Handmade Christmas: Mix CD

I thought I'd go over a few of the gifts that I made for Christmas this year. I almost never document the things I make and although I almost can't believe this, I'm finding that I actually forget some of the things I've made for people. So this year I'm taking notes.

Todd and I made four mix CDs for some good friends of ours. They often say that they need some new music in their house. So these mixes were to share some of our favorite music. All four CDs had different types of music, I think. Or just a different tone for each, I guess.

It was really fun to pick the songs for the CDs, and listen to the new mixes about a million times to be sure that we picked the right songs. But even more fun was making the case to hold the CDs.

I looked online for a long time to find a simple paper case that could hold four CDs, but couldn't find one. So Todd and I talked for a while and came up with something that we really like.

First, the outside case. I didn't make this up at all. I followed the directions for the portfolio box from this book by Barbara Mauriello. (And by the way, I was lucky enough to take a four day book binding and box making workshop from Barbara and let me just tell you, she's awesome. I've been making books for a long time, and she had a lot to teach me. And it wasn't anything fancy. It was just very accurate and straight forward ways to do the most basic steps. I really learned so much. Anyway, her book is awesome. Buy it if you can.)

The sewing on the box was a little tricky, but I think it turned out okay.

Inside the portfolio is a 4 panel accordian. It's made of some medium weight chipboard and various heavy papers that I had. It was really fun to choose papers for this project. It was all about the weight and the colors. Also it was fun to do something totally without pattern. All the papers were solid colors. Plus they were random papers. One of them was even the cover of a Canson Biggie paper pad.

I made each panel individually, then joined them with hinges of handmade paper and Sobo glue. We printed album lists from iTunes and inserted them behind each of the CDs.

I pretty much want to make one of these for myself now, even though I mostly don't use CDs at all anymore, I just put them all onto the computer and onto my iPod. Maybe I'll just make one, fill it with blank CDs, and put it on display somewhere.

Maybe I'm lame.

Excellent Christmas Traditions Swap

Over a month ago I signed up for the Holiday Traditions Exchange at Montessori By Hand. It was a lot of fun to participate in and it helped me get into a holiday mood a little early.

I have to admit that I have been the worst swap partner in the history of the internet. I received my package from my excellent partner Kristin at Knit One Quilt Too almost two weeks ago and I haven't even posted about it. I am here to say now that is was a wonderful package and we were so lucky to receive it.

The ornament that she sent was a beautiful needlepoint snowman. We love it. Some strange light in this picture makes it look brownish there at the bottom, but it's not. It's perfect.

Everything was wrapped so beautifully, my kids almost couldn't wait for me to snap a picture.

Kristin sent a really fantastic hand knit and felted stocking that was filled with goodies. She also sent a recipe for Anise Drops which sound so delicious. Finally her daughter Chloe wrote such a nice description of their holiday traditions that she made me want to join in on the fun.

You can see that my kids were pretty excited about the package.

And here is what I sent. It's a mini quilt (more on that in a future post), a hand bound journal, a few simple sketchbooks, and an ATC kit (that's what's in the black box.) It was fun to put this together and even more fun to receive such a wonderful Christmas package. I could really tell that Kristin is an excellent crafts person and that her family is very close, especially during the holidays.

My New Job is Starting

I just got home from Back to School Night at the elementary school. It was my first official duty as a new visual arts specialist. I introduced myself and the new art program. It was pretty crazy but also pretty encouraging. The parents and kids and even the teachers all seem super excited. Which makes me feel more at ease. I'm really excited about this job and I hope it turns out to be a benefit not only to the kids that I'll be teaching, but also to myself and my family.

I have started a new blog, dedicated to my new job. Don't worry. I'm not quitting this blog. I'll go on posting here just as rarely as I ever have but I will probably post on the other one much more often. So if you're interested in what's going on, just pop over there.

A New Adventure

I haven't written in a LONG time, and I know that. And many many people have told me that. I just always feel so funny about posting with no pictures, and I'm sort of in a camera funk. I hope to get a new one soon, I hope.

Anyway, I am finally writing to say what I was so excited about a few months ago, the thing I couldn't talk about for fear of jinxing it. Well, I can finally talk about it, without fear: in August I will start a new job. I am going to be an elementary school art teacher!

I had to write a grant to get funding for the position, then once we received the grant, I had to wait for the official contract from the school district. But now I have both and I could not be more excited.

My degree is in art education, and I am certified to teach art K-12, but when I graduated six years ago, I sort of thought I wouldn't get the opportunity to teach art for twenty years, or never. But this chance just sort of fell into my lap. I wasn't even looking for a new job. I just got a phone call one Saturday from the teacher that I student taught with, asking if I'd be interested in this new position. I was sort of wary at first, not ready for such a major life change. But now I realize that I'm actually super ready for a change.

