Our Sketchbook Projects: Part 1

My oldest daughter "Monkey" has been drawing since she was 14 months old. By the time she was 22 months old, she was drawing Sesame Street Characters with the understanding that Ernie's head went in a sideways oval, Bert's head went in a vertical oval, and Elmo and Cookie Monster had fuzzy edges! We worked with her because she was so interested in taking something to paper.

 When our second daughter "Elephant" came along, we were surprised she didn't care too much to draw like Monkey did when she was so little. But in her own due time, she too sat beside her sister and began to draw feverishly, producing pictures well beyond her years too (like this one of Daddy just before turning 2). Regardless of how much they draw, and what they draw, their skills still shock us. Their teachers quickly learn that they are right brained thinkers and the other parents quickly notice one self portrait more detailed and advanced than all the others. (they are currently 7.5 and almost 6)

We do not boast, we merely enjoy that Heavenly Father has blessed both of our girls with this amazing talent, that can be taken on the road, help them in times of sorrow or stress, and bless the lives of others.

About 6 months ago, Monkey decided she wanted to write a book to put in our local library. It was such a bummer to break the news to her, that she had to use her own characters (not Kit the American Girl), and that she had to have it published and all the unknown processes that go with publishing a book. She was devastated and stopped writing the book. Mommy of the year award - right?!

Well - back at the end of August I found a link for the 2011 Sketchbook Project, something I had never heard about. But what I found out, is that this was my daughter's chance to write a book - to draw a book - to do what ever with her book and to have it be a part of "a library"! I got through the first few weeks of school but kept feeling pressed to order the books. I finally ordered one for me and one for each of them (hubby doesn't have time)....and when they arrived the girls were elated and Monkey began to glow with joy!

So without further ado... I wish to present the first pages of theirs, and my poem, that has kick started our very own Sketchbooks that will be traveling along the east coast and coming to our own back yard next year! Whatever you do....PLEASE DO NOT copy anything here. My daughter's works are very precious to us and should not be duplicated in any way shape or form. (not to mention they are copyright protected!)!

Monkey's First page (Raining Cats & Dogs Theme):

 

 Elephant's First Page (Raining Cats & Dogs Theme):

Here is my Poem. The theme I chose was "In 5 Minutes". So the poem I wrote is going to have 1 line on each page. But my pages are doubled - you'll see why! I haven't started the actual pages....(secret still)!

"In 5 Minutes" by Kerry Goulder

In 5 minutes

my life will change

the winds will pass

and rearrange.

the clouds will come

and quickly fade

the birds will sing

and fly away.

In 5 minutes

my babies grow

their little hearts

I get to sew.

and every thread

will have it's limits

my life will change

in just 5 minutes.

So that's the start of our sketchbooks. I'll try to post every week and maybe even twice a week. It cost an extra $25 each, to have them digitized, so I passed on that since I can do it myself! That way I can digitize them little by little, and share this process with all of my readers too. Again - PLEASE DO NOT COPY! I will find it, I will find you and justice will be served (and I say that in the nicest/sweetest way possible)! ; )

Have a great day!

Busy Monday: Too Busy!

Hi everyone,

I'm so glad to have all you friends following my blog...but this week my two girls need more of me (this picture is about 5 years old...and I wish they were still this little - time flies - that's the old LR too!!). I have been shipping out orders galore because there are so many thumbsuckers in this world that need to stop...and that just means that I haven't had time for blogging and being a mommy and everything else I have to do. My blog is my bonus time - which I have none of this week.

I'm hoping that by taking this week off - it will help me to get a jump on next weeks projects and yummy recipes! If you have a recipe to share, by all means - send it my way (I'll be sure to give credit and send them to your blog too)! I'm always looking to share easy, quick and yummy family recipes!

I'm also working on getting my cute little Owl Ornament Sachet published and need to have that in by a certain date! I can't let that pass me by! I'm so excited for my first publication!

So have a look around...stay a while - leave a comment - I would love that! It lets me know you were here and what you enjoyed! Thanks for reading - and please stop in next week! -kg

Please do not use a copy of this photo of my children for any reason. Thank you!!!

Busy Monday: Drawings by Monkey & Elephant

Since both of my girls were little, they had one thumb in their mouth as they used their other hand to draw. Monkey started drawing at the tender age of 13 months old. She always wanted to take our pens or pencils and do what we were doing. I bought her some washable crayons and discovered she was going to eat them down to the paper...so think quick - plan b. I ventured out to Target and found a large Magna Doodle board that became our saving grace...and hers. She drew everyday. Every minute - from sun up to sun down. And still does. Before she turned 2 she was drawing recognizable drawings of the Sesame Street Characters, that I began teaching her after she could draw circles and ovals. She's won tickets when she was 3 1/2 years old to see Sesame Street Live for coloring in a really good picture of the characters, and then drew on the entry envelope a picture of Annie her dog Sandie and herself. The girl Rachel that called with the good news of her winning was in shock with the drawings on the envelope and said that was what sealed the deal for her as the winner. 2 years ago she drew a picture of a dairy farm and entered it into the calendar contest at Daddy's work, and made it in there as August.

Elephant didn't begin drawing so early. She didn't try to take the writing implements from our own hands. She watched her big sister, but didn't take on the itch as Monkey did....until she was about 19 months old. We got her, her own Magna Doodle and they would sit side by side drawing endlessly. She has not entered a contest yet, but we haven't found one that we thought she could be a strong contender for (and most are for Kindergartener's or 1st Graders!)...

She to this day, carries her own. She drew Daddy with his spiky hair before she turned 2 years old, and is now drawing princesses and castles galore. She is just as advanced as her sister and looks forward to winning her own contest someday.

So for today's Busy Monday, I wanted to share a little bit of my girls with you. The art runs thick in their blood and thick in ours. It will forever be a part of our family, and for that I am eternally grateful!

If you'd like to see more of their fun drawings, please visit the Kid Giddy Facebook fan page. Enjoy! kg