Works For Me- Painting fun

Posted by Cindy

June 27, 2007 |

I thought I would take a shot at joining the Works For Me Wednesday fun over at Rocks In My Dryer. Not only does it mean I get to flex my mental muscle in coming up with a great tip to share, but I also get to enjoy all the wonderful tips others have shared. There are always creative tips and advice there that I feel a bit nervous sharing.

Even though we have a nice collection of paint brushes, they often end up ruined as the bristles get smoshed and smashed into the paper in an attempt to make designs that you just can’t normally do. I have gone to the various arts and craft stores looking at stamps and sponges, but they often cost more than I am willing to pay. After a bit of tweaking things I have found a few household items that work beautifully in stead.

Potatos cut in half and dipped into paint make fun designs when smooshed against the paper. Onions and bell peppers are other foods that make great stamps. Carrots can be fun rollers, as do celery and leeks. Ordinary kitchen sponges also make their way into our art area as fun additions. We’ve dug around the house and have used everything from old screws, wooden clothes pins, combs, corrugated cardboard, and more. We’ve even taken strings, diped them in the paint, and dropped them on the paper to make unique swirls and lines.

You can use just about anything when painting with your kids to make creative and unusual pictures. Look all over your house and garage to find more thigns that you can paint with. Searching for new items is almost as fun as painting with them.

Comments

4 Comments so far

llamamomma on June 27, 2007 6:19 am
Very fun! Thanks for sharing!
T with Honey on June 27, 2007 1:31 pm
I’ll have to try painting with string later this week. My 2 year old destroys paint brushes so I usually just let her use her hands or sponges. This would be a fun change.
Summer on June 28, 2007 12:31 am
I’m glad you liked my idea. My toddler loves to use string to paint. He loves to use anything, actually. LOL
Sincerely Anna on June 28, 2007 6:09 pm
Great idea! I’ve never tried this at home and need to think a little outside the paintbrush! I remember when Jake’s MOPS class painted with apple halves for a Fall project and it was really cute. Thanks for commenting on my WFMW, by the way!