Mom: Maker Of Most

I am not just a mom, even though that is my main title. 

Most days I am a teacher of sorts and a creator of things, and of course, a cook, a cleaner, and all the other duties that comes with keeping a house and a family happy.

Maybe mom is an abbreviation of MAKER of MOST.  {wink wink}

Anyhow, in order to keep my days fun and joyful, that's what I do..... I MAKE!!!

After the Littles go to school and it is just Little Em at home with me, we MAKE together!

I try my hardest to MAKE memories of love and laughter.

I try to teach her and help her explore and MAKE things to enrich her life.

I have found that creating art is the best way to really be present and it just happen to be good for the soul. Creating is so innate, and us moms, Mommers, MAKERS of MOST are the ones who bring life into the world, comfort to others, and doll things up...seriously {!!! My Mister had a pool table in the middle of his family room and when we met and pretty much one picture on the wall, nope, I don't think even that...awe man that was 18 years ago. I love that him!}

Well, my family is the artwork of my life now, and has been since they were created.

The best thing aboout art is that there are no mistakes!!!

That is why it is so magical and wonderful. 

{Oh, I feel a story about the attonement coming on, it's in my head, I will try to resist.}

These were created by Little Em... This is what I am really here to write about today. ART!!!

I love these colors and swirls.  I tend to over think when I am trying to paint. Watercolor...is really as simple as...some of this and some of that, try this and a little of that. OK, done.

Wow, what a masterpiece!!  This is what I think and she does too. 

I simply bought water colors by crayola and watercolor paper and white plain napkins. All for about $6.00. I set up little bowls left over from mandrian oranges packed in school lunches, filled with water, not too full and then taught her how to clean the brush before each new color. 

The hardest part was just staying close to her, so that the water didn't end up all over the place.  Every once in a while she would spill the bowl of water and it would go everywhere.... Splatter on the ground, but I didn't mind as this space is our creative space and anything can be cleaned up.  We have a little old shed that I turned into the Little Craft Shack, but if you are limited on space, really a kitchen table with a large garbage bag on the floor seems like an art gallery to your Little one. It really is enough andwhat I did for a while.  Having a little place just to create without any worry for mess is the best so make it simple enough that it wont keep you from ever using it. 

I used to worry about all the little messes, and that used to keep me from having fun so that's why i say that. Now, if we are called away everything can just stay as it is, except for the paint. {:)}

Creating a space: 

I buy my Littles a very sturdy wooden cutting board and that becomes there table top. If they need to do homework, take the board, then no grooves on my nice table top. Want to color on the floor? No, problem, take the board. Stuff gets off the paper...no problem, it's on the board instead of the carpet or table cloth or whatever....you get the picture, right?  Also, empty cereal boxes are great for absorbing wet or sticky items like paint and playdoh. When done, clean up is grand. Just throw the box away...or keep it, and frame it. {hehe} 

Art takes a lot of patience and thinking.  It is so nice to see my Littles create together. 

Little Em is more careful and confident now.

A few months of painting and she knows what she likes. 

The aqua blue is her favorite as it dominates everything.

{see the empty cereal box under her paper?}

She started exploring with her finger tips. I love when she discoverson her own.

I started using clear glass bowls because they are heavier, don't tip, and you can see when the water needs to be changed. It is also easier to have 2 bowls, one on each side, a few napkins along with them, to dip brushes onto. Placing them on each side aso makes it easier to reach. 

{such sweet little arms, I could eat them.;)}

Getting too much water is the trickiest part, but I also let her do her own thing, with a few reminders to swipe her brush before the new color but other than that I am at the table beside her doing my own craft now. She has been doing this for a few months and the messes are few. She can sit and do this for at least an hour. That is miraculous for a 2 year old.

With all this art work, I wasn't sure what to do.

I took the advice of a friend and made a banner of sorts.

I just put a ribbon across the window, grabbed some clothes pins, hung the paper up, and then the NAPKINS!!! They were to beautiful to leave out. 

 I think It looks lovely when the sun shines through, don't you?

I love this life, MAKER of MOST...and wouldn't change a thing.

From me to you w Love, M