Our crazy viral post.

Last month something amazing happened.  I wrote a post on my website about the Free and Almost Free Places to Visit in New Jersey and the Surrounding States.  The post went viral.  It exploded!  There were so many wonderful comments and suggestions for places.  It definitely kept me busy for a good few weeks.  I am grateful for all the wonderful responses, and apologize if I couldn't get to answer all of them!  Here is the link to the post: http://www.happyfamilyart.com/Free-Places-For-Family-Fun-NJ.html  I hope you like it!

What we have been up to in April, 2014



I realize that I probably should update this blog more often!  At this point in my life I just can't squeeze the extra time.  However, to see all the new things on our website you could just go to www.happyfamilyart.com  In the meantime, I am going to commit to doing a monthly update. 
Here is the update for April, 2014!!!
Let's see what we did.

We visited the Morris Museum in NJ: http://www.happyfamilyart.com/Our-Visit-To-Morris-Museum-NJ.html

We also went to IPlay America for some fun in an arcade and indoor rides.  It was great.  Read more about it here: http://www.happyfamilyart.com/Our-Visit-To-IPlayAmerica.html

 

We made quite a few great crafts.  Like these recycled portfolios: http://www.happyfamilyart.com/Recycled-Art-Portfolios.html

And these lovely flower hairbands made from recycled t-shirts: http://www.happyfamilyart.com/Recycled-Tshirt-Headband.html
 



 

Of course there is an art project there as well, Watercolor Water Lilies: http://www.happyfamilyart.com/Painting-Water-Lilies.html

 

 

I also added a few new sections.  One of them is all about art history for kids.  These are new, so there are only a few things there.  So far we have an art lesson on Georges Seurat: http://www.happyfamilyart.com/Georges-Seurat-Art-Lesson.html
 

Another is on Louis Comfort Tiffany: http://www.happyfamilyart.com/Tiffany-Stained-Glass-Art-Lesson.html

 

I also added a section on Photography.  I dubbed it a 1000 Photos Project.  I am hoping to improve my photo taking skills as I climb to a 1000 Photos.  Here is a link for that section, I do hope you like it: http://www.happyfamilyart.com/1000-Photos-Project.html

 

I think that is about it for the month of April! I hope you enjoyed it, and stop by again!  Also, I love comments, and don't be shy about using the contact me page with any questions!  Thank you, and see you at the end of this May!



Our Trip To Environment Education Center in Lord Stirling, NJ

We love the Nature Center in the Watchung Reservation, so when a friend invited us to go for a hike in another Nature Center, the Environmental Education Center in Lord Stirling NJ, I jumped right on. You can find the link to the Nature Center here: http://www.somersetcountyparks.org/parksFacilities/eec/EEC.html

Read more about our trip here: http://www.happyfamilyart.com/Our-Visit-To-Nature-Center-Lord-Stirling-NJ.html

Here is a few photos:

Finger Painting

Who doesn't love finger painting.  It is messy, fun, and so relaxing.  Some of the kids in art class asked for finger painting, and I made a lesson plan around it.  Here it is:

http://www.happyfamilyart.com/Fun-Finger-Painting-Art-Lesson.html

 

Styrofoam Art Prints

Recently I have been coming across different sites with folks doing prints using recycled Styrofoam containers. I saw a few of them, but the one that stuck out was the red cat print that I saw on Pinterest.   I have been looking at stamp kits for kids, but felt they were too pricy, this came into my view right on time. What a neat idea it is! I jumped right on it. Before trying it out with the group of kids I do art classes with, I decided to try it together with my kids. Here are the awesome results we got!

 

Take a look at how we made them here:

http://www.happyfamilyart.com/Printing-With-Styrofoam.html

Magic Wands

 

Everyone needs a little magic.  I made these out of paint swatches and wooden skewers.  If you would like to see how, click here: http://www.happyfamilyart.com/Magic-Wands-Craft.html

Fun Mural Art Lesson

We made this great under the sea mural in art class.  Read more here: http://www.happyfamilyart.com/Fun-Mural-Painting.html

Awesome Sparkly Felt Crowns

It was cold around here last few weeks. REALLY COLD!!! So cold, in fact, that we had to stay inside for quite a few days. Since we were home I took out some crafts for me to play with. Crafts that were too girly for my boys to even look at. Lots of sparkles, sequins and other shiny things. I decided that I NEED to make a felt crown. You know, so that I could wear it around the house whilst doing dishes and such. Wait, but I didn't only make one crown, I went ahead and made FIVE! See what happens when I stay home for too long: I start playing with scissors and glue, and sequins. 

To see how I made them look here: http://www.happyfamilyart.com/Felt-Crown-Craft.html