J Postema Originals

New Adventure: The End of House Wifery

2012-02-09T15:03:00.001-08:00

Poor 2012, it is February and you still do not have a new journal. Well, cry no more Twenty Twelve. I have made you a journal. This new journal will record my adventures as a middle school art teacher (almost official) and a wife/momma. All the joys, ideas, hurts and angry rants will be contained on your pages. Let the adventure begin!

New Year

2012-01-06T18:08:00.001-08:00

I started this new year with a new adventure. I'm back in a middle school - teaching art. It is not a for sure, permanent thing, yet. I cried the night before I started. We moved here so I could be home with my babies. I felt like I was giving up my 6 year full time mommy career. But sometimes, it is just time. Ellie is thrilled to go to her babysitter's house after preschool. Lately, she has needed me less and less which in some ways made me feel smaller and smaller. And being alone in the house no longer felt like a luxury, but like yellow wall papered room, just right for going crazy inside. It is good to work. It is a privilege to get to do what you do best. Who knows what will happen this year, but it is definitely new.

hope

2011-12-14T16:08:00.000-08:00

hope for the world....
I've been making wreaths from recycled sari fabric, vintage map paper and old church sign letters. They are selling quickly, but I just brought some to 29 Logan Street gallery in New Wilmington.

it is o.k, I'm not dead

2011-11-21T10:09:00.000-08:00

You know me, I've been busy painting pictures of birds and underwear, celebrating Ellie Blue's 5th birthday and building robots in my kitchen. I'm sure things will calm down now that the holidays are here. :)

SnaiL Cats: the nice and the fierce

2011-11-01T17:28:00.000-07:00

A while ago Noah and Ellie spent the weekend playing SnailCats - part snail, part cat, all superhero. Perfect for Halloween.

Mushroom Branch

2011-10-20T17:37:00.001-07:00

Ellie Blue loves mushrooms. So with a stick, some fabric and some IKEA mushroom ornaments I made a her a hangie room thingie. I'm hoping it won't cause strange dreams.

Noah's Maggie

2011-10-16T15:30:00.000-07:00

Maggie has been there for Noah through hospital stays, ambulance rides, long trips, countless adventures and now, chicken pox. He (Maggie became a boy when Noah was 4) is a very good dog.

I'm back......

2011-10-03T18:04:00.000-07:00

new gallery wall in the kitchen

Little Red, in brother-in-law made frame, and spelling words on post its

Ellie Blue's studio

New hats, only the tiny baby one is still available, good craft fair last week

my favorite hat model

Little Bird

Fiona, the cashmere bunny

Last week I had no computer. Seriously, over a week of checking email on my I pod. My poor lap top crashed and could not be fixed without erasing everything. Thankfully, my hubby is a computer wiz and was able to save my lap top.

Anyway, I 've been working on the house a bit, making hat and critters and this week I am teaching at the college. College students can be so quiet, it's creepy. Here are the pictures, well not of the college students, that would be really creepy, pictures of the other stuff.

web site

2011-09-20T10:51:00.000-07:00

I'm still working on it, but here is my web site so far.

http://www.wix.com/jpostema/originals#!

sad day

2011-09-14T10:30:00.001-07:00

she was so little when we got her. she thought she was another kid. when the kids played out side she was always with them. she loved to snuggle on my lap and lick my sweater. she thought I was her momma. we found her dead in the road this morning. we miss her. Goodbye, Ruby dinosaur wonderpants.

new pet

2011-09-13T18:05:00.001-07:00

We have a new pet. Her name is Flutterbye. She is, of course, a monarch butterfly. You see, I come from one of those science families, the kind where my mother brought home things (cats, pigs, cow eye balls, ect.) to dissect on the kitchen table. So, when we found a monarch caterpillar on some milk weed we brought it home. We let it live on its milk weed on the kitchen table, don't worry I put a tray under it to catch the tiny little poo balls, besides we outside during the summer. Anyway, the thing made its chrysalis and we were very excited when the chrysalis turned black, meaning the butterfly would soon come out. But then something went wrong. We came home on Saturday to find a butterfly with its chrysalis still attached to its butt. Joel performed surgery, he is a doctor, but Flutterbye never fully recovered. Her wings and legs do not function properly. So we are feeding her sugar water and trying not to step on her, she usually lands on the floor when she tries to fly.

smarty pants

2011-09-11T10:27:00.001-07:00

Sometimes my children are so much smarter than me. Ellie made this painting the other day, when I asked her to sign it she figured out an easier way to write her name, LE. Maybe Joel and I should have spelled it that way, it makes more sense.

Noah ordered some Legos from Lego.com. When I explained the price of shipping and how long it would take, he said, "they should use and air plane, it would be much faster than a ship."

We adults make things so confusing. :)

here's what I've been up to...

2011-09-09T16:01:00.000-07:00

One of my projects for this year is banner making. I was hired by the college Chapel to work with students and make banners, 20 total. Here are the first three.

I'm sorry the pictures aren't the best, my camera has been grumpy.

we survived

2011-08-31T13:20:00.001-07:00

The Bingo Queen is another bird wearing a hat.
Noah is home now. We both survived. It was a very long day. I spent the day running errands and playing Lego Harry Potter with Ellie. I am not especially fond of playing Lego Harry Potter which made me miss Noah more. He rode the bus home for the first time today. He said, "it was like a big car, but louder." So, I suppose we are going to continue with a formal education and count the days until next summer.

Boooo school

2011-08-30T18:55:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow summer is officially over and I am NOT happy about it. Noah starts 2nd grade tomorrow. The school day should be shorter, condensed, tell them what they really need to know and send them home. Lets cut out art, music, sports... I can do all that at home. I vote for no more fun in school, just program their brains and send them home to have fun.

I guess what I really hate is the rush, the schedule, the fast paced mornings. I don't like mornings to begin with.

Bottom line, they take my boy tomorrow, and I am very sad. Oh, and I am making a series of birds wearing hats. This one is a nerdy viking.

