I can't seem to come 'home' to Alaska and not end up in a classroom working with children. It is a genuine delight in my life and one that allows me a breath of creativity in endless sea of caretaking and responsibilities for my parents.On Friday, I walked over to Gastineau Elementary and joined a group of second graders as they worked with crayon leaf rubbings, acrylic paints, and of course...fabric and thread ...to create art pillows for Christmas.
My sister-in-law (Making Kuspuks) allowed me the privilege of showing the children how to sew a simple running stitch in order to attach their artwork to their pillow fronts. Sitting in a huddle, they listened with rapt attention as I described needles and thread, stitches and knots. By letting them pull the needle through, they all developed the desire to be next and to try on their own.....and in no time at all, each was eager to begin.
I was amazed at how easily they were able to understand my directions and examples and quickly create wonderfully freeing stitches of their own. Their stitches not only ran...they skipped, jumped, rolled and hollered out loud with joy.
At the end of this day, our sewing time was voted to be as much fun as their field trip to see the "Nutcracker" .......which they had all dearly loved!
Links to Making Kuspuks last year in 2008:
How to make a kuspuk
Kuspuks Make Front Page News
Juneau Empire Photos: Parka party 01/18/08 video
Links to Making Kuspuks in 2009
Sewing Kuspuks Again!
Kuspuks
4 comments:
Sounds to me like you bring joy wherever you go.
What a great experience. It's so rewarding to work with kids.
I'm so happy for you that you have this time to share with the children ~ mutually beneficial adventures for all concerned!!! Blessings to you and yours ~ and to the children who bright happiness to those who understand and are willing to accept.
nothing like a group of kids that age to make the day better. What fun.
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