Ink Soaked Fibers

Barnes & Noble Listing! :) Amazon.com Listing!

2009-11-28T13:49:00.007-06:00

My book is listed for purchase on the Barnes & Noble website. I am so excited!

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=smile+doodle+bug%21

This is the listing on Amazon.com!

http://www.amazon.com/Smile-Doodle-Bug-Katherine-Hewett/dp/0578030659/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257900459&sr=1-1

Smile Doodle Bug! - Book Trailer

2009-11-11T13:07:00.001-06:00

Magic Bubble Bath

2009-07-21T13:32:00.002-05:00

Celebrating the completion of my second book. I am starting the illustrations for my final book this summer.

I truly loved doing this book. I had a special cat in my life. Much of her antics over the years were creative fuel for this book.

Hope this story will make the little ones smile.

To check out my Lulu Storefront, click on the link below.

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=3524365

Smile Doodle Bug!

2009-06-22T10:50:00.003-05:00

It's been a long time since I posted. Life has been so busy with teaching and family.

After Christmas, the school year seem to go quickly. In January, I lost my beloved Uncle Ray. I didn't feel much like keeping up this blog.

It's summer vacation now... and I thought I would try to work more on the blog. :)

My summer projects are in full swing. I just completed my first children's book. Smile Doodle Bug! is available on Lulu.com....and will soon be available through Amazon as soon as I purchase my ISBN (book number) for the book.

I have started working on my second book. I must admit illustrating is not easy but once I got past the fact I was not a professional... :) I was proud of my illustrations. I hope many kids will enjoy this book.

To see my Lulu storefront...click on the link below.

http://stores.lulu.com/InkSoakedFibers

Happy Summer Reading! :)
Thank you to all my supportive friends and family! I love you.

Words of Love

2008-12-04T12:01:00.007-06:00

Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.

What truly moves the heart?

Why do our hearts break so easily?

Why do we feel the need to write poetry, letters of love, musical lyrics...and express it in art?

Is there still value in sentiments of the heart?

Yes...

Write a poem or a letter to someone today that you love. There's something freeing in complete honesty....we should all be braver to feel and dare to give from our most vulnerable place in our hearts. I learned that lesson this week and I have no regrets.

Life is simply too short to wait...

So...this holiday season take a moment to love with the deepest of passions, dream with a heart of fancy, and put into words the greatest truth of your being. Write that poem or letter you never had the courage to express to someone dear to you. Send it!

DREAM, LIVE, LOVE, AND.......BELIEVE IN SMALL MIRACLES.

It is the greatest of Earthly gifts...

Give what you have...

Words of Love...

A Timeless Writing...

2008-11-29T00:46:00.007-06:00

In the spirit of the holiday season... I thought I would post my favorite Christmas writing...

Its not a traditional story from a classic book but an editorial from a newspaper. I think I love it most of all for this reason. For someone who values the principles of journalism...and believes that despite its short comings...the news media can make a difference. I still maintain faith that the media serves a great purpose in our society of freedom. There are still journalists out there making a difference each day...telling the story...risking their lives and maintaining that journalistic ethic that the press serves the American people. This editorial reflects the faith that people had in the press at one time. So...this is my tribute to the power of news writing and how a simple editorial can capture the hearts of the American people.

I especially find these words comforting during this time in our history. Enjoy this reading once again...and let the spirit of the holiday season warm your soul.

Words can make a difference.

Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus

Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.

"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old. "Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. "Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.' "Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

"VIRGINIA O'HANLON."
115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/

Harvard, here she comes

2008-11-26T10:51:00.003-06:00

We don't work on her ABC's or numbers. However, being the ever so diligent,mindful,though-provoking mother that I am, it should come as no surprise that we do practice "taco tongue" at least 82 times a day.
Wonder if the Ivy Leagues consider this a pre-requisite?

Holiday Vacation... Breathe...Relax...Play...

2008-11-24T12:38:00.009-06:00

We don't stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.
-Author Unknown

You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.

