Monday, May 9, 2016

DIY: A Coloring Book Dress

Factiod: I'm a super awesome starter of stuff. I'm a super miserable finisher of said stuff. 

Don't believe me? Just ask my mama. Every time I chat with her, she'll begin every other sentence with, "Hey, did you ever finish...?", "Whatever happened to that one thingie you started?", "When are you gonna get that whatchamacallit done?!" 
On those rare occasions when I do FINALLY finish a UFO (UnidentiFied Object), to the rest of the world, it looks like I just pulled a project outta thin air. Many folks have asked me how I manage to "get so much accomplished" and have commented that I "must have more hours in the day." Y'all. I'm seriously one of the most slacker-tastic peoples you'll ever know. I just happen to start many a-thing and, randomly, when the wind blows sideways outta my butt, I finish them. 

Case in point: This Coloring Book Dress!
I picked up this fab fabric from IKEA back in October (for $7.99 a yard, foolz!). This is my second dress made from heavy IKEA fabric (check out the first) and I gotta say, I'm totes hooked. Not only are the designs great and the prices right but the fabric...THE FABRIC...is simply perf for making a circle skirt. 

But I'm ahead of myself, as usual. Let's back track to the coloring of the fabric:
This year, more than any other, it seems I have kids that finish at different rates. Some that work FOR-EVERNESS on any and everything and others that zip right along. As a slow worker, I always allow those kids who need it all the time in the world (to a fault, perhaps). As for the Zippies, as they're known, if their quality is up to snuff, then I allow them to do some early-finisher activities: blocks, dry erase boards, games, books, painting the occasional mural. Or, in this case, coloring on a giant piece of fabric with fabric markers!
Here are my kindergarten friends deep in conversation and coloring. When I came over to snap a pic, the wee one on the right was explaining to the dude in the middle: "Mrs. Stephens can sew clothes. She's making this into a dress." When this was met with a Nuh-uh! we chatted a pinch about how clothing is made. I showed the kids dress patterns and even took some votes on which pattern I should follow. In the end, I did a mash-up of several patterns, as is my nature. 
By the way, these are the makers we used. They seemed to do well on the coarse fabric and held their color after one good washing. Since the kids had walked all over the fabric, it was in need of a cleaning.
When I got the fabric home and washed it, I sat on it for some time, trying to decide which pattern to use. Like I said, in the end, I decided upon a mashup. Now that I have a plethora of dresses under my sewing belt, I know what I really like to wear: a circle skirt, a cinched waist and BOWS! Anything with bows!
Having just finished my circle skirt at Anna Maria's very own shop Craft South, I felt comfortable using this pattern for the skirt. 
For the bodice, I opted to go the Butterick-route (despite my occasional HATRED for Butterick patterns, ahem) only because, you guessed it, BOWZ. 
If that there pattern looks kinda-sorta familiar, it's because I made this lil number from it last summer (ooooooh, that reminds me. SUMMER is almost here! I am so looking forward to endless days spent in PJ's and sewing projects). 
And, y'all. That cinched waist I mentioned? I've used this trusty vintage Simplicity 8087 more times than I can count!
The rest of the patterns I could toss but I do love that bold waistband. I'm not in love with the skirt or the 1960's fit of the bodice. For this dress, I did shorten that band about an inch because I didn't want to lose the cute castle design. 
I am pretty pleased with this mashup. I even went so far as to line the bodice with that sweet dotted fabric I used at the waist and the bows. I didn't want the coarse IKEA fabric against my delicately soft porcelain doll like skin, y'all. 
I can't wait to wear it to school this week! It's most definitely a twirling number. And y'all better believe I'll be hitting up IKEA for more fabric soon. Until then!

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Saturday, May 7, 2016

What the Art Teacher Wore #161

Hello, Monday. Let's Do This: So much to do...so little time. Story of my procrastinating life, y'all! I ride the struggle bus everyday and wonder, "just how does the other half live?" Oh, the life of an unorganized hawt mess art teacher. The fun NEVER ends. dress and necklace: made by me! here; sweater: thrifted; belt and crinoline: Amazon; shoes: Marshall's

Oh, y'all. Don't let the smile fool you. It's that wild -n- crazy time o' year: Art Show! Thankfully I am backed with The Best parent volunteer reinforcements. These volunteer mamas of mine show up Every.Single.Day. to mat, frame and hang some of the best masterpieces in Tennessee. My fave part...they are NOT procrastinators like myself and the show is actually ahead of schedule! Like, what the whuuuut? I'll be sure to post pics after I regain consciousness from my post art show coma (art show is May 17th. If you are in the 'hood, consider yourself invited). Not only that, but we've had all sorts of other artsy mayhem going down. Because when it rains, it pours. And beautiful colorful rainbows are the result!

