Fall Print Making

This Fall we have been exploring printmaking in many different forms from hand prints, to negative space leaf prints with marble painting, to leaf prints and apple fabric paint prints.  In addition we have printed with bubble wrap, thread spools, sponges,and there will be more to come.  Here are our leaf and apple prints. 

The kindergartners have done apple prints on paper before, so I thought it would be nice if they had the opportunity to print on a piece of fabric.

The results were very pretty, but the children had the most fun when we took out the sewing machine for them to sew their prints onto a Fall Bunting Banner.

I love our little sewing machine.  It is a travel sewing machine that was given to the school as a gift from my mother.  What I love about this machine as opposed to the kid sewing machine you can find at a store like Micheal's, is that it has a bobbin, so the children are doing more than just a base stitch.  My mother purchased this machine at Walgreen's of all places, and I think it was $20.00.  It is wonderful!

The children were a little hesitant at first, but then they really became skilled at using the machine, just make sure they do not have the foot on the pedal if you have to adjust something, I learned the hard way...Ouch!  

Leaf Prints

Every year I post pictures of the children doing leaf prints at school.  I just really like this project, and the way the children respond to it.

 

A display of some of the different prints in the hallway.  I love when the children come in and find their hand print and high five it.  The display changes through the year, but the hands will always be there.

Flower Printing

This year for summer camp, I have decided to have a theme for each two week summer session.  The first session is flowers and plants.  This was a lovely project that we did, and to be honest I was not prepared for the sweetness these children displayed while in the garden, it was precious. 

The children each had the opportunity to cut a flower to place in the basket

We then took a short nature walk to collect dogwood flowers.  

I mean really, how adorable is this scene!

While the children played a little bit inside, I set the table with the invitation to print with their flowers.

They were so attentive during this whole process, some taking the time to press each little petal down on their paper.

This little one discovered that if you twirled the flower with paint on it, the colors all blended together like a pin wheel.

The older children were presented with a similar invitation to create.

I love the overlay of flower prints.

Of course you can't have a tray of paint without someone doing some hand prints. 

 What I love about offering children the opportunity to do process driven artwork, is that the work that is created is authentic, and beautiful.