You guys, I am obsessed! I was in a game store the other day and I saw this super fun ShapeMaker toy from Miller Goodman:
The heavy box contains 25 painted wooden blocks that you can flip and turn to create various "pictures."
I was intrigued! But, the set was $40, so I left it behind and headed home.
Hours later at home, I simply couldn't get the blocks out of my mind.
Luckily, I had bought a box of 100 wooden blocks when I made my flipping cubes Valentine and had plenty of leftover blocks. I figured that all I needed was a bit of paint and I could make my own version.
Um…it took me three days and it was tougher than I thought to figure out what shapes to put where in what colors. Nonetheless, I persisted. And now I can't stop creating these little compositions!
I started somewhat realistically…
And then I decided to try an abstract composition:
This process led me to a slightly more abstracted face:
An even more abstracted set of shapes and colors:
And finally to a very abstracted dog (or maybe a goblin?):
You can watch me putting each of these compositions together in this quick (less than two-minute) video:
Honestly, I had to be dragged away from my art table last night. It was just so much fun to create these little compositions. I think the thing that makes it fun is also what makes it challenging: You have limited choices for each spot in the square. It really forces a focus on the composition and being creative.
From an art point-of-view, I think these blocks are great for:
- Creative quilting ideas (designs are often made from squares after all).
- Creative painting ideas — I'm interested in creating more geometric work.
- Learning to let go of expectations and go with what you've got. I found that I just didn't have "the right" block on several occasions. I had to accept it and move on!
- Re-thinking drawing. You can create so many different images from simple shapes!
If I had it to do over again, I'd just buy the real blocks. It was a real pain to make them. But otherwise, I'm loving this whole little project!
Thanks for stopping by!
this was quite fun to watch…..however to “create” those blocks was something else !! Kudos…
this was quite fun to watch…..however to “create” those blocks was something else !! Kudos…
this was quite fun to watch…..however to “create” those blocks was something else !! Kudos…
this was quite fun to watch…..however to “create” those blocks was something else !! Kudos…
this was quite fun to watch…..however to “create” those blocks was something else !! Kudos…
this was quite fun to watch…..however to “create” those blocks was something else !! Kudos…
This is a great way to study compositions! Brilliant!! I might have to try this!!
This is a great way to study compositions! Brilliant!! I might have to try this!!
This is a great way to study compositions! Brilliant!! I might have to try this!!
This is a great way to study compositions! Brilliant!! I might have to try this!!
This is a great way to study compositions! Brilliant!! I might have to try this!!
This is a great way to study compositions! Brilliant!! I might have to try this!!
YOu and your mind are AMAZING!! Thank you for sharing how you think outside the box and how you problem solve to make it yourself.
YOu and your mind are AMAZING!! Thank you for sharing how you think outside the box and how you problem solve to make it yourself.
YOu and your mind are AMAZING!! Thank you for sharing how you think outside the box and how you problem solve to make it yourself.
YOu and your mind are AMAZING!! Thank you for sharing how you think outside the box and how you problem solve to make it yourself.
YOu and your mind are AMAZING!! Thank you for sharing how you think outside the box and how you problem solve to make it yourself.
YOu and your mind are AMAZING!! Thank you for sharing how you think outside the box and how you problem solve to make it yourself.
i so want to make these blocks. i only have 4 sides figured out.
i don’t know what to do with the other two sides yet.
thanks so much julie.
i so want to make these blocks. i only have 4 sides figured out.
i don’t know what to do with the other two sides yet.
thanks so much julie.
i so want to make these blocks. i only have 4 sides figured out.
i don’t know what to do with the other two sides yet.
thanks so much julie.
i so want to make these blocks. i only have 4 sides figured out.
i don’t know what to do with the other two sides yet.
thanks so much julie.
i so want to make these blocks. i only have 4 sides figured out.
i don’t know what to do with the other two sides yet.
thanks so much julie.
i so want to make these blocks. i only have 4 sides figured out.
i don’t know what to do with the other two sides yet.
thanks so much julie.
Hey, Julie, you could carve stamps with those shapes! What fun!
Hey, Julie, you could carve stamps with those shapes! What fun!
Hey, Julie, you could carve stamps with those shapes! What fun!
Hey, Julie, you could carve stamps with those shapes! What fun!
Hey, Julie, you could carve stamps with those shapes! What fun!
Hey, Julie, you could carve stamps with those shapes! What fun!
I love the carved stamp idea. Also, at first glance, I thought the dog was a letter J for Julie. Great idea and what fun when you don’t want to purchase something, just come home and make it yourself.
I love the carved stamp idea. Also, at first glance, I thought the dog was a letter J for Julie. Great idea and what fun when you don’t want to purchase something, just come home and make it yourself.
I love the carved stamp idea. Also, at first glance, I thought the dog was a letter J for Julie. Great idea and what fun when you don’t want to purchase something, just come home and make it yourself.
I love the carved stamp idea. Also, at first glance, I thought the dog was a letter J for Julie. Great idea and what fun when you don’t want to purchase something, just come home and make it yourself.
I love the carved stamp idea. Also, at first glance, I thought the dog was a letter J for Julie. Great idea and what fun when you don’t want to purchase something, just come home and make it yourself.
I love the carved stamp idea. Also, at first glance, I thought the dog was a letter J for Julie. Great idea and what fun when you don’t want to purchase something, just come home and make it yourself.
You are amazing – how lucky I was to find you many years ago – so inspiring!!!
You are amazing – how lucky I was to find you many years ago – so inspiring!!!
You are amazing – how lucky I was to find you many years ago – so inspiring!!!
You are amazing – how lucky I was to find you many years ago – so inspiring!!!
You are amazing – how lucky I was to find you many years ago – so inspiring!!!
You are amazing – how lucky I was to find you many years ago – so inspiring!!!
Yes I would like too as well
Yes I would like too as well
Yes I would like too as well
Yes I would like too as well
Yes I would like too as well
Yes I would like too as well