June 15, 2011
In
photography, work and play
Red Shoes
Just because they’re fun. Everyone should have red shoes.
April 15, 2011
In
animated video, animation, art, branding, presentation, work and play
Google Does Charlie Chaplin
Google dazzles with its doodling again ~ this time with some fancy animated footwork in honor of Charlie Chaplin’s 122nd birthday, and it’s a clever one. Enjoy!
April 6, 2011
In
children's books, creativity, work and play
All in a Day's Work
So, I’m barreling along today, putting the final touches on a website, creating mastheads, writing copy, polishing a logo, scheduling meetings … and then I see this:
And I think, how fantastic! It’s from my talented publisher Mary, at Shenanigan Books. She’s very crafty, that one ~ in all the right ways.
She’s also started a new blog with features about the company’s growing flock of authors and illustrators, news about their books, happenings in the world of publishing, and a special Kid’s Page showcasing easy-to-do craft projects, ideas for young authors and illustrators, plus science and nature activities. Head on over now and you’ll find instructions for making a fairy house as beautiful as this one!
So even though writing this up added one more unexpected thing to my to-do list, it made my day. (Because as you surely know, I have a thing for fairies.) Hope it brightens yours as well!
December 19, 2010
In
art, design, work and play
10 Years of Tea
One of my favorite holiday traditions revolves around one of my favorite drinks~ tea.
Every year for the past 20 or so I’ve hosted a “holiday tea” ~ and somehow, no matter how busy we are, or how up-to-our-eyeballs in hustle-bustle, the time shared feels just right. The home seems to magically expand in a welcoming embrace, all tension is left at the door and a warm, light sense of companionship takes over. (I’m always a little bit amazed at how well it all falls into place. But some things aren’t worth questioning; just worth enjoying!)
Designing the invitation is part of the fun, so I thought I’d share some. I can’t find them all, but I’ve got ten, so here’s a collection of “1o years of tea”…
Cheers!
November 10, 2010
In
art, children's books, design, illustration, work and play
Sneak Peek of a Secret Project …
My muse is hard at work, sliding with a vengeance into all available slivers of time. (When is a girl to sleep, I ask?) This time it’s something kind of new for me … and it’s making me smile, despite a crazy schedule, some sleep deprivation and probably too much tea and chocolate. (Wait ~ there can’t be too much tea or chocolate. What was I thinking?)
But I will say no more (because, after all, it’s a secret) and just cut to the sneak peek. Hope it makes you smile too. : )
October 28, 2010
In
creativity, design, inspiration, presentation, work and play
Fun, REALLY Fun, Pumpkins
As if ghouls, goblins and wads of candy weren’t enough, Halloween just got a whole lot more fun.
This is the 15th year of an annual pumpkin carving contest held by Duarte Design, and boy are these carvings great! What a treat. You can even vote for your favorite. (but hurry, voting ends the afternoon of 10/29.)
These are so much fun, I’m thinking I might start my own contest next year. So, you’ve been fairly warned, with plenty of time to think about what you’d like to do ~ and here’s some fantastic inspiration to whet your creative spirits!
October 13, 2010
In
art, painting, work and play
Inside My Head / 1
Been burning the candles at both ends. Late at night, early in the morning… many projects, many ideas, lots of hot fudge to keep me going.
And it occurred to me this morning that my overwrought brain might indeed have its own image… so if the inside of my head were a picture today, this is what *came to mind*.
It’s colorful, for sure. But like my thoughts, the colors are alternately colliding, competing and complementing. Kind of interesting (I think.).
Then I realized that as the day wears on, the inisde of my head will change – because nothing ever stays the same, does it. So, around noon, it might look like this:
And later still …
And if I’m lucky, by the end of the day, it will calm down to a restful glow…
August 13, 2010
In
inspiration, work and play
Go Play!
I posted this piece a little over a year ago. But as I’ve been feeling “all work and no play”, I thought it worth a repeat performance. Sometimes you need reminding to make play a priority. So I’ll leave you with this, as I’m off … to play now!
The Importance of Playtime
When was the last time you jumped up and down like a kid, or played frisbee in the rain … just for the fun of it? If you have, you’re better off. If you haven’t, maybe it’s time!
I recently saw bits and pieces of a TV documentary about the power of play. It showed images of wild animals, who might normally be mortal enemies, engaged in play. And children, of course, using all their natural talent for having a good time.
The essential message though, was that play is not just for fun. And it’s not just for kids or animals. It’s actually really, really good for you.
And when you think of it, who doesn’t like to play? I know I do. And knowing that it’s vitally beneficial for our well-being, makes it even more inviting.
But sometimes we adults can get so darn serious, or acquire some heavy sense of self-importance, or feel so burdened with the weight of our individual worlds (not to mention the world at large) that we don’t make room, or forget to make time, or heaven forbid lose the ability, to be playful.
By continuing to “play” throughout our lives though, we increase our brain’s learning capacity and become more productive. We’re more balanced, happier and well adjusted. We work better, and we live better. And seriously, it’s a lot more fun.
As Stuart Brown talks about in the video below, “play” seems to be its own separate biological entity. It’s inborn. It has a great evolutionary purpose. And this I believe to be 100% true. Yet there really is no particular purpose to play other than the purpose TO play. The point is to have fun. And the benefits are in the side-effects: pure, unplanned, and positively life-giving.
Dr. Stuart Brown’s research shows play is not just joyful and energizing — it’s deeply involved with human development and intelligence. Through the National Institute for Play, he’s working to better understand its significance.
June 6, 2010
In
children's books, creativity, work and play
Mermaid Game!
Some of you already own The Book of Mermaids’ companion Magnetic Mermaid Dress-up Game, and know how fun it is.
Previously available exclusively through my publisher, Shenanigan Books, it’s up on Amazon now… took a while, but it’s there!
It’s a great little self-contained toy ~ kids just adore playing with it, parents like the great quality and the no-fuss, no muss!
Happy to share the news with you. : )
May 16, 2010
In
children's books, creativity, work and play
Fairy Houses
What do you get when you put together some cardboard boxes, a bunch of nifty craft stuff and a room of imaginative children? … some great fairy houses!
Yesterday I led a fairy-house-making afternoon at the library, based around A Book of Fairies. The kids had tons of fun ~ each one proudly carrying home their colorful, imaginative creations. I think there are a lot of delighted woodland fairies around town right now!
(Many thanks to our fantastic librarian “Miss Lynn”, for organizing and supplying lots of great tools and good cheer.)
