ART IS YOU Recap

I only got to take one class at ART IS YOU this year but it was a good one!  I decided to try something new and took a mixed media book-making class with Sharon Payne Bolton.  This is an example of some of Sharon's pieces:

When we arrived, we found this at each of our places:

Sharon thought of everything and even had an apron for each of us to use.  For a modest kit fee, everything was included.  There were tables throughout the room filled with vintage ephemera, photographs, papers, fabric, paint and more.  The first day, we spent the whole day collaging each page  in the book. The second day, we finished up all the pages and then bound the book together.  Mine was kind of fat.

Some people just chose items without any particular theme in mind.  I decided to make a little meditation book that included a reminder of my blessings as well as my hopes for the future.

The best part of ART IS YOU is hanging with these ladies:

I always try to volunteer in some small way because I just enjoy mixing with such wonderful people each year.  Here is some of my ART IS YOU bling:

I also managed to get some trades done:

Noodlebug kept sneaking them out of my workroom while I was trying to finish them.  He gave me an amazing compliment when I told him he could have some to play with.  "Mommy, these are better than Power Rangers!"  Whose heart wouldn't melt when a 5-yr-old boy says that about clothespin dolls?

I'm not taking another class this year but I will be volunteering tomorrow and attending their wonderful Art Trunk show tomorrow night.  I snuck around into the other classrooms yesterday and I'm already planning on what to take next.

ART IS YOU is a giant mixed-media retreat that takes place each year in Stamford, CT, Nashville and Petaluma.  The dates for next year are already set.  Will you join me in Petaluma?

ART IS YOU Petaluma 2013

Tomorrow is the kickoff of this year's ART IS YOU here in Petaluma. I'm so excited.  This year, I'm taking a two-class with Sharon Payne Bolton called "Between the Pages."  We are going to be making our own artist books and I'm so excited!!!

(Image Source)

I was also going to take a class with Cathe Holden but it got cancelled.  I'm so bummed about that!  I'm still planning on volunteering at the Registration desk so, if you are coming, you may see me there.

I'll also be at ART TRUNK and this Saturday we have the wonderful Halloween and Vine show. It's going to be a big weekend in Petaluma!

I had great plans to do something special for trades but I may not get them done.  I'll post photos if I do.  I'll give you a recap when it's all over!

"Sesame Street" and Cookie Monster

I dearly loved Sesame Street when I was a child.  In fact, I loved it so much that I ended up making it a part of my Master's degree project!  I am so happy that Sesame Street's legacy continues on and that my son has been able to enjoy it as well.  I worry about the day when he will feel too old for it.  But right now, he still loves it at age 5.

My favorite character was always Cookie Monster. When I got the chance to participate in a live chat with Cookie Monster, I jumped at the chance.  We all got to ask Cookie questions about everything from his eating habits to life on Sesame Street.  It was so fun!

Season 44 of Sesame Street premiered on the 16th and we are already enjoying it. I especially appreciate their focus this season of teaching children about self-regulation. A very important skill for preschool and Kindergarten!  The first episode focused on jealousy and recognizing your jealous feelings and figuring out how to deal with them.  The second episode was all about respect.  My son is on the bigger side and can sometimes have trouble with pushing in moments of excitement.  He and I watched Rosita deal with her own issues with pushing and how she learned to control herself and realize the importance of safety and respect. 

We are also loving the new segment this season called "Cookie's Crumbly Pictures."  This segment parodies famous movies and reinforces this season's self-regulation curriculum.  The first episode was a James Bond spoof which was probably even funnier to my husband and I than to our son.  Cookie had to learn to be patient and wait for COMPLETE directions before being able to enter the villain's secret lair.

To read more about season 44 and its focus, go here.

And Cookie's latest music video, "Me Want It (But Me Wait)" will have you dancing all day today:





(I was not compensated in any form for this post and all opinions are my own.)

A Visit from the Tooth Fairy

Noodlebug lost his first tooth! It has been really wiggly for about a week so I knew I better get busy with preparations. Luckily, I bought this adorable tooth fairy pillow years ago in preparation for this big event:

(image source)

I bought it on Etsy from Melody Miller and it is so adorable. Big enough to cuddle with the perfect pocket for holding treasures like a tooth!

To make this event a little more special, I decided to craft a special fairy door just for the Tooth Fairy.  I bought an unfinished dollhouse door from Hobby Lobby along with a doorknob kit.  I painted the door and glued on the doorknob and told Noodlebug that since his tooth was really loose, I would mail the key to the Tooth Fairy right away. It's a good thing I did!  He and I installed the Tooth Fairy door next to his bed last night:

Although I plan on the Tooth Fairy giving Noodlebug $1 coins in the future, we decided a first tooth was pretty special.  The Tooth Fairy brought him a $2 bill that my grandfather had given me.

