Getting My Creative Juices Flowing

The supplies are purchased and that leaves just one thing....the construction of my son's sixth grade class project for our PTL's Dinner, Dance and Auction.  In a world where every school is trying to raise money for one thing or another, it is these one-of-a-kind items that have the potential to bring in the most money.  So what have I and my fellow room mom chosen for this year?  Well, you will just have to be surprised (and with construction just getting underway, I too may be surprised at the outcome).  I can however share with you last year's project, which garnered several hundred dollars.

What exactly did I do to create this?  I started with my camera and took pictures of each student standing in front of a solid background.  I then printed those pictures and cut around their silhoutte.

How best to display these sihouttes?  I purchased a large canvas from my local craft store (of course using one of my stash of 40% coupons) and a package of acryllic paint.  I divided the canvas by number of students, leaving a space in the middle for a quote (which the students voted on from a list I supplied them).  To make it more eye appealing, I staggered the colored squares and alternated colors; keeping in the primary family. Once the colored squares were dry, I used the cut out photo as a stencil and traced around it with a pencil directly on the canvas.  With a very steady hand I started with a thin brush and my black paint and started to outline each child.  This made it easier to go back and fill in the rest their heads, while keeping nice crisp lines.  Once I was happy with each silhouette, I then traced the lettering for the quote and went back and filled it in with black paint.

That's it!  A fabulous (if I must say so myself) one-of-a-kind piece of art!

**A couple of helpful hints - I painted the edges of the canvas so the winner wouldn't need to frame it, but could hang it directly on the wall.  I also penciled in the names on the back so 25 years from now (come on...we know they'll keep it at least that long, right?) they'd know who was who.  Lastly, the quote that the kids chose is "Truly wonderful the mind of a child is" - who doesn't love Yoda?

Do you have a unique project that you have completed for a class project?  I'd love it if you'd share and stay tuned for updates on this years project...

Let's Get the Party Started

Today's the day!  The day to send this blog on its way - to take my love of family, crafting and so many other things, and share it with the world!  Exciting huh?  While I have been an avid reader of blogs for years, bookmarking my favorites so I can check them several times a day (I know borderline fanatic), writing my own blog has steadily run through my head.  But how to start off this exciting adventure?  Hmm, let me start by explaining how I came up with my blog title.....

Theodore and Adeline

I have never been one to freckle, but the rest of my family is another story.  Turns out, it's an interesting story too.  When my kids were just tots we went on a family vacation to the Atlantis, on Paradise Island.  Yep, a dream vacation and one we will remember for always.  Our days were spent racing to the pool each morning to secure our favorite spot and then splashing, laughing and swimming the day away.  At the end of one day, my daughter just didn't look herself anymore and I soon realized that even under the heavy layers of sunblock that we faithfully applied, the floppy hat we insisted she wear and the sun shirt that we tugged over her head everyday - even with all that - she had come down with sun poisoning.  This meant that she would now have to spend the next few days out of the sun (not an easy challenge in the Bahamas).  So how does this relate to freckles?  Well, it was once the redness started to fade that we realized that under that sunburn were little brown kisses from the sun.   After quick examination of the rest of us, I was surprised to find that my son was also the recipient of this gift.  My two children were taking home quite the souvenir - Freckles!   All these years later and they both still have those adorable freckles; across their checks and over the bridge of their noses.  People comment all the time on their adorable freckles, the kids and I just look at each other, chuckle and say that they are their lasting souvenir from the Bahamas.

While I still find myself young (is 30 something young?), My life's journey has led me to writing this blog and sharing with you what I enjoy.  Everyday is going to be something different.  I'll share my love of my family, crafting, cooking and my thoughts on life in general. 

So now that you know a little about me, I'd love to hear from you.  Have you ever wanted to try something and just not know when or where to start?  Have you had something happen to you that seemed horrible but after time and thought it became one of your cherished things (like my children's freckles)?  Share it with me....Let's get the conversation started.