Painting Love-Prints

Out in the warm breeze of summer, six little cousins painted their favourite things upon a paper canvas unfurled.

They found interesting things around the yard to paint with as well.

They worked quietly and eagerly and excitedly called their Auntie ("Mommy" to a few) over to peruse now and then.

A long line of children happily working together made the Auntie's heart sing.

The journey is often more important than the finished product so when things got a little silly at the end, paint spattered and water was spilled and their masterpieces were no longer frame-able.

They didn't seem to mind.

Children painted each other and walked on hands and feet to make body prints on the long canvas.

And, they left a love-print on their Auntie's heart.

Of Sausage Fingers and Happy Faces

This is my favourite artwork in our home. Thanks to our friends, the Maretzki family, I got this wonderful idea to have Emily draw pictures of the six of us and frame them. I chose her because I'm in love with her pre-school rendition of our body parts. In the past year, her drawings have evolved from a head with sticks coming out of it for arms and legs to full a torso, complete with sausage-like appendages. Each person is never dressed without a big happy face smile. Much nicer than our last family photo shoot for sure :)

Versatile Art

Emily's drawings have transformed this past year, especially her people. Where sticks once held up a large, over-sized "pumpkin" head, a body takes it's place. Arms have substance and fingers are thicker. Toes are now attached to legs, as well! Backgrounds are vividly coloured in and precious care is taken in creating her life-like people. She even looked in the mirror to find out where the ears go :) But what is even more amazing is the versatility of her art. This particular drawing was given to Daddy, with love, and he was told it was a picture of him. Later, when I needed a lift, the portrait was gifted to me with the assurance that it was indeed a replica of me. I suppose if we're off to the grandparents' house in the next few days, it might also resemble them :)

Oh, to hold on to these days of my little ones forever!

Autumn Sparkles With Beauty

I shiver and wrap my cardigan across my heart. The cool air mixes with my breath and for the first time this season I can see it puff out in front of me. There is a smell of snow and although it may not come for many weeks, I can sense it. I feel a sigh escape my lips and I immediately repent. I'm a summer girl and the cold is not my friend. But there is a beauty that sparkles in this lovely time of year and I purposely notice it. I will embrace this season and the next with vigor and thank the Lord for the gift of His artwork in creation.