Kid U

I taught at Anoka-Ramsey Kid U: college for kids and teens this last week. I taught both Picasso Dolls and Cartooning. I promise I would post about the courses and I plan to soon. Please come back in a couple of days to see the updates.

Spam via blogs?

I think I was just spamed on my blog… I have my blog set up where I ask all comments to come to my email for monitoring. This was one that I got this morning. I took a screen shot that you see to the left of the page. I'm not sure what would happen if I publish it. I have been spamed via email and even hacked a couple of times but I have never see anything like this via blog.

Anyone know about this method of spam? Please give me insight if you do. Thanks!

201 followers:)

Just wanted to say thanks to all of you who continue to discuss via blog! I find your comments and suggestions to be more valuable then people I can talk to in person most of the time. I have said this before, most of the time art teachers are a island and we don't have a lot of professional discussion throughout our days. Blogging has helped me tremendously. Thanks!

I'm seeing QR everywhere, how do you use them in your classroom?

Starting to think about school again… I know, we still have summer left and I'm loving every minute of it still. When those school supplies come out at the store it is hard to ignore. As I have mentioned a couple of times, I'm going to the middle school. I want to get technology into the kids hands more on at this level. I was thinking about using QR Codes in my classroom. To find out more about QR Codes, click here. I have a couple of thoughts of how I would like to use these codes but was wondering if you are using them in your classrooms at all and if so, how?

I used Kaywa to create this code for my blog but there are other sites to do the same. The process is easy. Please write me with suggestions of how you are using the codes in your classrooms.

Sewing retreat...

Sewing retreat..., a set on Flickr.

Earlier in the week a group from Twin Cities Suburban Modern Quilt Guild went on a retreat up north at a cabin. I had a very productive two days. Check out the projects I made. I tried hard to do lots of 'new' things. I made my first hat, place my first zipper, and use a new technique called reverse applique. I also did a couple of familiar projects such as MORE APRONS! Don' think I will ever have enough of those. I had a great time and would suggest all crafters to find sometime soon to sit down and work on your craft. It is so therapeutic!

Rock Thoughts

I'm all about collaboration and here is a new one to join… I saw Karla Valentis post on Art Educaiton 2.0 and love her idea of Rock Thoughts. Check out her post or read more about on the Rock Thoughts blog. Rock Thoughts is designed to empower children through creativity, specifically through art and collaborative storytelling.

Karla writes… "Rock Thoughts seeks to offer children an opportunity to develop their creativity and connect with others in a meaningful way through art and storytelling. The process is simple. Participants paint rocks to resemble "monsters" and hide them in public spaces for others to find." How fun is that. I think that would be a blast to start your students on this project and fins Rock Thoughts all over you city.

Here is where the literature comes in… She writes "Our site also features crowdsourced storytelling as well as opportunities for visitors to adopt rocks that have been previously painted and are awaiting stories. At the moment, Rock Thoughts is in effect in various parts across the United States, Switzerland and Mexico. We are working on expanding the reach of this project to other countries.

I love the mission of this project, She continues to say, "This project has great appeal for institutions committed to developing and inspiring children's creativity. In particular, Rock Thoughts has great potential to be used as a virtual learning tool. To this end, we are currently working with a number of schools that have incorporated Rock Thoughts into their art program as well as their reading and writing curricula. We are also in discussions with children's museums about creating Rock Thoughts workshops for their visitors. In addition, given that we intend to feature stories in multiple languages and from different countries, we have approached language programs with the goal of using Rock Thoughts as a tool to encourage foreign language acquisition and development."

Here is a video that simplifies the whole concept. These kids are so darn cute!

Digital Artist, David Kassan

Have you seen David Jon Kassan's work? Oh my, after watching this video you will not be able to say that digital art isn't 'real art'. Digital art is just another medium baby!! I love the new, check it out!

Thanks to Amanda Kaiser for posting this video on her Art Education 2.0 page.

Cakes like never before!

Let me introduce you to an amazing cake artist! This artist can make ANYTHING out of cake. Follow her blog and watch the many great ideas that come from these talented hands.

Not only is she a great artist, but a wonderful mom, wife and sister (I should know, being Molly is one of three sisters I have). So let me brag a bit, visit her new site Gracie Cakes!