tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54007656194829401442024-03-16T14:53:14.146-04:00Drawing nearThe Blog of Studio 791Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.comBlogger517125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-48225869382163112952017-02-06T22:47:00.000-05:002017-02-06T22:47:36.795-05:00"The Best Things in Life Are Free"I pay good money for art instruction and inspiration--purchasing books and magazines, enrolling in <a href="http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com/2016/09/etegami-japanese-mail-art.html">classes and workshops</a>, and even <a href="http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com/2013/07/sketching-and-watercolor-with-jane.html">my once-in-a-lifetime (thus far!) retreat experience. </a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfE6qR4EdNBAeuptPpF4cXqHD6UUhnOWIPTx33CoknLU8N3yBgvXeIIX55caLFJDdd929owWLD61mLw1jzVQywmmo7UHRGF58hWtlvK0F2l77u3fEU8-HWTKzrcHQ73hQ1OGLvvNb1GsY/s1600/Oh+yes+it%2527s+free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfE6qR4EdNBAeuptPpF4cXqHD6UUhnOWIPTx33CoknLU8N3yBgvXeIIX55caLFJDdd929owWLD61mLw1jzVQywmmo7UHRGF58hWtlvK0F2l77u3fEU8-HWTKzrcHQ73hQ1OGLvvNb1GsY/s320/Oh+yes+it%2527s+free.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.absolutewebservices.com/the-best-things-in-life-are-free-no-cost-internet-marketing/">Source</a></td></tr>
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So I don't feel quite so badly about focusing for a post on some <b>freebie resources</b> that I have accessed, which you can access as well. I can be a bit of a miser at heart, so finding high-quality, inspiring, and instructive resources for <b>free </b>can really make my day!<br />
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Just yesterday on Facebook, a post appeared for <a href="http://sketchbookskool.com/">Sketchbook Skool</a>, which seems to have been created and facilitated by the wonderful <a href="http://sketchbookskool.com/fakulty/danny-gregory">Danny Gregory</a> and <a href="http://sketchbookskool.com/fakulty/koosje-koene">Koosje Koene</a>. While there are many different Kourses (they love to spell everything with the letter "k"!) available for purchase, this Facebook post offered<a href="http://sketchbookskool.com/blog/polishing-party-free-ebook/"> a <b>free </b>eBook </a>entitled, <i>Create with Love: Ideas to Share Your Love Creatively</i>. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSHtmi6Y_7piQBvze9nz0iPjUHhmjlQDiJZlb3tGfIXmjPc02o1p7uIIeWbWf3J38PL2LvHXFGAxAsiuHoz0EADrIZXZA3MZmG_GVEx-W-1UN19PvfVB1-ZRpTy7dh19lITw3KDqR9Vs/s1600/create+with+love+ebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSHtmi6Y_7piQBvze9nz0iPjUHhmjlQDiJZlb3tGfIXmjPc02o1p7uIIeWbWf3J38PL2LvHXFGAxAsiuHoz0EADrIZXZA3MZmG_GVEx-W-1UN19PvfVB1-ZRpTy7dh19lITw3KDqR9Vs/s320/create+with+love+ebook.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sketchbookskool.com/blog/polishing-party-free-ebook/">Source</a></td></tr>
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Just in time for Valentine's Day, <a href="http://sketchbookskool.com/fakulty/nelleke-verhoeff">Nelleke Verhoeff</a> offers fun ideas like creating faces from hearts, and incorporating them into collage-style postcards; doodling with lips and kisses; creating a "personal pie" (you'll have to see the eBook to understand!); creating sticky note love doodles and a love garland. There are projects for poems and patterns, as well as alphabets and abstracts. <b>All fun, all free</b>.<br />
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After I signed up and received my <b>free </b>eBook, I received an email inviting me to take a <b>free </b><a href="http://klass.sketchbookskool.com/p/free-sample-kourse?utm_source=Love+Ebook+Signups&utm_campaign=22576bcaff-AUTOMATION_Ebook_Welcome_2&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_df784d9dfb-22576bcaff-108168441&mc_cid=22576bcaff&mc_eid=e563df52e2">Sketchbook Skool Kourse</a>. It didn't take long to watch through each of the lessons, and with the unlimited access, I can go back and take my time, working through the exercises that were presented. There is a fun exercise about recording your day in the style of a comic book, instruction on sketching using negative space, as well as instruction on continuous line drawing. These are all great exercises that could keep a beginner sketch artist (and a veteran, too, I would imagine) busy for quite some time as they began a "sketch habit." <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBJVq3J56W1r0qUi9LEb2h3xKs5JT1FA5fTCiwjngoy625huGwuvAT60SZOpXvLcmLP_5TyBkCvE-ecxFnwC0_ufr3atTx6rF9W36E2noddakSMTN_bjkuTTkIiUWTnoWpZlTyX280Zw/s1600/Sketchbook+Skool+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBJVq3J56W1r0qUi9LEb2h3xKs5JT1FA5fTCiwjngoy625huGwuvAT60SZOpXvLcmLP_5TyBkCvE-ecxFnwC0_ufr3atTx6rF9W36E2noddakSMTN_bjkuTTkIiUWTnoWpZlTyX280Zw/s320/Sketchbook+Skool+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/83734742">Source</a></td></tr>
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The <a href="http://sketchbookskool.com/blog/">Sketchbook Skool blog </a>also offers a variety of <b>free </b>inspiration and instruction through the text, pictures, and videos incorporated into its posts. <br />
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Finally, I made a list of all of the instructors mentioned throughout the <a href="http://sketchbookskool.com/">Sketchbook Skool web site</a>, and discovered that plugging them into a YouTube search uncovered hours and hours and hours worth of <b>free </b>videos offering their instruction and inspiring looks at their own sketchbooks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9QuJpNOz6U2xZ-EuNgnqf1FK844PoCQsEyM5Z1Dnz7ZvYa3-RDGJC7fbDo_xB0ggkVE-wepzkFujnmrQCt2V590dmTfmOzm9Bot2yZxMz7pXKjD3lwOoIoBq62V86AWer96sxn8fCBY/s1600/YouTube.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9QuJpNOz6U2xZ-EuNgnqf1FK844PoCQsEyM5Z1Dnz7ZvYa3-RDGJC7fbDo_xB0ggkVE-wepzkFujnmrQCt2V590dmTfmOzm9Bot2yZxMz7pXKjD3lwOoIoBq62V86AWer96sxn8fCBY/s320/YouTube.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://webscripts.softpedia.com/blog/YouTube-Android-App-to-Soon-Work-as-Background-Music-Player-393827.shtml">Source</a></td></tr>
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I think it is very important to support art instructors' effort to offer quality instruction through their for-sale products. But I also know that costs can sometimes be prohibitive for people who want to explore different or unfamiliar fields of art or creativity. I continue to be excited about all of the<b> </b>resources that these same talented and dedicated artists have made available for us for the low cost of an Internet search.<br />
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I just couldn't keep these <b>free </b>resources to myself!Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-37741839759486383842017-02-03T17:29:00.000-05:002017-02-03T17:29:46.057-05:00Watercolor Painting WorkshopYesterday, I took a beginning watercolor painting class with instructor Terry Collington at the <a href="http://www.middletownfreelibrary.org/adults">Middletown Library.</a> The workshop was yet another offering of the Makery@Middletown series, through which I have taken <a href="http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com/2016/11/makery-middletown-paper-making.html">papermaking</a>, painted river rocks, and a jewelry-making class in the past.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckzGIMfdL_2ZSpt0fX5O3CIhVQr89MAOU7FjTfW9HTmjLIVJG16fNaXAVJnCYJ1rlPNkVJvQwawOhQjw8Nxuu01zSh_2bV07cMuupRnR1zlT89jdXKSdnq_lswnVGmhl-hr9NubwTZrI/s1600/IMG_4321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckzGIMfdL_2ZSpt0fX5O3CIhVQr89MAOU7FjTfW9HTmjLIVJG16fNaXAVJnCYJ1rlPNkVJvQwawOhQjw8Nxuu01zSh_2bV07cMuupRnR1zlT89jdXKSdnq_lswnVGmhl-hr9NubwTZrI/s400/IMG_4321.JPG" width="380" /></a></div>
Terry brought us to the front of the room to offer demonstrations of each step of the painting process, and our ultimate plan was to complete a watercolor birch tree scene, similar to the sample she offered us. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_CjgYH4x8T2lE4i1ib-YfbeU6EAMcL-6UPvGYT6i3vv9VsTjMMm72PsTxEnv15G0VVQrUdxKjFSuAGbugEEeZC2tB4do1FGw7Ax0ml9uRVKw2DcGYIQdnkBFnUUeHmeFldd2U1BsJOw/s1600/IMG_4323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_CjgYH4x8T2lE4i1ib-YfbeU6EAMcL-6UPvGYT6i3vv9VsTjMMm72PsTxEnv15G0VVQrUdxKjFSuAGbugEEeZC2tB4do1FGw7Ax0ml9uRVKw2DcGYIQdnkBFnUUeHmeFldd2U1BsJOw/s400/IMG_4323.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
My finished project won't take the watercolor world by storm, to be sure, but it's always a good day when I get to fling a little paint around.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9dfhHawnIy5HMEF5_cynrJESxjjQwMCY2aaOmvWGfPk-3cY4hFJB45YxYAfdJF65s9sL1XtlU_m37mkrIt2iYOjQQ4hILu15tYKxAPuAI0o59NIJ7mhaXhbVI0sSj5Qt67a6WXaQgsY/s1600/IMG_4333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9dfhHawnIy5HMEF5_cynrJESxjjQwMCY2aaOmvWGfPk-3cY4hFJB45YxYAfdJF65s9sL1XtlU_m37mkrIt2iYOjQQ4hILu15tYKxAPuAI0o59NIJ7mhaXhbVI0sSj5Qt67a6WXaQgsY/s400/IMG_4333.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Here is the piece under a black mat to give a sense of what it might look like if it were framed. I believe the instructor's word was "bland" when it came to my sponge painted background; I tend to agree.<br />
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I brought the painting home, spattered some blue paint over top of it, and cut it into two postcards and a bookmark. After adhering some cut-out phrases from magazines, I outlined the papers in black Sharpie pen, and I'm pretty happy with the results.<br />
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I am a mixed-media artist at heart, and will seldom be satisfied with a straight-up watercolor painting that hasn't been "messed around with" in some way!<br />
<br />Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-26934101219096966892017-01-25T11:12:00.000-05:002017-01-25T11:12:39.444-05:00That's Pinteresting!: Tie-Dye Coffee Filter ArtAfter my mother and I <a href="http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com/2017/01/a-bubble-painting-crafternoon.html">tried out bubble painting</a> the other day, I started working my way through my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/andriastudio791/art-projects-for-kids/">Art Projects for Kids board </a>on Pinterest, trying out some of the different techniques I have pinned over the past months. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLRHZf3GezGJ5sj1XD_HAcInf7zujPLG0JcHpC7yj8VfecUlqjGWEDlcFByuollqEIpkdVvXDqOhUWUBMrxokmyXR3wbNqoz1PICzUZAO_AkP9AHHserv0jKy6jgTt6Sm7lW7VbtMwvs/s1600/IMG_4146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLRHZf3GezGJ5sj1XD_HAcInf7zujPLG0JcHpC7yj8VfecUlqjGWEDlcFByuollqEIpkdVvXDqOhUWUBMrxokmyXR3wbNqoz1PICzUZAO_AkP9AHHserv0jKy6jgTt6Sm7lW7VbtMwvs/s400/IMG_4146.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I found a homeschooling mom at The <a href="http://www.kitchentableclassroom.com/color-mixing-on-coffee-filters/">Kitchen Table Classroom</a> who uses markers and water on coffee filters to teach her children about color mixing. You can't beat the project for simplicity, and the coffee filters that are created make interesting background papers for other projects.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cADyqAIPkEEBQO2zVvZfVE-_2Aq1MZg78WbVJG1t6LQQboc2upiVc97GSWnLDh1rezwVfCfPWpxgT1iciheN-iPrYzi22huJT5CVq6s2WzXCszun92e4q7rZhrwBXJWVy2cNMQ0WW2c/s1600/IMG_4142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cADyqAIPkEEBQO2zVvZfVE-_2Aq1MZg78WbVJG1t6LQQboc2upiVc97GSWnLDh1rezwVfCfPWpxgT1iciheN-iPrYzi22huJT5CVq6s2WzXCszun92e4q7rZhrwBXJWVy2cNMQ0WW2c/s400/IMG_4142.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I stopped using paper filters in a coffee maker about a year ago, so the filters have worked their way into my craft stash. I was happy to find a fun, easy, and pretty way to make use of them. I also borrowed the girls' craft drawer full of markers, and pulled out a little mini-mister I have, though you can use any sort of squirt bottle filled with water.<br />
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First, you just fold the coffee filter into quarters. My daughter Katy demonstrates this step:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFg-wFVof_wEU42w__IPr4My8SLW-epSNA6THMhcltpqV-6x2g6MbpA6z8Wom3pheKfvKF29osp7xSHnTYgq5ldZniCKDf05qg0nf12k3ReLWQK63g2QN1fIZ3tX6NoFN3MhNgHUvqr84/s1600/IMG_4161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFg-wFVof_wEU42w__IPr4My8SLW-epSNA6THMhcltpqV-6x2g6MbpA6z8Wom3pheKfvKF29osp7xSHnTYgq5ldZniCKDf05qg0nf12k3ReLWQK63g2QN1fIZ3tX6NoFN3MhNgHUvqr84/s400/IMG_4161.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Then you make colorful marks all over one quarter of the filter. The color goes through the paper to the other side, but I like to flip the filter over and reinforce with more marks on the other side for an even richer effect. Here are Bayla and Katy adding their marks to their filters:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UBwRAUmTwVehLNZZChqJ4Ps2g2MFTdDMByIaESJ6V_W6rSIec1WVUS8byGdgB2WlGTt4YWgW2jEd29I_QIthAs2Nc6_lT3OPmN1Tib1ycyddcLUlzU7FVE3HLSVH0iHIZUhOmqK8ZCs/s1600/IMG_4168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UBwRAUmTwVehLNZZChqJ4Ps2g2MFTdDMByIaESJ6V_W6rSIec1WVUS8byGdgB2WlGTt4YWgW2jEd29I_QIthAs2Nc6_lT3OPmN1Tib1ycyddcLUlzU7FVE3HLSVH0iHIZUhOmqK8ZCs/s400/IMG_4168.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Here is an example of the filters filled with marker color:<br />
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For the next step, just squirt the water from your mister or bottle onto the marks and watch the colors "melt" and blend:<br />
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This is a fun step, because you never know exactly how the marker and the water are going to react. <br />
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You can set the filters aside onto wax paper to dry; they don't take too long to dry, which is another plus with kids' crafts!<br />
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No two filters look alike, so it is fun to admire all the different results! Because they look so much like tie-dye, I thought it would be fun to use them in the background of a journal page or ATC along with vintage images of women from the 1960s era. We will see where that project takes me!<br />
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This is one of those projects that I firmly believe you can do even if there isn't a kid in sight! Most of the projects on my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/andriastudio791/art-projects-for-kids/">Art Projects for Kids Pinterest board </a>are fun- and artful-enough for kids <i>or </i>adults to enjoy!<br />