-Author Unknown

One of the most valuable things we can do to heal one another is listen to each other's stories.

-Author Unknown

A Beautiful Day...

2008-11-20T19:58:00.004-06:00

For those of you unfamiliar to South Texas...these pictures were taken driving down Ocean Drive along Corpus Christi Bay.

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous this week with mild to cool temperatures. I took these pictures because I wanted to capture the sparkling blue bay water on camera. The pictures did not do it justice.

I had the opportunity during lunch this week to take a drive to our school board building downtown.

Driving down Ocean Drive is one of the jewels of our area. Its the only bayfront drive in the U.S. that has limited development on the side closest to the water. This way all can enjoy the beauty of the bay.

Soon the T-head shaped piers of sailboats will be lit up for Harbor Lights. All the sailboats will be decorated for the holidays. Its spectacular to see the boats' sails twinkling and glittering in the moonlit waters of the bay. The reflection of festive colored lights shimmer in the waters beneath. I can't wait to take a drive downtown in the next few weeks.

Thought I would share these pretty pictures.

The blue waters of Corpus Christi Bay were amazing.

"The Sparkling City by the Sea."

Thanksgiving No No...

2008-11-16T12:16:00.003-06:00

I couldn't help it!

I bought this snowman nightlight and had to put it up early. I try very hard not to put up any Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving but this was too much of a temptation for me. I love snowmen...and since it is technically winter now...I think its OK. :) I love the beautiful color changing light inside. Something magical about holiday lights...

One week left before the Thanksgiving vacation. The school will be filled with that holiday excitement.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

May you all be surrounded with the love of family and friends.

A Soaring Gift

2008-11-13T12:51:00.011-06:00

One of my favorite moments as a teacher is when a student surprises me with one of their creations. Then you find out that they have made it for you.

I was teaching my students Photoshop, and somehow we started talking about pets. One student was looking for a picture of a cat to use in his collage. Looking over his shoulder, I was struck by how close the cat on the screen looked like my own cat that passed this last year. So, I briefly mentioned her to him. He inquired how long did I have her....(11 years).

At the end of class, he put this picture on my desk. A separate piece that he put together for me...while also working on his collage. My kitty flying high over the White Cliffs of Dover created in Photoshop. Warmed my heart at his thoughtfulness. I love it! Thought I would share it.

Its amazing what students can create and communicate through technology. I also love that my former and current students are blogging and creating to share with the world their message....their dreams.

Their voices soar!

Missing a Friend

2008-10-27T12:36:00.004-05:00

It is never easy to move on...to adjust to the changes of life. The loss of a friend is hard. Sometimes we move on to new places...sometimes they just disappear....but where ever they go...you always keep a piece of them with you.

I especially miss six good friends in my life. Some I came to know through work...some old friends...others I talked with online. You can never really fill the hole of those you miss. Sure, I can call most of them up and still met up with them but I don't get to see them anymore on a daily basis. That lack of contact ultimately leads to distancing. Our busy lives seem to take over.

I am truly thankful for my new job. I love working with talented students that are eager to learn about graphic art, animation, and video technology. My life has seem to tip in the direction of a very happy fullfilling work life...but I am keenly aware of some missing pieces.

My friends...

I miss ya...Tawny, Kathy, Paul, Jenny, Kerri, and Pete.

I love you all...

Just wanted you to know.

A Picture's Worth

2008-10-26T18:12:00.003-05:00

My students finished their final collages this week. They were asked to create a piece of art that reflected their voice...utilizing all the skills they have learned using Photoshop for the past few weeks. I have approximately 140 collages covering the bulletin boards to create one massive piece of artistic fusion.
I never get tired of the results...

My students inspire me with their voices. I hear them so vividly expressed through these images. A picture is certainly worth a thousand words.

The Act of Writing

2008-10-12T12:32:00.010-05:00

"The act of writing is the act of discovering what you believe."

- Author Unknown

This quote showed up on my blog this afternoon. My blog features a new inspirational quote each time a person signs on to the site.

