Last year I came up with something quick and easy to occupied Ela on the rainy day.
She laid down on very large piece of paper and I drew her outline.

She then add details and coloured it.
We cut the outline out, just because she wanted to carry it around everywhere :)

Yesterday we recreated  this, with the small change of adding some stickers, paper scraps and other bits to have ever more fun ;)

Step 1.
Outline your child :)
Here we used 2 x A3 sheets of paper and tape it together to fit Ela's size.
You can use many A4 pages too ;)

Step 2.
Gather any craft accessories you have at home, including glue and scissors.

I added some mirror too so Ela could explore her face :)



Step 3.
Let your child do whatever they want with their outline using materials provided :)
Let the fun begin!

I suggest filling large spaces with a paper scraps, it's easier than colouring and gives some pretty effects ;)

And some sequins to add more texture.

There we have!
Our second Ela.
Well not quite but we're happy with it :)
I then cut the outline of the page.

Outline activity is great for girls and boys.
They don't have to look like themselves, but dressed as astronauts and robots using kitchen foil or be a funny hairy monsters using yarn, is up to them who they will like to be. 

At this moment Ela nr 2 is is checking on progress of our refurbishment in Ela's room.
Who knows, she might even integrate with the room design...
Stay tuned, few inspirations to come on the way I promise ;)

                                    Enjoy your crafts!

Mamaisdreaming

Hello!
I decided to add one more section to my blog, so I could still connect with you when not making anything :)
We not always making or crafting you know, we going out or just living a little happy moments like any average family.
I simply love capturing them :)
Two weeks ago, along with the other kids and families Ela celebrated International Evening at school.
Kids were welcome to come dressed in their national costumes.
You should see those colours and different type of fabrics, so wonderful...Children from around the world looked amazing.
There was singing, dancing and food tasting.
I tried curries (I love curry!), Ela tried cakes :)

To make her feel special that day I borrowed few traditional Polish clothing pieces from our generous friends and added few accessories we had on hand.

If you enjoy culture and folklore costumes history I would like to get you in the mood by sharing  great article from Culture.pl - "Polish folk fashion.Pure joy!" :)

I love Polish folklore ornaments, here traditional beaded embroidery vest.
This piece is very hard to get those days, especially abroad.
Little purse and scarf behind I bought few years ago in Krakow.

I also painted a little flag on her chick.

I painted traditional folklore rooster when celebrated at the Nursery 1,5 year ago :)

Wow, you can tell she has grown up since then :)

I completed the look with headband using crepe paper flowers I made in the past.

At the nursery...

and this year at Year 1 :)

We had a nice time that day :)

Mamaisdreaming

Welcome in October!
We are staying in Fall mood for a bit longer.
I don't know about you but here in London the season is lovely at the moment.
Sunny and colourful :)

Today I would like to share with you easy and very enjoyable craft - Autumn leaves sun catchers...not made of tissue paper but the real fallen leaves :)
Here we go!

Step 1.
Go out and collect your leaves!

No Ela, we don't need that many ;)

Step 2.
Print out our leaf outlines!
No printer?Why not try to draw it yourself ;)

To print click here


Step 3.
Prepare your materials :
fallen leaves
Autumn leaves printable
tracing paper pages
PVA glue
black thick marker pen
scissors

I bought my tracing paper pad here.

Step 4.
Turn some good music on!
I wanted to introduce Ela to soothing music of legendary Nat King Cole so I put on his "Autumn leaves" and then we get on with a full playlist from Spotify:)
You Tube is annoying me with the commercials between every song, grrr :/

Step 5.
Attach tracing paper to printable with paper clips and start tracing shapes of the leaves.
Give your child a try, they will love it ;)

Step 6.
Turn the tracing paper page over and glue the leave shapes,tear your fallen leaves and stick them on.

We choose to make yellow,green and red leaf.
Don't worry if tracing paper get all creased, this will give a nice texture later on ;) 


Now glue generously that leaves again, take one more page of tracing paper and stick on.
Press it down.


It should look like this on the right side ;)

Step 7.
Cut leaves out.
Ela was dancing to the music while I help with cutting ;)

I then redo the edges of the leaves with marker pen.

Now put your leaves between the paper pages and then into some book, press with pile of other books for a few hours or a whole day...just like with a real fallen leaves ;)
You want them to be flat.

Step 8.
Find most sunny window and stick or hang your leaves to catch the sun rays :)



They look truly stunning  with visible real leaf pieces :)



Ela then use the printable as a colouring page ;)


                                                               Happy crafting!

Mamaisdreaming