<br />Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-30804183522401690222017-01-21T20:41:00.001-05:002017-01-21T20:43:21.805-05:00Art on the Parkway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I took advantage of the opportunity to join <a href="http://www.wmow-phila.com/">the Women's March on Philadelphia</a>, one of the many Sister Marches to the one taking place in Washington, D.C. <br />
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For some, the march focused on peace, for many it focused on women's rights, and for quite a few it focused on protesting the new president. The signs carried by the marchers reflected the various perspectives and concerns. While my blog is not political in nature, it occurred to me that the many posters being carried by the participants represent a body of creativity that I wanted to share here. And while I did not necessarily agree with the content or spirit of <i>every </i>sign I saw, I have to say that reading them was one of the most entertaining parts of the experience for me.<br />
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I am not going to make accompanying comments, but rather present a gallery of some of the interesting sights I enjoyed today. If you would like more information about the purposes of the march, please feel free to visit <a href="http://www.wmow-phila.com/about.html">the page expressing their vision and intent</a>.<br />
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As we walked away from the rally, toward a restaurant visit and the train ride home, we saw many of the participants leaving their signs along a bridge, creating a gallery of the day's sentiments:</div>
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<br />Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-55086091860193464002017-01-17T13:21:00.000-05:002017-01-17T13:21:05.850-05:00A Bubble-Painting CrafternoonMy mom and I played around with a painting technique this morning that has multi-generational appeal: bubble painting! After learning the basic technique, and trouble-shooting the process a bit, I'm ready for my kids to give it a try on a home-bound rainy day.<br />
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To create bubble paintings, we mixed 1/4 cup of dishwashing soap with 1/8 cup of water. (We messed around with those amounts randomly through the process, so you can, too!) We also poured in some of my kids' bubble mix and some vegetable glycerine for good measure. Then we added a squirt of Liquitex soft body acrylic paint.<br />
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We tried liquid watercolor paint first, which I was SURE was going to work beautifully, but it just didn't do as well as the acrylic. After stirring it all together, we put a straw down into the liquid and blew bubbles. <br />
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Very important at this point to BLOW OUT rather than SUCKING IN! You really don't want to mix up your processes here.<br />
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Once we developed lots of bubbles on the surface of our liquid, we held watercolor paper over the container so that the bubbles popped against the paper. Et voila! A bubble painting.<br />
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Sometimes we did the process again and again with the same color to get more bubbles on the page, and sometimes we moved on to new colors to get bubbles of different colors on the page. <br />
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I never really felt like I "mastered" the process, if there is such a thing. I got too many frothy bubbles on my paper for my liking. We couldn't decide if there is a learning curve to making beautiful bubble paintings, or if it's more a matter of luck. Doing an internet search of bubble painting projects, I found some pretty beautiful examples that put my efforts to shame, if there is such a thing as shame when it comes to bubble painting! You can check out some other folk's bubble paint projects <a href="http://thechocolatemuffintree.blogspot.com/2011/05/bubble-printing-fun.html">here </a>and <a href="http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/community/MyCommunityActivity.aspx?ActivityId=382996&crlt.pid=camp.WcyYGJb1qdCZ">here</a>.<br />
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My mom and I decided that this is what you call "process art," meaning that the process of creating it is the focus, and the end result is far secondary. Meaning we're not sure we LOVE our results, but we sure had fun doing it!<br />
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Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-61030830514114888832017-01-14T17:01:00.001-05:002017-01-14T17:02:46.679-05:00Make It/365! Two Weeks InI've been keeping a record of all of <a href="http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com/2017/01/make-it365.html">my 2017 "making,"</a> and I thought I would share some of the entries with you so you can check out my progress. As promised, I have used the word "make" to refer to actual creative enterprises, as well as more abstract endeavors . Check it out:<br />
<br />
In the first two weeks of the new year, I have:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Made an effort to find a friend's lost dog by going door to door in my neighborhood.</li>
<li>Made a big pot of spaghetti.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Made a blog post. </li>
<li>Made it to church on the first day of the year.</li>
<li>Made "cute animal" sketches in my sketchbook.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Made school lunches again after the winter break.</li>
<li>Made a master list of DIY cleaning products from a binder full of notes and clippings.</li>
<li>Made an appointment to start getting allergy shots (and made it to my appointment).</li>
<li>Made our house cleaner than it's been in awhile.</li>
<li>Made Valentine doodles in my sketchbook.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Made it through to the end of a book I was reading.</li>
<li>Made an afternoon snack for six little girls having a play date.</li>
<li>Made erasers out of eraser clay with my daughter.</li>
</ul>
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<br />
<ul>
<li>Made a yummy dinner of spiced mini-burgers and pita bread.</li>
<li>Made excuses to myself about why I'm not making things in my craft room.</li>
<li>Made a beautiful dinner of roasted chicken and vegetables in a cast iron skillet.</li>
<li>Made a smoothie for lunch.</li>
<li>Made gingerbread cookies with my kids.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Made it through a major mishap--washing an entire box of tissue the girls let fall in their laundry basket.</li>
<li>Made my exercise goal on my new watch (on just one day, lol!).</li>
<li>Made chocolate chip banana bread.</li>
<li>Made a lunch date.</li>
<li>Made a Pin the Gumball on the Gumball machine with my daughter for her birthday party.</li>
</ul>
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It's been fun to reflect on my day each evening through the lens of "making"..."what have I made today, anyway?" I hope to do more traditional making--working my way through the supplies in my craft room and the pins on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/andriastudio791/">my Pinterest boards-</a>-but until I get to it, I like seeing all the other ways "making" makes an appearance in my days.<br />
<br />
Keep those ideas coming for my <a href="http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com/p/make-it-365.html">Make It/365 list!</a> I got some great new ideas in the comments for <a href="http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com/2017/01/make-it365.html">my last post,</a> and I will continue to add and update along the way.Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-19051878232064421892017-01-01T17:25:00.000-05:002017-01-01T17:25:12.673-05:00Make It/365!I've been enjoying the new trend of tossing out terms like "artist," "crafter," "sculptor," "sewist," or "book binder," in favor of the more general term, "maker."<br />
<br />
Being a "maker" feels like it has fewer restrictions. Maybe it appeals to me because I dabble in so many areas that I can't really tie myself down to a single category. I make books, collages, paper crafts, mail art, crocheted blankets, etc.--I'm a maker!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhou6ZBen4L30iA0DsGCi08WFCgMbjTLvCzrpa-bh1Zwzmf-EztZ-8IRpLGchEkfQXLsLIRHLpR6T9Ott9FWKYMqwXH1ap5pVvrBdMFPhwHyMBAEA856Bn_w6yyd6U-8G62HB1cEOwiU/s1600/table+of+makers.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhou6ZBen4L30iA0DsGCi08WFCgMbjTLvCzrpa-bh1Zwzmf-EztZ-8IRpLGchEkfQXLsLIRHLpR6T9Ott9FWKYMqwXH1ap5pVvrBdMFPhwHyMBAEA856Bn_w6yyd6U-8G62HB1cEOwiU/s1600/table+of+makers.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://themakery.co.uk/products/kids-make-your-own-christmas-decorations">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I ran across the blog <a href="http://www.aplayfulday.com/blog/">A Playful Day </a>last month, and discovered Kate's project called <a href="http://www.aplayfulday.com/the-makers-year/">The Maker's Year</a>. During 2016, she encouraged participants to document their "daily making." She opened the concept of "making" widely, in order to encompass "photography to upcycling, gardening to writing, weaving to baking."<br />
<br />
I tend to think of "making" even MORE broadly. After first encountering Kate's project, I made a list of everything I made the very next day, and this is what "counted" for me that day in November:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
What did I make today?</div>
<ul>
<li>I made a bathroom vanity shine.</li>
<li>I made a new blog post.</li>
<li>I made new online connections by joining a Facebook group I just discovered.</li>
<li>I made my daughter's bed fresh with clean sheets and blankets.</li>
<li>I made a pile of laundered clothing.</li>
<li>I made a delicious dinner for my husband from a recipe we both enjoy.</li>
<li>I made a safe and cozy home for our new rescued kitten.</li>
<li>I made the startling discovery that my daughters will eat green peas without complaint when every other vegetable causes one or the other to whine pitifully (and I don't even like peas myself!).</li>
<li>I made a smoothie for my lunch and a percolator full of coffee to enjoy.</li>
<li>I made an appointment to attend two upcoming art/craft workshops at the library.</li>
<li>I made a loaf of chocolate chip banana bread. </li>
<li>I made additional preparations for my daughter's upcoming birthday party.</li>
<li>I made it on time to drop off and pick up my girls from school.</li>
<li>I made my bed.</li>
<li>I made my daughters laugh by being silly.</li>
<li>I made my daughters think by reading our daily devotion and praying with them.</li>
<li>I made notes for my adult Sunday school class.</li>
<li>I made oatmeal granola for breakfast.</li>
<li>I made a list of things I made today.</li>
</ul>
<br />
That's all in one day, folks! That's a lot of making, when I'm willing to define it broadly.<br />
<br />
In that spirit, I am launching my own personal Make It/365! project for 2017. I am in the process of brainstorming <a href="http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com/p/make-it-365.html">365 things to make throughout the year. </a> (Help a girl out: I'm only in the 200s! I need some more ideas!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/briarroseblog/briar-rose-does-bath/">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You can find my growing list in <a href="http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com/p/make-it-365.html">a separate tab at the top of this blog</a>. I am debating about how much to try to document my efforts; I can get bogged down in documentation, when I really just want to encourage myself to engage in daily making, and to value all the ways that I engage in making each day.<br />
<br />
Please join me in being intentional about setting aside 2017 as a year for MAKING! Let's use our hands and the other creative tools at our disposal to bring beauty, life, and imagination into our world. I will include you in my journey, and I hope you will include me in yours in return!<br />
<br />
Happy New Year!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://hahaquotes.com/happy-new-year-2017-images-hd-download-with-quotes-sms/">Source</a></td></tr>
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Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-41841394082017720242016-12-07T18:27:00.000-05:002016-12-07T18:27:33.371-05:00Alternatives to Rubber Stamp CarvingOn Black Friday, I treated myself to some discounted online workshops from <a href="http://www.northlightshop.com/">North Light Shop</a>, which carries products and classes for <a href="http://www.clothpaperscissors.com/">Cloth Paper Scissors</a>. Among the {ahem} eight downloads I purchased, was <i>Playful Printmaking</i> with Dina Wakley. <br />
<br />
I've been putting her class instruction to use in my art room, finding some interesting alternatives to <a href="http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com/search/label/rubber%20stamps">carving my own rubber stamps</a> for making original prints on papers for my <a href="http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com/search/label/art%20journal">art journaling</a> and <a href="http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com/search/label/collage">collage </a>creations.<br />
<br />
Without giving away all of her workshop secrets, I wanted to share some of the new things that have found their way onto my work table.<br />
<br />
First, I created some monoprinting tools by cutting shapes out of thick watercolor paper (Dina used tag board, otherwise known as manila file folder, but it didn't prove thick enough to make a good print for me so I opted for something thicker) and gluing them down onto pieces of tag board. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaU8D555hOhkmR4GtRUvMmhhr5VVxx6EhA2qaitwE0q3L09MJF1OQ0jIkr1YdRFvgfch_ObXrsrJUbSiArD_NaGwxVHw6JPde8XIEG-LdBuHAizrRzrnydQq_F1koIjHBFF4w7rK2edQ/s1600/IMG_3800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaU8D555hOhkmR4GtRUvMmhhr5VVxx6EhA2qaitwE0q3L09MJF1OQ0jIkr1YdRFvgfch_ObXrsrJUbSiArD_NaGwxVHw6JPde8XIEG-LdBuHAizrRzrnydQq_F1koIjHBFF4w7rK2edQ/s400/IMG_3800.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My experiment with tag board-on-tag board</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzlEd7QXGjXhD9JDr73RdORuxgj-VT5rpgLqgBidQv0ena-1vo_EOWO9ewgimLDuGxGf6EK9KOIHEzlz4bLvtW2y0fRgOHdd9mZjARjLny3APS6epHyoQhRbBTvpetJyqFYxFEnJgmxM/s1600/IMG_3807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzlEd7QXGjXhD9JDr73RdORuxgj-VT5rpgLqgBidQv0ena-1vo_EOWO9ewgimLDuGxGf6EK9KOIHEzlz4bLvtW2y0fRgOHdd9mZjARjLny3APS6epHyoQhRbBTvpetJyqFYxFEnJgmxM/s400/IMG_3807.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My experiment with watercolor paper-on-tag board</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By applying paint with a brayer, the tag board creates a kind of stamp for monoprinting onto art paper.<br />
