To See The World in a Grain of Sand....

and in my mind, that would be with the simplicity of childhood....endless possibility, unlimited time. I spoke yesterday of being drawn to things of 'age'...*VBS* And it should be no surprise that over the years, the library book sale holds treasures that are unavailable elsewhere. I came across this raggety-taggity book like that. It takes a neo-second to pick-up on the 1930 'flavor'. The cover alone would have been a wonderful find. A Scarlet Tannenger...a bird wehave in WI in abundance. My first thought, check the publication date. This one was published, and dedicated to School Art teachers across America, in 1930. The first page holds new treasures... Seasonal Classroom Suggestions...Planned to Develop Appreciation and to Cultivate Taste. Too bad some of
our politicians weren't in grade school at that time...*VBS* As a nation, we could use some sign of 'Appreciation and Taste' from them.
The book progresses as you would expect. Some general instruction for working with the ideas, and then things to make from construction paper and doilies for St. Valentine's Day. And on through the year. In months with no specific holiday, are ideas for making stencils, repeating motifs, and such. The black line

drawings are as delightful as you'd ever want to see. If you are a admirer of the 'look' of the 1930-40's, just a little older than the Sunbonnet Sue drawings. I love the bunnies, there are several pages of bunnies, chicks and baby ducks. Cards to make for Easter, name place cards, etc.
And these adorable Dutch book ends made from cardboard. The instuctions are very complete, including tips on how to paint or finish the 'look'. Pages and pages of vintage Halloween cats and jack-o-lanterns....and on through Christmas.
There are great folded paper baskets(from a single sheet of construction paper) for May Day or perhaps Mother's Day. Even daffodil and iris drawings that the student might use for a reference, or inspiration.
Art was the key that turned the lock in the door to fantasy-land. A place I could and would lose myself without leaving home. I have no awareness of how 'idea' books change for the teachers of childhood art. I was lucky, Art was taught all through grade school. Every month, our classroom teacher would have a selected set of project for us to do in Art Time. Snowflakes, autumn leaves, bright red apples...you know the calender...LOL Art all but disappeared in Jr. High. We had 7th,8th and 9th in a seperate school(junior high, which is now call Middle School). No art until 9th grade...I was devistated. I still have one crayon etching that I had done in 9th grade, way back then...*S* It's not a particular good drawing, on it's 8 X 11" paper, but it speaks to me, and more than 50 years later, I have it. Very little of my early art work exists. A few drawing from college, a couple of paintings no etching or prints. I never did ceramics, fiber or weaving.
I'm extremely visual, and not ashamed to be that....I don't always see detail well, but the picture my mind takes supplies what I need. Oddly, in verbal and written matters, I am a detail person...must have been a survial skill. I can quote you chapter and verse of what you "said" and what "I said", etc. I love words.
It's another strange posting, I know. I'm deep, deep, deep into the sorting, purging and organizing of my life, and sewing is on the back burner. I quilted on my fans, they are coming slowly. I need to make it back into the " curvy" groove. Ans I did a bit of straight line quilting on a psuedo "Gee's Bend" kind of thingy. It's fun and happy and has nothing to do with anything. I'll show you soon, I'm almost to the binding...maybe tomorrow!