bright 3-D set

  I'M HOME!!!!!!!!!!                                                             

Today, I painted an outrageously bright 3-D set. Originally, it was going to be just one painting-a light brown window looking out at a cloud, the sun, and a tree, but it didn't work out too well. Here is what you need:

white painting paper                                                                     4 paint colors
paintbrushes                                                                               small water bowl

Dip a paintbrush into the water, then the paint. Paint the entire paper with the color. This is color 1 in stage 1. Paint a square on the paper in a different color-color 2 in stage 2. In another color, paint a rhombus over the square, which will be color 3 in stage 3. Lastly, in a fourth color, paint another rhombus at the square's side as color 4 in stage 4. Set that aside to dry. On your next painting, put color 4 in stage 1, color 1 in stage 2, color 2 in stage 3, and color 3 in stage 4. Set that aside to dry, then do another painting with color 3 in stage 1, color 4 in stage 2, color 1 in stage 3, and color 2 in stage 4. This is where I stopped because I didn't have enough time, but you can go on to color 2 in stage 1, color 3 in stage 2, color 4 in stage 3, and color 1 in stage 4, if you like.

Other Ideas
If you want, you can go even farther, and think of other combinations of stages and colors. You could also make a chart of your set, like the one below.

                       color 1 color 2  color 3  color 4  color 1  color 2  color 3  color 4
            stage 1   *                                                                                        *
            stage 2               *                                      *
            stage 3                            *                                     *
            stage 4                                         *                                     *

                       color 1 color 2  color 3  color 4  color 1  color 2  color 3  color 4
            stage 1                            *                                     *
            stage 2                                         *                                     *

            stage 3   *                                                                                        *

            stage 4               *                                     *

Any 3 dimensional figure would work for this project, but you are the creator of your own masterpiece, so you get to decide which road it travels on! 

easter tote

Today, I sewed an Easter tote! This was a 2 day project, but it was really fun. Here is what you need:

colored felt                                                              tulle (mine was yellow)
thread/ embroidery floss                                         sewing machine/ needle
scissors

With the scissors, cut 2 identical rectangles, one long skinny rectangle, and one long wide rectangle out of felt. Fold the long skinny rectangle in half the long way and hand stitch the sides together to make a felt tube. This will be the handle.

For my tote, I also cut two rectangles out of tulle to decorate the sides.

I couldn't think of how to explain the instructions using words, so I made a picture.

I used my mom's sewing machine to stitch all the yellow parts, then I hand sewed the handle on.

Other Ideas
To make your Easter tote a little bit fancier, you can glue on glitter, different fabrics, buttons, or beads.  You could also use embroidery floss to stitch an outrageous design on the side. Make it your own because you're the artist!

wedding card

Today, I painted a wedding card. (Congratulations Randy and Michelle!!!) Here is what you need:

acrylic paint paper                    gouache paint
pen                                         pencil
glue (I used Mod Podge)           paintbrushes
glitter                                      water
gluestick                                 white card

Make an outrageously light sketch of what you want to paint (in pencil) on the paint paper. Then, paint a wash over your sketch. A wash is created by putting a lot of water into some paint, then taking a wide paintbrush and painting over a whole paper.  This is the creamy background you see at left. After that, paint inside your sketch with whatever color you like. Wait for that to dry. Then, write your message in a fancy font with a fancy pen. I used a sparkly gel pen. Use a small paintbrush to apply glue dots all over the paper and sprinkle glitter over it. Using the gluestick, attach your painting to a plain white card.



Other Ideas
This style of card making can be used for thank you cards, birthday cards, holiday cards, or any other kind of card. You can also add more to your painting, like giving it a border, or gluing feathers onto it. There are many options, but you get to choose which one to follow, since you are the artist!

persuasive cupcakes

Today, I made some persuasive cupcakes. It was my first ever batch of cupcakes, and it turned out really good! Here's what you need:

already baked cupcakes                                             frosting
food coloring (I used the gel kind)                                toothpicks
paper                                                                        pen
sprinkles

Put  the frosting into a big bowl and dye it with any color of food coloring you desire. Then, spread the frosting all over each cupcake and put sprinkles on it. Just don't tip the sprinkle jar too much, or there will be an outrageous mess! Write little messages on pieces of paper and glue toothpicks to the back. Then, stick a sign into each of the cupcakes and you're done!

