Wednesday Creative Project

"The Artist at Work"

"An Army of Ants"

"Oh wait! Here I am before starting the project!"

Wednesday's creative project this week. Its called an "Army of Ants" and I thought this would be a fun piece to do together. Tristan wasn't too interested in the taping the piece of denim to the cardboard, as he was sifting through his markers and checking out the electrical tape I used for the project. Yet, once we got to the part where we could decorate the fabric, he was all hands on deck to do his art-which I have no issues with; besides, the cutting of cardboard, taping of fabric to the cardboard piece will come along in time. His reaction to my applying the marker to the pads of his fingers was priceless; imagine having your mom applying marker to your fingers to create "finger print bugs."

I found this project in a great book about using art to learn and work through the alphabet; the book shows to work up to four projects in one week, making it 26 weeks to work through the alphabet but I've shortened it for us here at home by working through two letters at a time and one project per letter. The book is geared for older kids, like grade school but I believe with a little modification, we can still use some of the project ideas. Listed below is the activity and the supplies needed and directions to conduct the session.

An Army of Ants

Materials:

-thick cardboard

-scissors

-scrap fabric to cover cardboard

-masking tape (or tape that you can find that will secure fabric to cardboard)

-inkpads (or washable markers)

-fine tip markers

The Creative Process:

-Cut the cardboard into an 8" x 8" square.

-Cover one side of the cardboard square with scrap fabric and secure in place with tape.

-Draw a block-style letter "A" on the cloth covered square.

-Demonstrate how to create ants by covering finger pad with washable marker, color of choice, and press it onto the tablecloth. Place two prints beside each other, touching. Add legs and antennae with the marker.

-Encourage your child to place "ants" all over his/her tablecloth.

Reference:

-Campbell, Kelly J. "Art Across the Alphabet: Over 100 Art Experiences That Enrich Early Literacy."

Looking at our bugs, I was glad we used the black marker; something tells me if we had used brown, our ants may have taken on the appearance of cockroaches-run screaming from the room, please! Of all the bugs in the insect world, those are the only creepy crawlers I absolutely can't stand-YUCK!!!!!!

Our next letter is "B" and we'll be painting with paints that begin with the letter "B." Here's to Wednesday Creative Projects! ~Mom

Pattern Directions for Converted Sweater Project

Toddler's Pullover Sweater

(converted directions based on cardigan pattern)

Sizes:

-6 mos. (12 mos.)*

Shown in size 12 mos. When only one number is given, it applies to both sizes. Note: For ease in working, circle all numbers pertaining to your size.

Finished measurements:

-Chest= 22 (25)"*

Yarn:

Sensations Rainbow Classic (Art. 09122458); 100% acrylic; 11 oz. (312 g.); 615 yds. (562 m.); bulky weight.

-1 skein # 42588 Green/Grey Rainbow Classic*

Needles & extras:

-Size 10 (6 mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge.

-Tapestry (blunt-end yarn) needle

Gauge:

-11 sts. and 20 rows= 4" (10 cm) over

-Garter stitch (stockingnette, or knit every row)

TAKE TIME TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.

Note: Use long-tail cast-on throughout.

Back:

-Cast on 30 (34) sts. Work Garter st until piece measures 11 (12)". Bind off.*

Front:

-Cast on 30 (34) sts. Work Garter st until piece measure 11 (12) ". Bind off.*

Sleeve: (make 2)

-Cast on 26 (28) sts. Work Garter st until piece measures 5 (7)". Bind off.*

Ribbing:

-Sleeve ribbing

-Cast on 10 (15) sts. Knit 2 rows, purl 2 rows. Work alternating stitches until pieces each measure 7 (9)". Bind off.*

-Bottom edge ribbing

-Cast on 17 (19) sts. Knit 2 rows, purl 2 rows. Work alternating stitches until piece measures 8 (10)". Bind off.*

-Neck ribbing

-Cast on 5 (7) sts. Knit 2 rows, purl 2 rows. Work alternating stitches until piece measures 5 (5 1/2)". Bind off.*

Finishing:

-Sew shoulder seams, leaving a 5 (5 1/2)" neck opening. Sew sleeves onto body of pullover. Fold pullover at shoulders; sew sides and underarm seams. Weave in ends.

Attach ribbing: As you sew on bottom edge and sleeve ribbing pieces, you will notice a gather or "pucker"," which should only be slight; if you notice an extreme gather, detach and start again. Gathering should be uniform for a clean appearance and ensure that sleeves can stay in place if pushed up and that the body of the finished sweater doesn't ride up or cause discomfort for the wearer. Weave in ends.

*You may have noticed an asterisk noted throughout the pattern directions I've listed here. My son is almost three years old but being a novice in the world of knitting, my stitches, depending on the fiber base I'm working with, can be looser or tighter in conjunction with the pattern directions; therefore, I put in all caps that it is important to check your gauge.

