Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Extreme Knit and Crochet!

For the past three weeks I have been volunteering at mini camps held at the Little Bits Workshop in River Forest.  While all of the camps have been fabulous, my favorite week was "Extreme Knit and Crochet".  The kids and instructors had a blast working collaboratively on banners that are now festooning trees on Lake Street.

Balloon Tree

Ice cream Tree


The tree that has garnered the most attention is the Wishing Tree.  Liita had the idea for the kids to make blank tags so passerby could write a wish and hang it from the tree branches.


It is so beautiful to see all of the wishes hanging from the tree!  To see more about this project, you can watch a video on the Little Bits Workshop site. http://thelittlebitsworkshop.com/thelittlebitsworkshop.com/Home.html

Wednesday, June 20, 2012


Garden Project

 The small shade garden in front of our house has troubled me for some time.  I can't seem to grow anything in this spot, or rather I grow it and something eats it!  I decided this year with my daughter's help to create some kind of sculpture garden.  We have been trying to figure out what to make for this space.  My husband said, "What would Howard Finster do?"  Since we both grew up in Georgia, we were fortunate enoguh to meet the legendary folk artist and to visit his Paradise Garden.

"Paradise Garden Located in Summerville, Georgia, is a maze of buildings, sculptures and displays. The Gardens were built from found objects and recycled materials ranging from bottles, bathtubs and toilets to bicycle frames and cast-off jewelry. The setting is a four-acre swampland that is drained by  numerous canals. " (http://www.paradisegardenfoundation.org/)


Well, we will have to see what we can do!  Here is a before picture of our garden:
Below are a few mosaics that we are working on for the garden:
I found some brick pavers in our yard when we moved in.  We collected random plastic toys and old tile bits and used thinset mortar to adhere them to the brick.  After 24 hours we applied the tile grout.  I bought a grout sealer to put on the mosaics - hopefully this will winterize them.

As we create more additions, I will post the pictures.  We have a few empty coffee cans laying around that are begging to be "upcycled"!

Monday, June 18, 2012

Summer Flowers

We are well into June and it has been a while since I posted.  The end of school was very busy - it looks like I have some catching up to do!  I am hoping to spend time on trying new projects this summer.

One thing I stumbled onto was paper flowers.  My niece's Bat Mitzvah is coming up and I wanted to find a handmade item I could contribute to the ceremony.  I was inspired by the tissue paper flowers on Rust & Sunshine's blog.  I like the idea of "upcycling", so I made this flower out of newspaper and hit the edges of the petals with spray paint.  We'll have to see what my niece thinks!



Sunday, May 20, 2012

On-line museum for kids' art!

This year we tried out the website Artsonia. 
Artsonia Art Gallery

I had the kids use oil pastels and dot markers to fill a piece of watercolor paper.  With the help of a room parent, we scanned the artwork and uploaded the images to Artsonia.  With the images on the website, parents could view the gallery and if they desired, they could order a product with the artwork printed on it.

Parents can also create an online gallery on their own to preserve their child's artwork.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Kitchen Girl Coffee House

As much as I love visual art, I also enjoy the performing arts. In September, Greg and I founded Kitchen Girl Coffee House, a not-for-profit old-time and bluegrass music
concert series.



We did this to support and preserve old-time music making and to create a community gathering place.

The name "Kitchen Girl" comes from an old-time fiddle tune.  We chose it because it represents our love for old-time music, entertaining, and sharing food with friends.


Learn more about Kitchen Girl Coffee House

We were so lucky to have Matt Brown and Jessica Ziegler perform this past Saturday night.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Look What's Blooming for Mother's Day!



Hope the moms love these flowere!  The kids made them with color diffusing paper.  When we ran out of flowers, I cut some coffee filters in flower shapes and this worked just as well.
Step1- Color with white oil pastel on color diffusing paper or coffee filter
Step 2-Use pipettes to drip liquid watercolor on paper. Watch with amazement as the colors blend!
Step3 - Glue clear glass pieces  ( the kind you get at the dollar store) using Elmer's glue on to the paper.  When the glue dries, the colors shine through.

Enjoy!


Tuesday, May 1, 2012


Urban Crafters Trunk Show

On May 12, I will be participating in a show at Little Bits Workshop in River Forest.  I'm looking forward to showing and selling some of the jewelry I have been making.  The jewelry is made with small wood shapes, glitter and resin.

Urban Crafters Trunk Show at Little Bits Workshop 

Have a look at all of the wonderful items that will be available.