Back to painting

Done with knee surgery (5 days ago) and healing nicely.  Hope I can hop upstairs to my studio tomorrow and perhaps get some work done. The organizing project came to an abrupt halt when my knee gave out completely before my surgery and I was confined to the sofa.

I am charging the camera, cleaning my paint brushes, shaking the paints and dusting off my art journals for inspiration.... tomorrow I am painting again.

You will find my art for sale on Ebay, I will post the link later.

Day 2 organizing my studio

Day two organizing my studio has begun and I am at that point when you feel overwhelmed. There are boxes, trinkets, papers and stamps everywhere I look. I try not to trip over paint, stickers and yarn...  So what I do is pick up an issue of "Cloth Paper and Scissors STUDIO" and I am instantly motivated. 

Today I will finish the labels and shoes boxes, also have 5 empty big nice red boxed I found holding nothing but junk above my washer and dryer. They can hold plenty of "new" junk and be stored away until next time I get the remakeover studio bug :)

 It is hard not to start knitting with the "new" yarn I found in an old bag or use the vintage piano music, the old lace from my Grandmother :) and all the Christmas stamps. I AM going to make some gift tags with those stamps later today as a reward when I have sneezed with dust for a few hours. 

My knee is worse than ever, filled with fluid and painful.... surgery can't come fast enough...

Organizing my studio

While I wait for my knee surgery and try to stay off my knee as much as I can I am organizing my studio. This is long due and I thought about posting a before and after picture. I decided that showing you a picture of what my studio looks like right now might leave me with no more blogger friends :) so I will post a picture when it is all done. I can't even find my camera to be honest. It might be in the bottom of the pile of "stuff"...

I have printed over 20 labels today and labeled see through shoe boxes that are stacked high in the office area. Vintage paper, ribbon, lace, vintage playing cards (I had forgotten about those)... I bought another drawers on wheels that I think might hold some fabric. The yarn is a different story and I need to figure out how to store that. Perhaps in the see through shoe boxes so I can sort them by color :)

I did throw out some "stuff" but not as much as I had hoped. There is always a chance I might need it later. 

Stay tuned...

My knee surgery is 16 days away...

A break from work

So this knee I have been limping on for over a year on and off finally gave out. The MRI says ruined meniscus and the Doctor says surgery :(

Delivered the bad news to all my students and teachers today that Miss Jeanette will not teach art for a few weeks. I will actually not work again until the first week of February if all goes according to plan. 

Perhaps I will have time to blog :) Perhaps I will have time to paint :) Perhaps I will have time to sew the quilt I planned to make out of this fabric for my daughter and her husband :)

Who knows!!! All I know is that my knee hurst and I can't wait for the day of the surgery December 23rd. Christmas will be celebrated on the sofa this year.

Crochet, crochet, crochet....

I am the first to admit my blog has been in the toilet lately :( and I feel so bad. I love my blog and everything that it does for me except lately... for months really... that awful artists block hit me...knocked me toff my fee and out of my studio....and I am still not back :(

This has happened before but never for this long... guess it's just a bad case. I have so much on my plate I feel overwhelmed and stressed...guess there you have it...I don't paint well when I am stressed... 

Enough whining.... I have so much going for me with my teaching, Kids Art Classroom and family...

Autumn has arrived in its full glory and I get the "NEED" to crochet and knit. This is something most women do in Sweden (my age I should say) and as soon as the nights grow darker and you get that feeling like you "NEED" to light candles and cook soup I "NEED" to crochet...

This morning I started these big, loosely crochet flowers that I am going to sew together and make a scarf... I saw one a  Anthropologie but they wanted $60!!!! so I am making my own. Some fun leftover yarn and I am in business...

Also in the middle of making these granny squares for an afghan.... 

Think I need 36!!!!!!!!

I have about 20!!!!!!!!!

They totally make me soooo happy even when my fingers and hands hurt from all the work...

Someday soon I will paint again...and it will be awesome...for now I am  hooked on yarn!!!

Over and out

-jeanette

FREE pumpkin art lesson for K-5th grade

FREE ART LESSONS

Warm and cool pumpkins

Grade K-5th

Supplies:

blue, yellow, red, orange, white paint

cut out white paper pumpkins

paint brushes

glue stick

brown paper (for tendrils) optional

green paper (for leaves) optional

Cut out a pumpkin out of white construction paper, the heavier the better.

Give each child a selection of colors on a paper plate.... warm and cool colors...

Warm: yellow, orange, white
Cool: red, blue, yellow (blue and yellow to make green, red and blue to make purple)

Mix colors (be careful to mix too much or it will become a messy brown) and start painting. I like to have each child paint one warm and one cool pumpkin each.

Let the paint dry..... 

