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A Hidden Treasure

Thursday, March 6, 2014

As I was sorting through a bag of donations, I came upon a piece of paper, extensively folded.
I thought I would just shred it, make it usable in another way then realized it had a pattern and was a bag.  There must be something special if it was here. I unfolded it to find a treasure, a sentiment that warmed my heart at the sight of it. It’s true, life is a special occasion! I don’t treat it as such enough.
This little ditty is too good to let go of, it’s going on the wall of my office nook to remind me, to remind all who see it to dress up more often.
Sometimes it’s the simplest things that make the day special.

Thanks Hallmark (of course the bag was theirs)

Leprechaun Trap!

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Malaya had a job to do! Operation Leprechaun trap! She is in a class competition to make clever traps to capture rascally fairies! Inspired by a Family Fun Magazine idea page on our idea wall and a Quaker Oaks container she got the job done with all things green! She is sure to be in the running to catch a good one!
That’s a win/win for Malaya and her school because they get back for school projects done at CReATE!

Leprechaun Trap
Malaya
5yrs

Material of the Week 3/3-3/9

Monday, March 3, 2014

Switch Plates

We get these interesting plastic moldings from time to time. They present opportunities and challenges to those who use them, what more can you ask for imagination to bloom?

Weekly Wow

Monday, March 3, 2014

Canvas

Oliver and his family came to the studio the other day with a project that needed some finishing touches.
The canvas was already painted with the colorful octopus but he needed an undersea setting so he could swim freely. At school the kids have been learning all about ocean life so this visit was a great opportunity to look for things that reflected the sea environment they had been learning about.
Oliver chose items carefully, being sure they conveyed the ocean world just as he had learned about them. Sand, goggly eyes, seashells and bubble wrap water were all great choices to get the job done.
What a clever learning experience. Now that’s a Win/Win!

Octopus
Oliver
8yrs

TBT Tree

Friday, February 28, 2014

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.

Rainbow

Thursday, February 27, 2014

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.

 

 

Sharing Hearts

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

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…

Material of the Week 2/24-3/2

Monday, February 24, 2014

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?

Weekly Wow

Sunday, February 23, 2014

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

Win/Win!

Sunday, February 23, 2014

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