Shadow Shot Sunday

In a week, our little world has gone from spring to winter, with snow covering everything. Last Sunday I had gone around to document the day before the snow and I found a number of shadows. This week the same sites are all snow-covered white! And it is snowing again!

Be sure to check out the other wonderful shadow chasers at Hey Harriet! It becomes addictive - this chasing of shadows. Join in - you'll have a lot of fun!

Wishcast Wednesday

Each week Jamie Ridler of Jamie Ridler Studios asks a very penetrating question. This week she asks:

What do you wish to give yourself permission for?

I, Bev, wish to give myself permission to take time for me without feeling guilty and to take time every day to create and have some fun with art.

As Jamie says:

"You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. Support wishes by visiting other participants. There is great power in wishing together."

Visit the other wishcasters here.

ABC Wednesday - F is for Flag

This week at ABC Wednesday our letter of focus is F.

With the Olympics on, and a gold medal win last night in Ice Dancing for Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir (a fabulous free-style dance last night by the way), I chose to use

F for FLAG.

To see our flag being raised again for a gold medal win and then the playing of our national anthem was very special.

Can we say it? Canadians are actually becoming very patriotic! We believe! (This song has become our song for these Olympics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmURDjt7Ex8&NR=1 .)

Be sure to visit the other great participants here.

Sunday Summary

Sunday brings a summary of sorts of the past week. I have been working on completing my tags for "Spread the Joy" and for my giveaway. I had received a beautiful tag from Sherry (Everyday Possibilities) that started this journey of Spread the Joy.

The quote on the tag is so lovely: "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." Bill Wilson

As well I have been working on ATCs for 2 swaps.

Not feeling this week has had me creating more as I didn't feel like doing much else!

When I drew the names for "Spread the Joy", I realized that the aim of this challenge is -to spread the joy! So I decided to send a friendship tag to all the women who had commented on that post. So a tag will be on its way to:

Leone, Gillian, Paper Princess, Heckety, Coralie and Angie.

Congratulations!

I finally finished my 200th post cards and they are on their way to:

Coralie,Bevie and Kamana. Congratulations!

 

ABCs of Art

I had said last week that I would be looking at Cubism this past week. I explored some sites and had my hand at creating some faces at a Picasso site for fun. (http://www.mrpicassohead.com/create.html)

Check out these sites:

http://www.huntfor.com/arthistory/C20th/cubism.htm

http://www.artlex.com/ArtLex/c/cubism.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubism

http://pablo-picasso.paintings.name/

http://www.angelfire.com/co/artgeometry/

I then created "The Eyes Have It" - a take off of Picasso's abstract faces. I used pastels - messy but colourful. It may not be strictly cubist, but it is where the muse led me! lol

Next week the focus will be on D - for drawing. My goal is a drawing a day.

Sunday Citar

Ever since listening to Rafe Esquith at a conference over a week ago, his words and beliefs have been percolating in my mind. I bought his book "Teach Like Your Hair is On Fire" (what an image!) and read it.

For Sunday Citar this week I would like to share some of his wisdom - not only does it apply to teaching but to how we parent and treat others.

"I want my students to love to read. Reading is not a subject. Reading is a foundation of life, an activity that people who are engaged with the world do all the time. ... If a child is going to grow into a truly special adult - someone who thinks, considers other points of view, has an open mind, and possesses the ability to discuss great ideas with other people - a love of reading is an essential foundation."

"...if we ask great things of our children, we must show them we believe great things are possible. Make every effort to remove fear from your classroom. Be fair. Be reasonable."

"... never use fear as a shortcut for education. '

Rafe uses Lawrence Kohlberg's Six Levels of Moral Development to teach children what he wanted them to learn.

"I quickly incorporated the Six Levels into my class, and today they are the glue that holds it together. Trust is always the foundation, but the Six Levels are the building blocks that help my kids grow as both students and people."

Here is a video clip from a lecture he gave. Check it out here.

Be sure to check out the other inspirational participants at Sunday Citar.

Shadow Shot Sunday

It's time for the weekly look at shadows.

I got up at 5 this morning, coughing, unable to sleep. So as I got juice I noticed shadows on the fridge (This is what you notice when you have an obsession with shadows!)

Needless to say, I got the camera out and took a few shots.

Be sure to check out the other great shadow chasers at "Hey Harriet!

It's a lot of fun and you never know where you'll find shadows!

Wishcast Wednesday

Once again Jamie Ridler (of Jamie Ridler Studios) poses a searching question:

Where do you wish to make a difference?

Without a doubt the place where I would most like to make a difference is with my own children and grandchildren, and with the children I teach.