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My first run was more about trying the technique than producing something I plan to use for a specific project. Some of the papers were kind of pretty, though some were a bit of a hot mess. I think I need to spend some more time looking at <a href="http://dinawakley.com/">Dina Wakley's</a> work to see how this style of printing works with her art journaling style.<br />
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Next, I tried using a pen to press designs into regular old foam, like I find in the kids' section at the craft store. I found this technique a little more promising. I could use some of the same designs I've used when carving stamps into rubber, only this process is MUCH less labor intensive! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3s1BGDpjNCBzX3KqvIFRAQtH0jS6Q1EzY4uKg_vlS4rMsXvqavyE5_eYL4LkfWM0lofa7MMTjrryoB8oTjAJ5svTNjanKvIW1ty-mjDaiK84sltUpI9t-ZrPb-v0mpkzzD8yiVwUn4w/s1600/IMG_3869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3s1BGDpjNCBzX3KqvIFRAQtH0jS6Q1EzY4uKg_vlS4rMsXvqavyE5_eYL4LkfWM0lofa7MMTjrryoB8oTjAJ5svTNjanKvIW1ty-mjDaiK84sltUpI9t-ZrPb-v0mpkzzD8yiVwUn4w/s400/IMG_3869.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both of these are designs I've carved into rubber before.</td></tr>
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It sounds like these stamps should last for quite a little while, making impressions for months and even years to come (whereas the tag board stamps don't stand the test of time quite so well).<br />
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The main thing for me has just been <b>getting back into my art room</b>! I'm not sure what causes the procrastination; what crazy person puts laundry and house cleaning ahead of art time?!? <br />
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At the risk of dooming my intentions to failure by making them into New Year's Resolutions, I'd like to see 2017 be a year of increased art-making, even if it's only an excuse to get my hands into their preferred state of paint-y and glue-y-ness!Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-67261247474399108902016-11-29T19:42:00.002-05:002016-11-29T19:42:35.845-05:00Making Books From Collected ATCsWhere does the time go?!<br />
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It is almost December, and I have so many different posts swirling around in my head. It's clearly time to sit down and share a project I've had in mind to tell you about for a couple of months now!<br />
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Remember this gem of a book? It gave me ideas for <a href="http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com/2016/09/booklaces.html">my booklace projects</a>, and other bookbinding inspiration.<br />
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When author and bookbinder Erin Zamrzla suggested a Little League Score Book, I thought, "Well, I sure don't have any baseball trading cards to make that." But then it occurred to me that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artist_trading_cards">Artist Trading Cards (ATCs)</a> I have received from my creative friends would make perfect book covers for this project.<br />
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There is artwork from Karen Ann Young, Steph Dodson (where did you go, Steph? I can't find you online!), <a href="http://www.badjonesrising.com/">Ronica Jones</a>, and <a href="http://rhoz.blogspot.com/">Rhonda H</a> represented in these books. <br />
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The ATCs provide the front and back covers, while card stock is used to create the spine. A fairly simple ledger binder (i.e., pamphlet stitch) is used to sew the text weight paper together inside. </div>
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I really like the fact that I've found a way to use the art that has been shared with me, rather than just tucking it away to look at when I think to pull out the ATCs I have stored away. These notebooks are an ideal way to enjoy the art during everyday moments of life.</div>
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There is also one ATC that was created as a demonstration piece at the Invoke Arts table at a rubber stamp show I attended many years ago, as well.<br />
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I absolutely love how these little books turned out, and the 3-1/2 inch by 2-1/2 inch size makes a reasonable size for ideas, notes, and jottings.<br />
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For more bookbinding inspiration, please visit my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/andriastudio791/book-and-journal-making/">Book and Journal Making board on Pinterest</a>; there are enough ideas there to keep me busy for the rest of my days! Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-4103389615366200572016-11-03T21:37:00.000-04:002016-11-03T21:37:07.263-04:00Makery @ Middletown: Paper-Making<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handmade papers from a local library workshop</td></tr>
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I have discovered yet another reason to love my local library!<br />
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The <a href="http://www.middletownfreelibrary.org/adults">Middletown Free Library </a>offers a full roster of Makery events, bringing the arts and crafting to our local community through free adult programming. Recently I attended a workshop with my mother where we made our own paper. I had tried this years ago, with all the "right" supplies, and wasn't particularly pleased with my results. Here we used some interesting "around the house" sorts of supplies, and I really like the papers I created!<br />
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The workshop was held in the cinder-block basement of the library, with a well-tarped floor to capture our wet mess-making. Each table held two or three large tubs (like you might use to store decorations or out-of-season clothing) filled with water. Alongside each tub, we were provided with a framed screen, loose screen, a towel, and a sponge.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am, ready for some paper-making!</td></tr>
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For our first step, we chose paper scraps to throw into the blender with water to create our paper pulp. (We burned out one blender motor right away, and were left with a single machine to share!) <br />
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Then we dumped the blender carafe of pulp into our plastic tub of water. The next step is to dunk our framed screen under the water, drawing pulp up onto it as we bring it back above the surface. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulp on the screen with petal and tea leaf embellishments</td></tr>
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At this point, we could add "goodies" from the table up front: petals, grass, tea leaves, glitter. By pressing these add-ons gently into the pulp, they became part of the handmade paper. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Table of inspiration and embellishments</td></tr>
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We then put a screen over our paper creation and gently pressed the sponge onto the screen, causing excess water to fall out the bottom and back into the tub. Sometimes, when there was very little water left, I continued to press the sponge onto the screen on top of a towel to soak up the last drops.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using a sponge to push out as much water from the pulp as possible</td></tr>
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When we had as much water as possible pressed out of the paper, we turned the framed screen over onto an unframed piece of screen and "encouraged" the paper off of it. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some paper required more "encouraging" than others to get it to come off the screen!</td></tr>
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This unframed screen was then set aside onto newspaper to allow our handmade paper to dry.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My handmade papers drying on the floor of our workroom</td></tr>
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It took a very long time for my papers to dry; they sat out on my kitchen island continuing the drying process once I got home, and I wouldn't say they were fully dry until I woke up the next morning.<br />
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And what a stack of interesting handmade papers I had to show for my efforts!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGy6dk1vjhxV9FjgbabFnnhcsxHT5rMRuz9uJ1oYqxToSS1KWRHcFnu42mfWgnVsQLsypuv5FTyOb-lkZkqCXrsZW7e-PTVyVDEY9WPYPi3b6HXQSwB_Ijhpo4VbNaWHVyt-EeAf2WNA/s1600/IMG_3355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGy6dk1vjhxV9FjgbabFnnhcsxHT5rMRuz9uJ1oYqxToSS1KWRHcFnu42mfWgnVsQLsypuv5FTyOb-lkZkqCXrsZW7e-PTVyVDEY9WPYPi3b6HXQSwB_Ijhpo4VbNaWHVyt-EeAf2WNA/s400/IMG_3355.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new stash of handmade art-making materials!</td></tr>
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I haven't done anything with them yet, but I foresee using them in my art journal, as gift tags, and as parts of upcoming collage projects.<br />
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I love that the materials we used in the Middletown workshop were all easily accessible for someone at home--no big investment in supplies other than some screening from the hardware store. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2nuQCSKcnWUKuKvcststlhERn1k281pDcr60_yFU1rLGtuMBy3qdUU9r-pG5WJZ4k1_1DeA94rVGfuyH2Y957mBT3kKQPS6Xv4BoeWeIwG47caZiM5pXi-GkprlPOJ0bHwlLX3TSM8I/s1600/IMG_3345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2nuQCSKcnWUKuKvcststlhERn1k281pDcr60_yFU1rLGtuMBy3qdUU9r-pG5WJZ4k1_1DeA94rVGfuyH2Y957mBT3kKQPS6Xv4BoeWeIwG47caZiM5pXi-GkprlPOJ0bHwlLX3TSM8I/s400/IMG_3345.JPG" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More paper-makers at play </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK9AmrnggjyCIrK4BV7FEwk-YDeN5ybi0STf2XPPRkZBZNBfLTh1Z-tBZid3r03GuULQgbV6BHZQ5pcHzNo67cMzjVauv7Ezx8SUONDm3u_UBhzCjDk3dUZsZuv1Qd-aSCXVvxKB7NtA/s1600/IMG_3335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK9AmrnggjyCIrK4BV7FEwk-YDeN5ybi0STf2XPPRkZBZNBfLTh1Z-tBZid3r03GuULQgbV6BHZQ5pcHzNo67cMzjVauv7Ezx8SUONDm3u_UBhzCjDk3dUZsZuv1Qd-aSCXVvxKB7NtA/s400/IMG_3335.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom. Those water tubs didn't stay clean for long once we started playing with the pulp!</td></tr>
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When the weather turns warm again and we can spend lots of time outdoors, I might even tackle this project with my kids!Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-88194776414682977152016-10-13T09:37:00.000-04:002016-10-13T09:37:15.805-04:00In Memoriam<div style="text-align: center;">
Stella Kaskey (1997-2016)</div>
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I lost my long-time feline companion, Stella, on Tuesday afternoon. She has been by my side since I was 24-years-old and she was just 3-months. My first husband and I found her at the SPCA after she had spent her earliest days on what I like to call "the mean streets of Kensington" in Philadelphia. <br />
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She was a fighter from the beginning, making sure I did not change my mind about adopting her. I told this story on Facebook already: I had spent some time playing with her, and decided that she was the kitten we would take home with us. But when they put her back in the cage so we could fill out the paperwork for her, I had a moment's hesitation when I saw an adorable little tuxedo cat two cages up. He was all black with a little white marking right where a bow tie would be. I mean, adorable!! But Stella was watching me the whole time, and she clawed her way up the front of the cage and looked at me with these meaning-filled eyes, and I could hear her just as surely as if she spoke out loud: "Don't you dare change your mind, lady! I am coming home with YOU!"<br />
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It was tough to find a name for Stella. The "finalists" were Zelda and Stella--Zelda for F. Scott Fitzgerald's wife, and Stella for--no, not <i>A Streetcar Named Desire</i>!--Sir Philip Sidney's sonnet sequence <i>Astrophil and Stella</i>. (My college English professors would be proud!) I think it was a year until I felt like the name Stella was the proper fit. Now, of course, I couldn't imagine any other name.<br />
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I had just accepted a job to teach at Haverford High School when we first brought Stella home, but summer vacation wasn't yet over, so I spent the first day with her just sitting on my lap to get to know me. We literally sat on the sofa for hours, she just getting a feel for me and looking around at the apartment, her new home. We really bonded that day, and it was a bond that lasted us for the nineteen years that followed. I told her, "You have to live until I'm at least 40 years old. That's a requirement!" And she met her obligation, and then some. She lived an extra three years beyond. <br />
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You can see that we had a tendency to order each other around!<br />
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Stella has lived with me in four different apartments and two houses. She's been on road trips and in airplanes many times in her younger days. She has been by my side through a separation and divorce, a remarriage, and some highly questionable boyfriends in between. She has comforted me through countless sad days and sicknesses. She was there for me during the absolute anguish of two miscarriages and the amazing joy of two births. She was always a notoriously crabby cat, but she fully accepted and loved my husband, and let my daughters mess with her in ways that no one else on earth was allowed to.<br />
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Last night, to try to make me feel better, my husband said, "She was a sweetie." I looked at him and laughed, saying, "Did you even KNOW Stella?" I've been calling her a crabby old lady for years; she would have given Grumpy Cat a run for his money. I can't tell you how many times I've said to people who come into our home, "Um, you might not want to pat her; she's not all that friendly," while thinking what an understatement that was. An unwelcome pat brought growls and a severe paw padding, and she even spit at the veterinarian once. How embarrassing!<br />
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But I loved her spirit. Somehow I needed her to love and accept me, even when everyone else in the world seemed to annoy her. And then when my husband Michael came along, and I saw how much she accepted him, I knew he was The One. We both agree that she was instrumental in making (allowing?) our marriage to happen!<br />
