Monday, December 17, 2012

life with lucy


I am finding each and every day that being a parent requires flexibility, patience and A LOT of creativity. I'm still working on the flexibility and patience part but I've got creativity down pat- which means I use it every chance I get!

What began as intentions to create salt dough hand print ornaments ended in lots of tears and fear (for some reason dough is a strange and scary sensation for 14 month old Lucy!) so I had to come up with something creative to do with a big batch of dough- FAST.



So I did what any artist would do....I pulled out the paint! 

I used a cookie cutter and cut out round ornaments and baked them in the oven. Once they cooled I coated them with gesso and let them dry. Then I let Lucy go wild painting them (we used Crayola non toxic paint and I mixed up some fun color for her to use). A simple alternative to our failed attempt at hand prints!


There were no tears or fear this time around because this kid loves to paint. And getting to watch and experience the joy and excitement that something as simple as a brush and color (and being messy) can bring- was TOTALLY worth having to switch gears with our little holiday project.





    


Lucy painted the entire batch of ornaments and I finished them off with a couple coats of gel medium to seal. I added ribbons and they are ready to use as gift toppers. 

HURRAY for paint, HURRAY for simple projects and HURRAY for creative problem solving!



45 comments:

Carin said...

Absolutely adorable! They turned out lovely too. I did similar things with my daughter when she was around that age. Now I'm thinking I should do it with my son too. A weekend project I think! Thanks for the idea.

Alina said...

She is so cute! I love when you post about her! And the Christmas ornaments are very nice! I bet she will love them when she gets older and you tell her that she painted them!

einata said...

She Is so sweet! I love your posts with Lucy, they always make me smile, also miss the time that my grown children were that age..
Thanks for sharing your family moments and your talent and creativity, you are always an inspiration to me.

livethegoldenrule said...

Just beautiful! She sure will get a kick out of seeing herself painting these in a few years. I sure do miss times like these. Love her beautiful little voice ;D) Thanks for making me smile.

linda z. said...

So precious!

Kara N said...

I love Lucy videos - she has such a great voice - and always looks like she's having such a wonderful time. Her hand painted gift toppers will certainly be special for your family and friends.

HollyM said...

What pretty ornaments. She does look completely enthral led with the paint. Lucky that you were able to switch gears. Flexibility is good with young ones.

Kathryn Zbrzezny said...

So sweet! I especially love the way Lucy painted her hand and examined the brush!! My own grown children remember making cookies and ornaments with me many years ago. My daughter can't wait to do this with her own children. I am blessed to be able to be creative with 22 children in my class too! Enjoying the moments... Lucy is just beautiful! Kathy

Sharon Tomlinson said...

Precious Lucy! So curious about her not liking the dough. Maybe she hasn't seen you demonstrate enough. But anyway her ornament toppers are treasures. And I just love a jabbering baby and with all the facial expressions too. Nothing sweeter!

Astridka said...

I love the video, too! I love Lucy and would like her as my seventh grandchild!
Sincerly
Astrid

lemondedekitchi.blogspot.de

Caryl said...

Just like her Ma Ma... watch this space she will soon be giving her own classes. Cutie Pie

Christie - Fine Lines said...

Love the video -- Lucy is already "speaking" like a true artist!!!

Mary said...

Oh my gosh, that was so fun to watch, and hear sweet Lucy's voice. I have a feeling she is very verbal! :)

Lynda said...

What a wonderful video! My pre-schoolers and I love watching Lucy videos! They request her all the time!

the Domina said...

As an artist who had 4 kids in 5 years, we do tons of creative projects together! I found early on that a vinyl covered tablecloth saved my tabletops, and an oilcloth or heavy-duty bib/smock was essential for the little ones. The oldest is now 11 and wants to be a writer/illustrator when she's older!

Christina said...

Great thinking! :) Way to save the day.

astr!d said...

that video is so cute!!!!! she was really talking to that paint brush!!!

Amy Munson said...

