Over, under, over, under!

The students continue to progress nicely in World Art class.  They are now working on their weft threads and are adding beads.  This week, students will add their pieces from nature.  I am very proud of their progress and the enjoyable ambiance of our classroom!

In honor of the monarch butterflies that are now emerging with their new wings, we created our very own butterflies yesterday at the Westford Farmers’ Market.   There was much imagination in use in the children’s activity tent!  I saw rainbow butterflies, sports butterflies and wild-patterned butterflies all fly off of the activity table!

To make the butterflies at home, you will need two coffee filters, a pipe cleaner, a large bead and markers.  First, decorate the coffee filters.  These are the wings.  Color all the way to the edges!  Now, scrunch the colored filters into two “bows”.  Attach them together to look like the wings of a butterfly by using the pipe cleaner.   Bend the pipe cleaner around the wings so that both ends of the pipe cleaner are together on one side.  These will be the antennae.  Now, push your bead over the pipe cleaner ends and push it down to the wings.  Now your butterfly has a head!  Trim the butterfly’s antennae to the desired length and curl the tops with your fingertips.  Hold onto it tight, or your butterfly will fly off into the sunshine!

I was very proud of last Wednesday’s World Art class’s progress.  In just one hour, the students completed their round looms and began their weft thread for their Native American weavings.  Great job!  I thoroughly enjoyed our class and am looking forward to this week’s class where we will get to add beads to our weavings as well as continue our weft threads.  And, Gaylord, my big cat, decided to drop into the picture to give his seal of approval!  I will continue to post our class’s progress in future weeks.

Our Little House in Westford with Wallace the Dog

Well, as of this month, we have officially been New Englanders for an entire year.  We are tenants of Meadowbrook Farm and have enjoyed its seasons to the utmost.  We are embarking upon another fall, my favorite season.  Already, the leaves are changing on the tree in front of the decrepit schoolhouse.  This time of year is marking the end of plant life (as evidenced in my aged garden), but for some reason, the hint of crispness in the air always invigorates me and makes me think of new beginnings.

Speaking of new beginnings, I want to share all of our new additions to our life since last September.  We now are a two-car family (as of two years ago we were merely a two-bike family).  In April, we added a wonderful dog from Big Fluffy Dog Rescue of Tennessee to our feline animal family.  The cats aren’t so sure that they love him yet, but he has been our pride and joy and our key into Westford community life.  People can’t help but stop and ask us, “Is that a dog or a horse?”  Then, in June, I picked up a peeping package from the Westford Post Office.  We added 25 baby chicks to the Hanlin-Piper household.  They are now happily thriving in the old coop my dad restored in the backyard.  We also restored a very old garden and have been living off the Mother Lode of Cucumbers.  And, I have added to my life my very own business.  I have had the entrepreneurial spirit since I was a child running a “carnival” in our backyard and selling cucumbers on the side of our dirt road.  Now, I have Rumphius . . . Creativity Unhinged which is a conglomeration of all of my favorite things.  I paint, sing, write, teach and hot glue all in the name of art.  What could be better?

Finally, and most importantly, I have a new last name.  I am no longer Emily Hanlin.  I am Emily Piper.  I married the love of my life just two weeks ago.  What a lucky girl . . . a beautiful old farm with 28 creatures to love, a stonewall garden, a budding business and a handsome, supportive husband. 

So, I start anew this September.  I look forward to the additions of this coming year.  Happy Autumn!

We had so much fun today creating little grassy-haired creatures!  Remember, everyone, fill the cup with water and set in a sunny window!  I can’t wait for mine to grow its green, lush locks!  It was a beautiful day here in Westford, and the Farmers’ Market was a big success.

For the first time together, here are the painted ladies of Rumphius. They are gathered in the Recycled Outhouse Gallery. Who knows what they might be gossiping about! For more information about purchasing one of these ladies for your decor or holiday decorating, e-mail Emily at rumphius@creativityunhinged.com.