ART Classes

2011-08-26T17:52:00.000-07:00

Art Classes

The Walnut Lodge, New Wilmington,

taught by Jill Postema

Art Zoo

Art Zoo is an art and creative movement experience for toddlers and preschoolers. Kids, ages 2-5, will listen to stories, move, play, pretend and express themselves through art while learning about animals.

· Wednesdays, 10:15am-11:00am

· Starting September 14, 2011

· $100.00 for 10 weeks of class

Passport to Art

Passport to Art is a creative opportunity for kids, ages 6-12, to be inspired, create in their own way and express themselves while experiencing art from around the globe.

Kids will make clay sculptures similar to those found in Egyptian tombs, try printmaking inspired by art from Japan, paint like Aboriginal artists from Australia and experience more art adventures from around the globe.

· Wednesdays, 4:30pm-5:30pm

· Starting September 14, 2011

· $110.00 for 10 weeks of class

Jill Postema is a professional artist and actor with ten years teaching experience, PA teaching certification and state clearances.

The Walnut Lodge is located at 115 E. Neshannock Ave. New Wilmington, PA 16142

For more information: walnutstlodge.com, (724) 346-4746 or contact Jill Postema at jpostema@hotmail.com

little boy

2011-08-16T19:04:00.000-07:00

This was an ad for Sears Noah and I did when he was little. He is not little anymore. He turned Eight. I am, of course, shocked. Eight is very old. Now when I hold his hand it feels a "real" hand, almost the same size as mine. Thank goodness I have a whole year before I have to go through this all over again.

visiting home in St. Louis

2011-08-01T20:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Girls

Rhinos at the zoo

Face to face with a dragon

Playing with Grandparents

...and making art for a new baby girl
My cup is full

Luuuuuuuuv summer

2011-08-01T20:08:00.000-07:00

We are doing such lovely things, like traveling about, swimming constantly and painting in our shady yard. I love it.

New studio

2011-07-19T13:55:00.001-07:00

New work in my new studio. The train table will soon become my sewing table. The Original Crowned Queen is my first work in my new studio.

studio

2011-07-12T19:09:00.000-07:00

The good news is I've been painting. The bad news is I am only painting in Snow Fall White. My studio was feeling cramped and my boy needed a space of his own, so I am moving my studio. We had a big guest bedroom/playroom upstairs so I am claiming it for my own (and the occasional guest.) The room never seemed so big until I started painting it. I'll post some progress pictures as soon as my hands stop aching. :)

it finally came...

2011-06-24T15:08:00.000-07:00

We've been checking the mail box for two weeks, but it finally came, we are in this new magazine. It should be in book stores next week. I'm happy and excited. My kids acted as if they are published in magazines everyday.

ahhh summer

2011-06-05T12:27:00.000-07:00

A badger in his box bed

A horse, anteater, chicken

Monotype on old paper with watercolor

Beachy kids

It is June, we are supposed to be enjoying our slow summer schedule. We are supposed to play outside in our shady yard, nap in the afternoon and go to the pool after dinner. Sadly, this hasn't happened yet. My Grandma died, so we traveled to Florida, it was nice to be with family and at the beach, but the trip did involve a rental car key lost in the ocean and a funeral. We rushed home to finish the school year and to a special Fine Arts day at Noah's school. Blah, Blah, sorry to bore you, but things have continued to run at a fast pace. And the farmer's market started yesterday, so I made so new art and I provided activities at the Children's table. I need a break from summer.

A trip to Mugsies by: Ellie Blue

2011-05-19T17:29:00.000-07:00

What do you do with a four year old in a coffee shop while you have a VBS meeting? You hand her a camera and set her loose.

Ellie and Mommy are together full time again, and loving it. Big girl Ellie has even stopped sucking her finger! Hooray!

MoNstEr week

2011-05-15T11:12:00.000-07:00

This week was monster week in art class. We talked about the Expressionist artist, emotions and monsters. We even spent some time running around the room as monsters showing different expressions. These are monsters created by the first grader artists. We used oil pastels on black paper, starting with white sketches, layers of colors, and black outlines to finish. I love how the monsters turned out, but what made me the happiest is how great some of the special needs students were able to express themselves. Sometimes drawing things that don't exist really levels the playing field. It was a fun week of bringing out my inner monster.

Create With Me

2011-05-03T14:31:00.000-07:00

http://www.stampington.com/postscript/2011/march/preorders/postscript_03082011_preorder_create_with_me_s11.html

Do you recognize the little Red Riding hood? The kids and I have art work in a new magazine coming out this summer! Yippee!

ReCycled RoBotS

2011-05-01T09:47:00.001-07:00

Do you remember my robots? Last year I made a series of robots out of recycled materials. Last week we made Earth Day inspired art work. The fourth graders created Recycled Robots inspired by some of my examples.

I was surprised by their response, I thought they would like the project, but they loved the project. As the first class was finishing it became clear that they would have to take their robots home that day because they didn't want to be apart from them. Their teachers reported that the kids were so excited that the teachers had to admire each robot before the students would put them away to take home.
I look like a bag lady all week as I carried around a big bag of recycled packaging, but this was surely a winner of a project.

Cosmic Snails

2011-04-26T18:19:00.000-07:00

Kindergartners made these adorable snails last week. We are studying the rain forest and I tied the lesson to Henri Matisse paper collage snail. We used blue, red and yellow Model Magic so it turned out to be a lesson in color mixing too. They have such great personality.

We are finally feeling healthier, but all the illnesses took the wind out of my teaching sails. I still love it, but it feels more like a job now. The art teacher I am subbing for is coming back mid May, which is a sad relief. I was hoping to finish out the year, but I'm looking forward to walking Ellie to preschool and meeting friends for lunch at the park. I'll teach again someday, but not until Ellie is older.

ill

2011-04-14T16:05:00.000-07:00

Sorry, we are still sick. Almost everyone is on antibiotics and know there is a stomach flu too. I'll post again when we are healthy.

Sooo not an Ant Eater-Horse-Chicken

2011-04-04T18:16:00.001-07:00

Hello, my name is Ginnifer. I am a giraffe. I am not an ant eater-horse-chicken.

Occasionally, I sit around doing nothing.

I believe one should always stop to smell the flowers.

