On Instagram it’s #throwbackthursday, a fun way to remember when. I remember when this tree was planted in my imagination first and then as a signature mark of CReATE STUDIO, the art place I call home. Some of the art pieces still don our walls today, three studios later, though much additional art has grown since those ol’ garage days.
Out of nowhere this lovely little rainbow graced our sorting room. Just a little touch of natural wonder to grace our colorful studio as if to say, nice to be here!
It pays to pay attention.
I have been enjoying the pictures of hearts that have been forwarded to me this month for our share the love project. I love the magic of seeing hearts in everyday places and spaces and like even more inviting others to share the ones they see.
This one from my friend @vanityvanis from instagramer @shabdshabd is a beaut!
See the love…
Floppy Discs!
We have featured Floppy Discs before, a while back. They remind me how quickly things change.
In their day, these discs were small and concise modes for holding data. This week they can be a mode of creative expression though artful means… what will they become?
Lauren brought her friend to CReATE for some freestyle art fun. That is exactly what they got.
I offered up some ceramic camera banks from a rare donation of an item in large quantity we had recently received. Lately I had been offering the cameras to anyone who came into the studio. Consequently I had seen many ways that they had been used.
When the girls saw the camera banks I could almost see their wheels turning with ideas. I was so impressed with the clever direction they took. Decoupage, of course! What a great idea.
Now these banks tell many stories at once as well as the story of one. A personal story.
Nice.
Camera Banks
Lauren & Friend
13yrs
Sophia had a book report assignment to do for school. Objective; make a three dimensional rendition of the main characters’ house from the book The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary. Looked like a job for CReATE!
She, her mom and younger sister came in and worked as a team to organize the elements needed to bring the mouse house to life. Sophia and her mom got the structure underway, putting boxes together for a two story house and side garage.
Younger sister got busy with some of the finer details, drawing a painting for the wall and, searching the bins for the famous motorcycle that the story hinges on.
All was accomplished with great success. The process felt to me like a little like a reality cooking show, working against the clock to maximize their end product and win top honors.
They had a blast. In fact, Sophia had so much fun, she came back yesterday with her classmate and her family to create another Mouse and the Motorcycle house.
Now Sophia is a seasoned, crafty professional. Neither Ralph house looks the same. They each have touches that match their creators flair and they were fun to create. After all, that is part of what teachers hope for when assigning these home based projects.
The icing on the cake is, Sophia’s school, St. Paschal Baylon benefits too. As part of our Win/Win program, they get $1 back when projects are done at CReATE!
Motorcycle Ralph’s House
Sophia
9yrs
Two sisters visiting from Manhattan were told they would love a visit to CReATE. They could make whatever they imagined they heard.
Once in, without skipping a beat the two set in motion to craft to their hearts content. They were busy and they had had treasures to prove it.
An afternoon well spent.
It’s the time of year that 4th graders throughout California study the early history of our California Missions and the culture surrounding them. Often 3D models are embarked on to commemorate the teachings and learnings of our distant past.
Though the assignments can sometimes seem daunting, they are opportunities. Mission building is a great project for exercising creative and thinking muscles. Using CReATE’s myriad of recycled materials to construct any of the 21 Missions assigned makes the process a breeze.
Drop in to build your Mission Project. When you do we’ll give $1 from your studio fee back to your school.
It’s a Win/Win!
Vintage Photo Pages
Remember the days of sticky paged photo albums? All of my childhood albums were comprised of these.
Now we have a batch to share, complete with sticky innards. They look unassuming but hold the key to much imaginative fun as we’ll see this week.
Nate’s swing ride reminds me of summers at the fair. It’s the ride my family has always loved the most.
When Nate spotted the spools he started stacking. Whatever he had on his mind, it was going to be tall. Makes sense that a ride would be idea, something that takes you up and away.
The great thing about imagination is that is has no bounds, and I theorize that kids are more likely to take the ride that imagination offers. They don’t get hung up on the same can’ts and don’ts that we adults are prone to. For Nate it was can and will with his swinging ride.
What fun!
Swing Ride
Nate
9 1/2 yrs