Last week was rather wretched for us. What with running into town several times for doctor visits, blood work and all the emotional and physical ups and downs that accompany a miscarriage (11 weeks along this time) our school work was the bare bones. Essentials were accomplished but not much else. On Wednesday I decided we needed something a little more cheerful to brighten our day. We followed Eric Carle’s instructions for creating collages. It was so much fun! We made a huge mess painting the paper with acrylic paint in preparation for the collages. It’s a good thing we have plastic covering our table to protect it!
The original instructions were to paint tissue paper however the girls kept ripping theirs so we opted for the sturdier typing paper. We used different sized brushes drawing them across the paper to produce different textures. When the paint was dry the girls drew various ideas for collages choosing a few to try. We used regular white glue (Elmer’s) to glue everything together.
Brownie made an awesome butterfly.
Truffle did a really good job with her self-portrait and a lightning bug.
Cookie wanted me to make apples in a basket for her. Fudge did a really cute caterpillar but gave it away before we could take a picture of it.
This is definitely a project we will do again! The brush strokes left on the paper added new dimensions to the projects. We might try colored tissue paper but without the brush strokes I don’t think they will turn out as well. Thanks to Meg for her inspired idea!
What an awesome idea! I have always LOVED Eric Carle art work!
Oh, this looks like so much fun! I’ll have to show the girls in the morning and maybe use it as a bribe to get the days work done! (Monday is our cleaning and baking day!)
Your girls did a really great job! I hope your saving these!
Oh, and I’m soooo sorry to hear about the miscarriage. That is a hard thing to have to go through.
I’m so very sorry for your loss. You have clearly chosen a wonderful project to help keep your family upbeat (this looks like so much fun that I can’t wait to try it with my kids) — but I’m sending you some hugs just for you, in case you can use those too. (((hugs))) All the best.
You win funnest mom ever – it looks like just the project everyone needed.
I’m sorry about your miscarriage – sending warm hugs and chocolate vibes your way.
I am so sorry about your miscarriage. I hope you are feeling better.
And I love the Eric Carle crafts! We were just reading ‘Rooster’s Off to See the World’ yesterday 🙂 Perhaps I need to have Little Man do a bit of story-inspired art!
i have seen a few of these projects floating around the net (bears from Brown bear brown bear)
your apples were amazing!! looked like from a book.. I think we might have to try this
I am amazed that you could fit this in with all your doctors visits and saddness you must be feeling… what a woman you are
So glad you had fun.
I am sorry to hear of your sadness. My prayers are with you.
Those are all really beautiful! What a talented bunch.
And I’m so sorry.
Eric Carle is a cult favorite at our house, too! My kids will love this project during the winter.
I’m so sorry to hear about your miscarriage. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your darling family.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry to hear about the miscarriage. I know how hard it is. Comisserating and sending some hugs your way.
I am sorry to hear of your loss. I was two weeks late this month and we’d really gotten our hopes up and our baby dreaming caps on. Then reality hit. While not a miscarriage, certainly a loss.
My prayers are for us both.
I am so sorry for your loss.
The projects all look amazing though. Eric Carle is my favorite childrens book author. I can’t believe I have never thought to do this. Thanks for the inspiration!
Take care 🙂
What a fun looking project…..=)Eric Carle was one of our favorite authors when the kids were little. ( I still like to read his book….=)
So sorry to hear about your loss. I know how hard it is to go through. Sending you ((((Hugs))))
So sorry to hear about your miscarriage, but glad you had some fun with your kids. Those are beautiful!
((Cocoa)) Sorry to hear about your miscariage. I wouldn’t wish one on my worst enemy. I hope you are feeling okay both phyically and emotionally. Take care of yourself.
{{{HUGS}}}
I’ve had a loss too, and there’s nothing that hurts quite like that. I’m so sorry for your loss.
What a lovely project!
The artwork is beautiful!
I am so sorry you had to endure another miscarriage. It is so heartbreaking to have to deal with such pain. The grief, the physical pain, the emotional roller coaster rides … not fun. I hope the blood work will bring some answers.
Sorry about your loss.
The Eric Carle idea looks like lots of fun!
i’ve been dying to do some eric carle art for years. why haven’t i?
i’m sad for your miscarriage. i’ve had one at the beginning of my second trimester and was shocked at how physically painful it was besides emotionally. it sounds like you are trying to keep things upbeat–and i’m sure with your big, happy family it will be hard to be sad for too long, but . . . may the lord bless you and strengthen through this trial. you are an inspiration.
and thanks for sharing something so personal. it helps to get to know each other and it helps to remember that we all have a real life and not just a virtual one!
The artwork turned out so beautiful. What a fun project! I am going to have to give it a try some time.
I am sorry for you tough week. I hope you are feeling better soon.
your kids are artists! and it looks like fun. We just may try it one of these days.
hope you experience all the physical and emotional healing you need at this time. So sorry about your loss.
Adorable project and adorable girls~
Love it! great project!
Hope your doing well and recovering.
So sorry to hear about your miscarriage – it is such a painful thing to go through – sending prayers your way.
I love your Eric Carle art – they are truly fantastic!!
So sorry to hear about your miscarriage. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I’m sorry to hear about your loss. Prayers for you and your family. Take care and don’t do too much.
Your art projects came out great. I’m sure my kids would love to something like it. Thanks for the inspiration.
We loved this project as well. My daughter did it in kindergarten and we copied the process at home this summer. We did cheat a little and checked out a couple of Eric Carle books from the library for inspiration. After we glued our artwork together, we went over it with decoupage to really make the colors stand out and give it a nice glossy finish.
I’m so sorry to hear about your miscarriage. Prayers and {hugs} for you.
Thanks for your wonderful blog. You’re one of my blogging heroes! 🙂
Those Eric Carle inspired pieces are wonderful!! I’m absolutely copying you guys!
Cocoa, you are an incredible woman. I wish I could come bring over some dinner and play with your kids during this difficult time. I’m sure your family is loving you and helping you. Just know that you have touched my life and I am thinking of you.