I hope to travel the globe someday.

But, I may never be able to, because I am deathly afraid of cats.

When I need some alone time I climb a tree (see I told you I wasn't an ant eater-horse-chicken)
http://jpostemaoriginals.blogspot.com/2010_09_01_archive.html

the things i'm learning

2011-03-30T19:27:00.000-07:00

So, this working, out of the house, full time, thing is still pretty new. I'm in my third week now and these are a few of the things I've learned.

1. I still need to create. I love to make things. I really have very little time between getting the kids to bed and preparing for the next day, but I need to make time to create. I made this owl for Noah. He and Joel are on the 4th Harry Potter book. I'm working on a giraffe for Ellie Blue. I couldn't seem to focus on anything else until I started making the ideas I had in my head.

2. I had heard about working mother guilt, I had assumed it was about feeling guilty for leaving your children. I'm feeling a little guilty for enjoying teaching so much. I love having an audience all day. Will I feel less fulfilled when I go back to being home with Ellie?

3. Noah walked past my art room today during recess. I caught him as he was headed back outside. He had been hit in the face by a soccer ball during recess, so he came in, went to the nurse, got an ice back and was trotting back out when his mother interrupted him. At first I thought why didn't he want my comfort and help? But I realized school is about learning to take care of yourself. In a room with 18 other kids,and one teacher, you need to learn how to handle things on your own. Also, Noah likes it that I am there, but he can't learn to depend on it, I spend most of the week in other buildings and I'll be gone next year.

So, I'm just teaching on and figuring it out as I go.

Egyptian Hippos

2011-03-27T18:07:00.001-07:00

This week in art we traveled to Egypt. The kindergartners painted hippos and the first graders made clay hippos, just like the ones found in the pyramids. Lots of fun. This week went fast, which was great since last week was sooooo slow. I'm actually really loving teaching, especially when they paint crazy hippos and write question marks after their names. Ellie Blue is missing me and I am very tired by the end of the night, but overall it's going really well.

work'n like a dog

2011-03-17T19:50:00.000-07:00

It's been a hard days night and I've been workin' like a dog....I'm driving my hubby's truck this week and the beetles are the only thing I can get to play on his overly complicated stereo.
...besides, other than sled dogs, dogs don't really work very hard. Above is a picture of my parent's Maggie and I have never seen her do any sort of work....

Anyway, this is the longest week ever! My husband is out of the country. My mom is staying with us. And I am back to full time art teaching. There is so much to say about the new job. I love it and hate it. I love the teaching. I love helping kids create. I love it when then name the crocodile they just made, "Steve." I love planning lessons. I don't even mind setting up and cleaning up.
Strangely it is the not working, but being at work, part I dislike. When you are a stay at home mom you are never alone, which is good and bad. Now I find myself in strange schools alone. I eat lunch in the lounge, I talk to others, people are nice. People smile and say, "hello" in the hall. But, I have way too much time to sit in a giant art room alone. When I took the job I was really only picturing myself teaching at my son school where I know most of the people, where I see my friends as the drop off and pick up their kids, and I get to teach my son and lots of other kids I already know. But, now I find myself spending three days a week at schools when I don't know anyone. I don't like the lonely part. So, hopefully that will get better.

newish workish

2011-03-13T14:41:00.000-07:00

Another Trees, I like trees for another auction. Plus a little shot of Ruby Dinosaur Bones Wonderpants; who is not allowed on the table.

A little Florida trip

2011-03-04T20:32:00.000-08:00

Playmobile Land...love, love, love. A dollar a person to get in -every Playmobile set out for playing with -so fun.

The Boy

The girl

The turtle rescue place

Through the jungle to the beach

A drawing of my mom, by Ellie, it looks just like her, well maybe not the pink hair, but otherwise...

7 is cool

Tree climbing dirt

Playground play

Feeling warm breezes on your skin is the best way to spend a February weekend. We left in a snow storm. We flew through more storms, which kept us from landing and made mommy very ill (I never know what to do with the little bag after you throw up into it.) Our 2nd flight was delayed, so we never ate dinner. But my kids are amazing travelers. They were so good. It was the perfect getaway and we were able to bring a little cheer to my recently widowed Grandma.

there is no use cryin' over burnt muffins

2011-02-21T18:59:00.000-08:00

I just found myself almost in tears over burnt muffins. You see, I was trying to make muffins to send to my Daddy for his birthday. I had this terrible moral dilemma about buying blueberries, out of season, from Chile. But I bought them, Ellie and I made them, and now I ruined them. I was on the phone and trying to get Ellie to fall asleep and I forgot them. The saddest part and this is probably the real thing, the snow came back! We were able to see brown and green and so many wonderful colors for almost two days and then bam, more snow. So you see I will probably be home all day, with my wonderful children, because we will have yet another snow day. And I will not be able to run out for more, fossil fuel laden, blueberries.

Snow is ruining my life.

Yes, next year I will freeze more berries, but for now I just feel like overreacting!

still here

2011-02-18T19:18:00.001-08:00

Doesn't he look fine! He and his friends were sent off for another magazine submission, I'll let you know how it goes.

The last few days have felt like spring. I LOVE spring. We walk everywhere, we play outside, we eat outside. I know this warm weather won't stay, but I love it just the same.

It is busy season. Last week I taught at the college and I start teaching full time at the Elementary schools soon.

I just wanted to let you know - I'm still here.

amish snowmen

2011-02-03T12:54:00.000-08:00

There is an adorable row of snowmen outside of one of the Amish school houses near by. Snow is lucky that it can be made into this cute form, because I am starting to despise it. I miss brown and green and all the other earthy colors.

Anyway, we finally heard from Noah's doctor today. It wasn't exactly good news and not exactly bad news. His brain is still forming some abnormal waves, but no one knows if the medicine is keeping them from being seizures or if his brain has figured out how to keep them from being seizures. He is on a very low dose of medicine for his size. Blood work from over two years ago shows an abnormal DNA sequence that may or may not be the cause of his epilepsy. The plan is to do genetic testing, on Joel and I, to see if it is hereditary. Even if the DNA is the problem it won't change his treatment. The bottom line is nothing has changed. Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers.

box drawing

2011-01-31T11:36:00.000-08:00

You can buy all the toys in the world, but that won't keep your kids from spending all weekend in a box.

