In Class 5/31

1. Distribution

• We need to send to our community evaluator, Ms. Lord, our Mentor, and our two classmates who are evaluating us the following:

1. Role of Evaluator sheet
2. Grading Rubric
3. print one copy of EVERYTHING for Ms. Lord. We can put our blog on a CD with the two papers listed above, but we should print the two papers as well in that case.

2. Double space
3. Write a closing entry

• Bring a copy of the final entry if it is not included in the copy submitted five days before

Sample Presentation
What worked?
What do you hope for your project?
What might you borrow?


Involving people by getting them to imagine really worked
I hope to borrow this by...

****SPOILER****


My project was inspired by nature
I can ask the audience to sketch a design which is inspired by nature
For me, I either create from transforming something from nature (Rooster dress), get inspired by nature (Owl Dress), or take from other drawings inspired by nature.

Carrie H talked about the former WISE students that she had talked to about their project, and one of them had been doing jewelery made from recycled materials. She had pictures in the background while she talked (I wanted to do the same!!! I want to have photographs of the sketches in a slideshow, and then the piece itself upfront. I want it to POP and be COLORFUL!!!)
She also had people working on creating jewelery while she was talking, which gave me the idea of having people design clothes while I talk...
Is that copying too much? I was thinking of having my sketches in the background ages ago, so...

Sample Presentation

Today I went to school again after WISE for Carrie's Sample Presentation. We were told to make notes on what we saw and how it related to our project. We were encouraged to think of the project as separate from the project process. We also made comments on what we liked, and what we didn't like. I've put my notes below:

• Looked at the crowd, didn't read notes too much
• some awkward pauses, but built suspense
• talked about how she got into poetry, and got into the project
• described what exactly spoken word poetry is (pretty much a performance of poetry)
• described what poetry slams were (poetry competitions)
• not used to competition, intimidating
• used lots of emotion- I was worried at one point that you would burst into tears at times
• very few "ums"!!!
• some humor- good, made us laugh, but did not quite understand the relevancy of math games
• eventually connected her friend's love for math games with her love for poetry
• sometimes slightly too personal for comfort when talking about friend and crushes, though that did bring drama and attention

•  Don't lift up your note cards!! ruins the illusion that you know it all- we can see them!
• like the variation in speed! kept us attentive
• drama
• what she took out of competition- became more confident, more daring?
• inspiration, poets she admires, names
• research comes out- cited a lot of YouTube
• but made it interesting by making it weaved in and giving us the interesting facts

• you don't have to tell us you don't have time to show us something- just don't show it
• warn me when you start your angry poems (or don't...)! caught my by surprise (which was probably the point)
• angry poem wasn't angry, but hurt. Perhaps you have more of a variety of emotions being expressed than you think. Try not to think of the whole poem as one emotion!

• learned new emotions over course of project- competition, outgoing, confidence
• ***** Made the audience participate!!!!!
• Unfortunately I did not have the courage to say what I actually wrote, which was actually pretty poetic, and instead just said that I really hated war. I wanted to share what I wrote, so I will share it here:

War
Makes my blood boil, especially stupid war
No offense... wait, yes offense!!
The war in Israel is moronic
The separation of Pakistan was unnecessary
The war against Terror didn't work during Bush
'Cause the dummy FUNDED his enemies! (slightly too harsh? Sorry...)
Iraq got turned upside down
Thanks to inexcusable warfare.
And these are just a few examples...
Don't argue with me. You know I'm right

• fooled around to get attention- eye contact
• pointed out someone texting!
• jaw dropped :)

Things I wish to borrow...
 ******* WARNING:  PRESENTATION SPOILER!!!! *******

• Can share emotions, thoughts, inspiration, insights, which I couldn't/didn't think to share in my journal
• idea: machines! I struggled with machines (and even the computer/blogger) and did not share this in my journal... oops!

The Evaluation

Positives

•  at journal entry 4/14, the tone of the journal changed, and then changed again after the poetry slam. Can hear the difference
• didn't use multimedia, just spoke, and thus enraptured the audience. Also, project vocal- it worked
• reflected on relationship with mentor
• embedded YouTube videos into blog
• contacted many people
• answered lists of questions in blog
• spent more time than needed
• paper journal worked for her
• edits in the journal

Negatives

• narrative lacked emotion in comparison to the rest of the project/presentation. Perhaps intentional? Contrast?
• miss expanding on things left unfinished in the blog
• YouTube used a lot in projects, but used real people as well- perhaps use less YouTube
• balance micro and macro more
• did not express enough goals
• wanted concluding entry ****
• don't get too cocky
• pursue people who ignore you

 Extra Thoughts

• Must practice presentation beforehand! I hate practicing beforehand, since I feel more nervous the more I practice, and like being spontaneous when I talk in front of people. It's more like an adventure that way. However, I'm definitely going to take time to organize my work, and lay out my time to take full advantage of my thirty minutes
• Judy said you can't just paint when you feel like it. You have to force it so that you can do it whenever. Eew... I don't like forcing it :( I'll leave that to other mediums. Some days, you just can't paint, or you can't sew. The machine always gets stuck, or the tension's stuck. Sometimes it just doesn't work!

