Monthly Archives: February 2011

Art with Kids, Books, Sumico Net Blog

Making Japanese Paper Doll Puppets

Japanese Dolls
Japanese Paper Hina Dolls (Sumico Net Original)

March 3 is Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival or Girls’ Festival) in Japan, when people pray for the happiness and healthy growth of girls.

The family who has daughters place the doll set for this festival.

Platforms covered with a red carpet are used to display a set of ornamental dolls (雛人形, hina-ningyō) representing the Emperor, Empress, attendants, and musicians in traditional court dress of the Heian period.  (from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinamatsuri)

I made these dolls for my son’s class (year 1) and I will show the kids how to make Japanese dolls next week.  I thought that it would be a good post for people who are interested in Japanese culture.

You can download the template and try to make ones.

>>Download Japanese Doll Template (Note: Sorry, but  it is not the best resolution)

It is hard to buy the Chiyogami (Japanese paper with patterns) here in Australia, so I used the patterns from the book called “Kyochiyogami to Wa no Monyo Selection” (ISBN978-4-8843-2522-2 by Impress Japan Corporation.

Materials for Hina dolls
Materials: Download the template, coloured papers, sticks
Hina Dolls Parts
Cut out of the Hina Dolls parts, and glue the hair on the face
Hina Doll assemble 1
Fold left side of Kimono
Hina Doll assemble 2
Fold the right side of the kimono
Hina Doll Assemble 3
Fold the bottom parts to the back and finish!
Wano Monyo Collection
Book by Impress Japan ISBN978-4-8443-2522-2

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Read another popular kids activity -Marbling with Shaving Cream

Sumico Net News, Web Design/ Development

furrykids@Home Blog is launched

furrykids@Home blog: Pet Sitting, Pet Minding in Brisbanefurrykids@home provides Pet sitting, Pet minding, Pet visiting, Dog homestay, Dog day care, Dog walking in Brisbane Australia.

We launched their blog this month.

We have been working with furrykids@Home since they started.  We designed their logos, business card, flyers, Treat Menu card, Post cards, website and blog.  We will be launching their online shop soon.

furrykids@Home looks after your pets very well. I visited their office today and they had a couple of daycare and home stay dogs.  They were well looked after.

I am sure you and your furrykids will be happy with their services.

My dog loves treats that they sell.

Furrykids@home signed up on Facebook and Twitter.

Website:  http://www.furrykidsathome.com.au

Blog: http://www.furrykidsathome.com.au/blog/

Arts, Sumico Net Blog, Web Design

Web Review: Art Project powered by Google

Google Art ProjectArt Project powered by Google
 http://www.googleartproject.com/

Google recently launched the Art Project which allows you to visit museums and art galleries in the world online.

You can see the details of art works.  I was looking at the Gogh’s work and I was amazed to see how Gogh uses paints and brushes!

The website offers a function like Google Map street’ view. It allows you to see the inside of the museums or art galleries as you feel like you are walking inside and viewing the artworks.

It contains information of facilities, floor plans, locations, history, and description of the artworks. The floor plan shows you which art works are in the particular gallery room, etc. I was so impressed how much details this project displays.

Sleeping GypsyI like the way that I can zoom into the art work and can see the details of the brush stroke, paints, and colours.  It is a fantastic website.

This is one of my favourite art work “Sleeping Gypsy” by Henri Rousseau at MoMa in NY.  I have seen the real one in NY once and I really loved it. I am very happy to be able to see it online and zooming in to see the details.

I can see those wonderful art works any time when I want it.

Isn’t it great?

Google’s Art project will be an excellent way of showing the greatest arts to adults and kids.

Art with Kids, Light Art, Photography, Sumico Net Blog

Light Arts by LED Colour Lights

I would like to share my experiments about the light arts. I have been trying using different kind of lights.

In the last post, we used Fire Sparkles. This time, I would like to show you the effects by LED colour lights.

The first image was used blue, red and white LED lights.  My son moved the lights and I took the photo with slow shutter.

I found these colour LED lights at $2 for three at the shop near my home.

My son wanted to buy them to put on his fingers to be like a super hero.

I wondered what kind of effects that we can see using different colours of lights with slow shutter shot and you can see the effects below.

Camera Setting:  Manual Setting – Speed – Slowest with my camera 8 sec.  F6.4. Self timer.

Red Light ArtRed Light Art HeartBlue Light ArtLED lights, red, blue, white

Graphic Design, Sumico Net Blog, Sumico Net News

Graphic Design: Free Valentine’s Card

I illustrated the heart for the Valentine’s Day.

I used the Swirls from the book called “Flowers Materials by Haut Dessins”.

This Valentine’s card is free to download. Click here to download (pdf file).

The size of this artwork is 182x129mm.  It can fit into the A4. I drew the outline of the size of the card, so you can cut off along the line.

The card should be folded in the half, so a half of the heart on the front and other half should be at the back.

Enjoy!

Art with Kids, Light Art, Photography, Sumico Net Blog

Light Arts : LED White light

I would like to show the light art using a LED flash light.

You may have better effects if you cover your flashlight with a bubble wrap. It helps to make the light’s line clearer and sharper.

I took these photos and wrote the letters by myself.  I took the photos for each letter and put the letters together later.

Light Art Sad Face I tried to draw smiley face, however, it came out as a sad face….

I should have turned the light off when I finish one line and turn the light on again for a new line.

I had only 8 seconds to draw because it was the maximum time that I could set with my compact camera. I did not have enough time to draw something more complex.

If you can set the shutter speed slower like 15 seconds or something, you can draw something more interesting.

Materials: Flashlight, Bubble Wrap, and Camera

Camera Setting:  Manual Setting – Speed – Slowest with my camera 8 sec.  F6.4. Self timer.

I asked kids to draw letters. It should be read as “Earth”.  It was a bit difficult for little kids to draw  mirror letters.  It would be much easier for kids over 10 year old.

Have fun!