What the Art Teacher Wore #10

Swing Your Partner Monday: I love my Mondays. Seriously. It is a slightly lighter day as far as my schedule goes and it just makes coming back to work at the end of the the weekend very pleasant. It also helps that I love my job! shirt: Paris Market Vintage in Orlando; skirt: vintage, thrifted; tights: Target; boots: Seychelle's

Well, hello there! It's just...me. Sorry, this week you only get to see what ridiculous ensembles I threw together as Lauren has kinda sorta moved on. And I've missed her so! Thankfully the room hasn't been too terribly quiet as I've had an army of amazing parents in my room all week. You see, my school was awarded a grant to participate in a fundraiser that will help feed the hungry. The deal is that my students are to create a clay masterpiece that, on the night of the art show, will be exchanged for canned goods. All canned goods will then be distributed to those in need throughout our community. 

The difficult task is helping twenty children successfully complete a clay sculpture in under half an hour. That's where these amazing moms and dads step in. They've helped clean, prep and assist any little artist in need. I honestly couldn't do it without them. So, if you're out there, thank you, parents! And any parent that helps in anyway at your child's school, know that you are truly appreciated.

I Don't Always Shop at Anthropologie, But When I Do, It's from the Sales Rack: cardigan and dress: anthropologie; shoes: vintage, thrifted; belt: Pinkyotto

Thrifty Wednesday: Everything I'm wearing was a thrift-store-score: sweater: Free People, thrifted; dress: Ann Taylor, thrifted; shoes: Dolls by Nina; tights: fishnets and gold tights from Target

Springy Thursday: I almost bought a knock-off vintage dress in this style at Anthropologie. So glad I didn't when I found this one at a vintage shop in San Francisco. dress: vintage; tights: Target: shoes: vintage, thrifted

Finally Feelin' It Friday: I admit, I'm officially tired! Notice the random artworks strewn across my floor and it's not even 8am! sweater: thrifted; dress: BCBG

In the Art Room: Leaf Relief

A lovely leaf relief with a dotted background by one of my former students.

Hey guys! This post has been very popular...if you are interested in other leaf related projects, be sure to look at this Leaf Printing post and my Leaf Press Project. Thanks!

While second grade was completing that project, I was working with my third graders on these Leaf Reliefs. It's a very spring/summer kind of project, so I thought I'd share it with you.

A close up of one of the 3" X 4" reliefs. I love that this artist chose a less than perfect leaf.

I like that I can talk about all of the elements of art when looking at something as simple as a leaf: the shape of the leaf; the lines and texture of the veins; the varying colors of each leaf; the cylinder form of the tree that the leaf came from. And when we complete this project, we chat about the values we created and the positive and negative space of the leaf. I do a lot of what's called "call and response" in my classroom which is where I say something and the kids finish my phrase. For example, when I point out an "element of..." they all respond "aaahhrt". Because we are fancy artists that speak with funny accents. Whatever helps them to remember, right?

Completed by an adult during an art afternoon I hosted a while back. I love that she chose to use a dandelion.

For this project, you'll need to gather the following:

• matte board ... I used 3" X 4"
• leaves, delicate flowers, lace ... really anything flat with some sort of texture
• 3M Spray Glue 
• inexpensive aluminum foil
• the $1 a can matte black spray paint found at Home Depot ... seriously, you want the cheap stuff
• 0000 steel wool 
• canvas, matte board or even cardboard for the background

One adult used impatiens and they turned out beautifully. I like that she even added some color to the foil with watered down acrylic paint.

In the art room, I had the kids gather around a table, pick a piece of matte board and lay it in front of them. Then I would lightly spray the glue on the board. The kids then chose from a pile of leaves laying their leaves on the sticky board veiny side up. I then sprayed the board again, laid a piece of tin foil over the board shiny side up and sent the kids back to their seats. At their seat, they used their finger to rub the surface of the board and reveal the texture underneath.

