Altoid Tin Swap

I am participating in another swap, this time it involves an Altoid Tin.  Instructions were to alter a tin and then fill with goodies from your art space.  I stumbled a bit, over thinking how to "alter" my tin.  Finally, I just went for it.  My first tins were altered with polymer clay in the theme of a "shrine".  I have been fascinated with shrines for quite some time.  I think this is something I need to explore further.  Then I did a second set, after an inspiring issue of the latest Cloth Paper Scissors magazine.  Filling the tin was easy.....as my studio space is chalk full of "stuff".  A bit too much I might add.  I am busting at the seams and the space is no longer enticing.

The Art of being at the beach!

The ART of being at the beach. 

Need I say any more. 

Tomorrow, back to the studio!

Just for fun

Still playing with these fabrics and colors.  So last night I whipped up a little purse. 

And....yes I LOVE my flip flops!  Thanks Alisa...your tutorial makes me a happy gal!

So tonight our son is acting as chef.  We have Jamie Oliver's new book and we love it.

The kids get to pick a new recipes out of this cookbook (or cookbook of their choice) and then try it out.  Tonight he is making baked Camembert pasta.  Can I tell you that it smells delicious in here right now!

In Awe of Mother Nature

While gardening last night I spotted a black fly on some tall garden phlox. 

I thought it odd that the fly was lying there like that, not even "seeing" the spider. 

Then when I discovered the spider I was in awe of it's clever camouflage. 

It is moments like these that I realize how lucky I am to be in the right place at the

 right time with my eyes, mind and heart open!

I believe it is a white crab spider...or something similar from my quick Internet search.  If anyone knows more about these let me know, I am not afraid, just curious....always curious!

ATC Swap

Belinda Spiwak, Illinois

Elle Pukalo, Canada

Kirsten Varga

Karen Silver, Wisconsin

Sue, South Africa

and my contribution to the swap...a series of fabric ATC's

Love them all.  So different.  Which reminds me that the possibilities are limitless!

Next swap.  Altoid tin swap.  We alter and fill an Altoid Tin.  I am signed up to send two and receive two.  Should be fun.  Love the challenge of finding treasures that will fit in an Altoid Tin.

Scrumptious Squares on Sunday

Taking a break from "chores" and enjoying a relaxing Sunday afternoon.

The kids have retreated to the blow up pool, which to be honest, every year I think they will have outgrown it.  But not yet.  I sit here, under this umbrella.  Catching up on the laptop and listening to their squeals. 

Our thirteen year old certainly is using his size to his benefit and clearly the 7 year old enjoys

being tossed and splashed!

Finally, I am getting around to posting pictures from the swaps that I participated in this spring.  The first one that I am sharing is the Scrumptious Squares.  These are 1 1/2 inch squares of artwork.  We were inspired from the Mixed Mania by Debbi Crane and Cheryl Prater.

I think I just heard "water balloons" which means I might just want to take cover.  I will post ATC swap results.....later, from a safe spot!

peony deliciousness

A wonderful trip to the Farmer's Market yielded these beauties. 

Buttery

Full and Fragrant

Delicate, yet robust

Summery

I am thoroughly enjoying the purples that are surrounding me.  Including delicious purple cabbage.  I made this Creamy Avocado and White Bean with Slaw last night.  Delicious, delicious, delicious!

creamy avocado and white bean wrap is found at eattingwell.com.  It is a wrap recipe, but being gluten free (and not having a gluten free wrap on hand) I just served without the wrap and it was wonderful.  The chipotle chile in adobo sauce was a treat for the senses. 

2 TB. cider vinegar

1 TB canola oil

2 t. finely chopped canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce

1/4 t. salt

2 cups shredded red cabbage

1 medium carrot, shredded

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1- 15 ounce can white beans, rinsed

1 ripe avocado

1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

2 TB minced red onion or green onion

4 8-10 inch whole wheat wraps or tortillas

  whisk vinegar, oil, chipotle chile and salt in medium bowl.  Add cabbage, carrot and cilantro; toss to combine.  mash beans and avocado in another medium bowl with a potato masher or fork.  Stir in cheese and onion. 

To serve, spread about 1/2 cup bean-avocado mixture onto a wrap and top with about 2/3 cup cabbage-carrot slaw, roll up and serve.

Enjoy!!!

summer vacation starts NOW!

Yup, kids are officially out of school.  Yahooooooo!
Already started our "art" list.
Gonna be fun.

So far:
paint a couple of antique chairs (don't be horrified, they were already painted....but not quite the color that I like.)
paint a small side table
mosaic a few small tables
make Udu drums (clay drums...we will jamming by a camp fire later this summer!)
turn one hallway into a rotating art gallery......I want the kids and I to be able to display our art work (photo's, video's, sculptures, etc.)  I want to print/silk screen/stencil antique style frames in various sizes on one wall to allow for 2-D art.  Haven't quite figured out my exact plan yet.