Friday went well. No test results yet. But at least we made it there and back, found the hospital and dropped my mom at the airport in time. It is amazing how exhausting a day at the Children's hopital can be. I often get a migraine afterward, but instead I was just completely useless Friday night and most of the day Saturday.

Yesterday we visited the Akron, OH zoo. They let us feed penguins! Ellie threw one of the fish way up in the air and a penguin caught it, I love it when zoos let you feed animals.

yet another friend

2011-01-25T17:49:00.000-08:00

I love those friends who are always up for anything. This little guy will go with you, he doesn't care where, he doesn't care when and promises to make it more fun.

Melancholy part: My mom is visiting (no, that is not the melancholy part). Noah has a doctor appointment on Friday, hubby is teaching, so my Mom said, "I can go with you." She flew into town so she can tell Noah stories while he has, yet another, EEG test. We will go to Children's hospital in Pittsburgh to test Noah's brain waves in the morning, then we will meet with his neurologist in the afternoon. This may sound familiar, we did all this in the spring. In the spring the EEG came back with abnormal brain waves, so they did not take him off his seizure medicine as planned. This time I don't even know what to hope or pray for. I love the independence he has as a seven year old. I count on the medicine to keep him safe. But of course I want him to be healthy. The last time we took him off the medication, when he was 5, we were shocked by how different and wonderful our non-medicated boy was. I guess I just want the seizures to be gone, either way.

So that's it, Friday is a big day, I'll let you know what goes down.

Walmart people

2011-01-24T17:38:00.000-08:00

While putting Ellie to bed tonight she said, "Momma, I'm glad there are two of you". "Two of me?" "You and the you that stays with me in my heart."

I need them to stop growing so fast. When they were babies everyone (particularly people in Walmart) was constantly telling me, "they grow up so fast" and I would smile to myself and think, "not my children, my children are special". But now it turns out those Walmart people were right and I'm a little angry about it.

another friend

2011-01-20T17:20:00.001-08:00

....he lives in a nice hotel, not like the Hampton Inn in Juno Beach. Eeeewww

Little Red

2011-01-18T18:17:00.001-08:00

I draw, she paints, I add.
The best art work is always done in pajamas.

new work: imaginary friends

2011-01-12T18:58:00.001-08:00

Currently, Ellie has approximately 3011 (pronounced thirty eleventy) imaginary friends. It all started when she spent the month of October as Princess Leia. A large group of "nice" storm troopers followed Princess Leia everywhere we went. Now Ellie has branched out and new friends are popping up all the time. I started drawing some of these friends in ink, then I have her paint them with watercolor and then we finish them together. These moments of creating together are so special. She said the other day, "We are two artists: a big mommy artist and a little kid artist." It made my heart overflow.

Hip Hop Hippo

2011-01-09T13:51:00.001-08:00

We went to the zoo while we were in St. Louis and the Hippos were happy. I love how graceful hippos are under water, like giant ballerinas.

Princess for the Princess

2011-01-02T18:49:00.000-08:00

For Christmas, hubby and I made E.B. a Princess and the Pea set. Joel made and painted the bed and I made the doll and mattresses. I love making art, but making things for my kids is the bestest.

by the way...

2011-01-02T18:40:00.001-08:00

I have some dolls and an article in the winter edition of Stuffed magazine. The article is about how I sometimes feel as grumpy as a pirate, as silly as a circus girl and, rarely, all put together like a Mrs. Fantastic. Today was a circus/fantastic day! But I'm worried about my pirate self showing up tomorrow :)

Happy 2o11

2011-01-02T17:54:00.000-08:00

This is my favorite new art work. Noah and I made this at my parent's house over break. Break is officially over tomorrow. I'll probably cry when Noah leaves for school, but this is normal and I can usually hold it in until after he is out of the door. I can't help it, I just really like having him around.
Our Christmas and the break from normal life was lovely. Well, the beginning was a little rough with stomach flu and bronchitis, but it forced us to slow down, which was good. We were able to spend time in Michigan with the Postema side and in Missouri with the Ritsema side. We slept and ate a lot, and now I'm gearing up for return to "fast" life. More soon... I actually made some art!

Odd Butterfly

2010-12-12T14:21:00.001-08:00

What is so odd about this butterfly? Well, we found him on our window sill this afternoon, the 12th of December! He is our Christmas Butterfly!

The Advent Calendar

2010-12-03T17:40:00.000-08:00

This is our 2010 Advent Calendar. The rules are "no checking the calendar until after 7:00am" and "no forcing the cat inside the advent calendar". Now that these rules are in place we are loving our building calendar.
(p.s. I do have a son, but he is not fond of posing for pictures)

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-23T17:52:00.000-08:00

I love how the Indian is so much happier than the pilgrim....if he only knew.

4 ?!? how could she?

2010-11-22T17:39:00.001-08:00

I remember when you were two and you let me pick out your clothes and dress you. Today you turned four. How could you? I thought we had an agreement?
Well, since you insist on growing up I must tell you: I love you very much and I like the person you are becoming. Happy Birthday.

thanksgiving tree

2010-11-18T08:31:00.001-08:00

We have a Thanksgiving Tree in the house, in our best house. Even in these latter days there is so much to be thankful for.

would you eat it?

2010-11-05T18:44:00.001-07:00

The Salt Lake, Utah airport has a Tyson vending machine. Seriously!?! I almost wanted to try it. You may be thinking to yourself... "she has no new art, so she is distracting us with vending machine pictures."

You would be right.

In continuation with our Star Wars phase we watched Revenge of the Sith as a family tonight. My son and I both cried when Anakin turned bad. It is so hard to watch the ones you love make bad decisions. Sorry, I should go make some art shouldn't I. Have a great weekend.

halloween (I love it!)

