A Bright Space

Our school is creating a "Bright Space" within an already exsisting non-profit organization to sponsor. It's a place where teenage moms can live for awhile while they get help with job/school and childcare. Aubree, a fellow teacher at my school,(above in the pic next to me) was the coordinator of this fabulous project. She and my administrators asked me to come paint a tree mural Mon/Tues of this past week(while my school got a sub for me-whahooo!!!). The circles on the tree will later have families/students names who contribute to the "Bright Space." Thank you to all of the wonderful ladies who helped paint the wooden circles!

“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Potty Break While Bear Hunting

Ok so we've been a little busy moving and school is still in session for one more week. We need to be extra silly since summer has already arrived.


“The best things in life are silly”-Scott Adams

Chalk Board Video

I love this video-Thank you Grace at Design Sponge for posting this amazing video!!! I'm going to show it to my fourth graders next week who are finishing up a chalk drawing unit.

“Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable.” -George Bernard Shaw

Mother's Day Weekend 09

Sunshine and family this past weekend. We enjoyed hanging out in West Seattle for some yard sales and a nice picnic on Alki Beach.

Motherhood has a very humanizing effect. Everything gets reduced to essentials. ~Meryl Streep

Green art

Starbuck's beautiful green art outside their remodeling at Uvillage. I wonder if I could have their letters when they reopen????? I love the left over stained plywood...gives me some ideas.

Mix a little foolishness with your serious plans: it's lovely to be silly at the right moment.

I'm thinking of Tiny Tim

Hanging out with my silly friend Vicky at the Tulip fields north of Seattle. I'm so blessed to work with so many fun/creative peeps at school-we laugh a lot! (oh..and Tiny Tim....As soon as I saw the tulips..I remembered my dad singing "Tip toe through the tulips" on our way to church as kids.)
Willy Wonka- "No man is exempt from saying silly things; the mischief is to say them deliberately.

Anonanimal-Andrew Bird

My kind brother gave me Andrew Bird's new album this week-This song has been my favorite so far....

“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Berthold Auerbach

Some more Lisa Hannigan

Lisa Hannigan - Lille from ATO Records on Vimeo.


I love Lisa Hannigan's new album! ....and this video reminds me of art 101 with Professor Helmer at Greenville. We spent ages on our pop-up books.
Imagination is more important than knowledge. -Albert Einstein

Bed Slats Turned Art

I was going to throw out these annoying Ikea bed slats-but then thought they would make a nice art piece.
A joke is a very serious thing. -Winston Churchill

Hey Ms. Kim!!

Hey you! I was going through old pics of Oscar and came across this lovely pic of one of my favorite people! That was a good time we had-yard sales and talking junk! I just want to say hi!

Without wearing any mask we are conscious of, we have a special face for each friend. -Oliver Wendell Holmes

My little guy turns 5

Oscar is five!!! Whahoo!!! This man was jumping off the walls before his spiderman party last weekend. He really was trying to climb the walls after watching the 1960's version of Spiderman on youtube. Love youtube....

This little guy keeps getting funnier and sweeter as the years go buy. He cracks me up all of the time with his witty humor. I love you buddy! Happy Birthday sweet guy.

When you teach your son, you teach your son's son. ~The Talmud ( Oscar asked me the other day, "Why do you always have to be the boss? When I grow up and have kids, I"m going to be the boss a you! uuuhhh!" ..and then folded his arms.)

In the art room

"Louise Nevelson Wood Assemblages." This was a fun after school workshop. I had all my students create an abstract Nevelson piece that we painted red. After they created their Nevelson, they went crazy creating all kinds of other cool wood sculptures.

The ladies in the office asked if I could put something together for the front entrance/office at school. I hung three separate pieces of Plexiglas and painted a chestnut tree onto the glass. It's still not finished. More pics to come of this one....

Third Grade-Oil Pastel flower still life

First Grade-Charcoal drawings of dogs!! Our wonderful Librarian/creative writing teacher had the author of "Rembrandt and boy who drew dogs." come and speak to our students. So I had the younger grades work on these drawings while looking at some of Rembrandt's work.

Fourth Grade-The first set of prints were study prints of Wayne Thiebaud's work. Next, I had the students make prints of something that represents them as a person.

The Sushi print is one of my favorites.

Second Grade- Watercolor boats

Thursday After School Workshop-There were about ten students who created a one of a kind flower garden in our little cubbie whole in the stairwell. These students really brightened up our stairwell!

Fifth/Sixth Grade Ice Cream Cones-2nd Trimester.

