Spinners... I have been hearing about them - good & bad. Clearly a topic of conversation.
The little research i did- there is a mixed opinion - professional about Spinners.
Do they help kids focus.  
I think they look cool, mesmerizing - colorful and I've seen glass artists are creating them now also. PIN had many DIY FYI on them.  Easy & difficult.  
My opinion.. spinner s have been around a long time, spinning meditation rings. 
Spinning prayer wheels (I have one on my desk) and is doodling not a type of spinning?
Kids have been doing it in class for -ever.
Spinners, it is my personal opinion after all I have ready - they would be quite the distraction and what happened to trying to focus old fashioned ways? creative ways. Spinning is just watching... I GET it. I don't agree with it.  I did see this on PIN while searching spinners and thought it was really cute and highly true:

Anything that helps a child to focus and calm down naturally - I AM all for it.
Before pills - always.  
With all that is happening in the world, talks of bombs daily, Trump antics, stuff (terrible things)  no wonder they are spinning.
FIRST I'd suggest gently  ;)   pen & paper.. I bet there are so many little creative artists trying to get out.   TLC before anything, of course.
You all know I'm a huge fan of reading!  Reading was must when Storm was a baby and  I promised him when tiny- 'I'll buy you any book as long as you promise to read it- then I'll buy another.'  His first big book - 'Megladon' - a giant shark.  ;)  
In elementary school  he was reading 3 grades above the rest in his class.
They called me one day to tell me this. I was pleased.  ;)

With Love. 
g

'As I start this blog, I am reminded myself  of a 'man' who TRIED to intimidate me recently, why? I declined his advances &  he got NASTY.  What happens when men become insecure?  They cheat, abuse, hurt, beat, stalk and try to 'over POWER' the weaker (in their mind) of the human race - women.  This sort of treatment is on the increase - and easier to do - I'm sure a stalker is reading my blog now. They follow your facebook/Instagram social pages BUT he won't post or comment- they are cowards. 

The second you show any FEAR  cowards thrive.
F*CK that,  DO not tolerate  ABUSE in any form from anyone.
SPEAK up the second you are touched 'uncomfortably'. If someone won't get out of your personal space - ask them to 'MOVE Please.'  
The second they say anything you believe is un appropriate...
   ASK: What did you say to me?  & say it LOUD!!

NO job is worth it, it just progresses, until you quit anyhow. Been there done that.
SAVE the  nasty e mail you are sent, phone calls  & TEXT messages and SHOW them to someone.
ANYONE.   Take photos, record them if need be.  If they persist contact the police.  
Tell your dad, Tell your mom, Tell your brother... unless your brother is handy with baseball bats..  well, then again.  I do not encourage physical violence ever - unless you are being abused by someone who won't take verbal hints, sometimes the only understanding violent people have  is to be threatened with he same, when I was younger I had to have a friend go and "warn someone to back off.."  * he didn't - I still had to go to the police and court systems,   too many times we read how the police could/would not help until it was too late - instead of a violence report it becomes 'just another murder statistic.  Too often the police do not take 'it seriously',  - if they don't live it - it would be difficult to comprehend.  They are ALSO BUSY - arresting non-violent offenders for such things as... cannabis. 

There are many forms of abuse.. mental, physical.. several forms of control.
CONTROL. When someone physically hurts another- it is their loss of control.
It is proven - society today, because we witness so much- is losing empathy - seeing a woman beaten, brutally raped, is no big deal... turn on the television, go to the movies, WORSE, read the headlines: girl raped behind dumpster- golden boy is set  free.
Just headlines - just wait until it's your little granddaughter.   Will you speak up then?
Treated as no more than sexual objects, it's why I get so upset with these "lovely" young ladies - who don't understand the implications  -each post of their 'tits or ass' shoved in the cameras 'face' is also shoved in the faces of  not so nice strangers & encouraging MANY already out of control, frustrated men to act upon their - fantasies.  
Yes, they are out of control  -so don't fuel the fire, is what I'm trying to say.  
There is never an acceptable excuse for rape. Never.
It never has anything to do with 'how' women are dressed OR HOW much women have drank/drunk  in an evening. Rape is RAPE.
'No means no' and if she can't say 'No' then Presume:  'NO'. 

We have a generation growing seeing violence against women as an every day occurrence - growing in violence and confidence.  Internet grooming is on the rise - are we not warning our kids yet!? This should taught in CLASS as a part of life skills,  Grade one.
​Too young to teach them?  Predators - they don't care if your child is only in grade one- they like them even younger.

With Love
​Georgia 

1 in 4...   

I am living vicariously through the chronic crafter.. lol
I want to craft but can't as much as I use to, several reasons - mostly I'm too busy painting.
I can't remember how we met.. but we did! Sara's quite the crafter & lovely young woman,
we exchanged a few email & soon I felt as though we were' two pee's from the same creative  alien pod. Sara had a little 'needle felted  octopus', I asked if she wanted to barter, as I do.
YES! I have my octopus & more! My part of the barter is still being worked on NOW.. it was my reminder to post. Sara a.k.a the Chronic Crafter is  a crafty, determined person- her weekly newsletters are always a craft easy enough for beginners!!  
I get the entire 'stoner thing'..  so be it.  Like many enjoy wine at these painting parties, I too even think, I feel like getting HIGH. In reality - I just feel like feeling good.  Don't you?

