Each year I provide an extra credit opportunity for my students using an art drawing challenge. You can read about how I have used these art challenges in past years here.
This year due to social distancing protocols, collecting the extra credit will look a little different. I have set up Google Forms where students can upload photographs of their artwork. I plan to post this form in our Google Classroom for a one week period so that students have the opportunity to submit any or all of the extra credit they may have done.
Enter to win one of my top-selling mati keychains- the Theia gold glitter mati! Can’t wait? You can purchase one on my Etsy page– Don’t forget to use my code GOLDGODDESS for free shipping in July!
To enter, follow the instructions:
FOLLOW me on Instagram (@ImperfectlyPatricia) You must be following me at the time of drawing- I will be checking!
LIKE this original post on my Instagram!
COMMENT on that Instagram post by tagging a friend who would love a mati keychain! Each comment with a different friend tagged is an additional entry!
BONUS entries if you share that post on your stories (on Instagram) and TAG me in it (You must have a public profile for me to see)
BONUS entries if you follow my Facebook page and comment your IG handle on the giveaway post!
This giveaway contest runs from the time of posting until August 15, 2020, at midnight EST. 1 winner will be selected and contacted via Instagram DM.
The giveaway is opened to US residents located in the Contiguous United States. This giveaway/contest is not sponsored or affiliated with Instagram, TikTok, WordPress, Etsy or Facebook.
Now that I have become Cricut-obsessed, I needed an organizational system for the tools. I found this adorable makeup brush holder at Target from Sonia Kashuk that matches my gold themed decor.
Everything fit in the compartments, but kept falling down so I thought of adding some beads or gems in the bottom to keep the tools upright. In the past, I purchased tiny gems for my makeup brushes, but they were on the pricy end, and I would have needed so much more to fill the tool holder. While at the Dollar Tree I came across these acrylic gems.
It took about 4 bags to fill up the container, but it definitely helps to hold all the tools upright.
Since my travel plans were cancelled for this year, I am hoping to visit as much as my home state as I can this summer. The first place on my list was Lavender Pond Farm in Killingworth- which is very close to the Clinton Outlets!
Social distancing was a breeze since the majority of the farm is outdoors, with exception of the gift shop (which they were amazing at limiting individuals inside). The farm included this adorable covered bridge pictured above, with a lavender “trolley” that brought you around the property and serene pond!
There were several different varieties of lavender to see (and smell), and many of them were for sale in the gift shop too!
After touring the fields, take a break to play a round with their giant outdoor chess board!
The gift shop included so many different products, from personal care/bath to lavender infused food products. I purchased some lavender spices and cannot wait to experiment with them soon!
Check out my Instagram page for more photos and videos of the field and our trip!
I hope everyone had a great 4th of July! While we did not celebrate how we traditionally do- with a large get together followed by the fireworks display at the beach, we still had a great time with our family. If you’re anything like my family, you made WAY too much food yesterday, and will be enjoying those leftovers today. One great way to change things up a bit is by adding a new side dish! This easy to make orzo salad is served cold, and pairs well with burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken and helps to bring a little cold to this otherwise hot summer.
Ingredients:
1 bag of orzo
Baby spinach
Bite-sized tomatoes (cherry or grape)
Salt
Pepper
Olive Oil
Vinegar
Lemon
Feta Cheese
Oregano
Kalamata Olives
Cucumbers
Instructions:
Prepare your orzo according to the package. While the orzo is cooking, prepare the other ingredients.
Wash and dry about 3 large handfuls of baby spinach. Add it to a heated skillet and cook until wilted. Set aside to cool. Once cooled, cut into thin slices.
Wash and dry your tomatoes. Cut into small bite-sized pieces. Since orzo is small, I cut my tomatoes into halves and then quartered each half.
Peel cucumbers and cut into bite-sized quarters.
Cut feta cheese into small cubes.
Drain, rinse and slice your olives.
Once your orzo is cooked, rinse with cold water and add to a large bowl. Mix in your cooked spinach, tomatoes, olives, cucumbers and feta.
Optional: add fresh, sliced basil too!
Add salt, pepper, oil, vinegar, oregano and lemon to taste. Or instead, feel free to add your favorite bottled salad dressing!
