Monday, June 17, 2013

What the Art Teacher Wore #67

Sunny Yellow Monday: So I've been hitting the local hardware/plant place recently (because as a serial flower killer, I find it a sound investment) and I've noticed something: there's a lot of old dudes workin' there. And, it turns out, old dudes are fascinated by retro-dressin' chics. Not in a creepy "I'll-show-you-where-the-tools-are,-honey,-heh-heh" kind of way. More like an "aw-my-mother/girlfriend/wife-used-to-dress-like-you,-heh-heh" (sorry, in my mind, all old dudes end their sentences that way). Which kinda makes me wonder...in twenty years when the "retro" look means wearing a vintage Hooters uniform, will the old dudes be like, "Aw, I remember when classy ladies used to wear thick-a** nylons under their construction-worker-orange shorty shorts, heh-heh" and then off they'll go to satisfy their sudden and unexpected wings craving? dress: vintage Swirl dress, picked up in St. Louis; shoes: Target, last summer; giant flower: just a fake one I glued to a clip after I changed out of my Hooters uniform
Hi! I'll have you know that since last chatting with you, no one has been sliced, diced or tampon'ed. Aw, don't look disappointed. I've got a month and a half left of summer vacation. I'm almost positive I'll be short a limb by the time I return (geez, if that really does happen then this will suddenly become The Most Awkward Post Ever. And we shall never speak of it again.)

So I thought I'd change it up a bit and share with you random photos from my week. I don't have Instagram but I do have A-Day-Or-Two-Later-Cam. Which is even better because I don't have to look at that amazing vintage find of yours or that totally stunning bouquet of flowers your boyfriend gave you (both of which I am sharing here. You're welcome). I've got a couple new DIY's coming up this week so make sure to pop back in and say hello (I've been hearing a lot from you lately and it totally makes my day!). And the next time you're ordering the wings at Hooters, tell 'em Cassie sent ya!
My amazing bouquet of flowers from my boyfriend. Who happens to be in kindergarten. But whateves, he's got good taste in the ladies and the orchids, so I'll take him.
Slice and Dice Tuesday: So if you've not heard the ridiculous story of my foot injury, go here. It's worth the read because it will totally enlighten you on the thinking of the dimwitted. Added bonus: you'll feel better about yourself and your obviously advanced intelligence. dress: made by me; shoes: ugh, Crocs.
Oh, lookie, a sneak peak. I started working on a new painting for the kitchen that I can't wait to finish off, hang up and share with you. It's very paint-by-numbers with out the numbers. Because they confuse me.
Wednesday, Unlimited: You'll never guess in a million years where I got this dress. The Limited. Yes, seriously. When's the last time you went to The Limited? For me, I believe it was back in '91 and I picked up a pair of Madonna-style trousers (you know the ones she paired with her bullet bra back in the Vogue days. I opted out of said bullet bra. Not enough ammo to fill it). My teacher neighbor at school, who always looks adorable, recently shared a photo of herself wearing the cutest dress. When I jokingly (sorta) said I was going to break into her house in the middle of the night and steal that dress (I was giving fair warning, I don't know what the problem was), she quickly informed me that she got the dress at The Limited. I immediately zipped over, found the dress and scooped up this one as well. So, where's the so-good-Ima-gonna-attempt-burglary-and-possible-jail-time dress? I'll show ya next week.
Can you freakin' believe this fabric?! Dude, I am so excited. I've got big plans to create what I imagine will be the most perfect pair of barbeque dresses even though hubs and I don't barbeque nor do we ever get invited to such things. Because vegetarians at barbeques suck. Regardless, I have a feeling these dresses, once created, will be more than welcome. Even if the dress is all, "Yeah, sorry about the person in the dress. She demanded to come," eye roll and sigh.
Hello, Neighbor, Thursday: You know, getting a photo of what you wear everyday is taxing. Especially when you attempt to do it in your front yard and the neighbors, who already think you are nutz, see you. But I do it for you. Now that's dedication, people. sweater: Target, old; dress: vintage, The Hip Zipper
Whatcha see here is my recent estate sale loot. It's become my Friday ritual to grab a buddy and hit as many sales as possible before noon. My favorite score of the day are those little doll dresses and that hand-knitted Anthropologie-esque sweater. Or maybe it's those mini-leather gloves. Possibly that dress with the blue daisies?...I just can't decide.
Free Tree Friday: Before I get to the tree, can we have a moment's chat about this dress? Because I lurve it. I ventured into a thrift store that I don't often frequent and there she was. This sweet little Anthro dress for a mere $10. I got all excited and started chatting with the lady at the rack next to me saying, "look at this dress! Isn't it amazing?!" Unfortunately, my new friend, who only needed to share in my enthusiasm with a high five, decided to become my personal shopper. Which woulda been great had her idea of my taste not involved vintage Jaclyn Smith. She was sweet for tryin', bless her heart (which, in the South, can mean many-a-thing. In this case, it's "get that Kathy Ireland frock away from me!") dress: thrifted, Anthro; belt: Pin Up Girl Clothing; box purse: vintage Enid Collins, ebay; necklace: Target, old
Me standing in front of a tree trunk. Like, literally. A trunk o' tree. Not too long ago, a coupla friends and I volunteered to help create the new window display at Anthropologie. It was so much fun. They served cookies, parfaits and mimosas. We skipped the snacks and instead drank our way through the crafting. Much to their dismay, I'm almost certain. In the midst of all our merry-making, it was asked what would become of the current cherry tree display. We were told that it was going to be given away to a good home. My buddy piped up that I was an art teacher that would love to have the tree...and, a week later, here we are with a mammoth tree in the trunk.
Dude, look at it. It's huge! I'm so excited to put it up...and it's totally getting me inspired and excited for the new school year. But I've still not settled on a theme. So! I'm asking you, whatcha got? Do you have any tree-themed book suggestions (please don't say The Giving Tree as I can't get through that book without crying which makes the kids super uncomfortable)? Art project ideas? Artist suggestions? Thanks in advance, I appreciate you doing my homework for me.

