Thursday 9 June 2016

Peacock Scratch Art {Virtual Fridge}

This Week
I found a fabulous book at the library and we've been doing a few of the projects suggested in it.  This project was inspired by Edward Bawden (1903-1989) Aesop’s Fables: Peacock and Magpie artwork. 

You can find this project's step by step instructions on page 15 of Get Into Art: Animals.

Peacock by Nathaniel
My scratch art peacock
We used a different medium to make ours than the book suggested.  Next time I do this project we will use wax crayons and paint as per the project instructions.


This weeks Feature

This weeks feature is a tutorial from over at Our Uncshooling Journey. You will find a tutorial on how to make these Colour Mixing Butterflies. This family are also tackling 100 days of Art and sharing their journey and art projects. If you are looking for some homeschool art inspiration be sure to keep checking their list as it grows daily.

Your Turn

I invite you to take some photo's of your children's artistic pursuits put them in a post and link up with me I would love to come over and see the wonderful art your children have enjoyed doing.
Virtual Fridge Link Up

Blessings
Chareen

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Please NOTE by adding your links to the Virtual Fridge link up YOU are giving the hosts of the Virtual Fridge link up permission to use a photograph from your blog to feature 
your ART along with a link to your art/tutorial.


Tuesday 7 June 2016

Get Into Art Animals {Tuesday's Treasures}

One of the things I enjoy about our library visits is discovering new books to bring home and explore. Upon a recent visit to our local library I discovered a new book with plenty of hands on step by step projects. Get into Art Animals is not a typical art projects book. 

This book is two fold in it's approach.  Firstly it introduces the reader to a famous art piece and the artist who created it, then it gives a step by step hands on project for you to create your own version of the art work you have just learned about.

Susie encourages us to know that art is not only something we observe but rather something that we can all do, she does a wonderful job encouraging the reader to try new mediums to create their own masterpieces of art.


The Details
  • Title: Get into Art Animals
  • Format: Hardback
  • Number of Pages:31 
  • Publisher: Pan MacMillan  
  • Publication Date:20 Aug 2013 
  • ISBN 10: 0753470586 
  • ISBN 13:9780753470589 
  • Author  Susie Brooks 
  • Illustrator
There are 12 art pieces and artists:
  1. The Snail - Henri matisse
  2. Suspense - Sir Edwin Landseer
  3. Crinkly Giraffe - Alexander Calder
  4. The Bird - Georges Braque
  5. Peacock and Magpie - Edward Bawden
  6. Fish - MC Escher
  7. Carnival of Harlequin - Joan Miro
  8. Totem Poles - Wayne Alfred, Beau Dick and Ellen Neel
  9. Yellow Cow - Franz Marc
  10. Dragon Dish - Chinese Artist
  11. Portrait of Maurice - Andy Warhol
  12. Jockeys in the Rain - Edgar Dagas
Other Books in the Series

Blessings
Chareen
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Tuesday 31 May 2016

Reflections - More Beautiful Bible Verses for Colouring {Review}

One of the most popular trends to happen in the last six months has been the adult colouring craze.  I used to enjoy colouring as a child and wondered if I'd enjoy this new craze ? I began looking for a resource and was overwhelmed by what was available.  So my quest continued until I saw a friends beautifully illustrated scripture page she had just completed.  After a little more research I discovered the artist behind the beautiful illustration was Lorien Atwood. I found her website and emailed Lorien to find out more about her latest publication titled Reflections. She blessed me with a copy of Reflections - More Beautiful Bible Verses for Colouring.



About the Book

  • Title: Reflections - More Beautiful Bible Verses for Colouring
  • ISBN: 9780994497536
  • Cover: Card stock
  • Pages: Each picture is printed on heavy duty paper to prevent bleed through.  The pages are also perforated to make it easier to remove from the book to gift to someone.
  • Illustrations: There are 18 illustrations/scripture meditation pages
  • Group Licensing is available over at Firewheel Press.