Cover and leave in the fridge for a few hours or overnight to chill. Top with additional oil/vinegar or salad dressing and serve!
I’ve spent the last few weeks trying to come up with a plan to reorganize certain parts of my apartment. I have been living there for a few years and kinda dropped the ball on some projects that I didn’t finish when I first moved in. I started off with my art room/office.
I tackled the closet first to see what art supplies I had, and organized everything by adding in a metal shelf. I also spray painted everything gold to match the decor with the rest of the house.
When cleaning, I realized that I had QUITE the extensive collection of small acrylic paints from over the years. When it came to my acrylic paint collection, I needed to come up with a solution to find colors quickly. I ordered these plastic baskets from Amazon and spray painted them gold. I used Rustoleum’s Metallic Gold which I ordered from Target.
Once the baskets were ready to hang, I used regular screws (keeping in mind their length so that they did not poke through the door) on either side of basket where their first hole was. I used a level to make sure each basket was hung straight.
Once the first basket was hung, it was easier to match up the sides and screws. Once they were all up I was ready to start adding my paints!
I still need to paint the screws gold so they blend in
I can’t wait to finish the rest of the office! Check my instagram this week for pics of the results!
I have had long hair for so long, I don’t even remember the last time it was above my shoulders. I have put my hair through a lot over the years- and have tried SO MANY different products. (At one point I had to give away my hair supplies when I moved apartments because there was just so much to pack).
Here are some of my top favorite hair products and accessories:
Shampoo & Conditioner
I change my shampoos and conditioners often and use different ones depending on how I intend to style my hair the next day.
DryBar Buttercup Blow Dryer(I absolutely love this dryer. It is the best one I have owned and is definitely worth the investment. Tip: Sometimes you can find them marked down at TJMaxx after the holidays!)
DryBar Prep Rally Prime & Prep Detangler (Trust me: this is a GAME CHANGER! It is light weight, not greasy at all and makes it so easy to get tangles out without damaging your hair)
DryBar Detox Brunettes Dry Shampoo (If you have dark hair like me, this stuff is AMAZING! It doesn’t leave behind that ghostly white powder that many dry shampoos do)
Scunci Scrunchies ( I know they are back in style, but seriously use them even if they aren’t! They save your hair from damage!)
Kitsch Leopard Microfiber Towel Scrunchies (They come in other colors/patterns too! I love these giant scrunchies. They are great for putting your hair up while at home when it’s still wet. They’re made from a material that doesn’t get weighed down from your wet hair)
My students are wrapping up their Activist Art Unit which consisted of four lessons and ended with students creating a digital poster. This lesson was based on one that my friend had previously done with her middle school students.
Part 1
Students were slowly introduced to activist art with a short assignment. I provided two different paintings with Rosie the Riveter as the subject, and students responded. You can download part 1 on my teacherspayteachers page.
Part 2
Students watched a short video clip from PBS and then brainstormed ideas for their activist art. Students wrote about what their theoretical activist artwork would consist of, what it would look like, and where it would be displayed. You can download part 2 on my teacherspayteachers page.
The final part of this unit consisted of students creating their digital posters responding to current issues relating to COVID-19. For this assignment, I asked students to utilize one of two different programs. They could choose to use Sketch or Canva. I also provided a Youtube tutorial for students who chose to utilize the Canva app. Both Sketch and Canva are free programs, however students will need to sign up to use Canva. Students used Google Forms to submit their posters in .JPG and I created a Youtube video sharing all their posters. You can check out their artwork here!
poster made using Canva
While we were off to a rocky start, the students really seemed to respond and connect with this assignment. I was pleasantly surprised by the responses and completely stunned and proud of the posters that my students created.
Have you seen the newest food trend, Pancake Cereal? I came across it on Tik Tok (yes, I know I am in my 30’s, on an app for teens, but I find such awesome inspo on it!!).
The concept is to make tiny pancakes, put them all in a bowl (over milk- optional), and then top them off with syrup. Since I am a huge breakfast fan, I knew that I needed to try this out.
To make my pancakes, I cheated a bit and used Bisquik mix. After the batter was prepped, I added the batter into a ziplock bag and cut a small piece of the corner off. You want to start with the smallest hole, otherwise your batter will come out too fast and the size will be harder to control.
