Meet the Masters :: Art Portfolios
This year we are studying art with Meet The Masters!
A couple weeks ago we completed the Art Portfolios preview lesson as we began working our way through Track A.
Meet the Masters is a three step program that begins with an online lesson “Introducing the Masters,” step two continues with teaching “Art Techniques,” and then in step three the children move on to the actual “Art Activity.” The project that the students complete for each lesson uses all the techniques they had just learned to create their own masterpiece inspired by each master artist.
Looking at the three levels available I decided to just use the lessons for Ages 10-Adult, simplifying the art activities for my younger children if necessary.
The tracks are available directly from Meet the Masters, but can also be found at a discount at Rainbow Resource and bundles are available at the Homeschool Buyers’s Co-Op. Rainbow Resource also carries Art Supply Bundles and we are using the Art Bundle for Track A.
During the preview lesson we were given an introduction to a number of master artists, who we will eventually study, including: Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Mary Cassatt, Winslow Homer, Piet Mondrian, and Pablo Picasso. We then went on to learn about “looking carefully” and “seeing differently” – complete with some optical illusions that the kids loved!
Our Art Activity for the Preview Tract was to design a Portfolio!
The instructions suggested creating the portfolios with construction paper, but for added durability we used large sheets of poster board folded in half and stapled together on each edge.
Everyone was provided with a blank palette to include on the cover of their portfolio. Instead of filling the palette with paint colors we either listed or included photos of all the artists we plan to learn about this year – including ourselves!
We didn’t follow the directions exactly (perhaps we would have if I had read them completely before starting!) but we all had such a great time, and the kids convinced me to create my own portfolio too!
Now we just have to get started creating some art to store inside our portfolios!
Up first is Vincent van Gogh… We will learn about him and then create our own “Starry Night!”
And what perfect timing with the publication of Katie and the Starry Night earlier this month!
I am sure I will be sharing some more of our “masterpieces” throughout the year!
{pretty, happy, funny, real} :: Blessed
In addition to the brownies I also had everything needed to make some more Peach Sangria, using some frozen peaches this time. After asking just about every local friend (or acquaintance!) I know on Facebook or through email I was able to round up a total of 12 for a Ladies’ Bunco Night at my house last night!
I also baked an Apple Cake and had Apple Cider simmering on the stove. Each person brought an appetizer or dessert to share, along with $5 to be used for prizes, and we had a blast! Everyone arrived at 7:00 and we played Bunco until about 9:30 or so. I wasn’t the only one who had been needing a fun night with friends… It was after midnight before everyone had headed home!
I had just won the prize ($20!) for most buncos when the phone rang and it was Sean’s supervisor letting us know that he will report back to work on Monday, following the remainder of his previously scheduled (but canceled due to the furlough) vacation leave! Deo Gratias!!!!
Making Marshmallow Molecules!
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| Elementary Book on the Left and Middle School Book on the Right |
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| “Mom! I made a square based Pyramid… Can this count as my Ancient History project?!” |
My Daybook :: October 13, 2013
Outside my window…
after a record-setting rainy September, we have finally been enjoying some beautiful fall weather!
I am thinking…
about ways I can reduce our monthly expenses and help supplement our (lack of) income, during this government shutdown, in addition to the commissions I currently earn through Amazon and other affiliate links here at Shower of Roses. Thank you all for your support in this way, and for each and every purchase you all make through my links! It all adds up! It may not be enough to pay our house payment, but it is enough to help buy groceries and hopefully stretch the little we have in savings (that we had hoped to use as a down payment on a larger van) for a couple months if necessary.
I am thankful…
for video chat. The other morning my little baby boy pulled his daddy over to the computer, pointed to the screen and said “MAMA?!” Oh, I miss that little boy of mine! It was the second time this week we have been able to use the video chat. What a blessing!
