The Sun is Shining, The Grass is Green

This past weekend we had two performances of "Awakening Mother Earth" by the Terra Diddle Collective, presented by the Rockport Public Library; the play was conceived of, directed by, and written by Kathryn Oliver---and what a success! The play tells the story of spring in verse, with song, dance, drumming, and musical accompaniments, and with lots of nature spirits and elemental beings! Kathryn is an amazing visual artist who works with clay and makes an incredible garden; she designed most of the costumes and created all of the sets too. I was shepherding our chorus of 4, my older boy Jonas was one of the North Winds, and my younger boy Sylvan was a little garden gnome who passed out programs and also held up a Peace banner at the end. Here is a link to the Wind Scene: Jonas is the hula hooper at left, and if you look behind you can see me and my chorus in the background (also at left). And if you really want cute, check out Sylvan and his best buddy (also a garden gnome) here. Check out Marti Stone's site to browse her many other beautiful photos of the event; click on each album and browse through at your leisure.

I wanted to show you some of my new beautiful origami paper. I have hesitated to even use it until I showed you! How can I ever cut into this? They are like gorgeous kimono print fabrics.


These are two favorites, like wallpaper:
And these, as well:

Leave a Comment, Enter the ATC-Giveaway Contest!
It is so strange to me that through this network of bloggers, suddenly people are reading the blog who I don't even know! This is kind of thrilling! So, to thank you for reading I am doing an ATC Giveaway at the end of the month. Here's how it works: anytime during the month of May, leave a comment (it's nice and easy) or just say hi (if you're shy), and I will enter your name in my pile of paper slips. At the end of the month, I will draw four names (one for each week in May!) and send the lucky winners their ATCs. Leave your email address (if I don't have it) or ask for mine, so that we can be in touch if you are a winner. I would be SO very excited to send a card to a faraway place to someone I don't even know, but also happy to send ATCs to my already known and beloved friends. Thanks!

Creative Community

Awakening Mother Earth is the dramatic and musical interpretation of the coming of Spring (and how LONG it takes here in Maine), directed, written, and organized by the talented Kathryn Oliver. Kathryn is partnering with the Rockport Library this year and we'll be performing the show during the first weekend of May, the 3rd and 4th. Kathryn has the wonderful gift of being such a humble creator with such a large vision...AND the ability to manifest that vision into a community production. Did you notice that I used "we" a little while back? Well, I am going to be helping to lead the chorus part of the event---mostly parents who have children in the production. I am trying hard not to be nervous about numbers of singers, leading folks in song, etc. but trusting the process! Kathryn is a great coach in this.


"Are You Open, Emotionally?" above, is something I made a few weeks ago, one of those cards that needed very little help from me being born into form! I had found the image and saved it in my bulging plastic organizer, full of "things I might use later," and then it took a few days until I found the quote that seemed right. But as soon as I saw it, I knew.

Ten Things That Make Me Happy
Below, find "#8: Real Mail" complete with a tiny envelope that I penned my return address on. (I am longing for a new camera so I can take really good close-ups of these details, I'm sorry.)
Below, "#9: Dreaming of Spring," with words by Maurice Sendak from Chicken Soup with Rice.
Art Date with Kimberly!
It was fabulous...we were cozy by the woodstove, sipping (tea), snipping, and clipping and having a blast. I made several cards but you'll have to wait and watch for them soon when I get them digitized! Somehow it's easier for me to get in the flow (and out of my head) when I am working with a friend. Since we're chatting, I guess things just seem to come together in a very organic and natural way. I am not trying too hard, but just having fun. Terrific way to spend a cold and icky rainy morning.