Hi, Creative Friends-

It’s that time of year when parents rejoice and kids spend the last few days of summer soaking up freedom! The shift from summer to back to school can be a rocky one but…

This week, here are 3 creative back-to-school ideas, that can create happiness …

1. Draw Up Inspiration: Pick a great quote from this Pure Wow “46 Inspirational Back-to-School So Your Kids Can Have The Best Year Ever” list and then grab some art supplies to sketch, collage or make that quote into a work of art. Post it up to make a happy reminder for the school year ahead.

2. Smart Foods: Packing lunches can be a good way to get creative, save money and find happiness. Try these 35 School Lunch Ideas for Teens by Taste of Home. Each meal looks like it would make happiness bloom at any age!

3. Art Supply Surprise: Gift your student with a sweet art supply surprise! Purchase one special marker, paint, highlighters, stickers, or pencil not listed on the school supply list and gift it to them on the first day of school. Watch as happiness and creativity follows through the year!

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or how will create happiness with back-to-school.

Also, thanks for reading. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.

If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.

Keep going, creative friends!

xoxo,

Andra

Create Everyday & Keep Learning: Try Skillshare

Hi, Creative Friends-

“The Roots Of Education Are Bitter But The Fruit Is Sweet.” ~ Aristotle

With the summer’s end near, the start of school might be on everyone’s mind. We might think school is only for certain ages, learning something new if for anyone. Getting back to learning can help us make big creative leaps and develop new talents well into our golden years. That’s why…

This week, here are 3 creative ideas, to make learning easier and happier for anyone at any age…

1. Create Voyersium: If we watch a cooking show or how-to video does it make us more creative or is it creative voyeurism? Find out by reading this article from the Harvard Business Review: “Watching an Expert Do Something Makes You Think You Can Do It Too.” and then watch the new show on Netflix: Bake Squad. On this show, watch experts create and bake incredibly creative deserts and then decide for yourself if creativity is contagious or purely inspiration.

2. Class It Up: Learning something new gets our creative ideas flowing and creates a sense of happiness but where do we start? If watercolor interests you, check out Dylan Mierzwinski “Still Life Lifes Are Cool: Contemporary and Traditional Art In Acryla Gouache.” With just a few supplies, which include a basic set of Acryla Gouache, a sketchbook, and these fabulous paintbrushes from The Pigeon Letters you will be painting and creating in no time. If Skillshare is too much of a commitment, bake your heart out one class at a time with Molly Wilk’s Virtual French Pastry classes. The September classes just launched and each class looks deliciously delightful. Since apples should be at peak season, try this beautiful Tarte Tatin class. I can’t think of a better way to create happiness than through painting and pastry!

3. Draw Big Lines: Did you know one pencil can draw a line 35 miles long? If you are looking for pencils that can go the extra mile try Statler’s Mechanical Drafting Pencil Set and then check out this article on NPR about Chuck Close, the American artist with big dreams who passed away this week at the age of 81 but never stopped learning.

Drop me a message and let me know what you are working on or how will create happiness with learning.

Also, thanks for reading. This newsletter takes some time to pull together. Consider showing your support by forwarding it to someone who might need some inspiration or buying some of my artwork at INPRNT or Society 6.

If you are seeing this newsletter/blog for the first time and want to keep seeing content subscribe here.

Keep going, creative friends!

xoxo,

Andra

This post contains affiliate links.

Hey everyone. It's Friday day and it's back-to-school time. Actually, in our house, it's first time school for almost everyone. There are a lot of emotions swirling. Each of us is shrinking from telling each other just how we feel about this transition. Perhaps it's a good time to create something that helps us wear our emotions on our sleeve or at least our backpacks. Who doesn't love a good emoji to communicate what's bubbling up inside?

Remember Shrinky Dink plastic fun? Today, let's combine our emotions and shrink them into a pint sized activity that will make everyone feel good about the change ahead. Today's project is to create DIY Emoji keyrings. 

• #6 plastic take out container {must be #6 plastic. The number 6 will be on the takeout container. DO NOT use any other plastic} or Shrinky Dink plastic {affiliate link}.
• Sharpie permanent markers {affiliate link}
• Hole punch
• 1" keyrings {affiliate link}
• Scissors
• Free emoji template found here.
• Aluminum foil
• Baking sheet

Step one: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Print out free emoji template. Cut out the flat piece of #6 plastic or use a Shrinky Dink kit. Trace the emojis on to the plastic with a black Sharpie marker.

Step 2: Add color to the emojis. Cut out the emoji artwork as circles. Punch a hole in each piece. Place the emoji artwork on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet.

Step 3: Once oven is at 350 degrees. Place the emoji artwork in the oven for 1-2 minutes. It will be begin to curl dramatically but then will begin to flatten. Remove baking sheet from the oven with oven mitts.

Step 4: Let the plastic emojis cool. Insert the keyring on each emoji. Place on a backpack or lunch box.

What a fun and easy way to show emotion. See you tomorrow Grumpy Gus!