I am a big believer in journal writing. It doesn't even have to be writings....just short noted observations about life, career, and family. That's why I love films, art, and photography so much. People who don't always want to write can still tell their stories in other ways. If we question what moves and inspires us...we can catch a glimpse into our own beliefs.

So, is the act of creative expression the act of discovering what you believe? I know so... I think if we can get this point out to our students, they too can discover what they believe and find their voice in this world.

Here's what I have learned through my writing process...making those discoveries of what I believe. I have kept a journal since I was twelve years old...and when I go back and read entries from the past it is wonderful to relive the journey that lead me to where I am today. Now, I wouldn't want to share my journal entries with the world but that experience of writing developed my skills and made me into a person who questions the world around her...and challenges her own beliefs. I believe that my personal beliefs grew out of my years of writing and pondering within my journal.

Now, I also write poetry as a way of searching for my core soul beliefs... In fact, I read this quote after I had just finished writing a poem. I don't share my private poetry...as I write them for myself. I don't seek to publish them or put them out there for others to critique. My poetry has always been muse driven...and I find that kind of writing process to be uniquely special and a private connection of the spirit. I believe some work should stay our own...unread...and pure. Then when you do trust to share it with someone it is truly a special gift of yourself.

Writing has always been a process for self discovery for me. The reflection of thoughts on the written page is a source of great of insight into one's core beliefs. If you haven't started a journal yet, I recommend that you go buy a personal writing journal...or if you are braver...create your own diary blog to share your thoughts. You don't even have to use your real name or user name.

Writing about this has made me think of the movie Freedom Writers. Think how introducing an online diary blog in the classroom would be a great way to get our tech savvy kids writing without them even realizing it. Their voices have a great deal to contribute to this world with their dreams and thoughts....so much to discover about their own beliefs.

A Wonderful Mistake... (Update)

2008-09-07T12:30:00.007-05:00

Update from July posting:

Before school started, I wrote about my silver heart that formed as an accident when my 4th year art class was making jewelry. This piece was made from the excess hot metal. I also talked about my friend, Danny. I wrote about how he spent many hours helping me polish, buff, and shape it. He spent hours trying to get all the imperfections out. I also wrote about Danny's passing in Iraq and how this piece of art has now become even more special. Well, I have an update to this story.

School has started and my new students have been settling in these past two weeks. We are all trying to get to know each other and I am in the process of learning approximately 150+ names...and that's not including teachers. So, needless to say...I am just now starting to find out the stories behind the faces.

The Friday before Labor Day, I had a talk with my third period homeroom class. This is the time announcements come on and the pledges are said. I noticed from the first few days of school the students were not saying the Pledge of Allegiance. They seemed shy about it. The air of the room had that feeling you would get in high school when you were afraid and didn't want to look "uncool" in front of your friends. So that Friday, after the announcements I spent a moment inviting those who were shy to say it with me. I of course, explained that they had the right to not participate since some have religious beliefs that prevent them from participating. They just simply stand. But for those who wanted to say it...they could with me. I told them about how my grandfather served in WWII (he passed a year ago).... and talked about my friend, Danny, who was killed in Iraq. In fact, I pointed out that it his name on the Memorial Wall at the front of the high school. I told my homeroom class that those are the faces I think of when I say the pledge...and if they would like to say it with me...no one was going to think them uncool. :)

Well, the Labor Day weekend came and went. On Tuesday, I was greeted by a new student transferring into my Video Tech class upon the encouragement of another student in my class. These two students stood at the door with me making introductions and then one blurted out that I was his uncle's friend. Yes, I am teaching the nephew of my friend, Danny. He never spoke up that Friday I talked to the class. I was stunned for hours....and then an overwhelming feeling of peace came over me. A connection to something greater than myself. How small a world was it....was this coincidence or fate?

As the week progressed, we had a chance to talk about Danny's passing. His nephew was very frank in his story of how Danny was killed. It was very hard to hear a boy speak about the reality of war...and then for me to remember Danny sitting in art class polishing my silver heart piece.