The first batch I made was WAY too large, but after the next batch I was able to control the batter much better. I topped them off with rainbow sprinkles and then flipped.
Have you tried them out yet?
Check out my TikTok video, username: ImperfectlyPatricia
I wanted to take advantage of this weekend between grad courses and rearrange my bedroom furniture. The one thing that has always bothered me were my curtains.
I love the curtains in my bedroom, but they lacked shape. I have seen this hack online where you hide toilet paper rolls in between the grommets so that the curtains sit properly.
Curtains flat
Over the past few months, I collected the used paper and paper towel rolls and finally had enough to complete my entire bedroom.
Collect your rollsMeasure the spacing between grommets or rod holes and cutCut slits in the back so they fit over the curtain rodHow they look after! Just need to be steamed!
I have also seen this hack done with pool noodles. What do you think? Which one do you like better, the before, or after pic?
Today is National Oatmeal Cookie Day and what better way to spend this rainy day than baking? I LOVE oatmeal cookies!
My top favorite oatmeal cookies come from The Pantry in Fairfield, CT, and Jones Tree Farm in Shelton, CT.
The Pantry is a gourmet food shop located in downtown Fairfield. It has an amazing selection of fresh, and prepared foods (love their salad bar), and their pastries are TO DIE FOR. I always pick up a cookie or two (or three) when I stop by and my favorite is their Ultimate- a variation on the traditional oatmeal raisin cookie. It includes yummy white and milk chocolate chips. Sometimes you can find them in their frozen foods section too to take home and bake later.
Ultimate Cookies from The Pantry in Fairfield, CT
My next favorite cookie is one that I only get once per year at Christmas time, but lucky for us, Jones Family Farms in Shelton has their recipe posted so you can make these delicious treats at home, year round! Don’t let the name fool you, these thin but soft and crispy “holiday” cookies are great anytime. I can’t wait to whip up a batch today! You can check out their easy to make recipe on their website here! https://www.jonesfamilyfarms.com/kitchen/recipes/jones-trail-mix-holiday-cookies
Jones Trail Mix Holiday Cookie from Jones Family Farm in Shelton, CT
What is your favorite oatmeal raisin cookie? Do you prefer traditional or a variation?
In class before we left, my students were learning about Pop Artists Wayne Thiebaud and Claes Oldenburg. I gave a short art history about each artist and then students completed assignments based upon each artist. More recently, the students completed a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting artwork that I displayed on the board.
Since we have been out of the building, our school has been utilizing Google Classroom as a platform for virtual learning. Here is the first unit that I completed with my 6th-grade students.
Since I only see my students once per week, I have been posting one assignment per week on Monday morning and allowing students to complete it at their leisure during the week and submitting the assignment before the end of the day on Friday. The first group of assignments related together as a larger unit.
Assignment 1: Wayne Thiebaud Bio
“Read Wayne Thiebaud Biography Answer Questions relating to Biography (in complete sentences) Submit your assignment via Google Classroom. Please make sure you include your first name, last name and class name on the top! Due Date: [INSERT DUE DATE]
If you have any issues with the assignment (the reading, submitting it, etc) please let me know as soon as possible. Thanks!
“Read Claes Oldenburg Biography Answer Questions relating to Biography (in complete sentences) Submit your assignment via Google Classroom. Please make sure you include your first name, last name and class name on the top! Due Date: [INSERT DUE DATE]
If you have any issues with the assignment (the reading, submitting it, etc) please let me know as soon as possible. Thanks!
“Visit a museum virtually to answer some questions about the artwork (mini-critique) from Wayne Thiebaud and Claes Oldenburg. Please use the template that I provide you and submit in Word Doc (NOT PDF) before [INSERT DUE DATE] Your responses for the description should be more than 1-2 sentences. If you have any questions, please email me: [INSERT CONTACT]
I have wanted to try dying Easter eggs with natural, homemade dyes. Some sources say to boil the eggs in the dye to cook, and then leaving the eggs in the dye for additional time to give them a more intense color. Others suggest to boil the dye and eggs separately, allow the dye to cool, strain the natural ingredients out and then allow the eggs to soak in the color. Either technique, you need to allow the eggs to soak in the color for a minimum of 30 minutes. The longer you allow the eggs to remain in the color, the more vibrant the color will be. In addition, I recommend using white eggs (and adding a tablespoon of white vinegar to your eggs when boiling them).
