Paint Pallet Art Treats

One of the many hats I wear (and one of my very favorites!) is that of art teacher. I teach several students in my home, and at the end of each school year I put together an art show to highlight their work throughout the year. 

This year as I was prepping for the event, I had the idea to create these sweet-and-salty paint pallets as a themed refreshment for the show. I LOVE when I think of something without the aid of Pinterest. I am grateful for Pin-spiration as well, but it is reassuring to know that I can still have an original idea on my own!

To make these pallets you will need:

• Original flavor Pringles
• Small Pretzel Sticks (Rold Gold are skinnier and work better than Snyder's)
• White Icing (I went the easy route and bought one of these.) 
• Red, Yellow, Blue, Green or other color Icing Tubes like these.

You can certainly make your own icing and tint it and slop it into sleeves to pipe onto these, but the extra $5 I may have spent for convenience and almost no clean-up was worth every penny to me!

Assembly:

 1. Put a circle of icing on a chip.

 2. Place another chip directly over it sandwiching them together. I tried this with single chips and they were too wimpy.  You need two stuck together to make them sturdy enough to hold the decorations you will be adding.

 3. Line about half a pretzel with white icing.

4.  Stick the pretzel to the chips you just prepared.

5. Add icing (any color) to the tip of the pretzel. Use that  color to make one paint splotch on the chip pallet.

6. Continue making paint splotches with each of the other colors.

Let it dry, and enjoy!

3-D Art: First Grade Group Project

Each year our elementary school has an auction to raise money for the art program. As my daughter's classroom docent, I had to come up with a group project for the class to contribute to the auction. 

In the past, I have led the class in creating a collaborative canvas. 

This is from 3 years ago (I was docent to 2 classes):

This is from 2 years ago:

 This is from last year:

I really like to see the individual handiwork of each student manifest in the final product. I love seeing the uninhibited creativity of their little minds shining. 

This year, I decided to go mixed media 3D on our project by helping the class create a mobile.

For this mobile project, you will need: 

• Cardstock

• Mirrored Cardstock

• Permanent Markers and Crayons

• Laminating ability (optional)

• Embroidery Hoop

• Ribbon

I began with an oval die-cut (in teacher's workroom) and several colors of cardstock.  I included one cardstock that was mirrored metallic on one side. I thought the light-catching element would be nice in a mobile. I cut enough for each child to have 4 ovals in the art. Circles or triangles would also make super cute designs for this piece.

I gave the students ideas and some instruction on decorating each of their ovals with sharpie and crayon.  I included swirls, plaid patterns, pictures of "vegetation" (that was their new vocab word of the day), and I required that they each put their first initial on one oval--as their "signature" on the piece. My daughter's teacher was kind enough to laminate them for me. 

 After I cut them all out of the laminating (about 40 minutes in the car at the soccer fields), I laid them out in the order I would be sewing them. 

Then I sewed them together. If you have never sewed through paper, it is easy-peasy.  Just begin at the top, backstitch to tie-off just like you would on fabric, then feed each new piece in as you come to the end of one.  Be sure to leave some thread "tails" on the top end of each of your rows. We'll use those later to attach them to the hoop.

I measured the width of all my strings of ovals laid next to each other to determine how large my embroidery hoop should be before I bought it. Mine was 30 inches in circumference. I also bought some inexpensive ribbon that would coordinate with the colors of the ovals. 

Now, on to the assembly:

This part isn't hard, but it is a bit tedious. Tie each row of ovals to the embroidery hoop, going around both rings using a square knot. 

 Slide each piece around to evenly place the rows around the hoop.

Cut four lengths of ribbon 24-28 inches in length.  Tie double knots in each ribbon length at its center to four "corners" of the circle. Gather these doubled ribbons with a rubber band to create the top of the mobile.

Tie short cuts of ribbon all around the hoop and over the rubber band on the top. I used some of the ribbons sticking out above the rubber band to tie on a loop ribbon for hanging. 

The students were SO excited to see what their ovals had become!  I think this could be such a cute piece to hang in a child's room or above a baby's crib (out of reach, of course!).  I think a mobile done just in black, white and silver would be striking. Or one in all blue or all pink tones would be fun. The possibilities are endless!

