Wedding Dresses!

Your wedding is so special. Remember the day by having a Wedding Dress Portrait Keepsake!
Original *Wedding Dress portraits painted on 11 x 14 inch canvas $200.00.  

*Several close up front view pictures of the bride in her wedding gown will be needed along with the exact wedding date and the suggested background color.
Contact Cyndie at fcscyndie@bellsouth.net

Reflections!

     Gosh, I realize that I'm not a good blogger!  Time goes so quickly and so many wonderful things happen that it is difficult to keep up the post.  But fortunately, I have carved a bit of time for a quick update.
     Our precious grandson, Beau, had his first birthday in Huntsville at his family home to the joy of everyone in attendance.  He was such a sweet and very cooperative baby who clapped after everyone  sung Happy Birthday to him--just how adorable is that!
     This year I reached my 10th anniversary in the teaching profession.  Reflecting back to my first year  in 2004 it is very hard to realize that I made it this long!  Without the support of family and friends and much prayer I would have thrown in the towel long ago.  I'm going for year 11 with much excitement.  I'm taking on the job of FMS yearbook sponsor in addition to my regular teaching schedule.  I have been assigned a "hand picked" group of students to manage the process and I will oversee their work.  This new adventure stimulates my creative vibes and also brings back memories of my high school days on the yearbook staff.
     This summer has been relaxing.  It is the first summer in 10 years that I don't have speaking engagements booked which gives me free time for other things.  I can leisurely go to local professional development classes while still having time to paint, cook and sew.
     My latest challenge has been to paint wedding dress portraits.  The inspiration came from the encouragement of friends.  How exciting it has been to see the results.  It reminds me of the paper doll days of dressing the manequins in fancy flowing ball gowns.  It certainly seems to be taking off with orders that have already been placed.
     I just returned from delivering some of my artwork to a local Daphne restaurant, Samurai J, for an exhibition.  For several years we have loved getting away to enjoy sushi at this favorite local restaurant.  We have established a friendship with the owner, Michele, and after a suggestion was made about their featured artwork I've had the opportunity to showcase my work too. My home is now void of its wall art and the whole concept of "sharing" may take some getting used to!
     Happy summer everyone!

Happy New Year 2014!

     The fall semester has flown by!  It has been a fantastic school year so far.  I've been so swamped by the new computer teaching methods that I totally forgot to update my blog.  Learning the Moodle computer adaptation has been a welcomed challenge.  This is an organizational tool to keep lessons, tests and assignments altogether on a website page for students to access.  If you say the word "organize" then I'm interested!  The best part about getting materials organized in this matter is that it will always be there to use again and again.  I'm sure that it will be necessary to tweak things now and then but basically the work is done to be used from semester to semester.
     Our FCCLA club members enjoyed an overnight trip to Birmingham for a leadership conference hosted by a fabulous keynote speaker who rode a unicycle in his presentation!
     In November over the Veterans Day weekend I had the privilege of taking a delegation of 17 eighth grade girls and 8 mothers on an ultimate field trip to the Big Apple.  Yes, five days in New York City!  We joined with other schools in Baldwin County for a combined total of 43 travelers.  It was a food and fashion tour which involved a solid sun-up to sun-down itinerary of educational and fun activities. Spanish Fort High School FACS teacher, Dianne Bernasconi, spear headed the marvelous trip.

Here's a beautiful picture of my girls in Central Park framed with the colorful fall foliage!

     Our precious grand baby, Beau is just a love.  We were so fortunate to have them down south for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.  What a special privilege it is to be a grand parent!  I'm still working on my grandmother title but with many suggestions and ideas I'm sure that one will stick soon.
     Matt is going to be embracing home ownership this week.  He has decided to put his money in a solid investment and we are so proud of him for showing maturity and responsibility.
     My dear Family and Consumer Sciences teacher friend, Joni Ojard, became ill in November and recently underwent a liver transplant a few days ago.  All indications are that the surgery was a success and that she is getting better everyday.  God promises to provide our every need and He has surely been merciful throughout this trial. Please join me in continuing to pray for a full recovery!
     Santa bestowed on me a lovely new sewing machine and I am throughly enjoying my time in the "Studio" discovering all that it can do.  I'm attending sewing classes weekly to master its use. So, I'm once again a student!
     A new spring semester with bright new faces ready to learn what the FACS curriculum has to offer will begin on January 14th.  We are so fortunate that our schools are still offering a practical "life skills" class such as Family and Consumer Sciences in our present day and time.
     Blessings to you for a fabulous New Year!
   