2010-10-31T17:13:00.001-07:00

Ellie's scary pumpkin
Noah and Ellie with their pumpkins
Princess Leia and R2-D2
The back of R2-D2 (it really wasn't so lumpy, he is must have been pulling on the straps)
Princess Leia wore her costume almost everyday this week. I added some sequins to the Cinnamon bun hairdo, to make it more princessie.
Ellie wore the tiniest bit of mascara. She has some serious eyelashes!

I am exhausted. Halloween started on Thursday with the preschool party and trick or treating in the dorms of the college. For once Noah was told he was the cute one over and over. Maybe it was because we were in the girl's dorms, but they loved R2-D2. His costume was made from a pop up laundry hamper and and a big bowl. The recycled objects glued and sewn on are so Noah. I actually made an R2-D2 out of a bullet shaped trash can and paint, but it was to flat and boring. This one fit my collector/builder boy so much better. Ellie spent the whole week as princess Leia, she even had nice, imaginary, storm troopers that followed her around one day. I'm curious to see whether I will take Ellie or Princess Leia to the grocery store with me tomorrow.
Friday night was swim lessons (Ellie went as Princess Leia, of course) and time to prepare for Saturday night. Saturday was neighborhood trick or treating, the big town parade and our Halloween party. So, today we laid low and carved our pumpkins. What a fun, exhausting weekend. I hope yours was too.

Soooo nEw

2010-10-17T19:01:00.000-07:00

Last year I started Tada! Creative Adventures. I had a blast bringing art and drama to area schools and home school groups. I needed a place to post my new offerings so I've created a second blog to host all my Creative Adventures information. Check it out. http://tadacreativeadventures.blogspot.com/

nEw Work

2010-10-07T18:03:00.000-07:00

New "Horses".

A new, really big, "I like Trees" - this one is slated to be auctioned off at the elementary school's open house next Thursday.

...and I taught my section of the college class this week. I'm exhausted. The kids and I are heading to Florida tomorrow.

GloRia: The Ant Eater-Chicken-HoRse

2010-09-20T11:08:00.000-07:00

Hello, My name is Gloria. I am an Ant Eater-Chicken-Horse. I love to climb trees.

Occasionally, I will fall out of a tree. This can be very painful and results in the death of 37% of all Ant Eater-Chicken-Horses.

I am terrified of the Amish (look close to my nose, there goes one now.)

I find my office job unfulfilling.
Just like the majority of Ant Eater-Chicken-Horses, I love to sit outside on a green chair.

September SUCKS

2010-09-07T18:12:00.001-07:00

Why must everything begin in September? Couldn't some activities be a little more creative and start in February? Nothing is going on in February! With all the newness and busyness I'm left felling like an alien who has had way too much beer. And where is the new art you might ask? Good question. There is this alien guy I made as a gift a few weeks ago and that's pretty much it. Someday I'll settle in to the new pace. Someday I'll post about all the lovely wonderful things happening in my life, but for now, a drunk alien pretty much sums it up.

August 12

2010-08-12T20:58:00.000-07:00

Seven years ago we changed from a couple to a family....what a wonderful ride it has been. I love you Noah Fox. Happy Birthday!

Finally....some art

2010-07-22T14:45:00.000-07:00

Traveling is lovely, but exhausting. I'm craving some alone time in my studio. So, far I've only been able to make the gifts that are needed immediately. Why is it I have the most inspiration when I have the least amount of time to work?
Summer, please slow down!

just checking in....

2010-06-26T20:39:00.000-07:00

My toes say, "Hi" from the Great Salt Lake. mmmm salty.

ahhhhh summer

2010-06-09T17:04:00.000-07:00

I love peonies, I love hanging out at home with the whole family (but, boy do they make a mess), I love playing outside, I love making little critters to sell at the farmer's market (if my children would stop adopting them before I can sell them) and I LOVE having my big boy home from school (he is doing well by the way). I hope you are loving your summer too.

Bad Good News? Good Bad News?

2010-05-26T11:27:00.001-07:00

I made a couple of these home collages last week. The letters were from our church's old sign, my friend saved them from for me. I love it when my friends show up with bits and pieces for me.

About the title....we heard from Noah's doctor today. The EEG Noah had last week showed some seizure activity in his brain so we will not be taking him off of his medication.

I am relieved I will not have to follow him like a hawk all summer holding my breath, but I'm also so sad to hear he is still sick. To know he has defiantly not out grown the seizures is heart breaking.

I wasn't prepared for this answer, it wasn't on my radar. I guess I'm sad and relieved at the same time.

Thanks again for all your kinds words, prayers and support. I'll keep you posted.

update and play day

2010-05-21T18:01:00.000-07:00

My friend Susan http://dreaminslippers.blogspot.com/ made one of my dreams come true this week. I've always wanted some pictures mommy daughter pictures of Ellie and me. Noah and I have some adorable shots from when we modeled for Sear's portrait studio, but I didn't have any pictures of Ellie and me. Susan met us at the college field station and we basically played around and had a picnic as Susan created these amazing photographs. I'm so grateful for such a beautiful way to remember this special year Ellie and I had together while both the boys were at school all day.

Noah's appointment went well yesterday. We were able to make it there early and happily without anyone getting car sick (the prayers worked). We were even able to check Ellie into the sibling care center, which was so cool she wants to go back tomorrow. The doctor wants Noah off the medicine to see if he has grown out of the seizures if he has a normal EEG. She was so matter of fact, like it was no big deal, but instead of making me upset it put me at ease. We can do this. As she said, "no one should live their whole life on medication", yes a doctor said that. So she immediately made an appointment for an EEG and we were whisked away to another part of the building. The EEG technician was so much better than others we've worked with, it pays to go to a children's hospital. So we are still waiting for the EEG results, but mostly likely we will start taking him down of his med starting next week. More prayers are needed.

Then we had a lovely day in Pittsburgh. Trader Joe's, the strip for lunch and the Children's museum. It was probably too much, but fun.

Thanks for all the kind words, nice thoughts and prayers you've been sending our way.

safe in the nest

2010-05-18T18:02:00.000-07:00

Well... I have a wicked bad cold, it is raining constantly, Ellie is having a naughty streak (she blames it on her appendix) and the arthritis in my hands is making this painful to type - but none of these things are a real problem, they are annoying but they just aren't the thing behind the thing.