Chat with you soonish!








17 comments:

  1. I'm seeing some fuzzy critters in that tree, but then I've been creating creatures from the felt forest this week. Birds are always good. Bird calls, tree house, and nests...
    The vintage stuff from the estate sale - fantastic! Cannot wait to see all that goodness again soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I LOVE the tree houses idea! And a clay whistle would be amazing as a little bird call..especially if it was bird shaped. Thank you for the great ideas!

      Delete
  2. Do you know the book, The Man Who Planted Trees- the artistic animated movie based on the story is one of my favorites. It's beautiful and the story is inspiring.

    And there's an ABC book that I think is out of print, but worth looking for: ABCedar. Illustrations of leaves to scale, each letter for a different tree.

    And Look What I Did With a Leaf. Great leaf collage art.

    One of my favorite projects we did this year in Art Club was pastel abstracts based on looking for line types and shapes in real leaves. I have a big box of pressed leaves that the kids looked at for inspiration. (You can see some posted on my blog.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are the best!! I am so gonna check amazon for these books...maybe I'll get lucky and find that out of print book. Checking out your blog for more awesome ideas, thank you!!

      Delete
  3. Long time reader, first time commenter all the way from Sydney, Australia! The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton was my favourite childhood book. It has so many wonderful characters & opportunities for craft inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, the land of Oz! Thank you so much for reading and commenting, it means a lot to me :) Will be looking for that book online today, thank you!!

      Delete
  4. Several tree books :) I too loved the Faraway Tree series- but it is hard to get here. Magic Treehouse books- lots of those to have fun with! Then there is Chicka-Chicka-Boom-Boom. And I saw a calendar the other day with pictures of goats in trees. Not that THAT is particularly helpful LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, goats in trees...I kinda like that idea ;) Thank you for the book suggestions, I'll be looking into them!

      Delete
  5. Hey Cassie,
    All I can think of is George Washington and chopping down the cherry tree......maybe revolutionary war, lanterns, pewter plates, antiques, Paul Revere, American history.....etc. My previous classroom before I became the art teacher was cabin style-old quilts, faux fireplace, old timey school desk and stuff like that.
    Love the vintage finds from the estate sale--yoyo thingy is my fave. Just a quick question, please don't think I'm a stalker, but are you attending the Arts Academy at Belmont this year? Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes!! I'll be at Arts Academy! Will you be there?! Have you been before? I LOVE it, it's my fave thing of the summer.
      Thank you som uch for all the suggestions. I definitely think I've gotta get ole George in my unit some where, I mean, it's a CHERRY tree after all. I love the idea of the tie in of American history, yay!! Thank you!

      See you at TAA :)

      Delete
    2. That is exactly where my mind went! You could tie in England and France (though you studied France this year...) and maybe show how such and such began in England but was brought to America and how it evolved in America.

      Delete
  6. Yes, I will be there. It's my first year and I have heard that it is sooooo amazing. I was actually describing your blog to my friend at school who teaches music and she was like "oh I know who you are talking about. She was at the Arts Academy last year." I was so excited. You're famous! Love your blog and sure enjoy seeing all of the things that you do at school and with your vintage finds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know you will have the best time! I'm so excited to meet you :) Yeah, I'm at Arts Academy every year as the run-around-helper-person. So you'll be seein' a lot of me (more that you'd like, I'm sure ;)

      Delete
  7. Anonymous6/27/2013

    What about the Lorax?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hey Cassie! Don't be dissing the RC Cola/Moon pie festival- almost everyone there has most of their teeth! ;) lol I live right down the road, but I missed it this year. I met you at the Arts Academy last year, and hate to say it, but I won't be there this time. It was amazing, but just wasn't in the budget. I was going to tell you that I had looked at your weaving lesson from a while back, and was going to say that we use popsicle sticks instead of needles for our weaving- we are a really poor school, and if you ever run out that is an option. Gosh, it feels like they are never going to finish weaving! I felt better after I read it took your kiddos a month-I thought mine were just really slow. Whew! That's a relief!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yeah, it takes FOREVER! Some kids fly through it and others...well...not so much. That's why I let them take them home...which SOMETIMES means they never come back but for the most part, it works. I'm sorry you won't be at TAA again this year but I understand. It's gotten a little pricey because the state stopped funding, boo. Maybe next summer!

      Delete

Thank you so much for your comments. I appreciate each and every one :)

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.