Renaissance Woman » Playing With Joy

James Christensen: Extraordinary Whimsey

admin — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:33:47 +0000

Have you had the sheer delight lately of smiling at James Christensen’s characters? Do not deprive yourself much longer because it is completely free joy-in-a-bottle! You can search on his name and come up with links for his prints, books about his art, porcelain figures that come alive from the one dimensional prints–you’ll even find greeting cards and a few 1500 piece puzzles of these masterpieces.

A few sites I’ve found are: www.jameschristensen.com www.greenwichworkshop.com/christensen

And be sure to check out the assortment of Christensen things on Amazon.com

Let me know what you think and what pieces are your favorite!

Secret Hide-Away (Canopy & Little Patch of Meadow)

admin — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 01:02:22 +0000

Don’t children love their own secret hiding places–behind a sofa, under a table, a blanket making a tent… Make a special hide-away place for little ones you love. Gather together a few things:

a net canopy (sold with bedroom sheets in department stores)
a green fluffy blanket
lots of silk flowers in pretty colors
strong glue that dries colorless
florist wire

Turn the blanket into a little patch of meadow by first pulling the silk flowers and their leaves off the stems. Arrange them in a sprinkled pattern around the edge of the blanket– try different combinations until you find one you like. Then glue each down very securely and let dry over-night.

A garland of silk flowers, often coming in six foot or longer lengths, can be attached to the top of the canopy with florist wire or strong thread.

The secret hide-away set can be used outdoors or inside. And if you can include pillows– how could young ones resist? Reading, coloring, writing, drawing, singing, playing cards– how many things could they do inside this special place?!

Play is Sacred Work

admin — Sun, 04 May 2008 17:30:35 +0000

There is a widely believed, but harmfully false idea circulating that only little ones need to play, or are allowed to play. We devotees of rich and full lives know the truth and once in a while take the time to address this mistaken belief. But more often we are shamelessly chasing this birth-right!

Linger here and you will find idea after idea for reclaiming and rejoicing in PLAY!