first journals
We've been looking at lots of these sorts of books with the children lately, in preparation for going away. And so lots of their artwork has been featuring 'maps', boats and planes and, in Keira's case, lots of fish. (They seem to pop up in many of her stories and drawings, and she knows that fish feature largely in the diet of Norwegians.) At the same time, I've been trying to remember to record in a book all of the things that need to be done- cleaning and packing jobs, Christmas preparations and gift-buying, orders and mail to send, friends and family to visit. I thought that K and A might like their own notebook to record their drawings in over this time- so today I found some blank books in town and let them design their own covers on brown paper.
Then they helped to measure and cut the paper to the right size, and hold the pages while I covered the books using glue and tape.
Next, I'd like to try making our own simple books by stitching some blank pages together, inspired recently by this Soulemama post, and, while we pack up our house, gather all of the children's artwork together and make it into an album for safekeeping.
They've been very pleased with their first journals so far, and were engrossed in drawing in them for quite a while this morning. So much so, I didn't even mind them sitting in a pile of my fabric stash while they did so.
Hi Melissa! Thanks for your comments, and I have been enjoying your blogging the last few weeks, just not quite able to make the time to comment on all that I would like to! And thankyou again for the bag- I have been using it at work and it fits all my bits perfectly! Take care,
xj
Posted by: Jessicah | November 26, 2007 at 05:18 PM
Oh so cute!! A lovely idea too.
They must be thrilled to go on this adventure and be able to express themselves this way - you're a super mum Melissa! x
Posted by: Debra | November 26, 2007 at 05:26 PM
Those journals are too cute!
I remembered I promised I'd send you some links, sorry. I'll get to that very soon.
Posted by: strikkelise | November 26, 2007 at 05:30 PM
I loved that soulemama post about making books too. Isn't it great to see where their little minds take them on paper? Oh yes, and I tagged you!
Posted by: Libby | November 26, 2007 at 06:47 PM
Fab, I love their artwork. My K is obsessed with writing, drawing and new pieces of paper! We made a collage the other day with things we found in the garden. LOL, broken birds egg didn't quite work though!
Posted by: Jo | November 26, 2007 at 08:59 PM
:) these journals will be tresures:)
Posted by: Zelia | November 26, 2007 at 10:25 PM
What a great and lovely idea! I bet they will love looking in their books ten, twenty and fifty years from now.
Posted by: Emma | November 27, 2007 at 01:35 AM
Looks like my house! And they will love that their artwork was special enough to be made into a book too.
Posted by: amy | November 27, 2007 at 05:24 AM
lovely books Melissa.
my oldest daughter and i got Christmas ideas from Soulemamas post on books too.
Tessa is making princess dresses for her sisters that are 8 and 5 years old and then making a book for each that she has written a story with each of them being a princess wearing the dress she designed and made for them.
i am proud of her that she can do things handmade and with such creativity.
lori
Posted by: Lissilulu | November 27, 2007 at 05:34 AM
Hi Melissa, your children look really engrossed in their work. When my two were younger I put a lot of their work in a scrapbook and they still look at them from time to time. They are 24 and 21. I did daycare in the home and one girl had a very interesting comment. She said to me, " I know why Alicia and Erik are such good artists." I asked why she thought so. Her answer was, " You put their work up, my mom throws mine in the garbage." That comment still haunts me.
You are helping them make this move with many wonderful memories.
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda | November 27, 2007 at 06:01 AM
what a great mama you are! so thoughful how you are handing a big transition for the kids. hopefully you and tom are getting TLC for your big change from all your adult friends and family too!
Posted by: mims | November 28, 2007 at 04:09 AM
Those book covers are terrific- and that picture of Arlo on your stash is so cute!
Posted by: Taimarie | November 28, 2007 at 06:48 PM
love the photo of a on your stash :) and such a good idea to make journals for the children! that will be a treasured thing for them in the move. xox
Posted by: amisha | December 02, 2007 at 06:15 AM
these are beautiful ! ! ! :^D
Posted by: Lori (castanet on flickr) | December 02, 2007 at 04:36 PM