Foam Print Making

I've been wanting to experiment with several techniques for print making. This idea came from a site that uses a softer foam (like meat tray foam) - sorry, I don't remember the site where I read the original idea. I don't have a lot of those meat trays and I don't really like to use meat trays with the kids. So, I thought maybe we could do something similar with the kid's craft foam.

We started by using small rectangular pieces of foam (I chose small to make it easier when making the print and I wanted the width of the rubber brayer I used to cover it in one roll - although this isn't necessary). We used golf tees to draw our image into the foam. At first, we pressed hard to make sure the imprint would show - this resulted in thick lines. I tried it again by just marking the top normally and it worked just as well.

This project was great for both my kids (3 and 6) - and it was addicting. I used just one color for the paint and I applied the paint while they helped to push the image into paper. Getting a thin and even distribution of paint was important.

I later experimented a bit with my own drawings and found this technique difficult to add details that I wanted. However, this technique is perfect for the kids the end result was immediate and the thin layer of paint dried quickly. The cards make note cards and wrote letters - Robbie chose his daddy and Lyssie wrote to her Grandma.

It was a fun and not so messy project. We'll definitely be doing it again as it uses things that we regularly have around the house.

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Popcorn Sheep Tutorial

Lately, I've had a thing about popcorn popped on the stove. I'm not sure why. I think I might just be sick of the microwave variety. The problem with doing it on the stove, however, is that I'm not so great at controlling the amount that I pop. This means that I end up with way too much.

We've left some out for the birds - but I feel bad leaving them too much. I don't want them to get sick and it seems like an unhealthy diet. I know, bird diets are different than ours - but I picture them needing more nutrients and protein. Wouldn't want them to get full on popcorn :)

I digress. I had the kids make lambs or sheep with some of left over popcorn one time. They had a great time gluing and eating (not in that order) and they even elaborated on my sheep idea by putting the sheep on a background. Robbie made a background of a farm - such a practical little boy and Lyssie made a background of a crocodile eating the sheep - speaks volumes of her personality and the differences between the two of them.

Here's a quick tutorial;

Materials

Glue

Paper (thicker paper is best so that it can support the weight of the popcorn)

Pencil

Scissors

Markers

Popcorn

Dish and brush for the glue (I use the top of a yogurt container - its works great. I've reused it several times)

Step 1: Trace a hand print onto paper. We used construction paper - they chose to make purple lambs. I might have chosen a different color - but whatever.

Step 2: Cut out the hand print. Robbie cut out his own, I cut Lyssie's out (really because of time constraints - I didn't want to fall asleep while still only on step 2).

Step 3: Draw a face on the sheep. The head being the thumb and the fingers being the legs. Lyssie didn't quite get what we were doing and I think she might have been painting the nails red. Again - whatever.

Step 4: Glue the popcorn on to the palm of the hand print for the wool. We dipped the popcorn in the glue and I'm sure my husband will cringe when he sees that I did this without covering the table. It cleaned up just fine. You could fore go the dipping and just put dots of glue on the paper if you are like my husband and prefer minimal mess (I admit, I am also the same way).

Step 5: This is the part the kids added - make a background for the sheep.

Step 6: Glue the sheep onto the background. Sheep picture below is Lyssie's crocodile eating the sheep. Two of the sheep are also running away (the one upside down is the one being devoured).

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Creative Juices

Robbie loves creatining things. He is always asking to do a "project". It's often hard for me to give him a project that will hold his interest... and that is suitable to have around his little sister.

The other week, I found the perfect project and it only required me admitting to myself that I was never going to get around to scrapbooking those Disney photos... and if I even do, I can reprint them. I gave Robbie the book of photos, a package of 8x8 color paper, a bucket of chipboard shapes, some decorative paper and some glue sticks.

He has been working on his scrapbook pages off and on for the past few weeks. And I think I've done a pretty good job staying out of it. I often feel obligated to tell him that the words he chooses doesn't necessarily go with the photo - and then I remind myself... it doesn't matter. I'm sure he has different ideas than I do of how things should be done and I have no right pushing my ideas on to him. So, I've left him alone... and the results have been great.

He's proud of his pages... the pictures are getting used... his sister loves to help him (she's even made a few of her own) and I get a little time to myself. We still need to sit down together to add some journaling in the spots he has reserved... but he hasn't been in a rush - preferring to make yet another page.

Sometimes it's hard to not guide their creativity. It's hard to let go of my ideas and to be open to theirs. It's a constant fight that I battle... I also battle the need for them to not make a mess when they are creating. I am working on both these things to allow them their own freedom to explore their ideas and to give them more opportunities for creative outlets. My mom was always great at this. I'm glad she allowed me the freedom and I hope I can give my kids the same thing. Inspiring creative juices... that's what I'm working toward with both of them.

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