crayola

The beginning of another school year... that's what a Crayola watercolor set meant. It was one of those items on the stationery list sent from school that I’d for sure get new. Watercolours didn’t last past a school year unlike crayons which could be used for several, especially if you were lucky enough to get the 64 box with the sharpener. 64 colours! I can’t imagine using anything now that has that many colour options. School supply shopping was definitely the highlight of the end of summer. Such simple things as number two pencils, Elmer’s glue, a pink eraser... that brought me so much joy.

#33

butterfly, siobhan

butterfly, Siobhan
08.08.16

I was three or four years old walking up the stairs in my house being curious and looking around. I was telling myself I wanted to remember that moment forever. The butterfly wasn’t actually there but I felt it’s energy.

#30

oregon trail

So many decisions to make, people to take care of, food to find...rather exciting. Likely the first computer game I ever played and apt application of all that learning done in the pioneer unit.

#32

butter churn

In third grade, I made butter like the pioneers. I was amazed and wondered why we still didn’t make our own but had to buy it. I wanted a butter churn for the longest time but that never happened. The pioneer unit was one of the most memorable of my elementary school days. Reckon I was also rather intrigued because my family is not an outdoorsy one and to imagine life in a wagon, living off the land, travelling to find a new home...I likely associated that with what I also imagined camping to be like, and something many other people did during school breaks but not us.

#31

gulf coast, melissa

Gulf Coast, Melissa
26.07.16

This reminds me of summer beach trips on the gulf coast catching crabs using chicken liver in metal cages.

#30

encyclopedia brown

Encyclopedia Brown part II. I really did love reading these books, so much so that I failed to realize I’d already made a trading card for it last year. Glad he’s still around and from talking to some of my past students, still popular and being read. Supposedly there's a movie in the works. Gotta love a good detective.

#30

birthday bear

This balloon marked one of my most memorable childhood birthdays even though I don’t recall how old I was turning. My mum and brother were away in Hong Kong for some reason and so my dad celebrated with me. Before I headed off to school that morning, he gave me this balloon with my name on it. My name! Six metallic letter stickers stuck on a mylar balloon was all it was but I was ecstatic as my name is not one found on items. Ever. Not on keychains, pencils, stickers, magnets, tiny license plates... you know, the important stuff to kids. I still have the balloon, folded up neatly in a shoebox with other things I’m unable to part with like folded handwritten gems of notes from elementary, middle and high school ; ).

#29

wader gator

Wader Gator does not appear to be the mascot anymore for the American Red Cross swimming program. Swim class was many a Saturday growing up. Testing out of a level, we’d be given a certificate with him on it. How I loved to swim, and still do. Glad my parents saw its importance and put me through lessons as similar to cycling, it’s been utilized a fair bit living and travelling in Asia.

ichabod, kerri

Ichabod, Kerri
28.06.15

When I was little, my sister and her friends used to tell me that Ichabod Crane was hiding behind the rocks behind our house and that he was going to come get us, so I was always really scared of Ichabod.

#11

jawbreakers, shanie

jawbreakers, Shanie
28.06.15

My brother and I used to come home from the amusement park and share jawbreakers and suck on them and see how fast we could get to the different colours. It was just fun.

#03