Saturday, June 28, 2014

April 7-12, 2014- "Jorinda and Joringel" forest, Soccer, Kings Dominion



This week, I finished the prototype for my "Jorinda and Joringel" forest backdrop. I had doubts that I could paint a believable forest by hand, but this project really helped me realize that you really never know what you are capable of until you try! I had an awesome time painting the details and I think it turned out amazing!


It helped that Rainbow Girl was with me, reading the story aloud and providing inspiration!



"Mama, would you take some pictures of me dancing in my rainbow dress?"

























Our First Kings Dominion Trip of 2014


Sugar Bear's first roller coaster without Mommy! 



Wednesday, June 25, 2014

April 1-6, 2014- Septic Fun, Three Little Pigs, Planter Painting

After much evidence of septic system issues, and after having it pumped without solving the issue, the time came to dig up the system. :( Instead of paying the quoted possible thousands of dollars, Daddy, Axel, and Paka (my dad) took on the big job. 

After much excavation, they found extremely clogged lines, and one line that had actually completely collapsed. By the looks of things, it failed ten plus years ago. After a trip to Lowes, Daddy and Paka had the collapsed line replaced and the hole filled back in before the kids even woke up from their nap!
















This week, I began the process of creating the forest backgrounds for the fairytale swap of "Jorinda and Joringel". I decided to make the backgrounds from 1/4 inch birch plywood, with the forest painted using watercolors.




Rainbow Girl's drawing audience.
Our story friend Super Sam started celebrating Spring this week, constructing and painting a planter for his strawberries. Rainbow Girl very nicely illustrated our story for the week.


As you may recall, several weeks ago we finished up the little pig army as our offering to the "Three Little Pigs" fairytale swap. Well, this week, we received a very exciting package: our first fairytale set made with love by our swap friends. 

Included in our set is a beautiful wooden "straw" house, a wool and sticks "stick" house, a wooden "brick" house, three felted piggies, and a knitted wolf! The set is a major hit!






Later in the week, it was suggested that we paint some planters for plants, just like Super Sam. After a trip to Michaels, we had some lovely planters and weather-proof paint. The planters turned out stunning and the plan is to plant some strawberries! 











Sugar Bear loving on the wolf from our fairytale swap