  • Page 1 starts with a welcome note from Lorien and an encouragement on how to proceed with the book.
  • Page 2 - Four tips on how to get more from meditating on God's word and how not to sink into mindless colouring but rather focusing on God.
  • Page 3 - 18 different scriptures. Each one has been uniquely illustrated.
  • Last page - A beautiful easy step by step tutorial on how to design and make your own scriptural colouring pages
  • Back page - Each of Lorien's books come with a link to a FREE copy of the illustrations to download and print.  This is so that you can print more pages to colour and gift to someone.

Purchasing Information
Lorien has designed postcards, books marks and published two colouring books for purchase.
Connect with Lorien on Social Media
  • Follow Lorien on Facebook: Lorien Illustrations
  • To see more of Lorien's beautiful illustrations visit her blog.
  •  Lorien has some FREE pages for you to download and print in the File section of her group page.  Be sure to see who the author of each picture is as Lorien encourages us to draw our own pictures and share them with the group.
  • For colouring inspiration take a look at the Photo's of completed works on Facebook.
  • Join the Colouring In Truth group on Facebook.
  • Follow Lorien on Instagram @lorien_illustrations
  • Share your completed works using the hashtags:#colouringintruth and #lorienillustrations, plus #meditations or #reflections depending on the book you are colouring from.
Reflections - More Beautiful Bible Verses for Colouring is a beautiful book. I am impressed with the quality of the paper and I've really enjoyed colouring each design.  Lorien has thoughtfully designed each picture to reflect the truth of each scripture.  I love that each page is a unique design and reflects the truth of each scripture illustrated.
"I have loved using art to reflect on Gods word for ages, and I really like how scripture colouring pages take all the anxiety out of producing something ‘beautiful’ from scratch – that terrifying blank page moment and frees up people’s brain space to actually meditate on the scripture. As people occupy their hands and engage their senses with the colours and the repetitive movement of colouring, they can find a small stillness that is quite hard to come by in everyday life. In this quiet space, they can listen more intently to God and hear what he has to say to them through the words of the Bible... " - Lorien Atwood Read more about the back story of how the books were birthed.
If you are looking for a beautiful scriptural colouring experience I highly recommend the books and cards from Lorien Illustrations.

Blessings
Chareen 

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Thursday 26 May 2016

Sunya - The Magic and Wonder of Math and Science Multiplying & Dividing {Sunya Publishing Review}

In the last few weeks I've shifted our focus in our homeschool to memory work.  When I first started home educating in New Zealand my mentor consistently encouraged us all to start our morning off with chanting the times tables lists. So for the last few weeks Nathaniel has been practicing his math facts before settling in to do his written work.  I really wanted to do something different in testing his math fact knowledge.  To help Nathaniel evaluate where he is at in his memory work we have been playing Sunya - The Magic and Wonder of Math and Science Multiplying & Dividing from Sunya Publishing.



What we received
  • Sunya - The Magic and Wonder of Math and Science Adding & Subtracting
    • Teacher / Parent hand book (25 pages) - Introduction to the numeral system, Basic game instructions, Game II instructions, Game III instructions, Math activities for young students, Facts and Riddles.
    • Number line tool
    • 30 Math and Science Riddle Cards*
    • 60 Sunya playing cards*
  • Sunya - The Magic and Wonder of Math and Science Multiplying & Dividing
    • Teacher / Parent hand book (25 pages) - Instructions for playing the basic game, Game number II, Solitaire, Team Sunya, Sunya 400, a brief history of Sunya and math, math quotes.
    • Number line tool
    • 30 Math and Science Riddle Cards*
    • 60 Sunya playing cards*
*The cards are printed on card stock with a plastic coating. The size of each card is 57 mm by 89 mm. The numerical cards have each number printed in the center with the corresponding number of dots representing the numerical value below the number.  The riddle cards have the answer to each riddle printed on the same card.