Remember, these are natural dyes so they are much more subtle than store-bought, boxed kits. It’s also a great way to reuse items that normally would be discarded at home, and great family activity!
Red- Red Onion skins
Red-Orange: Paprika
Raw Sienna: Yellow Onion Peels
Yellow: Cumin
Golden Yellow: Tumeric
Light Green: Matcha Tea
Green: Spinach or Fresh Parsley
Blue-Green: Red Cabbage
Blue: Purple Cabbage
Blue-grey: Blueberries
Purple: Grape Juice
Lavender: Hibiscus Tea (bag)
Purple: Red Wine
Bright Pink: Chopped Beets
Brown: Strong Coffee
You can also try adding decoration before dying with resist techniques such as drawing on the eggs using a white (or even colored) crayons, or even dripping candle wax on them.
Experiment and try combos too! Have you tried dying Easter eggs with natural dyes?
I’d love to hear from you! ImperfectlyPatricia@gmail.com
International Children’s Book Day is celebrated annually on April 2. Although I no longer teach lower grades, I used to LOVE incorporating literature with my art lesson plans! I have two lists below, one of art-specific children’s books, and ones that I have used to accompany lesson plans. Keep posted to see what elementary lesson plans I have used them with as I update my lesson plan section over the next upcoming months!
Art Children’s (school-aged) Books:
The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas
Mixed: A Colorful Story by Arree Chung
The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art by Barb Rosenstock
Through the Window: Views of Marc Chagall’s Life and Art by Barb Rosenstock
Vincent Can’t Sleep: Van Gogh Paints the Night Sky by Barb Rosenstock
Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg
Linnea in Monet’s Garden by Christina Bjork
I am Marc Chagall: Text Loosely Inspired by My Life by Marc Chagall by Bimba Landmann
Dorothea Lange: The Photographer Who Found the Faces of the Depression by Carole Boston Weatherford
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
Kid’s Artists: True Tales of Childhood from Creative Legends by David Stabler
Love from the Crayons by Drew Dewalt
The Crayon’s Book of Colors by Drew Dewalt
The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Dewalt
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Dewalt
Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh
Mouse Shapes by Ellen Stoll Walsh
Cassie’s Word Quilt by Faith Ringgold
Counting to Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold
Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold
The Green Fingers of Monsieur Monet by Giancarlo Ascari
Chagall: My Sad and Joyous Village by Jacqueline Loumaye
Katie and the Mona Lisa by James Mayhew
Action Jackson by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan
Henri’s Scissors by Jeanette Winter
My Museum by Joanne Liu
Monet and The Waterlilly Friends by Judiee
Bear Sees Colors by Karma Wilson
Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing by Kay A. Haring
Camille and the Sunflowers by Laurence Anholt
Tell Us a Story, Papa Chagall by Laurence Anholt
A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni
Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z by Lois Ehlert
Dreamer from the Village: The Story of Marc Chagall by Michelle Markel
Frida Kahlo and Her Anamalitos by Monica Brown
How the Crayons Saved the Rainbow by Monica Sweeney
Sky Color by Peter H. Reynolds
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
El Punto (Spanish Edition) by Esther Rubio and Peter H. Reynolds
The Museum by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds
Yayoi Kusama: From Here to Infinity by Sarah Suzuki
Artists and their Pets: True Stories of Famous Artists and their Animal Friends by Susie Hodge
The Art Lesson by Tomie DePaola
Books that go great with art lessons:
Chickadee’s Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
Any Eric Carle Book
Pete the Cat booksby James Dean and Kimberly Dean
Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff
Planting A Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
Wow! City! by Robert Neubecker
Parrots Over Puerto Rico by Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore
Art Baby Books:
Goodnight, Starry Night by Amy Guglielmo
My First Book of Patterns by Bobby & June George
Art Baby: Hearts and Stars by Chez Picthall
Art Baby: Spots and Dots by Chez Picthall
The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse by Eric Carle
Blue and Other Colors: With Henri Matisse by Henri Matisse
Press Here by Herve Tullet
This Little Artist: An Art History Primer by Joan Holub
Mini French Masters by Julie Merberg and Suzanne Bober
Mini Masters Boxed Set by Julie Merberg
Painting with Picasso by Julie Merberg and Suzanne Bober
100 First Words for Little Artists by Kyle Kershner
Frida Kahlo (Little People, Big Dreams) by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vergara
Museum ABC by The NY Metropolitan Museum of Art
Andy Warhol So Many Stars by Mudpuppy and Andy Warhol
Keith Haring Pop Art 123! by Mudpuppy and Keith Haring
Little Artist Board Book Set by Mudpuppy and Emily Kleinman
My First Shapes with Frank Lloyd Wright by Mudpuppy
Pop Art Baby! My First Words with Keith Haring from Mudpuppy
Pantone: Colors by Pantone and Helen Dark
Counting with Frida by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein
My First Art Book by Patricio
ABC’s of Art by Sabrina Hahn
Art For Baby from Templar
Do you have any books that you use that aren’t on this list? I’d love to hear from you: imperfectlypatricia@gmail.com
Did you know that you can regrow many vegetables, just using the scraps you would normally throw away?
