Patriotic Art

I follow a few bloggers.  I admit, they are Mommy bloggers but I find them interesting and some have sparked me to want to do more things or different things with Philip as he grows up.  One of the bloggers I've followed is Morgan Moore (onemoremoore).  Over the years, she has blogged about trips to the beach, different cool recipes, and crafts and such she has done with her kids and friends.

Well she is in Utah for the summer (before moving to New York City).  I so wanted to meet her but didn't want to be a blog stalker.  Much to my surprise, she and her Mom offered a patriotic art class last week.  I admit, I wasn't really into flag decorations (I'm lucky to get my flag hung outside) but I really wanted to meet Morgan and it was only $30.  It included most the supplies and a light dinner.  Why not??

After much investigating to make sure I could get in her house, and I could find her house in Lehi, I made it.  I was very pleased there were only 2 steps into the house and they were next to a wall so it was easy to get in.  And her house was flat...at least the part we used.  Her Mom used to own a craft store and I guess she does regular holiday art classes.  There were 8 ladies there for the class.  First we started by learning how to make their yummy salad complete with chicken and bacon.  We were served rolls from a popular Lehi bakery.  We also learned how to make an ice cream dessert that we ate later.  Then we started into our crafts.  We started with the biggest project which was a "FREEDOM" banner.  We jumped into "aging" our paper with ink and coffee.  We also glittered like crazy.  We all brought our glue guns and got to work putting everything together.  I was pretty surprised how well it came out.  Luckily, I already have hooks on my fireplace for my Christmas garland so it went right there.

Made with muffin cups, twine, cut out letters and

circles, torn fabric, and upholstery webbing.

 

Then we started our altered book.  I admit, I was very concerned with the book.  We had to bring our own and I didn't give much thought to the size or style of book until 2 days before class.  On a frantic search, I decided to find the same book she showed in her sample.  It was from the "Honey Bunch" series from the 1930s and 1940s.  I had never heard of the series but I guess they are very popular.  Luckily I found one on Amazon with a red fabric cover that was eligible for Prime shipping....so that puppy was mine.  Luckily it arrived about lunch time on the day of the class.  We folded the pages so they splayed out as an open book.  We put a little title thingy on it and glued flags in the spine.  I have a really hard time ruining a book.  I can't even write in books so this was a big step.  I have to say it is pretty cute on my mantle...even with the jacked up word stamping.  I am not good at stamping.

 

 

And for a final project, we made a rocket.  We covered a hanger with patriotic tinsel.  The rocket was a paper towel holder covered with paper of our choosing.  We had vintage photos to choose from and silver pipe cleaners to put out the bottom like sparks.  That one came together really fast and I thought it was pretty cute.

 

 

 

I asked Morgan for a photo together.  She said she usually won't do that but she would for me.  I had a great time and enjoyed meeting Morgan.  I was the only one that knew her from the blog.  Her Mom was very nice but kept calling me her blog stalker.  I guess that is okay because she said it with a smile and little wink.  Everyone else was family or friends.  It was a great way to spend the evening.  I was really proud of myself to sticking my neck out and being around complete strangers.  They were all very nice.

Morgan and Me

 

Alexis, Morgan, and Lisa.  Very fun ladies

  

We are looking forward to the 4th of July.  Mostly excited for a day off work.  We plan to go to a movie and we were invited to one of my friends house for a BBQ and fireworks in the evening.  Should be fun...it is the Moab group.

 

Happy 4th of July to all of you.  Please have fun and be safe.