"I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT I CANNOT CHANGE THE 🌍 "

COURTNEY + JOELLE + CHARLIE  | IG: @SPARKSNMATCHES

MAMA STYLE

I can easily say that Courtney is an amazingly strong and inspiring woman. Ever since I met her I respected her discipline and focus, the force and passion that she pursues and fights for what she sets out to do and for change to happen. Always balancing and taking time from her post as a voice for change with adventure, travel and being a great mom + example for her two daughters who without a doubt will follow in her footsteps in some way.

She has such a fire within her that it would be almost impossible not be influenced by her even a little. Courtney also has quite the resume! She has a photography background, is getting her Masters in International Community Development at Northwest University and is the Digital Communications Officer at the Non - profit organization:  Preemptive Love Coalition at the moment. Preemptive Love Coalition "brings relief to families fleeing war in Syria and Iraq, and they empower refugees to rebuild their lives." Make sure to check them out!  

Courtney also put together Redefining WE: A Peacemaking Photography Experience for Muslim and Christian Women which she writes more in depth about HERE, I had the absolute honor of being one of the 17 photographers that got to take one of the photos. This project has seriously impacted my life in such a great way! She does all of this amongst SO MUCH more, and she also walked in the Women's march in January with her family (one of the many causes she supports). I could go on and on writing about this strong, beautiful woman with great style! So that YOU don't miss out, be sure to follow her to keep up with all of the great work that she's doing and is involved with.

•       •       •
COURTNEY'S OUTFIT DETAILS
TOP: Bellatrix
BLAZER: Theory // Shop similar HERE 
JEANS: Joe's  // Click to shop their selection
BOOTS: Lucky Brand // Shop similar  HERE

• Title quote: "I refuse to believe that I cannot change the world" By: Courtney Christenson

VALENTINE'S DAY ROBOT MAILBOX DIY ❤️

DIY PROJECTS

This super cute Valentine’s Day Robot DIY is a pretty easy Kids’ DIY to make with an adults help, and it will help you start decorating for Valentine’s Day! This projects is also a good idea if you’re a teacher needing a project for your class ... what better to collect adorable Valentine's from your classmates with than these Valentine’s Day Mailboxes? Have fun making these and getting ready for LOVE month! 

❤️Check out our Youtube video of our Valentine’s Day Robot Mailbox below, or scroll down to see the written + photo step by step.

MESSY LEVEL: 1
This project isn't very messy, there is some gluing with the hot glue gun and paper cutting. 

SUPPLIES:

• 1/2 gallon juice / milk container [ cleaned out ]

• 16 oz to-go coffee cup [ re-use / reduce?! we did! ]

• Scissors

• Ruler

• Glue gun + glue sticks

• Card stock [ in whatever color you choose for robot body ] + mirror card stock [ robot head, arms + legs ]

• Foam / cardstock sheet [ robot face details ]

• Decorative Tacks [ robot face details ] You can purchase in bulk HERE

• Any other metallic supplies you have laying around [ we used New Years noise maker ribbon which was a perfect metallic detail, metallic tape works well too! ]

1.) Taking your clean 1/2 gallon container, you will help your little one cut the top part off along the line (unless he/she is an expert with the scissors, they can do it themselves.) Then, you are going to choose what the “back” of your robot mailbox will be and you are going to cut a square starting from the top, down to a little above the halfway point of the gallon. You will work your way across and back up to the top of the gallon forming a square. This will end up being the slot for Valentine’s do go into.

**TIP: I used a pencil to draw a line about halfway down the back of the container.

See example:

Here is what the back of finished your mailbox cubby will look like on back of robot:

2.) Next measure and cut a thick card stock square to fit over the top opening. You can even use the remaining square that you just cut out to create the mailbox opening on the back of the robot. You won't see this piece in the finished product, it's just to close the opening and for re-enforcement. Glue that down with the hot glue gun. 

3.) After that, help your little one measure a card stock piece in the color you want the robots' body to be and cut it out. We used a 12 x 12 card stock piece, so the piece we measured wrapped around 3 sides of our container and we used the remnants of the card stock to cover the shorter back side. 

4.) Then wrap your card stock around the container, gluing it down as you go. 

