Macro Flowers Saturday

It's that time of the week to share macro flower shots. Spring is here, but not too many flowers yet are in full bloom. I'd like to share some flowers I saw and photographed in Vancouver 2 summers ago.

Be sure to check out the other participants here.

Wishcast Wednesday

Today Jamie of Jamie Ridler Studios asks another of her penetrating questions:

What do you wish to be gentle with?

As I thought about it, I realized that I really need to be gentle with myself.

I expect that I should be able to do all that I want and need to do. I expect that I should be able to lose weight and exercise daily. I expect that I should be a better artist. I expect that I should be a perfect teacher, wife, mother.But, it takes time for all these things.

I need to give myself permission to try and when I don't succeed as I want and expect, then I need to be gentle with my limitations.

Life is too short (and as I get closer to 60 it is much truer!). I need to go easy and try and keep trying.

As Jamie says:
"You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt above on your blog . Support wishes by visiting other participants. It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together."

Be sure to visit other wish-casters here.

ABC Wednesday - M is for Money

Today at ABC Wednesday, the letter of the week is M.

As I thought about it, I realized that on my last trip to Mexico I had to use 2 different foreign (!) currencies. I found the Mexican money difficult to use at first - it took some time to realize that 100 pesos really wasn't all that much! There paper money was different sizes as well as different colours.

Then when we stopped over in Detroit on the way back I had to readjust to American money. After using coloured bills at home for so long, I really have to look carefully at each bill to be sure that I am not giving away a $10 rather than a $1.)).

We now in Canada have 2 coins to replace the $1 and $2 bills. I have gotten used to the loonie and toonie now, but it did take some getting used to.

Now that the Canadian dollar is almost on par with the U.S., people here in Canada are worried.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the months to come.

Money can cause problems and many people use money as the excuse for wrong-doing. There are so many quotes about money. Here are a number of sayings:

"Money is the root of all evil."

"Money is power, freedom, a cushion, the root of all evil, the sum of blessings." ~Carl Sandburg

"Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. The more a man has the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one. " Benjamin Franklin

"Don't tell me where your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money and I'll tell you what they are." James W. Frick

"Money is the barometer of a society's virtue." Ayn Rand

"There are no pockets in a shroud." ~Author Unknown

Be sure to visit the other great participants here.

More Art - finally!

It has taken me a few weeks to get back on track with creating art. The desire was there - just not the time or energy or both!

With report cards, then our trip I got out of the habit of creating, if not daily, then several times a week. As well, I have not posted the weekly "ABCs of Art" for a few weeks. I will return with that next Sunday.

In my blog travels last week, I discovered the Artistic Mother blog group, based on the book "The Artistic Mother" by Shona Cole. Although my youngest is 21 (!), I still feel the constraints that effect most moms. I have ordered the book and joined in the blog group. They are working Chapter 3, so I have a bit of catching up to do!

Tonight I worked on collage papers as outlined in Chapter 1. I had such fun squirting different colours of paint on paper and swirling them around. I got 7 papers done.

Here are 2 of my favourites:

Next step will be stamping them and edging them with pastels.

Then on to Chapter 2 and that is creating ATCs - one of my favourite things to do.

I have still been creating ATCs the past few weeks and look forward to taking part in many different swaps. I have also started my own swap of bunnies. This one has been a joy.

(Here are a couple)

My creative outlet the past few weeks has focused mostly on photography. I am amazed at the number of photo challenges there are! You could do several a day, every of the week, if you choose! I am enjoying the ones that I do now.

The theme at Leah's "Creative Every Day" is the five senses. An activity I did with my students today fit right into this theme. I had a tub of jelly beans left over from Easter and wanted to use them up. So I had the children choose one and use all their senses to investigate a jelly bean. They then had to write a descriptive paragraph using their words. The best part for them was eating the jelly bean!

Shadow Shot Sunday

I was despairing of getting any shadows this week as the weather has been cloudy and rainy most of the week. But this morning not only was the sun shining but the temperature has risen. We were back to almost minus temperatures yesterday, with some snow flurries!

We have a robin building a nest on our porch and while I was snapping pictures I thought I would take one of the nest. It is a strange one this year as they have used the dried silver dollars from our garden to add to the nest. Can't wait for the little ones to pop their heads up!

Last week our 2 grade three classes had a tour of the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford. The artwork is stunning! When I was looking over the photos I took I realized I had captured shadows as well!

Be sure to visit other shadow chasers at Hey Harriet!

April Stash Bash!

Third post tonight!

Another blog visit and another interesting post. This time Kim of "A Cup of Creativi-Tea" shared her pledge regarding her craft stash.

Here are her words:

"Do you collect hoard craft supplies? Always buying supplies for the next craft project or idea?I'm very guilty of this. I've gotten better about it. Only because I try to keep myself out of craft and fabric stores! So for April, in the honor of Earth Day, I pledge not to buy any new craft materials, tools or supplies for the April Stash Bust! It's time I use what I have. I think this will me make think outside of the box since I can't buy new supplies. Or use everyday household items in different ways."

It made me realize just how much I spend on craft supplies and how much I actually have stashed away in plastic containers and boxes. Then there is the time wasted when I can't find what I really need! I do use much of my craft supplies at school, but I have waaay too much. I also have many projects that either haven't been started or are unfinished!

So for April, I am joining in the April Stash Bash! I vow to only use what I already have and to seek ways to use and reuse materials. A great way to celebrate Earth Day!

Weekend Reflections

Once again I have come across another interesting meme via another blog. This time it is Weekend Reflections, discovered at Sylvia's blog - one I love to visit.

Here are reflections from my recent trip to Mexico.

Be sure to visit the other participants here and checkout how to take part!.