I had decided that one of my new year’s goals was to create a garden this year. With all the uncertainty lately (not expecting to go to Home Depot or the local gardening centers soon), and the fact that the weather has been warming up and I would like to start gardening, I was reading up on regrowing vegetables from scraps.
The process for regrowing vegetables seems pretty easy- just saving the ends of veggies I was already eating, and place them in a bit of water.
I am starting with Romaine lettuce, but am planning on regrowing other veggies too (as I eat them).
Romaine Lettuce ready to regrow!
Here’s a list of other vegetables (some fruits and herbs too) that can be regrown. Can’t wait to try them out! Do you have any recommendations?
Basil
Beets
Bok Choy
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Cilantro
Garlic
Ginger
Green Onions
Leeks
Lemongrass
Mint
Onions
Oregano
Parsnips
Pineapple
Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Radishes
Romaine Lettuce
Rosemary
Turnips
Keep checking my Instagram page for updates and pics of my regrown garden!
In just a few days, the lettuce is starting to regrow!
Although it’s still pretty chilly (38* F) in Connecticut, I want to share my easy to make Frozen Margaritas. They are so simple, great to make ahead for a large party and sure are a crowd-pleaser.
We discovered this idea years ago at my college graduation party when we wanted to serve margaritas, but realized that they were not ideal for a large crowd since we only owned one blender, and it would require the host to make several pitchers (and sit inside missing out on all the fun). The solution was to make the Margaritas ahead of time and freeze them until the party!
You can make these Margaritas several days before your get- together. Just fill up a glass mason jar halfway with the Margaritas, freeze and serve! The mason jars serve as glasses and you can leave the lids on and display them in a galvanized bucket or tub. Just have your guests add seltzer water, a slice of fresh lime and a straw!
What you will need:
A blender
Triple Sec
Tequila
Frozen Limeade (concentrate)
Ice
Pitcher, glasses or mason jars to serve in
Seltzer water (unflavored)
Straws
Fresh limes (for garnish)
Empty the limeade concentrate into your blender. I prefer the Minute Maid Limeade, but any brand will do. You will use the empty container as a measuring cup for your alcoholic ingredients. Add one container full of tequila and 1/2 container full of triple sec to the blender. Fill to the top with ice and blend until smooth.
Pour HALF serving into a glass (mason jar, or pitcher) and MAKE SURE to add seltzer water into them (otherwise these Margaritas will knock you on your behind- they will be STRONG).
I love serving them in mason jars with paper straws and a slice of lime. They freeze well to make in advance for parties and get-togethers (summer parties anyone?)
Today is National Chip and Dip day! The first thing that comes to my mind is salsa! My favorite salsa is smooth, has a little kick to it, and best of all is quick and easy to make, right at home!
I love making this salsa for any gathering, or just to have at home to snack on some chips with. This salsa is so easy to make, and it can be made the night before a party and stored overnight. I love storing mine in a large mason jar. This salsa is my favorite because it is so smooth that all the flavors blend together. It’s great with chips, or to add to your favorite tacos!
