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2/23/2010

MERRY MONDAY

Today's activity was ASSEMBLAGE ART.  I am known for walking with my head down, scouring the ground or haunting thrift stores for ''found objects' to be reused in my art or for the kids.  

They were all excited to do this project.  I surprise them every week with something different and always try to make it interesting so they want to return.
I brought out  some of my containers of 'stuff'.  The only rule was to use one doll head.(I was lucky to get a large jarful at a garage sale for a nickel a head---wooohooooo!)
The rest of their body had to be composed of other 'objects'.  I  also had a jar of plastic arms
they could use.  They were not to copy anyone else but to use their imagination when diving into the 'stuff'.

The jar of doll heads, wire cutters etc

I love to see their creativity 'unfold'



Mikey is almost 4 and is my little "bud"  he comes with his big sister when his momma is at work.
He picked out the parts he wanted to use and his sissy helped him glue them together.  He was so proud of himself!!  He was done an hour before anyone else.

This one is on a stick and wrapped in lace.

This one was mounted on a stick and inserted into a bejeweled candle holder and adorned with fabric
and lace.


Mikey's big sis---did a great job using different 'stuff'

C here is usually the slowest one--today she made two 'dolls'
one starring in a horror movie on the left and the one on the right is talking to her boyfriend
smiling here

                                                       another cute use of 'stuff'
I didn't get all the pictures taken..........a lot of the girls were leaving while I was helping some still attach parts. 
I am always worn out after they leave so try to have leftovers for dinner.....  Or something in the crockpot.

I sincerely hope each of you has a child in your life who loves to create art in any form.

2/16/2010

AND THE WINNERS ARE..............................................

Of course I am a day late...........due to technical difficulties and the fact I was not home all day yesterday!!
But the randomly drawn winners are..............drum roll please...............................


This little cutie.....We all NEEDLE little love..............flies off to DIANA  of  Energize your Creativity

This fairy "The Mixer of Enchantment" will be stirring up a lot of mischief at DONNA'S house. Donna
does not have a blog due to arthritis.

                          This  little fairy is raring to go!  Have You Kissed a FROG today is flying off to finishing
                                       school in England.  Her Headmistress is Dawn of  My Thoughts My Life My Art

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO VISITED ME AND LEFT SUCH NICE COMMENTS!!!  Please come  back and visit often.........

2/11/2010

MERRY MONDAY--a little late

Good Morning!!  Every Monday here is MERRY MONDAY---I am just a little late posting.
  The kids  range in age from  5 to 13  and show up immediately after school.  I find myself repeating the same mantra I do every week: "Please wash your hands before touching the food."  ".)
I thought I would surprise them with a little Valentine  table.  Each week someone shows up with treats or something to drink.  I always throw in a protein of some type.
After the snack is finished (ahem when are kids ever done snacking?) we get down to business.


I have a general 'theme', throw supplies on the table, and let them do their thing.
I have learned, thru past experiences of taking my own art classes, to let their muse take them on their own journey.

I collected  candy heart boxes and we always draw numbers so kids can choose.

I had imagined the girls would collage the fronts of the boxes but it went inside as well.

Here is one top of the box and another inside design in progress.

I collect supplies at garage sales and thrift stores and never turn down donations.
The kids pay nothing...they just need to show up.
This is for an older brother  who is in college.


This is for MOM


Another MOM will smile opening this.



Or this............................


                                        A favorite teacher receives a lot of art from one smitten little girl!!!

I am so blessed to have these young budding artists in my care.  It is so life affirming for me!
I also know the kids always have a 'safe' place when needed.

I HOPE EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU HAS A CHANCE TO SHARE YOUR ART WITH A LITTLE ONE.

2/09/2010

VALENTINE GOODNESS

Last month I entered an art swap through the group alteredart.
There were 14 of us from everywhere!!  These are the ornaments
I received.

This is the ornament I sent.  I took a small plastic type heart then accordian pleated vintage wallpaper strips around it.  The pink  ribbon draping was spontaneous and I had this vintage looking jewelry and small sprays of white beads.  I cut out dictionary definitions from an old dictionary. I had no real plan when I sat down but knew I wanted it to look victorian

This gorgeous heart was crafted by ANGIE It is flat and the picture of the couple is perfect to depict romance. the ribbon trim really adds flair.
You can jump over to her site to catch sight of her other work

This paper heart is made with some sort of gluing process and  covered with a sheer tulle  and holds in the definition and love and hearts
then machine stitched in a circular motion.   It is made by SANDEE   she explains in detail the process

this is made by martha and is another gorgeous heart done with fabric paper and sewing and stuffed!

Tamara  made this lovely.  It is so old fashioned and the ribbon skirt is too sweet. Even my little girls loved her.
This beauty was made by Theresa--it is covered in wonderful fabric.  She put our names in the rusted heart down below the tag.

This pretty hand felted bird was done by the lovely mija
it is a  perfect valentine tree topper. 
this dear valentine reminds me of the era I grew up in
where you usually got candy AND roses or else!!!!
This was made by PEGGY.

This bookmark is so pretty.  It was painted in a painstaking process and it has my favorite thing--  Hearts on it. Made by CHERI
SANNA made this little beauty.   She started out as a beaded napkin ring.
She sculpted the hands holding the heart.

This altered domino was made by the clever DAWN.
I love the color pink so it is perfect!
This little valentine jar was made by Barb our swap leader and the 'brainchild' of this swap!
the jar has gold confetti in the bottom and a dangling heart from the cork stopper.
she sculpted the face.

This  Dolly Dingle cutie  was made by Heather
she is so adorable   stitched and beribboned. She has a dangling silver heart.

Paula made this pretty  from a baggage tag!! I love all the different fabrics/ribbons and the rusty heart and other embellishments.


I have them displalyed on my white feather tree.  Next week it will move into a special spot in my studio.

Thank you everyone for your goodness.  These pretties definitely made me smile and my heart a lot lighter.