HodgePodge by Amanda

It's been fun, but it's time to take a break. Catch up with me on Facebook!
Happy creating!

Over the rainbow

I have a few pics to share of projects done with kiddos...

The first is a process/experiment project.  We were talking about fruits and veggies, and I decided that it would be fun for them to play with their food and a bit of paint of course.  Thankfully, I covered the table prior to this experiment!

I cut a variety of veggies and fruit, poured some paint on a tray, and covered each kiddo with a paint shirt.  I demonstrated how each piece made a different mark or shape on the paper, and then stood back.  It was fun to see how many of them stamped with the fruit or veggie, and how many used it more like a paint brush to smear the paint around. 

This is from last summer, but the Chihuly lesson was so much fun!  The school kids watched a few videos about Chihuly and his work, viewed some photographs of the installation at the Joslyn in Omaha, and then got to work experimenting with color.

Painting like Chihuly.  He uses unconventional methods to apply the paint.  For example, he likes to squeeze the paint directly onto the paper using a drawing like motion.  Sometimes he uses brooms, paint brushes, and other tools to move the paint around. 

The kids first squeezed paint onto the paper, then they were able to select either a large spackle tool or a paint roller to move the paint.  I love how each piece is different...

We also created our own version of his ice sculptures, granted it was on a much smaller scale. 

I froze a bunch of water balloons in preparation for this project.  We took the ice balloons outside and began adding salt and drops of color.  Each student placed their ice piece to create a larger sculpture.  It was fun to watch the ice change as time went by... The salt created cracks and holes in the ice, while the colors flowed together to create new colors. 

This project provides additional opportunities to discuss science and ask interesting questions like "What makes something art?"  "Is it still art when it disappears?"

Here is a another look at the another ice sculpture.  This one, I colored the water prior to freezing...

It only took a few hours in the summer heat for the sculpture to melt.  I continued to photo it every so often...

Last week, I brought in the book Mouse Paint, and introduced the idea of mixing colors.  I call this the mixed up rainbow project.

I have been on the hunt for salad spinners at the local thrift stores, no such luck.  I ended up purchasing an art spinner from Crayola.  If you purchase this product, I recommend trimming down the tabs.  It made it much easier for the kids to push down on the button.

I held up the primary colors and asked my toddler group to name each one.  Blue, Red, Yellow.  Below is a pic of my daughter making her rainbow...

I loved the look of surprise when the spinner stopped, and new colors appeared.

Check back this weekend for pics of my quilting class!  My students got started with cutting fabric and piecing last week.  The first blocks looked GREAT! 

 

 

Is it spring yet?

I don't know about the weather in your area, but here it is enough to give a person whiplash!  At least in the studio and classroom, things are beginning to look like spring. 

Last Thursday, I started teaching Beginning Quilting at SCC Beatrice.  My class and I met at the local quilt shop Quilt Stitches.  I love to support local businesses, and this shop was FANTASTIC!  We are working on piecing a Log Cabin Quilt, and I cannot wait to see the finished tops.  We meet again for two more Thursdays, pictures will soon follow.

In the classroom, the kiddos are learning about mixing colors and making rainbows.  It is so much fun seeing their faces when red and yellow mix together to make orange.  The rainbows (hanging from the ceiling) are a welcome sight each morning.  I can't wait to make flowers, butterflies, birds...

I will try to get pics tomorrow, and post them quickly.  Posts without pics are not too exciting...

Mmmm... holiday baking!

So I have been pinning recipes on Pinterest like there is no tomorrow, and I decided that today was the perfect time to try out some things. 

I made this tasty little number last night, and popped it in the oven for a few minutes this morning to warm it up. 

 

Mine did not look as pretty as it did in the photo found on pineconesandacorn.blogspot.com.  It was pretty good.  I think I may make a few tweeks to the cream cheese layer and the struesal top. 

Then I moved on to my clipped recipes and books.  We tried to make French Macaroons, but this time we were less successful.  I also attempted homemade chocolate marshmallows, I will let you know how they turned out, they need to sit overnight...

The best recipe today came from the book Fun Stuff Cake Pops & Mini Treats, from Publications International, Ltd.  Tiny Peanut Butter Sandwiches.  This is the second recipe I have tried from this book... the other was Chocolate Cherry Balls.  I am pretty pleased with both recipes and will make more for holiday giving. 

Now that the baking is done for the day, time for some supper. 

Where does the time go?

Maybe I should rename my blog Rip Van Winkle... I have been busy, and unfortunately funds have been low so my blog has taken a hit.  For those of you who have been checking in, THANK YOU!!! 

Not the best picture, but for me it is...

This is my new room, at my new job.  I am working full time at my daughter's daycare as an Art Teacher!!!   With the Holiday season in full swing, I have been busy planning activities for the kids.  The preschool class just made cards for the troops, and I am blown away at their creativity.

I have been searching for a clay recipe to make so the kids can make ornaments.  I tried a baking soda clay, but it cracked a lot.  I will give it credit for being strong.  So, I broke down and purchased clay from the craft store (using a coupon of course).  If any of you have a tried and true recipe that will work for making hand print ornaments, PLEASE share! 

Today, our little town is hosting a winter extravaganza.  We had breakfast with Santa yesterday, an event that we will participate in as long as the kids will let us!  A tour of homes decorated for the holidays starts today, and there is a soup luncheon at the high school. 

