an ARTsy Sunday...

Yesterday was a real nice, lazy, family Sunday. After church we headed out to a "celebration" lunch for youngest daughter...to celebrate her wonderful job in her school play, this past weekend. She had her choice of places to eat and she decided that Culvers would be the best. It was a glorious sunny Sunday here, in a  usually gloomy late-February. Perfect!

After our indulgence in burgers and fries we headed to our next destination, the Box Factory for the Arts, in St. Joseph Michigan. An art show was in full-swing; an art show featuring local elementary schools and students in the area. Two of our daughters had some of their art work featured. It is always fun to check out all the local talent of the children in our community.

The Box Factory is a multi-use arts center that includes artist studios, galleries, a performance stage, classrooms, Art Shoppe, meeting space, and more. Two floors of the 55,000-sq-ft building have been devoted to the arts since 1995 when members of the Berrien Artist Guild, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, purchased the historic (c. 1903) Williams Brothers Paper Box Factory.

Free and open to the public: 10am to 4pm Mon-Sat, and 1 to 4 pm on Sun.

                                   The giraffe mask (upper left) done by oldest daughter.

Youngest daughter posing with one of her works of art: fish in a bowl. SO proud of my littlest artist!

                                       Oldest daughters "bird on a fence" painting.

                                            Youngest daughters "swirly figure" picture.

The Box Factory features a whole slew of in-house studio artists of all kinds- from ceramics to writing, an EVERYTHING in between. It was a lot of fun meandering the twists-and-turns of the hallways leading to the artists shops. Most of the artists were not "in", for it being a Sunday. I really need to go back another day!

 Here is the studio of Lynne Tan. She does all sorts of cool ceramic
 designs.

  The Pewter Shop was really fun! All sorts of fun hooks, wall art, etc. The artist, Rebecca Hungerford is sure a true talent!

Every child is an artist.

The problem is

how to remain an artist

once we grow up.

~Pablo Picasso

 

repurposed & crafty...

So, here are some random snapshots from around my own house that I took today. These show some of the ways that we re-purposed things, items or ideas... and found new, creative uses for them. I always find joy in re-purposing anything AND saving money along!

My daughter needed a desk for her room, but was not satisfied with her brothers old desk-which used to be her dad's old desk-from when he was a boy. So my 10 year old daughter thought to paint the drawers, to match her colorful personality. She wanted a chalk board in her room, so we bought some chalkboard paint and poof! - instant chalkboard!! I think the results are magical!

This was a gift that my daughter gave me for Christmas. It is a wreath of colorful fabric scrapes which she made in art class at school. I just LOVE it!

A friend of mine commented on my toilet paper holder in our bathroom, when she visited. Then, my sister made a comment about the same holder on her last visit. They both loved the creative way to hold a rather dull item as toilet paper. I found this grocery bag at a rummage sale and randomly put toilet paper in it one day. It does add a nice, simple touch to our bathroom.

While we were dating, my husband made this sign for me. It has our names spelled out in ordinary sea shells..all laying on a bed of sand, over cardboard.

In our front hallway a coat rack that holds another mesh shopping bag. I use it to hold mittens, hats, and all sorts of odds and ends that would get lost otherwise.

This side door to the garage gets very little use. So, I decided to play off the "magnetic" quality is holds and display the kids current art masterpieces on it. Now, when people walk into our home they are presented with an ever changing art wall.

Those beach days are never far behind- even in the dead of winter! I made this hanging piece with found driftwood and seaglass from a past trip to the beach. Now,whenever I look out the window, the beach is calling my name!

for the birds

Bird Seed WreathA while ago I saw a project that was perfect for our outdoor feathery friends. An ice wreath made with bird seed. Here is how my daughters and I just made ours.







First, you will need to find some sort of container to make the wreath in. We used a bundt pan. Make sure the container can withstand frozen material inside!







We took some cooking oil and with a paper towel, wiped the entire inside of the pan. This helps the ice mold, when completed, slip out without any fuss.


Next you need to decide which type of seed to use. We had sunflower seeds on hand, so that is what we used.

Take some seed and pour into the pan. We used a couple of scoopfuls.

Then you take some water and fill the mold up. I think a half full or less works best. The thicker it is, the longer it takes to chill up.

We then took our creation outside. We set it in the snow and left if to set. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day. Check to make sure it is rock hard before taking it out of the mold, or else all the seed with pour out... we made this mistake at first!

When all frozen, bring it inside.

Turn it upside down to release from mold.

We used some red string and attached it securely to the wreath. Find a nice spot outside to hang it and wait for the birds to find their new winter treat!

crayon re-do

re-purposed crayons

If you are anything like me, you probably have a ga-billion pieces, chunks, and tid-bits of crayons somewhere in your home! Sick and tired of buying, breaking, and throwing them away I found a neat way to re-use these colorful bits into a whole new life.

First, gather all of the pieces together and take ALL the paper coverings off of each and every one of them (they will catch fire if you don't!)

You can then do one of two things- use cupcake liners (with a waxy finish) lined up on a baking sheet, or you can re-purpose older cupcake tins (found at Goodwill or rummage sales), metal or silicone ones, for just this purpose (they won't be usable for baking again, so keep this in mind)

Place into a preheated oven of 250 degrees F. Watch carefully, they will melt fast! Bake them for about 7-8 minutes. When they looked melted enough, carefully and slowly remove them from the oven. You can stir them with a toothpick for a swirly look, or leave them as is. Let them cool completely (can be placed in the freezer to speed up process once the tin is not so hot.) When completely cool it is now safe to handle them and remove them from the tins.

When cool, you can poke toothpick through one of the crayons. Tie a festive ribbon on and you can hang on your tree, or give as a fun gift. Package the new crayons up in some clear wrap or a cookie tin. Package them up with a drawing tablet. They make excellent gifts!

let them SHINE!

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. ~ Pablo Picasso

I can still vividly remember the day! I was picking my son up from preschool (many years ago) and another mom was there with me. Her child came out of the classroom first and handed her an art project that he had worked on. She took it from him and made a comment to me that changed my world to this day! She said, "UGH! Another piece of junk!" She then took the piece and threw it in the trash, right in front of me. I was stunned and my heart sank to the ground. I felt so bad for that child. How could she have thought that? I just couldn't understand.

My three children have brought home numerous "works of art" over the years ( I have several plastic totes in the attic to prove it!) I have always loved what they brought to me and the look in their eyes as they present it to me is priceless. Currently I display their work all around the house. Magnets on doors provide a nice canvas for displaying what is current. Some hangs in almost every room of the house, even the basement. I don't invest in pricey paintings when I have my own three budding artist to show off! I know they feel so proud, and they should!

the ART show

Art is not a thing; it is a way. ~Elbert Hubbard

My daughter recently had one of her school art projects represented in an art show here in town. Needless to say, we were very excited! Every year the Box Factory for the arts holds this art show. All schools in the county are represented. It was so fun to see my daughters work, along with all the other many talented youngsters works!

a sassy pincushion

My newest creations!

a HANDMADE greeting

Here are a few handmade greeting cards I made.







I made these rubber stamps myself for this card.

These two cards are hand sewn on the paper.

Found driftwood was added to these.