My son Junior has the biggest imagination ever. Well I guess this is normal for an 8 year old boy. If I could share all his drawings on a daily basis there would be hundreds and hundreds of pages full of his art here. Every time he draws something new I always think of how awesome it would be if it was a “live” character or something he could play with. So coming across Child’s Own Studio was as exciting as finding a five dollar bill on the sidewalk! You don’t need it but you sure do want it. Ha!

It started with a stay at home mom who had the same idea as I did. But she actually executed it! Since then not only did she make her 4 year-old boy a “recognizable comfort toy” from his own drawing; she has also made hundred more drawings come to life! She is so careful to match every detail, color, shape and pattern as close as possible, so that the child that drew it recognizes the toy as soon as they see it. “Each one is as unique as the child that drew it” is what she had to say. We believe this is true with all children’s art.

Wall art for children is a way for them to express what their little hearts would love to scream out to the world but don’t know how, other than with a crayon and marker.  “The child’s drawing, a wonderful expression of childhood, is the starting point of the collaborative project.” Giving your kiddo this extraordinary toy would allow them to be creative and know you appreciate every little picture they draw.

Now the hard part, which one of all his drawings do I choose to bring to life?!

In my new picture book, Same, Same but Different, Elliot paints a pictures of his world. His teacher mails his art-letter across the ocean to a boy in India named Kailash, who replies with a painting of his  world. Elliot paints the earth and outer space with the sun, moon, stars, and a mark showing where he lives. Kailash includes mountains, a river, a tiger, a cow, the Taj Mahal, and a very different looking moon and sun. They learn that they both love to climb trees, have pets and ride school buses. A friendship grows from their letters and the boys discover that they are actually very similar even though their worlds look very different.

If possible, read Same, Same but Different (check it out from your local library or order through your local bookstore or on amazon.com). Talk with your friends, parents and teachers about Elliot and Kailash’s lives and what ways your life might be similar or different.

Look around you. What colors YOUR world? What do you love? What sounds do you hear? What makes your world unique from Elliot and Kailash’s and other kids around the world? Create your own art inspired by an imaginary or real pen pal, your travels or ideas about the people and cultures of our world. Draw, paint or collage a picture of your world and share it with us.

Ask your parent or teacher to scan or take a photo of your art, file size must be less than 5MB, and email it to contest@oopsydaisy.comor upload your art to our Facebook wall.  You could also send a photo copy (no originals, please!) of your art via mail, postmarked by 3/6/2012 to:

Your name will be entered into a random drawing on Tuesday, March 13th and the random drawing winners will be announced Wednesday, March 14th via our Facebook page www.facebook.com/oopsydaisyart and on Oopsy daisy’s official site, www.oopsydaisy.com. Winners will be chosen at random for the following Oopsy daisy canvas art by Jenny Kostecki-Shaw and her signed books.

For more information about the contest go to our Budding Artists Contest page.

The event is bringing together a smashing duo that are not only full of talent, they’re full of fun and laughter. Susy Pilgrim Waters and Sarajo Frieden  have been friends for years due to their common love of art, design, and color. No matter your skill level as an artist, you’ll walk away happy that you attended- and with some new tricks up your sleeve.

For full details, check out Teahouse Studio’s blog.

This whimsical Airport set by Jill McDonald has taxis, a control tower, clouds, birds, and lots of other cool things you’d find at a real airport (like planes)! We’re glad our friends at Scholastic Parent & Child Magazine love this fun product as much as we do! With all of our fabric based decals being repositionable, this artwork for kids rooms will be loved by your little ones for the color it brings to their walls, and the fun it brings to their imaginations!

Jellybean Tree is one of our all time favorites for nursery art and artwork for kids rooms. You can find this and many other items at Giggle locations across the country. Check out our store locator map for tons more stores that carry our goods! Brighten up those walls-

The simplest of all is one kids can get in on the act with–chocolate-dipped pretzel sticks, which make great teacher gifts.

And why not have dessert first on Valentine’s Day, beginning with this candy pizza heart? Imagine the little ones decorating it with their favorite toppings (shredded coconut makes a fun substitution for shredded cheese, if that’s acceptable in your house–see first paragraph!).

And these jumbo candy hearts are adorably simple–it’s colored dough that gives them the candy-colored appeal.

Finally, chocolate-dipped strawberries are super simple, as long as you remember to dry the strawberries completely after washing and before dipping. Store-bought, these treats cost a small fortune, but made at home? Priceless. You can afford to make enough for Mom and Dad, too.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The winner, A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka (his second win!) has sweet, strong, simple paintings of Daisy, a resilient dog. We were instantly reminded of Max Grover, whose canvas wall art dogs have that same, self-assured air and bright colors.

Runner-up Blackout by John Rocco recounts the great blackout of several summers ago. His busy, vibrant illustrations of city life made us think of Mari Takabayashi‘s lively depictions of animated city-dwellers.

Lane Smith’s runner-up, Grandpa Green, deftly combines photo-real foliage with hand-drawn accents. Rachel Austin uses the same techniques but switches it up somewhat, with equally lovely results.

