Iron Chef America Chairman

That’s me…at least for today. I’m acting as the Chairman for Heidi’s Blogstyle Iron Chef Competition at Sacred and Profane.

(OK. Maybe I did give myself “the Chairman” title, but whatev. Go big or go home, people.)

Each month Heidi posts three recipes in her sidebar for her readers to try. For the month of June, Heidi focused on BBQ/Picnic Salads. Although I do not make salads very often, I do eat them. In my humble opinion, this makes me an excellent judge.

The three recipes entered into this month's competition included: Spinach and Strawberry Salad, Ramen Noodle Salad, and Pepperoni Pasta Salad.

Let’s meet our contestants, shall we? (I hope you are all noticing how much I even sound like a judge.)

Here's Vivienne from The V Spot. For this month's cook-off, she submitted a recipe for Strawberry and Spinach Salad. In preparing for my judge-ly duties, I read through all of the competitor's sites. One of my favorite lines that I came across on Vivienne's blog was in her profile: "I am discovering the fun to be had in sharing the things that make me happy: family, art projects, cooking and a big healthy dose of smart-assery." Anyone who can use the word "smart-assery" in a sentence is just plain cool.


Shelby, from Schweri Stories, submitted Pepperoni Pasta Salad. Yum! Life is just better when it is accompanied by a side of meat, no? I like to think that Shelby appreciates this.


Finally, Stephanie, from Life is a Miracle, submitted a recipe for Ramen Noodle Salad. I didn't have to read much on Stephanie's site to know that she understands my people. She wrote that she made a big bowl of this salad for herself and ate it all week. Hello new friend!

The second part of my judgmental task was for me to make each of these recipes and decide which I like best. Not a problem, unless you forget your commitment to the lovely Heidi and end up having to perform this small miracle in your kitchen on the day that you are hosting a playdate to three toddler boys, in addition to the two kids you call your own.

To say that the scene at my house yesterday was chaotic would be more than a bit of an understatement. I naively built up my confidence in my parenting abilities, telling myself that it would be a good idea to have all of the kids help with the cooking. I'd be the host of my very own cooking class for kids and prepare for a blog post at the same time. It would be multi-tasking at its finest.

In my mind, I saw something like this:


In reality, my end result was something more along the lines of this:


Mental note to self: Three year old boys would much rather be playing in the sandbox in the backyard than inside cooking on a sunny day.

So what have we learned? Let's recap:

1. Boys with high levels of energy should be outdoors in order to wear off said energy.
2. I am not the Giada to a cooking class of children that I envisioned.
3. If I had to pick my favorite recipe, I would go with Vivienne's Strawberry and Spinach Salad. In addition to being super easy, the strawberries were a hit with my posse of kids both on and off the salad.

Oh, and I almost forgot the most important point of all. I could so totally rock the Chairman's job.


Especially if it would get me my own Wii game...


I'd just need to do something about my "man hands" before I got really famous.

-Francesca

Thank you to Heidi for letting me play along. This was fun!

Thoughts from the Laundry Room

What a week! The response to We Heart Art far exceeded our expectations. A sincere thank you to everyone who linked in and who took time to spread the comment love. Spotlighting such a creative and talented group of bloggers (and their kids) was great fun.

It would be fantastic if we could somehow consolidate the antedotes and photos that are on display in the blogosphere onto one site, but technology hasn't caught up with my plans yet. Instead, we've asked Keri from Forever Folding Laundry to share some of her favorite entries. As the imaginative talent behind Lovey Dovey Clips and the appliqued girl's clothing that we have featured on the Three Bay B Chicks, our friend's enthusiasm for crafts and incorporating creativity into her life is contagious...

I have a confession to make. When Francesca first asked me to be a part of her We Heart Art brainchild, I had a mini panic attack. I thought, she's lost her mind. Me? An artist? I'm just a mom with Craft ADD who bounces from one project or idea to another. I feel like I'm not even close to being in the same league as Wendy and Johanna. But, I do enjoy the process of creating, and it definitely brings me a feeling of satisfaction unlike anything else.