Ingredients:
1 medium red onion
Juice from 2 limes
2 jalapeños (optional: a roasted habanero)
2 handfuls of cilantro (to taste/preference)
1 large can (28 oz) of whole peeled tomatoes
3-4 cloves of garlic
1 teaspoon cumin spice
Up to 1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar (sounds weird, but believe me, it makes a difference in taste)
I literally do no prep work to make this salsa. Once everything is peeled, cleaned, or measured out, I pour it all right into the blender/food processor. It’s as easy as 1-2-3 processing it until everything is finely chopped and looks smooth.
I would recommend chilling the salsa overnight so that all the flavors have a chance to blend together and serving the next day!
Today is the International Day of Happiness. I think with current events, we need to keep a positive attitude more than ever! I know that I can feel down in the dumps at times, stressed out, grumpy or sad, and am NOT the example of a completely positive person but there are some things that I do to keep happy.
Keep hydrated
You have no idea how much being dehydrated can ruin your mood. I try to drink the recommended amount of water every day while avoiding sodas, sugary drinks, and alcohol on weeknights.
Try investing in a water bottle to motivate your water intake. I purchased this 48 oz Nalgene bottle from REI before the school year started and found that I really increase my water intake. I fill it twice a day- I drink one bottle full during the school day, and one bottle full at home. It’s extremely durable and easy to clean since its a wide mouth bottle. Tip: Invest in a splash guard (or two) for your bottle!
Keep a routine
I am definitely a creature of habit and this helps with my happiness (and sanity). Even on weekends and during breaks, I go to bed and wake up relatively at the same time. I am lucky enough that my friends understand (and some even practice the same routine) and we do everything earlier rather than later. Even a “wild” night for me ends around midnight. Sleeping in is usually 7:30 at the latest. Going out on a weeknight is usually a huge no-no (or I am back home by 8 pm).
I also keep an agenda to help keep my routine organized. Each August/September, I purchase an academic planner (since I am a teacher, it works best with my schedule) and use it for memos, appointments, meetings, and events (personal, grad school, and work-related). I like knowing what I have planned for the month, and what work needs to be done.
This year’s planner
I also keep a routine at my home. I try to grocery shop Sunday mornings (as soon as the stores open), meal prep on Mondays, complete homework on a scheduled routine, general laundry is done on Wednesdays, my sheets are done Thursdays, along with cleaning the house. I find by knowing what is expected each day helps it not get out of control. Of course, life has other plans sometimes and I miss a week, or am off a day.
Stay organized
I am a very scatter-brained individual so this one plays a huge part in my happiness. I like to keep everything organized because for me, disorganization causes me anxiety. I used to misplace/ lose EVERYTHING. If you have ever lost something, you know how stressful and panicked you feel. I now put my items in the exact same spot. I know not only where it belongs, but where I can find it. This makes keeping track of items so much easier. I try to practice this not only in my home, but in my classroom as well. But don’t look inmy car, because for some reason it is always a disorganized mess LOL!
To help with organization, I also plan out my personal and grad school requirements on Sunday nights, and write out my weekly work goals when I get to school on Monday. Seeing everything out in a clear list helps to keep me on target.
Keep live plants
A friend had told me years ago that keeping a bouquet of flowers in the house or a live plant would help lift my mood. I had laughed at it but eventually gave it a try, and I noticed a difference. Years (and many bouquets) later, I have slowly added some live plants into the mix. I keep bamboo in my home craft room/office and a palm plant in the tv room. I purchased both from Ikea (which I totally recommend as their prices are MUCH lower than many other places).
Surround yourself with positive minded people
To me, this is a big one. I find that being around negative individuals can drain me emotionally. Although I try my best not to let others rain on my parade, it is sometimes difficult to not let others under your skin. Sometimes giving yourself a break from these individuals is best. You don’t have to distance yourself completely, but instead spend extra time with some positive people you haven’t seen in a while or take some time just for you to recharge.
Self care
This one should be the most obvious. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Do what makes you happy. For me, this means not letting my grey roots grow in. I go for a pedicure every two weeks and every once in awhile I treat myself to a facial or massage.
This also could mean something simple like #selfcaresunday. Treat yourself to a hydrating mask before bed on Sunday, take a relaxing bath, light some candles, meditate, or just actually sit down and catch up on your favorite tv shows.