5.) The next thing we did was measure, cut, and glue a square piece of the mirror card stock to go over the previous layer of card stock square that covered the top. This will end up being the Robots' shoulders. 

6.) Mark and cut out the bottom part of your cup, this will be your robots' head. We used a glass to help us measure and mark a straight cut all the way around our cup.

7.) Trace a circle around the top side of your newly cut cup onto the back side of your mirror card stock, then cut a circle 1 cm wider than this circle so that it's easier to attach the card stock to your cup (the top of your robots' head). I cut little tabs all around my circle and folded them in which made it easier to glue down to the top of the cup. 

8.) After you glue down the top of your robot's head; measure, cut and wrap a piece of the mirror card stock all around the width of the cup (gluing it down as you go). Then you can glue this to the carton top (this will be your robots head and body).

9.) Cut 4 pieces of mirror card stock 1 inch wide, making 2 pieces 9 inches long and 2 pieces 11 inches long (these will be the arms and legs). Glue to the robots' body. 

// We folded our legs accordion style, then cut + glued pieces of New Years' noise maker ribbon into each fold to make them more fun. The metallic blue went perfectly with our robot and once more: reuse / reduce :) 

10.) Create a face out of sticky foam sheet and attach. I drew it and then cut it out. I had my little man attach it. I also added white puffy paint dots to give the eyes a little of dimension.

11.) Glue as many decorative tacks as you would like to the top and sides of the head. I also created a little tube with a piece of mirror card stock to lift the top pin, this is optional. You and your little one(s) can decorate your robot as much or as little as you'd like. 

// Add little pieces of love :)

// Cuddle with your Valentine's Day Robots + sit them on your favorite shelf, don't forget to revisit the Valentine's inside reminding you how amazingly loved you are.  Have fun making these and tag @allkidsaregifted so that we can see how yours turned out! Can't wait to see!! 

TAUGHT IN CLASS

Here is a peek at when I taught the Valentine's Day Robot Mailbox DIY in my son’s Kindergarten class:

OUR TAKE ON THE HOT WHEELS VALENTINE'S 💌

Last year around this time, I was browsing through the kids category on iTunes and my oldest little happened to see the icon for the movie "Cars" flash by. "I want the MCQUEEN movie!" He screamed. I was kind of confused because I was so sure that we've owned that movie for years now, I said "Don't we have that already?" I of course, had to go into our purchased movies to prove to our then 4 year old that I was right, only to find that I was SO wrong. He owns "Cars 2" but not the first movie that was the cause of his obsession with Lightening McQueen for about a year and a half after he turned two. Therefore I bought it (I swore we had it all along) and this started his FULL ON obsession once more. 

A few days later when we went to look for Valentines' that he could give his friends in class during their Valentine's Day Party he said "I want MCQUEEN Valentine's mom!!". We looked and looked through all the isles but since the super cool car movie hasn't released any new releases recently (until the one coming this summer! Stay tuned loves!!) there were none to be found. I REALLY didn't want to go from store to store and he insisted on being present and hadpicking them himself, so ordering online was out of the question. Therefore, I had to get creative with a good compromise.

We found some "Cars" themed Valentine's stickers and he is also a fan of Hot Wheels cars (raise your hand if your kid has TONS of these tiny things lying around, waiting for you to trip over 🙋🏻) so then it clicked: Hot Wheels Valentines + Cars stickers to seal them! I had seen something on Pinterest where the Mama's / Daddy's did just that and I knew I had supplies stocked to make them easily, so I decided to make our own version of this apparently popular idea. 

Me: "Hey! Why don't you help me pick our a Hot Wheels car for each of your friends, and we can make a small road to tie them to, add some candy, put them into a bag and seal them with your McQueen stickers, yeah?!" 

Connor: "YES MOM THAT'S SO COOL!!!!!"

Cue the car noises and squealing as he goes into full "McQueen" mode and "drives" off en route to the toy isle. I'm feeling SO proud of myself as I run after him, I mean come on! After that reaction? I HAVE to make these with him! After all, how long is he going to think I'm SO right and SO cool?! Gotta take it while I can right?

