What's the vibe today . . .

Beyond playdough

by Sarah Juliusson

Jenny is sorting through three years of photos, finally creating the family scrapbook. Kristin is just back from her very first flamenco dance lesson. Julia is carefully crafting a new necklace from the beads she hasn’t touched since college. Mary is on the floor with her kids fingerpainting. She suspects she is having the most fun of all. Ella sits in a quiet room surrounded by colourful fabrics as she pieces together a quilt. Lori has set aside 15 minutes each day to learn how to play the guitar. Monique sits, pen and notebook in hand, creating a new world through words.

When we’re in the creative zone, we are often able to let go of everyday thoughts and concerns and simply focus on our creation. It is in many ways a form of mindful meditation, of being fully present and engaged in this moment.

Ok, so maybe you’re not a crafty type. “I’m not an artist,” you say to yourself, or “I’m just not good at that type of thing,” or “I don’t have a good musical ear,” or “I’m too clumsy,” and the big one: “I just don’t have the time.”

On her Cheerio Road Blog, Karen Maezen Miller writes: “Having forgotten all obstacles and limitations, all distractions and negations, there is nothing you do not know how to do. Surprise yourself.” What would it look like if you took a risk and tried something completely new?

Years ago, in the age before children, my mother sent me a quilting book for no particular reason. She had seen some colours and designs in there that she thought I would like. That book sparked a lifelong love of fabric art and many long nights with needle and thread. There was a spark, I listened, and discovered a new part of myself.

When was the last time you nurtured your creative spirit? While for some of us the thought of a quiet evening with piles of wool to be coloured with natural dyes makes us giddy with anticipation, for others it elicits no more than a yawn and shrug. Creativity can be lived in countless ways, from the kitchen, to the sewing room, to the garden. What feeds your creative spark?

Find a workshop or class, get out those old paints, sit down and write for the first time in ages, learn how to bake bread, nourish your creativity and bask in the clarity and energy it will give you.

Sarah Juliusson is the mother of two young boys, and co-founder of Mama Renew together with Jennifer-Lee Koble, offering self-renewal groups for seasoned mothers, and Mothers Unfolding for new mothers and babies. As a working mother, she is forever seeking new ways to expand her circle of support and find balance so that she can give more fully to herself, her family, and the community. To learn more about Mama Renew, visit www.mamarenew.ca. Mama Renew offers groups throughout the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.

Sponsor link (B.C. only):

Robeez models wanted - (B.C. only)

Robeez is now looking for models in the Vancouver area who are currently between the ages of six months and three years old for their upcoming Spring 2009 photoshoot. This photoshoot is planned to take place in October 2008. In your submission, please include: Child’s name and parents’ full name(s); Age; Gender; Robeez shoe size; Special skills (e.g. walking, talking, playing, laughing, sitting up) ; 2-3 recent low resolution jpeg photos; and Phone number. Submissions can be sent to Gillian_Chant@striderite.com. Please indicate in the subject line “Robeez Baby Model – Your Child’s Name”. Deadline for submissions is Oct. 10, 2008. The models will be selected to reflect a balance of age, gender, and ethnicity, and you will be contacted if your child has been selected for the photoshoot.

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child playing

Illustration by Emilie Vanvolsem

Babyvibe contests

Be sure to check out this week’s Babyvibe Nest Egg! You can win one of six copies of this season’s Family Book. It’s also your last chance to enter to win the HP wireless printer contest at Babyvibe.ca.

Mandarin for BC Schools – North Vancouver

Would you like to see an early start Mandarin program offered in the public school system? If so, this may be of interest to you. Some parents are working to bring a Mandarin bilingual program from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in the North Vancouver public school system. Their goal is to have both a Kindergarten and Grade 1 and 2 split class for the 2009/2010 school year. The group is submitting a proposal to the NVSD Sustaining Schools Working Committee this month, requesting consideration for and demonstrating support of this type of program. If you are a North Shore resident who would like to see such a program offered, please complete a short online survey at www.mandarinforbcschools.org. For further information or to answer any specific questions you may have, please e-mail mandarinforbcschools@gmail.com.

Haba recall

There has been a recall due to choking hazards on some styles of HABA wooden puzzles, infant rattles, pacifier holders and stroller toys. The Habermass Corp. is offering replacement products or a full refund to anyone who purchased these items. Visit online for all the details.

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