White waiting cut out tendrils out of the brown construction paper and some leaves out of the green paper to be put on the pumpkins when they are dry. I like to use a glue stick for this.

These pumpkins can be any size and color.....and look wonderful when put together in a pumpkin patch...in a window, on a door or refrigerator...

GOOD LUCK 

Teaching art to Kindergarten students

There are some things in life...

that makes your heart grow just a little more...

Kindergarten students that first few weeks of school...

Unsure what to think....

they might be shy and hesitant...

Until their first art lesson with Miss Jeanette...

I will open their eyes...

we see lines, color, shapes....

we try and try again at creating wonderfully yummy art...

The kids no longer feel shy or hesitant...

we are all on the same level...

loving art together...

Need art lessons for kids???

Need art lessons for kids? I know where to find them.... KIDS ART CLASSROOM

I am the creator of Kids Art Classroom and know first hand how hard it can be to come up with new educational art lessons week after week. I created Kids Art Classroom and today you can find my online published MAGAZINE.

My art lessons all follow the visual art standards and grade level curriculum, are easy to teach with step by step instruction and the kids love them.

Visit KIDS ART CLASSROOM and see for yourself. 

-jeanette

Fall around the corner, FREE Granny square pattern

I feel like I want to crochet, knit and quilt!!! That can only mean one thing.... fall is around the corner. 

I get this feeling every year since I was a young girl, the almost need to create warm things.

  I have this amazing book "One Skein Wonder" that you have to get if you like to crochet or knit.

Here is a free pattern  for Granny squares. You can create just about anything with them. An afghan, handbag, hat, vest.... 

Materials Needed

Small amount worsted weight 4ply yarn, any color. Size G aluminum crochet hook yarn needle

Yarn Thickness: 4mm Gauge: 4dc=1" Finished Size: 6"x6" Skill Level: Beginner

Instructions RND 1: Ch4, join w/slst to first ch to form ring. Ch3, 2dc in ring. Ch2. *3dc in ring, ch2, 3 times. Join w/slst to top of ch3.

RND 2: Slst in each of the first 2 dc and into the first ch2 sp. Ch3, 2dc, ch3, 3dc in same sp. Ch1. *3dc, ch2, 3dc in next ch2 sp. Ch1. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3.

RND 3: Slst in each of the first 2 dc and into the first ch2 sp. Ch3, 2dc, ch3, 3dc in same sp. Ch1. 3dc in next ch1 sp. Ch1. *3dc, ch2 3dc in next ch2 sp. Ch1. 3dc in next ch1 sp. Ch1. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3.

RND 4: Slst in each of the first 2 dc and into the first ch2 sp. Ch3, 2dc, ch3, 3dc in same sp. Ch1. 3dc in

next ch1 sp, ch1, twice. *3dc, ch2 3dc in next ch2 sp. Ch1. 3dc in next ch1 sp, ch1, twice. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3.

RND 5: Slst in each of the first 2 dc and into the first ch2 sp. Ch3, 2dc, ch3, 3dc in same sp. Ch1. 3dc in next ch1 sp, ch1, 3 times. *3dc, ch2 3dc in next ch2 sp. Ch1. 3dc in next ch1 sp, ch1, 3 times. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3.

Work the next rounds exactly the same increasing the section (3dc in next ch1 sp, ch1 ___ times.) by one for each round you add on. You can make your granny square as big as you want by adding RNDs. Or you can stop at 6 RNDs to make an afghan out of individual squares. You can also use a different color yarn for each RND of a square for a dazzling effect.

Changing Colors

To change colors at beginning of each rnd Fasten off after slst to top of ch3. Leave yarn about 5" long and after square is complete, weave ends into work. Tie on new color in ch 2 lp and proceed onto the next rnd in pattern. For Finishing each square, After sl st into the top of ch 3, fasten off and either weave both ends into work or weave just the starting end into the work and leave the finishing end long to sew the squares together. It depends on what type of effect you want as to what you should do.

Abbreviations

Ch------Chain dc------Double Crochet slst----Slip Stitch sp------space rnd-----round rg------ring

Conference is over

The HSC Conference is over... I am back home after a nasty drive in stop and go traffic for most of the drive. The Conference was amazing with lots of positive feedback on our magazine. I was approached by homeschool parents wanting to make me an approved vendor for their Charter Schools and think that is where I would love to be!!! 

The events are done, that chapter is closed like the book above but new pages are added daily. I am getting my lesson plan completed next week teaching art to Kindergarten and First Grade this school year. I am getting my second Kids Art Classroom Magazine ready to publish and hoping to create art again in the near future.