I think Danny is somewhere watching with a smile knowing that I am teaching his nephew.

Seems my silver heart still has a story to tell...

What is Your Truth?

2008-08-31T13:01:00.002-05:00

How Can We do it Better?

2008-08-24T13:39:00.000-05:00

For many years, I came up with a theme statement that set the tone for the school year ahead. Most of the time, the comments were sarcastic, built on the frustrations of the past. One of my favorites was "Paperwork is more important than common sense."

As I moved to Elementary from Middle School, I stopped doing that. This year, I am starting the year at Middle School again and a theme statement came to mind. (I didn't set out make one, never have, it is an old phrase that just popped into my head.) "How can we do it better?" I know, that's a question, not a statement, but this question will guide everything I do this year. For those things that went right last year...How can I do it better? For those things that went wrong last year...How can I do it better?

Of course, and I have told my principal this, when communication comes from the office, my students will be under the directive to ask "How can we do it better?" and see if they can find a way to improve the communications coming from the office. For their own work, they will be asked to consider this question: "Is this the best I can do, or can I do it better?"

There is a lesson for life here, though...No longer will I accept "that'll do" or "it's good enough for government work" from myself or others. The commitment is not only to do the best I can, but to do better. Maybe it's the Olympics that inspired me....

Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams - Dr. Randy Pausch

2008-08-16T15:25:00.003-05:00

As part of our staff development on Thursday, our staff at Richard King High School were given the opportunity to watch Dr. Randy Pausch's video presentation, "Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.

It truly was inspirational to watch. We were given an activity to work on as a group with a list of quotes from the lecture. Here are some I loved.

-It is what it is---We cannot change the cards we're dealt, just how we play the hand.

-Brick walls are there for a reason---they let us prove how badly we want things and keeps the others from getting through.

-When you're screwing up and nobody is saying anything to you any more, they've given up (on you).

-Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.

-Wait long enough and people will surprise and impress you.

-I know you can do better...You don't know where the bar should be. (Don't set the bar for students.)

(To the women in the audience on finding the right man. :) A quote he said he stole from one of his wise women friends. )
-Its not what the mans says to you....its what he does.

Exploring the Forgotten - Would You Go Inside???

2008-08-16T14:22:00.006-05:00

It's a new school year! Time to get through the hours of staff development. Five days of sitting on cafeteria benches for students.... :) Who designed those collapsible fold out picnic tables? Oy! My sitter is sore from the last two days. We attended some inspiring sessions which took the edge off the need to squirm. Truly enjoyed that last two days but please give me a real chair to sit in. :)

I finally got my keys to my new computer lab. Its always a bit overwhelming coming into a new school and seeing your classroom for the first time. Lots to clean up and to decorate to make the room an inviting creative learning space for the students.

I wanted to share my awesome find. I have always loved secret hiding places...and the idea of rediscovering a lost place is so appealing to me as a history lover. Here's my fun story from the week. I thought a door in my room was a closet but when I opened it. Cool! I was told on the phone that there was something special in my room inside this door from the picture above. It was a little creepy to go into this dark closet that has a black walled snake like passage way into an open area... Curiosity led me on. I felt like a child exploring a dark cave...and still afraid a "monster" might be right around the corner. :)

My awesome find...is an old dark room (1960's) secretly attached to my room. It made me sad no one had used it in years....forgotten....used for storage. The equipment is out of date but looking beyond the storage....I noticed each station was left intact as if it had just been unplugged and ready for the next person to come along and develop their photos. The face of the clock browned with age with its cord hanging down...the hands frozen in time. It made me sad to think of all the years of creativity lost while the room was abandoned. I thought of the past students who must have spent hours in there developing their beautiful pieces of photography. I thought about the washing table in the center that bathed many school photos...how the students must have enjoyed watching their captured memories appearing in front of their eyes on photo paper. The room is just aching for the spirit of creativity once again.

