A Place Like This......

Junk Bonanza

Oh my goodness, last week saw me traveling to Minnesota to be with a few friends I met at last year's Creative Connection. This year the Creative Connection didn't happen but our own version did.  We found ourselves delving into the world of junk and what a splendor it was too.

I found so many toys from my childhood and a million things that were either in my home growing up or at my grandparents. 

Along with selling vintage there was also a lot of repurposed. People are so creative and clever.  Usually I love very soft things with lots of color but I found myself on this trip really loving old industrial items. They just sort of called to me. 

Our evenings were spent crafting and talking to all hours of the morning. Today I'll just share some of the wonderful junk that was found, and tomorrow I'll share a little crafting love. :)

 

 

 

 

Fun Friday Happenings ~

 

I'm so excited today !!!! Because the Olympics start tonight. I love both the opening and closing ceremonies and the solidarity that comes together between people and countries. The other thing I love  Olympics is some of the obscure sports one gets introduced to and then becomes an expert of. I don't know about you, but all I have to do is watch an obscure sport for about 15 minutes and I become expert enough to coach from the couch. So here's to the Opening of Britian's Summer Olympics.

NEXT:

I'm going to make you laugh so hard that you'll write me a thank -you note. What could be funnier than Jimmy Fallon acting as Jim Morrison and singing The Doors interpretation of the Reading Rainbow theme song? Nothing I tell you, Nothing.

 

Friend Jamie Ridler is offering this lovely freee- book called "Dreams Really Do Come True and Yours Can Too."

She really wants us to know that somewhere, maybe even just next door, someone's dream really is coming true. Your dreams can come true too. Jamie has put together this lovely collection of life-long dream makers:

 

It is possible for dreamers Kate Swoboda, Danette Relic, Tara Swiger,Amy Palko, Sunny Schlenger, David Cohen, Julie Daley, Leonie Dawson,Chris Zydel, Andrea Schroeder, Bridget Pilloud, Lisa deYoung, Tanya Geisler and Danielle LaPorte.

It’s possible for me.

It’s possible for you.

To pick up your free copy you can find out more about it here .

Photo by Kate England

Artist, designer, illustrator, and incredible iPhoneographer Kate England of Marmalade Moon is offering a course called Unfolding the Creative iPhoneography Course. If any of you have seen Kate's work you know it's brilliant and I for one can hardly wait for this course to learn a couple of iphoto secrets. Be sure to get on the list so you know when the course is being offered.

 

That's it's for this week's fun happenings. Have a great weekend !!! 

 

 

 

 

 

Living With Attention

Holstee Manifesto

Today I find myself in a very reflective mood. When 2011 started I made the intention to live differently. Not the resoultion making type of living different , no not that, I just wanted to live with attention. I wanted to live without missing any little details or to let my brain go off into auto-pilot, missing moments that I couldn't recall at the end of the year.  As I look back over the past year with all of it's celebrations,tribulations,challenges, and daily little moments I can say that this year I have truly lived and created life more, not in the amount of much, but in the knowing that I have lived fully. Serving as my mantra and guide for the year was the Holstee Manifesto. How do I feel at the end of my year of attention? That I have laughed harder, cried rivers, created with others joyfully, loved more, savored every bite, met many old friends in new ways i.e. blogging friends, I have travelled near and far to learn that we are unified in our differences. Life is short. I thank each and everyone of you who show up each time I make a post and share a part of your world with me. Here's wishing you a new year filled with many happy and creative moments and know that I'm so thankful for the time we spend together.

The Wand-maker's Apprentice

This summer I bought three distinctively different wooden wands, one for each child. I thought they would be the perfect gift, even for my big girls. The kids were thrilled !!! Little 'O' thrilled like his sisters had many questions. 

"Where did you find these?" he asked.

"I went to the wand-maker. Where else would I find such great wands?" I said.

"You know a wand-maker? Are you kidding me? I want to meet the wand-maker, does he live near here? Do you think he would show me how to do it?" 

And his inquiries went on and on and on.

Is what he didn't know at the time was that I had already made a plan to go and visit the wand-maker ~A Ambroult, and his lovely wife and family too. 

Upon entering their cozy home and the formal greetings were over 'A' asked 'O' if he wanted to see "the shop".  Did we need to ask the boy twice? No, I think not.