My need-to-craft obsession started with cakes. I did that for quite awhile, got a little bored, and moved on to hair clips, sewing, and any number of other ways to avoid the laundry. I guess I'm just happy as long as I have some kind of crafty outlet.

This week has been fun. It's been so great to see the talented people - kids and adults alike - who showed up for this art extravaganza. I wish I could give feedback on every single entry, but here are just a few that I enjoyed.

(Click on the photos to check out each of these blog posts.)

There's the mommy who was inspired by something she saw and gave it a try herself (for a fraction of the price!) from The Snail's Trail. I'm totally NOT an artist in the traditional sense of the word, but this mommy is. Love it!

I love what this mommy from Bringing Up Twins did with her kids. Her project is inexpensive (she uses paper plates), easy, and the preschool and toddler crowd would love it, I know.

The perspective in these photos taken by a little one from Our Nifty Notebook is priceless. Putting a camera in your kiddo's grubby hands is such a great way to encourage a budding photographer. (Case in point, the "happy sandwich" pictured below.)


And this, posted on A Thorn Among Roses, is just cool. I had NO idea it was pantyhose!

Thanks for letting me be a part of We Heart Art week. I'm inspired by you all. I think it's safe to say the kids and I will be making a mess of the kitchen table tomorrow.

BUT, Who Won?

At the end of the week, there can only be a handful of winners. The lucky bloggers include:

B from Simply B, Simply Me who shared a birth announcement that she created.


Jennifer from The Toy Box Years who entitled this photo, "Friends Forever."


The Snails Trail who inspired us with her ability to make art with her kids using a roll of toliet paper.


Mrs. Bear from Outnumbered Two to One who handed over her digital camera to her 10 year old.


Confessions of a Semi-Slacker Mom who discovered her daughter's artwork on the wall.


Hillbilly Duhn's Times and Tribulations who took her entry to the next level and shared a photo of the artwork on her 12 x 24 foot ceiling.


Denene from My Brown Baby who shared her daughters' self portraits.

And, Amanda from Proud Mommy of Four, who filmed darling videos of her two girls.

We hope that you'll take a moment to stop by these blogs and congratulate our winners!

Show and Tell Day Continues

We Heart Art continues today. Entries to the giveaway will be accepted until midnight tonight, CST.

If you have time, click through some of the bloggers who have written about their artwork or creative projects. It is fantastic to see the many, many different ways art is a part of all our lives.

A quick reminder regarding how the carnival works:

• Mr. Linky will be open on the Three Bay B Chicks, Domestically Challenged, and I'm Living Proof that God Has a Sense of Humor blogs until midnight CST tonight.
• After you have published your entry for We Heart Art on your blog, come back here and link your specific post via Mr. Linky.
• Winners will be randomly selected and announced on Friday, May 15.

Want to earn additional entries, and drive more traffic to your blog?

• Link your post to all three blogs hosting Mr. Linky.
• Link to old posts that you have published.
• Follow the Three Bay B Chicks, Domestically Challenged, and I'm Living Proof that God Has a Sense of Humor. (If you already follow all three blogs, just leave a comment saying so.)

Remember, our definition of art is very broad and there is no limit to your number of entries.

Kids might feature... a drawing, painting, or sidewalk chalk creation, a video of themselves explaining a piece of artwork, singing, or playing a musical instrument, something they created in the kitchen, or an example of their writing, e.g., short story, poem, etc.

Adults could highlight... a drawing, painting, or a video, something you created on the computer or in the kitchen, an example of your writing, e.g., short story, poem, etc., a sample of your scrapbooking, or art that you created as a child.

We hope you will join us!

The Art in My World

There are so many different ways to incorporate art and being creative into our lives. I especially enjoy art time with my son. In Giancarlo’s fast paced world of running, jumping, and crashing, I welcome the quieter moments spent painting.

As we sat at a pottery painting studio in Berkeley yesterday, Giancarlo was very focused on his cupcake…


...and adding polka dots to the bottom.

And, although my medium of choice is usually Playdough or finger paint these days, I am still incredibly inspired by those around me who create art for a living....

(Wendy time-lapse painting from Wendy Crabb on Vimeo.)