Welcome Computers to Fall, 2013!

     This school year has gotten off to a busy start with the issuing of Mac Book Air laptop computers to all of the students!  Yes, how technology has changed the way we teach.  The 7th graders are great kids and we are moving rapidly through the curriculum at this time by enhancing learning with the use of computer applications.
     I'm enrolled in an online MOODLE course to help me organize my classroom and club activities which is taking plenty of my extra time to set up. However, once most of the ground work is in place it will make for easier classroom preparation in the future.
     I'm so excited about the number of students interested in the Unicycle Club this year. The kick off meeting will be October 3rd. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and encouraging them to ride--who knows what this year's opportunities will bring!
     I've enjoyed a wonderful field trip to Birmingham for the Joint Leadership Development Conference (JLDC) with very enthusiastic FCCLA club students who helped me celebrate my birthday while on the trip.
     My birthday was celebrated in grand style with my family a day later!  Oh, how the years are ticking by!
     Our new grand baby is growing up before our eyes.  He is a very healthy, happy big 4 month old boy.  Catherine is keeping us updated daily on his achievements through the use of technology and we are so anxious to see him in a couple of weeks.
     Jon has started a fantastic new job, putting in many laborious hours but so thankful for God's direction in his life. Praise the Lord!
     Hope this message finds you grateful and blessed! 
                                                                       
                                                                                           

Professional Development Workshops Galore!!

  The Alabama Alliance for Arts Education 21/2 day workshop was just a fantastic experience!  FACS teacher Diane Bernasconi from Spanish Fort High school and I set out on this adventure only to be bombarded with  many fabulous art projects that we actually made ourselves and continued to complete on our own time, sometimes working until 10 0'clock at night! Our instructors were extremely knowledgeable; teaching us paper/fabric marbling, painting, poetry, stain glass jewelry art and the importance of movement/dance to keep class periods energized.  Now, I have great ideas for art projects that I will feel comfortable incorporating into my curriculum.

  Here I am dropping the paint into the marbling pan prior to dipping the paper and fabric to make a marbled design.  It was so fun because you never knew how the imprint would turn out!

  I always wanted to be an art teacher so this is my chance to be one!  Tomorrow starts the beginning of school for 2013-2014- my 10th school year at Fairhope Middle School!  Cheers to teachers and students!

Summer Reflections!

  As always my summer is tightly scheduled which probably contributes to the time flying by.  I'm now at the bottom of my to-do-list which always gives me a welcome feeling of accomplishment.  It has been a fantastic break!  The SREB conference was amazing.  It was thrilling to see over 100 people in attendance for my "H.O.T.S. for education" presentation on Friday, July 19th.  Thanks to all in attendance and for your comments and well wishes as I look forward to seeing you again next year in Nashville. We were even able to see Baby Beau on our return trip from Charlotte where he gave me a few precious chuckles.  So adorable!
 One of the BIG projects on my list this summer was to create a craft room for sewing, painting and projects.  Fortunately, my husband and son, Matt Wilkins, got on board to see this through.  It started with moving furniture, cleaning out drawers and closets, painting walls; then laying out the plan on graph paper, locating the cabinets and installation.  It's a dream come true to have this functional space all my own!

 One more week of professional development and then it will be back to the early morning school schedule. I must say, that as much as I love my time off there is something to be said for the productive work routine and getting to know my new students that I actually enjoy! Cheers to my 10th year of teaching! God bless and  be safe!

What a week!

  Our family had the privilege to host the newest member of our family for the week of the Fourth of July!  I had a thrilling moment when little Beau responded to me with a precious smile.  Oh, the pride of a grandparent!  We all enjoyed babysitting, having meals together with those memorable interruptions, laughing at the small "toots", tripping over baby "stuff" and visiting with family, neighbors and friends. It just can't get any better than that!
  Sadly, however, our dearest friend, Barbara, lost her battle with cancer on the Fourth of July!  She was the most adorable, stylish lady and I suppose it was fitting for her to go out with fireworks.  The services were beautiful. The comforting messages and lovely music helped to remind me that we are on earth temporarily and where our focus should be. Please join me in praying for her adoring husband, family and friends.
  At this moment I am preparing for the national SREB conference in North Carolina next week. Pray for safe travel and for me to reach other teachers with my presentations on literacy as it relates to Career Readiness.