By the time I pulled my camera out and headed downstairs the wand-maker seemed to already have an apprentice.

Gently guiding the goucher tool into the wand 'A' held firm while 'O' gave his hand at wand making.

There's something about the creative process that takes us out of ourselves. I loved watching my boy go deep into his work and the immense joy it gave him.

Alex Ambroult is a very talented carpenter and craftsman. He has stocked his shop full of beautiful wands perfect for hours of imaginative play. You may find him here.

You can find a child safe lathe here. 

 

Robin Hood Boy

A year ago my little family and I made our first trip to Maine. My young son who has had a fascination with bows and arrows for the last three years couldn't help being in awe as we were visiting the L.L Bean headquarters in Freeport Maine. There, they have the nicest bow and arrow shooting range, the only problem is you have to be 12 years old. At the time little "O" was exactly 11 and a half years old. 6 whole months shy of being able to test a real bow and arrow.

When young son heard we would be visiting Maine again this year, my child with the memory of an elephant would not stop talking about testing a bow and arrow. 

Finally his dream came true and a wonderful man who saw the glimmer in my child's eye took the time to let him experience a real bow and arrow.

First, we must figure out which eye is dominant.

How one scopes out the target.

Proper bow and arrow holding.

Pulling back the bow with a gentle release.

 

Yes my little "O" is a real marksman. The joy on his face and the reality that a "real" bow is as wonderful as he thought it would be. He has since joined the archery team at school and continues to make his own bows and arrows. It is so fun to see a childhood passion blossom into something bigger. So here's to my little robin hood boy who dreamt and waited so long to have a go at a real bow and arrow. 

 

The Magic Fairy Forest

From the sea, sister continued her island discovery with her brother. Through the forest they walked,

collecting bits of shells, moss, sticks, bark and stones, it was clear that they were not in any forest.

 As far as the eye could see in every direction, there were fairy houses of all shapes and sizes.  

Knowing the law of a fairy forest, the brother and sister quickly looked for the boundary log and asked permission to " Please, will you let us enter gently? We bring bits of things to build with."

And with that they crossed over the boundary log. Boy began in earnest to build a new structure.

Sister, realizing that a very large wind had recently blown in by viewing all of the fallen trees, decided to repair those houses which had been so badly damaged.

Our morning was spent in this very wonderful place. Mackworth Island is just outside of Portland Maine. It hosts both sea and forest views and a completely magical fairy forest.

Leaving with enchanted memories, the brother and sister said "Farewell to the Forest" and never allowed to say a true goodbye they just said "See Ya" to the fairy folk. 

If you should find your way there, listen closely to the wind and I'm sure you will hear the laughter of the flighted ones known as fairies.

Mrs. Fox Goes Apple Picking

Our last day in New England felt more like summer at 84 degrees than fall ,but we took full advantage  of the sunshine to make a stop at Berlin Orchards on our way to the airport. 

There, we were meeting two of our number one fans, Lu and Ru, along with their parents Amy & "A".

Amy and I have been blogging friends for almost 3 years and we've dreamed for the chance to get together. I'm happy to say we met a few times over the course of two weeks and greatly deepened, nurtured, and kindled our friendship and those between our family  members. 

Lu and Ru, who are ardent fans of our foxes, have issues remembering my name and so they have lovingly re-named me "Mrs. Fox."  It works, even I can remember it . ;)

After our salutations it was time to board our hayride and head up to the orchards to pick a bushel (40 lbs) of apples.

We had never seen so many varieties of apples in all our lives and the sweet smell coming from the orchard was heavenly.

Leading the pack, Amy and A headed in an upward direction with children stopping at every tree to sample a few apples of their own.

Lu and O practiced their apple balancing,

while Ru gathered as many apples as her little arms could carry. 

I do just have to mention that Ru woke up that morning and decided that we were in great need of an Apple Elf and so being the very good person she is, she donned her Apple Elf costume guaranteeing us a fruitful harvest. All of you should be so lucky as to have an Apple Elf helping you pick apples.

As we head up the orchard I just want to say a very special thank you to all of the Ambroults for welcoming us whole heartedly and including us in their family fall tradition. 

There are more stories to come from the ever traveling Mrs. Fox and her family.  Stay Tuned.......

On the Road and a Boy's Alive Online Event

Greetings everyone ! We're on the road again. This time we've been hitting the sights of the North Eastern United States. In our minds there is nothing better than a road trip. 