In other news, seeing your #WeCanMakeItMay snaps on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram seriously MAKE.MY.DAY! Thank you so stinkin' much for playing along. If you've not joined, jump in now! Follow me here to find out more.
Second grade ceiling tiles are up, thank you to just one of our fabulous custodians, Mr. Scruggs! Lil known fact: Mr. Scruggs is also our in-house DJ. How many of y'all can boast that? I seriously teach at the best school, y'all. More details about our ceiling tile project here
 Tuesday, I Kinda Thought You Were Friday: When you wake up with that feeling, you KNOW it's gonna be a long week! This week actually zipped by...mostly because I just stayed so crazy busy. dress: made by me, here
So our theme for the art show is diner...which is why the kids have made a ton of clay food (if you follow me here, you've seen it all!). When one of my students acted like he was eating his food, I got the idea to snap photos of the kids in The Diner (a mural they have been working on) with their food to use as adverts for the art show. They have had the option of dressing as a customer (themselves), a chef or a server. It's been so fun. I can't wait to share what we've created with their photos!
 Only Clean Spot in the Room Wednesday: Like, seriously. The only reason I took a couple snaps of me standing in random other places is because THE REST OF THE ART ROOM IS TRASHED, Y'ALL. It's all of my own doing. Welllllll, I did have the help of about 400 artists. But, whateves. It's worth it. Although the mess is giving me a bit of an eye-twitch...and I have an exceptionally high tolerance of messes. So that's when you KNOW it's bad! jacket: Gap kids; dress and tights: Target; boots: Frye
 I did manage to escape my art room occasionally to see what the parent volunteers had been up to...look at that first grade display, y'all. It makes my small heart grow ten times it's size with this amazement! Just a lil over a week til the big day. I'll def share all the gory details. In fact, this coming week's Art Teacherin' 101 will be all about who we hang the work on that there deer mesh.
 Paint Splattery Thursday: Because I am COMPLETELY INSANE, I decided that I needed a new ensemble for the art show. AND I decided that the kids should paint it. So I laid down some cold hard cashola for a canvas-esque drop cloth from Walmart (they claimed it was canvas, I beg to differ) and some house paint from Home Depot (BIG shout out to Dave, QT and Ms. Mary for cutting me and my students a great deal for this project. Go to the Home Depot in Franklin, y'all. They are awesome!). For the occasion, I thought I'd wear something which was already pretty painty. This way, when hit with paint-splatter shrapnel, I wouldn't be so sad. dress: painted by moi, here; tights: RIGHT?! Amazon
 Lord. What kind of art-makin' animals have I created?! Notice how I snapped this photo from a VERY safe distance. They had entirely too much fun. Meanwhile, the rest of 'em were in my room "working"...aka going bananaz. It's that time of year! 
Oh, but look at the result. I couldn't resist cutting into the fabric and starting my ensemble this weekend. Looking forward to sharing with y'all soon. 
Friday in the Diner: The kids are nearly finished painting the diner mural...I've had so much fun taking photos of them there! I can't wait to show y'all. I'll be so sad when the art show is over and this comes down. dress: Buffalo Exchange; necklace: Anthro
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Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Art Teacherin' 101: Episode 1

Confession: I have been art teacherin' for closing in on 20 years. Yes, I started teaching when I was 12 (insert tongue-out-winkie-face emoji). Despite my vast experience, I still have SO STINKIN' MUCH TO LEARN. I'm reminded of this on the daily. However, because I do have those years under my belt and I have a tendency to overshare on this here blog (as well as YouTube, Facebook, the Twitter and Insta. Guess who is a social media get-about?), it would appear that I kinda/sorta/sometimes know what I'm talking about. So, for that thar reason, I've decided to start vlogging (that'd be video blogging) every Wednesday for a series called Art Teacherin' 101. Here's my first installment!
Each Wednesday, I'll share a short video about something art teacherin' related. Sometimes we'll chat supply orders, clay basics, management tips, you name it. In fact, seriously, YOU tell ME anything you'd like to chat about and we'll do it! You can email me (cassieart75@gmail.com) or just drop me a line in the comments. Also, if you subscribe to my YouTube channel, you'll never miss a breathtakingly amazing episode (insert eyeroll emoji here). 

