….every year the boys and girls in grade one create projects that represent the number 100 and on the 100th day of the school year they are all put on display in the gym
Here is a selection of some of the projects that the grade ones with the help of their parents presented to the school community today.
….I’m getting a little behind with my ‘faces challenge’ so I’ve included 3 faces that I’ve done with my art classes
We’re having a lot of fun creating faces using paper collage. Each student is making 12 different faces using different papers so there are very few that are finished and ready to display. As soon as they are I will post them here on this blog.
….I don’t often make dessert but this recipe for cheesecake made in a slow cooker intrigued me
The original recipe comes from Chef Ricardo’s cookbook, Ricardo: Slow Cooker and was reprinted in the Life section of Saturday’s paper. I was drawn to the recipe for two reasons: 1. It is prepared in a slow cooker and 2. it is prepared in individual ramekins or small canning jars.
Since we were having the family over for Sunday lunch and Game Day, I decided to make the salad and dessert portions of the meal. The menu consisted of Orange, Avocado and Red Onion Salad, which I posted here, cornmeal and jalapeño muffins, beef enchiladas, Mexican rice and cheesecake in a jar.
Cheesecake with Strawberries and Graham Cracker Crumble in a Jar
Serves 4
1 pkg. (250g or 8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
75 mL (1/3 cup) sugar
1 egg
60 mL (1/4 cup) 35% cream
5 mL (1 tsp.) vanilla extract
Crumble
125 mL (1/2 cup) graham cracker crumbs
60 mL (1/4 cup) all-purpose flour
30 mL (2 tbsp) brown sugar
60 mL (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
Fruit Topping
250 mL (1 cup) diced strawberries or favourite fruit
15 mL (1 tbsp.) sugar or sweetener
Whipped Cream (optional)
Directions:
1. Place a clean cloth in the bottom of the slow cooker. I forgot and two of the jars broke as soon as I added the hot water.
2. In a food processor combine all the ingredients for the cheesecake (not the crumble or fruit) and puree until smooth.
3. Pour into clean ramekins or small canning jars and place in the slow cooker. Carefully pour hot water (not boiling) around the jars until the water reaches the half way mark on the jars.
4. Cover and cook on low heat for 90 minutes until firm and slightly puffed. Remove from the slow cooker and let cool. 
Refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours until completely chilled.
5. Crumble:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. In a bowl combine the dry ingredients and add the butter. Using your hands mix the mixture until crumbly. Drop onto the baking sheet. Bake, stirring twice during the baking process for about 15 minutes or until golden in colour. Let cool. 
Strawberries:
Wash the strawberries and dice. Toss with the sugar or sweetener of your choice. Set aside to macerate. 
When ready to serve, garnish each ramekin or jar with the graham cracker crumble, strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream.
Enjoy!
….up until today I’ve used photographs for my drawings
Today I created a face from memory. It isn’t of anyone in particular, in fact it has a sort of ‘alien’ quality to it. I used pencil and a watercolour wash.
…..I recently downloaded an app called Photo Sketch that turns photos into sketches or adds filters
Turn Back the Clock
If only it was
that simple to erase the
lines and flaws of time
…..using technology to create faces
Today I downloaded some apps onto my iPhone and started to play. The first face is a photograph made to look like a sketch and the second face was created using my finger as the pencil.
I posted this yesterday and tonight I found it sitting in a draft file.Sigh!
….from the cover of the cookbook ‘Two Greedy Italians’
I had no intention of turning him into a ‘blue man’ but when I washed over the black marker it bled into a deep blue.
….I know that Cee is already onto a new challenge but today’s snow in front of the house made for some interesting shots in front of my house
And to think we’re only half way through winter. The snow just keeps coming.
….most schools don’t have kilns so working with clay has been largely non-existent
I have tried using air dried clays in the past but not with much success. This workshop let teachers experiment and play with a variety of air dry clays that are available from the board supply catalogue and from the local art store. I always thought that this type of clay was too expensive to use with a class, never mind 5 classes.
We enjoyed working with most of the brands. Of course the one brand we didn’t like was the one we can order from the board. The others were all soft and easy to handle and manipulate. We could also compare the prices and since we were allowed to take home our little pinch pots we can compare each brand for the time it takes to dry.
After experimenting with the different brands of clay, the real fun began. We used photos from the famous artist, Karl Blossfeldt, for inspiration and created three dimensional sculptures with the clay we liked the best. I was really impressed with how creative everyone was. At the end of the class all the pieces were attractively displayed with the photographs that inspired the creations.
Here are some close=ups of the individual pieces.
I’m actually excited about using clay with some of my art classes.
Anticipation
Cheeks glowing brightly
From copious sips of wine
Eyes bright and searching
I posted this yesterday but it went back into my draft file. Frustrating!