 

While we're away I did want to share with you a wonderful event that I'm having the priviledge of speaking at.

Boys Alive An Online Event

Boys are in trouble.  The world is placing increasing importance on communication and relationship skills.  Most boys (and men) don’t have these skills naturally.

If you’re raising a boy, you’ve likely read all the books, watched countless videos, and been given advice by well-meaning family and friends…

But STILL you’re at a loss for how to raise your boy to be a confident man ready to serve the world with his energy, creativity, and skills.

We know you worry…and wonder…about your boy.  If you’re a teacher, we know you worry and wonder, too.

It’s time to blaze a new trail for your son.  Before you can do that, though, you have to know about:

·         His Education:  Schools generally disapprove of the reading and writing choices that boys make.  Add to that the rules that don’t fit his need to be physical, social (in his own way), and he withdraws, resists, acts out, and, yes, drops out.

 

·         His Inner World:  Knowing the way he learns best means you know how to motivate him.  Help him connect to his own inner wisdom and he’ll have strategies and strength to navigate the peer pressure ahead.

 

·         His Wider World:  Understand the pressures that your boy faces every day and find out how you can help him be the best man he can be.

Janet Allison and Kiva Leatherman have joined together to bring you experts from around the world!   There is so much noise out there – we’ve sifted and sorted for you – we’ve found the experts that will give you a new MAP of your son…they’ll help you blaze a trail of success for him!

Janet and Kiva are leading this never-before-together GATHERING OF EXPERTS who will help you Discover HIS World!

I am thrilled to announce that I am one of the speakers for the Boys Alive! On-line Event.  This free, on-line event brings together authors, coaches, doctors, and parenting experts to help you Discover HIS World!  Boys approach life and school in their own unique way and this Event will give you the MAP so you can blaze a trail and lead him to being a confident, capable man.

Be ready to hear why we need to be worried about our boys.  And what we can do to make the changes THEY NEED US TO MAKE! 

If you’ve been puzzled, frustrated, angry, or just plain exhausted by your boy…just ONE of these expert insights or strategies may be the spark that changes everything between you.

Register now for this free, on-line Event at www.boysalivevent.com  With 15 experts, these interviews are going to change your perspective about boys and men – FOREVER!  We begin on October 10^th but you can get started right now:  REGISTER and you’ll be taken immediately to the “treasure chest” filled with free gifts from our speakers to you.

Be sure to join me on:  October 28th at 1 p.m. Pacific as I talk about Reading with Boys and Giving Back to the Community through Books.

“See you then!”

 

Blogher Handmade and The Creative Connection

 

After four and half years of blogging, countless comments and emails, and a few hundred memories shared, it was time to finally meet a bevy of my blogging friends. There was no better place to do that than in St. Paul Minnesota during the Blogher Handmade and The Creative Connection conference.

700 of us shared our passion for creating beauty in all of it's genres, our love of business, and our willingness to share. Each morning they had several breakout sessions covering different aspects of blogging, business, and crafting. Our afternoons were filled with crafts, knitting and cooking classes and then night came. Every evening was spent eating dinner, listening and sharing stories, and of course entertaining ourselves to no end.

What became apparent very quickly is that though we are all in different places in our creative blogging and business lives, what unites us in our willingness to learn, share, and create. As the days and weeks roll on I will share some of the kindred spirited women I met and the moments we created together. For now though, I'll just give you a glimpse of our weekend. Here are some of my dear friends both old and new.

Birdsaving author Olivia Bouler

The Toymaker Marilyn Scott Waters

From Left to Right: Terry Walters, Nancy Soriano, Amy Powers, Amy Barickman, Janine Vangool

Sarah Jane Wright

Holly Becker from Decor8

 

Mary Jane Butters from Mary Jane Farms

Blogher The Creative Connection

 

Greetings everyone, 

I'm in St. Paul Minnesota for the rest of the week and weekend enjoying my time at The Creative Connection put on by Blogher.

I'm looking so forward to meeting so many of the bloggers I've come to know over the last four years. Along with our love of blogging we will be crafting, eating, and getting down to business with other creative entrepreneurs. I promise to have lots of photos and updates next week. If you should be there too, please drop me a quick email at valarie at audreypress.com I would love to meet you.

All photos today by blogher handmade.