'Potters' Wheel, Part One

This post was originally written in the fall but not posted. Since pottery was such great fun for us, I decided to turn our time into a few posts for ya'all. Here is Part One.

Have I shared with you how I temporarily lost my eldest to Harry Potter? Well, in a couple of short months he blew through the series and was completely hooked. He isn't a creepy warlock kid, he's just a boy who will stay up very late at night reading. He sneaks under the covers after 'lights out' with a flashlight to continue a chapter or more. His offenses could be much worse, I am aware.

That said, we had a potter's class in the fall and he was tickled as all get out about the "Potter's'" wheel connection. I am certain the sensation of throwing on a wheel would have appealed to him regardless of his HP preoccupation but it made for fun puns along the way.

And so, as I was saying, we've been working with pottery a bit. Our interest was heightened when we visited Portland and the kids spent two good days playing pottery in the backyard. Hours of hand forming, reminded us of how simple and rewarding clay, water and paint brush can be.

When we returned and settled into our school routine, the art for the semester was an easy pick. We had private lessons at a local ceramic studio. Throwing on the wheel and creating a bowl from a chunk of clay provided hands on learning at it's finest.

It was interesting how the task translated to each child a little differently and each bowl was perfectly unique as it came to it's desired form.

Next up: clay forming at home

Little Birdie Party

One of our dear friends celebrated turning two with an intimate gathering of close peeps at her nest. We were delighted with all the birdie details.

Mom, Krista, put a lot of thought into the sweet birdie theme and called upon her very talented sister to help with a few special details. (Trust me when I tell we are all lucky that Rachel set up shop and has allowed 'outsiders' to also experience and own her treasured pieces.)

Come with me. Let's take a bird's eye view of this sweet celebration among friends...

Seriously cute set up. Take in all the details. The wool nest with eggs, the hanging nest outside, the gallery of birthday wishes from sisters, the hanging bird, and my most favorite of all....the happy birthday wool banner in the window. Can't order my own fast enough.

Birdseed treats...for the birdies, of course.

The birthday girl with the most fantastic and fabulous wool felt hat. (Ordering one of these too.)

Who doesn't love a bird cookie?

And finally, the sweetest favors. Individual birdies in their nest. All labeled with their nicknames.

I *Feel* Keys

This is a lovely visually inspiring piece but I am seriously drawn to the keys. Dare I be so motivated to learn to use this instrument? Perhaps I'll start small and see if Christopher can teach me a few basics.

let yourself feel. {from Esteban Diácono. via Rachel, via swissmiss}

The Petersons

Introducing The Petersons


I like this.

More Than Just Some Drawings

Happy Mother's Day to all the Super moms out there. This card is for you.

Adrienne captures it all and makes me belly laugh along the way. If you need a picker upper, bookmark Oh Just Some Drawings. I promise, you'll get more than just a drawing.

Artist Trading Cards

Who says trading cards have to be about sports? While traditional trading cards with athlete stats are emerging as a hit (and incentive) in our home I love how the medium has been expanded.

Erin and Blair have started a great project that I think we will adopt for one of our mountain craft ideas this weekend. If I can pull it together and get all the packing done I may even be able to participate in the art swap they are coordinating. If not, we'll take advantage of the idea and the 15 kids that we'll have under one roof and make our own swap.

For more info on how the ATC started, go here.

Super sweet idea. My kids would love to be inspired by a peer's work--especially if it involves them getting their own mail!

{Image via House on Hill Road.}

Save Etsy!

Sarah Jane summarizes it all for us here. If you or anyone you know buys from Etsy, has a reader or student in the family, is a thrift store shopper, or buys or sells handmade products you might want to help support this movement.

How Creative Are You?

This little quiz is sort of fun. Turns out I'm a 'hands on' creative.

How about you?

{Via How About Orange}

As Long As I Have You

Maybe its because I've had my nose burried in 'the saga' or just that this is the sweetest print ever. I am loving this. Perhaps the love story is rubbing off on me. That's not such a bad thing.

The Piggy Story

You may be starting to build your gift-giving lists. One of my very favorite things to give is this art folio from The Piggy Story. Everything is hand made and so adorable.

The folio comes in a variety of styles for boys and girls. We use ours for the travel and art time in the car.
The Piggy Story has other adorable items as well. There are naptime sleep sets complete with pillow and quilt, child-sized cooking aprons and roll-and-go placemats, with more.

I have my eye on this cute little suitcase sleep set. The eye mask is the topper for me!

Most of the offerings are under $25 (perfect gift price), including this adorable lunch tote for $24.

I could go on. I love most everything from The Piggy Story.

Teacher's Pet

These apple jackets could really secure your little one's spot in the classroom this year. Think about it.

Oh, Just Some Drawings

Winston might be my new favorite character. Check out Oh, Just Some Drawings from AdrienneHedger.com.

Things to Make and Do

I am digging this lovely journal from artist Nikki McClure. 160 pages are divided into sections; Plans, Wishes, Dreams, Build, Explore, Learn, Make, Grow, Give and Find. I love that there are blank pages for your original thoughts combined with inspiration paper-cuts.

I can think of many ways to fill the pages of one of these. Oh, the thoughts evoked...

Making a Statement

Now here is something you don't see everyday. This surely ups the ante on your average lawn sign or bumper sticker and makes a statement. Would you believe this is in affluent La Jolla/Bird Rock?