Then I started to have tons of ideas! I envisioned new uses for this space...ideas that could combine the history of the room with today's students. I plan to bring it back to life! It could be a graphic arts studio or TV studio. Maybe you have some ideas for me... Post them!

:) Or maybe it can just be my hide out.

My fave surf pic

2008-08-13T00:13:00.001-05:00

This is Nick and one of his best friends Cody.

Surf

2008-08-12T22:25:00.002-05:00

My husband is an avid surfer....I'm mediocre at best. Needless to say, we have saltwater in our blood. Our daughter Kya has no choice but to be a water baby.
So, here are some of my favorite surf related pics.

iAddicted

2008-08-12T21:12:00.007-05:00

I am an iPhone addict, there I admit it! I have an obsession that has snowballed and has completely captivated my imagination. Sure I can locate myself wherever I am (huge positive), I can find the nearest Starbucks, my email follows me everywhere, my favorite version of Bob Dylan songs are at my fingertips and my mother no longer bothers me because I don't have pictures of my children -- and all because of this beautifully designed piece of technology. All that said, none of this is what has sparked my desire to develop for this amazing little contraption.

I have been inspired by the potential shown by everyone who has already taken the first steps to explore the innovative input options. I find it intriguing that you can use these accelerometers to move a marble around a wooden labyrinth or in order to clear a digital etch-a-sketch you have to actually shake the phone (BRILLIANT!).Where else can we take this new breed of devices that bypasses the keyboard and mouse and brings real world motion to engage the user, drawing them into the experience and breaking down barriers between human and technology?

As I travel down the path of creation for this new platform, I'll be looking to exploit these unique features and to create an experience that causes others like me to be inspired...and maybe even a little obsessed.

A few days ago, I took a trip into the past in search of some family history. I felt like Indiana Jones delving into a quest researching clues that would lead me to a lost family treasure. A missing piece of my family history.

As a history teacher, I am always trying to think of ideas that will make the past come alive for my students. In the past few years, I have made a point to incorporate family history into their local history studies. I often pose this question to my students. "Do you want to be forgotten someday?"

Two days ago, I was searching through Google for family crests...also known as a "Coat of Arms." I didn't expect to find anything. As I searched, one clue would lead to the next... I felt like I truly was in the movie "National Treasure." :) I stumbled on a website for ancient "Coats of Arms," and it was there that I found my mother's family crest. Of course, I was suspicious of its authenticity at first but the scanned image was on a page with other crests with a page number in the corner. My gut told me it look legite from the age of the image. Also, the fact that the crests were hand drawn in black and white with letters on the crests to color code them gave me a big nudge I had stumbled on something true. If you look close at the shearing tool on the shield it appears that there is an "r" for red.

I contacted the site and received two wonderful emails from a genealogist who related the story of finding a rare, ancient, and expensive book in New York last summer. He chose to purchase it and scanned all 1,200 pages into his website, and designed a program to create an entire index for the family names.

http://www.wappenbuch.com/index.htm

I thanked him profusely for his contribution. He was able to explain a little bit about what my family crest meant... based on the symbols. I was ecstatic to find that this "Coat of Arms" was truly authentic and was from the 17th Century! I discovered that my family at this time were most likely rich wool merchants that either bought fleece from farmers to resell for weaving or that they themselves could have weaved it.

After this find, I thought about how great it would be to have students research their families crests using Internet research sites. They could design their own utilizing a graphic arts program. For those students that find it hard to track down a crest...just opening them up to the creativity of designing their own would be neat based on family stories and research from home.

It truly was a blessing to make a connection to the past. Finding my mother's family "Coat of Arms" made me feel that I was connected to something bigger than myself...a thread in the tapestry of my family and their existence in this universe.

Google your family name...and see where your search takes you.

What clues have your ancestors left for you to discover?

What treasure will you find?

In Memory of My Grandfather

2008-08-07T16:50:00.003-05:00

Frank V. Mansheim
US Navy - WWII
(1917-2007)

"My Business is to Create"

2008-07-30T12:05:00.012-05:00

One of the wonderful perks of being in the teaching profession is the extra time in the summer to catch up on all the good movies missed during the school year.

