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An Adventure In Art
I’m a traveling’ gal. I feel the need to admit that straight up. I love to get up and go. In fact, if I’m at home for more than 2 weeks straight I start to get a little ‘antsy pants’. So, feeling ‘the need for speed’, I gathered my husband and our two youngest kiddos (the two left at home), and hit the wild blue yonder in search of an adventure. This most recent adventure took us to Laguna Beach, California. I would also like to admit right here and now that I l-o-v-e Southern California. The beautiful beaches, beautiful weather, and beautiful people. (Hey, did I mention the word…
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By Starting to Love Within
I was heartened to find an article on this site promoting emotional literacy in today’s young people. Emotional literacy begins when we own the experience of our feelings by allowing them without judgment. To be alive and Internet savvy right now suggests that physical needs—water, shelter, food—are met and likely well-surpassed. Beyond these basic needs, beyond health and education and security, regardless of our economic standing, what calls us now is a push towards emotional evolution. Towards living a daily experience of loving compassion. Emotional Literacy It makes me roll my eyes, just to write it. A daily living experience of compassion? Well if that doesn’t smack of righteousness. I’ve…
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Mrs. P Facebook Party 8/30/12
We are so excited to have Mrs. P join us at our Facebook Party where we will be talking about their upcoming 4th Annual Be-A-Famous-Writer Contest that opens September 1st. Best-selling author Natasha Wing will also join us! Details about the Facebook Party: WHAT: We are having a Mrs.P Facebook Party to talk about the love of reading and writing and the Mrs. P Be-A-Famous-Writer Contest. WHO: Mrs. P is as our featured guest. Also joining us will be best-selling author Natasha Wing. WHEN: The party is Thursday, August 30th at 5:30 pm PST on Penelope the Purple Pirate’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Penelope-the-Purple-Pirate/184530521575620?ref=hl GOODIES GALORE: Stop by and talk with Mrs.P and Natasha Wing. We are handing…
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So You Want To Write Books For Kids
Kids have no patience for books (printed or eBooks) that don’t capture their attention. An author has three minutes, maybe four, to hook them. By the first page or two if they are not hooked, kids are “so out of there!” But, if your book does grab them, they’ll devour it. They’ll read it over and over again (or ask you to) until they’ve memorized it. A great book can give children a gift—the desire to read more. There is no need to “dumb down” writing for kids. Richness of language helps kids increase their vocabulary. Children will learn the “big words” if the words are written in an exciting way.…
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Wool Felting: The 6,000 Year Old Fiber Art
What is felting? Felting with wool fleece is the oldest form of fiber art, older than knitting or even sewing. As soon as people began domesticating livestock, they harvested wool to make sturdy and warm blankets, hats and boots. A simple form of felting is to boil fleece (or a knitted garment) until it shrinks and hardens into felt. Needle felting is the art of sculpting wool with a special needle. Wool roving (unspun wool) is poked repeatedly, until it compacts into a solid shape. At that point, the wool can be sculpted with the needle. Generally, no gluing or stitching is needed. What is so special about a felting…
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8 Things I Would Tell My 16 Year Old Self
When I think of myself as a 16 year old girl I see a young person just starting to gain some self-assurance, excited about her future in the big, wide world. Now that the road has travelled some distance since that time, with all kinds of twists and turns, I look back and offer this advice to my 16 year old self. You are stronger and more capable and smarter than you ever imagined. You have enormous reserves of strength and resilience. You have a ton of great ideas. So don’t be afraid to take on new challenges. Grab interesting opportunities when they arise. Live life fully! You are…
