Post-Christmas Design Fun

Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas, or at least a relaxing vacation!

What a great feeling it is to give kids Christmas gifts. Even better, to give them a gift that sharpens their design skills (that they'll actually use!)

Today my youngest stepdaughter and I are exploring our inner fashionistas with these kids' clothing design kits from Fashion Angels.

Thursday Art Club: Winter Birch Trees

Every Thursday I have an art club with a crazy group of about twenty 1st-5th grade kids. It's definitely not an art "class," but I think they learn a little something every time.

Today I tried (for the first time) a watercolor project that I've seen on the first page many, many times while Google searching for a winter watercolor project for children. It seemed almost cliché after seeing it so often, and in so many variations. But somehow the cold weather just made it suddenly feel so appropriate.

Apps of Interest: Picsay Pro

Working with kids gives me a great opportunity to do photo studies. There's only so much you can do with a typical wide-angle smartphone camera lens, but until I get myself a real camera again, I try to find ways to be creative with what I've got.

One thing that helps is the Picsay Pro software, a mobile photo editing app. One of the best I've seen!

I paid to switch from Picsay to the pro version because the free version of the software would allow only a few images to be saved. It was definitely worth the fee for all the extra features, and I highly recommend it if you dabble in mobile photography.

Thursday Art Club: Nighttime Tree Lot

Every Thursday I have an art club with a crazy group of about twenty 1st-5th grade kids. It's definitely not an art "class," but I think they learn a little something every time.

Today we made, more than anything, a giant mess.

Holiday Craft Season Begins!

December is my favorite time of year, when all the holiday arts and crafts can be brought out. No one brings out the elusive Christmas spirit like watching kids get excited over a goofy little craft.

Today they enjoyed making a hanging paper plate Christmas tree. (Modeled by my lovely coworker)