Mother's Day Block

In my current residency I have been working on these mixed media blocks for Mother's Day.

We used Model Magic to add a nice 3D element to them. On my sample I wrapped the painting around the sides and back.  At school we only had time for the sides.

Here is some student work.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

- wood block, I had standard 2"x6" lumber cut into square pieces
- Model Magic, I buy white and in the large bin. (use your Michael's 40% off coupon). One bin (4pkgs) was more than enough for 2 classes.
- acrylic paint
- heart gems, I stock up at the Dollar Store during Valentines
- tacky glue
- printed text from the computer
- Mod Podge for sealing
- scrapbooking paper, optional

PROCEDURE:

I handed out the wood blocks so the kids could figure out the right size to make the clothing.

Each student got a plum sized piece of Model Magic.

We pressed them flat on a piece of wax paper.

I also gave each student a napkin with their name on it.

Using a plastic knife they cut out the clothing.

Using some assorted tools we added texture to the Model Magic.

Those green tools are from the Dollar Store.  I bought several sets of them.  They are for decorating cupcakes but work great as tools for clay.

Place on napkin/paper towel and set aside to dry.  About 24hrs.

While the Model Magic is drying you can paint the block. Make sure to do the sides and top for a nice finished look.

I gave the kids a few ideas, a nature scene like my sample.

- standing by your house, the house is cut from scrapbooking paper

- shopping in the city, shopping bag is paper

- just a simple background with a few flowers, the flowers are out of paper

Or whatever scene they wished.

We painted the Model Magic after it set.  It's still fragile at this point so i asked the kids to be careful.

Once it's mounted on the block and seal with podge it's firms up and is more durable.

I gave each student a piece of paper and they sketch out the head, arms, and feet of their moms.

We added some outlining and colour and cut our body parts out.

We glued everything into place with some tacky glue.

We added a small heart gem and sealed them with some Mod Podge.




That's it, a great Mother's day gift that will be treasured.


Gail

Mother's Day Portraits

So I'm stuck at home with a sick kid today but that has given me time to prep for tomorrow's lesson with Grade 4.





As a Mom I love handmade Mother's Day gifts.  This year Grade 4 will do portraits.

Last year Kindergarten did one for Father's day.















MATERIALS REQUIRED:

- canvas board, you can get this at the Dollar store, 2 for a $1.00, we are using 6x8
- acrylic paint
- decorative tape
- plain paper
- coloured pencils, crayons (twistables)
- fine sharpie
- scissors
- bright buttons
- coloured paper, scrapbooking paper
- bright buttons
- 'M' letters, I used the Cricut 
- Mod podge
- ribbon and glue gun for hanger

PROCEDURE:

Paint canvas board with acrylic paint.  Set aside to dry.

Using  a piece of paper cut slightly smaller than the canvas board sketch out Mom's portrait.

Add some colour using coloured pencils and crayon.  Because we are going to podge this portrait we do not want to use anything water soluble or it will just smear.

Using a fine sharpie do some outlining.  With Grade 4 we will do the sketch technique.  We don't want to do every line and we want some gaps in our outlines so it looks more like a sketch.

Cut out.  You can get tight to the portrait like with the Dad portrait or leave some background.

Set portrait aside.  Wrap the edges of the canvas with decorative tape which I also found at the Dollar store.

Now we add the word MOM.  I cut out a bunch of M's with the Cricut but you could also hand letter or print letters out from the computer and trim.

For the O we are making a little flower.  Mine is quite circular but you could also cut in petal shapes.  Out of scrapbooking paper or coloured paper cut 2 circle shapes. Glue into place and add button.

Give your portrait a nice coat of podge to secure everything and to add a nice gloss.

Add a ribbon loop to the back for hanging.




That's it.

Mosaic Frames

This is a Mother's Day project I completed with Grade 3.  I was working right to the wire on all the Mother's Day projects last week so I did not post it in time but it's a great project for anytime.....including upcoming Father's Day.

I had been wanting to do mosaics with Grade 3 all year and these turned out really well.


Now you can use anything to create your mosaic:

                - painted eggshells
                - buttons
                - squares of colored paper
                - broken pottery or tile

I happened upon these flat shell pieces on clearance at Michael's so that decided it.

Instead of gluing and grouting we utilized our leftover drywall compound with amazing results.







MATERIALS REQUIRED:

- wooden or cardboard frame
- wax paper or newspaper
- drywall compound
- spatula or old gift cards for spreading
- mosaic materials
- kleenex
- brown acrylic paint
- water
- paintbrush
- Mod podge

PROCEDURE:

Lay down a piece of wax paper or newspaper on your work area.

Take your frame, remove the center cardboard.  Sand edges if required.


Put some drywall compound on a recycled plate.  In small sections apply some compound. 

You only want to work in a small area at a time as it will start to dry.  It's like icing a cake.  You want it to be thick enough to hold your mosaic materials but not over flowing.

I asked the kids to think of it as a puzzle and try to fit as many pieces in as they could.


You can see that hands were used just as much as spatulas!

I also had them try to keep the mosaic pieces as clean as possible.  We used kleenex to wipe off any excess.

When we were finished we placed them off to the side to dry overnight.

Now I forgot to take pictures of the next step.  After the drywall compound had dried I put a small squirt of brown acrylic paint into a cup.  I added enough water to make a wash, (like colored water).  We then brushed this over the frames.  Using a kleenex blot off the wash from the mosaic material.  The dry wall is porous and will take on that colored wash very quickly.  Start off with a very diluted wash as you can always add more color as you go.   If you accidentally have too much paint color go over the area with plain water and blot to remove some of the excess color.

Let dry.

Finally add a nice coat of Mod podge to get a protective shine.  It also ensures all the mosaic pieces will stay stuck and strengthens the dry wall compound.

Let the Podge dry and then add a picture and you're done.  Once you try this mosaic technique with the drywall compound I'm sure you'll get lots of ideas of where you can apply other mosaics.

That's it!

See you next time.

Organizer for Mother's Day

Ok so these don't necessarily have to be for Mother's Day but as far as I'm concerned anything that helps me with my family clutter is greatly appreciated.

This little organizer can be hung anywhere and the clips help keep your stuff from getting lost.  You know all those receipts, tickets, notices, etc.










Easy project for the kids to do with minimal supplies:










MATERIALS REQUIRED:

- corrugated cardboard
- pencil and eraser
- scissors
- wire
- gesso, optional
- paint
- clothespins
- gluegun
- printed text
- mod podge for sealing, optional

PROCEDURE:

Take your piece of cardboard and sketch out the general shape of your organizer in pencil.

Cut out the shape.  I like to add a little shape to go on the hanging wire just to add more interest.

Prime with gesso.  This step is optional.

Sketch out some guidelines for your painting.

Paint in your scene.  I used acrylic here but if you do prime the piece with gesso you can easily use tempera.






I used the end of a pencil for some of my leaves.

Take some clothespins......

You can paint them if you want or glue on a little decoration on them.

Glue the clothespins on (clip end pointing down) with the glue gun.  You can add some text if you want.

Now will add the wire.  Punch 2 holes in the cardboard shape, one on each end.  Insert wire and then twist.

Before you do the other end slid the wire thru the cardboard shape.  It passes right thru the corrugations in the cardboard.

Attach on the other end and you have a hanger.

That's it...a great little organizer for some of your clutter.  You could just do the letters for MOM as your cardboard shape. Finally you can add a coat of Mod podge to seal and add extra strength.     Give it a try!

See you next time :)