Insights from Children’s Art Expert Bette Fetter: Top Blog Posts for March 2014
art and imagination
Move that table. It’s blocking the sun.
How can you have a sunny day at the beach, while confined to the Chicago suburbs over spring break?? If your kids have a spirit of adventure, an active imagination and a few choice props – anything is possible.
One of my favorite ‘staycation’ family memories happened years ago when our girls were in elementary school. It was spring break and we were excited to have a week without homework and time constraints, mom included. And at our house that meant lots more time for playful adventures.
One day, without realizing what I would inspire, I brought home three inexpensive pink and white striped tote bags, one for each daughter. Inside each bag was a pair of summer flip-flops. As I gave the girls their tote bags, I could see big sister Laurie’s wheels start turning. She quickly swept her younger sisters into her imagination and upstairs to change. Soon they reappeared holding beach towels, wearing swimsuits, sunglasses and their new flip-flops. The dining room chairs were quickly moved away from the table, the towels spread out underneath and a sunny afternoon beach adventure ensued.
How can you encourage creative at home adventures?
Spring Break: Planning a Staycation Day 3
Living in Illinois, I know that spring break isn’t always warm and pleasant. With 4 children and 2 grandchildren, I have previously spent hours devising ways to keep the kids busy and out of trouble on days we are stuck inside. Today I want to share some of my best ideas for indoor staycation activities, letting your kids have fun and you have a break. 
Build an Art Spot- Designating an ‘art spot’ for the kids is a wonderful way to encourage independence and get hours of quiet time (that don’t involve a screen)! This is key to a successful Staycation whether your home to play or not, kids can have fun in here doing art for hours on end. Make sure your spot is well supplied and that artists can utilize it without the need of adult supervision. If you’re short on real-estate, a low and easy-to-open drawer works well – load it with paper and compartmentalize the materials with supply bins. Want to really go all out with your space? Here are some amazing ideas to inspire you.
Spring Break: Planning a Staycation Day 1
The many months of below freezing cold and piles of snow here in Chicago have got me hankering for some warmer weather or at least a break from the usual winter routine. 
I am not going on a Spring Vacation this year with my family… this year we are all working and planning a few Staycation ideas to shake those winter blues and get ready for spring. Coming up this week I will be sharing some of the BEST Staycation ideas for families that are taking the week off to spend together and Staycation ideas for kids, maybe you can’t get the week off and your kids are on their own. YIKES! I will be sharing posts that will satisfy all.
Here’s just a few ideas to get you started…
Spring Time Sale!
Enjoy our Springtime Sale going on now in the Bette Fetter Being Visual store. Take 30% off all orders of $30 or more! We have everything from colorful and artistic wearables to fun drawing workbooks,
all for your little ones to enjoy. Our artistic t-shirts and hoodie make great birthday and Easter presents while our variety of workbooks are sure to keep the creativity flowing while at home!
Hurry and place your order today!
Spring Cleaning and Organizing Your Family
I recently went through the messy and exhausting process of deep cleaning of my home office.
I noticed that my crowded work space was beginning to affect my mental space, so it was time to dig in and declutter. The piles on my desk were overwhelming, my bookshelves overflowing and my filing system completely ineffective. So after considerable time spent sorting, purging and reorganizing, I can say it was worth every bit of the effort. Not only is the space more inviting, the atmosphere itself feels cleaner and I feel there’s room for me and my thoughts now.
As much as a good purging and declutter is for us as adults, it is even more significant for our kids. Young children are in the process of developing internal order and the space around them profoundly affects them externally and internally.
I Do Art Hoodie: Limited Edition
For some of us, it seems like winter has been dragging on forever. Just when we think the storms have ended and snow is melting, we get hit again and are forced to remain bundled up. Recently with Brayden, my grandson, 
it seems like most of his cold weather clothes are about at their tipping (or ripping) point, until we pulled out this gem.
Our “i do art” hoodie is the perfect gift for the “art kid” in your house or family. Cozy and durable, this hoodie is a masterpiece, covered in artistic attitude and sized child’s small –x large. This hoodie comes in one color and is a limited edition. Get one now before their gone!
Inspire your Child: 12 Family Fun Activities To Do In March
“No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow”
- Boost your luck this spring by finding a Four Leaf Clover
- Make your OWN Shamrock Shake: Just combine mint chocolate chip ice cream and milk into a blender
- Go on a treasure hunt: Shake off those winter blues and get everyone outside for a spring treasure hunt.
- Celebrate the Irish with a St. Patrick’s Day Craft…like this Pot of Gold
- Think Spring by planting a little seed in an indoor pot: Herbs are great to keep indoor by a window and they can be enjoyed all summer long!
The Cactus: Show Us How You See the World
This is one of my all time favorite drawings. My son did it when he was in first grade and attended weekly Young Rembrandts classes. Like all parents, I am especially fond of anything and everything my own kids do, but this drawing represents so much more. 
First – he drew a collection of cacti! Not sure that would ever have happened without being in a drawing class.
Then – look at all those details! Check out that line work, the colors, and the multitude of careful little lines for the ‘pokey things’ on the cactus. You can tell by looking at it, he really enjoyed the line work and all the careful coloring.
