what it looks like when i get to make art with teens and tweens...

 

 

 

 

I taught a teen/tween art session at a local(ish) library last week. I had one hour to dazzle up to 15 attendees and was delighted to find not only to have a full house but to have a nice balance between the teen and the tween ages. Thank the dilly goddess that I had planned for three projects as they were a quick and quiet group. Up above is a sample of the terrariums we made.  I had plastic charms, farm animals, and dinosaurs to spice 'em up. The moss was happy as well...

 The most popular project appeared to be the permanent marker tie-dye dealio. I had brought a half yard of muslin to jazz up and cut it into small postcard sized scraps. Each attendee got two pieces to draw on and dazzle. They really worked hard and I wish I had taken more photos but it is pretty astounding I even got these as I was running around and dashing about all over the place.

 

 

The pom-pom making was not an instant hit but since everyone rushed through making their terrariums I had to sell it. And I totally did. It took showing them how nifty the little bits of fluff look when trimmed down, down, down. I think I won the boys over when I mentioned muppet barf (thank you Za Meander!)

I had a blasty-blast and so wish I could have done more at more libraries. Alas I don't think my name made it to the list. Thank you to Kris who got me the gig, I am looking forward to next year!

make something for the fourth...

 

with little more than a couple packs of paper napkins! DIY via scrumdilly-do! Oh and this one too!

the week in review: june 24-30

Last week felt like a total week of summer. It was hot and we were super busy! I taught a teen art class at a semi-local library where we made pom-poms, built terrariums, and did some sharpie tie-dying. It was a lot of fun and I was crazy surprised that such a large group of for reals teenagers showed up! Yay for small communities with awesome library programs! Now, if only I could turn that into my day job.

We had a mini heat wave up here on the central coast. Where our summers are normally in the high 70s, we were feeling temps in the 90s and low 100s. Yikes! To keep cool, the mister and I made homemade blackberry buttermilk ice cream, enjoyed homemade cranberry popsicles, and hit up the beach for a walk with the family a-go-go.

In between all the heat, there was mask making, sodering lessons, sunflower sprouting, and scone making (which I absolutely do NOT recommend on a day that is to be HOT, no matter HOW early you begin). I also got in some 4th of July crafting and while I'm coming in JUST under the wire, I do have a few more goodies up my non-existent sleeves.

Happy day-after-Canada Day, almost-Independence Day, and happy happy July! This week will be a smidge more crafting, some library book reading (I have far too many due in a few days with no chance for renewal), and along with the 4th, birthday fun for the mama a-go-go!

make a 4th of july garland with popcorn bags

 

Happy almost-july friends! This garland is 8 ft long! I used four different styles of popcorn bags. The classic red and white stripes bag came from The Dollar Tree and the white bag with red and blue stripes came from Cost Plus. The other two bags were etsy finds.

I used my sewing machine to zig-zag stitch the paper bags to a wide grosgrain ribbon. I quite like the differences in their sizes. Since the bags are paper, you could easily use a fold and glue method to create your own garland.

Have fun!

shop update: red, white, blue, and pretty

 

 

 

My festive independence day inspired dilly packs are in the shop. There are two styles listed. One with a more muted palette (think pale pink, dusty red, and aqua), the other classic red, white, and blue. Not a fan of red, white, and blue? There is also a silver and gold pack full of vintage goodness, and a delightful pack packed with blue.

even 90 degrees is too hot for me

I'm pathetic when it comes to heat (and so is my mint plant...the darn thing keeps curling up on itself and drying out). My body simply is not a fan and I get anxious and completely nauseated no matter how much water I drink. The tiny casa has no air and while it was much much cooler inside than out I got all heatified when I got crafty.

I ran about the tiny casa like a mad woman today. It helps that I woke up at 6:30am. Wrote out a list last night and managed to cross three things of the list. Yikes! Only three? I need to skeedaddle more often.

There was some pom wrapping when the heat got the best of me and then some stitching and a whole lotta of photographing.

I'm feeling a lot of anxiety about time lately. Like there really isn't enough and yet what is it I actually do? I'm off for the summer and we have some traveling planned but mostly I need to get these projects off my list (they're all for the 4th of July...yikes!) and then it is time to pack, pack, pack.

 

Yup, you read that right. The mister and I are moving out of the tiny casa and back into the homestead. The sister-a-go-go (well, one of them) is moving out and the mama a-go-go would prefer to not live alone. Since the mister's work space is at the homestead, and we're there more often than not, and the witch-baby is there, and well...we really like the mama a-go-go, it will be an enjoyable change. It will also be a challenge, I know this. Even though the tiny casa is tiny, it is overflowing with stuffity-stuff and we'll be downsizing into two rooms. Much will be stored but I am hoping to be brave enough to part with all sorts of vintagey goodness. I'll probably list it in the shop so as to keep all the other vintagey goodness there company.

Speaking of the shop, I will be adding (if not already added) some festive July 4th inspired dilly packs to it so don't be shy and pick up some pretty whilst contributing to my new camera lens fund!

And now it is time for a cereal snack...that could be dinner, right?