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Every morning and throughout the day, I find myself looking over at "her spot" on the sofa. She didn't move around too much in these final months, so I still expect to find her there.<br />
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There's a little Stella-shaped hole in my heart.<br />
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Rest in peace, little girl.<br />
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<br />Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-29185678632210098332016-10-05T15:00:00.000-04:002016-10-05T15:00:01.404-04:00Adventures in Etegami<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GHBTsWfo7VKDm4CieA-M78t5mkEhM-u5-ncSmZOZfWzbd-Wry1oA3yw-Ay0Uu__U6vZVytMB30zv76tC9AP0gHbNr9y3UsJdQSC9ohP5mK_eMoAqyA9QmGOMmYSXvMoncSa1w87CqfY/s1600/IMG_3246+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GHBTsWfo7VKDm4CieA-M78t5mkEhM-u5-ncSmZOZfWzbd-Wry1oA3yw-Ay0Uu__U6vZVytMB30zv76tC9AP0gHbNr9y3UsJdQSC9ohP5mK_eMoAqyA9QmGOMmYSXvMoncSa1w87CqfY/s400/IMG_3246+-+Copy.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These three postcards were created during the Main Line Art Center etegami workshop.</td></tr>
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After <a href="http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com/2016/09/etegami-japanese-mail-art.html">learning about the Japanese art form known as etegami</a>, I have created some samples of my own, which will be sent out into the world by our postal system shortly.<br />
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<a href="http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com/2016/09/etegami-japanese-mail-art.html">Recall that etegami is a form of mail art</a>, so it is not considered "complete" until it has made its way to a recipient.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqSqNKvNJHqZvNJ797s817P8iAP1uuQNw9xXl6mEKYgdxqHH7II3TC3g4knqv_EW3wI9mUDTZ2EMCdfw-vhQAnhS5AmNoQWt0m3OuVw1iwslZin5foRMppRzDaalUDramEGjaHnPWxpw/s1600/IMG_3217+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqSqNKvNJHqZvNJ797s817P8iAP1uuQNw9xXl6mEKYgdxqHH7II3TC3g4knqv_EW3wI9mUDTZ2EMCdfw-vhQAnhS5AmNoQWt0m3OuVw1iwslZin5foRMppRzDaalUDramEGjaHnPWxpw/s400/IMG_3217+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mix of cards created during the workshop and back at home</td></tr>
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I had initially resisted the idea of writing the words in ink with a brush, since the English alphabet doesn't lend itself to those writing tools in the way the Japanese language does. Once I got started though, I enjoyed the challenge of forming the letters with the brush.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkqF_fA80TQZb7m5-leJ4eXl2aGw2LznYNz8BmmS3wmxB6qGPGxvN9SYzuHhfAPeDai6RXzn_ESAQU54RJcRjBZnjV_B0gPq3erPt2zjXys8P7kFO0QbAAnjsfzX0BNq-iXuZemaQRBY/s1600/IMG_3231+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkqF_fA80TQZb7m5-leJ4eXl2aGw2LznYNz8BmmS3wmxB6qGPGxvN9SYzuHhfAPeDai6RXzn_ESAQU54RJcRjBZnjV_B0gPq3erPt2zjXys8P7kFO0QbAAnjsfzX0BNq-iXuZemaQRBY/s400/IMG_3231+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These might be considered more traditional because their subjects come from the natural world.</td></tr>
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You can see that I emulate the style of my teacher, Nancy Bea Miller, with thicker, bolder lines, whereas some etegami artists draw with a much thinner, more wavery line.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajYPi74H4xzomqaSf45S9B1HnLQp9JHxpoVOwYyk8eECrUZwWZ4svtRh1poKi7XyLrg5geLby0d163zGXOzi6VwOQg0mAvj_UGBc-wC28o4Gb8QdbXDjXZwG49ZZhlaytuOpkVCWQa6c/s1600/IMG_3221+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajYPi74H4xzomqaSf45S9B1HnLQp9JHxpoVOwYyk8eECrUZwWZ4svtRh1poKi7XyLrg5geLby0d163zGXOzi6VwOQg0mAvj_UGBc-wC28o4Gb8QdbXDjXZwG49ZZhlaytuOpkVCWQa6c/s400/IMG_3221+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man-made objects can also be a popular subject matter for etegami, and here you can see the sources of my pictures.</td></tr>
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I have a lot to learn, and a lot of practice to do, but etegami is really quite relaxing, and it takes very little time to create a small piece of art to send to a mail art friend!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwO10HL3-WUzBgc9ny0cAk37udzDISANcw6SMhHnB3KbNMark60KE2pIes91ywdR6L3RRgnBgdrELs887vVz0jB_LjRH_Ie37iIs5JePcqaZ3XvNvprVrqhpg5Xd29_GigffIV1m6QYBY/s1600/IMG_3248+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwO10HL3-WUzBgc9ny0cAk37udzDISANcw6SMhHnB3KbNMark60KE2pIes91ywdR6L3RRgnBgdrELs887vVz0jB_LjRH_Ie37iIs5JePcqaZ3XvNvprVrqhpg5Xd29_GigffIV1m6QYBY/s400/IMG_3248+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Put a shell on it" is something of an inside joke with my mother. This card is a natural to send to her!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio30dvCtwLMIXkR5Zv4mrg_e8-hyOE-UmuLqdwBe5lFRHeVNnhWXGyNnhCsYvK9bZJbg0uhdrVmTmbPzP1vYgmS3zc0mckMSM0QapfHXRwGgLoXop4kQZaFPqeiyyIYv2MYTuqbP-Wcv8/s1600/IMG_3230+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio30dvCtwLMIXkR5Zv4mrg_e8-hyOE-UmuLqdwBe5lFRHeVNnhWXGyNnhCsYvK9bZJbg0uhdrVmTmbPzP1vYgmS3zc0mckMSM0QapfHXRwGgLoXop4kQZaFPqeiyyIYv2MYTuqbP-Wcv8/s400/IMG_3230+-+Copy.JPG" width="385" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ironic that I misspelled Brene Brown's name on a sentiment about imperfection? I think so!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfi1lnV72cHX8iBguxCQnM_LFvHfLtimRI0Lm8QSSOwn9hkr4otBmd4BzTWyYx8-VSoxD3iSjCzaNKzdEAmOgKRYXV8RN3YB_oepVUHsXNIC0-qyfvJCPa_KiCOHp7i6KkSxjGmOvTvg/s1600/IMG_3211+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfi1lnV72cHX8iBguxCQnM_LFvHfLtimRI0Lm8QSSOwn9hkr4otBmd4BzTWyYx8-VSoxD3iSjCzaNKzdEAmOgKRYXV8RN3YB_oepVUHsXNIC0-qyfvJCPa_KiCOHp7i6KkSxjGmOvTvg/s400/IMG_3211+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My always-messy art-making space is now covered in etegami-making art supplies.</td></tr>
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Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-83468935007026900062016-10-03T10:11:00.000-04:002016-10-03T10:11:16.443-04:00Zen-tober!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A Zentangle page for October in my 5"x8" sketchbook, completed with a dual-tipped Zig Writer pen in black ink. Begun while waiting for my girls in the school pick-up line, completed while watching a movie with them on a Saturday afternoon.<br />
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<br />Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-66022859930005609152016-09-30T12:12:00.001-04:002016-09-30T12:12:59.621-04:00About FaceI really love sharing my creative efforts and learnings with my two daughters, ages 7 and 8. I always tell them, "It's a good day when you learn something new," and I try to let them know when I am working on learning something new myself. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A teachable spirit is one of the greatest assets a person can possess.</span></b></div>
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This past Saturday morning, we sat down together at the breakfast table, and I showed them the "proper proportions" for drawing a human face. Even though I am <i>far </i>from mastering this, the three of us drew together, and learned together, and had a go at face-drawing together.<br />
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I thought it would be fun for you to see the difference a little information can make. <br />
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Just a couple of weeks ago, my 8-year-old drew a portrait of me for school, citing me as her hero, and labeling her picture "Hall of Fame Mommy." Now, make no mistake: I love every single thing about this portrait she has drawn! But I am using it as a "before," in the sense that she had not been taught facial proportions. The drawing next to it is what she drew after learning some of the basics:<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">(Never mind the tree growing out of the top of his head. That was her imaginative addition later in the lesson!)</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">My seven-year-old was also learning facial proportions, and here you can see her results on the left, alongside her sister's on the right:</span><br />
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I think they did a phenomenal job for their first-ever faces based on new information!<br />
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Here is the "cheat sheet" I was using in my sketchbook--some tips I picked up from various sources about drawing realistic faces:<br />
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The basic guidelines we worked from include:<br />
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<ul>
<li>The head is shaped something like an egg (whereas many children are inclined to start with a circle). </li>
<li>The eyes are placed about halfway down the head. </li>
<li>The face is roughly the width of five eyes across. </li>
<li>Eyebrows are a bit wider than each eye, and tend to grow thicker toward the nose. </li>
<li>The top of the ears are just above the eyes, and go down to the halfway point between the eyes and the bottom of the head. </li>
<li>The hairline is 1/3 to 1/4 of the way from the top of the head to the eyebrows. </li>
<li>The bottom of the nose is around the bottom of the ears, at the halfway point between the eyes and the bottom of the head. </li>
<li>The bottom of the lip is at the halfway point between the earlobes and the bottom of the head, and its width is about to the eyes' irises. </li>
</ul>
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I'm pretty sure the girls thought I had lost my mind with all these guidelines, but they were troopers, and pulled through with amazing first efforts!<br />
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What they really enjoyed, though, were <a href="http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com/2016/09/making-faces.html">the cartoon faces from the book I had checked out from the library and played around with myself</a>. They found it a little hard to work through the cartoon faces on their own, but had no problem when I talked them through the steps while drawing my own examples.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 7-year-old's cartoons</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 8-year-old's cartoons</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a good day when we learn something new. </span></b></div>
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I love challenging myself to try new things, and I also love watching my girls doing the same. What will you try to learn today?Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-87223618303708474942016-09-27T16:26:00.001-04:002016-09-27T16:26:02.155-04:00Etegami: Japanese Mail Art<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkXvQax5DhpZMHWC4uN6Kox3E18-E55tcEaVpQJOo4wUDKvAkYapWgrQqvS0Ze91QSmzlhl2HwITuM-601b09Ieqfi5FYETXdZR1bmBM3r-26_XBZ9FwLqy_v39uEe4EqIJlA55hpDbk/s1600/IMG_3177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkXvQax5DhpZMHWC4uN6Kox3E18-E55tcEaVpQJOo4wUDKvAkYapWgrQqvS0Ze91QSmzlhl2HwITuM-601b09Ieqfi5FYETXdZR1bmBM3r-26_XBZ9FwLqy_v39uEe4EqIJlA55hpDbk/s400/IMG_3177.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Etegami by Nancy Bea Miller</td></tr>
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This past Saturday, I attended my first class at the <a href="http://www.mainlineart.org/">Main Line Art Center</a>, in Haverford, Pennsylvania. Nancy Bea Miller taught a group of seven of us about an art form known as etegami. I came across the class in the Art Center's online catalog, and was drawn to the fact that it incorporates drawing, watercolor painting, rubber stamp carving, and mail art all in one art form. <br />
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Never having heard of etegami before, I did some research before the class took place. I came across <a href="http://etegamibydosankodebbie.blogspot.sg/">the web site of Deborah Davidson</a>, who serves as kind of an "etegami guru" for Westerners. (Perhaps she should be called an "etegami Sensei"!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0hYtpNqEzwqJmWgWN0o5x6Mn1jg81L0xSesY5SlI8FJ3xF9N_t4VV33S1x4c2bBF1PiA5iJdMWx6EoxR0tMnxLZ0d-eOxIrF-VJEfd08TYD0myXHjOKXIvieYuIh9p5pO79a8wv2Rm0/s1600/IMG_3157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0hYtpNqEzwqJmWgWN0o5x6Mn1jg81L0xSesY5SlI8FJ3xF9N_t4VV33S1x4c2bBF1PiA5iJdMWx6EoxR0tMnxLZ0d-eOxIrF-VJEfd08TYD0myXHjOKXIvieYuIh9p5pO79a8wv2Rm0/s400/IMG_3157.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Etegami artists at work</td></tr>
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I found out that etegami is translated "picture letter," and can be called a form of Japanese folk art or mail art (because it is usually created on postcards and mailed). Etegami usually contains a simple image, accompanied by some carefully chosen words, as well as the <i>hanko</i>, or stamped "signature" of the artist.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A summary by Nancy of the main characteristics of etegami</td></tr>
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The art form is considered a "one shot deal"--no planning, no sketching. There are no rough drafts. The artist uses a line drawing brush and liquid ink to draw a picture of some object she is currently viewing. She then adds color with another brush and two to three colors of watercolor paint. (Traditionally, the artist uses water soluble mineral based gansai paints, which some of my classmates were fortunate to possess, but I used the basic Western version of watercolor paints.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiQjlUIgJzaCptdzl-BOAUEpyn3c8bMMHqe1x0DYIIgi35jIYd5qtB_7dSesFNtuxT0hW9DddbT1mIMe1cRqtv6bjoYGLUI4ZSYTFHxTYZWb0hFhsTWAJxbjThXCC9L4px7HPlj5XQBs/s1600/IMG_3146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiQjlUIgJzaCptdzl-BOAUEpyn3c8bMMHqe1x0DYIIgi35jIYd5qtB_7dSesFNtuxT0hW9DddbT1mIMe1cRqtv6bjoYGLUI4ZSYTFHxTYZWb0hFhsTWAJxbjThXCC9L4px7HPlj5XQBs/s400/IMG_3146.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nancy's workspace <i>before </i>the class began</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu5XkNawS70QiM_wgKPfmjtwwT0WOOVeMAQYl3qmK30LIjbKMRANAdjHIod7L9WxXSrQZ6Y-I7NC8QPcSj_7CQ6Ht74ZCp0UErps94kQaQiHEjQtusSAs1Lda5-Mp-UWlSSoDOhyphenhyphen-0tc/s1600/IMG_3178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu5XkNawS70QiM_wgKPfmjtwwT0WOOVeMAQYl3qmK30LIjbKMRANAdjHIod7L9WxXSrQZ6Y-I7NC8QPcSj_7CQ6Ht74ZCp0UErps94kQaQiHEjQtusSAs1Lda5-Mp-UWlSSoDOhyphenhyphen-0tc/s400/IMG_3178.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nancy's workspace <i>during </i>class</td></tr>
