things she loves

I completely owe this idea to a picture I found on Eren's photostream. It was the perfect find, not only because it was the day before Valentine's, but also because I was looking for something a little "light" for our school day that afternoon. 

At Christmas I had purchased a three-pack of painting canvases for the girls and stashed them away--forgetting to put them under the tree. They were perfect for this project. 

On each canvas I painted the text. That day, the girls sat at their desks and started brainstorming on a piece of paper all the things they loved...they kept their paper handy and as inspiration hit, they jotted something else down. (Can you tell what book Emma just finished reading?)

They were so into this project. It was so much fun. It kept such a positive focus. And they revisited it over and over. In fact, I still catch them pulling their canvases down from the ledge where they hang and adding something new. 

I painted in acrylics. They wrote with my set of colored sharpies. 

And I can't recommend this simple, fun project enough. 

P.S. Click here for a "translation" of Mary's words.

Comments

[blair]

What a great project! Seems like something both my kids would be into, and it would be so fascinating to see each of their different brains come at it.

[Gina :]

what a fun project! that would be a wonderful way to capture their "loves" each year as they grow.

[brandy]

I saw that picture too and have it on my list to do with the kids! Yours turned out great!

http://minivanlife.wordpress.com

[Mary-- The Yellow Door Paperie]

What a great idea! I love that it's so what they are into right now.

Wonderful!

[amy]

Wonderful! I have had some canvases sitting in my craft stuff just waiting for an inspiring idea - this is it! :)

[susan]

Very nice memento of their current personalities! I was laughing at your commentary on Taylor Swift in the translation. My girlies are big into Taylor Swift too. So much so that I have secretly gotten tickets for their first concert in May. My sister and I will be road tripping 2+ hours to the concert and a one night hotel stay with my daughters. I'm fairly certain they are going to FREAK!! Should be fun, but I don't know if my eardrums will recover. ;)

[Stefani]

so cute!

[mama-pan]

nice! I, too, love "FidlrontheRoof." A pictoral version of this would be lovely, too.

[Vintage Chica]

Aaack! I love your girls take on this...just precious. Makes me want to do one every year.

[Kelly]

this is a great idea! what fun for your girls.

[mary]

Totally agree with the Man from Snowy River one of my faves and I thought the backwards soccer was Neccos (the little candies). Fiddler on the Roof was my favorite album when I was 7, I listened to it on my suitcase record player. Such a wonderful idea. We will definitely be doing this.

[Meowmie]

That looks like a heap of fun. I'd like to do that with DD who has just turned 4. It'd be interesting to see what she would do each year, actually.

[Lisa Kirker]

I saw this on Eren's blog - LOVE what your girls did with it! My favorite..."XOXO". Me too.

[Mary Ray]

I used one of these canvases at a casual picnic wedding and appliqued a bride and groom in the middle with a mini bouquet in the bride's hand. Then I had the guests put comments and sign it! It sat on the present table during the reception for all to see. It was fun!

[Steve H]

Great idea. My partner is a primary school teacher and is always looking for inspired ways of helping emotional intelligence and philosophy flourish. I will pass this on.

[Table Protector]

Its really cool, I like this picture and your thought, I think if I send your site to me girlfriend so I sure she will very happy to use this article so thanks for share it.

[baccarat cigars]

I saw that picture too and have it on my list to do with the kids! Yours turned out great and best way.