Third Grade: Clay Australian Boomerangs

I put a whole bin of extra wood at the art center for students to work with when they are done with their project. The boys took to pulling in chairs to hold up their roadways.

Fifth/Sixth Grade scratch art-Tropical scenes. We spent one period coloring our paper with solid color. I covered each piece with black paint and students began their masterpieces the next art period.

“It gave me great pleasure to think that I could take wood, make it good, and make people like Rockefeller buy it with paper money.”-Louise Nevelson

Lisa Hannigan

I Don't Know from ATO Records on Vimeo.


I saw this video on design sponge and played it repeatedly while setting up for classes today. An excellent feel good song.
“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.”-Albert Einstein

Work Hard/Be Nice

This artist you can find at: http://www.somagallery.co.uk/shop/shopanthonyburrill.html
I love this sign-simple and to the point. I'm working on my own twist on this and would like to have these words in my classroom as our art room rules-You can't get more simple! I'll attach my twist on this later this weekend.
Few things in the world are more powerful than a positive push. A smile. A world of optimism and hope. A "you can do it" when things are tough. -Richard M. DeVos

Some more lessons

Thurs. Afterschool workshop- Modigliani self-portraits. I got this lesson from the wonderful
http://deepspacesparkle.blogspot.com/2009/01/modigliani-inspired-self-portraits.html The first photo above shows students some of Modigliani's work.

Fifth/Sixth Graders-2nd Trimester. We worked on hand building with clay. STudents had free choice as long as they made something that was useful in everyday life once it was completed. I love the checker boards.

3rd Grade-Jim Dine hearts. We used paint/texture/glitter/and oil pastels to create these beautiful hearts. These really brightened up our lobby in Feb./March.

Second Grade-"Me and My Shadow"-Lesson from Artsonia

Fifth/Sixth Grade Plaster Masks-Students chose a color to create a monochromatic mask.

Kindergarten-3-D houses

Thursday Afterschool workshop-"Drawing with Paint"

Thursday afterschool workshop-"Printmaking with Nature"

First Grade-Origami stars. STudents made these in Dec. for our festival of peace and light. We decorated our stars with Cherry Blossom trees.

2nd Grade-"I give you my heart" - Artsonia lesson

First Grade- "Jim Dine valentines"

First Grade-Flower Still Life

Kindergarten-"Radial flower designs"(with coffee filters)

I can't believe its almost the end of the school year. I feel like I'm finally getting into a groove and schools going to be out before we know it. Forgive my pictures..I really do need to take a photography class..anyway...here are some more lessons and I'll try and post where I got these ideas/lessons from.

“In art the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can inspire”-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Oscar practicing his storm trooper skills

“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side kid - Han Solo”

Frannie singing "Goodmorning Sunshine"

“Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next.”-Gilda Radner

Fremont Troll

The kiddos and I checked out the Fremont troll under the bridge on Sat. The poor troll needs some tlc......and a manicure.
“To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure, but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.”

franki grace turns three

Franki-about a month old?

Franki, Oscar and myself....winter 2006/07.

I can't believe my baby is three! I pulled up some old photos of Frannie....time flies. The last picture I took is of the kiddos Mon. morning before school. We made these t-shirts at Frannie's birthday party. Freezer Paper rocks!! Thanks again Franki for sharing your idea...Now Oscar wants to do the number five for his birthday.

“The more things you do, the more you can do.”-Lucille Ball

Michelle Beschen - Some Fun Home Improvement

a few art lessons from school

This is my "Art History Mystery" board. Every month I display an unknown artist's work and ask several questions. When students are finished with their art work they can use the computer or take home the questions I have posted to find out the mystery-"who is this artist?"...and of course whichever little detectives figure out the mystery recieve a little treat at the end of the month.

This is my little piece I created along side my students in an after school workshop. Its the space needle made from "Found Objects." (cd/cone thingee...and the inside parts of an old clock)

2nd grade winter scenes.

Jackson Pollock after school workshop.

5/6th grade "Celtic Alphabet" project for our Festival of Peace and Light.

3rd Grade-Complimentary Colored Numbers! We studied the art of Jasper John's for this project.

2nd Grade-Abstract German Castles. Students created these in December for our festival of peace and light. Students used building blocks to construct a castle onto their paper. This project was one of my favorites-lots of color!!

4th Grade-Stained Glass Art Design on the back of cd's.