Other Ideas
Cupcakes are the best when they are shared! You can bring persuasive cupcakes to any party, and they will disappear super fast! Of course, there are so many options, but the person who does the art is always the one to decide!

all of the cupcakes

my favorite cupcake

the recipe

nail art

Today, I did some beautiful nail art! I had gotten the pens for christmas, but had never even opened them. Here is what you need:

nail pens                                                        nail polish
fingernails/toenails                                          clear nail polish

Put a layer of clear nail polish on your nails and wait for it to dry. Then, paint your nails with any color of polish you want. When the nail polish is completely dry, you can draw an outrageous design on your nails with the nail pen.

Other Ideas
If you want, you can add a little extra to your nail art, like putting sparkles on it or painting on a white tip. You could even do the white tip with a nail pen! Remember, though, when you are doing art, you get to make the choice, too!

super size hopscotch

Today, I made an outrageously sized hopscotch course! I worked on it for a long time with a friend, but our work finally paid off! Here's what you need:

a really long sidewalk                         chalk

Draw a bunch of connected boxes all the way down the sidewalk and fill them with numbers that go as high as you like. Then do the whole thing and time yourself!

Other Ideas
Remember, this doesn't have to be an ordinary hopscotch course. Add some interesting things to it, like places where you have to cartwheel, spin, or jump. Write little encouraging messages, too, like,"Good job!" and,"You did it!" and,"Almost there!". Or, you could do two identical tracks running on either side of the street, and race a partner to the finish! Always remember, though, that no matter what art you are doing, the choice is always yours!

HOPSCOTCH

me doing a cartwheel

follow the purple brick road

cartwheel

bouncy, bouncy, bouncy

the end

apple tree

secret code

Today, I found a coded letter I once wrote to myself. I did this a long time ago, so I don't remember what the code is, so I don't even know what it says! Here's what you need:

paper                                                                                            pencil

Think up a number or symbol for each letter of the alphabet. Then, write a secret message, story, or song with your code! It looks really cool if you just do the alphabet over and over and then frame it.

Gzitk Ortql

Oy ngx pxlz vqfz zg rg ziol qkz ygk sggal qfr fgz ygk vkozofu qezxqs vgkrl, ngx eqf pxlz doj xh kqfrgd lndwgsl zg dqat oz sgga egga. Gk, ngx egxar vkozt q ltfztfet gk hqkqukqhi ziqz ngx ziofa iql, zitf zkqflsqzt oz wtsgv. Ktdtdwdk, qskfu vozi qkz ekdtl zit eikoet!

(This is what is written below in code!)

Other Ideas:

If you just want to do this art for looks and not for writing actual words, you can just mix up random symbols to make it look cool. Or, you could write a sentence or paragraph that you think has meaning, then translate it below. Remember, along with art comes the choice! 

cartoon math

Today, I drew some cartoon math. It took a long time, but my math teacher was really impressed! Here's what you need:

paper                                                                pencil

sharpie

Write a title on the top of your paper. Then, think of a rule for the function box. Draw a big box in the middle of the paper with conveyor belts connecting to the front and back. Draw all the numbers going through the inside of the function box. Label everything to make it more clear.

Other Ideas

Make sure to go over your title and other important things with a sharpie to make them stand out more. You could also draw the numbers going through outrageous phases inside the function box, or draw a crowd of stick people watching the numbers going through the dreaded box. But remember, if you ever get a package in the mail labeled, "art", then there will also be a tiny little box that is labeled, "choice".

sidewalk message board

We couldn't fit the whole message into one photograph, so we just did it in separate sections. You can still tell what it says, though, right?

