Nice quote

"The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can." Neil Gaimon

Fine Arts, Music, Physical Activities, Arts and Crafts and Creativity Related



There is quiet beauty somewhere near you. If it's hard to find, close your eyes and imagine some. Look at art, listen to music. Breathe a little more deeply, a little more slowly, and you'll be better for yourself and for those around you. 
From Sandra Dodd's Just Add Light and Stir email list: http://justaddlightandstir.blogspot.com/
If you could say it in words, there would be no reason to paint. -Edward Hopper, painter (1882-1967) 
Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg 
A life lesson that all parents want their children to learn: It’s OK to make a mistake. In fact, hooray for mistakes! A mistake is an adventure in creativity, a portal of discovery. A spill doesn’t ruin a drawing—not when it becomes the shape of a goofy animal. And an accidental tear in your paper? Don’t be upset about it when you can turn it into the roaring mouth of an alligator.

An award winning, best-selling, one-of-a-kind interactive book, Beautiful Oops! shows young readers how every mistake is an opportunity to make something beautiful. A singular work of imagination, creativity, and paper engineering, Beautiful Oops! is filled with pop-ups, lift-the-flaps, tears, holes, overlays, bends, smudges, and even an accordion “telescope”—each demonstrating the magical transformation from blunder to wonder.


Ish by Peter H Reynolds
A creative spirit learns that thinking "ish-ly" is far more wonderful than "getting it right" in this gentle new fable from the creator of the award-winning picture book THE DOT.
Ramon loved to draw. Anytime. Anything. Anywhere.
Drawing is what Ramon does. It¹s what makes him happy. But in one split second, all that changes. A single reckless remark by Ramon's older brother, Leon, turns Ramon's carefree sketches into joyless struggles. Luckily for Ramon, though, his little sister, Marisol, sees the world differently. She opens his eyes to something a lot more valuable than getting things just "right." Combining the spareness of fable with the potency of parable, Peter Reynolds shines a bright beam of light on the need to kindle and tend our creative flames with care.




David Stiles has lots of interesting books.
"Fun Projects for You and the Kids" is one of them.
http://www.amazon.com/David-Stiles/e/B000APY6LY
The Maine library lending system has many of them:
http://minerva.maine.edu/search~S71?/astiles+david/astiles+david/1%2C2%2C28%2CB/exact&FF=astiles+david+r&1%2C27%2C/indexsort=-

 Stop Motion - Klutz: - http://video.klutz.com/animation/
http://www.amazon.com/Klutz-Book-Animation-Motion-Movies/dp/1591747333

Stop Motion - Zu3d -  http://zu3d.com/

Mine-Imator - Free tutorial and download to make your own minecraft skins move or animate other minecraft things you've designed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3vWPzxsQm0

Zentangles: http://www.zentangle.com/index.php
For those who love to doodle and draw and appreciate patterns!

Tangle Patterns: http://tanglepatterns.com/

If you like fashion and nature photography: http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/liliya-hudyakova-fashion-nature


Diy.org is a site for kids to share pictures of what they make.  There are also "challenges" where kids can try to make creative things from a short list of items and then share what they make via pictures with others on the site.  https://diy.org/explore  and https://diy.org/about (Thank you to Mary Rogers who told me about this.  Mary said she first heard about it from Julie Persons.  So thank you Julie too!)

Kinetic Sand (it feels SO neat!!!) http://www.michaels.com/kinetic-sand/10332346.html?cm_mmc=EMAIL-_-0603KidsBday-_-KineticSand-_-b3

Legos!  Fun at any age!  People can use symmetry, alignment, mathematics, creativity and it's fun!

Some people even get paid for their creative lego artwork!  



image
Is this the best job ever? Father-of-two gets to play wi...
Duncan Titmarsh, 42, from Farnham, Surrey, gave up his job as a kitchen fitter to become Britain's only professional Lego builder.
Preview by Yahoo

http://www.seankenney.com/ (check out his current exhibit!)