Learning all the time…
I am also thankful for the wonderful (Catholic!) tutors I have for our children, through our local homeschool charter school! Even though the younger children were gone Kathleen spent her usual 5 hours here on Thursday afternoon teaching the boys their next couple Math lessons, reviewing their Latin and Science, and building various circuits with them using Snap Circuits. She is such a blessing!
This week the boys also really enjoyed learning how to use a compass.
Kathleen brought her own college Staedtler Compass along and said they are the best. I will have to get one for the boys sometime soon – apparently they will be needing one to complete their upcoming lessons.
Celebrating the liturgical year…
The feast of St. Teresa of Avila is coming up on Tuesday, October 15th, and the boys and I will be celebrating with an evening “Welcome Mass” for our new Archbishop! Our oldest had the opportunity to meet him at his summer camp, but the rest of us have not had the privilege. We are very excited! You can find a few additional ideas for the feast of St. Teresa of Avila in the archives.
From the kitchen…
My brother Brian is awesome! I’ve been working on cleaning and organizing my closet this past week and asked if he could come over and cut open the attic access in the ceiling of my closet. My hope was that I might find a little storage space. No such luck there – just lots of insulation and the furnace – but he did bring us dinner!
I am working on…
a “Media Kit” for Shower of Roses. I have been turning down blog “sponsors” for years, only listing “affiliate” links and offering some reviews and giveaways from time to time, but now I am reconsidering this as an option. My biggest hesitation has been that it would influence the way that I blog and change my blog in a negative way. I’ve been blogging long enough that I don’t think that will be an issue. I also plan to be selective in the businesses that I allow to advertise in the sidebar, making sure they are businesses I would purchase from myself and recommend to friends. I’ll be adding a button to the sidebar soon for my first advertiser, Catholic Embroidery, and you all know I highly recommend them already and have their beautiful products sprinkled around our home!
I am creating…
lots of little angels for a Jesse Tree Ornament Swap, with craft supplies I already happened to have in my closet. I was so excited to see it fill up (along with a 2nd swap as well) so quickly!
I am going…
to try and finish up on a few blog posts I’ve had in my drafts folder – a few State-by-State Pages, Making Marshmallow Molecules, decorating Art Portfolios, and more. I always have so many posts I begin and never have quite enough time to complete!
I am hoping…
to finish deep cleaning and organizing the house before all the little ones get home. It is taking longer than I thought it would, but will be so nice once it is done…
I am praying…
for all those who have asked me to pray for them, and especially for the safety of my family while we are separated. My husband’s parents live in a rather dangerous border town, and last night a border patrol helicopter was shining a light into the next door neighbors yard, with additional agents on the ground with guns and flashlights. Not exactly what this worried mama wanted to hear…
I am reading…
and sorting through all sorts of paperwork as I clean out all the boxes that had been stored in my closet. I stayed up way too late the other night after discovering these “CWOD” Magazines from my college days at Christendom. Does anyone recognize the illustrator? 🙂
Pondering these words…
from the Catholic Digest Quiet Moment for today:
I am listening…
to Angels and Saints at Ephesus. Every single hymn on the CD is beautiful and inspiring, but one of my favorites is “A Rose Unpetalled” – a poem of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, set to music. I also love “Dear Angel Ever At My Side!” Both are perfect for October!
Around the house…
- Start planning this year’s All Hallows’ Eve/All Saints’ Party – it is coming up so quickly!
- Mrs. M tutoring Math on Tuesday
- Welcome Mass for the Archbishop Tuesday Night
- Party (Ladies Night) at my house for anyone who would like to come on over! 😉
- Mrs. W tutoring on Thursday
- Welcome home the rest of the family as soon as the arrive – most likely sometime between Thursday and Saturday!
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| Early Monday morning – Day 1 of a 2 day (22+ hour) drive to visit grandparents! |
Advent Preparations & A Jesse Tree Ornament Swap!
