Creative Kids

Doodle for Google

2011-02-28T10:13:00.001-08:00

My after-school art class will be participating in Doodle for Google. For the first time Google is also allowing parents to register their kids instead of needing to be affiliated with a school or program. Perhaps you know a child who'd like a chance at having their doodle seen by millions? (Not to mention a college scholarship!)

Pumpkin Carving Contest

2010-10-09T09:54:00.000-07:00

Something y'all may not know about me is that I am a Unicef volunteer. If you're unfamiliar with their Trick or Treat program you can find more info here. This is their 60th anniversary and my art kids are looking for a way to raise money. What we've come up with is a pumpkin carving contest.

This contest is open to ages 16 and under and there are 3 prize baskets available. The 3 prizes are Most Creative, Funniest, and Scariest. The prize baskets are filled with donations from local merchants. These include both goods, coupons, and gift certificates. There will be a manned display set up downtown on the square all day Friday the 29th. This display will include the numbered contest entries as well as additional information. Each entry will have a corresponding famous orange Unicef boxes. To vote for an entry a person has only to make a donation to that pumpkin's orange box. That evening at the end of the Trick or Treat on the Square event (6 pm), all box contents will be counted and winners will be contacted. The winners receive their prize baskets and the money raised is sent into Unicef. At the display you will also be able to pick up Unicef boxes and materials if you and your kids are interested in doing your own trick or treating for Unicef.

To enter the contest all you have to do is bring your pumpkin down to the square that day, fill out a quick form including the category you are entering, and pick up a number. Your pumpkin is placed on display with an identification number and is ready for voting. You will be responsible for picking up your pumpkin by 6:15 that evening.

Please keep your entries family friendly. We reserve the right to reject any pumpkin whose design might be considered offensive.

If you have any questions I haven't covered please feel free to call me at 325.436.1775

Thanks!

Francie

2010-10-04T10:09:00.000-07:00

October Kids' Class Lineup

7th Bat Buddy– I’ll have presewn forms ready for the kids to stuff. The shape also lends itself well to being a pumpkin, with or without wings. So, at this point they’ll decide what color and then paint and sand them. Then it’s time to stitch whatever faces they like and add the wings. Spooky!

Designer Denise White featured in Create & Decorate magazine

14th Fauvism – We’ll continue our study of 20th century art movements with Fauvism. We’ll learn about Henri Matisse in particular. First we’ll copy an old Master then we’ll make our own masterpiece!

21st Whimsical Owls – W-h-h-hooooo wants to make this little guys? These will make wonderful additions to your autumn décor if you can talk your kids out of them. ;) We’ll use a mix of book pages, wallpapers, scrapbook paper, buttons and wood to make adorable little bird buddies.

Designer Lisa Bystrak featured in Somerset Apprentice magazine

28th Boo Book – Around here we like messy visual journaling! :D We’ll be making a chipboard word book that says “boo” and is gussied up and tied up and glittered up and just ready for that day after Halloween when Mom prints out all the pics from the night before. Or maybe it will end up being a ghost story? :D We’ll be digging deep into the studio stash for this one… the only reason there isn’t more in the photo is because it wouldn’t fit on the table! ;) I know I’m having a blast making the class sample!

More class information available in the sidebar.

To sign up please call Francie Horton at 325.436.1775 or email at burdgurl@gmail.com

June Class Schedule

2010-06-01T10:45:00.000-07:00

Thursday Art Class

Week 1- Altered Book Nook We’ll learn about the practice of altering old disused books and making them into works of art. Then we’ll choose our own book and learn how to cut a niche in it, glue the pages together, and create our own masterpiece!

Week 2 – Clay Whimsies In the spirit of Dr. Seuss we will explore the joys of clay and color. First, we will form simple geometric and organic shapes. Three-d design principles and shapes will be taught as well as sculptural balance. Then we’ll choose pleasing colors and finishes. Our pieces will then be embellished with glass glitters, beads and small decorative objects.

Week 3 – Portraits We’ll go over several different techniques to paint /draw a portrait. In the class, we will be focusing on drawing & then painting accurate face proportions, wandering through facial expressions, looking at color choices and their effects, creating quirky blind contour drawings, and building painterly texture. We will be working small to allow for a lot of exploring and letting go and moving on. Once you find your favorite method of painting portraits you will then paint, paint, paint until you have 9 or more portraits to be mounted onto a sheet of mat board.

Week 4 – Topsy Turvy Doll These topsy turvy dolls/creatures are pieced with hand painted fabrics, some have clothes, some don't. Flip one over to discover another. They are just fun and silly with lots of possibilities to embellish.

