Words of Wisdom

Youth is wasted on the young.

Monday 20 August 2007

Best Shot Monday: Creative Frenzy


This weekend has been a creative frenzy. Baby Angel had a school project to 'make a model or puppet or dress a stuffed toy' to represent post school 'options' ie jobs!

Now it must be said that the BA has never been much of a 'maker'. For years we were given beautiful craft sets as birthday presents, cos that's what you give girls right? I am sad to say many of them still sit in our cupboard and still others were given away to other little girls who really DID like that sort of thing.

Many times I would try to instill my love of all things crafty on my daughter by sitting with her and helping her complete some craft task. She usually quite enjoyed the experience and was sometimes pleased with her results but mainly I think she did it to humour me. Certainly she never came to me with a box of bead making or paint by numbers or design your own T Shirt and asked to do it. I think she lacked confidence. Anyway, of course it was a bit of a disappointment to me but on the other hand.....I can't play netball. We're all different.

(On another occasion at age 3 she flatly refused to be involved in the ballet school concert.
"What do you mean sweetheart, I've already made the costume!!!"
"Well, I'm not doing it. I don't want all those eyes looking at me."
...........whose child IS she???????????????? I would have LOVED all those eyes looking etc etc)

But once more I digress!

Today she announced that she had to make this puppet/model/thing and of course its due tomorrow and she had no idea what she wanted to make. After a bit of discussion which left me crabby and frustrated I announced that I couldn't be doing this for her as I had my own school work to get on with and anyway she should have discussed it with me earlier etc etc etc (grr)

"Don't worry Mum," she chirped,"I'll do it myself.....just show me where the needles/thread/scrap material/buttons etc etc etc are."

She decided she would make a 'dress designer' and, once we had sorted out how you sew on buttons, she proceeded to use her initiative and make a jolly good job of it too! The photo above shows how proud she was of her achievement and as she said, she made it herself which is more than can be said for many kids who will come to school with exquisite models made mostly by....Mum. And now, a more detailed picture of her work of art!
Her big step brother was, of course, quick to point out the relative ugliness of the model! We informed him that dress designers did not have to be attractive, just make good dresses. This one seems to be of African origin and has obviously been working out. BA found the jewellery in her old dress-up box, used bangles for ear-rings and even created the 'new design' dress that the model is holding.

I am sure with more time we could have refined a few of the elements but it is all her own work and it productively filled a Sunday afternoon and left a young girl feeling on top of the world. That's worth an A in my book!!!!

Of course, having ignored all of us for most of the day by playing the X Box with his big brother, (except for an altercation over finding his muddy football gear and bringing it in to get washed) Small Boy inexplicably decided, 45 minutes before his Mum was due to pick him up, that he wanted to do some sewing too. I found him some scraps and let him get on with it. I think the BA threaded the needle for him but after about 25 minutes he came back into the kitchen to show me his handiwork. Since this was the most communication I'd had with him all day, that didn't involve a pout or a scowl, I thought it was worth a photo.When he'd seen the picture in the viewfinder he looked at me and said,
"Can you put it on your blog?"

Maybe this is my best shot after all...................................................

For the best of last week visit Picture This!

20 comments:

kim said...

I love those freckles! That's great that SB wanted to join in on the craftiness. BA did a nice job on her project. If fact, I'm impressed, considering that she doesn't do any crafting at all!

Anonymous said...

Great story and the shots really give a fantastic visual!

allie said...

This is perfection. Great mommy moments for sure! I, being very UNcrafty am very impressed at her doll. It looks like the eccentric dressmaker that lives on the hill:)

Brittany said...

BA did an awesome job! I can't sew either, and I'm a mom... haha. I applaud her good work!!

Christina said...

After seeing many picrues of Angel Baby as a little girl, it's neat to see her as she is now, a young lady! She did a superb job on her doll...I'm quite impressed and you and she should be quite proud! I love it that SB wanted to get in on the fun, too!.

Anonymous said...

How funny! Can you put it in your blog? You betcha! I think the dressmaker is fabulous! She did a great job...

jenny said...

That was a good story---especially since I'd read a bit more about your family in weeks past. Great job to the both of them!

My kids ask to be on the blog, too. Of course, my son has his own blog to add his pictures on . . .

Never That Easy said...

Even though I'm a teacher, I sometimes wonder if where we come up with some of these assignments... But BA did a great job! And that she did it herself is just that much more amazing.

m.e. said...

That's so special that she was able to make something herself! I'm sure it gave her (and you) lots of satisfaction. Great shots to chronicle her craft adventure!! ;-)

Anonymous said...

How great that he wanted in on the blog, too! Hello to him from USA!

Maya said...

I love that he asked if you could put it on your blog! That is just great!

And I am impressed with the doll...I don't think I could even do that!

Stacy said...

Lovely photos of the crafty kids! Great backstory, too. If my daughter grows up non-crafty I'm not sure how I will handle it! ;)

Dawn said...

I'm back! :)

I loved your story. Your kiddoes are adorable. And let us know her grade! (What teacher wouldn't give her an A?) I liked the B & W effect, too.

Maggie said...

I'm totally impressed by the shots...AND by the craftiness! Excellent job!

Anonymous said...

um, what did he make? isn't it wonderful to see the kids actually complete the project on their own and see the pride that brings? Great

Laura McIntyre said...

What a cutie, you guys look like such an artistic family.

Anonymous said...

BA did a fabulous job and all the better having done it herself. I think it's a bit ironic that she isn't crafty, doesn't make things, but would like to create dress designs. :)

Now that last shot, priceless in many ways, don't you think?

Arizaphale said...

I couldn't agree more Melody. As I said, my best shot in more ways than one....

Crunchy Domestic Goddess said...

love the pics and she did a great job w/ the doll. :)

Cari said...

What a great story. Your shots are lovely.