Lego Certified Professionals from the Lego Site (Sean Kenney is one of them)

Picture Dots (something fun to try): http://www.picturedots.com/

Jim Arnowsky's drawing video tutorials: http://www.jimarnosky.com/drawwithjimarnosky.html

Some Art Related Books: 

Talking With Artists (great book!!):
https://minerva.maine.edu/search~S71?/ttalking+with+artists/ttalking+with+artists/1%2C4%2C4%2CB/frameset&FF=ttalking+with+artists&1%2C1%2C/indexsort=-

Dovor Coloring books are detailed and have fact-filled descriptions.  Available on many topics.
http://store.doverpublications.com/by-subject-coloring-books-fine-art-coloring-books.html

"Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists" by Mike Venezia

Smart About Art series of books about artists -
"Claude Monet Sunshine and Waterlillies" by Steven Packard
"Grant Wood" by Steven Packard
(There are more in the series as well.) My daughter enjoyed these books.
Nicely illustrated and interesting to read and short.
http://www.amazon.com/Smart-About-Art-Pierre-Auguste-Paintings/dp/0448433710

"Children's Crafts: Fun and Creativity for Ages 5-12" by Lane Publishine Co. - By the Editors of Sunset Books and Sunset Magazine (This is an old paperback book published in 1976 that my mom or I got from a garage sale - turned out to have some really neat projects in it.)

Amanda Blake Soule's books for art/craft and sewing ideas:
"The Creative Family" 
"The Handmade Home" 
They are available through the Maine Library lending system. http://minerva.maine.edu/search~S71?/aSoule%2C+Amanda+Blake./asoule+amanda+blake/-3%2C-1%2C0%2CB/exact&FF=asoule+amanda+blake&1%2C3%2C
Amanda's blog: http://www.soulemama.com/ 
"Kids Knitting" by Melanie Falick (finger knitting at the beginning of the book, how to dye yarn with cool aid, and various knitting projects)

Note: Cooking, baking and food related books and links are on the history page towards the top.

Art related sites/links/blogs:

 http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-3D-Paper-Snowflake

 http://tinkerlab.com/2011/04/balloon-yo-yo/

 http://www.thecraftycrow.net/

 http://www.thetoymaker.com/

http://www.filthwizardry.com/

http://artfulparent.typepad.com/artfulparent/

http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/

http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/real-robots.html

http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/art

http://www.funinthemaking.net/about/

Robyn Coburn's creativity blast video and newsletter sign up (newsletter sign up is a little bit down the page on the right side): http://iggyjingles.blogspot.com/p/introducing-creativity-blast.html

From Sandra's site (check out the many links on the right):
http://sandradodd.com/youngchildren

Cool art stuff here: http://sandradodd.com/art/

Things to Do in Winter by Deb Lewis: 
http://sandradodd.com/strew/deblist

Indoor activities for kids:
http://www.whatdowedoallday.com/indoor-activities-for-kids

Some ideas of things to do on rainy days (or any day) with toddlers from the La Leche League International site: 
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBJulAug98p122.html

The Kids Nature Book (365 indoor/outdoor activities and experiences) by Susan Milord - We've had this book for years.  I often pull it out in the spring when I am yearning to do outside/nature type things.  The Maine Library System has it:
http://minerva.maine.edu/search~S71?/Ythe%20kids%20nature%20book&search_scope=50&SORT=D/Ythe%20kids%20nature%20book&search_scope=50&SORT=D&SUBKEY=the+kids+nature+book/1%2C42%2C42%2CB/frameset&FF=Ythe%20kids%20nature%20book&search_scope=50&SORT=D&2%2C2%2C

Nature Crafts for Kids (50 Fantastic Things To Make With Mother Nature's Help) by Gwen Diehn and Terry Krautwurst This book is wonderful too and has also been on our bookshelf for years! Love the ideas of what to make!!!  Organized by season. It is available through the Maine Library Lending System (minerva):  http://minerva.maine.edu/search~S71?/Ynature+crafts+for+kids&searchscope=71&SORT=DZ/Ynature+crafts+for+kids&searchscope=71&SORT=DZ&extended=0&SUBKEY=nature+crafts+for+kids/1%2C12%2C12%2CB/frameset&FF=Ynature+crafts+for+kids&searchscope=71&SORT=DZ&1%2C1%2C

