sew a ethnic inspired wool pillow

Pillows made from woolen mats are easy
and quick crafts that just about anybody
can produce.

Brief Description: A woven mat, from south of the boarder, sewn into a pillow, adds plenty of character to my old mission furniture.

Supply List:

• one woven mat
• embroidery floss
• cotton stuffing
• a woolen piece of fabric for the backing of the pillow
• scissors

Directions:

1. Cut the woolen fabric to the exact same size of the woven mat.
2. Pin the two fabric pieces together.
3. Blanket stitch around three sides.
4. Stuff the pillow with cotton filler.
5. Sew the remaining side shut with the same blanket stitch.

All instructions and photographs copyrighted by Grimm 2011

35 questions for promoting aesthetic inquiry in k-12 art classrooms

Questions for Promoting Aesthetic Inquiry: Students should never be allowed to answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no." Teachers should always encourage and wait for the students to give a reason(s) for their answers. This practice will develop complex thinking skills.

1.  What is the difference between bad art and good art?
2. What is the difference between bad art and something that isn’t art at all?
3.  If something is carelessly constructed, from junk, can we call it art?
4. Why do people disagree so much about how art should look?
5. If I think some art is ugly, can it still be called art?
6. If an artwork costs a lot of money, does that mean it is better than less expensive art?
7. If art is kept inside an art museum, does that mean it is more important than art that is kept inside our homes?
8.  If an object is useful, is it considered art?
9. Are you born an artist or can you learn to be an artist?
10. Is a very old piece of art more valuable than a newly created piece of art?
11.  How do you become an art expert?
12.  If I’m making an artwork, am I working or playing?
13.  Should artwork be used to sell things, if so when is it the correct thing to do? When is it wrong to use artwork to sell things?
14.  Can people make art in a factory or does it need to be made by hand?
15. Can art be about ugliness?
16.  Are animals, insects, or plants considered art?
17.  Can you describe for me what a beautiful portrait of a lady would look like, and why you think that is the way she should look?
18.  Does artwork mean only one thing to every person? Can one artwork have multiple meanings?
19.  Who makes the best art in your opinion?
20.  Can more than one person work on one artwork at a time?
21. Should a gallery sell an artwork for less money if it was created by a woman, instead of a man?
22.  Does a painting of a city need to look real in order for us to enjoy looking at it?
23.  Is there such a thing as art that should never exist?
24.  Why should artists invest so much time in their work when they could be easily entertained in a theater or with a book?
25. Can we consider anything art?
26.  Should the government pay artists to create artworks that offend some people?
27. Should artists need to prove that they are capable of painting something realistically? If so, why?
28.  Do artists need to sell their work?
29.  If one painting is bigger than another, does that mean it is better?
30. If you could copy another artists’ work exactly, would your copy be as valuable?
31.  Can monkeys or elephants make art?
32. If art is easy to make is it less valuable or less important?
33. Can you name something that is not art but people might think that it is?
34. How long do you think it would take to make important artworks?
35. Who makes the best art?

children can sew this miniature penny rug

Sample of a miniature penny rug.

Brief Description: This miniature sampler of a "penny" rug provides young sewers opportunity to practice their embroidery skills. 

Supply List:

• 4 felt squares from a hobby shop or scrap woolens (4 colors minimum)
• penny "templates" (below)
• contrasting embroidery floss, three colors
• embroidery needle
• scissors
• pins
• black permanent ink marker

Directions:

1. Print and cut out the penny template provided below.
2. Draw around the circle templates with a permanent ink pen after placing these on top of your felt or woolen scrapes.
3. Cut out your penny design and pin it down onto a rectangular felt or woolen shape according to your own tastes.
4. Use a blanket stitch to assemble the sample penny rug.

Additional Suggestions: Use all wool or all felt scraps for your project. Once you have mastered the technique, design a larger version to cover a tabletop or bedroom dresser.

Template for a variety of "penny" shapes.
This template may be downloaded and sized in a
word document. Read the Terms of Use before
using it folks.

All patterns and photographs by Grimm copyrighted 2011.

Felt ball rugs are so easy to make,
 even a child could assemble them.

Don't you feel embarassed about . . . ?

Question: Don't you feel embarrassed about being a fine artist who also posts crafty things?

