Faces Rip Art

My 8 year old is a joker. The other day he ripped out some magazine pages and held a huge mouth in front of his own. Light bulb! We made an event out of it.

People. I cannot stop laughing at these!

Idea Formulation Generator

Found this book of postcards at Barnes and Noble recently. It made for a fun Maker Break one evening while picnicking in the yard. I love summer evenings!

Our favorite ideas, in case you were wondering:

Origami Rock Water

'Everything Is Awesome' Dirt Clothes

Shockapow Plant Undies

Liquid Seed Toothpaste

Uhduh Dirt Diapers

At first, some of my kids were complaining about their results. "That doesn't make sense!" 

It became an amusing challenge to flesh out how random words could be actual items.

Keri Smith (the author) has done some amazing books and apps that challenge how you interact with the world. I love what I've seen so far and can't wait to try out more with my boys.

Okay, now you play!

Nature's Rorschach

My favorite genus is Coleoptera. 

Recently I spotted a new-to-me Steve Jenkins book (on beetles!) so I had to get it. Mr. B. and I pored over the cut art collages and juicy facts. (EX: Natural history museums use the Hide Beetle (whose diet consists of dried skin/dead flesh) to clean animal bones for display. Sorry--that's just cool.)

The markings on many of the beetles reminded me of inkblot tests. 

I think it's beatiful. I can't articulate why, but the fact that inkblot patterns have existed for thousands of years on the backs of tiny beetles is…..stunning. What other beauties and functions exist all around me, if I just had eyes to see?

Also, cool inkblot shirt and diy art.

Images via 100 Scope Notes.

Chroma Zoo

Fun activity for a preschooler: sort and photograph your toys.

We chose animals by color. E loved it; so did I! There is something therapeutic about creating order in this world, even if for a moment….