Make your own calendars: http://www.lulu.com/publish/calendars/ is one site, but there are many on the internet.  Shutterfly also has them. 
http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars

Graphic Art/Design ideas: (Check youtube for instructional videos for each as well as websites or wikipedia to find what you are looking for or what would meet your needs.)
Speedpaints (look up on youtube)
Paint.net – free
Gimp
Photoshop – can get 30 day trial
Illustrator – can get 30 day trial
MyPaint

Pokemon
Ideas for your child's design of their own pokemon:

Science and Craft "Action Pack Magazine" for kids. This downloadable high quality e-magazine is just for kids (and their grown-ups and siblings too). There is no advertising in these magazines – just really great quality projects for creative curious kids who love to do stuff! Find out more in our about page or head straight to the shop to purchase the latest issue. http://action-pack.com/

Rise Up Singing (The Group Singing Songbook - words, Chords and sources to 1200 songs) Conceived, Developed and Edited by: Peter Blood and Annie Patterson - This has songs in it that I haven't heard in such a long time!  I was thrilled to find this book at the Common Ground Fair one year.  Introduction is by Pete Seeger.  The Maine Library Lending System has it.

Imagination Tribe yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/imaginationtribe/ and Imagination Tribe facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/ImaginationTribe  - These groups are places for people to support each others creativity, and to connect with, support and share ideas with others.

Ballet:
Rosemary Boross made some videotapes including a Visual Dictionary of Ballet For Children, I'm A Ballerina Now, and other dvd's and ballet books. Here's a link to her facebook page that has her books and dvd's on them: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.56628543978.65237.56619853978&type=1 

 You might need to google more information on each to see what would be the best one for your child, but at least they are all on one page there. 

http://www.balletisfun.com/featuresteps.htm has a demonstration of a ballet walk and a few more things.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgl1tvte3X8 is a youtube explanation on positions (though very long...might be too long...but lots of information) and there are more instructional type videos on youtube from the same person. She talks about plies in this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWfF0b6BX0E

The Royal Academy of Dance has some videos you might like to check out

If your child would enjoy reading about and then watching ballets, "101 Stories of the Great Ballets" by George Balanchine might be of interest. You can read the stories/ballets and then get some of them on dvd or videocassette. I used to keep the book nearby to refer to when my daughter and I watched together.

New ipad app:


Interesting dance "Caught" by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater that makes it look like the dancer is flying: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/18/arts/dance/caught-by-david-parsons-performed-by-alvin-ailey-dance.html?_r=0

This is a great book: A Very Young Dancer by Jill  Krementz
http://www.amazon.com/Very-Young-Dancer-Jill-Krementz/dp/0394408853 
(Jill Krementz also wrote A Very Young Gymnast)

Angelina Ballerina shows

"Barbie In The Pink Shoes" dvd

Swan Lake

Sleeping Beauty

The Nutcracker - I like the version with Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland.  http://minerva.maine.edu/search~S71?/tnutcracker/tnutcracker/1%2C60%2C163%2CB/frameset&FF=tnutcracker&41%2C%2C85/indexsort=- 

An hour long video that features several ballerinas in Russia from the Mariinsky (formerly called the Kirov).  The beginning of the video shows a little about how dancers are selected for the school.  Then what it is like to be invited to dance in the company and finally what different aspects of life are like for the dancers over a couple of years.

My husband sent me a link to this video of Chase Finlay, Principle Dancer of the New York City Ballet and his thoughts about dancing the lead role in Apollo.  Apollo is the Greek God of music.  The ballet is about the birth of this young God...a child born into a man's body and his learning process as he grows and transforms from a child into an adult with the help of the 3 muses - one muse of poetry, one muse of mime and one muse of dance/song.  Apollo learns the most from the muse of dance and song.: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10154639614105529

 For those in Mid-Coast Maine:

"Come Boating, Belfast, Maine: http://www.comeboating.org/
(Often there are homeschoolers that participate in youth rowing on Thursday's in the late afternoon.)
Homeschool graduate Rowan Walauski is coxing a Youth Rowing team and is looking for more teens to join her crew. They row every Thursday from 4:30 - 6:00pm and meet at the boat shed by the public landing at the bottom of Main St.in Belfast. There is a sign-up sheet in the boat shed. Prior to Youth Rowing, you can get together with other homeschoolers at the Belfast City Park! And in the summer, there are free Summer Nights concerts in downtown Belfast! How perfect is that!! For more info, you can contact Rowan at rowan.walauski@gmail.com.