Chalkboard Ideas for Every Season

A LONG while back one of my sisters requested that I do a blog post with ideas for chalkboard designs and messages.  Over the past 3 years, I have been snapping pictures of the chalkboards I have in my home each time I change the design, with a plan to one day share them.  

Now that I have an good number to share, I am finally fulfilling my sister's request. 

I made my chalkboards from thrift store pictures and chalkboard paint a few years ago, but they can be found just about anywhere. I have a small board in the kitchen (similar here), a larger one in my dining room (similar here); and I also use a tall, skinny one as a menu board. 

I have tried out the chalk markers that your can buy nowadays. This one writes beautifully, but if you plan to change your board very often, I recommend classic crayola school chalk. It is dirt cheap, and is super easy to wipe off and change often.

Be sure to pin or bookmark this post, because I will continue to add photos to it as I add new designs in the coming months and years!

This was from this past Christmas. My talented 13-year-old son drew the Santa. 

 I kept this one up for several months. Here in rainy WA, I need a reminder of all the bright spots in my life!

 Newsies. I hope you are singing and dancing now.

 Valentines Day. Or just because.

A little reminder for each of us as we leave the house each day. 

I did this one for a bridal shower and wedding reception. 

In the kitchen.

Halloween

I love layering my chalkboards in with my other decorations. 

More kitchen fun.

I did this for the first week of the art class I teach.

Another Christmas design. 

Small Space Sewing Room Makeover

I have been gawking and swooning for years at all the big, beautiful craft spaces I see highlighted on blogs and in magazines. "One day...," I would think to myself.  But then I got real. I live in a suburb of Seattle where most people live in small homes (or condos) that cost twice as much as homes twice as big in other parts of the country. So I don't have a 12x12 spare room I can dedicate just to my creative zeal. I do, however, have a 3x6 corner--and by golly--I decided it was high time I made the most of it! 

Here is my unabashed "Before" picture.  My "sewing table" was a catchall and a mess. I was storing my stuff in plastic containers that were too small and unorganized. 

Since this room triples as our family office and workout area,  I really needed to use the space to its fullest capacity, which meant shelving. So, I took this picture, took measurements, and headed to Ikea. 

I found the EKBY BJARNUM 11" shelving system and fell in love. It is a clean, modern look, but it is also adjustable to any length and super strong. Pretty AND practical. 

And the beauty is, if you don't have an Ikea closeby, you can order these online at Amazon or Ikea.com.

Next, I needed containers for organization. Once again, Ikea came through. 

These strong rails and storage cups are ideal for a sewist's or crafter's supplies.  These are perfect for things like rotary cutters and measuring tape that need a place, but are used too often to be put in a box. The Bygel Rail and the Bygel Containers are both available online as well! 

I found these cute and affordable Kvarnvik boxes at Ikea for organizing all my schtuff. Ikea and Amazon have so many options that are similar to these, you can really make your space just the way you want it without breaking the bank. These are available at Ikea.com, but I didn't find these particular boxes at Amazon. However, I found some very similar here. 

I love the pretty lining and the addition of the metal-framed labels on these boxes. 

This hat box is perfect for my tall thread spools.  And look at that cute gingham lining...**Swoon**

My final additions to my sewing nook were aesthetic. I wanted to add some pops of color and texture to the space.  I hung one of my DIY Modern Yarn Wall Hangings on the wall by the window. 

I also framed my Seattle Skyline Watercolor (prints available HERE) on a fun wrapping-paper background in a simple poster frame. 

I used this tutorial from Simply Gloria to make my fabric tassel garland. 

For my "MAKE" sign and the decorative wooden arrow, I went to the ever-reliable Hobby Lobby. Everything was 50% off, and I used 3M Command picture hanging strips to hang them, so no extra holes in the walls!

I couldn't be more pleased with my new happy place. I have done a double take multiple times when I walk by and glance in what used to be an eyesore hodgepodge of crafting clutter, but instead see organization and beauty.  I don't have an entire room, but I LOVE the small space I do have!