DRAWING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRAIN by Betty Edwards

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For more than 30 years, DRAWING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRAIN has been a cornerstone text for artists working at all levels—whether professionally, academically, or as a hobby. But now, this New York Times’ bestseller can be used to teach your children, too!

In DRAWING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRAIN: The Definitive Fourth Edition (Tarcher/Penguin, on sale April 2012), Edwards adds an entirely new section on developing artistic skill in childhood, beginning with infant scribbling through critical development milestones that influences children’s perception and how they apply that through drawing. Continue reading

Toddler (and Mama and baby sister) Adventures ~ 32 months

Has it really been since January 20th that I updated you on Blossom School? Seriously? Wow. I guess it got away from me in all the sinus stuff. Well you’ll be glad to hear that I have been feeling much better and antibiotic free for probably a month, now that it is April. Let’s see… where to begin… Already AppleBlossom is very interested in having OrangeBlossom involved in most everything she does. Apparently it is her baby, and I’m just here to feed her (and change her). They definitely love each other’s company and that makes me feel truly blessed. … Continue reading

Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a lovely day!

Sorry, the high school theatre is coming out in me. I woke up this morning to the alarm beeping and silence from the fan and air filters as the power went out. Luckily the girls slept on for a little bit. Not sure what caused it. But it came back on eventually and we’re good ever since. Outside it is a gorgeous day! Bright and beautiful. I will leave the computer off for a good bit today in case of any more flickers. Also today I plan to take it easy. I have started a new project and over did … Continue reading

Saturday

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1. It’s snowing. The grass is turning green… and this morning it’s snowing. 2. I’m still sick. AppleBlossom broke her fever, but then it came back at 99*. Hopefully it will not go higher. She has a runny nose and is very clingy. OrangeBlossom had a fever last night (a first for her perhaps) but I’m thinking teething there. No other issues. Enginerd is congested, but I feel like I’m dying. I’m coughing so hard that I cannot breathe and my throat burns right down into my chest. Talk about a runny nose and constant sneezing. *sigh* I have an … Continue reading

Do you want Dear Diary posts?

Here’s a question. These days I never really know what I want to post about. Way back when, when I first started blogging (I say 2007… but really) was in around 2003 when I had a xanga blog. Now that was personal. Ridiculously so. Yet, I was a poet and a teenager. Enough said. But now seriously… Do you want more personal posts? Are you actually reading them? If I wrote them, would you comment on them. Even if it is just a plain “I know what you mean.” or “You’re crazy!” comment? Because I’m considering it. I have things … Continue reading

Wee Wonderfuls by Hillary Lang

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Super cute! Darling! How adorable is that?! Welcome to the world of Wee Wonderfuls. In this charming collection, acclaimed toymaker and popular blogger Hillary Lang presents a captivating gang of 24 huggable, lovable creatures to sew—from classics like Margot, a topsy-turvy doll, and the button-jointed teddy bear Bjorn Bjornson, to irresistible Evelyn, a wool felt inchworm decked out in mod glasses and a kerchief, and Koji, a fiercely cute spiked softie monster. There’s something for everyone here—from kids to grown-ups and from beginning sewers to advanced dollmakers. Each pattern includes clear illustrations and pattern templates to ensure perfect results. Continue reading

Shutterfly Photo Books

Something that I have always wanted to get into and find neat is scrapbooking, however I really think it is one of those group activities and I just have never found my in so far… Plus there are so many other things like reading a million books, cross stitching and quilting that I would rather do. That is why I am so excited about programs like Shutterfly Photo Books where I can put in minimal time and get fabulous results for our own memories and those to share with relatives far away – like my Enginerd’s grandmother who is about … Continue reading

Work in Progress (WIP) Wednesday

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So of course I’m still working on the pregnancy. We’re at about 14 weeks or so and our next checkup is next Friday. Maybe we’ll find a gender then?? I was able to completely finish the center applique piece for my SisterB’s Wuthering Heights Quilt. (Sorry this picture is awful and not of the completed part, but it’s close). The next step is an embroidered border. The only problem is I cannot seem to find that fabric. For whatever reason it is not in the craft box that I have been keeping this project so I’m a bit confused. However, … Continue reading

10-Minute Banana-Grams!

Everyone loves Bananagrams! And everybody loves instant gratification. Putting the two together, master puzzle maker Joe Edley offers 10-Minute Bananagrams!— over 500 all-new puzzles that are designed to be solved in ten minutes or less. This is lickety-split Bananagrams, perfect for the train, the bus, waiting rooms, bank lines, for carrying wherever and whenever a Bananagrammer has just a few minutes to indulge the obsession.

With two difficulty levels—the easier one-half banana and trickier one banana—these bite-size puzzles are quick to solve and highly addictive. Ten lively, mind-bending puzzle types are featured, including Banana Peels (add letters to words, then anagram); Banana Pudding (extend two-letter groups into six-letter words); Bunch of Bananas (anagram one word into two smaller words); plus the brand-new Banana Bites, in which the solver anagrams a group of letters to complete a word. Supplementing the Bananagrams are fun banana facts, helpful word lists, and, of course, an answer key. Continue reading

Sew-n-Tell Friday: Wuthering Heights

Yesterday was a busy but good day. I’m really having issues with being cold though. It seems to especially be my right hand. I just cannot seem to keep it warm. *sigh* AppleBlossom does not seem to mind anything though. As a matter of fact her room is so cold that I cannot stand to go in there to change her diaper. So I’ve been running in the room, grabbing a diaper, then we’ve been on the rug in the middle of the living room to change. Silly, but warm and effective. In her room we have a convertible bed … Continue reading