What a Project Should Be

•  Difficult
• 1/2 hands on, 1/2 research *** NEED to get on that RESEARCH!!!!
• push limits
• expand world
• growth 

Mentor Meeting 5/19

I showed Ms. Lasher the t-shirt I was working on.
I then shared my plans for next garment- the nest dress!!!
My planned date for the presentation (the 17th of June) is all good.
I needed help with ideas on how to write the narrative and give a good presentation that did not repeat what was written in my journal.
At first, Ms. Lasher and I were really stumped. How could the journal only make up a small portion of the narrative and presentation, when the journal was recording everthing I did. But then I started thinking about interpretation. What are different ways I can interpret and present my project so that I can give it a new meaning in each medium, a paper and a presentation.
We decided that for the narrative, I would give more background and depth to my past in making me choose this project, what I learned and achieved, and how I will use this new understanding and knowledge in the future. This is the story on how WISE impacted my life, and how my journal gave me a new lense to look through.
As for my presentation, I was thinking of presenting each model, and include accessories and make-up. Ms. Lasher says that she and Ms. Affronti might be able to lend me some jewelery. Ms Lasher says she might have the prefect turquoise necklace for me to use. I also found two or three possible models, and one of them, Cassy, says that she would be willing to help me with make-up. She always has funky make-up on, and would perfect. I would then talk about my inspiration for the garment, how my inspiration transformed and changed, and background research on my sources of information, and the international cultures that I took tips from in making my garments.
Ms Lasher really gave me some great ideas, and I feel much more confident about my project now.

Getting a Blog ready to Print

http://www.blogbooker.com/
http://www.blurb.com/create/book/blogbook

In Class 5/3

May already!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry. Anyway...
I missed class on Tuesday because I caught a cold stressing over my chem/calc exam. Funny how that works, no? I seem to be getting sick an awful lot lately...
Back to the point. In class, I missed a lot of info/introductions about the following:

• I want to start with explaining about the citations because it's funny. For me.
• I asked one of my classmates, who said that over the weekend, due Monday morning promptly, we were supposed to hand in 10 citations that we used, with annotations. Turns out we don't have to do that (Ms. Lord clarified the misunderstanding to me later when I asked). I wonder how many people will turn this in to her :P
• Next, we had to fill out a mid marking period 4 student progress form, which IS due Monday. I already filled it out during my mentor meeting today and stuck it in Ms. Lord's mailbox.
• We DO have a ten source minimum requirement for the WHOLE project (it's so small!! I HOPE I've used way more!)
• We will get more details on project requirements soon... I think? Unless I missed this part... I need to double check

Still need to do:

• I have to sign up for a presentation date (oops... should have done that when I saw her today!)
• My creative Assigment is due 5/17
• Ask parents to evaluate projects at the end of the year
• Google IHS WISE program calendar

Mentor Meeting 4/5

Today I met with Ms Lasher as usual, and we had a very brief talk about what I did at my last sew-green session. I told her that there was a possiblity that I might complete the dress during the next session! We also talked about how, since the MUN team (of which she is the advisor) might be going to NYC, I might be able to take a detour during that trip!

Fatherly advice

I just talked to my dad around two minutes ago, because I was worried about my project, and getting started. When I told him I was trying to learn how to sew, but wasn't really going anywhere, he asked me why I hadn't pulled out the machine. I came up with some really lame excuses, and then he said something really important. "You need to become friends with the machine. You're friends with the paintbrush, it's part of your arm, but you're not friends with the machine yet." Basically, I've become afraid of the machine. It's been a good six to eight years since I last used a sewing machine and made perfectly straight lines. The last time I used one was my first time at Sew-Green, and all of my lines were crooked (though I was rushing it a lot). He suggested that I get used to using the sewing machine again by taking an old sheet, and following straight lines, as well as curvy ones, just getting used to sewing again. Old sheets, watch out! I'm coming to get you!