I did like this Hot Wheels inspired printable that I found on Pinterest, so I printed some out on card stock and gathered all the rest of the materials I thought would make this project come together. We then got to work and we honestly had SUCH a fun time doing it, I'm so glad we decided to go this route!

// All packed up in a CARS bag of course! 

// Ready for delivery! 📬

These were SO fun to make and it made our oldest little man so proud to hand them out + it's another memory for our memory book which I love! Have fun making these, they could be used for so many things: party invites, party favors, or Valentine's day coming up before you know it. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

* it's netflix time! *  

AKAG

TO LIVE A CREATIVE LIFE

DAVID + ELLA | AGES:  12 + 9

GIFTED WITH CREATIVITY 

After looking at the gallery above, I think that you can agree when I say that David and Ella's relationship is a good one  is an understatement. They have such a beautiful bond and that is  what was the most apparent to me when I got to hang out with them for a few hours the day I took their photos. They support each other artistically : Ella sits as David draws her, isn't that the sweetest thing? Getting to be in the room and watching David and Ella at work really was special. Then just getting to hang out with them and talking to them was SO MUCH fun! They are two talented and cool kids with radiating personalities! Can we also talk about the fact that they have a handshake?! Heart melted.

Also, David shared with me that he prefers to have the subjects he draws be present instead of using a photo for reference which if you ask me is advanced ... the thought of drawing someone in person still gives me a grown woman, nerves! Ella shared her love of drawing cute things and writing stories to go along with her illustrations. David and Ella's parents are doing an amazing job nurturing not only their kids natural creative talents, but their best friend sibling bond and that is VERY inspiring! I can't wait to watch David and Ella's journey independently and together! Keep an eye out for these two! They are world changers in the making!!

Here's a mini Q & A between David + Ella's  Mami and Daddy and David + Ella.
Q: by Mami and Daddy
A: by David, then Ella

• DAVID •

Q: DO YOU LISTEN TO MUSIC WHEN YOU CREATE? IF SO, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SONG TO LISTEN TO?
A: No, I don't like to listen to much while I draw I find it easier to concentrate in a sunlit room with minimal noise.

Q: WHAT TIME OF DAY ARE YOU MOST INSPIRED TO MAKE ART? ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON, NIGHT OWL, OR DO YOU FEEL CREATIVELY INSPIRED ALL DAY LONG?
A: I feel most inspired in the morning when light floods the room and I'm awake and refreshed.

Q: DO YOU TAKE ART CLASSES OR DO YOU PLAN ON TAKING MORE IN - DEPTH COURSES TO GROW ARTISTICALLY?
A: I do take art classes this semester and I plan on taking art as many years as I can. I might take it through college if I can. :) 

• ELLA •

Q: IS THERE A PLACE OR A PERSON THAT INSPIRES YOU TO CREATE?
A: Loral Birch, I think of my cute stuffed animals and also I love animals so I like to write stories about them. 

Q: IS PENCIL DRAWING YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO DRAW OR ARE THERE OTHER TOOLS YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN HOW TO USE?
A: I want to learn how to use oil pastels. I also enjoy using my gel pens, colors and markers. I also love creating pretty things from nature.

Q: I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A GIFT FOR ILLUSTRATING YOUR OWN HANDMADE BOOKS, WOULD YOU EVER LIKE TO HAVE ONE OF YOUR STORIES PUBLISHED?
A: Yes, I like to make funny stories and read them out loud to my family and friends. :)

“We began to see creativity with David and Ella at very early ages when they would draw or paint around age 2 and 3. David paid close attention to the detail in the way things looked around him and liked to draw realism at a very young age. Ella was very drawn to creating art that was detailed and colorful. As they both grew up we kept all of their artwork year after year so that they could reflect back on their imaginative artwork as they got older and could see the progression of change in creativity over their childhood years.
Both kids showed a passionate desire to read both fiction and nonfiction books frequently which inspired great imagination in both of them to create their own artwork. Both kids seek to be individuals who create unique artwork that is a reflection of their own souls.

