I bum out watching my daughter draw a self-portrait, or even a dog, stop midway, then scribble all over the entire thing in frustration because her picture doesn’t look “perfect.”
Maybe that’s why I am particularly fond of these new artist-created stencil kits that are more about being creative, and not so much about what the piece is “supposed to” look like.
Although the end results are pretty cool too.
{don’t miss a great art supply giveaway after the jump!}
After running a bunch of popular creative workshops featuring nature-inspired stencils, LA artist Karen Kimmel decided to make them available to everyone on her site, Kimmel Kids. Her first set, though lovely, were US-made of high quality plastic and just too expensive for most families to grab for their kids. So now she’s created more affordable set of art stencils which make a fantastic birthday gift, rainy-day project or just another set of craft supplies to add to your collection.
Using cost-effective paper-laminated chipboard for the stencils themselves, her first KimmelColors stencil sets are inspired by shapes found in the ocean. I love the coral and seashell inspired shapes, though I’m sure my kids could use them to make trees, flowers or whatever else they see in the shapes.
Or, as Karen might say, they should just draw without an end result in mind and see what happens. With such a beautiful, open-minded view of art, I foresee less scribbled-out pictures in our future. –Christina
Take a look at KimmelColors marine set of stencils, along with pencil cases, colored pencils and drawing books, at Kimmel Kids.
Thanks to everyone who entered this contest, and congratulations to Amanda N. — she won a marine-inspired stencil set from KimmelColors.
The paperclip necklace is AMAZING! We just added that idea to our “bored jars”.
I love the God’s eye! Especially with the sticks from a tree instead of using popsicle sticks. Those would be so fun to make!
My girls will love the sunprint project! They’re already in love with Mr. Golden Sunshine, so seeing yet another example of his “power” at work will provide a pretty big thrill for my sun- and nature-loving kiddos!
Thanks for the great ideas!
🙂
https://www.kimmelkids.com/d-i-y/succulent-garden/
I love the succulent garden….I’ve been using canning jars for everything lately! LOVE them and love gardening so I’m totally doing this with my kids!
Love the sun prints!
I had terrariums on our to do list, so I’ve just decided I’ll replace that project with the Succulent Garden. Thanks for sharing!
Love the Sun Prints! Great way to do projects outside!
I’ve always wanted to make a succulent garden, and the project makes it look easy!
I like the succulent garden. Ideal for anytime and especially now.
That website is inspiring! I have a 5 year old who LOVES to be crafty and I’m always looking for projects that are cute/useful and don’t just get tossed in the trash. The paperclip necklace is great!
Sun print! Brilliant to use a cd case.
Love the succulent garden!
I love the sunprint art. My girls would get such a kick out of that!
I love the macrame key fob, and I am inspired to try it with my daughter this weekend!
The sunprint project looks very cool and very easy!
I love the Kimmel Kids site. Their activity book looks beautiful – and only 22 dollars! And I love their DIY projects. The succulent garden is something I’d really love to try. Thanks!
What a cool idea! I especially love the fabric drawings.
So hard to choose a favorite project idea, but we do love the paperclip necklace! Thanks for filling our summer with fab ideas!
I love the sunprint project. Thanks for sharing!
Let the Sun Shine In will be a great art activity to take advantage of the hot summer sun.
I had totally forgotten about the sun prints I made as a little girl. Can’t wait to share that with my boys!
I love the succulent garden in canning jars!
I want to try the God’s eye with my little one when he gets just a little bigger. It looks like a lot of fun.
I love the button sunprints. Thanks!
I love the sunprint project.
I’m super impressed with the paperclip necklaces. they look really professional!
I love the DIY Sunprint craft. Such a cool way to introduce kids to photo developing. https://www.kimmelkids.com/d-i-y/sunprint/
The sunprints posted at Kimmel Kids’ are inspirational enough to get me to find the pack of sunprint paper I have but had forgotten about.
We love ojo de dios around here, but now we’re going to try the succulent garden next weekend! Thanks for the great idea!
We love ojo de dios around here, but now we’re going to try the succulent garden next weekend! Thanks for the great idea!
succulent garden! daddy is a so cal transplant living in boston and he misses his succulents!
The succulent garden and the sunprints are both really cool projects!
I love the sunprints. Our daycare takes the kids to the park everyday to keep them occupied till the pool opens. This will be a fun way for the kids to do something individulaized and cool!
the god’s eyes brings back memories
I love that the people at Kimmel Kids are blogging about Augustin Lesage and Art Brut movement!
So many fun ideas on Kimmel Kid’s Blog – love their splendid bursts and the idea of ‘tatooing’ them on the wall – so festive!
I LOVE sunprints. So simple, so wonderful.
The sunprints are great! Its something my 3 year old could have fun doing!
https://www.kimmelkids.com/d-i-y/succulent-garden/
This is so going on the list of things to do on a Rainy day, they can be planted w/ next to my dd fairy garden.
Thanks
Love the succulent garden project idea!
will definitely be making the potato print bandanas with my brownie troop.
the lego people. gotta buy some more legos to make my family
the driftwood fish inspired me to make a similar project with rocks.
The colorful coolers! What a fun, tasty, and refreshing idea.
I also am in love with the Sunprints… I think I need to buy some of that paper. So cool!
cute stuff! I really like the succulent garden. I think we will try it!
Thanks
🙂
I love the paperclip necklace, I could see myself becoming very obsessed with this project.
I think my girl would like the paper clip necklace
Oh, my gosh. The Augustan Lesage paintings grabbed my attention and took my breath clean away. I can see those intricate yet abstract paintings are making me want to do some art myself.
Crocheted rocks! I think I love those. I might have to let the girls paint some rocks. Maybe we can get some adorable rocks for our porch
The driftwood fish are cool! A great activity to do during or after a summer trip to the beach.
I would love love love to make the geoff mcfetridge’s potato print bandanna with my daughter – I am in Idaho, there is no shortage of potatoes! And yet, I have never stamped with them. so fun!
Okay, I know its not one of the featured projects, but I love the “Crafting Community for Splendid” aprons. they took a super simple item and made it adorable! I’m going to be making those and giving them as gifts!
Great ideas – love love love the sunprint!
My daughter and I would have fun doing a sunprint project.
I am so excited to find this site. I can’t wait to integrate these ideas into my lessons for my Kinder Readiness class, in the fall.
I love the succulent garden. My little boy is very intrigued by recycling so I’m thinking the giant empty glass applesauce jar is the first to get filled. Yet another great way to recycle things around the house!
The succulent garden looks like a really neat project!