The Big Thing is breathing down my neck.

On Thursday we will drag the family off to Pittsburgh in the wee hours of the morning, this in itself is bad. We are not morning people. The kids and I don;t like to eat much in the morning so we will be car sick and we will all be very crabby. Finally, after getting lost in downtown Pittsburgh, we will arrive at Children's hospital to meet with Noah's pediatric neurologist.

Noah has had a seizure disorder (epilepsy) since he was 2. His seizures are controlled with his Keppra medication. He used to be on Phenobarbital, but it made him a different kid, which we didn't know until we took him off. Imagine thinking your kid had serious ADHD only to find out it is the medicine you have had him on for two years. Anyway, some kids out grow seizure disorders, but the only way to find out if your child has out grown his or her disorder is to take them off their medication. Which we did two years ago. It took almost three months before he started having seizures again, but when he started he had them almost daily for a couple of weeks until the medication was regulated. He falls, he is completely unresponsive, he is shaking with every muscle, he hits his head on the floor, he lands face down in the shower - I hold him and sing "This little light of mine" until it stops, then he sleeps.

On Thursday the doctor will tell us it is time to take him off the medicine again. He is six. He loves to swim, ride his bike, build legos and play outside. This summer will be different. We will always need to be with him. Whenever we can't see or hear him, we will ask, "Noah, are you o.k.?" and if he pauses we will run. We will hold our breath. He will be annoyed at the hovering and we will be exhausted.

I guess my prayer is simply to keep him safe. If he weren't sick I might be tempted to believe my good parenting, three square meals, seat belts and hand washing were in control, but I know better. I'm wishing I could keep my baby birds safely in a box.... but I'm not so sure I would want to be in there with them, things would get ugly in a box with no tv, computer or toys very quickly and I'm not sure they would eat the worms I would bring them.

new baby, new work

2010-05-14T08:52:00.001-07:00

I love it when my friends have babies. I was so busy, in the past, with my own babies that I didn't get to enjoy my friend's babies, but now I love it. Welcome to the world Greta.

Where have I been?

2010-05-07T18:22:00.000-07:00

I've been making silly puppets,

watching ballerinas,

keeping the cat out of the sandbox (so she doesn't poop in it, again!)
(doesn't she look irritated that Ellie is playing in her toilet)

I had a birthday, I'm not sure how I got so old, hmmmm

...and I hatched some blue bird eggs

Well, I suppose the parents did the actual hatching, but I put up the box, that should count for something.

Where have you been?

Going Places: a rambly long post

2010-04-17T13:12:00.001-07:00

"Let her go places that we've never been"..... it is a line from Neil Gaiman's book Blueberry Girl. I feel like I'm in one of those places. I need to go places I've never been, but it is hard and scary. I've been teaching lately. I'm not good at math, games where balls are thrown at me, world history, or wearing matching socks (as long as they are both white-it works), but teaching comes easily. Teaching kids to express themselves through art and though acting in a fun, comfortable safe atmosphere is my thing. Well, it was my thing. Then I had this baby and we both cried every morning when I would leave for school. So we moved and downsized a bit so I could be home with the baby (toddler) and then another baby came and we were oh so happy, but those babies just grow and grow and even go off to school so I had to figure out What do I do now?

Sometimes God whispers and sometimes he shouts and thunks you on the forehead. I am better with the thunks.

I want to be with kids and lead them though silly games and let them use their imaginations and act out and pretend and be a little crazy. I want each child to be a creator, make stuff, get messy and show the world how brilliant they are because they colored their lion green instead of yellow.

But, I need to be home. I need to play princess vs. bad queen with my three year old and read her thirty books a day. I need to pick my boy up from school and take him home for chocolate milk and playing in the yard time. I need to make meals and wash clothes and try to help my husband so he can be a great professor.

I'm not really sure how to balance it all. My dream is to have a studio, gallery, teaching space someday.

So, my step for right now is TaDa! Creative Adventures. They are workshops for kids with storytelling, drama activities and expressive art projects. I've done a few already and they have been a blast. I hope to teach more this summer and get into more school classrooms next fall. Who knows where it will all lead, but I doing my best to hold on and enjoy the ride.

The Cherry on Top

2010-04-12T11:25:00.000-07:00

This week is swim lessons week for our 6 year old. In our crazy little town that means swim lessons every week day evening, at dinner time 5:30-6:15, for two weeks. Plus meetings and doctor appointments to juggle this week. The cherry on top is my hubby is headed out of town for a conference. I am going to need some cherries to get me through...Chocolate covered, of course.

Sweet Spring time

2010-04-02T13:10:00.001-07:00

Trees. I like trees.

Alphabet by me.

This little piggy and bunny may look cute, but their tattoos are a dead give away to their bad assness. (The computer does not think assness is a word.)

I'm looking forward to celebrating Easter in this Good Friday sort of world.
Peace, Jill

Dragons, Lazy Saturdays and the winner is....

2010-03-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

Last night we saw How to Train your Dragon. We have been waiting for months. We read the book last spring and Joel has been reading the rest of the series to Noah ever since. I loved the movie. Well, I survived the movie. Ellie Blue took the 3-D glasses off because the previews were too scary and never put them back on. Noah really wanted to wear the glasses, but he gets so involved in movies that he screamed and jumped constantly, and his Momma was wondering if our pediatric neurologist would mind a late Friday night call to answer the question, "do 3-D movies trigger seizures?" Ellie Blue watched the last half an hour without glasses and with her hands over her ears. Even though we misses some of the movie everyone loved it, or claimed to love it. Disclaimer: The movie is nothing like the book. But both are well done. Here are some of the other books in the series.

Today was a lovely lazy Saturday. One of those were the kids change out of pajamas to put on clean pajamas at bed time. I did very little, but I did have a give away winner drawn out of a bag..... and the winner is Val. Robot 070 will come live with you soon.

Have a happy weekend!
Jill

*44 GiVe aWay!

2010-03-20T06:05:00.001-07:00

*44, originally uploaded by jillpostema.

It's been a long week. My husband has been out of the country (with my camera!) My parents were here to help, but that is exhausting too, in a good way.