How we used it
The very first thing I wanted to know is what does Sunya mean and how do I say it ? Sunya® (the "u" pronounced as the "oo" in the word "book") is a word from Sanskrit, the ancient and classical language of India. It means being empty or without quantity.   You win a round when you run out of cards to play in your hand and declare out loud Sunya meaning "I am out of cards."

I chose to focus on the multiplying and dividing game as this is the fact set we are currently working on.  I read the instructions a couple of times to figure out the basic game.



  • In the basic game each player receives four cards to begin. 
  • Your job is to make a true number sentence. 
  • The times and equal sign is placed on the table. 
  • There are a number of rules on how to make subsequent plays and when to draw cards and what to do with the cards which are already on the table.

The winner of a round gets to read a riddle card.
 We have not progressed to the more complex variations of the game as Nathaniel is still learning his multiplication facts.

The division game, addition and subtraction basic game works on the same principle.

Recommended Age Range
  • Sunya - The Magic and Wonder of Math and Science Adding & Subtracting is recommended for ages 7 to Adult (1-5 Players) In the game addition goes up to 9+9=18 and subtraction goes up to 18-9=9.
  • Sunya - The Magic and Wonder of Math and Science Multiplying & Dividing is recommended for ages 9 to Adult (1-5 Players) In the game multiplication goes up to 9x9=81 and division goes up to 81/9=9.

Over All I thought ...
One of the things I've enjoyed about the game is the recommendation to begin with all the players cards on the table and to help one another.  Success builds success and enjoyment. It's been fun for me to play as it's helping me brush up on my logic and math facts ...


Blessings
Chareen

Please note:

Sunya Publishing is a brand new company and this product is newly on the market. The website is currently under construction and purchasing options will be available within the next week. I will update this post with links to the individual product pages when they become available. 

Click to read Crew Reviews

Sunday 8 May 2016

Mother this IS who you ARE!



Dear Mother here is a message worthy of hearing at least once a week until you know it in your heart. You are worth so much more than you know.

Watch on YouTube: Who You Are: A Message To All Women

Wednesday 4 May 2016

7 Little Australians Photography Challenge for May

I'm so excited!  A few years ago when I was radically blessed with my very first DSLR.  We were on holiday in South Africa and wondering how on earth I was going to learn to use this amazing new blessing when Erin posted a photo challenge on her blog.  It was perfect.  I was forced to learn something new each week and I loved finding new ways to express the word in her challenge.  I'm so very thrilled Erin is hosing a photography challenge this month and I've decided to join in.  Each Wednesday I will share my photographic interpretation of the word on her list.


Day 1 - A Smile 

Smile ...
 Day 2 - High Angle

The trees are wearing their autumn colours

Day 3 - Daily Life 
Daily play time with our dog Pugsley

Blessings until new week Wednesday

Chareen

Tuesday 26 April 2016

Wonderfully Made {Review}

I'm super excited to introduce this new book to you. Wonderfully Made is a fabulous new book from author Danika Cooley. One of my all time favourite times of becoming a Mom was the journey of pregnancy. I  loved devoured every book I could find in the library about prebirth.  The whole journey was one of the most incredible awe inspiring journey's ever. Nathaniel was conceived when Tim and Jane were twelve and ten years old. I could not wait to share with them the miracle of fetal growth.  The most difficult part was finding a book or information on the internet that did not have too much information or detailed pictures.  Thankfully this is no longer an issue as Danika has authored this beautiful book which preserves the sanctity of life and presents the miracle of every child conceived.

Wonderfully Made is designed to allow moms to share God’s amazing design for the development of life from conception to birth in a personalized way with their children in a scientific and Scripture based story.
It is an excellent book that introduces a young child to the wonder of God's creation - the wonder and miracle of birth. From conception in the womb through the nine months within the mother's womb Danika Cooley takes us on a journey of discovery... the discovery of life. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13

Week 10, the size of a small plum. (Page 16)

The book is written as a Mother speaking to her child and telling them the story of their very own journey of life from conception to birth. Danika starts the story explaining that God knew the child before conception and that pregnancy is measured from before conception too.  Each week she compares the size of the child to a fruit and explains what God was doing during that week in forming the child.  The illustrator does an amazing job of combining the two concepts.

