This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy here.

1/14/2009

Art Portfolio

Lou La loves to draw. And color. And paint. And scrapbook. And cut up paper and glue it back together again. Or tape it back together. And then stamp on it. And then leave it on the dinning room table.

She has been off of school for three days because of parent teacher conference and has taken over the entire dining room. She goes back to school tomorrow and it is time to reclaim that portion of the house. The problem is that there isn't enough room on my fridge for all of her art. And if she were to catch me throwing any of it away I would immediately be demoted to the worst mom in the world. So here is what works for us in our house!

I bought her one of these:
Not this one exactly. This one is from Storables (we will talk about how much trouble I could get into at that store in a later post!! I might have to go get her this one since it is pink!! Maybe for Valentine's Day!) But she has something similar.

This is her portfolio. I explained to her how all artists keep their work in a portfolio so that they can show it to other people and so that it doesn't get thrown away by their mom or torn up by their baby sister. The rule is that if I find art that isn't in her portfolio (or on the fridge) then that tells me it isn't important to her and it is okay if I throw it away. She keeps it next to her bed and it has saved a lot of tears. From her and me!


11 comments:

Tricia said...

What a BRILLIANT idea! We also have a little picasso in our house and find bits and pieces of his work everywhere! I am buying him a "portfolio" today and giving it to him after school. No more throwing away work in the middle of the night only to hear him ask in the morning, "where is my picture?" This is the best tip ever!!!

Coffee with Cathy said...

Some super ideas here. Love your blog -- thanks for sharing all this inspiration.

SoggyToad said...

Great idea, not only does it solve the overflow issue, it also helps her take responsibility for her own things. I'll have to grab a couple for my little ones.

TidyMom said...

That's a WONDERFUL idea!! I especially like how you explained it to her!!

~Tidymom

Anonymous said...

Cute idea. Thanks for sharing. =)

Amie said...

that' s agreat idea! I actually don't use the fridge--I use our front door. It brightens up our living room and we can all enjoy the art for a few weeks. As it gets full, we replace the older ones which get sent to grandparents. =)

Lorie said...

Sending them to grandma is a GREAT idea! I am going to have to start doing that!

Alida B. said...

Great Idea...I admit I just throw it all away! You just gave me a more loving idea :) BUT...my hubby isn't gonna like you or me very much now that you showed be that "storables" website! Aaahhhh!! Heaven....almost!

Anonymous said...

Great idea!

Lorie said...

Alida, you think the site is bad...they just opened one up by my house! I almost spent a small fortune on things I absolutely didn't need. Like little glass spice jars for my cookie sprinkles!! :X

Sandi said...

I have been needing an idea like this...my 4-year-old can sit and draw for HOURS and all of the pages end up all over the kitchen. I will have to try this...