Okay, so there are tons of moms (like here, here and here) out there that relish in craft time with their kids.  It is something I wish that I wanted to do and often feel guilty about.  I honestly just don't do well with the mess.  I desire to foster creativity in the girls which means I have to give up a bit of control.  As much as I love Crayola for their Color Wonder products, I know that experience with REAL paint can't be matched.
So we went to the craft store today and I let the girls each pick a paint.  I also grabbed some foam brushes and a two pack of 16 x 20  pre-stretched canvases.
We went out in the backyard and painted away.  Lucy takes a more liberal approach and covered the canvas in seconds.
Halley is focused and trying her best not to get paint on herself.  She could spend hours covering the canvas perfectly.
While the paint was wet I wiped off their hands and feet and put them on the canvas.  Their clean, dry hands take off just a bit of the wet paint leaving a simple, perfect outline of their hand and footprints.  I found the idea here and am so glad that I actually decided to do it, instead of just bookmarking it.  A few minutes in the tub and they were sparkling clean and proud of what they created.  I need to do this more often.


15 Comments

  1. I love it! I used to be the same way...not so hot on the mess that "art" can take on. But, that all changed when I worked in a classroom full of 5 year olds....I learned real quick just how fun (and important) that mess can be....what a fun project! Can't wait to see more int he future....

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  2. We love crafts in our house. This is a great one! I love it! Thanks for sharing!

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  3. This is so wonderful! I love the colors they picked out too!
    Happy painting!!!

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  4. love this. so cute. i side with you on the mess. but then again, i have a boy and he cares nothing about painting, unless i let him use his cars and trucks...

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  5. Now that looks fun! I am right there with you on the whole "mess" aspect! I REALLY struggle with that myself, but try to force myself outside of what is most convenient and let them do messy things every now and again!! I hadn't seen or thought of this one!!

    It looks like a fun idea for a hot Arizona afternoon!! And who wouldn't love to look at those little hands and feet forever frozen in time?!!

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  6. Wow, you are brave. Looks like a lot of fun though! We just bought some bath paints at our house...lots of mess but easy cleaning since we only use them at bathtime! My kind of clean-up!
    -Carrie

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  7. I love this idea!! I think I will try it with my kiddies.
    Elise

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  8. Oh julie..this is fabulous!!! You are such a great mommy and inspiration to us all!! I just love this idea!!
    Have a Love-fully!!

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  9. These turned out so good! I will definately need to do this.

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  10. Don't feel bad Julie...I don't deal with mess or giving up quality control well either. I love that you take them outside to make the mess. I should try that when not triple digits any more.

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  11. They are so wonderful! And now you will have those masterpieces forever! We usually do those sorts of projects when Dad is not home, he doesn't always see the "vision" and the mess freaks him out!

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  12. How cute! The colors are GREAT!

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  13. What did you use to put their names on there?? I love it. I'm not a big fan of messy projects but I may be willing to try this. Thanks for sharing!

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  14. Great idea!!! I am doing this week!!!

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  15. wow thats gorgeous! i just need to buy the supplies then i will do this as well!

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