I am a huge film person. I love...love...love... film studies and love just the pure joy of being entertained with a good story. Its great to be taken away to some destination unknown or get lost in a character's life on film. We imagine...and its a great escape. We laugh, cry, scare ourselves, and can live life vicariously through the stories.

I remember an old episode of "Northern Exposure," in which the local Shaman came to town to study the doctor's practice of medicine. You remember the television series, I hope. The Shaman was in search of the "white man medicine" (their cultural stories) in the story line. The two made house calls and saw patients together approaching the healing cures in distinctly different ways. The doctor treated the symptoms, and the Shaman would talk to the patient. Then he would share with them an old tribal story and give them an alternate prescription. For example, a poultice or even just performing an act (for example relieving guilt from the body to ease pain). When questioned about the stories, the Shaman explained to the doctor that if it made the patients feel better...there was no harm. The show comes to an end and the Shaman having come to an understanding and appreciation for modern medicine...is still frustrated. He is still in search to find where the people go to hear their healing stories. The last scene is of him in a movie theater and he is struck by the laughter...and he looks around and smiles to himself. He realizes that the movies were the medicine (storytelling).

So two great films have come my way. I often ask people to suggest films for me to watch. Here are two that I enjoyed.

The first is "Dan in Real Life," my brother's recommendation...I love the dry humor and anything with Juliette Binoche.

The second movie prompted the subject title for this post,
"PS I Love You." I was deeply touched with the great love story and how letter writing provides a healing connection in this film...and it has some great writing with funny character lines to remember. You will have to watch it to understand my subject title, "My business is to create." This movie deeply moved me. I connected with it. Hope you will get as much out of it as I did.

Please post your favorite movies. I am always looking for good suggestions. I enjoy all genres...so don't assume.

Post away, Please!

A Wonderful Mistake

2008-07-22T18:38:00.006-05:00

I keep this silver heart in my room...usually on my dresser or nightstand...and sometimes I carry it in my purse when I travel...for luck. I had it with me when I went on my recent trip to San Antonio for the ISTE - National Education Computing Conference. Its a special reminder of my high school art days. For this Senior year art project, Mr. Brink had us design a ring using the wax resist technique. We designed our rings, molded them into wax, and then created a plaster mold in a milk carton. I had to go out and purchase a silver coin to smelt down for my ring. I designed a ring which my mother now keeps in a safe place. Anyway, an unexpected thing happened when Mr. Brink smelted the silver and had it thrown into the mold. I remember he made me stand back... as a precaution to prevent me from getting hit by flying hot metal. It was a bit scary when the wheel shot the bubbling metal into the mold when the wind up crank was released. The ring came out great...but I had an unexpected surprise. This shape formed from the excess silver outside the mold. The guys in my class saw an arrowhead...I saw a heart. Since I had two pieces of jewelry and art to buff and polish...a good friend of mine named Danny offered to help. Everyday he would ask if he could polish it for me...trying to get rid of all the imperfections. I was happy to share with him. He truly spent hours on it for me. He was a good friend and an amazing artist. I don't think I would be able not to think of Danny when I remember high school. Mr. Brink's advanced art class was a family. Not many teachers would let their students paint and drink coffee. Making coffee every morning always seemed to be my job. Mr. Brink supplied the coffee and cups for us. Danny was part of that group. Danny has since passed away. He was killed in Iraq a few years ago...awarded the Purple Heart for his courage. That's why this piece has come to mean so much more to me. He had the brave "heart" of an artist...he was my friend.

Its amazing how a wonderful mistake turned into such a beautiful piece of art.

‘Accelerate Technology’ at TCEA 2009

2008-07-19T23:18:00.006-05:00

Something to look forward to for "ALL" those professionals interested in technology.

I know how busy teachers are at the beginning of the year. We like to plan schedules and "budgets" ahead of time. Keep these dates in mind, Feb. 2-6th in Austin, Texas.

