I never intended for her bedroom to be yellow – she was supposed to share a room with Ashlyn, remember? That room is painted a restful, calm lavender. This room is playful, buttery yellow because, well, it was supposed to be a play room. But Ashlyn didn't sleep well with extra noise. So Evyn got this room. And she loves it. Her bedding is playful, too. And the room was begging for a big piece of playful art.
Enter Evyn. She was totally up for the challenge:
I started the canvas by painting it a bold color, toned down with a bit of white. Then I added some of the same dotty-starry detail from her bedding. And she promptly painted over it.
I loved that she had such a clear idea what she wanted to do. She was so proud of it. It was the first thing she wanted to show everyone when they came over that week.
For fun, we added a little "fairy dust" to the wettest parts. I showed her how to shake the canvas around to scatter all the sparklies. Once it was completely dry, I "framed" it with a scalloped edge.
Looking back, I think my favorite thing is that it's a collaboration between the two of us. Maybe next summer we'll paint it again, or even add to it with bits of leaves or buttons or pictures.
Very homemade. But charming, and personal. Totally Evyn.
Links of Interest: Mothers & Daughters at Home: 35 Projects to Make Together (by Charlotte Lyons); The Creative Familyby Amanda Soule; Kids Craft Weekly Creative Gift Guide
It’s perfection.
I think my favorite part is what you already pointed out… it was a collaboration between the two of you.
Made with LOVE.
-Andrea
how cute! what a great idea…i’ll have to remember that when caleb is old enough! i somehow see a little boy painting the floor rather than the canvas…
i also love love love the pic of ashlyn in her crib. i just love her little cheeks.
I love that idea. I had my boys add their own art work to the babies room before he was born but now we are about to switch up the rooms and change the theme of every ones room that I think we need to do something like this. Maybe pick a color from their room like you did and then let them add in some details.
So cute! She is going to be very crafty just like her mother! Thanks for linking this to the post about room sharing. I am expecting #3 and we only have a 3 bedroom house. We have a 5 yr old boy and a 3 yr old girl. Trying to decide if I should room them together or put the baby with my 3 yr old.
wow, that is so beautiful and I love the scalloped edging. fabulous mother-daughter collaboration! you know, I do like that too. 😉
I love this! And would totally hang it in my own house…right next to the socks you sent…(thank you!)…which, btw, are pretty enought to be framed! hmmmmm…maybe I’ll do that.
This is what I love about your mothering! You’re so creative, and I love that you make *real* things with her–things that are cool enough to hang on the wall and use. You make me want to be more like you. . . .