Congratulations to Jeff!

We learned yesterday that Jeff has successfully made it through Phase 1 of the juried competition to become a member of the Torpedo Factory Artists' Association.  The work I submitted was not as successful.  There are still two phases to go, but it's an honor to have made it this far!  Well done, Jeff!

Friday in Focus and Art Challenge Day 5: A Peach Daylily

Winter has lasted long enough that I bought myself some flowers...  As this is the Day 5 of the Art Challenge, I am going to turn it over to my friend Kathryn Coneway of Art at the Center.  She's doing a very interesting Lenten creativity project.  I am excited to see what she creates!

Art Challenge Day 4: Snow Day = Junk Art

Another round of snow came just during the morning commute, so the boys' school was canceled for the day.  We decided to do "junk art" which is something they love in art class at school.  Basically, "junk art" at home means supplying the kids with lots of materials that could be classified as "junk" (along with some old blocks, ribbons, and clay) tape, scissors, and the glue gun.  Then, I stepped out of the way and let the kids create whatever they wanted.  With my kids, this art session also required a lot of science, too, as they tried to design movable wheels, a telephone, loudspeaker, and a missile launcher.  They had a blast!  

Art Challenge Day 3: Soapmaking

For the past 2 years, I've made our own soap and it has become one of my favorite things to do.  it's a real labor of love, involving prime ingredients and 4-6 weeks of curing, just to get about 14 bars or so a batch.  But, it's worth it.

I just cut a new batch of soap (pink grapefruit and peppermint) into bars today after making it on Monday.  I use a basic recipe that contains some amazing ingredients (palm oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and olive oil) with various essential oils (and sometimes dried herbs like lavender or lemongrass, as well).  

I don't usually take photographs while I make soap because becoming distracted while using lye is NOT something one wants to do.  However, I took a few photos this time (although even then, not while I was working with the lye).  

Indeed, the greater challenge is putting my soap up on our Etsy site for sale!  It's on the list of things to do.  Meanwhile, if you are interested, just let me know.  I currently have lemon sage ginger soap, lavendin rosemary soap (with dried lavender), lemon rosemary soap, and a few bars of goat milk & honey (with oatmeal) available.  The American Horticultural Society's gift shop also sells my soap, and they have a different selection.

Art Challenge Day 2: Creativity while Chaperoning!

I just returned from a morning spent chaperoning my son's class at Lincoln's Cottage in D.C.  It was a fantastic outing, and I had my camera with me. When I worked as an assistant teacher, I had the emergency phone list, practical shoes, and no camera, but now I am along as a parent rather than school employee, I gave myself the luxury of both working as a chaperone AND thinking creatively as I toured the cottage (I still wore practical shoes, though!).  The cottage is sparsely furnished, and I found myself very interested in its textures and architecture (and the shadow puppets my son made on the bus ride!)

Art Challenge Day 1: Forging an Iron Heart

We've been challenged to post 5 days of creative endeavors, so we're starting the week off with an iron heart project in honor of Valentine's Day.  Jeff took advantage of some warmer temps and headed out to the forge yesterday to make two hearts; this is his own design and a very popular piece.  One has been spoken for, but the other is available. Just let us know if you are interested...

And, here's how the pieces will look when they are finished.  Lovely!

 

Another Snow Day...

 

 

Friday in Focus: The Herb Garden, After a Snow

Winter is a great time for an art class!

More art from our boys' art classes! Plus, an admiring cat!

A Snow Day

Happy Valentine's Day! Lovely Art Chocolates and a Broken Toe...

Happy Valentine's Day!  My kids made some wonderful art!  They also got chocolates from grandparents and, unfortunately, a confirmation of a broken toe from an intense game of dodge ball ...