Mentor Meeting 2/8

Today we talked mainly about the financial aspect of my project. Ms. Lasher was the first one who really lit the lightbulb that this was something I really should think about. I hadn't really thought of any fundraising ideas, and I quickly realized while talking to her that I had no idea what to do! I knew I had some discount options, and we found out that there are tons of selective sales and discounts at Jo-Ann's, but really, I had no clue!
We came up with a few ideas:

• Selling cookies!- I have already been begged for cookies, obviously they're popular. Perhaps I could sell them in class? The boys would buy them all in two days!
• Getting people to fund my clothes, though I don't think this will work for the following reasons
• I will need them to be my models, and be ready when I need them for fittings. It would be so much easier to use my own body
• They might not like the end result, and not want to pay for it
• Honestly, I don't really want to part with my work. I'm so excited about wearing these clothes MYSELF. What if the model never appreciates it?
• However, during the presentation, it might be tough to present the clothes without models, but if they aren't being modeled, people can touch them. ARGHHH! Well, perhaps I can borrow a few manniquens for that one day, or find other people my size, since I'm pretty average in terms of waist size
• Using discounts to fullest potential and having super low budget
• Ms. Lasher found that there was a VIP card for designers/sewing fanatics at Jo-Ann's that gives a 10 % disocunt. She kindly said that she would help me talk to Jo-Ann's, and that we would try to get that card, because it would be really helpful in gathering whatever I cannot find at Sew-Green.
• Buying/ asking for used clothes and using the material for new clothes

Also, something that just happened a few minutes ago! My mom had said that she would pay me for some babysitting that I had done, and give me the cost of the ticket I would have bought had I gone to the concert as well (it's complicated. Pretty much, I traded going with my parents to a concert for babysitting my brother and having the cash that would have gone towards the ticket instead). Well, it turns out she was serious about her offer! I now have $100 with which to start my project!!!!! It's not much (my initial estimate of expenses had been around $150-200), but it definately is not nothing! I will definately be able to start with this, and perhaps fund my whole project if I am frugal and a super super discount shopper.

Plan for Next Week

This morning, I was working on preparing for my Mock Trial Competition, when suddnely, I realized that I would be at the competition on Thursday! This means no Sew-Green this Thursday. I was devistated, since I was really looking forward to draping my dress, but perhaps it was a blessing in disguise, since I will have more time to finish sketching, and organize my materials and how I will finance this project. I'm starting to get a little intimidated now that I am getting closer, but I must persevere!

Mentor Meeting and My first day at Sew Green

During my mentor meeting today, Ms. Lasher and I had a short chat about my upcoming first day of my apprenticeship at Sew Green. We decided that since we wouldn't know about how the first day went until the next day, that we would meet Monday of next week in order to have a full meeting.

My first day at Sew Green!
I walked into the room, and was immediately greeted by smiling faces and a warm, welcoming classroom. I finally got to meet Wendy, and Autumn was there too. I recognized Gir, a former student of Ithaca High School, who is now an apprentice of Sew-Green. Everyone was hard at work on their sewing machines, making drawstring bags to be sent to school children in third world countries. Sew Green often has projects aimed at donating to charities. For example, Sew Green once made dresses for little girls in Africa. It's quite touching to know that the bag you were sewing for practice wasn't just going to be a wasted effort, but aftually help someone.
Right off the bat, Gir, gave me a very entertaining run-down of sewing machine, telling me all of the parts of the machine, and how they worked. Unfortunately, in my later efforts on making bags, I forgot the sheet with all the names of the parts. I will have to remember to get it at my next visit. However, the names were quite straight forward, and I remembered many of them from my sewing lessons when I was little.
As soon as my intro was finished, I was set to work, making bags. I made three bags in 1.5 hours, which is VERY slow compared to some of the other sewers, however, I got the hang of sewing again (for the most part!) I realized that my lines have become very messy, and since we had to sew next to a very thin edge, I was having a lot of trouble. I feel like I would have had an easier time on my own machine, but I am really rusty, so who knows. In the future, perhaps I will pin my seams while I am practicing, and gradually reduce the number of pins, in order to have my edges line up.
At the end of the day, I got some one on one time with Autumn. She looked over my sketches, and gave some comments. One was whether or not I wanted a theme. Usually fashion lines have one piece that ties everything together. I need to decide what that will be. Another was that, although I have labeled my sketches, I need to draw flat sketches of the clothes (as though they are lying on the ground) with all the seams shown, and lots of detail. I'm glad I have a lot of space in my sketchbook! Finally, I should be designing while keeping in mind that the more I can alter the same pattern and come up with something new, the better, that way we can work with the same pattern and add stuff on.
Next week, Autumn said that I we would be able to start draping my first dress! I'm really excited. We're going to start with the easiest piece, which is the dress with the coral painted on it (see Sketchbook). In the meantime, I have to expand my sketches with the flat sketches, and come up with some more designs and options so that we have many to pick and choose from. Right now I have 3 favorites. Obviously, since I plan to have 5 outfits, I need some more sketches.
One last thing that I forgot...
We talked about the cost of cloth. Cloth can be really expensive, and currently I don't know how I'm going to get the money. I was thinking of dipping into my wages, but I really want to save up for college. Right now, that's my back up plan. I get 40% off all the merchandise in the Sew-Green store, since I'm an apprentice. That's HUGE! I have yet to explore the store, but that will definately be a way to save money. Also, I'm currently desiging clothes with realtively low cost materials (muslin, stretch cotton, etc).
One idea I had for raising money would be to get my models to sponser me. Since the clothes would be made to fit them, they could pick which outfit they want to model, and bid for it. The highest bidder gets to model the outfit, and then keep it so long as they pay for all of the materials. This would give me a budget, but at least I would have money to make the clothes. Alternatively, I can think of it as an investment for myself, making clothes that I would wear in the future, and paying out of pocket. This would be easier in that I would always have a model (me), but I would probably put an even smaller budget on each outfit in that case, since I really don't want to be broke!