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The traditionalist might paint her image from colors she has organized in a porcelain dish with shallow compartments for mixing the paint colors; many of us used standard watercolors in plastic pans. The traditionalist might paint upon washi postcards called <i>gasenshi</i>; many of us used watercolor paper cut to 4 x 6 postcard size. Our <i>hankos </i>were carved from pink erasers, going to show that there are perfectly adequate substitutes for pricier or harder-to-access supplies for the artist who wishes to jump in and try something new!<br />
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On her web site, Deborah Davidson explains the origins of etegami by describing how Japanese calligrapher Kunio Koike developed the art form in the 1960s because he wanted to develop something more spontaneous than what he was studying; he is now considered the Father of the Modern Etegami Movement.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fRiq6taVKHSBbsWaXYcS8WGN4Gvp4MabU7P13O7mmZxX-maKLaSoxWaOHfO_5PDQCbUy52hGpmiQ463BeqCQyK7sy32stOG1uexCibHB51TrNoqfwOnx74UTCrq0nkU3FQHsrYtp_jQ/s1600/IMG_3161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fRiq6taVKHSBbsWaXYcS8WGN4Gvp4MabU7P13O7mmZxX-maKLaSoxWaOHfO_5PDQCbUy52hGpmiQ463BeqCQyK7sy32stOG1uexCibHB51TrNoqfwOnx74UTCrq0nkU3FQHsrYtp_jQ/s400/IMG_3161.JPG" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Etegami samples by one of my classmates</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxB8Ys2ytcjRjTzcKmXbY7SChGoHl2TUznX12KxNpF4z-r6AJvaTXKvDft54ZMuvbOaXPzlCT9jMtgZQ6JKheclYJIlog2Rv9yHAEt0OwGcWdOEB9kdK3CWGL0llSDNPOu-26xlIt1Kes/s1600/IMG_3167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxB8Ys2ytcjRjTzcKmXbY7SChGoHl2TUznX12KxNpF4z-r6AJvaTXKvDft54ZMuvbOaXPzlCT9jMtgZQ6JKheclYJIlog2Rv9yHAEt0OwGcWdOEB9kdK3CWGL0llSDNPOu-26xlIt1Kes/s400/IMG_3167.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Etegami samples by one of my classmates</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qC1JjUh4Ao3mpbbrndDXsqVoLR1EKaeBjPnSMhrR4AWigdB5OHEe_PlkwlzpwY4Luhi95BEAaVPfFls3UxM76HBFL8R9UqnMxyHXVzRVLzrHhGOG6XyuPRW795limKlSRboOGT-lzOc/s1600/IMG_3173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qC1JjUh4Ao3mpbbrndDXsqVoLR1EKaeBjPnSMhrR4AWigdB5OHEe_PlkwlzpwY4Luhi95BEAaVPfFls3UxM76HBFL8R9UqnMxyHXVzRVLzrHhGOG6XyuPRW795limKlSRboOGT-lzOc/s400/IMG_3173.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Etegami samples by one of my classmates</td></tr>
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The etegami motto is <i>Heta de ii. Heta ga ii</i>. This is translated along the lines of, "Clumsiness is no problem. Clumsy makes it better." All of us in this beginning class at the Art Center felt pretty comfortable moving forward with a motto like that!<br />
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When I watched videos of artists creating etegami online, I saw them sitting up very straight, their elbows raised, and their forearms stretched in front of them at the same height as their elbow. They hold the brush at the very top, quite lightly between their thumbs and first two fingers. The brush essentially dangles down so that only the tip touches the ink to the paper. <br />
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On the web sites I was using for research, it was emphasized that the artist is to control the brush's movements with the upper arm, rather than with the wrist. (Somewhere I read that when you hold the brush like a pencil or pen, you focus more on "drawing well," which is not what etegami is about.) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzqUK0rnYaQmla0os8CO7ouJ2RL9970XXiqm00EiRpMtF5hKndhgEADtQC_ZWFg8k0AzB-68DK13sKu2jKZfNfUh1G3cxil6wCBdgR8rbD2qvB-bwFPT8erZ9iFCMP2rVvPZbNgGlu2c/s1600/IMG_3155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzqUK0rnYaQmla0os8CO7ouJ2RL9970XXiqm00EiRpMtF5hKndhgEADtQC_ZWFg8k0AzB-68DK13sKu2jKZfNfUh1G3cxil6wCBdgR8rbD2qvB-bwFPT8erZ9iFCMP2rVvPZbNgGlu2c/s400/IMG_3155.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nancy demonstrates etegami by drawing two peppers.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Our teacher Nancy reinforced the idea that we should move the brush quite slowly in order to make a more interesting line drawing. The goal is actually not to have too much control of the brush. Wobbly lines are good! Wobbly lines are preferred! They are "living lines" that give the work more character, and let the ink interact with the artist's heartbeat</span>. </div>
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Etegami creator Kunio Koike recommends spending up to 30 minutes practicing lines, letters, spirals, and other shapes and motions with the ink and brush before beginning a new work of etegami. Since many of us enjoy the fact that etegami is a rather "quick" art form to engage in, preceding it with 30 minutes of practice is probably not feasible for most of us! But I enjoyed our ten minute warm-up more than I thought I might. I can see the value in spending time getting "re-acquainted" with the brush, the way it makes contact with the paper, and the way the ink moves between brush and paper.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XyfYsvvKuoBcvODJgHYZpoWIHwxRwhXyG8EPnbS0vu3s8gN34oSyPhhmPzgL0gxZ1dEVjZTh-4cQgfPkuDrRXpF2OaaXWJZAbTE0AOozbFRqKcy4ZDLZudevrst3eYVY9jaLDmjTR7o/s1600/IMG_3154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XyfYsvvKuoBcvODJgHYZpoWIHwxRwhXyG8EPnbS0vu3s8gN34oSyPhhmPzgL0gxZ1dEVjZTh-4cQgfPkuDrRXpF2OaaXWJZAbTE0AOozbFRqKcy4ZDLZudevrst3eYVY9jaLDmjTR7o/s400/IMG_3154.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting to know my brushes and ink during the warm up session</td></tr>
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Etegami uses as its subject matter the things of everyday life. Traditional etegami often reflects the seasons through such things as fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Many etegami artists will draw toys or other objects that surround them in daily life. Like sketching, etegami makes the artist pay closer attention to things around her. I found myself looking at things and thinking, "Hey, that would make a good piece of etegami!"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5Z2yfVzBlcc64tpc69vOU1gD1r5LWOQ0WWWzaYcTFNeIjzU6h2RH9m6faI1WmG-crvOm-4oSKC-_9AwFWxa7tWxES9uuCMGACuYiRlKCPHRClw7CfE-vpgP0Z2joe5IND66NeEB5YHY/s1600/IMG_3147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5Z2yfVzBlcc64tpc69vOU1gD1r5LWOQ0WWWzaYcTFNeIjzU6h2RH9m6faI1WmG-crvOm-4oSKC-_9AwFWxa7tWxES9uuCMGACuYiRlKCPHRClw7CfE-vpgP0Z2joe5IND66NeEB5YHY/s400/IMG_3147.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nancy set up a table of objects for us to choose from as subjects for our etegami.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKIiIkib5bUqAB6SGvDIY22rOSkcn0pR9RdFJYe5IF6oeoin0RGXmS7Hd9aEVxf1HCBXJbpMK3xStPJphx50vtw4zMaIfY1oOnnJ4fX9vrZ3KSw6FCbJnr__l2Bs2c0PS62mD2_xFsxo/s1600/IMG_3149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKIiIkib5bUqAB6SGvDIY22rOSkcn0pR9RdFJYe5IF6oeoin0RGXmS7Hd9aEVxf1HCBXJbpMK3xStPJphx50vtw4zMaIfY1oOnnJ4fX9vrZ3KSw6FCbJnr__l2Bs2c0PS62mD2_xFsxo/s400/IMG_3149.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close-up of some objects, with a sample of Nancy's beautiful etegami in the background</td></tr>
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Nancy suggested that we start our drawings off the edge of the paper: the lines of the object run off the page so that the drawing looks like it is completed somewhere beyond the boundaries of the card. This approach forces me to draw the object much bigger than I would have a tendency to otherwise, and gives a very vibrant, graphic quality to the painting. <br />
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The color is applied more by rolling or tapping the brush, rather than sweeping the brush across the paper. Etegami doesn't result in photographically-correct images, which is probably another reason it is an approachable art form for the beginner.<br />
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The words used on the card can come from song lyrics, poems, or quotations. The ones I appreciate most are the ones that introduce some sort of humor related to the object that is drawn. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyY2IL4j5YPMyBLWuAjfNsR-dPcynk_mIgClgGtS0LIuD18lvI53lszZuDw39QcWdpHZG5CMotwqY2TuoS17-N16iCy56OKnY88LWxWNpNfHOguqluoDVtDaxOypU_v4qq-xI1hHfIU8/s1600/IMG_3151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyY2IL4j5YPMyBLWuAjfNsR-dPcynk_mIgClgGtS0LIuD18lvI53lszZuDw39QcWdpHZG5CMotwqY2TuoS17-N16iCy56OKnY88LWxWNpNfHOguqluoDVtDaxOypU_v4qq-xI1hHfIU8/s400/IMG_3151.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My work space at the <i>beginning </i>of class</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqiFeVghJFblvcAGThnUDAvQ9SiPsgS0GYM6ui_xhsnzuf3BvNhRSQ59KgIBF_JgeNNAhvErgFjwqhJ0GksuAfxnFf3AlPo0_ZEzTcqy38WZCQMcdxWV9krU1hyphenhyphenQqUB-rRUFO2Bsuw8g/s1600/IMG_3160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqiFeVghJFblvcAGThnUDAvQ9SiPsgS0GYM6ui_xhsnzuf3BvNhRSQ59KgIBF_JgeNNAhvErgFjwqhJ0GksuAfxnFf3AlPo0_ZEzTcqy38WZCQMcdxWV9krU1hyphenhyphenQqUB-rRUFO2Bsuw8g/s400/IMG_3160.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My work space at the <i>end </i>of class</td></tr>
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I love the fact that etegami is created from the "stuff" of everyday life. I don't have to look far at all to find a subject for a piece of etegami--the remote control on the coffee table, the cat curled up beside me on the sofa, the apples in a bowl on the kitchen counter, the weeds growing up in the garden outside my window, the butterfly that just landed on the bush, the back of the car parked in the garage, the toy pony my daughter left on the living room floor...any or all of these things could become a perfectly legitimate subject for a new piece of etegami.<br />
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In fact, I think I'll go make one now...<br />
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Some more photos of my etegami classmates at work:</div>
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I will share some of my own etegami in a future post!</div>
Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-10803817214566068122016-09-21T16:35:00.002-04:002016-09-21T16:35:55.146-04:00Making FacesI have discovered that anytime I want to learn something--about history, science, art, or anything else--one of the best places to start is the kids' section of the library.<br />
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Sometimes when I go right away to the resources intended for grown-ups, I can get overwhelmed with information or frustrated with the complexity of the subject.<br />
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Just the other day, while browsing through the art section for kids, I came across the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Learning-About-Faces-Shapes/dp/1404802711/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474489426&sr=8-1&keywords=drawing+and+learning+about+faces"><i>Drawing and Learning About Faces</i>, by Amy Bailey Muehlenhardt</a>. It took me back to when I was a kid, wanting to learn how to draw cartoon faces, but so desperate to be perfect that I just ended up tracing the pictures at the end.<br />
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Well, this time (thirty-plus years later, ahem), I decided to try my hand at honestly following through with all of the directions to create the eight faces in the book. <br />
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(That's another reason to love kids' books: Eight faces...that's it! I can definitely handle eight faces, and then feel the achievement of making it through the <i>whole </i>book. Mind games...they work every time!)<br />
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The author provides step-by-step instructions for drawing the ovals and adding each of the features to create a face that expresses a particular emotion.<br />
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There is happy:<br />
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Embarrassed:<br />
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Angry:<br />
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Surprised:<br />
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Excited:<br />
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Sad:<br />
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Bratty:<br />
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And scared:<br />
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I kind of love these fun little cartoon pages in my sketchbook, and I'm looking forward to my girls giving some of the faces a try for themselves. I think they'll be amazed to discover that eyes are actually situated about halfway down the head! And excited to see how that one simple change brings a better result to their drawings.<br />
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Now, I think I'll head back to the kids' section to see what other drawing books they have!Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-48499797118935506722016-09-18T21:13:00.002-04:002016-11-29T19:13:19.187-05:00BooklacesWhat do you get when you turn an itty-bitty bound book into a necklace for on-the-go note jotting?<br />
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A booklace!<br />
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If you check out my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/andriastudio791/book-and-journal-making/">Book and Journal Making board on Pinterest</a>, you will see that I have a bit of an obsession with tiny books, and book necklaces. When I checked out Erin Zamrzla's <i>Handmade Books for Everyday Adventures</i> from the local library, one of the first projects I worked on was her Necklace Book.<br />
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The project uses a very simple account book binding technique, which Erin describes very clearly in words and diagrams at the back of her book. <br />
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After cutting the cover and pages to size, only two holes are required at the top, with some simple threading with cord. (Her instructions call for nylon coated bead stringing wire, but I used stretchy cord that I already had in my supply stash.)<br />
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I added a little charm to one of the books for a little extra...charm!</div>
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The pages are tiny, but legitimately large enough to jot down a phone number, address, or book title you want to keep in mind.</div>
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I had a seven-year-old girl who was more than willing to model what the finished book necklaces look like!<br />
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Stay tuned, because I have many more book-making projects to share in the future. For projects completed in the past, take a look at the <a href="http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com/search/label/book%20making">Drawing Near posts labeled Book Making</a>. <br />