As Jamie says:
"You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. . Support wishes by visiting other participants. There is great power in wishing together."

Be sure to visit the other wonderful wishcasters here.

ABC Wednesday - E is for Exemplary Educator

This week at ABC Wednesday the letter of focus is E.
For me, E means exemplary educator.

In this case the educator is Rafe Esquith, who I heard speak last week at a teachers’ conference in Toronto. Then read his book over the weekend (“Teach Like Your Hair’s On Fire”) and was further enamoured of him and his teaching!

Other words could be used to describe him:
Eloquent
Extraordinary
Enlightened
Easygoing
Eccentric
Effective
Enthusiastic
(All right, I’ll stop! I could go on though – but I think you get the message! Lol

To check out this fascinating man and his classroom visit here.

This and That - Giveaway Winners!!

Happy Valentine's Day!


Spread the Love!

Last week I received a beautiful art tag from Sherry of Everyday Possibilities (a wonderful blog to visit!). Her friend Carolyn was "Spreading the Love" and I had responded to Sherry's giveaway. As a follow-up, I am offering to "Spread the Love" as well.

My offer is a "Friendship" art tag to 3 people who respond to this post and who tell me they would like to have a gift of love from me. I will choose 3 lucky recipients on Sat. Feb. 20.

( I haven't created my tags yet...but I will over the next few days. I hope you trust that you will like what I make.)

I am going with Sherry's rules for playing, although I am going with 3 to sign up):

"I like Carolyn's rules for playing but I'm bending them a bit. The idea is for 2 to sign up -- one to get my tag and one to send a tag to me. But I'm going with 5 who will receive from me and if any of the 5 wish to send one to me in return that would be delightful.

If you play though you must offer tags on your own blog to keep the love going!!"

Giveaway Winners!

Last night I had my husband draw the 3 winners for my 200th post giveaway

And the winners are..... (drumroll please!)














These ladies will receive a special ATC created by me. Thank you all who entered the giveaway - it is such a pleasure to receive positive feedback.


Conference

This past week has been hectic and art was put on the back burner. I had a fabulous conference in Toronto on Thursday and Friday - "Reading for the Love of It". I heard great speakers, bought lots of books and ate so well! I went with another teacher at my school and we had a good time.

Stephen Lewis, a great humanitarian, was the guest speaker on Thursday night. What a speech he gave! He is so inspiring to listen to - and he is so humble. Yet so passionate and caring!

I was able to have him sign his book "Race Against Time". The story of his signing the book is a testament to him: My friend urged me to go up after the dinner to get the book signed, so I hurried up and was first in line as he was getting his papers together before he was to leave for a flight to Vancouver. The lady in charge said he was very late and would not have time to talk or sign books. Stephen looked at me with my book open and he said of course he would sign! Which he did. And of course I was thrilled.

Another speaker I had sign a book was Patricia Polacco. What a wonderful speaker - she spoke on the heroes of her life. She had many of us close to tears several times.

The last speaker I heard, at the luncheon on Friday, was Rafe Esquith, a teacher from an inner city school in Los Angeles. The title of his speech was "Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire" - it was very inspirational. I bought his book after the luncheon and have been enjoying it and being continually inspired by his teaching methods.

We need to be inspired, whether it is by teachers or artists or humanitarians - to see the best in people, to see what might be, to reach for the best.

ABCs of Art

Today I have been working on "cat cards" for a swap. My inspiration is our cat Fluffy!

I had hoped to focus on "C" artists - Chagall, Cezanne, Colville and the Cubists for example.

That will be my focus for the coming week!

Sunday Citar - Love!

Happy Valentine's Day!

The theme for Sunday Citar this week has to be LOVE!

The following are quotes about love:

"To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven." -Karen Sunde

"Loving is not just looking at each other,

it's looking in the same direction." -Antoine de Saint-Exupery

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"Better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all."-St. Augustine

"Some love lasts a lifetime.

True love lasts forever."-Unknown

"The Eskimos have 52 words for snow because it is so special to them; there ought to be as many for love!"-Margaret Atwood

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Love is a promise, love is a souvenir, once given never forgotten, never let it disappear." -John Lennon

"Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart." -Author Unknown

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning." -Author Unknown

Be sure to check out the other participants of Sunday Citar.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Again it is time to share our shadows for Shadow Shot Sunday. What a great challenge - to look for those shadows that lurk in so many interesting places.

Here are shadows I found last weekend - when there was sun and not much snow.

Be sure to check out the other shadow chasers at Hey Harriet! Try your hand at finding and photographing shadows. Then take part!