5/6th graders made paper mache guitars of their own design. I had several students in this class who play the guitar so I thought it would be fun to study the history of the guitar .(Dangerous Curves-The art of the Guitar from the Museum of Fine Art in Boston).

Hey Franki-I'm finally getting up some pics of some art lessons. I've got some more to post...I'm also going to try and get some of my favorite art teacher links up on "my favorites."

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

-Dr. Seuss

Thank you Lori and Jo!!!!!

Thank you, Thank you!! Lori and Jo-You are the best! It's a year later and I finally used part of my mommies day out card....I can't believe I get a massage with the next one!! Whahooo!!!!

"I get by with a little help from my friends."- John Lennon

ATT: Chicago girlies.....midwest tshirt

Ok Franki, Andi and Jen...I found the tshirt! ...and I found a link with how to transfer an image with freezer paper..so we don't have to slap down twenty five bucke roos!

Freezer paper link: http://www.craftster.org/blog/?p=94 (check out the Madonna transfer)

http://gingerfied.blogspot.com/2006/04/freezer-paper-transferhow-to_16.html

Franki-thanks to you, I'm going a little crazy with freezer paper now....its all over the living room as I'm trying to make shirts for the kiddos birthdays.

I know well that happiness is in the little things. -John Ruskin

some inspiration

I would love to make a tub sofa....someday....

Ohhh la, la...This grocery cart chair is so sweet.....Now only if I could weld...mmmm.....I saw the tub and grocery chair at http://www.reestore.com/

Its the wee hours of the night-and I am unable to sleep-so...I'm looking through some of my favorite sites for inspiration. I love the milk crates-I may have to do something like this in the future..now to find a butt load of milk crates..... For the milk crate chandelier and crate stools: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/come_up_to_my_r.php

Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.-William Shakespeare

A redo on a dresser...and some art

So Thursday evening the kiddos and I took a dresser over to Fremont. Its always a bit crazy with Oscar and Frannie wanting to play with the breakables at the shop! I also took a picture of a painting (an old Irish saying) I brought in to the Vintage mall awhile ago. ...and on our way out Oscar and Frannie enjoyed playing in their tent(the Fremont Vintage sign).

"Chop your own wood, and it will warm you twice."-Henry Ford

Chicago

My good friends Andi, Franki and Jen. Ladies-It was a fine weekend! Whahoo! Now we have to plan our next trip!..I like Franki's idea! Maybe Kentucky or Greenville next year!!

My good friend Sean and I got to catch up a bit. Sean-Thanks for the wine...You always make me laugh! ...And thanks Retta and Tim for making the drive to Bucktown! It was so good to see you! Send me a picture when you get the antlers hung!!!

"The person who can bring the spirit of laughter into a room is indeed blessed." -Bennet Cerf

My little Valentines

“The teacher is like the candle, which lights others in consuming itself.”- Italian proverb

west seattle-at the beach

Frannie was trying to shoo the birds who were after her graham crackers.

Oscar gathering canons for his ship!

"Mercy is nobility's true badge." -motto

Collective

So my friend Susie who manages the Fremont Vintage Mall told me that Gail Miller from "Collective," had bought some of my stuff before. On my way home the other day I thought I would pop in to "Collective," and meet Gail. Walking up to the door I see my "Housekeeping" vanity in the front window. I also spotted a lamp and foot stool that I had redone. I talked to Gail a bit and asked her if I could take some pictures. It was so fun to see my stuff in her shop! Thanks Gail!! Visit her oh so cool shop at : http://www.collectiveinballard.com/

“Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.”-Tennessee Williams. -

Thanks Retta, Lori and Jimmy for really pushing me to do what I love...I thought of you and all of your encouragement when I was in Fremont this weekend!! Love ya,katie

Music Sheet Art

I found some amazing old music sheets awhile back. I picked out some music titles that resonate with me and decoupaged them with a little bit of wood stain onto these wood boards. The wood boards I found at Creation Station in Lynwood, Wa. ( http://www.creationstationinc.com/ ). I wanted to keep them in my living room but I took them to Fremont to sell. I have another project I'm working on that will take the place of these in my living room.

“Art is never finished, only abandoned.”-Leonardo da Vinci

another chandelier

I had this eighties light fixture that I added some junky beads/and other odds and ends and some black paint and whaallaa!!! My picture of the final outcome doesn't look to hot- This piece I am consigning at Fremont Vintage Mall.

“Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless.” Jamie Paolinetti

Christmas Break

So I wanted the kids to pick out a few gifts for Jimmy and Jenny for Christmas. We all know we don't need more crap but I want them to understand giving more-so we went to the Target dollar section and I gave Oscar and Franki a list of people they had to buy for. Oscar picked out santa claus chocolate for Jimmy and clappers for Jenny. He was pretty adiment about Jenny having party clappers. It was funny. And Ms. Frances picked out a yo yo for Jimmy. We can always use yo yo's! Also..wrapping by Oscar and Franki!!

I was looking around the house for something to use for our advant-like countdown till Christmas. Chinese Take out cartons seemed to work. I bought them awhile ago for gift boxes but I think they spiced up our tree!

Snow in Seattle!!! Crazy.

Franki hitting Oscar with a snowball in the back.

Uncle Ralph, Franki , Oscar and Aunt Jenny -ahhh so cute.

Uncle Jimmy helping Oscar put together his Anniken Lego ship

Oscar opening up some spider man pajamas!!!

Oh dear....This barbie is Frannie's favorite gift and is annoying as heck!!! The barbie sings super cheesy songs. One of the songs starts out..."I feel connected...protected..." Jimmy made up some words..."I feel rejected....suspected.." hee, hee.

One of Oscar's favorite gifts..another light sabor. You can never have too many light sabors!

Frannie was serving us coffee with her new barbie tea set and putting barbie stickers all over our faces.

“Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

Happy New Year!

So I was checking out one of my favorite blogs, poppytalk@blogspot.com
and took a liking to this photo. I love the "Booh Yah" doilly with the sweet homemade drinks. This was made by Ladiesandgentlemenhome@blogspot.com who I didn't know but are from Seattle.

“Santa Claus has the right idea: visit people once a year”-Victor Borge

Merry Christmas 2008 Whahoo!!!!!!!!

Make a Smilebox greeting This past year has been a challenging year. A quick move from Madison, Wi to Seattle, Wa. We couldn't have made the move without great friends like Jimmy, Jenny, Retta, Lori and Kevin,Jo and Bob, Rambod and Judy,Kim, Lisa, Kathy(and Dean),Jennie(P.), Amy P., and Eydie and Dave. I can't say thank you enough to especially Jimmy, Jenny,Retta and Lori for encouraging the kids and I and just being there for us. May you all be blessed with great friends and good cheer!!! Love,katie, Oscar and Frances We are what we believe we are. C. S. Lewis

Go Huskies!

Congrats to the Husky CrossCountry Girls /Greg/Jimmy and Kelly!!

http://gohuskies.cstv.com/sports/c-xc/spec-rel/120108aaa.html

http://gohuskies.cstv.com/sports/c-xc/wash-c-xc-body.html

http://www.flotrack.org/videos/coverage/view_video/234133/82133-secret-to-christines-success

"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another."

Pirate Oscar and Princess Franki

So here's Oscar's teacher, Ms. V, acting all scared of the pirate man! ..and Franki getting a crown painted on her cheek by Ms. Mckenna.

"You have a creative contribution to make. Your life, and mine, will be better if you do." -Michael Toms

Good Things

Good Things- A funny line in the movie, "Along Came Polly." These words make me smile.

"Keep Calm and Carry On," a World War II poster, is hanging here in the living room. The frame was a freebie at a yardsale this past summer.

“May you always walk in sunshine. May you never want for more. May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door.”

Pumpkin Patch

“Use the talents you possess - for the woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except for the best.” -Henry Van Dyke

Some Fun at the Park

Its been crazy busy for the kids and I with school. The other weekend we went to the park and hung out for a bit. Frannie loves to wear her princess dress everywhere. Oscar was wearing his spiderman mask but took if before I started taking some pictures.

"Don't wait for inspiration. Take Action! Action generates inspiration." Frank Tibolt

Bellevue, WA

One of my last peices to take to Fremont. Thanks Retta-I finally used one of the salt bags!

Ok Jo-Do you lika? This old boat peice came off one of Bob and Jo Kay's boat somewhere-I don't know the whole story but I decided an old map was best suited for this salvage peice.

Just a simple project here-I used the last of one of my favorite crazy fabrics.

Yeah!!!! Lori labeling all of my shop hardware/junk. Thank you. Thank you Lori. I officialy have a shop that is all organized and I know where all of my tools are!!-

Frannie at the beach park in Kirkland last weekend.
She thinks she is a big kid and is not afraid to jump from high places.

Oscar talking to me while I'm snapping some random pictures.

