Also on the docket today is beading with my 7th graders. Two of the students have stitched their small computer printed quilted pieces and are ready for the sparkle stage! I am so thrilled to get to share the magic of embellishment with these little artist and see how they like it. They thought embroidery was fun...just wait!
I have a heavily embellished piece in process that I am bringing along so I can bead with them today. So much fun!! The atmosphere and energy in the room is completely different than it was before we started this project. Kids are focused, calm, helpful to each other, and come running into the room saying how they wished they had stitching class every day. They "get it." Even my most attention seeking, borderline toughie kids have fallen in line and have their meditative stitching practice going on. It is beautiful. I love this project!!
Because all my classes need more of this in the pressure filled school environment that outsiders have created for us, I've taken a leap of technological faith. We will be getting the same printer setup that I have at home for the classroom! An EPSON wide format pigment printer and a CIS to make it economical to use. The kids need color printing in art and having this will open up huge possibilities. Now we CAN print our digital images. We can make mock-up package designs. We can use digital photography to enhance our lessons. We have a fabulous black and white laser printer in the art lab now, along and an older laser color printer that doesn't print vibrant tones anymore. Not having color is limiting -- so adding this to the artistic arsenal will be a blast! With ink being more affordable via a CIS, we should be in good shape. Yay!