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Madeline For A Day

Bring some Parisian flair to your child's next birthday celebration

In This Article

Masterpiece Painting

Miss Clavel always took her girls on field trips. When they went art to the Louvre to admire the works of great artists, she encouraged them to sketch the paintings, by saying, "Loosen up, express yourselves--GO WILD!" Have your guests create their own rococo, museum-style frames out of cardboard boxes. For drawing and painting ideas, borrow some art books from the library and let your guests peruse paintings by Renoir, Degas, Monet and Van Gogh.

MATERIALS

Cardboard boxes
Scissors
Gold poster paint
Oil or chalk pastels
Drawing paper
Spray fixative, such as hairspray
Craft Glue
Double stick tape
Assorted plastic gems

DIRECTIONS

The Frames

1. For each frame, cut out the sides of a cardboard box, allowing 4 inches to 5 inches for the frames border, then cut out an opening approximately 1 inch smaller than the size of the paper. Cut out two cardboard panels, about 6 inches wide and 1 inch smaller than the width of the frame, to secure the drawing. With strips of double stick tape, fasten the panels to the back of the frame, one near the top and one near the bottom.

2. Cut the edge of the frame to create a triangular edge.

3. Paint the sides of the frame with gold paint to make them look "gold leafed." After paint dries, glue on various colors and shapes of plastic gems.

The Paintings

1. Have your guests draw an interpretation of a chosen impressionistic painting using chalk or oil pastels.

3. After drawings are complete, spray each surface with hairspray or other fixative to make the pastels permanent.

4. To insert drawings in the frame, slide through the center of the panels--have an art show to display the masterpieces!

TIP 1: To avoid the smudgy mess of chalk pastels, try using oil pastels or Crayola Construction Paper Crayons, which can be found in most craft stores. For some suggestions on where to get crafts online, try one of our Craft Tips.