David and Ella’s grandfather and uncle are well known painters in Mexico and the desire to create art runs in the blood of our family lineage. There have been times when both of our kids have been relentlessly creating art without being prompted or given artwork assignments, they simply have had a strong desire to be creative and artistically express what comes out of their individual souls.
There have been times where the kids will create artwork for hours on end, going from one project to the next letting the pure creativity pour out of them.

We are immensely proud of our kids and their imaginative gifts and expressive creativity. We take great pride in watching our kids grow and develop in their desire to create new art and to express the things that are deep within them and which represent them as unique individuals.”

— DAVID + ELLA'S MAMI & DAD(DY)

•       •       •
DAVID + ELLA'S OUTFIT DETAILS:

• DAVID •
JACKET: ZARA
SHIRT: H & M
PANTS: H & M
SHOES: ZARA

• ELLA •
JACKET: H & M
SHIRT: H & M
LEGGINGS: ZARA
SHOES: VANS

M IS FOR MERMAID 🐚

DIY PROJECTS

You can create Christmas decor using any theme right?! I think so! As little girls, my sisters and I spent countless hours playing pretend that we were mermaids. We would take the pillow covers off of our pillows and put them over our legs, then narrate an underwater world to life. 🐚

Playing make believe with my sisters are my most cherished childhood memories and trust me … we have TONS of stories!

 While I was photographing the Hotwheels Christmas Wreath DIY I was thinking about what a fun wreath would be for a little girl (if she didn't care for cars) and I was SOOOO very excited when the word MERMAIDS!!!!! came into my mind. I got right to work and hand drew + cut out all of these little underwater ladies out of foam, got to gluing them together and started attaching them to this beautiful white wreath.

// Are there any seashell collectors out there? 🙋🏻 I spend hours collecting shells on the beach when I get a chance to go and my collection is finally being put into good use! I picked some of my favorites and painted them with watercolors.

// This part was fun! I wasn't sure how the paint would adhere to the shells but I was pleasantly surprised at the richness of color that I got and the texture in the shells made each of them a beautiful piece of art!

// I glued these shells on with a glue gun around the mermaids, attached some mini trees and DONE!

* If you love and want to re-create this wreath but don't want to hand draw all your mermaids, comment "DIY PLEASE" below and I will draw out a free downloadable template for you to print for them! I will include it (along with a few instructions to make them) into this post for you to access it! Happy Christmas memory making loves! * ❤️❄️🐠

HOT WHEELS CHRISTMAS WREATH DIY 🎄

DIY PROJECTS

If you didn't know this by now, then I think after this post you will for sure know that my boys LOVE hot wheels cars! When I thought of the idea for this wreath, I was really excited to see their reaction to the finished product. Just like I thought that they would: they jumped, laughed and yelled "COOOOL!!!!!". These reactions are always so rewarding, keep the ideas flowing, and my heart so full! I love making my little men happy! ❤️

---

MESSY LEVEL: 1
This project isn't very messy, there is some gluing with the hot glue gun and string cutting. 

SUPPLIES:

• Wreath of your choice

• Hot wheels cars

• String

• Racing words printed on cardstock + cut out (optional). Download for racing words available HERE.

• Paper straws in color / pattern of choice.

1.) The first thing you're going to need is a wreath of your choice. 

2.) Then round up all the Hot Wheels cars that you want to use.

3.) It was helpful for us to stage them on the wreath where we were going to want them to go. (This step is optional)

4.) Then you start to cut your string into 5 inch pieces, cut as many pieces as there are cars. You'll be using these pieces to tie your racers all around your wreath! Wrapping the string around the cars twice, then tying held them on more securely.

5.) If you decide to use the racing words, you can print the download out on cardstock. Cut each letter out and glue each word to a paper straw. You can then cut the remnant of each straw off. This made it easier for me to attach the words to the wreath. Then you can glue your words with a hot glue gun all around your wreath.

// That's it! Your Hot Wheels race car wreath is done + ready to hang!

// Also, how cute are these little Hot Wheels cars that we attached reindeer antlers + a red nose to?! 😍

// Have SO much fun making these with your kiddos or on your own to surprise them! The squeals of excitement will leave you so happy that you did! Happy Holidays and have fun decking your halls + joining in all the Holiday festivities! ❤️❄️