Tuesday Art Class
(boys’ class)

Will include the first 3 classes but we will replace the Topsy Turvy doll with:

Week 4 – Mad Mysterious Masks There’s something magical about masks. Maybe that’s why they’ve been around for centuries. In this class we’ll each first imagine our own mythical creature or person. Then we’ll create an elaborate mask to represent that being/person using a combination of new and found materials.

Summer Arts and Crafts Classes

2010-06-01T10:33:00.000-07:00

Due to popular demand, we will be offering summer art classes again this year. There will be 4 classes per month in June and July. We will also have classes in August but our schedule depends on when the kids go back to school. The regular class will be held every Thursday except July 8th. Class is from 1 pm to 5 pm. Limited to ten per class.

We have also had several requests for a boy-centric class. I am happy to offer that as well as long as three or more students sign up. This class will meet on Tuesdays from 1 pm to 5 pm. It is also limited to ten students.

This summer I am also offering individual classes - Get Your Kicks, a class on painting canvas shoes, and Sewing Machine Basics I and II. These classes consist of one 4 hour class as opposed to the regular monthly classes listed above. These are limited to four students each. If there is a demand for a second class, however, I will offer it again. Suggested age is 8 and up for both of these.

Everywhere we go my daughter and I get lots of compliments on our hand-drawn shoes. Kaitlin has even had friends hire her to make them a pair. You’ll bring a blank pair of shoes with you and you’ll leave with a set of sketches, art pens, and a wearable work of art!

We will also supplement with other smaller crafts for those students who finish their projects faster than others. That way no one feels rushed yet everyone has something to do.

Depending on the project there may be simple homework projects. These are always things that can be caught up in the next class if need be, though.

Regular class fees are $115 for each student per month payable the first class of each month. If your child would like to bring a friend or cousin one week we also offer drop-in classes for that situation. Just let me know by the Monday preceding that class day so that I can make sure I have everything ready. Drop in classes are $30 each and payable that day. All art supplies are included. You might want to provide an apron or old t-shirt to protect your child’s clothes.

Sewing Machine Basics I and II are $35. You must have taken Basics I in order to take Basics II. You will be required to bring your own sewing machine and 1 yard of desired fabric. Finished project will depend on age and skill level achieved.

Get Your Kicks will teach you how to prepare the shoes, what markers/pens to use (and what NOT to use!) and how to take care of them. We’ll also share sketches and patterns to fire up your imagination. A non-refundable $10 deposit is required two weeks before the class date so that we can place a wholesale order for your art pens. The fee for this class is $40 including the deposit.

Class fees are non-refundable.

For more information please call Francie Horton at 325.436.1775 or email at burdgurl@gmail.com
Sponsored by Scrapping the Moments

March Class Schedule

2010-03-01T17:57:00.000-08:00

March 4th Colorful Coiled Flowers - Flowers don't last forever. Unless they're made of colorful wire! This one's just for hands on fun. Using several different colors of wire we'll make a bouquet of flowers, complete with leaves, worthy of gracing the dining room table. Studies show handcrafts boost hand-eye coordination and, trust me, some of these swirls take coordination!

March 11th Bad Babies - Primitive Ragdolls that either need a little extra lovin' or look like they already had a bit too much! I'll stitch up some muslins ahead of time so that we can just stuff, put on a limb or two, dress and embellish.

March 25th Fabric Crown - Every girl has a bit of a princess inside, even if that princess is a rough and tumble one. We'll make a true mixed-media piece - fabric, buttons, trims, paint, markers, you name it!

March 18th 3-D Dream House - Who lives in your dream house? In my mom's dream house is her husband and herself, each of her sons and their wives and all three of her grandchildren - so those are the photos that I put on her house (bottom row photos). Maybe just you and your cat live in your dream house. Or your house doesn't have to have photos at all. It can just be full of color and words. After all, it is your dream house!

We'll embellish houses with paint, oil crayons, trims, images, personal photos, anything goes!

For more info call
Francie Horton 325.436.1775
Sponsored by Scrapping the Moments
2522 Ave R Snyder TX 325. 573.8885

February Class Schedule

2010-01-05T20:41:00.000-08:00

Feb 4th Valentines Workshop - I've put together kits with 6 large heart shaped cardstock cards and envelopes, Valentine images, cardstock and scrapbook papers, and embellishments. We'll have a blast making cards to trade with each other on the 11th.If the kids don't finish their cards in class they will need to take them to finish and return the following Thursday. I cannot stress enough the importance of bringing back completed Valentines to trade. I would hate for any of the girls to feel left out.

