Ice Cream Cone Collages

 This was the first project I did with the 1rst and 2nd grade class and they loved it! We talked about pattern, and several children demonstrated some patterns they could think up on some circles I had drawn on a piece of paper. Then, they were off!

 First they drew their ice cream cones with a sharpie pen. Look at this one! It has a bunny ice cream scoop with a carrot!

 They painted their drawings, which we dried with a blow dryer to speed up the process, and then cut them out. Here is a cone with a girl's face, complete with earrings.

 This cone must have taken time to cut out with such accuracy. After the cones were dry, the children glued them onto a background paper they chose.

 For those who wanted to add whipped cream, I had some cotton wool.

 I see some very meticulous painting in this cone with its two sizes of dots!

 I also had a basket of red soda bottle caps for cherries on top.

 It is fun to see the different waffle cone designs and arrangements of ice cream scoops.

 Timko likes whipped cream so much that he covered his whole ice cream cone with it!

Look at the patterns on this one! I wonder what these children would do with the St. Basel's pattern project I did with the older children?

Robot Collage for First and Second Graders

 I got the idea for doing a robot collage from Deep Space Sparkle. Look at these adorable robots! This happy robot seems to be doing a little dance.

I showed the children some cut out shapes: rectangle, circle, triangle, square, and a trapezoid. I also showed them a sample robot using lots of colors, and told them to make their robot any way they wanted.

"You mean we get to use our imaginations?" Of course the answer was, "Yes!!!!"

We put out my collection of metallic papers, which I collect from chocolate boxes, shopping bags, Pepperidge Farm cookie bags, and coffee bags. We also put out lots of buttons, some foam scraps, construction paper and scraps, some painted or colored collage papers, (this is the fate of unclaimed art, I'm afraid,) and a few other odds and ends. The children are great at discovering the potential of collage materials. I also had a little wooden fig packet which I had brought in to put markers in, and while my back was turned it became part of several robots. I didn't mind; I was amazed at the creativity. I love how brave first and second graders are! One child said that she didn't know how to make the body. I urged her to try drawing the body with a pen before cutting it out. Off she went...problem solved. Have a look at these very individual robots!

 This robot has a folded cardboard head which Ruby, our helper, helped the child create by scoring with scissors.

 This robot has wonderful golden three dimensional eyes made with a plastic liner from a candy box.

 The child who made this robot told me it was a grandpa robot, complete with cane.

 And the child who made this one said her robot was a sea captain.

 This robot is jumping into a pool from a 300 meter high diving board, the base of which is the yellow line at right.

 The little girl who created this lively robot spent an enormous amount of time quietly and patiently working on it. She always gets very involved. I think her patience shows!

 This is a robot elf, the little girl who made it told me.

 Just in case it isn't clear, a little dialogue bubble lets you know that this is a robot, and a wonderfully graphic robot it is!

 This robot is sticking his tongue out!

Look how the girl who made this robot used a red and gold shopping bag, twisted up, to make hair in ponytails, decorated by a candy box liner barrette!

What a great project!!!!

St. Basel's Inspired Children's Paintings

Did you need to see some color today? Then look at these amazing paintings done by children in 3rd, 4rth, and 5th grade.

We looked at some pictures of St. Basel's Cathedral in Moscow. What a wonderful inspiration! Onion domes, swirls, checks, and other colorful patterns.

I asked the children to use large sharpie pens to draw their buildings. I encouraged everyone to be imaginative and make it the way they wanted. We talked about patterns a little, and three children demonstrated some patterns they could think up. I asked them to put pattern on the rooftops and on the sides of the buildings.

After using the sharpies they could add details with gold and silver paint pens.

Then it was time for watercolor paint! Look at the colors and details! I wish I had a poster of these paintings in my studio. They make me want to paint. According to Brenda Ueland, that's what art is...infection! When you see art, it makes you want to create, too.

Weaving With the Littlest Ones

Kindergarten and first graders can have a little trouble remembering to alternate their weaving strips as they move from row to row.  Here is an experiment I am going to try where even if they forget I think it will all hold together pretty well!  The bases are pieces of paper.....Do you think that will be too floppy? I could staple them to card after they are finished weaving.  I have a gorgeous collection of fabric strips ready to use.

Kaffe Fassett Show at the American Museum

I can't wait to go this Fall.  We would also like to go to the Harry Potter Museum.  The show will be there until November.  Wow!  There is a link to the American Museum in Bath, England, below.

http://americanmuseum.org/2014/03/my-opera-of-colour/

Color Inspiration Thanks to Amy Butler

Blossom #2, Amy Butler's online magazine is out!

Here's the link....

http://issuu.com/amybutlerltd/docs/blossomissue02/68

New Directions

 I started Acorn Pies to share some of the crafts, art, and outdoor adventures which I was doing with my youngest child.  He is older now and the emphasis has shifted.  I thought for a while that Acorn Pies was done and I stopped posting for a while.  But Acorn Pies and I are just growing in new ways.  As always, you will find lots of color inspiration here.

 Homekeeping.

 My art experiments.

 The outdoor fun and family adventures go on, but I will probably post less about them now to give my child more privacy now that he is older.

 Inspiration and excitement from my after school art classes.  (You won't be seeing any faces here, just busy hands.)

 Crafts.

 Some baking fun.

 Travel.

 Flowers and Swiss Happiness!

More pictures, fewer words.  Sometimes, just one special picture, and maybe no words at all.  Acorn Pies:  I hope it will continue to be a place for you to come for cheerful colors, inspiration, and joy.