Through out the story Danika has placed appropriate scriptures turning our hearts and minds towards the miracle God is performing within the womb as he creates us from before we are conceived.

The story is interlaced with scientific facts of development in relation to the week of pregnancy presented in a relatable way to children (I learned a couple of things I did not know) and is beautifully linked to who the child is now. Danika uses twaddle free language (correct terminology),  whenever she uses an unfamiliar word such as surfactant she does so in such a way as to explain what the new word means in a way that children can easily grasp what is being shared.

Birth and conception is covered in a beautiful positive way and without any explicit detail.  Danika uses the story of birth to explain how we are physically born into the world and as a wonderful transition to explaining to children that our spirits need to be reborn.

The Details
  • Author: Danika Cooley
  • Age: Christian families with 5-11 year olds.
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 48
  • Publisher Christian Focus Publications Ltd
  • ISBN10 1781916780
  • ISBN13 9781781916780
  • Purchase from: Book Depository or Amazon

For we are His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)

Extra's
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Wonderfully Made is a beautiful book and an excellent addition to your book shelf that will be enjoyed by both young and old alike.

Blessings
Chareen




Saturday 16 April 2016

Week 3 April {HSMJ}


The weather is cooling and autumn is beginning to show her lovely colours here in Melbourne. Unfortunately on this side of Melbourne there are very few deciduous trees so it's not really possible to appreciate the variety of autumn colour in all it's glory.  Paul and I joined another homeschooling family this week and took a drive over to the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens.  If you are in Melbourne I would encourage you to pack a picnic and go and take a look at the stunning autumn garden in all it's splendor.

I really hope that many families will read this: What We Mean When We Say We Need a Break She puts so much into perspective.  I think this is something partners should really discuss with one another :)

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

In our home school this week…
  • We spent time watching the trilogy of movies The Note, The Note II and The Note III. So many many heart healing issues addressed and beautiful uplifting stories.
  • First time I've seen Flushed Away.  Cute movie.
  • We read Caterpillars and Butterflies 
  • Nathaniel is reading David Livingston the Explorer Missionary to Africa to me from Hero Tales.
  • We started a free trial of the Veritas Bible curriculum.
  • I'm learning to be more hands off and allowing Nathaniel to follow his passions and interests.  One of them is movies and projectors.  He has saved, worked for dollars and spent countless hours comparing projectors and finally purchased one for himself.  
  • It was time for his monthly orthodontic check up too.  The dentist is pleased with his progress.
  • We started the second book in the Lord of the Rings trilogy: The Two Towers.  
  • A good homeschool friend recently introduced me to Stitcher.  This app allows you to either stream or download podcasts to your phone to listen to.  I'm so pleased.  Now I need to make time so I can listen to some great homeschool content.
  • The first podcast I listened to was from the Morning Basket: Plutarch 101.
  • I took Timothy to the airport as he is off on a three month adventure.

My favourite thing this week was…
I'm so very proud of my sister Nadeen. She has walked 60 kilometer's in order to fund raise to help end woman's cancer.  She is still in need of some once off donations in order to reach her goal.  Please take some time to consider donating and helping her reach her donations goal.  You can make an Australian tax deductible donation here: Participant ID: 131063-0.



 On the WWW I’m reading…
 I’m cooking…

 A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

"Once Intellect admits us into the realms of History, we live in a great and stirring world, full of entertainment and sometimes of regret; and at last we begin to understand that we, too, are making History, and that we are all part of the whole; that the people who went before us were all very like ourselves, or else we should not be able to understand them. If some of them were worse than we, and in some things their times were worse than ours, yet we make acquaintance with many who were noble and great, and our hearts beat with a desire to be like them.” - Charlotte Mason

Blessings
Chareen


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