Today, I posted something in an outrageous style on my sidewalk message board! My neighbor and I just call it that because we use it to spread news and messages. Here is what you need:

sidewalk                                                                   chalk

Grab some chalk and just start drawing! You can write, too, and draw pictures to go with the message, too, or draw pictures that are completely different! That's what I did.      

Other Ideas
A message board can be used for so many things. Write HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GET WELL, WELCOME HOME, HAPPY EASTER, or MERRY CHRISTMAS! You could also just draw pictures. The art you make is chosen by you!



                                           

stamp animals

Today, I made some stamp animals. They got my fingertips blue (and the dishcloth), but I'm happy about how they turned out. Here's what you need:

stamp pad                                                                  sharpie
paper

Press your thumb hard into any color in the stamp pad and press it onto the paper. Add the finishing touches to your stamp with the sharpie to make it look like a person or animal. Keep thinking up more animals that you can draw-with stamps!

Other Ideas
Try using different color stamps for different animals, or put 3 colors into one animal! Another cool idea-maybe you can create your own outrageous comic strip! That would be awesome. It's your choice, though!

traveling gnome

Today, I made a traveling gnome. It traveled all over the house! Here is what you need:

wood cylinder                                        sharpie
cotton ball                                              paper

Make a cone out of construction paper and glue it onto one end of the wood cylinder. Glue a cotton ball near the bottom of the cylinder and draw a face on it that looks like a gnome. Then, take it on trips and vacations so it can travel around the world! Take pictures of it every time it goes to a new place!

Other Ideas
Make a scrapbook of all the places your gnome has traveled to, or give a traveling gnome to your friend to be a memo of all the interesting places she's ever been to! Also, if you don't travel a lot, just take pictures of him all over your house. Always remember that the choice is yours!

OUTRAGEOUS TRAVELING GNOME COLLAGE

in his tree house

visiting jupiter

discovering some new planet

traveling to the moon

on a vacation at saturn

at his cabin

watching a hurricane from space

seeing a crater

playing hide and go seek

having tea

before the big bang

in a daisy-filled meadow

cooking

going to bed

with the refrigerator magnets

taking a bath

Umm, pretend the gaps in the above collage are supposed to be there.   Moving on ....

on a date in a beautiful, grassy, predator-free meadow

still on a date in a beautiful, grassy, predator-free meadow

danger ...

getting his girl stolen on his date in an ugly, dirty, dangerous meadow

crackle nails

Today, I crackled my nails. My friend had just gotten the special crackle nail polish, so we decided to try it out. Here's what you need:

nail polish                                                      crackle nail polish

fingernails/toenails                                         clear nail polish

Paint your nails with clear polish. After that is dry, put a layer of regular nail polish on, and put another coat on if it is not dark enough. Lightly brush over your nails with the crackle nail polish-it won't crack if you do a heavy coat. When the nail polish dries, it cracks, leaving an outrageous design on your nail! Do another coat of clear to make it stay on longer.

Other Ideas

Try putting sparkly nail polish over the crackle, or paint a different color polish on the tip. These can both be used to dress up any outfit! Remember, though, it's your choice!

Here is a closeup of one of my nails.

sandpaper crayon drawings

This one was done on black sandpaper

Today, I made some crayon drawings on sandpaper.  They turned out really beautiful! Here's what you need:

sandpaper                                       crayons

This project is basically just taking a crayon and drawing a design on sandpaper. The cool thing, though, is that the colors show up outrageously bright on sandpaper. They are so beautiful!

Other Ideas
Try different colors and types of sandpaper and find out which one turns out the brightest! Also, as always, you can add glitter to make it stand out more. Get some more ideas from arts and crafts books. I want to give a big thank you to The Kid's Arts and Crafts Book, where I get a lot of my inspiration and ideas. Always remember that you are in charge of your own decisions!