So this morning, while left unattended for a few minutes (this mamma was checking her e-mail), Annabelle got creative. She added stickers, sparkle ink, and more color with markers to this series of drawings that she and I had created a few days ago. The color was fantastic, her energy for her artwork impressive (when I next saw her, my little artist was covered in sparkle paint from head to toe), and her mamma was excited that her young artist was getting crafty.
However.
When Annabelle called her mamma into the room saying that she wanted to wash her hands, her mamma never anticipated that the livingroom sofa would like this . . .
This is simply a snapshot of Annabelle’s interior design work (she really has a knack for it, yes?). I surprised myself because I didn’t even scrunch my brow; I just laughed. She looked at me and said, “I sorry. Can you fix my shirt?” She had also redesigned, or just added a few touches to, the Lion King on Broadway tee that her Nanna had just sent her. I promised her I would do my best to fix the LK tee and I also told her we needed to clean up her art space (and the sofa).
Together we soaped and scrubbed the sofa, the floor, her art table (which thank goodness she has access to at all times; I’m guessing that she simply wanted a larger, raised workspace for this project), and then her tee. Every mark and dash did come out and oh boy was I glad for that because my hubby and I are frugal and there is no warranty on our furniture . . . just elbow grease and a Stanley Steamer no-stain treatment (I repeatedly thank a past version of myself who had the foresight to care for our Craig’s List furniture with a visit from S.S.).
So, what creative works are your little ones up to? Have you ever stumbled upon an unexpected though amazing artisitic surprise? =)
{ 5 comments }
Huge congratulations on your pregnancy!
Ahhhhhhh yes. We’re living in one big Aryana Y masterpiece… You should see the rec room walls, they have been completely covered with beautiful artwork (which apparently depicts ‘Mommy, Daddy, Annas, and Eekoo!). I am waiting to wash it off until its time to paint.
Isil, thanks again for the congrats.
Melody, yes, I am all too familiar with Aryana’s interior art work in your home. Someday though, you may find it will come in handy. I know one family whose grown daughter painted murals throughout their home; it was custom and quite beautiful. For now, I suppose we’ll just have to encourage our budding artists and use soap and water as necessary. =)
Your post reminds me of our big plans to re-upholster our 60’s art deco couch! I’m thinking… hmmm is there an AFM sealant I can use to follow in your wise footsteps?
My 1st son, now 13yo, completely ransacked said 60’s art deco couch when he was a toddler, and those were the days in my twenties when I couldn’t be bothered to clean up the stains! Amazing what a decade of experience will do to your free spirit. The couch is now stained and ripped having been subsequently treated to cat torture, and is a shadow of its former self. Before we restore it we do have to keep in mind our upcoming little Del’s art talents, don’t we?
Thanks for the reminder to do some forward thinking! Do you have any tips on washable art supplies?
Hopealso, you may want to ask furniture cleaning companies whether your re-upholstered deco couch can be safely sealed (and protected from stains, etc.). As for protecting furniture from our animals’ torturing it, I have no good advice (our cat Toby, who I adopted from an animal shelter, has no front claws).
I have found that many “washable” art supplies are not truly washable. The sparkle glues and pens that Annabelle used to decorate our couch are made by Crayola, as are her washable markers. I was able to clean up all stains on our furniture and on her clothes (and I used basic soap from Trader Joes). I hope that helps!
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