Convention Time

My daughter and I are heading to the homeschool convention.  I am thrilled to be attending again this year.  It is such a great time to be refreshed and inspired.  A time to reflect on the past school year and see what has worked and what needs to be let go.  I love to listen to the speakers and browse all the curriculum options.  To see and hear about different styles and approaches.  That is what's so wonderful about homeschooling~doing what works for your family.  There maybe some wonderful things that I see at the convention and sound truly spectacular but before I jump in and purchase anything, I need to think~will this work for us? There are many great options but it may not fit your family or your style.  I need to take the time to evaluate what really works, what to continue what and what areas are we a little weak in.  It's different for each one.  This year I am heading to the convention with a list prepared and ideas floating through my head.  I don't want to forget my direction and buy what's sounds the greatest or what is the latest.  

We are blessed to have so many resources available to homeschoolers now.  So many choices and different options.  For me to stay focused and on track and not get carried away, I need to go prepared.

The calendar says it's spring but we have seen very few sunny days here.  The temps have been low and there have only been about 4 sunny days in April.  I need the sunshine.  Long periods of rainy, cloudy days put me in a foul mood and I don't really feel like doing anything.  This weekend they are promising 70 degree temps and sunshine.  I hope that it doesn't change.  My garden needs the sunshine.  I need the sunshine to go out and work in our garden.  I am so excited at the thought of being out in the sunshine and working.

Have a great weekend.

Springtime Giveaway

Summer at Artfulife is having a great giveaway.  You can click here for all the info.  There are four terrific prizes you can win by four very talented artists.  You won't want to miss the chance to win.  Head on over and enter.

Son's Artwork

My son has always loved to draw.  From a very young age he has spent hours drawing. When we first began homeschooling there was a great art class he was a part of and loved.  After a couple of months the teacher moved away.  We were so sad and had not found another class like hers but now we finally have.  He recently started taking an art class with our homeschool group and is loving it.  I also love this class.  The teacher is great at giving the instruction for what she would like to see but also letting them be creative and imaginative.

This picture was a homework assignment using simple lines to sketch household objects.

This is a watercolor and oil pastel resist.  

The next assignment had them drawing an animal dreaming of Van Gogh's starry night.

My son drew a cat dreaming~the cyprus tree to the left becomes fish the cat is dreaming of, the hills become mice, the lights in the sky are yarn balls and the moon is a milk bowl.  This is done in oil pastels.

I may be a little biased, he is the cutest boy in the world after all-LOL, but I am so in love with his work.  At home he usually draws characters from shows that he likes to watch.  In this class he is learning new techniques and about the great artists.  I am just so thrilled that we were blessed to have this class.

I hope you have enjoyed his work.

Completed Projects

I have completed some projects this week and it feels great.  Packages were all wrapped up and I even braved the post office on tax day.  It wasn't bad at all.  Now who will be getting these packages?

This is a pink and brown mesh bag that I just finished.  I love the color combo.  These bags are fun and quick once you know the pattern.  I sent this one to my friend Autumn.  It's a congrats you're a grandma gift.  She recently became a grandma again.  The one below is going out to another dear friend as a birthday gift. I really hope she loves it.
I was part of a tea cozy swap at Mary Janes Farm.  This is the cozy I made for the swap.  I wanted it to say "Spring".  I think this does.

This is the wonderful tea cozy I received from my partner Toni.  Isn't it adorable.  I love chickens!!!!!  This is too cute!!!!!!
Spring weather seems to finally be here.  We have had some sunny and warm days.  It's only the 50's but it's better than the weather we had this past weekend.  On Saturday it rained and was cold.  Easter was sunny but very cold with wind chills in the low 30's.  Yuck!!  Friday we are headed to sunshine and the 60's~it will continue into Saturday.  I can't wait to enjoy the nice weather.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

I pray that everyone has a blessed Easter!!!!

Treasures

Last week~I was blessed to receive some wonderful "farmgirl mail".  My dear friend, Monica, sent me a wonderful package filled with treasures.

This is some beautiful hand spun silk thread from Monica's own hands.  It is just wonderful.  This picture does not do it justice.

She sent me some wonderful fabric so I can start my own fabric stash.  So many lovely, wonderful fabrics to create with.

I have never quilted but have wanted to for some time.  Monica sent me some wonderful quilting magazines to get me started.  

My mesh bag is coming along and I am almost done.  I need to finish up the handle.  It was quite easy and I'm pleased with how it's coming out. I think I will be making more of these.  They are quite fun and fast.

Something to Meditate On

                                                                                                         And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David:  Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Matthew 21: 9

Yesterday was Palm Sunday and during this Passion week I will be reflecting on what Jesus did for me.

These are some of the things I made for a spring swap.  Two placemats in pink~my partner loves pink.  The others are two pot holders in spring colors.

These are some dishcloths and a dish towel that I made for a barter.

This weekend was a bit busy.  We are still working on the garden.  I transplanted alot of my seedlings and they are all in the greenhouse now.  Also worked on some yard clean up.  Leaves being raked and going into compost piles.  I need to build the enclosure for our composting leaves and be able to add to it.  Right now, it is just a pile.  I hope to have some good compost to put on our garden come fall.

We watched the movie Marley & Me Saturday.  I loved it.  So true to life.  The end of course was so sad.  I do not look forward to those days with our puppy.  She is a young, 3 year old, Beagle.  Loves to run and play and chase squirrels.  

I finished crocheting a bathroom rug this weekend and it's already in use.  I am now working on a mesh shopping bag like this one:

These are words from one of my favorite praise songs.