I wanted to create a sweater for my child but felt I lacked the confidence to move forward into the world of increase/decrease stitching; remember my swiss cheese reference in my previous post discussing the finished product and the importance of including (after making notes for revisions) a pattern for others to follow. When I found the original cardigan pattern, consisting of blocks (rectangles, if you will), I began to see how it could be converted into a pullover; the ribbed pieces were a "brain baby" during the formation of each piece that would become the body of the sweater. I wanted a sweater that my child could wear outside, when the chill is still hanging in the air in the mornings when we garden, something consisting of a fiber base that could be easily cleaned and cared for (therefore, the choice of acrylic), and assist with my learning process of working with different fibers for functional use. Am I happy with the end result? Yes, I am. I will have to expand the neck ribbing as he grows until he can no longer wear the sweater but I'm willing to work with that as part of my learning process on the knitting playground. Happy creating! ~Mom

Resource:

-Better Homes & Gardens 1-2-3 Knit: Project-packed Beginner's Guide.

*distributed exclusively by Leisure Arts.

How to Transform a Cardigan Pattern into a Pullover Pattern

"Let me turn....."

"Ribbing on sleeves"

"Stockingnette Stitch for body & sleeves"

"How Do I Look?"

Now, I'm not an experienced knitter; I barely learned by teaching myself and a high level of long distance encouragement from a dear college girlfriend to go ahead and learn how to knit. I've been at it for about a year now, and I absolutely love it! It took me 20 years, most of them spent in discouragement on my own part plus the factor of being left handed while the women in my family are all right handed, just to learn to crochet; so I didn't plan on learning how to wrangle two needles, let alone one hook! Mind you, I consider myself a creatress, and love the challenge of a new project and the pursuit of the end result. The road always goes in two directions for me each time: I either don't try it again or love it so much that I can't resist to keep going in the direction of additional like projects.

I was given a huge bag of yarn, needles, and books not too long ago-I think it may have been just before the Fall melted into the cold of Winter by a neighbor-sweet soul. After sorting through, orgazining my new "stash," I started working on other fiber projects-hoodies, hats, scarves, etc...then, it hit me to try a sweater. I trialed increase and decrease stitches by experimenting with baby booties, and after the results of swiss cheese or moth eaten outerwear, I almost gave up on the sweater idea. It was right after that thought I looked in one of my "new" books again. Two sweater patterns, one for a toddler and one for a baby. The baby pattern is increase/decrease stitch loaded, so I looked at the toddler pattern a bit more closely. That's when the lights went on; I could see how you can alter a cardigan into a pullover with measurement modifications to the pieces, as needed. As I worked each panel-there's a total of four (one for the front, one for the back, and one each for the sleeves), I wondered about ribbing for the cuffs, bottom edge of the sweater body, and the neckline. Ribbing is NOT my best stitch, no matter how many times I've painfully followed the directions and almost resorted to using my needles as kabob skewers instead of the knitting they're made for; although, my understanding is that knitting needles can be used for so much more than just knitting.....

As I completed the panels for the sweater body, stitched each panel together where indicated by pattern directions, I settled into the idea that I was going to try ribbing. I managed, after much thought, a way to work my ribbing so that it works for me and how I can grasp the stitch. After some time, an additional week of fiber work and tearing out stitches-experienced knitters call it frogging-I managed to put the final touches on my toddler's new "spring gardening sweater." Happy with the results, I'm working to turn my modification over for publication. I'm not reinventing the wheel, mind you. I'm giving hope to other beginning knitters like myself that you don't have to make millions of scarves or hats before tackling a sweater for someone you love; just look from a different angle. Pattern directions in my next post.....~Mom

The Last Wednesday of April, part three

"I think I'm done, Mom...."

"Homeschool Schedule for May"

Ahhh....part three....we worked with an art project today for our Wednesday Creative Project. We made the schedule for the month of April as well, and I did photograph it, I just didn't post it. Looking back, Tristan barely put crayon to paper then and with this time, he really went to town-note the Picasso marks in the bottom and in the upper right hand corner. I was so proud of him, as he didn't need prompting to do so-only to keep the crayons and markers on the paper and not on the coffee table we used as our tabletop to work our project. Homeschool preschool trials have been going well, and I find I'm getting better at schedules, organizing activities, making sure we get time for what I've sketched out for the day. We're also working on potty training, and we're seeing success. I keep in mind that Tristan may regress once the new baby comes in July but this is something that does happen at times with older siblings and we'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it.

Now that we have May and June schedules set up, I have to sit and work out the details to put it on the poster boards to post when the next month comes into view. I want to work on as much as we can, within reason and also to not put pressure or stress my lil' man out with learning, because as of July, we'll be working on our "Summer Reading Program." For the months of July and possibly half or most of August, we'll be reading, playing at the park, squeeze some swim time in there, and working in the garden. Ahhh...the joys of summer to come. ~Mom

The Last Wednesday of April, part two

So, after a bit of troubleshooting with internet speed and downloading, I've attached the links for my recipes for Sunday night's dinner that we had here in our home. I made Columbian & Peruvian dinner, as a treat for the interns who've been here in Vermont since mid-Jan. We've sponsored the Columbian interns since last summer, which has been a treat for improving my spanish and exposing Tristan to the spanish language to continue to grow and nurture our bilingual home. Anyway, please click onto the links below for the recipes in full, and remember, when life hands you lemons, launch them back like hand granades if you don't care for the prospect of making lemonade. Cheers!

Empanadas - Beef Turnovers | GOYA® Latin Recipes

Empanadas - Beef Turnovers | GOYA® Latin Recipes

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Arepas – Cornmeal Patties | GOYA® Venezuelan

Arepas – Cornmeal Patties | GOYA® Venezuelan & Colombian Cuisine

Posted using ShareThis