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<br />Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-79947071433081448872016-08-27T21:56:00.004-04:002016-08-27T21:56:42.512-04:00Save the Dragons! Kids' Club CreativityMy girls have been "all about dragons" for weeks now. My older daughter has scoured the library for every book with the word "dragon" in its title all summer. This led to a two-week intensive planning session between my two girls for a "Save the Dragons!" club that they ultimately held with five additional friends this past Friday.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the Save the Dragon! Club girls acting out fearsome dragons</td></tr>
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These girls do nothing halfway. My seven-year-old created a book that introduces the club, outlines famous dragon killers from history (thanks to Wikipedia), lists the rules for the club, and has drawings of all the various kinds of dragons in the world. An excerpt:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In the old world, dragons roamed the earth freely. Then man was created and started killing the dragons. And then new people came to earth and tried to save them. Can we do it? If we try, maybe just maybe we can save the dragons.</blockquote>
Rules for the club include:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Protect the dragons. Never ever say or write that dragons are not real. No potty talk. No lying. If you leave dragon club not believing in dragons one little bit, you can't come back to the next dragon club. Take care of each other. Take care of stuffed animals. Raise your hand. Dragons matter!</blockquote>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seven-year-old club leader reading the rules</td></tr>
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My eight-year-old created a second book entitled "Dragon Watch: A Research Book." (The fact that it has a subtitle was very important to her!) Her book includes a dragon's possible daily schedule, an extensive chart of dragon types, general facts about dragons gleaned from a computer game they like to play online, and sections with pictures and information about different dragon types, including Drakes, Serpents, Wyverns, and Nagas. There are even diagrams of their body parts, and a quiz to make sure you've been reading with attention!<br />
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The girls didn't have as much time to share their books and research as they had hoped, so much of this will be saved for the <i>second </i>Save the Dragons! club meeting.<br />
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During the <i>first </i>club meeting they were busy with:<br />
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Crafting paper houses for nano-dragons (very small dragons):<br />
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Eating the "dragon's head" snacks that the girls designed and created, which all of the club members enjoyed:<br />
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Going outside for dragon-themed outdoor games using pool noodles and lots of running around. (You will notice that two additional club members have joined at this time):<br />
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My seven-year-old was the official club leader, with my eight-year-old serving as "co-leader," and there were moments when the pressures of leadership threatened to get the best of the younger one. It can be tough when expectations do not meet up exactly with reality, and though I had tried to encourage her to go with the flow and remain flexible with how things evolved, there was some stress when games were not played exactly as she had hoped. <br />
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I also think that our second Save the Dragons! club will be limited to 1-1/2 or 2 hours to reduce stress brought on by over-excitement and activity. <br />
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But I am mightily proud of the creativity and planning my girls put into this fun activity for their friends, and I saw lots of smiles and genuine interest from club members who had no idea what they were getting themselves into!<br />
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I don't think I ever organized such a well-planned and elaborate club for my friends when I was a kid. How about you? Did you participate in any fun, informal clubs when you were young?Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-22407228017004573342016-08-22T10:55:00.003-04:002016-08-22T10:55:17.505-04:00My First Letter Writing Social<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Letter Writing Social Tablescape</td></tr>
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I have been hearing about Letter Writing Socials for years, especially from <a href="http://cappuccinoandartjournal.blogspot.com/">Pamela at Cappuccino and Art Journal</a> and <a href="http://uncustomary.org/">Mary England of Uncustomary</a>. The main goal of the letter writing social is to keep the art of the written letter alive in this age of emails and other digital communications. <br />
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Like-minded people gather around typewriters, pretty papers, pens, stickers, decorative tapes and other staples of the traditional-meets-modern letter writer. They sit at tables that are deliciously crowded with supplies and other letter-writers' works-in-progress. They sip tea, or coffee, or wine--depending on the venue--and leave with postcards or letters written, stamped, and ready to send.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Midtown Scholar in Harrisburg, PA</td></tr>
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I attended my first Letter Writing Social in mid-August at the <a href="http://www.midtownscholar.com/">Midtown Scholar Bookstore and Cafe </a>in Harrisburg, PA. Our organizer Anne had loads of supplies to offer us, and several of us brought contributions, as well. My mother came along with me, and I had an opportunity to see my old friend Becky (<a href="http://thesnailmailer.blogspot.com/">the Snail Mailer</a>) and meet the illustrious <a href="http://uncustomary.org/">Mary England</a>, blogger-author-and-life enthusiast, promoter of self-love and creativity.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Mom and I, fan-girling with Mary</td></tr>
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Our location was perfect--tables set up right in the heart of the bookstore. Not only did we have attendees who knew of the event ahead of time, but we also drew in passers-by who were often mystified and then delighted to discover that we were "just sitting there writing letters."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our organizer, Anne, with Mary England at the start of the social</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our typewriter station, with Becky on the right</td></tr>
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We had some young participants who enjoyed the mysteries of the ancient typewriter.<br />
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Sometimes the letter-writing became a family affair:</div>
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And there were some couples who made Sunday a letter-writing afternoon date:<br />
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There was lots of enthusiasm generated by the social, whether expressed by diligent work or big smiles.<br />
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For my part, I prepared several postcards, and wrote messages on three of them (including one I mailed to myself!). Everyone was generously sharing their supplies (to the extent that they were saying, "Take these papers, take these stickers---please!) so I expanded some of my mail art stash as well.<br />
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And if ever I needed some visual inspiration, I could always gaze around at my favorite sight--shelves upon shelves upon shelves of books at the Midtown Scholar Bookstore. They have an impressive collection of over 200,000 new and used books, and offer a popular community meeting space in my state's capital city.<br />
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Anne is already planning the next Letter Writing Social in October. I am looking forward to getting back to my mail art making and letter writing, with the help of <a href="https://uncustomary.leadpages.co/snail-mail-ecourse/">Mary's Snail Mail eCourse</a>. If you are interested in finding out more about the fun of old-fashioned/new-fangled letter writing, Mary has tons of resources, and you can email me at aleakaskey@yahoo.com for more information too!Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-27154185800663890992016-08-12T16:48:00.002-04:002016-08-12T16:48:40.620-04:00Lettering ApprenticeshipPeople across the Blogosphere are devouring resources related to improving their handwriting and lettering in order to spruce up their art journal pages, planners, and personal correspondence.<br />
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As evidenced by over 200 pins on my "<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/andriastudio791/lettering-handwriting/">Lettering, Handwriting" board on Pinterest</a>, I am one of those people in search of the perfect handwriting that has eluded me since kindergarten!<br />
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Recently, I sat down with <a href="http://homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/photos/rak_doodles/index.html">a whole screen filled with Stephanie Ackerman's doodles, lettering, and artwork</a>, and put myself into the position of apprentice: studying her style, copying her work, looking to internalize her approach. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My effort, emulating Stephanie's artwork; I included only the first part of the verse.</td></tr>
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I love Stephanie's quirky, playful, casual style that incorporates cursive and print, capitals and lower case, colors and black & white. Her work looks so spontaneous, but those arrangements of words and doodles <i>must </i>be well-planned.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made slight changes to Stephanie's version, mainly because of the size of my sketchbook page.</td></tr>
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I also love how Stephanie works with Bible verses, favorite quotations, and inspiring phrases in her artwork. There are so many possibilities for creating encouraging artwork based on my own favorites!<br />
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I made three different drawings in my sketchbook, and then reduced them by 50% on the copier. (Once I accidentally reduced the 50% drawings by 50%, and got tiny little artworks from them!) I cut and pasted them onto one page, and then printed it out on sticker paper.<br />
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Next, I cut each of the little stickers for use in my planner.<br />
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A couple of them made their way into this week's planner spread:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I added some red marker for "pop" on this one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was one of the tiny ones, and got some decorative tape and doodling in order to stand out.</td></tr>
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At first, I was embarrassed when my 7-year-old asked me, "Mom, why are you just copying from her work?" But I think that copying can be a valid step in the process of developing my artistic style. Just like the apprentices of the Renaissance era would copy the masters and even add to their works, I see this stage of copying as one step towards developing content, style, and and approach of my own.<br />
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In an article I found entitled, <a href="http://italianrenaissanceresources.com/units/unit-3/essays/training-and-practice/">"The Making of an Artist,"</a> the author writes of Renaissance apprentices:<br />
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"Pupils...then learned to draw, first by copying drawings made by their masters or other artists. Drawing collections served not only as training aids for students but also as references for motifs that could be employed in new works...Young artists also learned from copying celebrated works that could be seen in their own cities--Michelangelo, for example, copied paintings by Giotto in Florence's church of Santa Croce--and they were encouraged to travel if they could, to Rome especially, to continue their visual education."</blockquote>
What do you think? Shameless copying, or valid step in the learning process?<br />
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If Michelangelo himself employed this method for learning, I'm going to take my chances!Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-84170344423796703222016-08-10T14:41:00.000-04:002016-08-10T14:41:38.522-04:00Seagreen Gallery InspirationI've just returned from a week-long vacation in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where Nature is clearly the star of the show. <br />
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As expected, I was inspired and rejuvenated by sunshine, ocean waves, glimpses of sea life from fish to crabs to dolphins, summer thunderstorms, and sandy beaches and dunes. <br />
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But I found an unexpected source of creative inspiration at a shop called <a href="http://www.seagreengallery.com/lookbook">Seagreen Gallery</a> in Nag's Head, just down the street from our rented beach house on South Virginia Dare Trail.<br />
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The parking lot featured a weathered row boat filled with old wine bottles and lounging cacti, while an ocean wave fashioned from license plate parts swept over the side wall of the store's exterior.<br />
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And they even had a--dare I say it?--<i>old-fashioned</i> red telephone booth. I certainly don't see those around much anymore!<br />
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The handcrafted items sold inside provided me with plenty of creative eye candy:<br />
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Bracelets made from acai berries:<br />
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(Some of these came home with me!)<br />
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Wall hangings from old license plate parts:<br />
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Collages of hand-drawn lighthouses on text page backgrounds:<br />