Once that was complete, we took our boards, a large drop cloth and some cheapo spray paint outside. I attempted to let the kids spray paint but I ended up giving the boards a final coat to insure complete coverage. We let their boards dry until the following art class.

Rubbing the spray paint off of the matte board to reveal the textured leaf underneath.

Using the softest of steel wool, the kids burnished their leaf reliefs. Some kids chose to burnish the boards completely while others liked the variety of values. And even though I emphasized not to rub too hard, we still had several incidences where the kids tore their foil. Usually they noticed right away and the foil could be gently glued back into place. In other cases, we repaired by using a black or silver sharpie to camouflage the tear.

For the background, I have tried a variety of things. In the classroom, we have used canvas boards that we've painted (after a long chat about color theory and mixing, of course) and applied a texture with our texture combs. Not familiar with texture combs? I picked mine up from an art supply catalog however they can easily be made by using either a plastic comb or cutting notches into cardboard.

I picked up a ton of matte board at a local framing shop when it was going out of business. I'm sure any such shop would make a donation. I love the burlap texture on this matte board.

This background here was created by an adult using a leaf stencil. I love the combination of two reliefs.

Once paintings and reliefs were complete, I hot glued the metal work onto the canvas. I gave the kids the opportunity to either have their reliefs flat or popping up by adding a bit of stryofoam to the back of the relief.

Another adult example. I love her use of type and found objects. So many possibilities!

The works of art were a real show stopper once hung in the hall as a group. What I loved so much about this project was that I was able to start the year with a solid introduction to the elements of art. Not only that but all children were successful which is a huge ego bust. In fact, my principal-at-the-time loved them so much, she stayed after school with me for a couple of days so I could teach the lesson to her! Her leaf reliefs are now proudly displayed in her home. Gotta love a project that inspires everyone!

Hopefully this will inspire you as well. Enjoy your weekend!

Spoiled Rotten

Just some of the birthday loot: great books from my aunt, my bro and a sweet friend; beautiful bouquets from favorite friends.

 Holy cow. I am super spoiled. My birthday this past Friday was quite the momentous occasion complete with entirely too many cupcakes, Happy Birthday songs (once on our school-wide morning announcements, several times during art classes and once again at a restaurant during lunch -- hey, anything for free dessert, people) and a treasure of birthday booty. These goodies were just too great not to share. Not included in photos were the countless notes and drawings from students, the mountain of trashy magazines and chocolates from hubs (does anything beat that combination?) and cards and gifts from friends. I don't suppose turning thirty-ahem-seven will be that bad after all.

My mother-in-law is an estate-sale-aholic for which I am very glad. She showed up with this vintage paper suitcase wrapped in a bow. I love how it looks as though it is smiling!

Here's a peak at just some of the vintage goodness inside the suitcase: vintage fabric and aprons, never-used watercolor sets, a child's sewing basket, books and a group photo of women with their children from the 1920's. This is the kind of stuff that I could sift through, hold, touch and smell for hours.

One estate sale had been at the home of an artist. I was so excited to see the artist's charcoal landscape drawings but this portrait is my favorite. I am now on the hunt for the perfect thrift store frame to put her in. Isn't she a doll?

Watercolor set. I wonder if the Bradley is the one of later Milton and Bradley, the game board makers, fame?

I love the cover of this vintage coloring book, so cute!

A close-up of a child's vintage sewing basket. Her wee little embroidered stitches are far better than mine.

A lovely little hat and gloves set. Too bad my man hands are too big for 'em.

On the day of my birthday, my sweet student teacher returned with a book she had created with the kids while I was away in NYC. She snapped a group photo of each class and quoted each student (that's almost 400!) on what they like about me as their art teacher. Can you imagine? She presented it to me during one of my classes, so I read what that particular class had to say. Needless to say, I almost lost it. It was the most touching gift I've received in a long time. Thank you, Lauren!