In other news, not only am I launching Art Teacherin' 101 but also...#WeCanMakeItMay, a super fun photo challenge going down on Instagramz! Which is INCREDIBLY INSANE as I'm currently putting in 12 hour shifts at school to get this art show happening (and I'm not even hanging the artwork...I have SUPER art mamas for that! I'm just that behind on matting, framing, kiln firing, you name it, I'm buried under it). Anyway, I always find that I get the most ideas and the most motivation when I'm the busiest. Are you the same? If so...join #WeCanMakeItMay!
No instagram? No problem (tho you really should get on Insta, it's my most fave social media platform, y'all. Just pictures, no politics. Me likey). Feel free to share your pics on Twitter and Facebook and take me! I'd love to see your pictures. In fact, here's mine from the last coupla days... 
Day 1: Art Room. Did I mention piles on piles? Well, here they is in all their glory. 
Day 2: COFFEEEEE. Multiple times a day. Mostly cuz I lose my cup under stacks of stuff and have to make a fresh pot. Without coffee, I'd be a puddle on the ground.  
Day 3: Art Hands! I only managed to grab a photo of these two cuties after they'd finished painting their cupcakes and were heading out the door. "Don't you want a baby wipe?" ... "Nah, we like art hands!" Ha, me tooooo.

Can't wait to see you on Insta and hear what y'all think of Art Teacherin' 101!
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Sunday, May 1, 2016

In the Art Room: An Art Teacherin' Challenge for the End of the Year!

Okay, y'all. Starting tomorrow, The Countdown to the Bitter End beings! Dunno what art teacherin' land looks like on your side of the universe, but if I were a Bettin' Betty, I'd say that it's just as chuck full o' craziness as mine: stacks of half-finished projects, piles of art show prep, a kiln waiting to be unloaded and reloaded, an over-turned coffee cup, paint spills, lost car keys, a missing cell phone...you get the picture. Well, I say that we need not suffer thru this insane time of year alone! Let's attack it together with humor (and adult grape-flavored drink) and more humor! To do that, might I suggest a wee Photo-a-Day Challenge that I've dubbed #WeCanMakeItMay.

One of my fave bloggers and instagramers Art Teachers Hate Glitter did an art teacherin' photo challenge back in March which I had so wanted to participate in. However, my fugly To Do List made that impossible. Here's to hoping I can stick with THIS challenge!

So here's how this works: each day o' May, snap a photo. Tomorrow, being May 1st and all, we'll start with numero uno. Take a picture of your art room (or wherever you work, I don't wanna exclude any of y'all!), pop it up on instagram, use the hashtag #WeCanMakeItMay and be sure to tag me (as well as all your friends, the more the merrier!). Let's share this journey to the end together and have fun while doing it!
I'll have you know that this is EXACTLY what my face looks like every morning I walk into my art room. That's me just looking at all the messes, stacks and piles. I don't plan on sugar coating it for y'all. If you follow me and ride along for this journey, you're sure to see some of the hawt-est, stankiest messes in town. Almost immediately after dropping my bag and chugging my coffee, I go into full blown hustle mode:
 If I only had an Ethel, I'd get so much more done! 

Now, I just did a look-see and, despite the recent occurrence of undesirable behaviors in my art room that leave me making this face:
there's not to be another full moon until the end of the month! I coulda swore we'd been experiencing a full moon of the last coupla weeks but turns out I was wrong. For once.

I have been writing down the random silliness that has been taking place from kindergarteners eating clay (WHHHHY) to another passing so much gas I coulda swore an elephant was in the room. Like, a BIG elephant. Who just ate five pails of beans. Anyway. Share those silly stories with your photos, y'all! We could all use the laughs. After all, it's just a matter of time before we do this...
And wake up at 10am every morning only to stay in our pj's everyday and do this...
Can't wait to make it to the end with some of my favorite people! And, dudes, don't worry if you miss a day, just pick up the following. I'd be willing to put money on it that I'll totes miss a day or five. Looking forward to seeing your snaps of the countdown cuz...#WeCanMakeItMay!

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Wednesday, April 27, 2016

In the Art Room: Top 5 Tips to getting the art teacherin job of your dreams

It's that time of year: Art Teacherin' Interview Season. I'm here today to share with you just how I landed the art teacherin' job of my dreams...which just might help y'all do the same.

Now, art teacherin' jobs aren't exactly a dime a dozen, what with only one to two positions available per school. So many desperate folk are often inclined to take the first job that looks at 'em sideways and asks if they wanna get Netflix and chill. Well, I'm here today to tell ya just how not to fall into that trap, find the school you really dig and land that gig!

1. Do your homework. First things first, you gotta get your foot in the door and land that interview. But how? It's called the World Wide Webbiecakes, y'all.