Station Maine, Rockland, ME: http://www.stationmaine.org/

Megunticook Rowing, Camden, ME: http://megunticookrowing.org/ 

The Art Loft, Rockland

Kids Unplugged Play Center of Belfast, Maine

Collaborative Artists in Thomaston - interesting article describing the various artists and the location in Thomaston, Maine

Lost Valley Adventure Park in Lewiston-Auburn

MRC - ice skating and tennis

Mid-Coast Community Chorus - http://mccsings.org/
MCC is pleased to announce Steve Weston as its new Director of the Midcoast Community Children's Chorus. Steve began his education in music as a flute major, earning a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Maine, and then went on to receive a Masters Degree in Choral Conducting from New Mexico State University.

As the former Artistic Director of the Bangor Area Children’s Choir, Steve ran an over 300 voice choral program for youth and teenage singers with multiple choirs offered to serve the wide diversity of ages and abilities As a professional chorister Steve has sung with the New Mexico Singers, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Las Vegas Chamber Singers, Showcase Chamber Ensemble andDivisi.

Along with his new position with MCC he is the Performing Arts educator at the Riley School, the Director of Music at the First Congregational Church in Camden and maintains a private voice studio. When asked what was the biggest draw to taking this position, Steve said, "The spirit of MCC is exciting and I am pleased to be a part of it. I am very excited to once again be involved in a Children's Chorus program and look forward to bringing and building excitement along with instilling a passion for singing and community to young singers".
Mimi Bornstein, Founder and Artistic director of MCC is thrilled to have Steve become part of the MCC community. She says, " Steve’s rich history working with young and teenage singers, combined with his understanding of music and choral arts is a perfect next step for MC3!." Mimi also commented, "We are deeply grateful to Toki Oshima for her dedication to MC3! this past year. Her musical talents, and dedication to building community with young children will be greatly missed".

Registration and First Rehearsal for MC³! will be Thursday September 25th at the Congregational Church in Camden
Rehearsals will be Thursdays from 3:45 to 4:45 at the Congregational Church in Camden
Registration begins at 3:15, Rehearsal runs from 3:45 - 4:45 (Steve will be available prior to rehearsal to meet with any parent or care-giver.)


For more information you may contact MCC at info@mccsings.org or call 207-975.0582


Maine Fiddle Camp- I have heard such good things about this camp!

Sweet Tree Arts, Hope, Maine  http://www.sweettreearts.org/
Lindsay Pinchbeck, Director

February 2015 Special at Sweet Tree Arts
Yoga for ages 5-11 by Jessica Shepard 
Monday thru Wednesday Feb 16 - Feb 18, 2015 
1-3:30pm at Sweet Tree Arts 
Cost: $75


-------------------
Clay that will come to you!  Great idea!  Contact Rachel Hamlin for more information.  
Flying Wheel Clay Arts
‘Have Wheel, Will Travel.’
211 Upper East Pond Road, Nobleboro Maine
(207)380-7799


Dear Knox County Homeschooling Community,

Hello, My name is Rachel S. Hamlin. I am the founder of Flying Wheel Clay Arts. The mission of Flying Wheel Clay Arts is to make ceramics assessable to Maine communities by providing stimulating, multi-faceted and innovative art instruction individually or within a group for students of all ages and abilities either in the comfort of their own home or chosen community location. 
I hold a Maine State Teacher Certification in the Visual Arts as well as a BFA in Ceramics from Maine College of Art. I have been teaching ceramics in many diverse venues for over 14 years including Spiral Arts, Maine College of Art Saturday School, Wayneflete Summertime Arts and Wavus Camp for Girls. I have been working in the public school system as the art teacher at Whitefield Elementary School for almost 10 years meanwhile raising my special needs daughter as a single Mom. 
Please take a moment to look at our program offerings and see if they resonate with you. Feel free to contact me with questions or scheduling requests at rhamlin@svrsu.org. Thank you for your time!

