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BHDS Volunteering Photos

 

          

                            

Volunteering at BHDS-- Marin

For the volunteer component of my keystone, I am not only creating projects and selling them for charity, but also just started volunteering at my alma mater, Brandeis Hillel Day School, Marin. This past Monday, March 17, I had a triple study hall (C block was canceled due to the teacher being in Israel), so my dad and I headed to Brandeis, where I guest taught a middle school art class.

     I started the class by explaining what my keystone was, and gave a short presentation where I showed them my blog and some of my projects.

     I was called to help because my sister, Shayna (JCHS class of 2018!), told Lisa Levy, the art teacher, about the gift I made for our New Orleans host organization. I created a Shrinky Dink Hamsa hanging ornament-type thing. I will make another post about that, and a tutorial of this class that I taught.

     I then demonstrated how to draw a Hamsa with a new technique I invented when making my gift. I answered some quick questions and then for the next hour helped the students draw and color their Hamsas onto Shrinky Dink Paper. It ended up being a fantastic class, and we took pictures that will end up in their weekly newsletter, the HaShavuah. I was able to import the photos onto my computer, and my favorites are in the next post. Thank you to Brandeis for giving me the opportunity and being just generally awesome. Love to all, Stay Creative! Rivi <3  

Update

Thought I'd update all of you on my current progress. 

Working title: DIY life for fun and non-profit

Product based Keystone
Volunteer progress--
Required: 10 hours, 5 of which relate to Keystone
Completed: Approx. 4 hours (need to check the record) with village project tutoring (unrelated), 2 hours teaching a middle school art class at my alma mater, Brandeis Marin, 

Additional Note: Completed approx. 7 hours spent creating projects that will be sold for money to donate to arts programs so far, but I don't count those hours until I have received and donated the profit.

Plans: More hours creating and selling my projects.

Update: I will also be cleaning out and donating most of my old art supplies before college. Contact me if you are interested in them for your program, school, organization, etc.

Research Paper Progress
Yeah, I should really get on that. 0 hours.

Bringing it Back: I created a Hamsa wall hanging for our host organization for our Senior class journey to New Orleans. I will also check in with my Keystone advisor about that.

Spiritual Component: Working on it. I have quite a few ideas that I will run by Dr. Sandel and the Keystone team. 

Final Product: I have been documenting in photos or video every art project, I have to compile it into a product-worthy series of tutorials.

WISH ME LUCK!

Two Blogs

Hey so I have two Keystone blogs...as you well may know, my Keystone has suffered many transformations. I am not ready to give up either, since both have many posts that haven't been finished. So please keep up with both! 

Creative Writing: 
http://selfexpressionandcreativity.blogspot.com/

DIY:
http://diyrlife.blogspot.com/

GIVEAWAY

I am doing a Keystone giveaway!! Get excited. This is an iPad 2 Case. Extra protective, includes double layer of fleece. The Cover of Good Night Moon is printed on fabric on the back. Flap closes the case and includes a 'made with love' tag. Colors: Blue and Green Fleece, White fabric with Goodnight Moon Cover, and rose printed fabric for the flap holder. Simply like this status on facebook and/or on this blog for a chance to win. (Disclaimer: This will not be random. Enter and I will choose from the contestants. More chances to win coming soon.  )

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Planning my Kigurumi

To start off, I had to decide my inspiration and plan it out.

I looked up a few DIY Onesie and Kigurumi videos and tutorials:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL1q-OGoNJ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMFAwRYhV2c

There are many youtube tutorials of this sort, these are just the two I used for inspiration.

I chose the materials I needed and made my list--

Flannel/Fleece-- I got many, many yards of fleece because it was on a two dollar sale at Fabric Outlet (http://www.fabricoutletsf.com/). Fleece is very warm and good for onesies, but through the creation process I think flannel would've been easier to sew. I thought about that when purchasing my fabric, but the fact that I got ten yards of fleece for the price of two yards of flannel just made it worth it.

• I got ten yards of fleece and only used about two of them for the onesie. However, I would suggest getting at least three yards so there is room for mistakes.
• I got about seven yards of light blue fleece and the other three in miscellaneous colors as remnants. While you could totally make a onesie with just one color, it's important for you to have at least two colors to make a Kigurumi
• It would be nice to have some scraps to make the eyes, ears, etc.

Sewing Machine-- Necessary. I know that many of you don't have one, and if you don't, don't do this tutorial. You will drive yourself nuts trying to hand sew it.

• I want to add that since I have gotten my sewing machine, I barely hand sew anymore. It's so much better, even for simple mending purposes.

Buttons, Zippers, Snaps-- You will need some kind of closure. I am actually not sure what I am going to use to close mine, but I got the following

• Buttons (Fun ones, big ones, plus all the random ones my mom has kept over the years)
• Zippers (Three for a dollar, I got pretty long ones since they need to zip up your entire front
• Eyelets (I probably won't use these; they surround a small hole to allow the piece to be strung up)
• Velcro (Sew on, not stick on. Stick on will never stay on fabric)

Alright let's get started!

Animal Onesie

Hey guys! So I've been totally obsessed with onesie pajamas lately. I had a couple pairs as a kid, and I really miss that cozy feel (especially on rainy days like these). I found this really cool Japanese style called Kigurumi that are designed to look like animals. Unfortunately, they are pretty pricey, so I figured it could be super fun (and keeping with my keystone) to DIY them! I have been working on them over the past few days, so I will be publishing the tutorial in multiple posts as I finish them. Love to all stay creative!

Rainy Day

Today is a rainy, groggy day. Otherwise known as ARTSY day! I will be doing crafts, keystone, and homework all day (hopefully). Stay tuned for new tutorials by the hour!