Minnie Mouse Paper Plate Face

I am running a series of children's workshops this summer, all inspired by children's films and animations. 

Here's one I made earlier: 
Here is my Minnie Mouse paper plate face for my Disney themed children's workshop. The bow can be removed to make a Mickey to go along with Minnie. This is fun to make and works as a great party decoration too. 

My Minnie Mouse face ready for my workshop. 

View more of my workshop photos on my fan page: 
Facebook fan page

My Art Workshops

I run art workshops in primary schools. Pupils use a variety of mediums including watercolour paints and watercolour pencils, acrylic paint, printing and things like gemstones, tissue paper, sequins and gold / silver paint pens. 

Projects range from creating mosaics, bunting, henna inspired art, foam printing and more. This enables pupils to learn different techniques whilst also developing their creativity. 

A mosaic created by a Key stage 2 pupil in my first primary school art workshop. These designs were inspired by landscapes. 

My Art workshops provide children with a chance to explore and have fun creatively in a friendly, supportive, motivating & inspiring way. It's rewarding to see young minds get enthusiastic and inspired through art, 

Get in touch if you'd like a workshop or after school club in a school, day centre, community centre, playgroup, hospital, church or just for fun at home for children's parties. 

Email: Sharon_kerala@hotmail.com
Fan Page: www.facebook.com/MonsoonArtsAndPhotography
Twitter: @MonsoonArts

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Happy Diwali - The Festival of Lights

Diwali or Deepavali translates as "a row of lamps." The festival celebrates victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance, and so many divas, lights and candles are lit. 

Divas, lights and candles are lit around homes, temples and streets. 

I like celebrating Diwali, it's colourful, bright, spiritual yet fun, especially in India. It marks new beginnings and represents joy, love, reflection, forgiveness, light and knowledge. 

Woman create Rangoli folk art on the floors and courtyards. 

Rangoli, a traditional Indian decoration made of ground rice, dry coloured flour, sand or flower petals is created on living room and courtyard floors. 

Rangoli in the courtyards. 

Apart from decoration Rangoli is thought to bring good luck and is also created on marriage celebrations. Traditional designs include geometric shapes, deity impressions and flowers but Indian symbols of lotus flowers, leaves, peacocks and birds are also created. 

Rangoli in living rooms. 

I must celebrate Diwali in India some day, it's much more festive. Streets and homes come alive with candles, divas and lights, people are everywhere celebrating together creating a fun atmosphere. 

Diwali at the Golden Temple, Amritsar, North India. 

I also like the spiritual feeling where so many worshippers can be in the temple yet it still feels peaceful with all the candles set against the dark night. 

Many worshippers but still peaceful. 

Diwali at Trafalgar Square with lanterns, musicians and traditional food. 

Diwali in Times Square

Here are some Diwali colouring pictures your children will love. 

Rangoli peacock design. 

Indian paisley design.

Diyas design.

Season of Love - Valentine's Day

With Valentines Day just round the corner Love is in the air and so Love has inspired me to create new mini Valentine's cards. We all like to be in love, it's a warm welcoming feeling in these snow filled winter days and I think love adds to that magical feeling that comes with these picturesque snowy landscapes which are so beautiful. It's a time to appreciate the love we have and to let them know just how much we care. Whether it be your partner, sister, mom or friend. But I think it's a perfect time to let that beautiful stranger know just how you feel! A cute mini Valentine's card is a sweet way to do this. Below are some of my new designs which are for sale in my exhibition or by contacting me direct. 

My mini Valentine's cards

My cards can also be accompanied by something handmade like my love inspired painting which makes a special gift for a loved one to be kept and displayed, always reminding them of the love you share. 

My Love inspired painting makes a special gift for a loved one to always remind them of the love you share. 

To purchase a Valentine's card contact me direct:

Email: Sharon_kerala@hotmail.com

Twitter: Twitter.com/MonsoonArts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monsoonartsandphotography

Children's Halloween Spider Project

Halloween is not far away, so why not keep the kids busy with this easy Halloween spider project, great for parties or to decorate the house with. This is copyright material taken from the site: http://crafts.kaboose.com 

  

Sparkling Spiders
By: Amanda Formaro
Difficulty: Average
Age: 7 & up



What you'll need: 

• Styrofoam ball about 4" in diameter
• Purple acrylic paint
• Sponge applicator
• 2 large wiggle eyes
• Hot glue
• 9 black chenille sticks
• Colourful craft gems OR purple sequins & sequin pics

How to make it: 

1. Use the sponge applicator to paint the Styrofoam ball and allow to dry. 
2. Use 8 of the chenille sticks for legs by bending the bottom of each one into a foot, about 1” long. Bend at the “knee” about halfway up the stick. 
3. When the ball is dry, insert the 4 chenille sticks into each side of the body. 
4. Cut the last chenille stick in half and then cut one of those halves in half again. Bend the quartered chenille stick to create a “feeler” about ½” long and place one on either side of the face (on either side of where the mouth would be).
5. Hot glue the wiggle eyes onto the spider’s face.
6. Decorate the spider’s back with purple sequins, securing them in place with sequin pins. Younger children can glue craft gems to the back instead.
7. Adjust the legs so that the spider stands on its own.

