Think Kit Day 8- Create

Think Kit topic today: What did you make this year? Whether something personal, like a song or some art, or a work project, share your process, the end result about your creation.

This year I feel like I was very creative, which is actually reflected in the pathetic state of this this. I've cooked and crafted quite a bit this year, more than any other, in fact. I've made mail art, tried new recipes, and created several artsy-fartsy things on my pinterest boards. I started a Smashbook and I made most of my own envelopes and cards in 2013.

I've also written LOTS this year. Last May I started writing a paper journal, in the form of letters, to my son Mac. I write every day. Sometimes it reads like an agenda and other times it's full of my thoughts and ideas and fears and just the typical stuff people journal about, I supposed. Every time I fill a journal, I give it to him. He's 20 years old and....this is a good way for him to get to know his mom as a person rather than his parent. Additionally to writing journals daily, I also write lots and lots of letters each month to my friends and penpals.

And it was funny to me that this was a "creative" topic because I totally felt like I got my Martha Stewart on today. I actually did create an art project today: a Christmas ornament wreath. With a hot glue gun and lots of swearing, I managed to make something I like well enough I actually hung it up in the house!

 

 Maggie

Think Kit- what did your workspace look like this year- Day 2

This December I decided jump start my blog again so I'm participating in ThinkBox 31 Days of writing prompts for bloggers. Of course, the second topic isn't one I could easily do but Smallbox is helping; they're awesome and give "life line" topics which I'm using today:  What did your workspace look like this year? Did you use a desk, chalkboard, table, floor, or all of the above? What was essential (or completely non-essential) to your workflow?

I think "workspace" can be defined in several ways for me this year: the actual work space at my place of employment, the area where I write or the areas where I cook or craft. In 2013 I've actually cultivated all of these "various" workspaces.  

Other than my place of employment, all my workspaces are just niches I've carved out for myself in the house. I long to have an actual study where I can spread my craft stuff, mail art supplies, swaths of fabric, a sewing machine for quilting, a computer a type writer and various tids and bits- and just LEAVE it there. But alas, that's not the way it is right now.

The dining room has become the make shift crafting area. There are 2 card tables covered with all things a paper crafter could want. Seriously, I think we have all the things. I can leave my stuff on one of the card tables but when I'm spreading out to work I work on the dining room table so everything has to be packed up and put away, or at the very least picked up moved. I did buy a set of plastic containers on wheels to hold all my rubber stamps and various papers. I have  about a dozen decorator boxes where all my mail art supplies are categorized and stored. I have various expandable folders stacked under tables. To the stranger's eye, it probably looks a mess, but it's quite organized.

Essentials, I've discovered, are washi tape, a paper score board, assorted patterned papers, excellent adhesive, colored pens, 1 decent pair of scissors, and a glue pen. All the rest is just embellishment!

Happy creating!
Maggie

What's new in the world of art?

After Christmas break we're back at school and I'm ready to get the Art Club going and I know the kids are because they ask me every day "when's art club?" I've sort of put them off because I've been trying to get a meeting with my principal to see how much money I have left in my budget. I finally said 'screw it' and planned a bunch of stuff and "cc-ed" him on the email and figure if there's no money to spend, he'll let me know. Right?

In this day and age where art programs are cut (ours was hence an ART CLUB) and music is cut and hell, at a school in Ohio lunch was cut, I'm not complaining but it would be nice to know if I have any money or if I need to be... more creative. I know we have a grant but it requires matching funds. I know we have a second grant that can be the 1st grants matching funds but I've yet to see any of these numbers. I just keep on spending. Guess he'll stop me if I blow it?

So the art club agenda:

• Duct tape wallets- can be for guys or girls.
• Finger paint replicas of Van Gogh's Starry Starry Night, which is one of my favorite activities to do with kids (this is my after school tomorrow idea)
  
• use Shrinky-Dinks to make jewelry
• jewelry making with beading, felting and metal working
• 'professional' looking valentines (think card workshop from Archiver's type of stuff)
• Necktie Purses
• paperbag scrapbooks
• make trivet coasters
• pottery- using the wheel, paint, the kiln, etc...
• design a bulletin board
  

The above are things I want to do before spring break. I think it's all doable. I'm able to do everything on the list except 2 and the pottery and jewelry making will require a guest speaker which is fun for the kids. They need to be exposed to others and it's always nice to have someone else come do the work!

One thing I am doing is pulling 4 boys who are "artists" and giving them a special project. I'm going to give them each a ceiling tile and then see if they can reproduce a famous book cover on it. If this is successful, then they will go in the ceiling of the library and it can be an ongoing project. (I picked 4 boys who've shown some extra talent and want to really push them to see how well they can do...)

If I get ambitious I'm thinking I might show the kids how to make a quilt square. Then they can either make a pillow or a purse out of them. OR!!!!!!!!!!!! I could see if they would make a quilt square, donate the square back to the school and then we could make a quilt (lap, full or even a wall hanging) and then give it to a charity or donate it silent auction style to raise MORE money for the art club... I'm not sure if I'm ready to bite that off, though.

So, I'm getting my 'art' back on so all should be fun. I can't wait to see what creations the kids come up with! I'll be posting pictures!

Maggie