So what are you waiting for? If you haven’t already, link a new or old post to our carnival and show us what inspires you. Remember, great prizes await a few lucky winners drawn at random. My favorite prize has to be the topless undershirts from Blush. Katie and Rachel, the two creative geniuses behind this product, were generous enough to ship Kacey a sample to try out.

The Blush is worn like a tube top, but around your waist. What is really inspired about this product is that, because it does not have straps, it allows you to avoid unnecessary bulk on top. The length is adjusted simply by pulling it up and down! It is the perfect product for those of you who mistakenly shrink your favorite shirts in the dryer time and again, just like me. Manufactured out of polyester, rayon, spandex material, the Blush topless undershirt is meant to adjust to our ever-changing body shape. This stretchable little miracle is guaranteed to acclimate to your body and is available in 14 different styles and in sizes 0-22+.

Give it a try! Show us how you heart art and a Blush of your choosing could be on its way to you.

Even my one year old daughter, Lucia, hearts art. Granted, she was much more interested in the sink, the camera, and simply running around outside of the pottery painting studio yesterday, but you have to start somewhere.

-Francesca

Talk to Me Tuesday with Laurie Turk

With so many resources on the Internet offering tips and creative ideas, it is difficult to know where to begin. However, Laurie Turk, the woman behind the Tip Junkie, offers you a solution. The Tip Junkie inspires its readers by promoting blogger’s new and creative ideas. On Laurie’s site you will find amazing ideas, ranging from crafts and home décor suggestions to party and gift ideas. The Tip Junkie also promotes Mom-prenuer products, giveaways, and swaps. Through Laurie’s efforts, women are able to get a daily dose of creative energy and inspiration.

Laurie’s passion for promoting women bloggers and Mom-preneurers is evident in everything she does. Today, we take a moment to get to know the woman responsible for bringing together some of the best ideas in the blogosphere.

Q. From what I have read, the Tip Junkie blog will be celebrating its 2 year anniversary next month. Congratulations! What are you plans to celebrate this milestone?

A. I am really excited about the anniversary. I’m planning a Tip Junkie Birthday Bash with lots of prizes from Mom-preneurs, just like I did last year. I’m also currently having the Tip Junkie site redesigned, so that it will load faster with uber-fabulous new features. I would love to launch the redesign during the Birthday Bash. However, I’m not sure if it will be done on time.

Q. You are a woman on the go. You manage both the Tip Junkie and Executive Homemaker sites, as well as contribute to Creative Bliss. How do you manage? In other words, how do you juggle the demands of family, friends, blogging, and one of your true loves, throwing a great party?

A. Good question. To be honest, keeping up with my on-line admin responsibilities takes most of my time. I have several systems in place to maximize my efficiency, and I try to keep everything clean and neat. In real life, I do the laundry all in one day, I trade carpooling with the kids to their activities so I’m not a constant chauffer (or have my man do it - hehe), I don’t really talk on the phone (I’m more of a texter), and I don’t cook. I should really say that I’m a terrible cook, so I usually end up microwaving dinner. We also eat on paper plates, which means less clean up and more time for moowah! It’s those kinds of simple time saving techniques that give me extra time during the day.

Q. The Tip Junkie is one of four blogs that participates in the influential network, Chic Chick Media. How was this co-op initially formed and what do you collectively hope to accomplish in the future? The idea of women promoting women is truly fantastic.

A. Thanks! Chic Chick Media came about after I received a few e-mails from blogging friends announcing that they were going to start selling sponsored ads. I was planning on doing this myself, but about 6 months to a year down the road. I realized that if we didn’t work together, then we would be competing with one another. My love language is quality time, so I would much rather do something with a friend than by myself. I suggested to Cindy from Skip To My Lou and Kim from Today’s Creative Blog that we combine our readership and stats. We also invited the fabulous SITS girls to join us.

Chic Chick Media was later created from Cindy’s amazing brainstorm and my man’s web skills. However, we kept coming across the same problem over and over again; we wanted to promote women on a next-to-nothing marketing budget and give them a way to promote themselves to the masses. That’s how the Visit Our Peeps widget was born. Going forward, we have BIG plans for the women participating in the Chic Chick Media network. The widget is just the beginning. We’re developing cool and more efficient features every month.

