A new blog-Mommiepedia

In past I have been writing about ideas/inspirations both suited for adults and children. But then I realized I have so much to share and say when it comes to creative ideas for kids and this might not be the right blog to share all those ideas on. So I started a new blog called "Mommiepedia". In this blog I plan to share ideas about creative ways of teaching kids. I hope it will become an encyclopedia (sort of) for imaginative and out-of-the box teaching ideas.

Some images from Mommiepedia

I hope you guys will check it out. Suggestions and stories to share are welcome. Also if you like it please share it. Thank you for reading.

Easter craft fun

Easter crafts

My daughter enjoys crafts as much as I do (no surprises haan!!). And Easter around the corner it is the perfect excuse to decorate some eggs. I am not sure if I should introduce my daughter to dyeing egg yet (considering I have never done that myself I am doubly unsure). So our egg decorations were done on foam cut-out shaped as eggs.


Easter Craft

Material used:

• Foam Sheets
• Ribbons (whatever kinds or pieces you have in your house)
• Googly Eyes
• Flower brads
• Flower Buttons
• Glue
• Scissors

I made a paper template shaped like an egg, then used it to cut several foam sheets in different colors. Then I punched out several flowers using Stampin-Up punch, and Saanvi used them to decorate the egg shaped foam sheet. She used ribbons and pasted them on another egg shaped foam sheet. I drew some other simple designs and cut them out of other foam sheets which Saanvi used to decorate more pieces. But her favourite part was pushing flower brads on the egg cut outs. She must have spend half hour doing that. This was our Easter celebration and fun, whats yours??

Have an, Egg-ceptional, Eggs-traordinary Easter everyone.

Pink Princess Diaper Cake

Pink Princess Diaper cake

May you touch fireflies and stars, dance with fairies and talk to the man in the moon,
may you grow up with gracious hearts and people who care,
welcome to the world little one, it’s been waiting for you... quotes

I know every Mom-to-be is praying the same, waiting for their little princess to arrive. And this cake is for those eagerly awaiting moms (to-be) and their baby girls. Pretty in pink with lots of feathers and sparkles.

This cake was specially designed for a lovely friend who is ready to leap into motherhood. Her baby shower theme was Pink and White. So here it is, a diaper cake for the new princess-to-be..

Pink Princess Diaper Cake

This diaper cake is avaiable on my etsy shop "Saanvi". Have a look..

My Etsy Shop "Saanvi"

Saanvi

After an year of pondering over the idea of opening my own etsy shop I finally opened one. I have been making all sorts of stuff and my frinds have been pushing me to open a store for a while now. So I decided it is time and here goes my very own Etsy Shop called Saanvi (named after my daughter).


Saanvi

For now I have listed things that I made past 1 year for my friends. I plan to expand it in the future with more products. I have some diaper cakes in the shop now and I plan to add more products with themes related to these diaper cakes in the shop. I also have a wedding bouquet with blue and white handmade paper flowers. I will soon be adding flowers for decorating ones house too.

I hope you will like my work and stop by to view and buy some of my products. Thanks for all the support and encouragement.

Origami for Kids

Origami Bird

My daughters school is very open about parents volunteering in the classrooms to teach the kids something or come and read them a book. And needless to say I love it. I enjoy playing with her and her classmates and teaching them something new is double the bonus for me and for them I hope.

Feburary was China month in her school (it was beacuse Chinese New Year was in Feb). The only thing I could think of related to China that I can teach them was Origami. I know that Origami (pronounced or-i-GA-me) is the Japanese art of paperfolding. "Ori" is the Japanese word for folding and "kami" is the Japanese word for paper. That is how origami got its name. However, origami did not start in Japan. It began in China in the first or second century and then spread to Japan sometime during the sixth century.

So I decided to teach them origami. I picked out few easy designs that a pre-schooler can make with little help. I also made some more a bit complicated but fun designs like flying crane, frog, airplanes etc to show them what all they can make by folding paper. Kids were so excited about making cats and glueing googly eyes on their cats. The paper planes and birds caught their attention as well. It was so much fun seeing them having fun. Everyone of these kids were happy and excited to show their creations to teachers and parents.

I used simple materials like construction paper from dollar store (you can use Origami paper as well), craft glue, googly eyes, marker to make eyes etc, and I used a paper cutter to cut the cardstock in squares. You can get all the supplies in a local art store or by the links on this page.

