The Gathering of the Elves

I've assembled my worker bees to help with the annual trimming of the tree ceremony.

Ahhh, but look who's doing most of the work.

And this one completely fell asleep on me below.  He must have had a rough day being retired and all  LOL

But of course they are there at the finish line, ready for dessert and hot chocolate.

Only teasing you two, don't be mad!  They really were a big help.  Our tree was minuscule this year, but I still managed to pack on all the kid's ornaments that they made or gave us over the years.

The plantings on the little wooden bench at my studio have really taken off, and even though it's the dead of winter my african daisy bloomed so bright.

The presents are starting to pile up, looks like someone is getting another guitar  :)

I picked up this great new addition to my decorations, this recycled paper tree made from old reclaimed music sheets. 

Our pretty bulbs and lights, unfortunately our strict homeowners association won't let us do much more.

And Jim's very special & lovely cashmere tree that he likes to put up every year, I decorate it with many of my  mother's handmade ornaments that she made when I was a youngster.  I also have added all the special ornaments that my stepdaughter Julie has given me from New York, as well as the leaf at the top that she found for me the night of my first gallery showing.  I saved it and coated it with some watered down acrylic paint and also applied a bit of text to help strengthen and preserve it. 

2012 Holiday Festivities in my Classroom

First I wanted to dress up our dye garden outside my classroom door.  I bought cyclamen  begonia  and a poinsettia plant to dress up the existing planters. 

You can see the giant scroll bulb is really coming on strong during it's growing season right now. 

I also tried to dress up the spider plant and trellis using recycled cotton string from our shibori unit.

I crocheted a chain stitch and added buttons along the way.  I actually made these in my car at stop lights to and from school.  I placed a button at each light then chained while I drove.  I know, pretty crazy, but that's how I roll.

My students asked for a live Xmas tree, so Jim and I went to home depot and bought this beauty.  I placed it atop my Lockerbee potter's wheel so the tree could be spun around and admired from every angle.

I offered extra credit to all for homemade ornaments.  For many of my students this was the first live tree they've ever decorated.  I told the kids that I considered the tree an empty canvas and that it's all about surface decoration to turn it into a piece of art.  One of my favorite pieces that came in was senior Tiffany Lee's reindeer antlers complete with it's own battery pack for the top of the tree.

The first ornament that came in was made by senior Kevin Tang.  He knitted a very cool bow, and below junior Anne Allen brought in her hand painted bulb.

Senior Sheila San Agustin also knitted a bow and trimmed hers in silver.  And below senior Halah Elsahhar made a glitter banner at senior square during their festivities to add to our tree.

Also showing in this pix above are senior Sally Chou's amazing glitter ball, sophomore Reis Misaka's origami bird and senior Rita Labib's chopped up dyed Popsicle sticks glue ball mix.  Pretty darn creative there Rita  LOL.  I love it, already have it on my tree at home.  Thanks for the gift  :)

Senior Eddie Ponce crafted this wonderful snowman from clay and glaze, and that's my hand edged crochet leaf inspired by UK artist Susanne Bauer, whose work I will be showcasing this next week.

7th grader Ananya Raghavan made this magnificent paper ball from recycled Xmas cards, and junior Deena Younan made the lovely cloth beaded pouch above.

And I had saved this puppy that my own girl drew when she was 5, it was missing a tail and ear.  Senior Phoebe Liu was kind enough to make new ones that blended well with the old, then laminated it for me to preserve it.  Thanks Phoebe!

We also managed to save one of Danielle's old snipped eraser pieces from when she was 7 years old with a bit of Mod Podge, then backed it with posterboard so we could hang it from the tree.

All in all, it was a wonderful season with my students.  I wish all of you a Happy Holiday, and relaxing time off.  I will miss you and be thinking of you as I celebrate with my family.  

Here's to good food, lots of chocolate, and making great memories with family and friends.  

Thank you all for the heartfelt cards and gifts you sent me home with yesterday.  Looks like I will be able to afford my favorite Starbucks's drink for a good while, as well as see some good movies and get my nails done thanks to you and your family's generosity.  Lot's of love to you all, Mrs. A/S  xoxoxoxo