A Prayer Request and Giveaway Winners
With all those fun giveaways last week, I had quite a few entry slips to cut and fold today! It was actually just what I needed to help stop the tears and keep my mind off missing my babies…
Before the furlough, Sean was scheduled to take his vacation leave beginning today and had planned to take some of our children to visit his parents. (It has been 3 years since our last visit and they haven’t met our youngest yet… We would have loved to all go, but we can’t all fit in our mini-van – especially for this long of a drive – since we are one seat short, which is why it’s been so long since our last visit.) We went back and forth over canceling the trip, but decided to not put the visit off any longer, especially with winter (hazardous driving conditions) coming. He ended up taking the five youngest (he is a crazy brave man!) and I am home with just the older boys (it is so quiet here). Could you please remember them in your prayers?
Mommyof3 is the winner of the Catholic Mosaic giveaway, sponsored by Krista, and offered on the feast of St. Jerome!
Jacqui is the winner of the St. Therese the Little Flower Daily Journal offered on the feast of St. Therese!
Marie is the winner of Angel in the Waters and Catholic Treasure Box Book 1 offered on the feast of the Holy Guardian Angels!
Elm is the winner of Mama’s Notebooks sponsored by Heather Wood, and also offered on the traditional feast of St. Therese!
Heather Wilson is the winner of Can you find Followers of Jesus? Introducing Your Child to Disciples, also sponsored by Krista, and offered on the Feast of St. Francis!
Celebrating the Saints :: St. Francis of Assisi
We are so blessed to have two of my friends, who are Catholic mothers and home educators, tutoring our children through the home-based charter school we use. Our “allotment” goes quickly with the extra tutoring, so over the summer my friend Trina and I discussed options for this school year. She suggested “trading” some time to stretch my allotment further – she would tutor my children in Math (and help with PAL) and I could do something for her… My question? What could I possibly do for her? (She is a brilliant teacher after all and was one of my siblings favorites at their high-school co-op.) She laughed and said she could think of plenty, starting with CELEBRATING THE FEAST DAYS with her children! She said all I would have to do is just include her children in some of the celebrations we have already throughout the year. Ooh!! Yes, that I could do! Her boys are also great friends with my boys, so everyone was excited about this arrangement and we have six fun feast days planned for this school year. Today we had our first afternoon of “Celebrating the Saints” and it was so much fun!
After we had finished reading all the books I sent the kids outside to burn off some energy while I prepared the supplies for decorating Wolf Paw Cookies!
You can find the directions either in the archives here at Shower of Roses, at Catholic Cuisine, or in this month’s issue of Catholic Digest! 😉
I had printed out various coloring pages, but Charlotte’s St. Francis Coloring Page was unanimously voted the favorite and the only one chosen by the kids! Thank you Miss Charlotte!
Dough:
- 3 1/4 cups lukewarm water
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon yeast
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 7 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
To make the dough:
Use the “dump and stir method” of mixing the dough in a 5-quart Container with Lid, using a wooden spoon. Cover the container, not airtight and let it rest for about 2 hours on the counter. The dough can then be used right away, but it is much easier to handle once it has been thoroughly chilled. The dough can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 weeks!
It has been so much fun hosting give-aways each day this week, and I have especially loved hearing from you all in the comment box! Thank you for all your kind comments, prayers and support. Today’s giveaway has been sponsored by Krista, who would like to pass along one more duplicate book from her own collection in addition to the Catholic Mosaic: Can you find Followers of Jesus? Introducing Your Child to Disciples.
If you would like to be entered to this giveaway, just leave a comment on this post, and make sure your email address is either linked on your profile or included in the comment so that I am able to contact you if you win.
There is still time to enter the other giveaways for a copy of Catholic Mosaic, a copy of St. Therese the Little Flower Daily Journal, the two children’s picture books, The Greatest of These is Love and Mama’s Notebooks. The giveaways will all be open through Sunday, October 6th and I will update each post and contact the winners next Monday, October 7th.
