This week in Middle School Studio, we used our blocks to print cards. We followed a process of getting our paper ready, inking, and printing, all the while trying to keep our fingers and workspace clean so unwanted smudges would not appear. It was quite a productive session! Once our prints were dry-ish, we learned about signing our prints by including the title, artist's signature and number in the series.

We had another enjoyable week of playgroup!  Our friends experienced clay, punching paper, painting with watercolor, cutting, and sewing.

In Kids Workshop, we gathered around jewelry again.  This time, we worked to pair earrings and place them in bags so they would not be lost from their partners.  Some friends enjoyed finding matches while others liked the bagging and sealing.  Several cooperative groups were formed to complete the various tasks.

In small groups, we returned to our sewing from last week.  Some friends also used punches to make colored shapes to add to their cards.  In our other small group, we designed an image for a rubber block print. We learned how to transfer the design to the block and use carving tools to make our design permanent.

This week in Middle School Studio, we added color to our found object prints.  Friends worked carefully to fill their spaces intentionally, and the results are quite attractive.

We also returned to our block prints and made another attempt at creating a stamp. We learned a lot from our first try last week.  Many friends simplified their designs and tried not to "over carve" their blocks.   

This week as we used clay, some friends challenged themselves to build up with the hunks of clay and sticks as supports for levels.  One friend named the sticks "stabilizers" and we were able to build several levels high before our designs toppled over. 

In the studio, we played the sewing game, continued with found object printing, punched paint samples in the message center, used stickers, explored a sensory bin of cork and beaded necklaces, and played with balls and tunnels.

This week in Kids Workshop, we gathered around sorting a large donation of jewelry.  We discovered what was donated and figured out which category it should be sorted into.  And, it was fun to try on some of the bling!

In one of our small groups, we added color to our found object prints by painting them with liquid watercolor.  In our other group, we sewed the paper we made last week onto card stock.  Some friends had never sewn before and expressed some hesitation about the activity.  After giving it a try and having success, they were really satisfied with their accomplishments.  Other friends had sewn before and were excited to put their skills to work. 

This week in Middle School Studio, we gathered around found object printing. In the studio, we made stamps. We talked about what we could include in the designs to make the stamps reflective of the kids.  They sketched ideas and drew plans for the stamp. Then, they carved their designs into a rubber medium and tested out the stamps. It was a good learning experience, as the imprints did not turn out as many expected.  In some cases, adjustments were made but in other cases, adjustments were not possible. 

This week we finally welcomed our Tuesday friends to playgroup.  We gathered around clay and in the studio, we made paper, made found object prints, explored a big container of cork and Mardi Gras beads, strung fabric and beads, built tall with containers and played with balls and tunnels.

Our Wednesday friends also played the sewing game and used stickers in the message center.

We welcomed a lively group of friends to our Middle School Studio class this week.  We gathered first around clay, getting to know one another and sharing some clay skills.

In the studio, we learned about the process of making paper out of gift wrap scraps.  We selected a color palette, ripped paper into smaller pieces, blended it with water to make pulp, squeezed the pulp in basters to make new shapes, pressed the water out and laid our new paper to dry on a screen.  It was a multi-step process with many possibilities to make variations and original designs.

We are excited that our new session of classes started this week!  Unfortunately due to inclement weather, we had to cancel Tuesday's playgroup.  So, here's a sneak peek for the Tuesday families of what we did on Wednesday.

We gathered around a Stonehenge display of clay.  In the studio, we squeezed paper pulp in basters to make new pieces of paper, we explored a sensory bin of cork and Mardi gras beads, we made marks with found objects and paint, we had a stringing activity in the message center, and built structures with reuse materials in the balls and tunnel area.