Elephant Experiment

For my Friday Finish, Here is an elephant I did for a challenge on redbubble.com. I didn't actually get to enter it into the challenge because they said it didn't meet the requirements. The group that issued the challenge is for Illustrators and they said this isn't an illustration, it's a collage. I know, however, that an illustration can be made in many ways. I usually use digital means along with sketches to make illustrations, this is hardly any different. Anyway, I love it and you can buy it as a postcard here-

I am also working on a children's book for my kids. I was going to use my usual drawing style for it, but now I am considering using this torn paper/mixed media look instead. Maybe with less muddy colors to make it more child friendly.

I also did this owl today...

I think he is cute. You can get a postcard of him too if you like... Here

Have a great weekend!

Misty

The Star Chart

Well, we have finally begun with some organization in this house. Along with a more organized bedtime schedule (which is still in an experimental phase) we have instituted what I like to call "The Star Chart" My four year old absolutely LOVES it and it is working wonders with him every day. (He was definitely getting out of control.. or should I say in control- of everything as in 'had Mama wrapped around his little finger')

The basics of the star chart is this- I decided on about 7 things each day that he can earn a star for. At night after our bath, we put a chair in front of the poster in the hall and he climbs up. I have a book of stickers that he gets to choose from to go with each star. He enjoys this, and I draw a star next to the sticker. (originally the stickers were supposed to be stars, but we didn't find any)

The last square is for extra stars earned for spontaneous things that day. (the only thing we have given that for is for him to take his medicine without fighting it and it helped alot!) We also put an extra star here (a really big one) if he gets all of the other stars for that day.

And here is the key for him- for every 20 stars he gets one dollar! We make a big deal of getting a dollar bill (so far we have lucked out finding one in the house each time lol) and we put it in the envelope we have tacked over the poster which says 'Micah's star money'. He usually uses it on a hot wheel, which is like gold for him. We are wondering if he will ever have the will power to wait and save up a few and get a bigger toy. I don't really push it though, after all, he is only 4!

Here is a photo of the chart. We just draw it on the poster and don't worry about perfection (obviously! lol)

Right now he gets stars for: Eating breakfast and or lunch/Being nice to Allie all day/ Being polite to Mommy and Daddy all day/ Helping with cleanup/ Brushing his Teeth/ Taking his nap with no fuss/ Eating all his Supper/ and Other.

He has improved a million times in several areas... he tries to clean his plate at meals now (unheard of before)... he is always nice to his sister (if he isn't, he starts apologizing right away!) ... it took several days before he stopped talking back to us, but he is trying to control himself now. We are seeing much less attitude than we were... thank goodness!!!... Also, naptime is now not a fight for me and him and I look forward to it soooo much more! YAY!

There is soon to be a second chart for me and his daddy too.. I am putting on mine- Didn't lose my patience all day with the kids/ Had prayer time/ Read the Bible/ excercised/ Cleaned kitchen (my most hated chore) and a few other things... For fun, I thought we would give ourselves a song on itunes as a little treat for so many stars. It isn't so much as a motivational tool for us, but a way to see if we are being consistant and to keep each other accountable.

Oh, and we are about to start awarding Micah a dollar for each memory verse he learns.

We have incorporated the 'Star Chart Ceremony' as I call it, into our new nightly bedtime routine. Like I said.. it has done wonders!!! I am so happy with it. Hubby really likes it too. I can't wait until Allie is old enough to participate also. I think they will probably get competitive with it.

As Micah grows we will change the goals he can get stars for. Soon there will be homeschool work and more household chores, as well as more behavioral goals.

I so hope he doesn't get bored with it!!! If you try it, definitely let me know!!!
Oh, here are some recent photos of our crew too....

Baby Noah... being petted by his loving big bro! (Noah is two months old today!)

My baby girl is getting big.. but not to big for the bouncy seat appearantly!