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Paintings on pieces of thin wood:<br />
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The store's decor kept my eyes busy, even in the bathroom, which featured a bathtub water feature made with a mosaic bird house, crowned by a printer's tray filled with ocean finds:<br />
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I absolutely loved their monochromatic bottle displays in blues, greens, and purples:<br />
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The back door led into an eclectic wonderland of buoys, bottles, and driftwood.<br />
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There was even a pond and a vegetable garden in the somewhat small, contained space:<br />
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Any small-space argument against whimsical outdoor living is out the window after a visit to Seagreen Gallery!<br />
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And check out this guy hanging out near the cash register:<br />
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Turns out, he makes his home at Seagreen Gallery, and he's so comfy there, I almost didn't see him as I was headed out the door!<br />
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I enjoyed this shop so much that I made a return trip in order to make sure I didn't miss anything, and to get some photos to share with you here on the blog. I love a good creative excursion in the midst of a family vacation!Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-44972898896792927842016-07-26T15:38:00.000-04:002016-07-26T15:38:19.325-04:00Zentangle UntangledOne of my local libraries has an impressive collection of books about drawing Zentangles, and I am working my way through their inspiration this summer.<br />
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Most recently, I poured over <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Zentangle-Untangled-Inspiration-Prompts-Meditative/dp/1440318263/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469559999&sr=8-1&keywords=zentangle+untangled">Kass Hall's <i>Zentangle Untangled</i></a> to get new ideas for my sketchbook. I thought I would share some of the designs I learned from her:<br />
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She presented some tangles she had created, as well as some tangles from other Certified Zentangle Teachers. She also had some other random designs and doodles, which she named. When I imitated them in my sketchbook, I noted the title she gave to her design.<br />
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I really like the design above called Twing, but my very favorite here is Huggins, in the lower left corner.<br />
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My sketchbook is Strathmore medium surface drawing paper (400 series), and I am using a combination of Micron pens [in all different tip sizes from .2 mm (005) to .45 mm (05)] and a Faber-Castell PITT pen S.<br />
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I like all the designs on the page above. The one called Meer in the upper right corner would made a great border for a journal or diary page. <br />
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I usually don't like how loopy designs like "Nouveau" turn out, but in this case, I like the result:<br />
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"You Are My Sunshine" is not a tangle, but a doodle, and would look great in my planner on a particularly hot summer day!<br />
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"Gizmo" is another example of a drawing that isn't a specific tangle, but uses ideas from other tangles to make a picture. Mine looks a little different from Kass's, but the idea is there:<br />
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Here is another page of designs I made using ideas and inspiration from Kass's book. This is actually the first page I created:<br />
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Some of these, like Diamonte and Haze, would look even better with color, I think.<br />
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I didn't think I would like Mysteria very much, but I did like it once I drew it!<br />
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In my opinion, my greatest triumph was Honeycomb. I don't usually use a ruler for Zentangles, though I had it out for the tangles from this book, and it was obviously indispensable for this design. My daughter looked at it and said, "That doesn't look that hard." Well, let me tell you...it took one false start, and a TINY Micron pen, but I love how it looks:</div>
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Finally, lest you think every page is a winner and that I'm happy with everything that makes it into my sketchbook:<br />
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Frippery, Mooka, and the design Kass called "Echoing Munch" came out pretty well, but the middle row was a total fail. My pen ran out on the design on the left, and I lost interest in finishing it, and I should have used a ruler to try the design on the right. I'll give it another shot, and maybe glue it over top of this fail! <br />
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I am on to the next Zentangle book I borrowed from the library: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tangle-Zentangle-Simple-Elegant-ZENTANG/dp/B00QO3M0L4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1469561146&sr=8-3&keywords=lets+tangle">Let's Tangle! by Kathleen Murray</a>. It is a great introductory book if you are new to Zentangle; I recommend it highly, and will share some of what I have been learning from it in a future post.Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-43762498891754786832016-07-20T19:29:00.000-04:002016-07-20T19:31:04.876-04:00Dendritic ExchangeThe title of this post makes it sound as though I have participated in some sort of medical procedure or scientific partnership.<br />
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In fact, I've just done a fun mail art exchange!<br />
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Awhile back, I shared with you <a href="http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com/2016/05/exploring-dendritic-painting.html">the process of creating decorative papers using the dendritic painting method</a> I watched at <a href="http://atomicshrimp.com/post/2014/08/16/Cohesive-Dendritic-Painting">Atomic Shrimp</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://justtickety-boo.blogspot.com/">Jewels, of Just Tickety-Boo</a>, who first shared the video with me, initiated a mail art swap using the results of our dendritic painting experiments. <br />
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From the beginning, I imagined the shape of a person's head made out of the dendritic papers, since they look like neurons or nerve endings. Then, I wanted to use inspiration from the wonderful collage and mail artist, <a href="http://lenoretawney.org/lenore-tawney/">Lenore Tawney</a>, so I flipped through the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lenore-Tawney-Signs-Postcard-Collages/dp/0764921304/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469057227&sr=8-1&keywords=lenore+tawney"><i>Signs on the Wind</i></a>, and came away with this postcard to send to Jewels:<br />
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In return, Jewels sent me this postcard (tucked inside a fireworks-emblazoned envelope!):<br />
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Her use of the dendritic painting is much more subtle than mine, and you can definitely see how it adds to the layers of her background:<br />
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I love the vintage woman image--I have been scouring books and magazines for these kinds of vintage images, as I'm finding images of women and their roles from the 1930s to the 1950s very inspiring right now. <br />
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As an added compliment, Jewels told me that she chose the dictionary definition of the word "cheery" because she imagines it to be a word that describes me. I certainly try to hang on to my cheeriness, so this is much appreciated!<br />
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I definitely feel some pressure when it comes to doing a mail art exchange, especially when there is an "assignment," such as using the dendritic papers. But it is so very satisfying once the project is completed, and I have another piece of mail art from an online friend to add to my collection!Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-4329084266626734182016-07-06T22:34:00.001-04:002016-07-06T22:34:06.116-04:00Attack of the Scrap Monsters!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Scrap monsters have taken over our home!</span></div>
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When I saw <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaLDSSqfFHU">Courtney's video for scrap monsters</a>, I had every intention of creating them on my own, and once my kids got a look at them, there was no stopping them from trying their hand at them, too.<br />
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First, I created body shapes and face features following Courtney's lead in her YouTube video.<br />
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In this totally un-staged photo, you can see the impromptu mess created by the whole process:<br />
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My daughters and I chose our favorite body shapes and covered them in decorative tapes, cutting around the edges when we were finished to get a clean edge:<br />
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I then followed Courtney's lead and outlined my monster with thick black Sharpie, though my girls declined this step (which was probably for the best, since we're talking about permanent ink here!).<br />
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The final step involves finding the face we want to match with our monster's body, and using pencils to add a little color:<br />
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Last night, we each created two monsters, for a total of six. This morning, my girls took over, creating their own body shapes and face features, and creating even more.<br />
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They've named each monster, and created a kind of "profile" of their special talents and back stories. They are most interested in laminating them to create "backpack buddies" (little toys and such that connect to the zippers of their backpacks), but I'm thinking they have a real future in Scrap Monster Trading Cards! Don't you think?<br />
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I think they will make absolutely adorable stickers and journal embellishments.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Scrap Monsters have taken over, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and just might need their own room soon!</span></div>
<br />
<i>For more paper projects, check out my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/andriastudio791/collage-and-assemblage/">Collage and Assemblage</a> and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/andriastudio791/paper-crafting/">Paper Crafting boards on Pinterest!</a></i>Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400765619482940144.post-17224285502266220632016-06-26T16:59:00.001-04:002016-06-26T16:59:37.942-04:00Battling Summer Boredom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5RpqzfXt6XksNyVB-Awn5SUJOC7JxUpAp5plenvN1IDVofcX-Nv7ALD-TsK3_QnFWaajMhrgSOqWtsPKMV5XFjXUSIxaF1YRcXzZVZMB7OiU_ksTWJwnd-vL70N5w6LgT_mhxN90LME/s1600/IMG_2159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5RpqzfXt6XksNyVB-Awn5SUJOC7JxUpAp5plenvN1IDVofcX-Nv7ALD-TsK3_QnFWaajMhrgSOqWtsPKMV5XFjXUSIxaF1YRcXzZVZMB7OiU_ksTWJwnd-vL70N5w6LgT_mhxN90LME/s400/IMG_2159.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
This past week on Facebook, I posted a picture of a list I have given my girls this summer in an effort to eliminate "the b-word" from their vocabulary. <br />
<br />
That's "bored," in case you haven't already heard it a thousand times from your kids so far this summer!<br />
<br />
The list is entitled, "Mom, I'm Bored!" There are two full pages of ideas for how they can spend their time (and "watching tv" and "playing computer games" do NOT make an appearance).<br />
<br />
Last year, I gave them a similar list, but when they complained about being bored and I sent them to the list, they just said, "There's nothing on here I wanna do-ooo-ooo!" (You know that voice, right?)<br />
<br />
So this year, I added a rule to the list: Before they can come to me and complain of being bored, <b>they have to do at least three of the activities from the list for at least ten minutes each</b>. The goal is, of course, that something they end up doing will spark their interest and keep them busy for a lot longer than just ten minutes.<br />
<br />
My Facebook friends were interested in getting a better look at just exactly what activities are on the list, so I thought I would create a blog post.<br />
<br />
Here is the complete list of activity ideas:<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Mom, I’m bored!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">You can’t complain to Mom that you are bored until you’</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">ve done at least 3 of the
following things for 10 minutes each!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OSMfXbJEbbFNJzDtOITmNbRAYYEJ2vCNrYnOIVGDncgDHvE-psIdirzrkg4e2wDC7hXdKATgOXiKT3jBMqFc1cx08jwb8I5lTGFx_p4GErKblnQuNkIveEmNTee_3n-BJSUyuQs92uc/s1600/IMG_2164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OSMfXbJEbbFNJzDtOITmNbRAYYEJ2vCNrYnOIVGDncgDHvE-psIdirzrkg4e2wDC7hXdKATgOXiKT3jBMqFc1cx08jwb8I5lTGFx_p4GErKblnQuNkIveEmNTee_3n-BJSUyuQs92uc/s400/IMG_2164.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Read a book.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Write a story.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Create a magazine.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Bird-watch in the backyard.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Practice fancy lettering.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Draw a map.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Teach yourself to juggle.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Write a letter to a friend.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play with Stella. [That's our cat.]</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make miniatures.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Put on a puppet show.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make a collage of magazine pictures.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make a set of ATCs. [These are Artist Trading Cards.]</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Set up dominoes, then make them fall.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Playing a rhyming game with your sister.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Create a handmade book.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Read the Bible.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make up similes (“___ is as quiet as a mouse,”
