It all started with Lark Publishing Company.  An independent publisher of crafting  books of every description.  I was lucky enough to have been discovered by them, for an article in their blog about torsade (twisted) necklaces, when they included my Textile Statement Necklace from my Esty shop.  I registered myself with their email list, and now get frequent updates on new books, as they are published.  One morning I got an email about the newly released book entitled, Closet Monsters by John Murphy.  Evidently Mr. Murphy had written two prior books about making monsters from recycled sox.  His next monsterous evolution, Closet Monsters, subtitled, Stitch Creatures You Love, From Clothes You Don’t, immediately struck me as a project my 7-13 yr. old students would just about turn cartwheels for! So, I bought the book, showed it to them, and the monster project was off and running.    The assignment was to go through their closets, chaperoned, of course, and find something that screamed, “MONSTER”, to them, then create six full color sketches of their monsters, and bring them and the garment to our Monster Kick-Off Party on (this past 11/24) Sunday.  Five students particpated including  Aileen Charron, age 7,  Emily Sorkin, age 7, Abigail De La Rosa, age 10, Erika Rooney, age 10, and Michael Taylor Hill, age 12.   Erika and her Mom, Brenda, made a scrumptous wormy dirt pudding (monsters just LOVE wormy dirt pudding!!), and the other Moms’ and I, brought all sorts of goodies to go along with it. 
  The monster designers each had a chance to get up in front of the crowd of Mom’s and classmates, and read aloud each of their monsters backstories.  This part of the party was way too  much fun!!.  Lots of laughter, and clapping,  for each monster was funnier than the last.  We voted on our favorites for each designer, and finally, a second judging by the students (and myself), to determine who would win Best of Show, 2nd prize Weirdest, 3rd Prize Cutest, and Honorable Mention.  
   
First prize winner, Erika Rooney, who won for her monster named Rocky Diamond, and went home with a $25.00 gift certificate toward future classes, a pumpkin, a copy of the Closet Monsters book, and a cute little laser cut, fashion doll pin.  Second prize winner was Michael Taylor Hill for his Zipper Monster.  He took home a copy of Closet Monsters too.  And third prize whent to Emily Sorkin, for her Drool Drooling monster, and took home a Thistle Cottage Studio t-shirt.  As luck would have it, it was a five way tie for Honorable Mention, and everyone took home a cute little laser cut fashion doll pin.


  After the refreshments, presentations, voting, and prize awarding, our students went dumpster diving, as any good monster designer would enjoy!!  A mountain of fabric scraps dumped on the floor was fair game for the grabbing.  As expected, chaos ensued.  All went home with an assortment of fabrics in a shopping bag, to be used on their monsters as they see fit.  Monster making begins next week!!
 
 Our local WJAR Channel 10 was invited to the party, but, alas, did not show.  They did, however visit the monster wall today, and filmed a short piece, (very short!!), and aired it on the evening newscast.  As this is an ongoing project, there will be other opportunities for them to return, and film the monsters in the making, and interview the designers.  Some monsters will be donated to either Hasbro Childrens Hospital, or DCYF.
Our plan also, is to display them at the Greenville Public Library sometime in the future.


  We’ll keep you posted as each monster surfaces, and will let you know when WJAR will be airing the creation of them on Channel 10.
 As this is an ongoing project, anyone interested in jumping on board can give the studio a call at 
401-231-4343, for pricing and scheduling.  After school time slots are available.