My blog, has been a part-time  job, this I know- from cartoons & research  to persistence as well as constant content is NOT an easy task, it had to become habit. Build an audience on top of it that is interested in  repeat returns & POSSIBLY make any sort of income from it-- it too is CREATIVE work it's another reason I like what she's doing.  Persistence. 

Sara was the first to color my FREE Easter page and send it to me. ;) Thank You.
I've met many creative beings the past few years (especially fellow cartoonists) but it's nice to meet  someone who shares my love of crafting'- so much so- when I see something on PIN- I'll send it to SARA!  "Make this! or "This  looks easy & cool" - the next thing I see is - it was created in her newsletter. We both wanted to make the Stuffed Stash jar (I don't need a Teddy bear stash jar),  it's a cute idea to  stash your stash.. I gave her a little 'jar of a reminder to get busy on it-  her honesty- admitting she glued the Teddy Bears head on backwards made me giggle, I thought - 'Oh yeah, I could see how she did that!'  It's CRUCIAL for beginner crafters to realize -us "professionals" all F*ck up, it's how we learn.  Martha makes it look too easy - so when beginners try an do make a mistake they are discourage - I can't do it and don't.

DO! Sara and I both are here to tell you - DO! There are fewer things more satisfying as CREATING or  making something old new again - in this highly tossed world. I've pretty much already tried' much of what I have seen Sara creating (don't forget I use to teach crafts for  years) but I KNOW many of you have not- it does not have to be 'STONER crafts'- all crafts can be changed to use for kids, make a little stash jar for them to hide a tooth or treasure of their own.  Teach a little girl how to DIP  an old glass ornament even a shell into  nail polish - it does not need to be a bong.  HAVE FUN!   Sara is helping in her own stoner way to keep you inspired another day!  Turn off the television and DISCOVER what YOU are capable of!  Me - I can summons Wild Blue Jays! My power is endless! As long as my peanut supply is.

Sara is Canadian, lives with her honey & cute kitties in B.C., we have quite the distance to go to hang out together! For now we will continue being creative friends on line.  Check out her  website - it will take you to facebook, instagram & PIN!  

Speaking of PIN, being crafty- I found a carrot cake recipe. OH MY, OH MY! Using 2 cups of grated fresh carrots and all goodness - here's the thing- I toss all in a bowl and mix- it works terrific! The Butter Cream Cheese icing- NOM NOM! They are as good as I was getting from the little coffee shop - better- I'm making them! FRESH.
Know what tastes delicious  on a hot day? Frozen carrot cake.  
Thursday is expected to be 30 something!  A heat wave? Get baking now! lol
Here it is: ​http://pinchofyum.com/best-carrot-cake-cupcakes-with-cream-cheese-frosting
If you visit me - I have some in the freezer- unless I remember it at 2:00a.m. like last night. 

One more thing, I woke yesterday and said  OUT LOUD you are going to have  something WONDERFUL happen today..     It did.  
I was lying down for a nap and Storm called  me -I looked up &  there David' at the door (one of Storms friends since they were little) standing there, he had a  bunch of long stemmed roses & he smiled at me & in his peace-full voice said:
​
"Happy Mothers day, I'm sorry I couldn't get them to you yesterday".  

​They are some of the most beautiful roses I've ever been given, by far.

With Love
​g

​With Love
g

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eYeah!! It's foray season!  I've already had morels fried up twice! Nom Nom!  As you know I designed the posted for the 40th Cain Foray - & I've a few ideas still- one is to encourage kids!  I noticed from time to time there are little ones who join the forays and as expected- they get bored... so, I thought I'd make this cute little Scavenger hunt poster!  There is something the sheet for everyone to find!  They might not find the mentioned mushrooms Morel might not be in season) but it will encourage them to explore and discover! 
We printed a few and will attach them to clip boards and hand them out to little explores should they joins us.  a FREE color download - IF you want to take our little Mushroom hunter out in the backyard!  The most important point you must teach your children is:
                     Do NOT eat anything you find in the wild. 

They could become understandably confused, seeing mushrooms in the grocery store and also on the driveway. TEACH them the difference.  IT'S your job parents, not the schools - to educate your little ones on being safe in nature and also - YES!! Come join us on a foray
(you need to become a member) & introduce your children to EDIBLE mushrooms!  Show them the variety nature provides.   Teach them which are safe to eat- Teach them how to FRY them up!  My son (the Foray director) pulled out his camping stove, butter & frying pan at the last foray and a wonderful gentleman contributed his Morel find for all to share! Im making him a special thank you card.  It was magnificent mushroom moment.
Mushrooms are fascinating!!  

Are they little artists? Now is the time to break out the sketch book- I'm often  overwhelmed and ONLY pick 3 off the table at the end of the day to take home and paint.  If I am at a foray I'll be sketching and will gladly help any little artist. I met one this past weekend 'Isabelle.  Her mom showed me a terrific drawing she did of a Robin & Blue cat smiling up at him - lol & she is talented.  I gave her a little sketch of a morel & snail.  NEXT- I'm working on coloring sheets to have at the Foray as well.  
Children are OUR future. Mushrooms are the future.
Below a few photos of our last foray and a FREE color DOWNLOAD to enjoy with your little ones!  Come back soon- for a coloring sheet and more mushroom art - OF course! 


With Love
​g