Finally, Caldecott Medal runner-up Me…Jane by Patrick McDonnell uses precise and colorful line-drawings to illustrate the early life of Jane Goodall. The style is reminiscent of Creative Thursday by Marisa‘s delicate, color-filled work.

What if you could teach your kids about recycling while making crafts? Now you can with this awesome Newspaper Valentine’s Card Idea. It’s easy, fun and educational. Yes, we said educational! Not only can you create a card with recycled paper, but also those little broken pieces of crayon. This Melted Crayon card idea is great for those cold days when you gotta stay inside. Heat up that oven and start melting.

Have you ever wanted to just shout out your feelings? Well, let your feelings pop out of your card by creating a Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Card. You’re not actually shouting, but trust us, it will get your point across.

These are just a few awesome and creative ideas we came across, but there are a lot more out there. Make it a “Green” year by making your own Valentines with your kiddos!

Whether it hosts your favorite team’s game schedule, a fan showing off school colors or a personalized homage to your son’s player number, my easy to create jersey chalkboard is a great addition to any sports bedroom.  It can be customized to support your favorite sport and team colors.  This project includes a recipe to create your own customized chalkboard paint.  Combine this unique piece with my Oopsy daisy vintage sports art and you’re set to reign as a champion sports room designer.

Enjoy!

Aaron Christensen
www.EmbellishmentsKids.com | Aaron@EmbellishmentsKids.com

MATERIALS:

- 24 inch x 24 inch 1/2 MDF Board
- 2 cups of flat finish or matte latex paint in your choice of color
- Additional latex or craft paint for decorative stripes and accents
- 4 tablespoons of un-sanded tile grout
- 8 oz. of Dark Brown craft paint
- Mixing Container
- Disposable small roller/tray kit
- Paint brush
- Masking tape
- Optional spray adhesive
- One 80 or rough grit sanding sponge or sheet paper
- One 150 or fine grit sanding sponge or sheet paper
- Sawtooth hanger or picture frame hanging wire kit

TOOLS:

- Jig Saw with Smooth finish blade
- Protective Goggles

This craft requires the use of power tools.  Please read and observe the safety instructions provided with your tool.  Always wear safety gear.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Determine your color palette and accent designs for the jersey.  Remember that chalk is only available in lighter colors so your jersey should be a darker color.  The jersey can be tailored to your favorite sport by changing the accents, stripes or details. Utilizing stencils you could also add text or numbers.

2. Download the jersey template from Jersey Project Template or http://www.embellishmentsstudio.com/embellishmentskids/JersOutAChristensen.pdf

3.Match up the nine template pieces to assemble the image and tape it together.  Either cut the template out and trace the image onto the MDF board or spray the back of the template with a light coat of spray adhesive and adhere to the MDF board.

4.Wearing goggles, use the Jig Saw to cut out the traced or adhered jersey image.  Lightly sand the edges with 150 grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge.

5.In your choice of color, paint the outside edge of the jersey.  Two coats may be necessary.  Mix 4 tablespoons of un-sanded grout with the remaining paint, being sure to smooth out any clumps.  Apply multiple coats of the grout/paint mix to the jersey using a disposable roller kit.  Allow the coats to dry between layers.

6.Once dry, using a combination of masking tape and accent colors, apply your choice of stripes or decorative details to the jersey.  Allow to dry overnight.

7.First using the 80 grit sandpaper or sponge, sand the edges of the jersey to distress it and reveal the MDF underneath.  You can also sand your painted details back to reveal either the MDF or the base paint underneath.  Re-sand those areas and the entire surface with the 150 grit sandpaper/sponge.

8.Dilute some dark brown craft paint with water until it is the consistency of a stain.  Dip a rag into the diluted paint and apply to the jersey’s edges or anywhere an antique tone is desired.

9.Allow to dry

10.Mount either a sawtooth hanger or picture hanging wire to the back of the jersey for mounting.

Condition the chalkboard by rubbing the entire surface with chalk.  Either leave some chalk residue by lightly erasing the chalk or remove it all with a damp sponge.

Personalize the jersey with numbers, names or personal messages.

Through PoshTots, artist Colleen Phelon Hall designed and custom made a wall hanging for Blue Ivy, the newest addition to the duo Jay-Z & Beyonce. Based on Beyonce’s love of Chanel designs, Colleen incorporated pink flowers, gold, and a little “bling” inspired by their jewelry line.  It is a 24×30 wall hanging with beaded fringe and over 100 hand-applied crystals and embellishments.  Colleen states, “I included some stylized ivy along with four butterflies as I had read the couple loved the number 4 (IV).” It was featured on MTV and is on its way to the famous couple!

Whether you’re starstruck, completely uninterested in celebrity news, or a closet celebrity-aholic and can’t get enough – there is no denying the influence this couple has had on this generation. Congratulations to Colleen for this exciting accomplishment and having this envious opportunity. We always knew your art was “Irreplaceable”.