The best part is that every step of the way has seemed to sort of fall right into place. I even got to plan my own schedule, so that Todd and I can take turns with the kids, and even take Zoë to and from kindergarten every day.

So, this summer I get to really spend my time thinking about what I'd like to teach. It seems that I'm going to have a lot of freedom. I can create the curriculum myself, as long as I tie it in to what the students are learning in their other subjects. It's a fun challenge and my mind is constantly working on it. I also get to come up with fun fundraisers, buy all the supplies, and design a few teacher in-service trainings about drawing, painting, and bookbinding. Oh, I can't wait!

Do any of you have any good ideas for art lessons for very young children? I find that I think of a lot that will be great for 8-11 year olds, but I need more ideas for the 5-7 crowd. Please, I'd love to hear what you've got.

Happy Birthday Mom!

I haven't written in a LONG time, I know. But my mind and time have both been filled to capacity with the thing that I cannot yet write about, for fear of jinxing big time.

But here and there I've still been able to do some decent making, I think. I recently received the Crafter's Companion and I think it's fantastic. There was one project inside that I've been wanting to make for months, ever since I saw the sneak peak of the projects.

It's this fabric box designed by Sarah Neuburger of The Small Object. You can see some good examples here and here.

So right away I made it. It was fun and easier than I thought. And I have all kinds of ideas for making more. Todd just built a new shelf system in my closet, which I LOVE. Not the premade wire kind. He designed and built a custom system just for me. And I can see a few of these working very nicely in there.

I especially like the drawstring top on this box. When you're just using it as a box, the top part lays down inside very nicely. And when you're ready to go, you can cinch up the top and it's a secure, portable bag. Very handy.

This one is going to my mother, for her birthday, late. Happy Birthday Mom! At least you can see what it is now.

Received: Miniswap

I just got the best best best miniswap package from Kirsten. As you can see from this picture, Ikey could hardly wait for me to snap one quick shot. He tore into EVERYTHING right after this was taken. Then it took me a full day to get everything back from the kids long enough to take photos of it all.

We just loved what Kirsten sent. It was all so perfectly suited for my children. Here are some (several) photos.

First, Kirsten sent lovely pouches for both kids. Zoë's had costume jewelry and Ike's held three little cars. He's been driving them in and out of the "garage" all day.

She made these placemats which are a really great idea. We use fabric placemats every day. It's Zoë's job to put them on the table. She's going to love using these. And notice that great fabric on Ike's. I love it.

She also sent these pillowcases which were so immediately loved that I HAD to put pillows into them right away. You can see another picture of Ikey's here. He just pats it and says "train train train."

And for me she sent a lovely little tissue holder. I've been meaning to make one of these for a long time. I'm really happy to have one now. And the fabric is wonderful.

She also sent some pretty little Richard Scarry buttons that are so cute--I don't know if I'll be able to share them with the kids.

To top it all off, she also sent stickers, a great thrifted book, some beautiful little paper dolls, a dance mix CD, and a Valentine making kit. She said that I spoiled her but I think she spoiled us just as much, if not more. We're loving everything and so so glad we signed up for this swap. Zoë's been asking me if we can do it again soon. She loves having new "computer friends."

Mini Swap

I joined the miniswap over at MommyCoddle. This is my first ever swap and I was pretty excited and nervous about it. I am partnered with the fabulous Kirsten. It was so funny because we both live in the same state and it looks like we have a LOT in common. Like we went to the same school, same major, same professors, and many many shared interests. It was so cool to meet someone that I have so much in common with--that I never would have met without the swap.

Her kids were really easy to plan for. In fact, I had to totally restrain myself because I think I had too many ideas. Here's what I sent:

For 21 month old Monkey: Fabric balls with embroidered letters on them--I got the idea here and the pattern here.

For 4 year old Thomas who loves all things with wheels, I made a car playmat. It was influenced by one my mom made for my brother about 20 years ago. I just drew on canvas with crayons and permanent markers then iron and dried it on hot to set the wax. I bound it with bias tape and steam a seam. Easy peasy no sew project.

For 6 year old Princess who loves pink (and purple) and projects, I made a quilted sketchbook similar to these and a coordinating clutch similar to the ones I made at Christmastime.

I also included some mix cds of kids' music, a flower brooch, a lavender eye pillow and a collage kit (i.e. lots of scraps of paper.)

This swap was so much fun to do. I really loved making for someone else's children. I can't wait to mini swap again.