"An optimist is the human personification of spring." — Susan J. Bissonette

IN THIS ISSUE

• May 2004 Journal
• What's New @ the CP
• Spotlight: Deanne Fitzpatrick Rug Hooking
• New Directory Categories 

MAY 2004 JOURNAL

New Beginnings in Spring!

I remember being cooped up in my small cubical at work around this time last year. I'd look longingly out the window of our building during lunch and watch the rebirth of nature happening day after day. While my mind was occupied with multitasking, the miracle going on outside received token attention from me. At the end of each day I'd walk to my car and take a deep breath of the fresh spring air, thinking I was appreciating the arrival of the new season before heading home.

The reality: I was barely noticing the beautiful transformation of life going on. Not that I noticed it much differently in previous years-I had established a pattern of taking it for granted. In exchange for what? For little things that don't matter anymore.

After reading Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now," I decided that this year was going to be different. How so? Well, I've been taking more frequent walks outside, consciously stopping in nature to observe flowers and trees budding with enthusiasm. I've crouched on the ground with my camera to get close up pictures new life emerging from the soil. And I've pointed the lens towards the sky to capture a breathtaking view of flowering tree buds against a blue background. Never before have I experienced the onset of the spring season like I have over the last few weeks. My active participation in the transformation of life has only deepened my appreciation for our home, the earth.

Nature is a patient teacher. Spring reminds us that it's never too late for new beginnings.

Chris

WHAT'S NEW @ THE CP

Spring Writing Prompts
Warming, fresh spring weather! You'll enjoy our collections of spring-theme writing prompts and photos celebrating the emergence of new life arising from the soil.

The Joy of Learning How to Draw
Last year I declared Joy Sikorski as one of my favorite "how to" book authors. Her whimsical drawing lessons in "How to Draw a Radish" immediately appealed to me because of their simplicity and fun nature.

SPOTLIGHT ON

Deanne Fitzpatrick Rug Hooking
"Hooking rugs is a simple task of pulling strips of wool cloth, usually recycled clothing, washed, dried, and torn apart through a burlap backing loop by loop. There are no hard and fast rules. The simplest way to learn is to pick out a kit or start from scratch."

NEW DIRECTORY CATEGORIES

Altered Books
Learn about the growing interest and art of altered books and collage from an assortment of altered book Web sites, articles, and detailed project galleries.

Chalk and Pastel Art
Learn about the techniques of using art pastels and chalk from an assortment of pastel Web sites, articles, project galleries, and organizations.

Rug Hooking
"Rug hooking uses a hand hook, similar in shape to a crochet hook, to form a looped pile from fabric strips or yarn on an even-weave base fabric." Learn the basic how to techniques of rug hooking art and read the inspiring story of Deanne Fitzpatrick, owner of hookingrugs.com.

Free Printables | Creativity Portal's Original Printables
A repository of free computer crafts, greeting cards, gift tags, bookmarks, candy wrapper designs, postcards, and calendars. Creativity Portal's printables feature high quality cards, bookmarks, calendars, and postcards you may freely download and print for personal, non-commercial use.

New Postcard Printable
New Beginnings in Spring!