I think we are going to leave the fairy door up. I have a feeling more teeth are going to follow.  It is held up by a few Command strips so I'm not worried about it damaging the wall in any way.  Plus, it makes for easy access for the Tooth Fairy!

Citrus Lane September 2013: 5-yr-old Boy

We got our Citrus Lane box today and it was a fun one. Even had something for me!

The add-on this time was an Aden + Anais blanket. We used the muslin wraps A LOT when Noodlebug was a baby. I tell people all the time that I continue to find uses for those blankets even though he is 5 now.  This time, I ordered a Dream Blanket as an add-on.  Noodlebug is quite the aesthete and loves comfort.  He immediately wrapped up in his new blanket:

We have another Dream Blanket for the car that is perfect for cold Winter mornings.  I was hoping this one could be for the other car but I'm not sure he will give it up. This blanket was about $31.  The retail price is usually about $49.95.

Here is a look at the other goodies:

1. We always love getting books in our boxes!  One of the hints this month was a Charley Harper picture and I was hoping our book would feature Charley Harper but this one featuring Alexander Girard is also charming.  Retail price: $16.95

2. Two Bamboo Cars from Hape Toys --We have had many HAPE toys over the years. I love their sustainable focus and these cars will be fun.  Retail price: $6.99 each

3. 3.4 oz Peaceful Bubble from Episencial--We are HUGE Episencial fans and were out of bubbles so this came at the perfect time!!!  Retail Price: approx $1.50

4. Something for mom!  Nail color from JULEP in a fun Fall color.  Retail Price: $14.00

Approximate value of box: $46.43

I thought this box had some really fun items in it and I can't wait to try the nail color.We are so enjoying Citrus Lane and I hope they start offering boxes for older children!

Fall is in the Air

My very favorites season is Fall. When the air gets crisper and the leaves start changing color, I get reinvigorated.  I have been pining after this sign for a long time.  A little out of my price range right now but isn't it adorable?

(from Barn Owl Primitives)

As I wait for Fall to officially arrive, I am already making plans.  I have decided to host our first annual Pumpkin Carving party. I'm gathering ideas from blogs and Pinterest and trying to decide if 18 families are too many to invite.  (There are just too many great people I want to spend time with! What a nice problem to have!)  I also need to get Noodlebug thinking about a Halloween costume so that I have time to make one. On that note, I also need to get my sewing machine fixed. I think I broke the bobbin holder.  I really miss my sewing machine!!!

I find myself craving Starbucks' Salted Caramel mochas and I'm dying for the weather to get colder so I can break out my new Evy's Tree Lizzy!  What are you excited about this Fall?



(This post contains NO affiliate links)

KIWI CRATE Sneak Preview and a Sale!

If you are regular reader of this blog, you know that we have been fans of Kiwi Crate for several years now.  It is one of the cheaper subscription boxes for kids that I have found, the projects are great and almost all the materials are included in every box.  (so wonderful for a busy parent!)

In our last box, we got a little sneak preview of the excitement to come!

SEPTEMBER

Noodlebug has REALLY been into art lately so this should be a fun crate!

OCTOBER

We love all things glow-in-the-dark. Can't wait for this one!

NOVEMBER

When the weather gets colder, it's the perfect time for a little fireside storytelling!

I am an affiliate for KIWI CRATE and they are offering a special promotion right now.  If you order a monthly subscription, 6 month subscription or 12 month subscription, you can get $5-$20 off plus free shipping depending on what package you order:

Save up to $20 on a new Kiwi Crate subscription (that's 2 months free) plus free shipping!

It's going to be a fun Autumn!!!

Plein Air Painting

I was ill over Labor Day weekend and needed to find a way to keep Noodlebug occupied. We have had some fantastic weather so I thought it might be fun to set up an outdoor art station.  We pulled out the tabletop easel that I had gotten from Discount School Supply:



I filled up a recycled tin can with brushes and set out a bunch of washable Crayola paints.  Since I know how fun texture can be, I also put out some textured rollers and brushes that I found at Discount School Supply:



I grabbed an old disposable food tin and filled it with paint for the rollers.

I started stocking up on products from Discount School Supply after we took some art classes at the Bay Area Discovery Museum. I asked the teachers where they found all the cool supplies and paints that they used and they always said "Discount School Supply!"

Noodlebug has always loved to paint and he has rediscovered that love since starting Kindergarten.  He has currently been working on a series of tiger paintings.  With a gnome thrown in for good measure.  I think he really enjoyed being outside in the fresh air.  And it didn't really matter if he made a big mess with the paint.  I'm tempted to just leave the whole setup outside for when inspiration strikes him.  Maybe next time, I'll join him.

(There are a few affiliate links inside this post to direct you to the exact products that we used.)