Meet Abby Fabulous!

Meet my ewe, Abby Fabulous! That's her with the pink beehive hair-do. Isn't she absolutely fabulous?

Today is her birthday as she was born at the Renaissance Center in Dickson, TN at the Middle Tennessee Art Education Association Summer Workshop. Great Job, Andrea Steele!!

As you may have guessed I took the felting workshop today, which was one of three amazing art-making opportunities. Encaustic and mixed media where the other two offerings and I wish I could have done all of them! But, life is all about choices so let me share some of my "handy work" with you. 

So this is my teacher, textile artist and really fun lady, Troy Lacey. 

 Abby and her ewe buddies. Aren't they all so cute!! We made them with needle felting.

 This is my rock. Don't laugh. I can make another ewe with this rock once it is dry. We also made beads with wet felting. They are drying now in the AC vent. 

 This is a needle felted composition. I call it Mint-Chocolate Fa-ling-go. No, it's not a type-o, it is how my 4 year old says flamingo. Isn't that cute!

This is Kim's humming bird. I love how she made the wings pop out!

 This is what my beads will look like once they dry. I can't wait to go get some spacing beads! Fun!

 So here are some of the raw materials we used as well as some the books Troy shared with us. 

 The sponge was used under the felt so we could poke it with the very sharp needles, which magically connects the wool fibers to make quite a strong connection. Plus it is really fun (I know, "fun" and "cute" should be banned after this post but is was so...both!!). The needles are ridiculously sharp so don't look away or even talk too much or you will bleed all over your project. When I figure out how to safely do this with my elementary kiddos, I will let you know. In the mean time I will be looking for another felting class to take. Yes, Troy, you have created another addict!!

Holy Cow! What a conference!

Art Teachers invaded Texas this week and it was a sight to behold!! I met so many amazing art teachers. The week was inspiring, informative and exhausting in that incredibly rewarding way. I really want to say thank you to everyone who came out to see my presentation and those who stopped me to share positive and encouraging thoughts. You did not run screaming from the building and you crossed Hell's Half Acre to find my location on the other side of the area!

So, what did I learn?

• First, I learned some things from Super Blog-Star, Mr. E, that I can do to make this Blog more interesting or more helpful to others. I hope you will offer comments to help me grow in this area as well. 
• I learned fun art-making tricks (cheap and easy) from some of you and vendor-sponsered educators to incorporate more processes into my classroom

Printmaking meets under glaze!

Marble paper with chalk pastel, water and a plastic knife!

Dale Pohl did an amazing community printmaking (free-you know-non ticketed) session. She uses acrylic paint and sponge brushes (aka Cheap & Easy)! The kids can build little neighborhoods by printing on each other's papers! Limitless applications!!!

• I learned how to move into the "advanced class" using Artsonia's new features from Susan Bivona and Theresa McGee. I also met the Artsonia folks in person (sorry the picture is fuzzy) and some other amazing Artsonia teachers who have "the fever"!

Some of our TN art teachers with Eric, Dave and Jim from Artsonia HQ

I could keep going on but unlike some bloggy-art teachers I know, I actually need to sleep and before I can do that this Mommy needs to go play x-box-kennects boxing with her kiddos (4 and 7). They can't wait to knock me out! I'm cool with that because this week was a knock out too! Peace.