Carrots and Chicken Mittens

Chicken Mittens 

Carrots from my garden

I designed a new pair of mittens - CHICKENS! Using US size 9 needles and a double strand of Cascade 220, the body was a quick knit. I think I'll try them in another color set. These look like Rhode Island Reds!






My garden is done for the season. I dug up my carrots in the rain yesterday. Digging carrots is fun. We had a stir fry last night with fresh carrots - they are so sweet! I will plant garlic in a few weeks and then dream of next summer.

Art Room, 'Mindset'

School's in session and it looks to be a great year ahead. The students have settled in quickly and are eager to create artwork.  I spent several days cleaning and rearranging my classroom before school started. I love the new traffic flow. This year I'm promoting my room as 'the quiet zone' - and it's working, mostly. It is hard for the students to work quietly while sitting on cafeteria benches...
I'm feeling like I work for the coolest school district. We have each been given a copy of Mindset by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. I find this book to be truly inspirational. I'm not done with it yet, but the big idea is that with the right mindset we can all learn how to fulfill our potential - and coach our students to reach theirs. We also read Inevitable over the summer. This book introduced us to the concept of 'mass customized learning' - essentially each learner learns at their own rate and in their own way. With technology and creative planning, we can uniquely educate each and every student and help them become life long learners. We are doing our part to be the best teachers we can be in this age of change!

Back to school... chickens and 7th Graders

It's been a good summer - lots of time in my studio for painting and designing knitting patterns. I just published a new Fingerless Mitten  knitting pattern. This pattern comes with Fancy Appliques to add on the mittens. The appliques took a while to test knit - I am happy with the results. These include leaves, flowers, butterflies and a lady bug.

Back to school this week! I've rearranged my art room, and I can't wait to try it out. I swapped my desktop computer for a laptop - just think of all the room I will now have on my desk! I also created a 'focus' area with some new tables. Everywhere I turn I find little reminders of my students. Why, even my chickens - who have grown so much this summer! -  remind me of my 7th Graders. They like to do everything together - no wandering from the pack for long. They like you nearby - but they will pretend to ignore you, and they'll eat just about anything!
It feels like it's going to be a great school year... let the classes begin!

Burnt Island Scientific Illustration

Five days of drawing, examining, painting, and EATING! My week on Burnt Island was an intensive one. We worked in several mediums, both indoors and out. Carolyn Nichols was our talented illustration/art teacher. Elaine Jones was our science teacher. I highly recommend these courses for Maine teachers.

our 'classroom'

Here are some of my sketches and experiments. There was a wonderful book on Beatrix Potter that I also used for inspiration - I love her work.

Visual Arts Teacher ~ summer time behind the scenes...

an art teacher's kitchen sink in summer

I'm working on several paintings right now which is such a luxury ... no, not a luxury, it's essential. I am enjoying this time immensely. When I need a studio break, I slip into the role of 'Summer Time Art Teacher' which translates to restoring Elmer's glue bottles. Did you know that I could probably sculpt an Elmer's Glue bottle with my eyes closed in the dark - a scary thought.
Next week I'll be heading off to Burnt Island for a week of Scientific Illustration through the Department of Marine Resources - I can't wait!

Here's another summer time pic. We have been in 'this old house' for 22 years and we are siding the LAST WALL! - WAHOOO! When you are capable and hardworking you do the work yourself... it just takes a while...

Fingerless Monkey Mitten Pattern ~ Snow Day Artist Design

Fingerless Monkey Mitten Pattern is almost ready to go! This pattern will be available soon in my Etsy Shop, Ravelry, and Craftsy.