Q. Spending time with your kids creating art is such a great way to connect as a family. Tell us about a project you recently worked on with your kids.

A. My boys really love art. I have been amazed at the power their art teacher has over them. {{Yep, I’m a bit jealous.}} My oldest son has won several 1st place awards all thanks to his art teachers who have not only inspired him to do his best, but also submitted his artwork to county fairs and to other local contests. I even decorated their cowboy bathroom around Davis’ armadillo picture he drew in Kindergarten.

Over the years, I have framed several of my kid's works of art, but ultimately wanted a wall to display their current pieces too. Our local craft store was having a ½ off sale on frames, so the boys and I framed a couple of their favorite pieces. Next, I bought two iron finials, grabbed some wire, and made a clothes line (so to speak) for their new art work. I also painted some clothes pins and attached robot stickers to the front of each of their drawings. I told the boys that if they completed their art work at school and did their best, then I would hang their artwork on their special art wall. Since then, the boys have brought home such beautiful pictures! I never would have guessed that it would further motivate them to create such masterpieces.

Q. What’s your creative outlet? How are you are able to make time for yourself and incorporate being creative in your own life?

A. To be honest, since my back surgery, it’s been tough. However, I have really enjoyed “project days” when my friends and I get together and each work on a project that we were trying to finish. I also work well under a deadline; an imminent birthday or upcoming event usually gets me motivated several weeks in advance to get those creative juices flowing.

Other women really motivate me to learn new techniques and try out new products too. In the fall, I’m planning to organize my own craft club or craft night out. Basically, it will work like a mini-class, so that when you show up, you’ll have your kit with everything you need to finish the project that night. Each person in the craft club will have their turn to host. This way I can learn something new each month, but not have to do all the work. {{evil laugh}}

Another creative outlet for me is painting. I find that when I’m stressed out, I paint. It may sound a bit weird, but it helps me to have complete control over something like the color of a wall. I am especially proud of my pink powder room. Since I have 3 boys, the color pallet in my home is a bit redundant. Therefore, I created an over-the-top girly bathroom. It has become my official time out spot when I get overwhelmed and a favorite bathroom in the house! I copied the towels to make the canvas artwork and my iron banister to make the scrolls near the ceiling.

Q. Do you have any favorite art projects that you recall from your childhood? Have you ever tried something similar with your own three boys?

A. When I was a kiddo, I liked to play bank, secretary, and boss my siblings around. {{cracking up!}} I wasn’t very creative. However, my Mom is an entirely different story. She can do anything from painting murals, to sewing wedding dresses, to decorating beautiful cakes, but was always busy making things for and serving other people. As an adult, I have made sure that I do things for my boys first. For example, my boys’ rooms are painted beautifully in their favorite theme.


We have had a great time planning out their rooms (they drew out the floor plan), ordering their accent pieces, and trying to plan it together.

Q. Do you have any specific tips that you typically offer to new bloggers? In your opinion, what is the ultimate goal for a blogger?

A. I think it depends. If you blog to gain traffic and a following, then my advice is always to be consistent and comment, comment, comment. Really get to know people on a “real” level and reach out to bloggers you look up to. The more genuine blogging friendships you make via e-mail, twitter, and blogging, the more success you’ll have. Networking with the right people is key.

If you are interested in reading more about creative women, check out Tip Junkie today. Laurie is featuring an interview between Francesca and Johanna Wright, a children’s author and illustrator. You may have heard of Johanna. Her debut book, The Secret Circus, is one of the prizes for the We Heart Art giveaway!

Lucky Number Seven

For an event like We Heart Art, how many prizes do you think are needed to entice bloggers to post about either their own creative projects or their children’s? Would one prize do the trick? No? How about three?

In blogland, bigger is better. I think that when you bring together three different blogs to promote art and being creative, the magic number is seven.