I also want to give a huge THANK YOU to all who shopped Plum Pickens in November!  Your generousity on Friday night raised $400 for the Lydia House.  I am so thankful for being a part of this event each year.  Our customers are simply the best, and I look forward to seeing all of you next year when we celebrate our 15th year of creating handmade pieces of holiday goodness!

Related articles

Top 5 DIY Ornaments

Pottery Barn Kids Holiday Hand Print Keepsake Ornament

Glittery Clay Christmas Ornaments

back to school

Schools Out

Yep it's that time!  The kids have been out for a few days already, and the boredom has set in... jeesh!  In June, the summer camps at Southeast Community College in Beatrice will start.  There are loads of fun camps from 1 day to 1 week long for grades K-12.  Everything from art to sports to dance to theater to cooking.

Come join me for a camp or two!  I am teaching a Prairie style breakfast, beginning quilting, art and journaling in the prairie, and the house that I built. 

For the adults, I will be offering a variety of classes at both Lincoln and Beatrice.  Let's face it, summer vacation is not just for kids, the adults need some time too! 

The kids and I will be checking out the local farmer's market each week.  Last week we picked up some red popcorn.  It was my first attempt at popping on the stove, and I am pleased to say no kernels were burned!  The red hulls made it hard to tell though. 

Well, gotta get back to the real world.  Pinterest and Facebook have taken enough time today!

 

More classes

I have some new classes on the way.

In Lincoln, I will be offering the following classes:

May 5 - Pocket full of Posies:  Join me for a morning filled with creating a variety of flowers out of fabrics, papers, and more.  Finished pieces can be used as pins on clothing and hand bags, in bouquets and wreaths, and more. 

May 19 - Sweater Monsters:  From a pile of felted sweaters, we will create a variety of creatures by hand.  No patterns, no rules, just a lot of fun and imagination.  Won't you come and play? 

Creature above created by Cindi Pape 

In Beatrice, I will be offering the following classes:

June 12 - Art on the Prairie I - Grades K-3:  Just as Lewis and Clark and other explorers, students will make a hand bound journal to record sketches, notes, thoughts, and more as we tour the prairie at SCC. 

June 13 - Art on the Prairie II - Grades 4-7:  Like the class listed above, students will make a hand bound journal.  We will take a field trip to explore Homestead Park. 

June 14 - Prairie Breakfast - Grades 2-3:  Is there anything better than homemade biscuits, butter, and jam?  How about learning to make them yourself.  Students will make biscuits from scratch, turn cream into butter, and turn fruit into jam.  Of course we will need to sample our work, but there will be some to share at home. 

June 15 - Prairie Breakfast - Grades 4-7:  See class above. 

June 25-29 - Quilting a story - Grades 4-7:  In addition to learning about the history of quilts and how they were more then just a way to keep warm, students will learn how to design, hand piece, applique, and embroider quilt blocks.  Finished blocks can be turned into pillows or wall hangings.

June 25-27 - The house that I built - Grades K-6:  Students will create a variety of art projects based on houses.  We will begin with a 2D piece continue with a few 3D pieces. 

 

I hope to see you there.

Also, Plum Pickens is soon approaching.  The annual Spring Cleaning Sale will kick off the show, lots of great items to be had, also a great time to pick up handmade gifts for Mom, brides to be, graduates, and yourself of course! 

A beautiful day in the neighborhood

Spring has arrived here in NE... and while it may seem early, it is very welcome.  We set up the trampoline for the kids yesterday, cleaned up the yard, and grilled out for the first time this season. 

Today we stopped at the park.  I was hoping to get a few photos for a special birthday card. My hubby's Grandma turns 90 tomorrow.  Taking photos of the kids with dad can be a bit of a chore... he is not a willing subject.  Anyways, I was able to snap a few more pics of the kids out playing. 

In an attempt to actually use items found on pinterest, I looked up a few tutorials on photography and photoshop.  I tried out a few of the "tricks" to enhance photos, and I played around with creating my own hand drawn frames.  I only have a mouse to work with, but I think with LOTS more practice, I could achieve smoother lines and details.  Or I could just splurge on a pen/brush for my computer...

Here's a peek at our weekend! and my experiments on the computer...

The above is the original...  and here is my experiment...

That was fun.  I hope to play around with this some more, and some more of the tips and tricks found on my boards.

Here's a few more pics..

See how cooperative he is? 

This is one of my favorites...

and here is the main reason for taking my camera today...

This is the un-edited version.

Great weekend!  and there is still one more day for the kids... no school tomorrow!

Spring is in the air...

My spring bulbs are starting to peek through the soil, and I want them to stop.  It's too early!!!  It snowed a bit last night, and the air has taken on quite the chill.  Mother Nature knows what she is doing...

In my studio, it definitely looks like spring (please excuse the small tornado that whipped through, the clean up crew has yet to visit.)  I had the pleasure of making a custom tiara for a very special birthday girl.  The inspiration was shabby chic, vintage, pink, and lace.  I found an amazing historical sketch for a crown, and it made me think of butterflies.  The rest fell into place from there...

I had fun using a flame to manipulate the fabrics for the vintage inspired flowers.  I love the process, although it can be a bit tricky.  It was fun to watch the fabric curl and shrink from the heat. 

My baby boy's last wrestling meet was today.  He finished 2nd with 1 pin, 1 win by points, and 1 loss by pin.  I am so proud of him and all the Crete Wrestlers.  It has been a fun season to watch. 

Soccer is up next, and the boys will be on different teams this year because of their age.  Cam will play micro-soccer, and Michael will be placed on a regular team.  Should be exciting, and very busy around here.