On the Traditional Feast of the Little Flower
Today I spent some precious moments with my little “Rose” teaching her about “Our Patron Saint” using one of my treasured childhood books. Unfortunately my copy is tattered and missing the cover… I’ve searched for another copy, but have only found the (awful) revised edition from the 70’s with new illustrations and text…. I plan to keep searching!
It’s been an challenging week in our home, with the government shutdown, and I wasn’t able to bake any more special treats for today, but the older girls still celebrated by illustrating (using the same Catholic How to Draw book from yesterday) a couple more pictures! I thought they turned out beautifully!
The first giveaway is for a newly released book titled The Greatest of These is Love. This book is generously offered by author Megan Therese Schuelke, a young Catholic from Minnesota!
“Megan Schuelke is a woman beyond her years. Her seemingly perfect world was rocked when she learned at age 17 that her mother had been diagnosed with cancer. In the midst of her desperation and frustration, Megan had a choice to make: She could run away from God, or she could run to Him. Megan chose to take God’s hand through the struggles, discovering along the way the beauty in the life He had planned for her. This book is more than just one young woman’s journey through life. It is a testament of God’s power to turn tears into dancing, to turn darkness into light. Megan’s story is one that inspires and gives hope to all young people searching for truth and love in a world filled with sadness.”
The second giveaway is offered by Mama’s Notebooks. Heather Wood has generously offered to send the winner of this giveaway a copy of Mama’s Notebook Weekly Planner and Organizer and The Budget Notebook! 
Mama’s Notebook Weekly Planner and Organizer:
Mama’s Notebook provides you with an easy, flexible, and efficient way to organize your life. In one glance, you can coordinate your meal plan with the whole day’s events and tasks, and there’s always ample room to take notes on the things that matter to you most! Unlike other planners, you can start up Mama’s Notebook on any week of the year, and you can skip weeks as needed. The back section of the planner provides you with easy reference sheets to help you schedule and shop efficiently.
The Budget Notebook:
The Budget Notebook by Mama’s Notebooks is designed to help you keep a household budget that is simple, easy, and accurate. It features charts for everything you’ll need to get your budget under control, as well as a Notes section at the back with ample room for planning, organizing, writing reminder and to-do lists, and tallying up sums.
Note: I have not seen either the book or planners in person, but I am very much looking forward to checking out my review copies! Thank you Megan and Heather!
If you would like to be entered for either of these giveaways, just leave a comment on this post, and make sure your email address is either linked on your profile or included in the comment so that I am able to contact you if you win.
There is still time to enter the other giveaways for a copy of Catholic Mosaic, a copy of St. Therese the Little Flower Daily Journal, and the two children’s picture books. I’ll be back with one last giveaway sometime tomorrow! The giveaways will all be open through Sunday, October 6th and I will update each post and contact the winners next Monday, October 7th.
{pretty, happy, funny, real}
The boys are also very happy and excited that the next Ranger Apprentice book, The Royal Ranger, is coming out next month. They can hardly wait!
Nope… And it’s WAY too Orange.
And this one? Wow. I gave up before even finishing and nearly died laughing. Just ask Charlotte. She was laughing too, when I emailed her the picture of my “crazy caveman” cupcake.
Hers is such a cute kitty!
Real Science 4-Kids Focus on Elementary Chemistry and Focus on Middle School Chemistry has been such a hit this school year. Today we had a blast making marshmallow molecules!
I’ll post a few more pictures soon, but here is one I snapped with my phone using Instagram.
I’ll be back soon with a few more pictures from today’s feast and another giveaway!
Angel of God, My Guardian Dear…
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| Enjoying his new colored pencils… |
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| … while coloring this beautiful Guardian Angel Coloring Page! |
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| Illustrating an Altar from A Catholic How-to-Draw For Ages 3-Up… |
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| … with Guardian Angels on each side. |
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| Catholic Treasure Box Book 1 and Angel in the Waters |
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| A Study Guide for Angel in the Waters can be found in Catholic Mosaic |
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