-- 



Sincerely, 


Rachel S. Hamlin
Art Educator 
RSU#12

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." ~ Pablo Picasso

Introductory Package #1: 
 $50 for one person, $25 per person for two
Includes one hour of one on one instruction, clay, glaze and firing fee. 

 Introductory package #2: 
 $80 for the group + travel fee
 $20 per person + portion of travel fee
Includes two hours of instruction, clay/glaze, the firing fee and each participant receives 

3lbs of clay. This session would give each participant 30 minutes to try the pottery wheel.

 Event Package #1: $180 for the entire group + travel fee, $18 per person + portion of travel fee

 Includes two hours of instruction, clay/glaze for 10 people and the firing fee. Each participant receives 2.5lbs of clay to start. Work with Rachel to come up with the perfect hand-building lesson for your event. $1.50 each extra pound of clay used.

 Event Package #2: $240 for the entire group + travel fee, $12 per person + portion of travel fee

 Includes two hours of instruction broken into two one hour blocks, clay/glaze for 20 people and the firing fee. Each participant recieves 2lbs of clay to start. Work with Rachel to come up with the perfect hand-building lesson for your event. $1.50 each extra pound of clay used. 

 Clay Enthusiast Package: $205
Includes four hours of one on one instruction, ample clay/glaze, a firing fee and a one 
week pottery wheel rental fee.
Travel: .40 cents per mile after 30 miles

For those in Maine:

WinterKids Passports (for Mainers in 5th, 6th and 7th grades) - Discounted rates (sometimes even for siblings) for many winter activities - skiing, skating, dog-sledding:  https://secure.winterkids.org/orders/passport/ and to find out more about WinterKids in general, check out this link: http://www.winterkids.org/

Hula in Maine?!!
When we moved here in 2005, I found out about a woman named Mary Beth who taught hula lessons.  I haven't contacted her in a few years, but here is her contact information in case anyone is interested:  Address: 14 Old Stage Road, Frankfort, Maine.  Phone: 207-223-5319 (I'm assuming she is still giving lessons, but please forgive me if it's no longer in service as I haven't tried it in a Long time!)

Improv workshops or classes: David LaGraffe of "Light's Up Improv" - His home location is the Portland New church at 302 Stevens Avenue in Portland.  However, if you'd like him to do a workshop in a different location in Maine (even if he has to travel), he may consider that.  You can talk with him if you'd like to gear it toward familes, children of a certain age, etc.  David's email: lightsup1@maine.rr.com His websites are: http://www.lightsupimprov.com  and www.portlandplayback.com 
Phone: 207-799-3489

The Homeschool Resource Center in Freeport has an improv class this fall with David LaGraffe.  Here's the information and contact person.

The Homeschool Resource Center in Freeport (HRC) is opening up our improv
theater class with David LaGraffe to families who are interested in just that,
but who don't want to participate in our entire Tuesday program. 

There are a few spaces left in the 9-11 year old and 12-14 y/o age groups. We
start next week and the class runs for 12 weeks, ending December 10 (one week
off in October). 

Improv Theater with David LaGraffe of Lights Up Improv
Tuesdays, 12 weeks, starting Sept. 17th
Ages 9-11: 10 - 11 a.m. $160 for the session
Ages 12-14: 11 - 12:15 p.m. $180 for the session

Please let me know if you would like to sign up. We start next week!
Email me off-list at kathleenmccann@usa.net
or call 522-7458