Anyway, I keep making more robots so it is time for some to go to new homes. Leave a comment and tell me:
1. Who is your favorite? which robot you would like to come live on your wall?
2. if you could have a robot to do your least favorite chore what would it do?

An impartial child will pick the winner next Saturday, March 27. Good Luck!

08*

2010-03-16T19:31:00.001-07:00

08*, originally uploaded by jillpostema.

Robot 08*
This lovely little guy has a french flashcard for his head. Ooo, la, la!

XOXO

2010-03-15T17:50:00.001-07:00

XOXO, originally uploaded by jillpostema.

Love, oh love! Maybe Valentine's day should be moved to spring? I find it so much easier to love people, animals, grass, or our ugly old couch when it is spring time. I'm so happy the snow is gone! I'm so happy the flowers are poking up and blooming! I'm so happy to see the sun again!

This springy little robot is all about love.

#39

2010-03-14T21:26:00.001-07:00

#39, originally uploaded by jillpostema.

Sorry, #39 is not as talented as the other robots, he can't type. So, I'll tell you about him...he is made from discarded packaging and is standing against and old map.

It makes me sad the things we throw away... Someone wrote those nutritional facts on the back of the cereal box , that I am just going to recycle, or if it is slimy, throw away. I guess that is where these robots are coming from...the bits and pieces that we tear open and toss out...stopping to notice.

40g

2010-03-12T16:47:00.001-08:00

40g, originally uploaded by jillpostema.

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Robot 40g here. Spring time is such a hard time to be a fashionable robot. It seems like all my robot friends have been squirreling away adorable spring clothing all winter while I was caught completely off guard.

*o7o

2010-03-10T16:03:00.001-08:00

*o7o, originally uploaded by jillpostema.

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I am o7o. I am just visiting. I will not take over your hairdryer. Jill has added a new robot gallery to her flickr site, check the side bar for access.

Ellie Blue, sunshine and an impromptu photo shoot

2010-03-09T06:44:00.000-08:00

The end of winter is wonderful, people start crawling out of their holes and squint into the sunlight. Living in a small town is wonderful because you can walk around town and easily run into people you know at every turn. The other day Ellie and I ran into my friend Susan, who is, amoung other thing, an amazing photographer. Susan happened to have her camera and I Ellie and I happened to stand still for a second and Susan captured these wonderful moments. You can check out Susan's blog under Dreaming Slippers on the side bar.

It's such a good feeling to know you're alive...

2010-03-01T19:11:00.001-08:00

Mr. Rodger's Mr. McFeely was in my neighborhood today! He came to my hubby's college for a lecture and gave a show for preschoolers today. Ellie Blue seemed to enjoy the show...but she thought it was a little loud. Little Miss Blue however did not want to meet Mr. McFeely nearly as much as her mommy did. I liked the show, especially when he brought out the puppets, I asked my friend, "Do you think that is the REAL Daniel Tiger?" He also brought king Friday, but I always thought he was a little creepy - not Lady Elaine creepy, but still creepy. It was a great way to spend a Monday morning. Maybe next week Shera or Heman can come for a visit?

Painting in Pjs: Finger-paint Flowers

2010-02-26T08:43:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday morning we did some finger-painting. I love finger paint, but I'm never exactly sure what to do with the pile of paintings the next day. Since the kiddos wanted more art the next day I decided we would turn our finger painted papers into flower collages.

Ellie Blue drew stems with green crayons...
...and cut out "flowers" to glue down. The flower centers are office supply hole reinforces.
The proud pajama clad artist.

Noah used watercolor paint.

He cut out and glued down his flower shapes...

...then he painted on the stems.
With nothing but snow around here it is nice to see some flowers blooming on the refrigerator.

Robot #44

2010-02-22T20:11:00.000-08:00

I'm working on a new collection of robots made from recycled papers and packaging. #44 is my favorite so far.

How to survive fEbrUaRY:

2010-02-20T05:30:00.000-08:00

Escape to Cleveland, any big city will do. Go to the botanical gardens, be with plants, smell leaves. Stay in a hotel, swim in the pool and turn the room into a sauna. Eat exotic food you can't get at home.
Turn the couch into a fort, again and again.
Surround yourself with those you love.
Dress up and dance around.

Make fun gifts for people.

February is brutal around here. So much snow, not enough sunshine, but we are getting by and dreaming of spring.

she is so much faster than me!

2010-02-16T18:54:00.000-08:00

We had a lovely day with my friend Liz and her kids on Monday. I took pictures and planned to post, but Liz beat me to it. So check out her blog http://www.smithical.com/ and see what I would have said.

P.s.
Snow, Snow
Go away
I can not take another day!

U R GR8

2010-02-09T10:35:00.001-08:00

I pretty sure they sell adorable Valentine's cards in the store. I'm pretty sure if you plan to make 23 Valentine's day cards you should buy supplies, other than just candy. I'm also pretty sure if you need to make 23 Valentine's day cards and you don't have the supplies, to make them the way you had planned, you should start before 10:00pm.

Knowing and doing are two very different things. I hope Noah is having a wonderful Valentine's Day party today at school and I hope next year I remember they sell Valentines at Target.

p.s. Ruby Dinosaur Bones thought I was crazy too!

bAAAA

2010-02-03T10:34:00.000-08:00

Our Amish neighbors have sheep. On the way home from school if the sheep are out we stop the car, roll down the windows and baaaa to the sheep. It is great fun. The other day we noticed the sheep had babies. We raced home, got cameras and raced back to baaaa at the new lambs. They bleated back - they love us. I love lambs....they are so cute....and soooo yummy.

I have also been working on some sheep for a friend and they are finally finished.

Speaking of art...this is my 6 year old Noah's latest piece. He calls it a Clock Compass, it actually is an old birth control dispenser he found in the trash. I'm hoping he doesn't want to bring it for show and tell.

eDe W b

2010-01-29T15:01:00.000-08:00

I have no idea what EDEWB means, but it must have something to do with this little guy. This is another one of my paintings inspired by one of Noah's drawings.