I thought I'd share with you some of the funnier things the kids had to say...it's hilarious what they pick up on.

General consensus? I'm silly, I talk funny, I dress wacky, the kids love art. I do hope they're learning something as well!

Yeah...there's probably a reason. Like the other teachers have taste.

Thanks for indulging me, I just had to share my birthday bounty with you!

DIY: Late for a Very Important Date

I think I was asked, "Excuse me, but do you have the time?" about a dozen times when I wore this dress. Yeah, I do, it's time for you to get a watch, fool! Don't ask me why that question requires a Mr. T-esque response. It just does.

Lemme tell you, this DIY dress has been a wee bit of a headache. It began with this uber short dress that I snagged from the resale shop Plato's Closet. Don't ask me what I was thinking when I bought it. I mean, the thing is short. It would require me to shave my legs above the knee and, well, that just ain't happening. So this too-short dress was doomed to the back of my closet along with my high school prom dresses. Yes, I still have them. Hoarding is a disease, people. I can't help it.

I've always loved Alice in Wonderland, especially the freaked out, late-for-a-date white rabbit.

The inspiration for this dress came from the little rabbit above. I've had this idea of printing my own fabric for a while so when I couldn't find any pocket watch themed fabric online, I decided to create my own. I used a piece of 3" X 6" Soft-Kut and some carving tools that I happened to have at the house (because I'm a hoarder, remember?) However, if you don't have such things at your very well-organized and unhoarder-esque pad, then I suggest you drop by your local hobby/craft shop and snag you some.

Erm, yeah. So after just finishing a big printmaking unit with my fourth grade students in which we discussed how with printing, everything is in reverse, guess who forgot when carving the numbers on the clock? Originally, the right side had the III carved into it when it should have had a VIII. Headache #1.

Even after messing up the numbers on the pocket watch, I was still determined to roll with it. I convinced myself that I'd hand paint the correct numbers on the clock later. Oh the lies I tell myself.

I decided to use black fabric paint to print the block. That turned out to be Headache #2. The paint was too runny and printed terribly. The details of the clock were lost among big blobs of black paint. So I did a little research online and found that some folks had better luck printing on fabric with oil based inks. I ordered some immediately from amazon.com which proved to be Headache #3. The order did not ship directly from amazon but one of their suppliers who decided to take two weeks to ship the ink. My recommendation? Buy directly from an art supplier online.

The good news is that the ink printed beautifully on the fabric. I  let it dry for over 24 hours before sewing it to the bottom of my dress as the oil dried very slowly. And don't even ask me how I plan to wash the dress (dry cleaning? spot washing?) as I'm sure that will prove to be Headache #4.

To complete my White Rabbit dress theme, I decided to order these tights from this super amazing tights shop on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/TejaJamilla.The seller is very sweet and always quick to respond to emails. I have another pair of her tights in my collection, a super cute pair tights that you can see here: http://cassiestephens.blogspot.com/2012/01/what-i-wore-this-week-not-that-i.html

Finally, I decided to change out the buttons to match the hem. They were originally some plastic blue buttons. I used one of those make-em-yourself button makers and used the same mustard fabric from the bottom of the dress. And, of course, I had to wear one of my white rabbit belt buckles. I even managed to find this piece of vintage fabric in my stash that brought all of the colors of my look together (according to me, anyway). So being a hoarder has some benefits. Now, don't forget to reset your clocks!