I am amazed at how my kids have taught me to be patient. I never really thought of myself as an inpatient person, but when dealing with a 3 year old it can be pushed to the limit. Merry Christmas.

Janie Husband said...

such special, special times....oh, what memories you will have each time you hold these in your hand.....babies grow so quickly....

Joanne said...

absolutely adorable -- a little artist in the making -- love her sweet baby talk -- put a big smile on my face and a tear in my eye after this horrific week end of such sad sad news -- thanks alisa for brightening my day --

Anonymous said...

She is so vocal. She is going to talk very early. Life is so rewarding with little ones.
Barb
NC

Cindy (JunqueArt) said...

I love it! She is so cute!!! Love her talking. Just makes me smile. I think you have an artist on your hands! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!

Shahrul Niza said...

awwww, not only she is so cute, she is super smart too!. adorable artist! HUGS to Lu.

mauihumv@gmail.com said...

I just LOVE the "baby babbles" Lucy is very talented just like her parents.

borcherding said...

good lord i needed that today! SO PRECIOUS! LOVE baby talk... THANK YOU!!

Geisslein said...

oh my godness, this post made my smile a lot! She is sooooo cuuuute! Thank you for posting this, after a long working day it was what I needed ;o)

Terri said...

Everybody does hand prints... artists paint. Any Granny or Gramps would love a first painted ornament.
Hugs

Sharon Stanley said...

cute as a button! and what a good idea...as much as we want our little ones to do what WE like or want them to do, they still have their own ideas....and this continues as teens just so you know....hehehehehe

se7en said...

Oh bless her little heart... I have never seen little Lucy cry... just too awful. And I am guessing it must happen... clever mum for changing gear!!!

halohill.blogspot.com said...

Oh my gosh, darling!! She definitely knows what the word "paint" means! She's so cute! Seems like she's saying "Mom" and then holding each of the two up separately asking you which one you like! :)

Hugs,

SHeila

Anonymous said...

Her chatting is so cute! I have a feeling my little one would just try to eat the paint if we did painting now, maybe in a few months time! :)

Giggles said...

Just adorable. Even though they don't speak well at this age I believe they understand what we say! Seems to me like she wanted more paint!! Just the cutest video, she was definitely communicating!! Love it!! Great ornaments too!

We just received a little Christmas tree ornament with pinky prints from a child, and it's so special and cherished!!

Hugs Giggles

Serena Lewis said...

What a fantastic and adorable idea!

Carol Sloan said...

That was so darn cute! She was really interacting with everything. I forgot how much the little ones "talk". Thank you for sharing with all of us!

ace maxs said...

nice post, i like it :)

kasey said...

I loved this post so much! Lucy is adorable and I loved the video of her painting! I think sometimes parents worry too much about kids getting dirty and forget that getting a little messy is nothing compared to the joy and learning that the experience can bring! :)

verobirdie said...

She looks so concentrated and happy.
Very good series of phots

Jeans 'n Tshirt said...

it is amazing to what how expressive she is while creating - she must ve learned that from you! even my 20 yo baby loved watching Lucy Paint!
thank you for sharing the gift of time with lucy! and your creativity!

Anonymous said...

He he:) Wszystkie dzieci są tak samo słodkie, bez względu na to, w jakim języku się do nich mówi:)

studioGypsy said...

just the sweetest!! and yes, flexibility!! whoohoooo mama!! xoxo

Silvia SF said...

I'm a Lucy's superfan!!!! She is sooooo cute and expresive. Congrats for this treasure and happy new year for all the family from Spain!

Annasofia said...

Hahaha,those pics are hilarious! She is so cute in the first one, I die... Kids are the best! Don't ever think it's up to you what medium she will use in her art projects, right?! :)

Anonymous said...

So friggin' adorable!!!!!

Mei めい said...

omg Lucy is really cute ><

http://japobsganbare.blogspot.com/

Frocktopus said...

You've got a right little artist there, they're lovely. You're making me broody now. Loving the blog, so inspiring, thankyou xxx

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