By linking your We Heart Art post to our blogs this week, you will be entered into the drawing for the following:

One of two topless undershirts of your choice from Blush. This accessory is perfect for everyday wear or for pregnant Moms. If you love the look of layering without adding the extra bulk and straps, this is a product for you. Unlike a tank top or long shirt, it does not have straps which cause your undershirt to constantly ride up. It stays put without having to always readjust.














A pendant of your choice from Noisy Bird Studio.


A black and red checked bag from Funky Bag Freak. This bag is large, hip, and embroidered with black and white flowers on the front and back. There are also tons of pockets inside, which allows you to hold everything.


A signed copy of the newly released children’s book, The Secret Circus. This book, written by Johanna Wright, describes a Parisian circus so secret that only mice know how to find it. Floating by balloon across the cityscape, the mice travel to the grand performance, where tiny acrobats form mouse pyramids and giant housecats are tamed.

A darling appliqued tee-shirt or onesie from Forever Folding Laundry, perfect for your little girl for spring!


A fairy door all your own from Wendy at Green Girl Art.


And finally, a Kid’s Busy Box just for spring. This prize pack includes 20 seasonal crafts & materials designed for young children, easy to follow instructions, and all the craft materials you’ll need, such as yarn, pipe cleaners, tissue paper, pom poms, beads, craft sticks, stickers, and more.

So let’s see your posts! To qualify for the giveaway, simply link your posts describing your (or your kid’s) creative projects to the We Heart Art carnival. Here is how it works:

• On Wednesday, May 13 and Thursday, May 14, Mr. Linky will be open on the Three Bay B Chicks, Domestically Challenged, and I’m Living Proof that God Has a Sense of Humor blogs.
• After you have published your entry for We Heart Art, link your specific post via Mr. Linky.
• Winners will be announced on Friday, May 15.

Want to earn additional entries, and drive more traffic to your blog?

• Link your post to all three blogs hosting Mr. Linky.
• Link to old posts that you have published.
• Follow the Three Bay B Chicks, Domestically Challenged, and I’m Living Proof that God Has a Sense of Humor.

Pablo Picasso once wrote that “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” Let’s all try to find a bit of art in our lives this week, either through ourselves, or through our kids. Kacey has even graciously agreed to help us get started…

It's No Van Gogh

During the final stretch of my pregnancy with Emi, my nesting instinct went slightly overboard. I wanted EVERYTHING to be just so. Emi’s nursery/Tyler’s office was still not finished and thoughts of going into labor without everything being ready made me a bit woozy and most likely a real bitch to live with. Tyler, the ever-doting husband, suggested I channel some of my extra energy into paintings for Emi’s room. I believe my reaction to his suggestion was falling on the floor and laughing hysterically. After I resisted and gave him all the reasons why this was a bad idea, he still insisted. He went out and purchased some mini canvases, paint supplies, and a little ABC book for inspiration.

He helped me with the first few canvases by sketching them out and letting me just paint them. I have to say it was very therapeutic and gave me a real sense of being productive. Around the fourth canvas I was on my own and actually enjoying the process.

Clearly, the MOMA will not be knocking on my door anytime soon, but if Emi asks about these paintings I can proudly say that they were made with lots of love.

Tyler, the creative half of us, painted these four canvases that hang above Emi’s crib after I begged him to purchase these for her nursery. I’m a lucky gal and Emi, fingers crossed, will get some of her daddy’s creative talents.

-Kacey

For the Love of a Fairy

Although we are not officially revealing the prizes for the We Heart Art carnival until tomorrow, we thought it would be fun to provide a sneak peek at one of the prizes created especially for kids. Wendy from Green Girl Art, an artist in her own right, has generously crafted and donated a fairy door.

So, what is a fairy door, you might ask? Having never heard of this before, I asked Wendy. She explained that a fairy door is a portal to the world where fairies live; a magic door that allows fairies to travel between our world and theirs.

This door is perfect for imagination play between you and your kids. Although the door never opens, children can leave trinkets or their latest discovery at the fairy’s doorstep. And who knows? Maybe if you are feeling a bit creative, the fairy might even leave something for your little one to discover at the footsteps of the door.

Wendy’s idea was inspired by Jonathan B. Wright, the creator of the urban fairy locations in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The town hosts a number of fairy doors in locations ranging from the library, to the elementary school, to the local café.