Answer: Not at all! Crafting can be an enjoyable occupation for many people. Do professional, downhill skiers mind playing on the kitty slopes with their kids? Artists can become too sophisticated. Everyone needs to be open to simpler pursuits at times, in order to relax and appreciate the modest joy of living. Never apologize for spending time with children and family doing what they are capable of doing in order to talk, laugh and build relationships that will last.

stitch some felt coasters to protect your furniture

A sample of the snowflake design was
used to craft the felt coaster above.
(approx. diameter across, 3 1/2 inches)

Brief Description: Felt coasters make wonderful little, inexpensive gifts. Children may practice their sewing and cutting skills while producing a set for a parent or grandparent. 

• Supply List:
•    1. At least two contrasting colors of felt or a grab bag of felt scraps will due.
•    2. Sharp scissors
•    3. No sew if you prefer (I did not use it, but it can make this endeavor much easier. You will need an iron too if you go this route.)
•    4. Embroidery threads of matching or contrasting color.
•    5. Coaster templates
•    6. Black permanent ink marker or a very soft lead pencil

Directions:

1. Print and cut out the felt coaster templates provided below.
2. Trace around all of the details of the template on top of the colored felt you have chosen for the top part of the coaster. Children may prefer to use the permanent ink pen for this part of the process. It is easier to see on dark felt.
3. Then place your circular felt top onto a contrasting felt and use it as a template to cut two additional felt circles that will become the bottom half of the coaster.
4. Set aside the third blank felt piece for later.
5. Sew with straight stitches the fancy top to one of the back sides with a pleasing design. Children find it easiest to follow the outlines of the pattern. Remember to knot and backstitch in order to keep your work from unraveling.
6. Place the third felt circle on top of the first back side and either whip stitch the three felt circles together or use a blanket stitch, if you prefer. This third piece of felt will hide all of your knots!

Additional Suggestions: Some people may elect to craft this project with "No Sew."  Read and follow the directions given on the packaging of the "No Sew" instead of stitching the coaster together by hand.

Diamond design template by Grimm for a felt coaster.

Cross and fish design template by Grimm for a felt coaster.

Mum design template by Grimm for a felt coaster.

Snowflake design template by Grimm for a felt coaster.

A wheel and spoke design by Grimm for a felt coaster.
All of these templates may be downloaded and sized in a
word document to fit the above measurements.
Read the Terms of Use before using it folks.

All patterns and photographs by Grimm copyrighted 2017.

Assemble an embroidered bouquet wrap

You may wish to hang this bouquet
by a vintage dressing table.

Brief Description: I think this is a lovely way to give a simple bouquet of flowers. Baby's breath and red roses would look delightful tucked inside of this embroidered wrap. I used tissue paper flowers for the photograph because these were what I had at hand. Make something new out of something old. 

Supply List:

• embroidered pot holder
• embroidery floss, I used red
• embroidery needle
• scissors

Directions: 

1. Turn the pot holder face down and fold together two of it's opposite points to create the cone shape. Pin down the sides if necessary.
2. Thread your embroidery needle as thickly as you wish and stitch these two side together with a firm decorative stitch. 
3. Stuff the cone shaped wrap with a posy and give it to your sweetheart or friend.

Additional Suggestions: For those of you who still celebrate May Day, this little project would be quiet charming. There are so many of these little embroidered pot holders for sale in antique malls and flee markets for mere pocket change.

The cone shape allows for a charming little
package for rose buds and baby's breath.

An old-fashioned pot holder I picked up in a local antique shop.

All patterns and photographs by Grimm copyrighted 2011.

halloween silhouettes for paper treat bags

Brief Description: Decorate candy treat bags with simple silhouettes of a cat, bat, rat and hat.

Supply List:

• black construction paper
• yellow and black markers
• scissors
• prefabricated treat bags (I choose orange)
• white glue
• templates
• white led or wax pencil
• contrasting tissue or cellophane
• candy treats

Directions:

1. Print and cut out the silhouette templates.
2. Trace around these with a white led or wax pencil.
3. Cut out and paste these to the treat bags.
4. Fill with tissue or cellophane along with candy treats.

Black bat graphic by Kathy Grimm
All of these templates may be downloaded and sized in a
word document to fit the above measurements.
Read the Terms of Use before using it folks.

Black hat graphic by Kathy Grimm

Black rat graphic by Kathy Grimm