We tried art night again this week with much better results (meaning no one was sad afterward). We drew into styrofoam plates and then printed them. Art night was so much more fun without the high expectations.

A bad mommy moment

2010-01-21T09:23:00.000-08:00

I love kid's art work. I see all these great pictures in magazines where they have their kid's wonderful, colorful, whimsical, huge paintings decorating their home. So, I try it... I arm my children with canvases and acrylic paint (in a perfect, selected by mommy, palette) and let them paint their hearts out. They had fun. They learned about color mixing. They used a lot of paint. They did not, however, create anything wall worthy. I tried not to look disappointed, but my 6 year old Noah Boah could tell. When he hugged me and told me, "I'm sorry my painting isn't good" I felt like the worst mommy ever. What sort of artist and art teacher mom puts pressure on her kids to create a certain way? So, after I apologized and let them paint like crazy, on paper. I put them to bed and came up with this solution:

The painting is mine. It is based on one of Noah's wonderful drawings of robots that I had in my journal. I like the painting, he likes the painting, I think I'm on to something here!

waiting

2010-01-12T19:17:00.000-08:00

Waiting is hard, but you don't have to do it alone. New work and my sister-in-law's birthday present.

Boats

2010-01-10T18:33:00.000-08:00

New Year's Eve was spent making paper mache boats with a good friend and my son. It was not the wild party of my younger years, but still lovely.

views from my friday

2010-01-08T20:07:00.001-08:00

Snow days are lovely....

tWenTy tEn

2010-01-02T13:03:00.001-08:00

tenety ten journal, originally uploaded by jillpostema.

tWeNty tEn

2010-01-02T12:54:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

This is my new art journal for the year. Each year I create a new journal for drawings, ideas and writing. Each journal also has a theme. Last year my theme was "Trying not to Change." A terrible theme, I know, and it really didn't work. My babies continued to grow and, my scariest proposition, my Epileptic son went off to full day kindergarten. But, I am happy to report things worked out fine. Apparently, my being with him at all times is not what keeps his seizures away. It is been painfully, but wonderful to watch him grow and change. He loves kindergarten and I love who he is becoming.

Next year promises more changes, E.B. and preschool for example, but I'm ready to meet them head on. So I think this year's theme is "Exciting new stuff", but it is a work in progress, just like me.

More work included in the giVeaWay

2009-12-19T07:38:00.000-08:00

Sheep on a Ball 12X12
Kids in a Box, collage on a 12X12 canvas
#4 Stamps, on a 6"x6" canvas

Circus tent, 6"X12", collage on canvas, coated in bees wax

"Cake the Best Reason for a Birthday" 6"x6"
Butterfly Circus, 18"X18" canvas

Robot Queen (big) 25"X12"
Home 5"x7" frame
12"x18" collage on paper
I always meant to add these things to my Etsy shop, but I never did. As part of the giveaway you can choose from any of these items too. The are mostly collages on canvas coated in acrylic sealer.

hO hO hO: A Give Away

2009-12-19T07:18:00.000-08:00

Sooooo, I made this Etsy shop, but I never really liked it and I mostly avoided it and never really finished it. I'm planning better options to sell my work later starting in January.

I would like to make your Christmas Merry and Bright by giving you your choice of work from my Etsy site.

Check the site, http://www.etsy.com/shop/bluefoxstudio , pick something you like, and leave me a comment telling me what you like and why. The winner will be chosen Monday, Dec. 21st at 12:00 p.m. Eastern.

p.s. we are celebrating Christmas today! I stayed up way too late making Noah a "creation station" and adding a pink sink to Ellie's kitchen, but they loved them this morning, so who cares if I feel like I could fall over. I'll take pictures sometime.

Traditions: Introducing the floor picnic

2009-12-18T10:30:00.001-08:00

Now that things have calmed down a little I'm starting to get excited about Christmas, and since Christmas is tomorrow I better be excited. Sorry, I should explain....we are one of those uprooted families with no extended family within several hundred miles, therefore on holidays we travel. Therefore, we pick a convenient day and call it Christmas. Therefore, we have our own crazy traditions and our kids are a little confused why other people only have one Christmas day and we have 3.

Introducing the floor picnic! Years ago, in our prechildren era, my hubby and I would go to the grocery store and purchase whatever food looked delicious and could be eaten immediately. We would come home with cheeses, crackers, fruit, yummy deli things and probably a tube of refrigerated cookie dough to be eaten raw. Once home we would park ourselves on the floor with wine and a movie and have our floor picnic. These days floor picnics have moved to the table (3 year old + raw cookie dough + wool rug = not a good idea) but they are just as festive.

So, tomorrow night rather than slaving over a holiday meal I will be dining on sushi, cookie dough and whatever else suits our fancy.

MeRRy ChRiStmAs!

oUr cHriStmAs

2009-12-11T10:53:00.000-08:00

Our nativity does contain a knight and a few pirates...
Our advent calendar is made of tags that get clipped to treat filled "take out" boxes....
And even though you can't tell by the picture, my kids were very afraid of the fake and aggressive Santa I made them pose with... you can tell, I'm starting to be Christmasie. It is a slow start, but maybe my heart will be ready by the 25th.

tHeRe muSt bE sOmEtHiNg oFF...

2009-12-07T18:23:00.000-08:00

More animals in transportation....I just can't stop.

But that's not the thing that's off.

I'm just not feeling Christmas this year, actually I'm dreading it. I am a holiday girl. I love making, buying and wrapping just the right gift for everyone. I love making the holidays fun a special for our wee ones. I love sugar cookies and egg nod.

But this year something is off. I would be ok with skipping Christmas. Don't get me wrong I still want Jesus to be born, but do I really need to exchange holiday cards with the garbage men?

I guess it all feels like too much work. What do you think?

salt and pepper

2009-12-04T08:30:00.001-08:00

"Just like Salt and Pepper... we are better together"
I vote for renaming December "Fast and Crazy" month, because boy am I feeling it. At least we are in this together.

Happy Friday,
Jill

Drive on Birdy

2009-11-20T11:31:00.000-08:00

This is a present for a new baby I know. I just love the idea of animals driving cars lately.