Story Time: If you are willing to relocate for a job, you'll have many more options. When I returned from my student teaching gig in Ireland, I found that my parents had sent out 52 job applications all over the country (like, as far away as Alaska!). I didn't have any ties binding me to my native Indiana so when I got the interview in Nashville, I loaded up my chain-smoking grandma and hit the road. The rest is history!
Google search the area you are interested in for school districts. Then, take a lil time to do some digging about that district. Are they on social media? If so, what kind of things are they sharing? Check out what teachers, parents and even students are saying about the schools within the district. Did they make the news for something fabulous or are they notoriously in the news for unfabulousness.

2. Land an Interview. When you find some schools that pique your interest, visit those district websites to find out about their online application process. I know that my school district won't even chat with you unless you've taken the time to fill that out. Even if the district you are looking into does not have an opening, don't let that stop you from applying! You never know what turn of events might lead to a job popping up. And when it does, you'll be on the list! Once you hit submit and your application is in their system, see which schools have art openings. Those are the ones to start calling. 
When you call, ask to speak with the administration. If/when you can get one on the line (those are some seriously busy folks who are often hard to track down), make sure you speak confidently. Let them know you are a seriously awesome art educator that would love to have the opportunity to meet them, interview and see their school. Practice this phone chat, write it down if you gotta. It's what is gonna get you in the door. 
3. Dress for Success. Now. Let's be clear. You want an art teacherin' job, right? Well, all that stuff they say about first impressions is for-realzies. Take it from a person who prides herself in her wacky attire: DRESS PROFESSIONALLY. In short, I would not recommend wearing the following: 
Look, an interview is not the time to express your wild wardrobe side. When I landed the interview at my current job, I totally hid what a weirdo I was from my administration (haha, suckahs!). In fact, I wore the same cornflower blue, Barbara Bush-wannabe dress I wore when el hubbo and I got hitched at the court house. I was all-pro from head to toe. If you do wanna get a lil colorful, just tone it down some. A good rule of thumb: WWGS (What Would Grandma Say)? I would also recommend No Cleavage, No Bare Legs, No Exposed Feets and FOR THE LOVE No Bra Straps. PSA #1, over and out.
4. Be Early, Be Prepared. Whatever you do, DO NOT BE LATE! Go to bed early the night before, set 5 alarm clocks, give yourself 30 minutes more than you normally would, whatever it takes. Do not show up with a latte. Do not have gum in your mouth. Get there at least 5 - 10 minutes early with your portfolio of lessons, student and teacher examples and photos neatly organized and placed on your lap. 

Oh, let's chat about that portfolio for a hot minute, shall we? Because it needs to be good freakishly fantastic. I put clay projects in their hands and got all STEAM-y with the connections the projects made. I passed around fiber arts projects and went on and on about how kids need to be working with their hands MORE in this overly techie age we live in. Then I shared a binder full of photos of my art room, my management system, my routines, you get the idea. Also in my binder were newspaper clippings featuring me and my students, notes/cards from parents, students and administration, on and on. It's your version of a Look Book so make it memorable, y'all. 

And, for the love, LEAVE YOUR CELL PHONE IN YOUR CAR. Seriously. The world is not gonna end if you don't look at your phone for 45 minutes. Do NOT sit in the waiting area scrolling through your phone, do NOT have your phone ring/beep/jingle during the interview and do NOT look at it, even if to check the time. Nothing says unprofessional and disrespectful like a person who cannot detach from their phone for a short amount of time. So, in case you are tempted, just leave it in the car. Now, can someone please help me down from this cell-phone-hater soapbox?

5. Interview Questions and their Translation. There's a good chance your interviewers have been at this interviewing thing for days, maybe weeks. They are more than likely gonna ask you something along the following lines (so, just like your phone call, have a prepared answer and rehearse it, this time, in front of a mirror). So here are some of their potential questions (and what they are really asking):
"How do you handle classroom disruptions?"
TRANSLATION: "Are you planning to send half your class to the office? Because we ain't got time for that."
ANSWER: Be honest. How do you deal with classroom disruptions or disrespectful students? Do you give a warning, have a time-out area, have consequences set in place? If you've never taught before then you might wanna do a lil internet searching on classroom management because, trust me, this question is gonna come up.

"How do you incorporate other subject matter into your art room?"
TRANSLATION: "Our students are being tested to death and our classroom teachers need all the help they can get. How are you gonna supplement your art curriculum with math, language arts, science, social studies and all that jazz?"
ANSWER: Education is not piecemeal but one continuum. All of the subjects have the ability to feed into and off of one another. Site some examples of projects that do just that. For example, weaving incorporates history, culture, math and, read 'em a book, and you got literacy. This is when you bust out your shiny student examples. No student examples? Then bring your teacher created ones. 