What the Art Teacher Wore #9

Just-in-from-NYC Monday: The great thing about soft and fuzzy sweaters is their soft fuzziness. The bad thing about soft and fuzzy sweaters is that a hundred little grubby hands want to touch them. Although we did have a nice little chat about the difference between angora, wool  and acrylic yarn. sweater: Ann Taylor, thrifted; dress: Anthropologie purchased at Buffalo Exchange in NYC; belt: Pinkyotto, a little boutique in NYC; shoes: Dolls by Nina

 Oh what a wacky week this one has been. It started off with a return home from a fantastic trip to NYC. And like any trip, I always feel like I could use a day or three to recuperate. Thankfully I was able to return to a smooth sailing ship as I'd left Lauren at the helm. But Wednesday was her last day! Neither of us are good at goodbyes so we just said a sad goodbye-for-now and pretended that Thursday wouldn't come. But it did. And my room was so quite without her. When the kids walked in and looked around, they turned to me in a panic and asked, "Where's Ms. Goodwin?!" Thankfully, she'd promised to return on Friday to which they sighed a whew! of relief.

Friday ended up being a rather Freaky Friday what with the full moon, our school's half day and my birthday. The kids were beside themselves wishing me a happy birthday and asking if I liked the gift they worked on with Ms. Goodwin. Er, gift? Wha? When she dropped in with the book she created with all of the kids in the school, I just lost it. Right in front of the kids. A near blubbery meltdown. I mean, it was the most touching gift I've received in a very long time. I promise to share it (and my other fab gifties) in an upcoming post. But have your tissue handy. It's a tear-jerker.

My birthday plans for the weekend? Sleeping in. Cleaning this house. Reading my sweet book from the kids. I do hope you enjoy yours whatever you decide to do!

I am so much in love with this belt that I regret not having bought more. I checked their online shop...but no such luck. Sadness. Guess I'll just have to make a return visit to the East Village.

Look at that sweet face! I was so excited to see her upon my return. She did a fantastic job teaching the kids while I was away. I don't even think they knew I was gone! Her cute dress is an Old Navy number and her boots are from the Nashville Flea Market.

Trench Coat Tuesday: Okay, I have to tell you, I once saw this girl wearing a full skirt trench coat and I almost died. Like, my heart stopped and I couldn't breath and everything. It was gorge! So when I saw this one at Goodwill I just had to have it. And since it was missing it's belt, I've just been using strips of fabric that match my outfit to singe the waist.

sweater: thrifted a million years ago, the sweet little pearls are falling off but I just love the thing to bits; dress: Target, thrifted; tights: Target; shoes: Clarks

I love this look, don't you? I'm a sucker for bringing an outfit together with pops of color and Lauren did this beautifully.

Becoming-Monet's-Garden Wednesday: Here's a photo I took at the MOMA last weekend. The kids are currently studying Monet and working on a Monet-inspired mural. To introduce Monet and celebrate Lauren's last day (sniff), we decided to dress as Monet's garden as twins (which is kinda funny cuz Lauren has a twin!). She even made us matching water lily hair clips and let me install a bumpit in her hair. Because we're corny like that. Don't hate.

both sweaters and my dress: vintage, thrifted; lauren's dress, shoes and tights: Target; belts: made by me; my shoes: thrifted

Do-You-Have-the-Time Thursday: So I finally finished this dress. It was a DIY headache but I'll share more with you on that in a later post. sweater: vintage, thrifted; dress: Plato's Closet; tights: a fantastic fellow etsy seller whose shop is here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/TejaJamilla?ref=pr_shop_more

It's-My-Party-I'll-Dress-Like-a-Cupcake Friday: Yay! It's my birthday! I have decided that I don't care about the number anymore. It just keeps increasing like my IQ. sweater: vintage, thrifted; dress: Buffalo Exchange in Soho; tights: Target; shoes and bag: Irregular Choice

Okay, I love these shoes by Irregular Choice. Seriously. I mean, just look at them -- they've got it all -- dangly charms, polka dots, a clear heel, what's not to love? I tracked down their store in Soho and it was just as wild as these shoes. I knew I had to get them and a matching purse as my NYC birthday gift to myself.

To announce the upcoming book fair which has a beachy theme, my P.E. Teacher buddy and I dressed the part. Except she surprised me at the end by giving me the birthday hat, balloons and a hardy "happy birthday" song. On the morning announcements. In front of the whole school. Ah, vengeance will be mine!