Feb 11th Fabric Cuffs - Crafty and Fashionable! Make a cuff that shows your personality. Flipping through the crafts and sewing magazines these cuffs are all the rage. So I pulled out the one I made last year and have received so many compliments on, and we'll use it as a hands-on example as well as several magazines for inspiration and ideas. I'll have some base cuffs already made up, nice and sturdy, and kids can embellish to their hearts content. Then wear them and bask in the praise.

MAKEUP CLASS

FRIDAY Feb 12th Monotone Texture Painting - Students will choose one color and will use various tools to create texture with tempera paint on a large sheet of paper. We'll then recreate a reference photo using shapes cut from the paper. The object is to rely only on the textures instead of falling back on outlines and colors.

Feb 18th Extended Drawing - Use an image in the center of your paper and work out from there. Students will both extend elements that are already present in the picture and use their imaginations to picture what else might be present in the scene. We'll try not to stress too much about perspective and let our minds roam with this one.

The Colorful Coiled Flowers Class has been moved to March because of order problems. Instead we'll be embellishing a 7Gypsies accordian book and purse. Please see your parent email for details.

Feb 25th Colorful Coiled Flowers - Flowers don't last forever. Unless they're made of colorful wire! This one's just for hands on fun. Using several different colors of wire we'll make a bouquet of flowers, complete with leaves, worthy of gracing the dining room table. Studies show handcrafts boost hand-eye coordination and, trust me, some of these swirls take coordination!

Canceled/Missed class Policy effective February 1st, 2010

If class is canceled due to some unforeseen incident such as weather or illness (obviously surgery doesn't hold me down hehe) it will be made up on the Friday afternoon immediately following the missed class.

If a student must miss a class for personal reasons please let me know and I will put together a kit for the class missed unless the skill/craft covered makes it impossible to do so.

For more info call
Francie Horton 325.436.1775
Sponsored by Scrapping the Moments
2522 Ave R Snyder TX 325. 573.8885

January Class Schedule

2010-01-05T20:16:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Creative Kids 2010!

Kaitlin and I look forward to making art with each of you this year.

January Class Schedule

Jan 7th Printed Scarf -Students will experiment making and printing with our own stamps on fabric. Then we'll do a repetition design on a soft-knit fabric scarf.

Jan 14th Watercolor Flowers - We'll discuss wet-on-wet watercolor technique and how to prepare the paper for painting. Then we'll put that knowledge to work and lay down our colors. After I quick-dry the paper each student will pick out flower forms and draw them in with ink.

Jan 21st Fairy Mushrooms with a Secret - Everyone knows fairies are the guardians of secrets. And fairies love mushrooms. But did you know that fairies keep their secrets in the mushrooms? We'll paint fabric and cut it into circles which we'll then stitch into mushroom tops. These we'll attach to vintage wooden spools for the bottoms. The secret is hidden in a scroll of paper that is attached at one end and wrapped the body of the mushroom. (As with all projects, if students would like, they are always welcome to do more than one.)
Jan 28th Monotone Texture Painting - Students will choose one color and will use various tools to create texture with tempera paint on a large sheet of paper. We'll then recreate a reference photo using shapes cut from the paper. The object is to rely only on the textures instead of falling back on outlines and colors.

For more info call
Francie Horton 325.436.1775
Sponsored by Scrapping the Moments
2522 Ave R Snyder TX 325. 573.8885

Artwork and Book Credits: Printed Scarf - Handmade Modern by Todd Oldham; Watercolor Flowers by Arounna Khounnoraj of bookhou; Mushrooms with a Story - Sew Somerset magazine; Monotone Texture Painting by Arounna Khounnoraj of bookhou

November Class Schedule

2009-10-22T05:38:00.000-07:00

November Class Schedule

Because of the Thanksgiving holiday November classes
will run from October 29th to November 19th

Oct 29th Paper Mache Bird – We’ll discuss crafting with recycled materials. (one of my pet topics – Just ask your kids. :D) Then, we’ll put together and paint paper mache birds. Due to the limited time of the class I’ll already have birds made for the students to paint. But I will send home a bag of paper mache and wire for the kids to try their hand at sculpting at home.

Nov 5th House Collage - Based on a photo of the student’s own house we’ll make paper collages on canvases. We’ll use a combination of book pages, sheet music, and scrapbook paper. They can also bring a photo of a favorite cabin, barn, etc instead.

