The Art of Clipart

When I started this adventure of entrepreneur-ship I decided I didn't want to use the same clipart everyone else was using....(aka-I'm super cheap!) So, I decided to try to make my own clipart.  It has been a fun and gratifying process and I wanted to share how I do it!

I usually start out with a list....That helps me stay on task!

Here is a couple of samples that I had done and crossed off my list. ( I was working on an ABC clipart packet to sell.)

I begin my light sketch......(sometimes I google some pictures to get an idea of how to form the body or what position I like the best.)

Then I trace them carefully with my fancy black felt tip markers! (I LOVE THEM!!!!)

I go back through and erase any pencil marks I might see because they will show up when I scan them in.

And my favorite part....Marking it off the list! (Or in this case, tracing the pink with black!)




























I then scan them through a copy machine use some pretty cool (aka-expensive) programs to convert the image to the special files that are best for clipart.  I use the Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to convert and color.  These are what work best for me!  I hope you found this interesting, lol!

Sparky Came to Visit

Sparky the Fire Dog came to visit us and we had so much fun! 

We watched the firetrucks spray water in the field!

We learned how to crawl to safety

Sparky gave us a Hi-Five!

We got to look in the different fire trucks which was so cool!

Gobble, Gobble!

This is one of my favorite times of the year! All the good food comes out, people seem to be cheerful, the smells of the holidays are so wonderful, and let's not forget the music!

One of my favorite things last year was my math strategy builders we did each month.  The kids loved them because they were half size and have festive pictures that go with the problems. (It's crazy the things that make them happy!)

We got them going for November and love problem solving with them! 

 If you want to try out my strategy builders check them out at my store HERE

Check out these cute Thanksgiving projects my coworker made! Not sure if I'll have time to get to make these this year but definitely want to try it next!

We've also been working on "making 10" to add problems that equal a sum of greater then 10.  It's a pretty hard concept to internalize, but they love anything that has manipulatives!