I always think about the result of every activity. What did these kids learn out of it? What benefit they got out of learning origami.

My Analysis:
Not only did they learn a new technique of making objects, they learned about the association of that art form with a country. They practiced 'Folding' which is an important motor skill for their age along with learning to follow simple instructions. Having to wait for their turn to do the project also is an important lesson for their future.

I love to see kids have fun and if they are learning some imp. lessons on the way then that is just the best thing ever. I hope you will try it too.

Creative Learning

After teaching my 1st Class I'm convinced that the best way to learn is by teaching. Sharing knowledge is the best way to grow and learn.

I learned a lot this past weekend in my class about Abstract Art. All I did was to share the techniques I use to create Art. What I got in return is much more. To name a few I learned how many creative ways there are to interpret the same plain board. How differently one can use the same technique and come up with a totally different product. How moods of every individual reflects on the piece they are working on. I also learned how I should progress a class (participants were very cooperative and supportive, Love them for that).

Overall I loved the whole process of painting sample pieces, making a presentation, teaching and seeing everyone enjoy themselves. Here are few of my favourite pictures from the class.



Everyone at Work



Adding finishing touches

Proud Artists and their Work of Art

I plan to teach and learn a lot more in the future. And I hope you do too. It is the best feeling ever.

Abstract Art Workshop



 So after much push from friends I am hosting my 1st workshop. As the name says it is about Art... Abstract Art.

I love color (am sure you all know that by now), recycled materials, anyhting creative and unique and most of all I love Inspiring people to be more creative and to think outside the box.

In this workshop I plan to teach a little bit about abstract art, composition and color combinations. I want to share what my Art and drawing teacher taught me when I was in college "TO SEE".
To look at everyday things around us and find color combinations and compositions. To see the beauty that surrounds us. And use that beauty and the color schemes in nature that we get inspired by and make a unique piece of Art.

Last year I shared a painting with you in my blog post 'Color Therapy'. This painting was painted on a reclaimed piece of MDF that has a pattern engraved on it. This workshop will use a similar piece of reclaimed MDF and turn it into a Unique and One of a kind Work of ART.

I am very excited about the workshop (well and nervous too)... If you live in and around Atlanta and want to attend this workshop then email me at divissketchbook(at)gmail(dot)com.

Thank you all my friends, family and blog readers for Inspring me to host this workshop. I promise there will be lot more coming up.

Love you all.

Divya

Creative Gift Tags

After buying a tons of Art supplies from Art Store or Stampin Up I am always trying to come up with projects where I can use them (I know a difficult task right, it is or me). I have recently invested (at least that's what I like to think) in tons of new art supplies.

 

Color pens



Paper Punch



Various stamps.. etc etc..

  

We all add Thank you cards or Gift tags to Party Favors right, so why not make them ourselves?

Here is what I did for my daughter's birthday party favors. I made some simple and easy Gift tags. I used several punches to punch out different shapes in various colored cardstock. Then mixed all the colored punch outs to make unique birds and glued them to the wrapped gifts. VERY VERY EASY, but unique.

I hope you will try it out something like this soon.

Here are some of my recommendations if you would like to buy some supplies.

• Martha Stewart Crafts Stamp & Punch Pack Bird By The Each
• Martha Stewart Martha Stewart Stamp And Punch Set, Butterfly
• Martha Stewart Punch and Stamp Cupcake
• Martha Stewart Martha Stewart Stamp And Punch Set, Leaf
• Martha Stewart Martha Stewart Large Punch, Monarch Butterfly
• Martha Stewart Marker A and C Set 1.2mm Bullet

Spreading Cheer

I have been feeling kinda dull and drab lately. After meeting a friend for dinner yesterday night I realized I am not the only one feeling so dead and depressed these days. So its time to spread some cheer.

I cant think of a better way to do that than to introduce you all to my absolute fav photographer- Katie Sokoler.

One cannot help but smile when you look at her work. I absolutely LOVE her spirited and kaleidoscopic pictures. I am a big fan of color anyway,  looking at her pics makes me fall in love with colors again.

Her simple yet whimsical ideas brings a wide grin on my face every time I browse her flicr page or her blog "Color me Katie"

So here are some more of her images borrowed from her Flickr account. Be sure to check out rest of her work here.

Something special for Valentine's Day from Katie.