Art Show Day

My arms are sore, I've spent more hours at school in the last few days than I usually do in a month, my family had dinner last night in my classroom and I can't feel my thumb and forefinger (push pins!) - it must be art show day! :) 

Lots to finish up in the next few hours, see you on the flip side!

double

These days he insists on seeing his mama in not one, but two rear-view mirrors at all times. This kid. 

Teacup Candles for Mother's Day

My, my, it's been too long since I've posted a tutorial! I think I run out of energy to write more "tutorials" after writing so many for my students every week. But not today! :) 

These tea cup candles were simple to put together and made charming little Mother's Day gifts for all of my mums and grand mums. I had such fun hunting for the perfect cup for each recipient and found that most thrift store have a plethora to choose from in all sorts of colors and styles. After picking out my pieces, I found some candle making materials in my old art closet at my parents' house and went to work making my candles. Full tutorial below..

To gather:

- pretty tea cups or other small containers (that piece of pottery was just perfect for my bird and pottery loving Grandma)

- candle wax (can you believe that wax I found in the closet?! It must be 50 years old.)

- wicks

- essential oils (optional)

- double boiler or metal can

- ladle

- something to hold the wick in place; a dowel or just something skinny to lay on top of the tea cup.

The process:

1. Make sure tea cups are clean. 

2. Using a double boiler or metal can, melt wax.

3. Add a few drops of essential oils if you want your candle scented.

4. Using a ladle, fill tea cups about 3/4 full.

5. Before wax cools, place wick in the center. Use a dowel to keep the wick in the center of the candle.

6. Let cool.

7. If your candle droops in the center when it cools, just reheat more wax and fill it in. 

Thankful

Thankful,

- May weather 
- Levi's "HEY-lo!" and "byebye" to everything; strollers, cars, macaroni, dogs, bicycles, books
- my high schoolers spray painting chairs on a warm and sunny day
- friday night stroll to the Willows; good talks, Levi's excitement for the ocean, arcade games, ice cream and a Mother's Day photobooth session with my boys 
- a clean sink
- a super productive week
- good headway on my big canvas
- a mid-saturday date with my BFF
- Brian's project help
- seafood dinner with my fam and mother's day festivities 
- All the highrock churches together for a service; getting there in one piece (Boston driving..ack!), many voices, Brian's song, Levi dancing, sitting with much of my family
- Sunday afternoon with the Jameses; pizza lunch, a rainy day turned sunny, Levi in the swing
- Kimmie back in the country!
- a refreshing spring redecorate in the living room
- sweet cards and gifts from many; lavender-dandelion perfume, a cuddle satchet, chocolates, bathsalts, cyclamen and an orchid.
- another Mother's day with the sweetest son a girl could ever ask for.

from my inbox

Sure, mean old time and exhaustion, 

laze and drive, 

ebb and flow;

These wage war against love.

But what weapons we possess! 

Sass and serve,

Talk and touch,

Wrestle strong

toward love,

We together scrape away

Thirteen layers 

And marry. 

-B. James

(for 10 years I've been wooed by his beautiful words and he still knows just how to make his lady feel loved on a regular old Thursday.)

Sea Kettle Studios: first festival

Well, I survived my first fair. :) It was a beeeautiful day and I was set up next to my friend, so even though it was pretty slow people-wise, we had a grand time sitting in the warm sun, talking, painting and quilting. And the men had our babies so I guess it was practically vacation!

It was nice to start out with a low key event, since I knew I'd still have some tweaking to do in terms of my set up.  I found out the hard way that my beautiful display branch needs some serious reenforcement. Yup, one big gust of wind and the whole thing toppled..and more than once. Other than that, it was a fun day and I'm looking forward to the next two art festivals in June! 

(and four new paintings in the shop..

Get 'em while they're hot!)

www.seakettlestudios.etsy.com

The Restoration Project

Last week our creative arts ministry at church had the opportunity to help brainstorm, plan and support a collaborative project hosted by the Intervarsity group at a nearby art college. "The Restoration Project" was inspired by Isaiah 35 - "water streams forth in the wilderness.." Students came together to explore the concept of restoration by creating a mixed media collage using trash/recycled materials, by discussing what in life needs restoration and being introduced to the Restorer of all things.