My #selfcaresunday always includes an Origins product
Whatever it is that you do, make sure that it makes YOU happy!
Today marks day 1 (of who knows?) of our Virtual Learning experience. Like many worldwide, our school district has closed schools until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have changed our usual routines and teaching platforms to utilize Google Classroom- something that is completely new to me as a Visual Arts teacher. Up until now, all my lesson plans have consisted of hands-on activities.
Teaching art through a digital platform feels so challenging. So far for the upcoming weeks I have art history (biographies and questions relating to it), compare and contrast the artworks of artists we were currently learning about in class, writing narratives about a piece of artwork, and virtual museum tours.
I will post my virtual lessons on my Teachers Pay Teachers account. Keep posted on here and my Instagram page for updates! I look forward to hearing and seeing what the rest of the #artteachertribe community is doing in their virtual “classrooms”!
I love customizing my accessories and am obsessed with all things *GLITTER*. I have added glitter to my phone charger base, classroom hall pass, and started adding glitter to my desk supplies.
Since my three-hole punch is black, I chose black glitter. Here is how I did it!
Supplies:
Masking Tape
Paintbrush
Item to glitter
Glitter (I used black)
Mod Podge (Since I wanted my hole punch to be extra sparkly, I used the Mod Podge Extreme Glitter)
Paintbrush
Tape off areas that will not be glitteredCover section with Mod Podge and then pour glitter on top- Don’t forget the edges!Let it dry for a few hours and then add a second layer of Mod Podge
I added 2 more layers of Mod Podge on top of the glitter since I wanted a smooth surface. Make sure you let each layer dry a bit before you add the next layer. I peeled the tape off before it dried completely in case there were any leaks.
Tape peeled off and ready to dry overnight! Let it dry for at least 8 hours so that it won’t smudgeReady for use!
Happy Greek Independence Day! I am looking to create a list of services provided and businesses owned by Greek-Americans, here in my home state of Connecticut! More than ever, we need to support our community.
Are you a Greek-American business owner, tutor, artist, lawyer, hairdresser, artist, business/company/service, etc in Connecticut?
The list will be displayed online. If you would like to be included, please fill out the Google Form I have created by clicking the link below. If you know of anyone, please forward this link to them too! You can fill out as much as you would like, but the more you fill out, the more helpful it will be!
Galentine’s Day is a day for “ladies celebrating ladies”.
(Leslie Knope)
If you are not familiar with Parks and Recs, Galetine’s Day was celebrated on the show on February 13 where you celebrate your love for your girl squad.
I started the tradition a few years ago and have been celebrating Galentine’s Day with a craft night the Friday before Valentine’s Day. I gather all my closest gal pals for a night of appetizers, drinks, and crafts.
Last year, we celebrated with a DIY wine glasses night. I set up materials on a long table in my tv room and we each painted a set of wine glasses. This year, we are creating Valentine’s themed wreaths. (Stay tuned for a future post about it!)
I purchased the items from a variety of stores, (I will link where you can purchase them off Amazon) and prepped some appetizers ahead of time during the week. You can find a lot of these appetizers and some additional ideas on my Pinterest pages: drinks & drunks, galentines,paint party, sweets & treats, the savoryand wine & cheese night.
Since I had a small group of ladies, each received a pair of glasses to decorate, but if you have a larger crowd, you can have each gal decorate just one glass. I purchased the glasses from The Christmas Tree Shop, but have some similar oneslinked that you can purchase off of Amazon.
Once everyone arrived, grabbed some appetizers, and poured themselves a drink, we started brainstorming our ideas using Google and Pinterest. Once we had our ideas chosen, we used a square of paper towel with rubbing alcohol to prepare the glass to be painted. It’s super important to clean the glasses with rubbing alcohol to remove any impurities (fingerprints, dust, lint, etc) that will prevent the paint from covering the surface.
finished glasses
Once our painted glasses dried, we placed them onto a baking tray and put it into a cool oven. Once they were in the oven, we turned it on to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You want to put them into the oven before preheating it.
Once the oven reached 350 degrees, let them bake for 30 minutes, and then fully cool in the oven before removing them. You can wash (and use) your glass 2-3 days after baking them.