Keynote speakers are Lisa Ling, Correspondent for The Oprah Winfrey Show and National Geographic, former co-host for The View...and Dr. Robert Ballard, Founder and Chairman of The JASON Project; discoverer of shipwrecked Titanic.

It looks to be an exciting event...with the awesome trade show. It is great opportunity to visit with the vendors exhibiting their latest products in technology. There will also be panel discussions on Web 2.o and gaming in education.

Check out the TCEA link below.
http://www.tcea.org/convention/2009/attendees/Pages/default.aspx

Budget Teacher Tip: As a past attendee and presenter, usually the first two days of the convention are for paid workshops. The opening keynote, free concurrent sessions, and trade show don't open until the third day. So to cut down on hotel, plan to travel in on the 3rd after school or work (depending how far you are from Austin) and head back home on Friday. :) Proposed presenters for the concurrent sessions will not be notified until September after school starts. Then after the presenters confirm the program of sessions will be listed. Keep checking back! Sessions are extremely diverse in core subjects areas and in technology.

Two Paintings...One Artist?

2008-07-19T12:32:00.006-05:00

You certainly can not mistake the artist of the second painting with its vibrant colors...but do you know who painted the realistic painting of the two men?
I attended a writing workshop as part of our district's staff development at the beginning of the last school year. The discussion of using photographs and pieces of art to inspire children to write was fascinating. Having come from the world of television news...I understood the power of images and how news reporters write to the pictures in their news pieces. News reporters are storytellers. As the discussion progressed, these paintings were referenced for their differences in style. The audience soon discovered that the paintings were both painted by Pablo Picasso. The writing teacher presenting compared the process and artistic life stages of Picasso to writing. By showing us the first "realistic" painting which was painted earlier in his career...she made the point that even Picasso had to master the "rule" of composition and technique. Only then could he understand how to break the rules in a truly innovative way of color and lines. He could see the world through realism but he also acknowledged that we see bits and pieces of our world at a time. We look at the details of an object before taking it all in...which lends to his abstract style.
I left thinking about how it is important to build students writing skills...give them a great foundation...and then set them free to break the rules. Let them out of the box and be creative writers.

Starry Night!

2008-07-17T20:34:00.000-05:00

All creatively inclined people must learn about the company, FableVision! A good place to start is the book, "The North Star". Which is a beautiful story by Peter H. Reynolds about following your star. You can read the story online or buy the beautifully illustrated book. Over on my blog TJ On a Journey, I posted an animation I did right after NECC.

"Ask yourself where it is you want to go and then follow the signs you already know..." from "The North Star" by Peter H. Reynolds.

Created with Animation-Ish

The Sign on the Side of the Road

2008-07-17T18:47:00.001-05:00

I was driving home tonight and passed a sign on the side of the road. Not the usual red stop sign or street sign we encounter everyday in our routine commute. This was a different sign. Here's the quote that made me stop and think. I know I am guilty of wasting my energy with worries. It reminded me not to dwell and fall victim to wasted imagination...try to let it go and breathe.

"Worry is a misuse of imagination."

Author Unknown

Escape into the Mind of a Child

2008-07-16T12:44:00.000-05:00

This is a work of art by one of my favorite artist, my niece. :) I love her use of blue and yellow... I can see Monet in it. :) I wish this picture came with a soundtrack because I love to watch her draw. When she is unaware of the eyes of others...as she is coloring...she tells a story of what is going on in her art...talking to her characters with a playful imagination.

Life in Motion

2008-07-16T12:35:00.000-05:00

The memories of childhood...how fast time passes and life keeps moving forward. I have always loved carousels. There is something magical about taking a ride. Spinning with the colors and sounds of pure joy. The carousel is a nostalgic thread weaving through the hearts of generations of children. Yesterday, my five year old niece took her ride. I snapped this photo to capture the memory of life in motion.

Colorful Rose

2008-07-14T20:27:00.000-05:00