   
--------------

Circus Smirkus for Beginners ages 8 and up!!
Contact Nikky Morris at 207-632-0441 or nicola@maine.rr.com 
Cost: $100
YES!! The fabulous Mr Rick 'Circus master' Davis is returning for another Beginners Class on On Monday Sept 30-Oct 4. Its daily Hours will vary due to other actvitiies. Class will include devil sticks, diabolo, juggling, balancing, magic tricks, acrobatics and SO much more. I can't begin to say how much kids love Rick and learn lots of new things
 Where: Pinelands YMCA (please do not call the Y for info)
Dates and times: MOnday Sept 30 10.30-3 with a lunch break (we can hang outside or use the cafeteria)
                           Tuesday 1-3.30
                           Wednesday 10-2 with lunch
                           Thursday 11.45-3 with lunch/snack break
                           Friday 1-4 (show at 4 invite your friends and Family)

Portland Conservatory of Music Homeschool Collaborative
The Portland Conservatory of Music is very excited to begin the *brand new* PCM Homeschool Collaborative program this Wednesday, September 18! The program will run for 10 weeks on Wednesdays from 9:30-11am. There will be a short break in the middle of the class session each week for a snack and/or stretching, and for students to swap teachers (40 min. class/10min. break/40min. class). It has come to our attention that one of the students is extremely allergic to nuts, so please do not bring anything containing nuts to the program (even the oil from nuts will pose a problem for this student).

Our two teachers are Rachel Herzer (piano rachelcastlestudio@gmail.com) and Don Pride (guitar don@donpride.com). Rachel comes from a Homeschool background, herself, and Don homeschools his own children. Both teachers are very enthusiastic and are well prepared to provide your child or children with an excellent, fun, experiential learning program in music! Both of their e-mail addresses are included in this message.

Please spread the word about this program! Registration will remain open until the third week of classes.

Thank you all so much! We're looking forward to starting this creative new program!

My best,
Mark Tipton

-------------------------

Roller Skating:  Roller skating sounds like a fun thing to do and a great way to exercise, especially in the winter!  If someone in your family would enjoy it, check out the rink in Topsham.  

Location: Roller World (20 Atwood Road, Topsham, ME)
When: The second Friday of every month from 10am to noon
Cost: $5.00 per child including skates, inlines are an additional $2
This is Not a religious gathering.  All are welcome to attend.  Popular music played.


HOME Monthly Homeschool Roller Skating Session
Anyone is welcome regardless of their religious background or spiritual beliefs. Some roller skating games are played such as the Hokey Pokey and Corner Skate.  This will continue to be offered as long as 75 or more skaters attend.  If you are interested, please rsvp by contacting the coordinator by the Wednesday before the skating session.

First Friday of each month (double check the next session by contacting Jenn Martin)

 Skating to contemporary Christian music from 1 - 3 pm

   Happy Wheels Skate Center
  331 Warren Ave.
  Portland, Me 04106

 Cost: $4 per person including skates, $2 for inline rentals

 Please email or call Jenn Martin (787-3433), HOME skate coordinator, to sign up and for
further information.  Jenn's email address:  martinacademy33@gmail.com
HOME website:  Homeschoolersofmaine.org
Facebook skating group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/775257902494733/  
-----------------------

Skiing in Southern Maine

LET IT SNOW
  LETS GO

Announcing the 2015 Southern Maine Homeschool Ski Group. 

The group meets at Shawnee Peak for seven Tuesdays beginning January 6th. 
All ages welcome. Ages 5 and under ski free with a paying adult.
Packages prices vary: $126 for lift only; $211 for lift and lesson;  
$245 for lift and rental;  $330 for a lift, lesson and rental. 

This is a great deal. A great way to enjoy winter. A great way to learn how to 
ski/snowboard. A great way to spend a day with friends/family and meet 
other awesome people. 

Any questions? Need forms to sign up? Curious? 
Please contact Hughes Kraft at hughesk@gwi.net or call 774-0110. 

Deadline for sign up is December 12th.  See you on the slopes!


Frisbee, Ultimate-style
Posted Wed June 22, 2016 on the Learning All The Time yahoo group
We will be meeting up for Frisbee again this summer. This year we will meet on Thursdays from 4-6 at Payson Park in Portland. We meet in the side of the park opposite Baxter Blvd. this is a group for teens, 12+, that are looking to have fun in a not-too-competitive way. Tomorrow is our first game of the summer, hope to see you there.

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