Nov 12th Artist Trading Cards – Otherwise known as ATCs, these cards are the size of baseball cards and have been traded among artists since 1996. The idea developed in Switzerland out of the mail art movement. The idea is to create a small work of art and trade it with your friends. We’ll be creating a large background then cutting it up into ATC size pieces. We’ll then embellish, sign, and trade them. I’ll be bringing a large notebook filled with hundreds of ATCs from artists all over the world that I’ve traded with. I’ll also be bringing ATCs from my 3rd grade niece to trade with the girls – their first long-distance trade.

Nov 19th Snowman Doorknob Pillow – Expanding on embroidery stitches we’ve learned in the past (and easy for new students to pick up) we’ll make an appliqued wool felt snowman doorknob pillow. Hand-sewing has proven to be one of the most popular classes so I wanted to re-visit this one and add more challenge to it.

For more info call 325.436.1775
Sponsored by Scrapping the Moments
2522 Ave R Snyder TX 325. 573.8885

Artwork and Book Credits: Paper Mache Bird by Karen Michel from her book, Green Guide for Artists; House Collage by Cindy Tobey from Creating Keepsakes magazine Oct 2009; 1000 Artist Trading Cards book by Patricia Bolton; Snowman Pillow by Susan Cousineau from Holiday Crafts magazine Holiday 2009

October Class Listing

2009-09-22T15:03:00.001-07:00

Thanks for being patient as I worked out the kinks in next month's lesson plans. :) More details to follow.

September Classes:

First Week - Pennant Banner - Can be personalized with one word such as "dream" "wish" or student's name

Second Week - Fairy house

Third Week - Self Portrait Painting and Collage - This will be done on a quality canvas. (I just like to work out my ideas in my journal. :D)

Fourth Week - Two Halloween Treat Pots/Cups - We'll be painting and decopauging chipboard petal cups. Each Student will make 2. I haven't gotten my order in yet so I only have the product shot.

September Lesson Plan

2009-08-31T13:06:00.001-07:00

Week 1
Hand-made Book
Using muslin, tissue papers and gel medium students will create a unique paper-cloth. This, combined with blank white pages and held together with a simple pamphlet stitch, will then become a hand-made book.

Week 2
Squares Collage
With an 8”x10” canvasboard as the base, students will build up squares of corrugated cardboard and scrapbooking paper into a collage. It will also be embellished with acrylic paints and oil pastels.

Week 3
Hemp Bracelet with Beads
Students will learn a simple 2-color weaving/knotting technique that can incorporate beads. There will be a selection of hemp cords and beads to choose from so that a bracelet or anklet can be made.

Week 4
Marbled Stationery
Using enamel paints students will create gorgeous marbled notecards (with envelopes) that they can use themselves but that are beautiful enough to give as gifts.

Fall Art Classes

2009-08-01T13:03:00.000-07:00

Art Classes Fall 2009

We nourish their bodies. We nourish their brains. Why not nourish their creativity?

Due to popular demand, we will be continuing the art classes that received such excellent reviews over the summer. They will be offered on a scaled-back schedule to fit in with back-to-school and other fall classes.

In the past our projects have included:

Journal-making
Tie-Dyeing
Stencilling
Rubberstamping
Painting
Hand Sewing and Embroidery
Fabric Painting
Needle Felting
Polymer Clay and Bead Making
Oil Pastels

Classes will be held every Thursday afternoon from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Class size is limited to ten students only.

There will be 4 classes per month (Sept, Oct, Nov) at $55 per month. Students must be registered and paid by the 25th of the previous month (Sept 25th for the Oct classes and so on). I can no longer accept partial payments for partial attendance. Fees are non-refundable.

For more information please call Francie Horton at 325.436.1775 or email at burdgurl@gmail.com
Sponsored by Scrapping the Moments

Tie-Dye Tees

2009-07-28T07:13:00.000-07:00

Last week we made stenciled and tie-dyed t-shirts. First, we used cardstock stencils and black fabric paint to stencil a design on the fronts of our shirts. After setting them with a heatgun, we used large rubberbands to bunch up parts of the tshirts into starburst patterns. Then we went outside and went crazy with squirt bottles filled with very warm dye. :)

Clay Class

2009-07-27T19:04:00.000-07:00

In the second week we worked with polymer clay. We made clay canes where we stacked thin logs of clay together, wrapped them in a layer of clay, and rolled it into a larger log of clay. We then sliced that log into round beads. We also made some smaller swirly beads to go with them. We then baked them. After that we made several "one ball" animals from clay along with accessories and landscapes.

Monsters

2009-07-27T19:00:00.000-07:00

The first week we drew our own patterns and hand sewed muslin monsters. Then we stuffed them. After that, we drew and painted faces and features.