Tips: 

• Sequin pins are tiny and can be hard for younger children to manipulate. Use craft gems as an alternative. 
• Sponge applicators can be found by the paintbrushes in any craft store or at building supply stores as they are commonly used for applying stains and varnishes.
• Styrofoam is very porous and can take a little while to dry. This is also a good time to cut and bend the chenille sticks. 

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Olympics Colouring Pictures for Children

With today being the start of the summer holidays and with the London Olympics just round the corner, here are some colouring pictures to keep your little ones busy when you're busy. Or you can celebrate the Olympics together with these fun colouring pictures, mazes and puzzles. 

Due to copyright, right click cannot be performed on my blog, so instead click the post title and then Print from the menu bar to print all the pictures, mazes and puzzles. 

Enjoy! 

Children's colouring pictures - Torch carrier.
Copyright image: http://www.squidoo.com/

Children's colouring pictures - Torch relay past London Bridge. Copyright image:  http://www.free-for-kids.com/

Children's colouring pictures - Winner. Copyright image: http://www.handipoints.com/

Children's colouring pictures - Olympics logo. 

Or they can have a go at this fun printable maze where they can run through with the Olympic torch into the stadium. 

 Copyright image: http://www.printactivities.com/

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 Copyright image: http://www.guiders.co.uk

The older ones can have a go at the Olympics themed word-search. Simply find and cross off the listed words. Once all the words have been found read the remaining letters from top left to bottom right for an Olympics summer fact. 

 Copyright image: http://printables4kids.com/

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GYMNASTICS		MARATHON
HAMMER THROW		MOUNTAIN BIKE
HANDBALL		PENTATHLON
HEPTATHLON		POLE VAULT
HIGH JUMP		RELAY RUN
HORSE JUMPING		RELAY SWIM
HURDLES		ROAD CYCLING
JAVELIN		ROWING
JUDO		SAILING
LONG JUMP

Henna Tattoos

I absolutely love having henna! It's cultural, traditional - yet moves with the times and it looks so beautiful - any excuse and I'm there! Here are just 3 henna photos but visit again soon as I have so much more to talk about and show you all in the future - Exciting!

This design moves from the hands, extending up the arm. Complimenting Indian clothes and jewellery. 

Henna is also popular on the feet with glitter and colours for a modern twist. 

A beautiful henna pattern on hands and wrists. Perfect for any occasion. 

Visit again soon for more henna info and photos of this beautiful art. 

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Photo Restoration and Enhancement

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In need of photo restoration & enhancement? I can: 

Alternatively I can create an old feel to a new photo.
Copyright photo by SHARONJEET GALSINH

• Photo Restoration: Remove a torn, crease, stains, scratches, restore colour into old faded photos. 
• Colour Correction: Correcting discoloured images due to flash/no flash, filament bulbs, over/under exposure. 
• Photo Enhancement: Changing brightness or contrast. 

I can further manipulate your photo with filters and effects for a more interesting old look. 
Copyright photo by SHARONJEET GALSINH

If you'd like to restore & bring an old photo back to life again or alternatively create an old feel to a new photo, send me an email: Sharon_Kerala@Hotmail.Com

Colour can be changed and borders added.
Copyright photo by SHARONJEET GALSINH

World's Longest Photo: "We're All Gonna Die - 100 Meters of Existence"

"We're All Gonna Die - 100 Meters of Existence" - so called as the image is 100 meters long. Simon Hoegsberg a freelance photographer from Denmark created a single continuous print shot over 20 days. It has 178 portraits of people all shot at the same spot on a railway in Berlin. Most unaware their photo was taken. He used a Canon 1D Mark II camera with a 400mm lens. 

Just a small section of the image 
Copyright photo by Simon Hoegsberg

I really like this, pretty impressive

Copyright photo by Simon Hoegsberg

To appreciate the whole picture, visit: 

www.simonhoegsberg.com/we_are_all_gonna_die/slider.html

Children's Jubilee Celebration Mask Making Worksheet

Celebrate the Jubilee with my fun children's mask making project to keep your little ones busy this bank holiday. For a British theme paint and stick ribbons and feathers in red, white & blues. 

Click the link for my worksheet:  

http://monsoonarts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/mardi-gras-mask-making-worksheet.html 

My mask decorated in my favourite colours. To create a British look decorate in red, white and blue paint, feathers, sequins & gemstones - perfect for celebrating the Jubilee! 
© SHARONJEET GALSINH. 

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Happy Easter! Pictures for your children to colour in

Here are some printable Easter pictures for your little ones to have fun colouring in during their holidays. For the full size picture right click and select open image in new tab. Have fun! 

Easter bunny with a basket full of eggs
Copyright image taken from www.netmums.com

Easter bunnies
Copyright image taken from www.netmums.com

Happy Easter
Copyright image taken from www.netmums.com

New Art for Sale - "Sunset Kiss"

I'm excited to say I have just put my first piece of artwork up for sale in my new shop: 

Click to view "Sunset Kiss" in my new online Folksy shop

With Valentines Day not long gone, Love inspired me to create new artwork "Sunset Kiss." It's a print of my original watercolour painting of a couple in love against the setting sun. It was painted in my favourite colours of pinks and purples to emphasise the warm feeling of being in love. It can make a lovely handmade gift for a loved one, something that can always remind you of the love you have. It's also perfect for framing. 

"Sunset Kiss" print from my original watercolour painting.
This image is copyright protected. ©  Sharonjeet Galsinh 2012