Mentor Meeting

Today I met with Ms. Lasher. I talked about my upcoming interview (which is tomorrow!), and what I had done so far (set up the interview, start my blog, and make a few sketches). It was a pretty short mentor meeting, because I have just started, and there was little to talk about, but I discussed upcoming goals, plans, and Ms. Lasher told me that one of her friends is a costume designer, so I might be able to work with her too! I would love to do a project designing and making a costume. It would be really fun. She comes down from Rochester on the weekends, so maybe we could meet then.
My interview is scheduled for 6:15 tomorrow, at Sew-Green. I'm a little nervous, but I've done interviews before, and I should be fine. I had emailed Autumn Newell, the Youth Program Director, and left a message on their phone. Soon after (like five minutes later, actually) I got a response requesting an interview on Thursday. I replied that it would work, and I got emailed a form that I have to fill out. The form's pretty straight forward and simple, but it has the following question, which will need more thought:

Please tell us a little about yourself. What are some of your interests?

Why do you think you would be a good fit for the apprenticeship program?

This is similar to almost any interview, but I need to really consider exactly how I will fit in the program. I know that it will benefit me a lot, but I need to carefully consider how I will benefit the program, seeing as I have no sewing experience.
All in all though, I'm very excited about the apprenticeship. I know that I will work hard, and learn a lot.

Starting My Blog

I had gotten really excited about blogs after Mr. Heurich's convincing presentation, and immediately went home and asked my mom about it. She was worried about the security of a blog, but I set it up, and went for the max-security, and now, although it's not as nice as writing (when I write, I can draw arrows, make diagrams, and all that right in my text without having to first take a picture and pasting), but I want to be able to save trees and have everything in one place.
I get really annoyed with technology, and figuring out the blog was a struggle of a full hour, transfering all of the stuff from my previous paper entries (that's why I already have four entries), and formating my blog to work the way I wanted it to. But it's sort of nice, because now I can just type up my journal entries, it's perfectly legible, without smudging, and I can type a little faster than I can write (my hands don't get tired). Best of all, no eraser marks!
I feel like an old granny trying out word processing for the first time!
Anyway, now what I need to figure out is how to get people to realize that I am the one inviting them to read my blog, since I'm anonymous on my page. I guess I'll just send them a separate email with my invitation, warning them that it's not junk.
Thanks for reading my ramblings! Hope you don't get bored!

Second Week (or more)

1. Start with apprenticeship (1.5 hr/day, more or less)
• OR: watch one tutorial movie and make what it directs per day (at least 1 hr each)
• Can have combination of both
2. Start making a pair of pants (if time, may continue to next week)
• Take pics along the way
• undo seams on jeans (1 hr, really!)
• LABEL beforehand!
• lay out pieces and make a pattern (.5 hr)
• adjust/change if necessary or want to
• research adjustments for materials! (stretch/fall), experiment
• make dud with cheap cloth & glue it in order to test pattern

PREVIEW: next make collared shirt!

First Week

1. Call and email Sew Green & Jo-Ann contact, as well as any other contacts on list (1 hr)
• Schedule apprenticeship interview (1 hr)
2. Take inventory of each fabric/amount that I already have, as well as colors and thread types, and old clothing that I can take apart (1.5 hr)
3. Do check up/ set up of machine
• Read whole manual back to front (1 hr)
4. Meet with mentor! (.75 hr)
• Talk about what I have so far, possible interview
5. Make a list of necessary materials based on inventory, searching online for lists/tips on materials, and listing where to find them (1 hr)
6. Design two complete outfits (1 hr)