?

Cindy Albert - I saw the animal crackers in the first picture and was waiting for them to come into play…I kept thinking “will they paint them, glue them? Really, jungle animals in a castle scene?” Cute craft.

Jocelyn Stott - Those are FANTASTIC paintings! I love them. Great photos as well and I loved the animal crackers in that picture – it took me right back to childhood.

Leah - I love that website! I have a craft that you might like. It’s an easy and less messy was to do tye dye shirts! We did it at homework club with the kids and they LOVED it!
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/00000032

Christy - These are fantastic! You definitely have some budding little artist in your house, love it! Love how Annie’s castle has a “face” to it, not sure if that was intentioanl, but I love it.

Juli - Any craft that features a giant jar of animal cookies on the table has got to be fun!

the wild raspberry - you would be an awesome homeschool mom!!

Amber - maybe you have posted this elsewhere…but are you buying special watercolors? the color your kids are getting out of them are amazing. granted i generally buy the cheaper watercolors…but my kids pictures always look watered down. (maybe cause they’re 2 & 4 and haven’t mastered water colors yet!)

Patty - Your kids did a great job with their castles! It looked as though they really enjoyed the process, sticking with it and adding all those special details. Well done!

Gemma - I love it! I love water colours! I love rainbow castles! I love your blog 😀
Gemma X

tara pollard pakosta - I just saw this craft in an art book I bought, I think that’s where I saw it anyway LOL!
LOVE IT!
GREAT artists! WE are doing Art every Thursday this summer too, thanks for the motivation!!!!!!!!!!
took pix to put up too and have to do that today!
tara

Staci - Seriously….those are some SUPER drawings!!!!!! Frameable FOR SURE!!!!!! Awesome! I can’t draw worth a hoot….so I am super impressed by the imaginations of your kids 😉

angela conklin - I want to come to craft Thursday! You do really fun things with your kids. I hope when they are mad at you, they remember these days!

www.Kellyloves.wordpress.com - oh, i forgot how much i love watercolors!!
http://www.kellyloves.wordpress.com

Beth - I love that and I love Deep Space Sparkle too!! She has such good ideas. That is very cool that you are committed to doing art with your kids each week! That is one of the last things I told my classes the last week of school — have a good summer, DO ART, go to the art museum in Wichita(it’s free on Saturdays!!!)and also the Carriage Factory gallery in Newton. You rock.

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Those are great. I’m off to check out that site:)

Kathi - I am loving your Craft Thursdays! Wish I had thought of this when DD was younger. She was quite the little artist and I could have challenged her more. Alas, now she’s a teen and I get, “art, Mom? really?” along with rolled eyes, a huffy puff, and a quick exit. I dream of the phone call in a few years begging for help!

Tara - love this…gonna copy cat you again and make my kids do it!

Sophie - Such a cute craft and all the kids did so well! (:
Though I expect it’d be just as fun for us adults as it was for them!

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