Kids Workshops at Home Depot

Ok, so this post won't be so much about creativity - but more about just the building fun.

Home Depot has a Kids Workshop the first Saturday of every month - every Home Depot has it. The employees are always really friendly; it's kid-friendly without being all cartoony and ga-ga about stuff. Just down to earth wood with hammer and nails - and pound away! ;)

The kids show up anytime between 9 and noon - they are given a kit, lent a pair of goggles, wood glue and hammer - and they go at it. 

While this one goes at it, anyway! I hold the far edge to help with the pounding. He reads the instructions and follows them to a T - all by himself (I'm the chaperone!).

The really cool part? Did you ever want to wear one of those bright orange apron without the commitment of actually having to show up at Home Depot for an actual job???? Oh come on - you know it crossed your mind!

Well.... the children all get their own apron! When they complete the project, they also receive a pin with an image of that project - to collect on their way cool ORANGE aprons!

I'm not personally super-excited about "picture frames" for the December project, and I was ok with the fireboat in November. I am personally excited about November's spice rack, though - so practical - so many uses (we've put everything in it for testing purposes, EXCEPT spices!) - and it's something for which I can cut the pieces to his own measurements and he can make in as many different ways and quantities as he likes!

It's COLD outside!

So bundle up in one of these:

This scarf was created a year ago, but new ones are available now exclusively at Garden of Francis. He's been so anxious to get them posted so he can start selling them online, but his mother had other things on her mind... At long last, they are posted and available - and he is eager to get to work. Please keep him busy during this holiday shopping season - PLEASE! ;)

I have a serious back-log of blog entries to get posted for him - and my own work to do!

All proceeds from sale of these scarves goes to additional art supplies and to the upcoming sponsorship of a child in a third-world country.

Who Needs a Catholic Lego Set?

... when you can convert the pagans??? ;)


A Lego soldier was on his way to battle, when the Crucifix of Jesus stood before him. He tried to cut it down so he could get to his enemy.

But Jesus had other plans. The crucifix could NOT be cut down.


And the Lego soldier fell to his knees and adored Jesus on the cross.

Close-up of the legs - they are removed and turned around backwards for him to kneel:









For more Catholic Lego ideas, visit our friend's shop on Etsy: Memento Moose - Lego Rosaries.

Lego Photography

After another trip to the Lego store for a mini-model build, the Legos are getting a serious work-out!

AND we discovered at least one additional trick to getting good Lego shots - in addition to no flash and natural lighting, use the setting with an image of a flower ;)

The bad guys (with the ax and the front figure) want to destroy their castle and get into their treasury.
The good guy is trying to protect the castle.

He's flying to the fighting area to defend the castle.
He's a good guy.

These two are driving to the fighting area.
They are also good guys.

All that Remains

Lego Battlefield

Today's post is a combination of a Lego creation and photography practice. 

Everyone has to start somewhere!

Helmets on some figures have been turned sideways so you can see their faces ;)

The Battle Begins!

Trying for Detail - getting lots of glare... and blurriness.

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From one side....

...to the other.

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The warriors.

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The Final Battle

Lesson learned: Legos are either NOT the best thing with which to start photographing - OR they are the BEST thing with which to start photographing:

             If you can learn to photograph Legos, you can photograph anything.

Crossing the Deadly Desert

"We are going to cross the Deadly Desert!"

Inspired by: The Road to Oz - Chapter: "The Deadly Desert Crossed" by L Frank Baum

Starring:
Toto in the lead
 
Gillikens (red)
 
Winkies (yellow)
 
Munchkins (blue)
 
Two birds from the Nome King
 
Maidens (green)
 
People of Ev (purple), whom the Nome King had enchanted; 
the spell was broken by the people of Oz who crossed the Deadly Desert by the use of the Magic Carpet
(the People of Ev live outside of Oz)
 
Billina (the hen) and her chicks
 
A few animals from our world
 
Emperor of the Winkies is in the way back
 
For those unfamiliar with the story - there are 14 books in the Oz series.
Check them out here on Wikipedia

Also see Land of Oz posts on Catholic Hearts Domestic Church.

And the earth burst forth its heat!

Prompted by the Montessori Great Lesson:
The Story of God with No Hands

Artist comments:
The hot lava is splashing up and flowing down too - at the same time.

Study in Landscape

This was a duplicate done by a special friend.

A Work to Begin

Hearts in Wonderland