Kids Art Classroom Magazine

Yupp.... it takes up all my time. I love my company and don't mind it taking up all of my time but I do miss blogging here at My Art Gallery. After a 5 day vacation up the Northern California coast with NO internet or cell phone coverage I was really able to relax. On Friday I drive up to Sacramento to attend the HSC Homeschool conference with Kids Art Classroom with the help of my oldest daughter. Can't wait!!!

2 more days left...

2 more days left and I am off to Ontario, California to the CHN Family Expo. 

Today I had to clean out the car and will not tell you what I found in there (it was about 2 years old). My PT Cruiser is now ready to get packed.

I have boxes and bins ready to be loaded, a few more items to buy, loading cameras and batteries, checking the list again and again.

Thursday very early we jump in the car and take off on this new adventure. Driving the 391 miles due south on I 5.

Friday am is set up time and we will get our booth ready to go, the exhibit hall is open from 9 am to 7 pm so it will be a long day.

Saturday is another full day, exhibit hall open 9 am to 7 pm with my workshop at 3:30 pm.

We pack up and plan to drive back home Sunday am....

Wish me good luck!!!

CHN Family Expo in a few days...

All my time is spend getting ready for the Homeschool event (CHN Family Expo) down in Ontario, California next week. I sure would love to paint and draw but Kids Art Classroom is priority for now. The amount of "stuff" you need for one of these events is amazing. At the CHN Family Expo all I have is a table with a white table cloth and 2 chairs, electricity and internet connection and that is all....

I better get back to packing :)

50% off Kids Art Classroom magazine TODAY ONLY!!!

I am offering Kids Art Classroom magazine at a 50% discount today so don't miss  out. You pay only $4.80 for a magazine loaded with art lessons for kids of all ages. If you are homeschooling, teaching, parenting or just don't want your kids to get bored this summer... this magazine is for you. All lessons art educational and fun, following Art standards and grade level curriculum.

-Jeanette 

I am painting again ;)

Today is a good day!!! I am painting again.... it has been weeks since I painted last...busy with illustrations and Kid Art Classroom...

My next post will be loaded with NEW art!!!

The creativity crisis

This article is a must read!!! There is a creativity crisis in America today, our children are not as creative as they used to be... Why? 

Kids Art Classroom's Magazine is published!!!!

Today is the big day!!!! My Kids Art Classroom magazine is published and ready.

The first issue of my magazine arrived...

Today is very exciting!!! The first issue of my magazine "Kids Art Classroom" arrived via Fed Ex...

I am as excited as can be and after the first careful look through I only see a few minor edits. 

Now it is hurry, hurry with the edits so I can order a bunch of magazines to bring with to the CHN Family Expo Convention in Ontario, California on August 5-8. 

More owls in my Cafe Press Store

Having fun with my Cafe Press store 

Added some more owls and products!!!

My ART on "stuff"

Check out my ART on T-shirts, coffee mugs, bibs and kids hoodies...clocks and more

They are all available at Cafe Press and my store is called Jeanette's Art

I will offer several different owl images from my original artwork. Who does not love owls? They are the perfect gift for anyone...

Let me know what you think!

ART ART ART!!!

Today is a brand NEW day.... a day to create... a day to feel inspired . 

Enjoy your weekend!!!

 

Hello!!!

Teaching art to kids is the best job on the planet... having the summer off is another wonderful plus when teaching...

I am in the middle of that summer off time right now and staying busy with Kids Art Classroom and getting ready for the CHN Family Expo in Ontario, California in August. 

I will be speaking at this event and also holding a workshop where I will be teaching one of my art lessons for kids. 

Kids Art Classroom will have a booth in the vendor hall at this event as well and I am bringing most of my family to help me out. Kids Art Classroom has turned into a small family business! My son (what would I have done without him these last few months) as the tech guru and the one writing up all my lessons and putting them online, my husband the brains behind business and marketing and my youngest daughter helping me create samples for my lessons. Our oldest daughter who just graduated college with a degree in art and business will come to help out at this event as well :)

So... what did I do??? Well, I created all the lessons, taught them over and over again to my Elementary aged students, changed them over and over again to make them next to perfect. I am doing the Facebook and Twittering for Kids Art Classroom and traveling around to homeschool events to promote us.

Kids Art Classroom has a new website

I just created a new website for Kids Art Classroom and like it so much better than the "old" one.  Come by and take a peek.

The lack of time and "artist block" makes My Art Gallery suffer.... no paintings, no nothing here lately. I do enjoy working with Kids Art Classroom but miss creating art. Sometime soon the inspiration will flow again and I will be possessed with flowers,hippos or brown paper bags.... :) you never know. For now I create in my head and hope all the art I am storing up there will be on canvas soon.

*******************

HAVE A HAPPY SUMMER

Homeschool Art Lessons

I truly admire all those homeschoolers out there!!! I don't think I could have ever done that with my own children. Perhaps the art education but not all the other subjects and having kids home all day long. 

