August Break

Birthday Cake Was Everywhere

I took the month of August off to enjoy a plethora of Family August Birthdays, including mine. There were visits from loved ones with wee ones, loved ones from afar and the nights were never long enough. The mornings went by too quickly. Oh, but we did have fun.

After a quick Estate Sale run and $10 later, I had a new, old set of vintage camp chairs. There was no cloth, so I got to work with some remnants and Indigo pieces I had in The Hoard.

There was a little tipi building happening too. Although I was thrilled with the result, I was even more thrilled with how much everyone loved it and used it and made it homey.

There was a little of this. And a little of that. 

The signs of Autumn are slow but if you really look, they are arriving in a dry and crispy wind...

My busy hands were not idle, my friends. There were lots of things growing, harvested, dyed, refurbished and built from scraps. I love August. The height of that last summer heat, the water is warm and the fall seems to be knocking at the door.

Summer Flower Crowns

Oh, oh, oh, the joys of summer do delight! We have been holding class outside under the Cherry Tree and the Great Douglas Fir. We hide from the strong sun in dappled light, we bake cinnamon buns, a big favorite this season, and make art. We are surrounded by the blooming garden of flowers, herbs and berries. 

Each season we make crowns, this summer we celebrated the garden. Summer Flower Crowns. Lovely.
Happy Summer.

Shibori Detail

With the temperatures in the 80's, we have kept the dye vats going. Our Friday class finished their flags and I thought it would be fun for you to see a detail of all of their work. The different patterns that emerge are always pleasing and interesting to the eye. Here is just a  peek at a few details.

Long May They Wave

I almost did not get a photo of these before they flew away to their new homes. Two of my students have a new playhouse their grandpa built for them. I have been told they will decorate their new abode. Others have plans for camp sites, bedroom walls and one intends to festoon her bicycle basket with her new banner!

Summer Is Here

Summer hits full force after July 4th in these parts. I was hoping for a task that kept us in the shade and kept us cool. I remember learning how to tie dye in summer school. The day was hot, but the dye vats were cool and the hose was out and we used it to rinse out our projects and each other...

It was much like that day this morning, dye vats, sticks for stirring and lots of cool water. I hope these little ones look back fondly at this day, the way I do. 

The best part is unraveling your rubber banded mess to see what you made!

Here are the finished magnets, ready to go home. These were fun to make, easy and big hit.

Cinnamon Buns

As a treat, we made Cinnamon Buns in class this week. Not only were the children happy to follow every instruction very carefully, they were extremely pleased with their results. I'm sure there is a quiet lesson in that...Truth be told, I am quite impressed by my wee bakers.

Summer 2014

Oh, my. Why, why have I been gone so long? Life. Mostly. New roads with quick endings, old roads with the same endings. All along, I have been teaching art to wee ones. I will be sharing all that we do, and we do so very much.

Here is our Facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/AlbertaArtClasses?ref_type=bookmark

This summer I am doing classes three days a week, we sing, we move a little, we bake a little and then we start a good long session of doing. Lately we have been immersed in clay modeling. I keep trying to introduce something else, but the children are engaged and happy and so creative, I do not have the heart to interrupt their flow.

All classes are held in NE Portland, Oregon and all classes are Pay What You Can Afford. 

A few of the mothers of my small students have requested a simple sewing class and craft class for adults. I will announce that schedule soon. 

Art Saves Lives