"Are you willing to coach track; lead marching band; create the yearbook; work on the school website; teach English {yeah, I got asked that one} and basically do a bunch a stuff that no one wants to do for very little money, if any?"
TRANSLATION: "Just how desperate are you, anyway?"
ANSWER: That's your call. I teach elementary so a lotta that stuff would not be asked of me. I value my free time. If you do as well, don't feel obligated to say yes just for the job. Be honest. 
PSA #2: Whatever you do, for the love, keep those answers short, sweet and concise. These people are only mildly interested in what you have to say. They are more than likely thinking about what restaurant they are all gonna head to when you finally shut up and leave. Impress them with what you have to say...but don't depress them with awkward and long winded life stories. If you do, you'll just give them something to talk about at Chili's over cheese fries. 
"Do You Have Any Questions for Us?" 
TRANSLATION: "Are we about done here?"
ANSWER: Yes, thank you so much for asking, I do have some questions {and here's what you need to know, so write down what they say}:

1. "What is the art budget?" Ideally, you should be looking at about $3 per student. If you get more than that, sweetness.

2. "How often do the students have art? How long is each art class?" In a perfect world, you'd see all of your students for an hour, once a week...well, except for kindergarten. They are best in smaller doses, I have found. 

3. "If I do have to send a disruptive student to the office, how will that situation be handled?" Here's what you are really asking: Are you just gonna send them back to art in 3 minutes with a weak apology and a kiss-my-behind look on their face? CUZ that ain't gonna work. 

4. "Is there an art room? Is there a chance the art room will ever be taken away and used as a classroom? May I see the art room?" Okay, the reasoning behind those questions lead me to my next tale...

Story Time: I've only taught at two schools. The first job I got in Nashville, I taught in what the administration referred to as a "portable" which I soon learned was fancy talk for a trailer. Let's not get above our raising, Nashville, a metal rectangle on wheels is a trailer. That being said, it was a great space to start my teaching career cuz at least it was a space. Two years later, a new school was built and I had a beautiful art room, complete with a storage closet, a kiln room and shelving like you wouldn't believe. The catch? Every summer, my principal would say, "Don't decorate your art room...we might be taking it from you." Do you know what a crap way that is to spend each summer? Stressing that I may be on a cart and rethinking my curriculum because of it? I started to open my mind to relocating. 

Then, one fall, I was attending my local state conference. We were doing that annoying thing where everyone goes around the table, introduces themselves and shares a bit. It was then that a woman said, "I teach at a wonderful school, in a terrific school district and I'm retiring in two years if anyone is interested." Y'ALL.BETTER.BELIEVE. I was all over her like hot fudge. We swapped digits and I literally spent the two years stalking her. I observed her teaching, visited her art room, was introduced to her faculty and staff, attended her art shows. I'm surprised she didn't take out a restraining order (thank you, Margo!). So, needless to say, when it came time to interview, it was like sitting down with acquaintances. They'd seen my face and knew just how interested I was. 

Moral of the Story: It's really all about who you get to know. Attend your state conferences, chat with folks, make friends which lead to connections. Send emails to peeps who are in the districts you are interested in (my buddy Jennifer emailed me last fall...and I gave her some tips on how to get her foot in the door with my district. Her shining personality got her the job but I like to think I helped a touch). Make it so that when you walk into that interview, you have a connection with someone. It just might get you the job.

In other news: that school in Nashville? They've never taken away the art room. Personally, I think they were trying to get rid of me...and it worked! 
We're So Sorry, But... So, story time: I went on many a job interviews when I was Fresh Prince outta College and got many a rejection. The reason? Lack of experience. Well, that's a catch 22, ain't it? Just how do you get art teacherin experience to bulk up that resume? Call you local art museums and enquire about possible jobs or volunteer positions, especially ones that will put you in contact with kids. Reach out to recreational centers to see if they need anyone to lead arts and crafts classes. If you start subbing, you'll get your face seen around the district you are interested in. And lead art lessons! See if you can rent a church space for cheap and tack some flyers up at your local coffee house. This will give you a lil income and some kid-friendly experience.
CONGRATULATIONS, YOU'RE HIRED!

What tips and tricks do you art teachers have out there for getting hired at your dream art teacherin' job? 

What are some of the wildest job interview stories do you have? 

Newbies, I wanna hear from you too! Lemme know if you have any questions and please drop me a line and fill me in on how those interviews go. GOOD LUCK!  
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