School Daze

Today is the first day of school. The children come in excited and wondering. I have worried all night about the little guy who came yesterday to open house with his baby brother’s blanket wrapped around his head and body. I never once see what he really looks like with his face all hidden in shadow like a six-year old grim reaper.

I love school! Always have…whether I’m a student or a teacher. Or both, because boy, do I learn a few things from these kids all the time.

These are the things I love now: the smell of newly sharpened pencils or a brand new box of crayons. But the best smell is so wonderful: a brand new book! When I get new books, I always have to take a whiff; don’t you? The most wonderful books seem to be children’s books with gorgeous pictures. In a workshop I learned that the smell is clay that is used to “fill-in” the paper. No wonder it has such a heavenly aroma. I love clay, too! Go ahead. Find a lovely new illustrated children’s book, open it, and sniff. Hmmmm. Better than freshly baked bread.

I love little girl outfits. They’re so cute and colorful. I love slicked back, braided or curled hair on little kids….especially the ones that look like smack ramen noodles. What do YOU love about school…or taking classes?

A special acknowledgement has to go to The Graphics Fairy. Actually the Graphic Angel is more like it because her vintage photos and ephemera are so lovely, and she is so generously giving. I’m still learning about blogging so I don’t know how to make this a link to her blog. But go there. It’s wonderful. Just do it now….or you’ll have to put your heads down on your desk!

The Last Blog of Summer

I know in lots of places it’s still summer, but here on the Wasatch Front there’s a nip in the air and it smells like fall.  This has been an amazing summer:  I learned to blog, began to learn mixed media art, learned to make glass slide charms, began jewelry making, learned to make video yearbooks for my 1st grade class, designed and created my daughter’s Wicked Which costume and visited with all my children and families I love.
I’m sharing 2 of the photos I took in Seaside that I wasn’t able to before.  But thanks to my brilliantly witty and satirical son-in-law (AKA The Northwest Randomizer), I have been tutored through bypassing the Nero Photo Shop which ALWAYS shuts down my computer.  And just when I get going good, too.

This is where I stood on shore and thought of Anne Elliot on her birthday.
The sand here is so soft and powdery.  Just thinking about it, I can almost feel my feet sink down into its cool cushion.
My overhead fan is on too, so I’m imagining it’s the gentle ocean breezes blowing across my face and ruffling my hair.

   

                                      

The Carousel
The thought of a carousel smack dab in the middle of a mall is so amazing to me.   There’s something dreamlike and magical about the music and lights and beautiful horses.
We also rode the Tilt-a-whirl.  My favorite!  The last time I was on one was with my sister, just 3 short months before she lost her life to cancer.
I’m so amazed that my hubby condescended to go on it with me.  Looking at him, I see he is quite green around the gills, gritting his teeth through his grimace.  His only words:  “We should have done this BEFORE we ate at Pigs in the Pantry.

Anne Elliot’s Birthday

What a lovely celebration I shared with my daughter, The Little White Attic.  I reread Jane Austen’s Persuasion.  While my daughter painted 2 lovely pictures of Anne at the sea, I actually went to Seaside and took some gorgeous photos of the sunset there.  I, too, looked out at the ocean through a telescope and thought of Anne in Bath or Lyme.
At midnight on the night of Anne’s birthday, we watched Persuasion and then worked on charms.  I’m presently beginning work on my jewelry pieces for the Everything Austen challenge, and I’m happy in the knowledge that I’ve completed #1 on my list.
Did you notice the Austen heroine quiz on my sidebar?  Well, Anne is the woman I’d like to be like….she didn’t complain or hold a grudge.  She didn’t feel sorry for herself even when her family treated her like something you’d throw out with the litter box.  She truly cared for others and forgave everyone.

Wicked Costuming

These are shots I took of the witch costume I made for my daughter for her part as the wicked witch in The Wizard of OZ.



She brought me a tall velvet hat she purchased that was too tall and too wide in the brim. It was such a pain! Lots harder than the dress--mostly because of the unpicking (@#@+), cutting of wire that is clotheshanger thick, removing wires, recutting and resewing of the brim and point. It was all worth it, though. I think she looks fabulous!