Language: The Fuel That Feeds Us

Naomi Shihab Nye's words, not mine. They are richer tasting in my mouth than any chocolate candy that I might sample this Valentine's day. She explained in a 2002 interview with Bill Moyers that language carries us to understanding and the things that matter in our lives. It can create a connection for us as we sit quietly with words and let them lead us somewhere, if we have the sense to stop trying to proclaim things all the time and, instead, try to discover things.

If you haven't read any of Naomi Shihab Nye's poetry, you can read a short bio and view titles of all her books here. I had the honor of hearing her in person at NCTE in San Antonio this year. Her amazing warmth and sincerity pervaded the entire room. 19 Varieties of Gazelle would be a wonderful introduction to her poetry. Hers is a wonderful voice to add to a classroom in these tense political times when so many children are being taught to hate anyone and anything Middle Eastern. Nye's poetry can open our eyes and connect our hearts to all the ordinary people living in the Middle East who aren't all that different from us.

Technology Overload

I attended the Texas Computer Educators (TCEA) Conference in Austin this week and came away with so many new ideas that my brain is spinning. It is inspiring to hear all the amazing ways that teachers are integrating technology into their classrooms.

I focused on attending sessions that related to language arts (no surprise there) and ones using Promethean Activboards. I am working to be a certified Promethean trainer, as I am convinced that interactive boards should become a primary content delivery system in K-12 education. Creating flipcharts for my certification has made me rethink those lessons carefully and honestly assess how much that original lesson involved every student and whether the information is presented from multiple perspectives. Sobering stuff.... The words "student centered learning" fall easily off the tongue, but they are much harder to honestly implement on a daily basis. The journey is not only worthwhile, however, it is essential.

So it looks like I'll be crafting more flipcharts than cards for a while. Of course, I won't be able to totally quit...my craft table beckons and my stamps and markers are still in plain sight.

Under the Weather

Being "under the weather" is SO frustrating! It has stolen away my energy to do both the things I need to do for work and the things I like to do. I've tried positive thinking to no avail. I still ache. I still feel feverish. Bummer!!

It's been a whole week since I've posted a card, partly due to feeling bad and partly due to some techno work on my images and blog. Seems as if most people who post their work to online galleries like Splitcoaststampers and Paper Craft Planet have created a watermark to place over their images. If only I had just made one when I first noticed it, but, oh no, better to put off til tomorrow... So when I set my mind to adding the watermark that I created, I had to upload all the pics again. I didn't think I had made that many cards since I started posting, but as I worked with them, the number appeared to grow... ;-)

I'm off to rest!

Birthday Cupcake

Here is a simple card for a friend's birthday. I fell in love with the DP, Chatty Cake by Imaginisce. The paper has sentiments all over it, so I just used Nestibilities to add scallop and circle in coordinating colors and then made a large cupcake from Basic Grey Bittersweet paper.

Growing by Our Dreams

Valentines for Friends

Sometimes simple is best. Here is a quick card for a good friend. More Basic Grey Bittersweet papers.

Valentine Wishes

Here's a valentine that I created using the CTMH stamp set Soul Mtes and Basic Grey Bittersweet Papers.

CPS Challenge #98

I have resolved that this year I will create more cards and post consistently on my blog. What better way to find motivation than a good challenge. So I've been on the prowl for some challenges, and I hit pay dirt when I came across the Card Positioning Systems blog.

I watercolored the bird on this card earlier this week, and I've been wondering what to do with him. This challenge sent me to my paper stash to find something that might work. He isn't perfect, but I decided to celebrate my first effort to be more artistic with my cards and less cut and paste...

Supplies
CTMH cardstock and DP, Martha Stewart clear bird stamp, scrap of twill ribbon, Nestabilities

Here's the sketch for the challenge:CPS Sketch Challenge #98