“____ is as noisy as a train”).</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Create decorations (rugs, pictures) for the big
doll house.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Write in your diary.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Design your own flag.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Blow bubbles outside.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play Simon Says with your sister. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Lay on your back outside and find pictures in
the clouds.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Have a face-making competition with your sister
in the mirror.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play the smile game with your sister: Don’t smile first!</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Build a fort with a blanket or sheet.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Call a friend.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play soccer in the backyard. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play a musical instrument.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Draw a picture.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Write a message with words and phrases from
magazines.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make a greeting card.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Draw with stencils.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Practice cartwheels.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play Scrabble with your sister.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play “I Spy” with sounds or colors or letters.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Write a letter or poem using alphabet rubber
stamps. (Put a table cloth on the table
first, and wear a smock!)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make letters with Play-doh.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Run through the sprinkler.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play at the water table in the backyard.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play with the garden hose. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make a backyard field guide, drawing and
describing all the plants, insects, and/or animals you see.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Turn on music and dance.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play veterinarian with your stuffed animals.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Have a staring contest. Don’t blink first!</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make lunch or a snack for your mom.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Sing a song.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Explore with a magnifying glass.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Use a flashlight in the closet to make a shadow
show.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Dust the furniture.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Organize your toys.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make a postcard.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Sort buttons.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Build something with LEGOs.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Do a bead project.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Do a rubber stamp project. (Put a table cloth on the table first, and
wear a smock!)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Have a fashion show.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play a board game.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play a card game (UNO, Crazy Eights, Old Maid,
WAR, Go Snorkeling, Five Crowns)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make up a new game.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Practice math with a calculator.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Memorize a Bible verse.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Invent something.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Create a scavenger hunt for your sister.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Jump rope.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play hair salon.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Go ant-watching in the backyard.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Do a puzzle.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Construct or draw a maze.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Race cars.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Track the weather.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Start a collection.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play with sidewalk chalk in the driveway.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make a bookmark.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make animals and other pictures from your
thumbprint.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play Follow the Leader with your sister.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Sweep the floors.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Color with crayons.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make a sticker picture.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Have a tea party.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIZZUXFIdqkYTZ225JB0Fwdm5-0RjGFscjYRRECmMKQvPf0MbrEOD4mMJgvIT1Z-mFlunpVGTM-f3R1g_rjbr7r81SwrlSnt986osdFFaLBv-U5S3O8wdCQmEd8vRfGfpYtMJvxzz_7Y/s1600/IMG_2166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIZZUXFIdqkYTZ225JB0Fwdm5-0RjGFscjYRRECmMKQvPf0MbrEOD4mMJgvIT1Z-mFlunpVGTM-f3R1g_rjbr7r81SwrlSnt986osdFFaLBv-U5S3O8wdCQmEd8vRfGfpYtMJvxzz_7Y/s400/IMG_2166.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
And on page two:<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Write to your grandmother. Or all of your grandmothers!</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Vacuum the carpets.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make up a song, poem, or rhyme.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Create an alphabet book.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Designate a letter of the day, and do activities
that start with that letter. Speak using
words that start with that letter as much as possible.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Build with Lincoln Logs.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Look through your baby book.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Build a Mighty Beanz race track.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make up some tongue twisters.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make a list of your very favorite foods.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Create patterns with coins.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Sing some songs:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I’m a little teapot</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Itsy bitsy spider</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Head, shoulders, knees and toes</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The wheels on the bus</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->If you’re happy and you know it</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->This little light of mine</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->He’s got the whole world in his hands</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->London bridge</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Old Macdonald</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Pick out things you can sell in a garage sale or
donate to children in need.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Do a craft from the Independent Crafts Folder. [I included easy things they could manage on their own.]</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make a Rainbow Loom bracelet or ring.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Work in your Wreck This Journal, or create a new
journal of your own.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Get a toy from the basement that you haven’t
played with in awhile.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Pretend play:
Harry Potter</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Pretend play:
My Little Pony</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Pretend play:
Dragons</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Practice pitching and catching softballs outside
with your sister.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play chess with your sister.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Do some one-minute challenges:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Balance on one foot</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Hop on one foot</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->How many times can you touch your toes?</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->How many jumping jacks can you do?</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Bounce a ball on the ground and catch it.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Dance without stopping.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->How many somersaults can you do?</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Gallop sideways.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Skip.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Play dress-up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Go out in the yard and draw what you see.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make up math story problems.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Build something with the Mah Jong tiles. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Look through a View Master.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Build a marble maze.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make a gift for someone.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Build something with Tinker Toys.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play with Noah’s Ark.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make a pop-up book.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make a list of things you can do when you’re
bored.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Put on a play.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Go on an imaginary expedition, inside or
out. Pretend you are in a rain forest,
on a trip to the North Pole, crossing the desert, or climbing a mountain.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Look through your yearbook.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play with the big toy horse in the basement.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play with the big doll house down in the
basement.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Read through your old books in the basement.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play school.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Make up knock-knock jokes, and tell them to your
sister.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Play with the fairy garden. Remodel their home.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Play cook” in the kitchen sink.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Read a book outside.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
As you look through this list with your own kids in mind, you will see places that you would want to customize and change it, based on their ages, interests, and the kinds of things they have to play with at home. For example, one of my suggestions is to "build a Mighty Beanz race track"--that's a toy we picked up at a yard sale last summer, which is stored in the basement. By putting it on the list, I am reminding the girls that it's down there if they're interested. Same with toys like the Noah's Ark and the "big toy horse." If you make a similar list, you could include toys that are packed away that they might be interested in getting out.<br />
<br />
I also included some "little kid things," like playing I Spy and singing songs like, "If you're happy and you know it." Sometimes my girls, now 7 and 8, will make fun if something is "babyish," then get totally enthralled in those old familiar things!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUkfjCwjzrm_S99x37UYQZoR2DJHj4h7TMiubxbRFoQwx40lCR1IQ1PnJcibiDCwIKU7eyiDdB9raRLIIIDhtcOi__G6juFsJkDR2UM9DeC9tCspLDm1ym7240hZpNG8dof6IORkkh9k/s1600/IMG_2162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUkfjCwjzrm_S99x37UYQZoR2DJHj4h7TMiubxbRFoQwx40lCR1IQ1PnJcibiDCwIKU7eyiDdB9raRLIIIDhtcOi__G6juFsJkDR2UM9DeC9tCspLDm1ym7240hZpNG8dof6IORkkh9k/s400/IMG_2162.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
I put the list in a storage box, which I filled with different notebooks and activity books that they have accumulated. Their summer reading assignment from school is in there, summer review activities my 3rd grader got from her teacher, some unfinished coloring books and word find books, their <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0399162720/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687582&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=039953346X&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=8DVBXP1HSZ2BV0Y7A5YA">Wreck This Journals</a>--anything that might help them pass the time if they can't think of something else to do.<br />
<br />
They each get 16 minutes of computer time each day, and other than a recent infatuation with "Kung Fu Panda" they haven't been asking to watch any television. They've only been out of school for four days (our district runs until June 21!), and we've had a picnic, a playground visit, piano lessons, a trip to the dentist's office, a free magic show, a birthday swim party, church and a pancake breakfast. At home, they have been obsessed with the two sets of <a href="http://www.goldieblox.com/">Goldie Blox</a> their aunt and uncle got them for Christmas a couple of years ago. <br />
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"Boredom" has not been the b-word I have been contending with; rather, it's "bickering." We'll see if I've figured out anything to post about handling THAT before the summer is through! Wish me luck!<br />
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How are YOU keeping your kids busy and creative this summer?<br />
<br />Andriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15504062428517837765noreply@blogger.com5