We built this city... (I like singing that when I think of this photo! lol)

Chaos and Murphy's law

Things have been busy around here this week. It is 6 weeks since the new year began and that is how long I gave myself before trying to start some resolutions. I have managed to begin a few, but mainly everything has been sidelined this week by lots of speed bumps. We did however, institute a new bedtime routine, which Joey is happy about and also a reward system has begun for our 4 yr old, in which he earns stars on a chart each night for things he did during the day, like go to nap without complaining and being nice to his sister all day. When he gets 20 stars he will get a dollar which is equal to a new HotWheel, which to him is like gold! It is working! He is acting a million times better when asked to so something and is really watching his behaviour more!
I will get back with more on that later, right now I hear a 6 week old calling!
Laters!

Octo-finish!

Here is the illustration I finished this week. I took a lot of time to work on the details. I am pretty happy with him. I have 2 other animals finished too, I may post them later. I am going to find some kind of project in which to use all these guys together soon. I am planning to do some sketches tonight. We had a very rarely seen snow day here in Louisiana today, and I have been busy uploading pics this evening to facebook. I will probably post some of those on here tommorrow. As for now, gotta go cook some supper! Feel free to grab my button and show everyone your accomplishments on fridays!

Craftiness for V-day!

I took a little time this week to make homemade Valentines cards. I got this great idea from Pink and Green Mama. Hers are probably better, but hey, I am just glad I actually took the time to do it! Here are mine-

I used some drawings of Allie's and cut hearts out of them. (she mainly fills papers up with lots and lots of scribbling) Then I layered those hearts on top of some cardstock ones I cut out and then put another tiny cardstock heart on top and sewed them onto the folded cardstock card with my sewing machine. (which just happened to already be threaded with red thread) and it didn't take long at all.

Then I cut out hearts from Micah's drawings and sewed them on the inside. I outlined hers in red and his in blue. I wanted the cards to have parts made by both of them. I think the grandparents will love them. I love them! I also may send some to our friends kids. I know that Micah is ecstatic when he gets anything in the mail, so maybe they will enjoy them too.

The only problem is that I only made about 11 and now I want to send more, so I may be cutting hearts out again today.

Also today I want to share a photo of my husband looking really cheesy. He is a cutie though. I give him most of the credit for the adorability of our kids....

Who has two thumbs and looks good in black?

This Guy!

Hahaha! Have a great day!

Misty

So much for Wednesday blogging, Come back on Friday!

I was going to participate in a great thing called Wishful Wednesdays yesterday, but due to our having to go out of town unexpectedly, I didn't have much time. Hubby's aunt died suddenly this week and we had to go see family. Anyway, I will probably try to do that next Wednesday.

As for this week, I have a fun new thing to present on Friday so come back then!! I'm looking forward to it!

Finally Finished Friday!

Finally Finished Friday!

I have decided to start something new. I have wanted to dedicate a day to posting some of my artwork and I finally came up with a name for it. Here is my first piece that I finished this week. It is an illustration that I dreamed up one night while putting my son to bed. I wanted to do a really fun lion who would be at home in a children's book. Sometimes I toy with the idea of creating a children's book with my 4 year old and having it printed just for him. I have no aspirations to actually get published, because that takes much time and energy, and the chances of suceeding in that business without some sort of contact in the industry is slim. I don't mind taking chances like that, but I want to put my eggs in another artistic basket so to speak.

Anyway, I think making a book just for my son, with his help would be fun. I like how he turned out and I will be adding him to my portfolio. I hope to be motivated to do many more drawings this year that will build up my portfolio and breed new creative ideas. I really have virtually nothing right now to show anyone who wants to see my work.

So...that is my finished project for this week! Each friday I will try to post some sort of finished project that I may have completed earlier in the week, or if I get desperate- something I have made in the past. I have a few quilt projects that I need to finish, so they may end up here too. If you want to join me, feel free to grab my new button below and post some type of finished project on your blog on fridays. If you are feeling generous, link back to me so I can get more traffic and please comment on my blog telling me you are participating so I can come see too!

Here is my button! Take and distribute!!! Link back to me please!!!