ABC Wednesday - D is for Dog and Dancer

Today it is once again ABC Wednesday! The letter of the week is D - and D is for

Dog - man's best friend!

and Dancer - of the Scottish highland dance!

Be sure to check out other great participants here.

ABCs of Art - Still C!

A B C s of Art

For whatever reasons this past week has been not much on completing projects as it was on planning and reading and cleaning!

But I did work on some cards - ATCs that is and had fun with those.

These are for a "Koi in a Pond" Swap.

I have been doing a lot of blog hopping. This is the final week for One Heart One World - a wonderful way to meet other bloggers and possibly win some very special giveaways! Be sure to check it out(see the caption on the sidebar) - there are over 1000 participating!

A short post tonight. I am really tired tonight.

I have a teaching conference (Reading For the Love if It) in Toronto for 2 days (Thurs. and Fri.). I am so looking forward to hearing some great speakers and attending some informative workshops. Stephen Lewis, Eve Bunting and Patricia Polacco are 3 speakers I am going for!

Have a good week!

Sunday Citar

It has been awhile since I joined Sunday Citar. But lately, I have come across some wonderful quotes and this is a great place to share them. (Here are flowers to brighten the days of winter!)

Don't ask yourself what the world needs;

ask yourself what makes you come alive.

And then go and do that.

Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

~Attributed to Howard Thurman

"Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live."

"Every day holds the possibility of a miracle "~ Elizabeth David

Be sure to check out the other great posts here.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Once again it is time to show off shadows we have purposefully found this week.

It is bright and sunny today and I was able to get an interesting shadow from my favourite subject - Miss Fluff!

Here's another shadow from earlier in the week.

Last night I ended up noticing shadows in the house and had to get these shots.

Be sure to check out the other great shadow chasers at Hey Harriet!

Thankful, Thoughtful Thursday

This week has flown by. We are already starting the second half of the school year!

This week there have been many things to be happy/thankful for:

1. I received the most beautiful necklace from Erin of Tesori Trovati (which I won). It has a copper chain with what I call a dreamcatcher on it. She has called this piece "Power of Positive Dreams". It will become my talisman to achieve my dreams.

2. I received more ATCs in the mail from swaps that I have done - they are such a treat to open up!

3. We have started a 20 minute DPA (daily physical activity) at school that involves dance/cardio and stretches. What a way to get moving, work out, have fun and focus on Heart Healthy Month! The children love it - so do I!

4. I have been enjoying visiting many blogs through One World One Heart - so many great giveaways. Be sure to visit - before Feb. 15!

5. I am so thankful for special programmes for special kids. I nominated one of my boys who has a real curious, obsessive mind but very weak fine motor skills for a gifted 3-day session. He is so excited tp start tomorrow. I hope this will reveal more of his strengths.

6. I am thankful for another week of safe driving to and from work.

7. I am thankful for two women (bloggers) who are keen to do ATC swaps with me! It is the first ones I will have done.

8. I am most thankful for family - they know why!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Don't forget - I have a giveaway going on - check it out here.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Wishcast Wednesday

Today is Wishcast Wednesday and once again Jamie Ridler (of Jamie Ridler Studios) asks a very penetrating question - one I was not expecting.

What story do you wish to live or let go of?

Each one of us has stories that we hold as true. Yet sometimes these stories drag us down because they are not the stories we should be telling. When we hold on to half-truths, pain, anger, grief, or guilt, the resulting stories do not lift us up.


The story I have been holding onto has been one of guilt, anger, pain and grief - all bundled up ready to burst out when I least expect it.
I wish to let go of that destructive story that haunts me and live a story that seeks renewal, love and forgivemess.

The other story I seek to live, is the one where I am healthy, positive and creative.
As Jamie says:
"You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. Support wishes by visiting other participants. There is great power in wishing together."
Visit other wishcasting participants here.

ABC Wednesday - C is for Cat - Cute and Cuddly

Today is ABC Wednesday - C is our letter to focus on.
I have chosen C for Cat - as Fluffy has been a member of our family for almost 18 years ( in 2 more months.)

I can remember when we got her - she was the runt of the litter and a wild little furball. She was an outside cat for most of her life - she hunted and caught many a bird, mouse or chipmunk. It has only been the past year that she has really slowed down.

These photos were taken this morning.

When she was younger she was my daughter's cat and slept with her and hardly ever came to me. Now, since my daughter has moved out, she jumps on my lap whenever I am at the computer or on the couch. She loves the attention now. And , I must say, I love the purring and warmth provided by her.

Be sure to visit the other great participants here!