This is what made me start thinking about "Kids Art Classroom" .... thinking about all teachers and homeschoolers that need to teach art and do not have an art background. This can be very scary! I have talked to several teachers and done research on my own and the amount of solid, educational art lessons out there is pathetic. 

Kids Art Classroom is the place where you will find some truly tested and thoroughly though through art lessons that are easy to teach, fun to do and educational. Not just a craft!!!

Come take a peek at the new website! we have 4 brand NEW lessons ready for you to try out on your kids this summer and you will be amazed at what they will create. Art education in my opinion starts already in Kindergarten.

Finally!!!

Kids Art Classroom is open for business

Time to celebrate, time to shout it from the rooftops!!!! From now on there will be NEW art lessons available at Kids Art Classroom as PDF downloads and within the next month you will find our lessons as magazines. All very exciting. You can also find Kids Art Classroom's blog here.
This post is from my iPhone and art free (sorry) but I hope to have more images for you very soon. Have a great rest of your Sunday. I am trying not to be annoyed by the World Cup horn buzzing ;)

Summer is here...

Summer is here and I am not having much luck on the painting front. The deadline for my illustrations is drawing near and takes up most of my time. Kids ART Classroom is moving along as well, the first event only weeks away. As soon as I have my illustrations all done and ready I hope to get back to painting again. 

Funny how I thought that being done teaching art for the summer I would have all this time to paint.... 

Hope your summer is all you want it to be.

-jeanette

Taking a break for a few days....

I am out of town for a few days with my youngest daughter for some much needed Mother Daughter time...

 

We are borrowing my oldest daughter and her husbands apartment for a few days while she is is Sweden and Paris for a few weeks and her husband working.Enjoying some 90 degree heat, pool, shopping and movies...

"LIFE IS GOOD"

Kids ART Classroom blog is on the air....

I just published my first blog post on "Kids ART Classrooms's" blog...

I have no followers and no history but... I have a ton of art lessons up my sleeve...

Come by and take a peek, I am only days away from launching our website. 

If you need ART LESSONS for kids your know where to go.

 

Kids ART Classroom

Seems like it has been forever since I painted :( .  School is over and I thought I would have all this extra time to paint. Instead I am over my head in illustrations and Kids ART Classroom. I do love every minute of my work but wish oh wish I had more time to paint.

It really feels like summer here in Northern California these days, nice cool nights and almost hot days. I need to water my plants again and we use the grill out back several times a week. I love this time of year.

Latest update on Kids ART CLASSROOM...

We have found a great online publisher to help us with the sales of our art lessons....

We have a magazine publisher lined up.....

Our website will be launched this coming weekend (so excited)...

We have been invited to attend the CHN Family Expo August 5-8...

We have also been invited to attend (still debating if we will) the HSC Conference August 21-22...

Found the online publishing site...

I have finally found what I have been looking for.... a really cool online place to publish my art lessons. It was getting way to complicated to create shopping carts etc. on our website so we have been hunting for a custom publisher for a while now. We found it last night... more to come on that soon since we are only days away from launching.

Did some painting but not as much as I would have liked. Between Kids Art Classroom and illustrations there is hardly any time to paint.

Summer is finally here and we are having some almost hot days....good thing I have a fan in my studio. 

It is Friday today!!! tomorrow my youngest daughter has a soccer tournament 30 min. away at 8 am :(. We have to arrive at 7 am....getting up at 5:45 on a Saturday sounds like fun (not).

Live Love Laugh

It feels like summer today! Not too warm and not too cold... just perfect. Woke up with a migraine but was able to medicate and sleep it off by 11 am. It has been 1,5 week since my last migraine so that is a huge step forward. 

Painted the other day.... and did some fun collage work...

You can find these for sale in my store

Jeanette's Folk Art

Having illustration block :( Seem to have lost both my confidence and ability to draw. The deadline is creeping closer each day... and I am at a point where I feel like I am not moving forward. Overwhelmed I guess....with lots of sketches but no final work.

Why complain!!! it really is silly since I have the best of all lives right now.  Summer break from teaching, weather is amazing, youngest child out of school next week, middle child off to college in  2 months, oldest child graduated college last week... 

~*~*LIVE~*~* LOVE ~*~*LAUGH*~*~

Art lessons for children

Oh boy... we are working hard around here to get Kids Art Classroom's website up and running...

You can find us both on TWITTER and FACEBOOK

The event at the CHN Family Expo is locked in ...

This is their website

There will be a blog on this website, for Kids Art Clasroom's thoughts only, I will still be here at My Art Gallery to share my own thoughts and art...

Hope all of you will enjoy the long weekend, I sure am.