But, why wait? In the spirit of We Heart Art, why not get to work on your own fairy door right away? Wendy will even describe how…

Supplies: Door, paint, paint brushes, sandpaper, tape, Super Glue, wood glue, old cardboard envelope, mini hand saw or x-acto knife, binder clips, push pin, and tweezers

Step One: Buy a door.
I ordered mine online from miniatures.com. Don’t forget to check your local hobby store too.

{The notes on my order say that these items are for adult collectors only. The doors are not intended for children under 14, which I am guessing is due to the small parts – so be safe!}

Step Two: Take the door off of the frame.
To do so, I used small tweezers, which were effective at pulling out the nails. There is a nail with a head on the bottom of the frame, and a headless nail at the top. Once removed, put the nails somewhere safe. I stuck them to a piece of tape because of their size.

Step Three: {optional}
I liked the idea of the door being flush with the wall, so I built out the molding on the back using a piece of balsa wood. I found the balsa wood at a hobby store. Be sure to bring the door with you when buying the wood because different styles require different depths. I purchased only one piece of wood {it was 24” long} and cut it to fit the top and two sides of the back of the door.

Step Four: {optional again}
Follow this step if you’d like to shore up the back. Cut your wood into three pieces – two for the sides & one for the top using a mini hand saw or x-acto knife. Glue the door with a little wood glue and clamp the pieces together using big binder clips. I like to have water and a paper towel handy in order to wipe down the excess glue that gets squeezed out.

Step Five:
If there is a window attached to your door, remove it and save to use as a template later. The window might be held to the door with a piece of tape. Rub off the excess adhesive with your finger. {I would not use solvent to take off the glue because I am not sure how it will react with the paint.}

Step Six: Paint the door.
I used two brushes: a 3/4” wash brush and a 3/8” angle brush. I like my brushes squared off, but, if you prefer round brushes, then by all means, go to town. You should probably avoid using paintbrushes smaller than 3/8” because the larger the brush, the less likely you are to leave brush marks.

You also want your paint to be the consistency of heavy cream; it will look better with two lighter coats, rather than one heavy coat. For paint, I recommend acrylic. It’s water based and dries pretty quickly.

Now here is where you can go wild. The color choices are endless. {It is for a fairy after all.} You can even choose a color that compliments your home, which would make the door even more of a secret. I painted my door pretty mild, choosing a green door with a white frame.

If you have a one year old getting up from his nap while you are painting, like I do, a little piece of saran wrap over your paint will keep it moist until you are able to resume working. It is usually OK to leave the paint out for at least a day. An old yogurt cup can serve as an easy-to-use paint palette. You can also use that same yogurt cup as a water container.

Keep a pushpin close by while you are working, so you can keep the ‘nail’ holes clear.

Step Seven: Sand the door.
You can do this step earlier, but I feel like the first coat of paint seals the wood, so it is best to sand after the first coat of paint. Sand the door until it feels smooth. This step actually yielded a surprise for me. I liked the way the door looked distressed, so I didn’t paint another coat.

Step Eight: Paint the door again.
For one of the doors, I was done. However, I did not like my color choice for the other door, so I changed it a bit. The white frame took three coats of paint; the green door took only two.

Step Nine: Add details to your door using super glue and tweezers.
A doorknob, doorknocker, or house address would all do the trick. Online resources have kick plates if you have a fairy that likes to wear boots, or who always has stuff in her hands and can’t bother to close the door properly. {If you order doorknobs online, then pay attention to how many you are getting – most come in packs of two.}

Use the window as a template to cut a shape out of an old cardboard mailer, if needed. You can then glue a fun piece of fabric, a photo of a park, or another shade of your door color into the window opening. Again, have fun here. Depending on how precise you cut the insert, dab a little glue onto your window and slide it in.

Step Ten: Reinsert the door into the frame using the nails you saved. Put the top headless nail in first and then the bottom nail. And there you have it!

Find a spot in your house, maybe near your own front door, the back door, or up high on a shelf, and create some excitement with your kids. A little double stick tape or some wood glue will keep the door in place.