Thought I would share this video.  Kelly Rae Roberts posted this the other day in our Flying Lesson's Class and....man was I touched.
Enjoy!!!

Saying Thanks!

Dear Mrs. O,

Thank you for trusting me with the care of your kindergarten class this year when you couldn't be there.  I thoroughly enjoyed my days spent in your classroom.  I loved the kids for all of their unique personalities.  They were creative, quirky, fun, loving, smart and real.  I feel so blessed that our paths crossed and I was given the opportunity to have this experience.  To show my appreciation and a heartfelt THANKS from the kids we created this collaborative project.  They drew wonderful little drawings.  I then reduced and made color copies of their original art.  With those color copies, I transferred the drawings to polymer tiles.  Using those tiles and the mosaic technique I decorated the border of a memory board for you. 

Thank you for all that you do to make the start of education a great start!  Have a wonderful, relaxing summer.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Wodek and all of your 2009-2010 kindergarten class

Last day of school.....for me

Today was my last day....subbing that is....or being the "guest teacher" which is the new catch phrase.  It has been an interesting school year, as a sub that is.  It was pretty rare for me to come home without a story, or two or three.  Some days I came home exhausted and overwhelmed and other days I came home.....feeling like I had contributed in some way.  As I have said before, everyone should have to sub for ONE school day.  It will put teaching into a whole new perspective.  I have always respected the profession, but after this year.....it has gone to another level of respect.  Seriously, there were many days that I would hardly have time to eat lunch as I would be prepping for the second half of the day while the kids were at lunch/recess.  A couple of friends had encouraged me to blog about my subbing from the get go.  In hindsight I wish that i had written more down.  Darn me for not starting that journal.......that'll teach me!

For the most part the kids would keep me on my toes with funny comments or actions.  They were mostly sweet.....but the older they get in elementary school the trickier they are.  Today I subbed for a 5th grade class.  I looked into their relatively innocent eyes...knowing that next year they would be in middle school.  And after my experiences subbing in Middle School this year....I am here to tell you that the sweet innocent look will fade to a more jaded, tough attitude.

One of my favorite stories is about a kindergartener, Mallory.  She came in one morning with a really pathetic look.  By this time, I had a pretty good idea who was a scammer and who wasn't.  She wasn't usually a scammer.  Some of the kids think "sub = ticket home", using the "I don't feel good" card.  I caught on to them pretty quickly!  So..... back to Mallory.  She looks at me, with glassy eyes.  "Mallory...what's wrong honey?"  "Mrs. Wodek...I have the staring fever."  "The what fever??????"  "The staring fever...if I stare at anything for more than 8 seconds I get a fever."  (Turns out that Mom was out of town and she was not adjusting all that well to her absence.)

Another funny story is about Harrison, another kindergartener, with behavioral issues.  Apparently earlier this school year he was having a rough day and spent a fair amount of time in the office.  At the end of the day he told the Principal that he was the worst "President" ever!  The Principal later made a deal with Harrison, that if he had 30 days of good behavior he could be the "Vice-President" of the school for the day.  Harrison finally earned that privilege last week.  He spent the day being Vice-President and let me tell you, the school did it up right.  He had his picture taken and a photo ID badge was made.  He helped make the morning announcements AND he was the Principal's right hand man during the award assembly, for the whole school to see.  He really lived it up.  It was great to see the pride in his eyes. 

I will miss the little buggers.  But now, I will get to hang with my little buggers...although a 15 and 13 year old are not quite little buggers anymore are they.  At least our 7 year old still falls into that category. 

dreaming of summer

I think I have summer fever!  I am so looking forward to the laid back days, the summer breezes, the walks along the beaches, the hikes up the dunes, hanging out with the kids, more time for art, trips to the CSA farm, trying new foods, new flavors.  So to honor my Bohemian inspired Summer Fever......I created a "beach bag."

These are the flowers that I have clipped to the handle.  I have made them with clips that i can easily clip to other things (jean jacket, t-shirt and whatever else needs a little accessory!)  The flowers were inspired from a video from the House of Three blog.  These darn flowers are everywhere and it was time I got on the band wagon!

Flip Flops!  Of course.  I made these from a tutorial on Alisa Burke's blog.  I am always so inspired by Alisa Burke, her blog, her art...it is so fresh, alive, and fun!!!!

And a funky, chunky bracelet made from odds and ends that I had.  Go figure.  I had paper/fabric beads left over from a Stitch Alchemy project, polymer beads because I am always playing with polymer and then some beads that I just had in my collection.  You gotta love a project that comes together like that!

School is out next week and then......I will be making more art and.....sharing here.

P.S.  I got my ATC swap and Scrumptious Squares swap in the mail last week.  I will get some pictures and upload, they are fun, fun!