As a lot of you know I have started a new job-teaching art K-8 in Bellevue, WA. I'm sad to leave my "Dilly Dally, rubbish redefined" business, but I hope to get back to it some day. I hope to post an occassional project being that creating is something I must do. ....and I know I will incorporate my reuse/recycle art into my art lessons at school.
So Oscar, Frannie, and Jimmy and I moved here to Bellevue last week. Thanks to Jimmy,Zak(a UW runner), and Kevin and Lori Kay we made a smooth transition from West Seattle to Bellevue. I can't even begin to show my gratitude to Jimmy, Lori and Kevin. Lori spent a few days here organizing my house as I do not even know where to begin when it comes to organizing. I like to stick to the fun decorating part. But as Lori showed me, getting organized makes it so much easier to live and especially with my new busy schedule I need as much organization as possible. Anyway-thanks you guys-I love you.
So this week the kids started their first full week of day care as I begin professional development week. The kids are doing great. Franki(my little fireball) is so excited to go to daycare=she says,"I play mom,""by mom." Oscar is my little homebody. Today I told him when he misses me to close his eyes and picture me giving him a hug-and I asked him,"do you feel my hug?"...He said I will mom. When I picked him up today had been struggling the last hour or two and said, "Mom I felt your hug today at nap time." I couldn't help but cry and squeeze him tight.-Its funny the things our kids remember. I didn't think he would remember me telling him that. Tonight we read, "SkippyJonJones" for the 20th time this week. If any of you get the chance to read this book-you should, its quite entertaining to parents as well!!

“Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.” -John Wayne

Retta's visit

We were so privileged to have Retta come to stay with the kids while I taught my last week of summer art camp. I knew the kids would have fun and Loretta would come up with some inventive play. She had to bring Frankie some beautiful clip on earrings that Frankie loves.

Ok, Sumo wresting? I hadn't imagined this one. Oscar and Frannie loved it! As you can see below, Oscar was pretty serious about this game. Since Loretta has left, the kids want to play this over and over.

Some fun in the sun.

Oscar trying to hide from me after bath time-maybe by talking to Jimmy some more he could put off bed time.

Retta and the kids picked up these crabs at the beach and returned them the next day. Oscar named them "baby frannie" and "george."

Oscar and Retta's magnificent boat built from drift wood and other odds and ends from the beach. Oscar had to make sure their were plenty of canons on the boat. They built many more and I don't know where we are going to display these.

"Creativity is piercing the mundane to find the marvelous." Bill Moyer

Sono Grato Per

Sono Grato Per(I'm Thankful For). I've been wanting to make a piece of wall art that is our "thankful art piece." I want Oscar and Frannie and I to remind ourselves who we are thankful for and change it up a bit. Oscar has his people written down, He kept saying, "Guess what that says mom?"...UHHH I don't know? "Yeah, You don't know."

My brother Jimmy's desk legs where falling of his desk-so I re purposed the top for our art here. Yes, Lori-I'm 100 percent sure the Italian words are the correct translation. Hee, hee If not , the kids won't know the difference.

Keep your sense of humor. As General Joe Stillwell said, "The higher a monkey climbs, the more you see of his behind."”-Donald Rumsfeld

Indian Food

My friend Beth (we went to school together and this lady is so sweet)and I went to the "Locks" in Ballard last weekend. We had a good time. Lots of Indian food and good conversation.

“Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things”-George Carlin

Be Happy

Be Happy - When life's problems seem overwhelming, look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself fortunate. Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are. God is Love Rev Run

Gooooo get em!!!!- inspiration from Rev Run .....and a Table

This old rusty table came out of my dear friend Jo's shed. Some primer and a fresh coat of paint and this table is new.

So occasionally when my brother is chilling out and watching the Rev Run show on MTV, I'll watch it with him. I don't remember the name of the show but I love his quotes he sends out to all of his friends:

Good morning Its a new week! A good day! Walk with an extra boost of energy. Ride the crest of the wave that extra mile! Things will play in your style if you smile! Its all about your attitude! Goooooo get em!!!!God is Love Rev Run

Old Map

I was looking to put this map somewhere until I took it to my booth. I kind of like it here now-maybe I'll keep it. I could have a million zillion maps in my house-Jo-thank you-I might just keep it.

“Creative minds are rarely tidy”-anonymous

Headboard

This door has been sitting in my dining room area for about two months now-I had been planning on making it into a headboard and finally got to it. I used black pleather that I have had for a long time and some upholstery tacks. My poor pillows-This bed gets jumped on a lot by two little people you have seen in my previous posts. I think I'll hang some art work above it at our next place.

“If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking.” -George S. Patton Jr.