Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
Amy Dalley ~ Today [PMN]
Joshua Kadison ~ Born to Shine [PMN]
Rachel Fuller ~ Shine [PMN]
Cassandra Kubinsky ~ How'd I Get So Lucky [PMN]

~ the end of kindergarten, "100 things" lists, what I learned in kindergarten, and I go through a paper bag of "stuff" from the year and find... his journal
~ a bit more on "comics" and "graphic novels"
~ I struggle with sketching bodies and body positions
~ the remarkable and enchanting and mythical Pockets -- not new, but one those with a love of thread will want to read!
~ Sparks2005's "manikin" illustrations at Flickr
~ a new thematic creative prompt: "Pockets"
~ smeared marker (on purpose)
~ ATC update
~ and more... (including an end-of-show kid out-take)... Plus, as always, great podsafe music. (Length: 1 hr, 1 min )

[Oops! I realized after I uploaded that when I recorded the show yesterday, I included a "vanishing art" story in the lineup - and forgot to talk about it. I can't go back and do it now because I've lost my voice.... a good thing I recorded early, in fact. So... another time! And, oops again! I believe I referred to the Flickr artist who does such wonderful illustrations of the little jointed wooden figure as a "he" - which is wrong.]

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
Joshua Kadison ~ I Believe in You [PMN]
Jon Schmidt ~ Prelude [My Little Girl]
David Ippolito ~ This Hill is Filled with Children [PMN]

~ a mental soup of "comics"-related ingredients beginning last summer

~ Matthew's Ice Rangers comic
~ Danny and Jack take a comics class
~ Danny on Comics
~ the last few pages of John Murphy's Stupid Sock Creatures book
~ Lime and Violet talk about a possible comic
~ the little one makes it through singalong with the Kiki comic

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
Spaghetti Cake ~ Follow Your Light
Heavy Mellow ~ Blue Mountain Lake [Magnatune]
David Ippolito ~ One Word [PMN]

Limited number available. Check them out here.

The CMP turns 1, so it's an extended celebration and retrospective look at the first year of the show...

~ I dive into Myriorama cards and find the process of putting this show together very similar
~ ATC Myriorama swap I mention
~ many thoughts on reaching the 1 year mark
~ thoughts on the disappearance of formal essays from the CMP
~ realization that I need to pull on a (rainbow chain mail?) body suit of armor and tackle the "issue of a book" head on
~ thoughts on standing still - or not standing still
~ details of a special CMP scrapbook created by SunnyNole and contributed to by Holli Conger, Linda Woods, Kritty, Heidi, Rosemary (of CraftBorg), Lain (of ScrapHappy), Judy (my Mom), and Julie (aka JuJuArt at Flickr)
~ listener audio comments
~ an audio retrospective from the first year
~ thematic creative prompt: Windows
~ and more... Plus, as always, great podsafe music. (Length: 1 hr, 29 min)

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
Matthew Ebel - Every Color [PNM]
Matthew Ebel - Someone's Out There [PNM]
Joshua Kadison ~ One Song [PMN]
David Ippolito ~ Don't Lose Sight of the Dream [PMN]

~ a few words on birds eggs and nests - and being open to "seeing"
~ a photo of messy art in progress and I struggle to decide what colors to use
~ ATCs, tube watercolor, sunscreen, and a three year-old
~ hot air balloons in mine and in his
~ a monoprint auction item update and brief tutorial [for a few monoprint books, see here]
~ hand-carved stamps from erasers [see Ryan's awesome set]
~ a couple of winning books from the red bag (Chrysanthemum and Joseph Had a Little Overcoat)
~ book list is coming (standard recommendations: The Creative License: Giving Yourself Permission to be the Artist You Truly Are, Visual Chronicles: The No-Fear Guide to Creating Art Journals, Creative Manifestos and Altered Books, The Dot, Ish)
~ ATC update - June assignments will go out June 1
~ thematic creative prompt: The Silver Lining
~ a promo for Lain's fabulous new podcast - ScrapHappy
~ and more... Plus, as always, great podsafe music. (Length: 45 min)

Note: I talk about the birds - and the eggs - in this show and in last week's show. After I got done recording the show, I went and got books out of the bag to read to the little one from my last trip to the library, and I pulled out An Egg Is Quiet. When we laid down and I opened it up, I discovered a wonderful and fantastic and sweet and beautiful book full of beautiful (and I mean seriously beautiful) renderings of all kinds of eggs in all shapes and sizes and colors and patterns. It's fantastic! I wanted to run in, plug everything back up, and tell you all about it. But, I didn't. Still, I wanted to mention the book. I think someone, one of you, actually mentioned this to me a while back, and I didn't ever grab it. When I saw the title on the "new books" shelf the other day, I grabbed it because the title rang a bell. But I had no idea what it "was" and how perfect for the "focus" on birds' eggs!

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
For Tomorrow ~ Happy Song [PMN]
Paul Castle - Hold Out for Summer [PNM]

~ a bit of a mother's day wrap-up
~ thoughts on pajama day
~ a special on-command drawing by the little one sends me into a tailspin on several levels
~ the oldest makes his first ATCs (and I ponder a lemon still life)
~ the charming and true story of Stellina and a great book of poetry for the kids by Justine Rowden that puts famous art into words
~ this week's thematic creative prompt: Hidden
~ ATC update and the ATC theme for June: At Water's Edge (need to deactivate yourself? want to sign up?)
~ Ryan talks about his use of hatching (Dan Price, Danny Gregory, Wagonized, Tom Kane)
~ second call for your voices to play in the upcoming "the CMP turns 1!" show (the box in the sidebar at right makes it easy to leave a msg!)
~ and more... Plus, as always, great podsafe music. (Length: 50 min)

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
Laura Hughes ~ Sparrow [PMN]
Josh Woodward - A Song [PNM]

~ the Japanese Tea Garden, the Conservatory of Flowers, and a lot in between - most of it somewhere in Golden Gate Park
~ we climb a small mountain and suffer a few film disasters
~ we don't end up with Socks that Rock, but I pick up more Koigu for boy hats and some Colinette Jitterbug, to boot
~ Author's Morning
~ a new thematic prompt: Tranquility
~ two on O'Keeffe (the magical My Name Is Georgia: A Portrait by Jeanette Winter)
~ ATC update
~ "proud [creative] parent moment" a la Ryan
~ call for your voices to play in the upcoming "the CMP turns 1!" show
~ and more... Plus, as always, good podsafe music. (Length: 57 min)

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
Laura Hughes ~ Full of Grace [PMN]
Adrienne Pierce ~ One Perfect Day [PMN]

The show is late, late, late. But, it's finally live, live, live. Please, forgive the loads of background noise you'll hear in this one. I commented on it during taping, but in listening back to the show, even I was stunned at how much street noise there is/was. It sounds like I was taping sitting in the middle of a major highway rather than on a relatively quiet street high on a hill away from random traffic. Wowsa. Sorry! I edited out some of the louder trucks, but there's a certain ambience here. I just wanted to make sure you didn't think I was sitting out there... propped back in a fold-up lawn chair, portable recorder in hand...

~ creating a "list" - a personal list - of things to draw when nothing else jumps out at you
~ stuffed animals and a coffee mug with a turtle inside
~ Pig 'N Pancake (Oregon-trip source of the small plastic animal-handled cups)
~ continued respect and kudos to Danny Gregory - you should all own Creative License and Everyday Matters
~ two new creative prompts - a continuation of last week's "photo grid" prompt (this week with a focus on line/shape) and this week's thematic prompt: "Serendipity"
~ The Artist's Muse
~ 1000 ATCs
~ Artist Trading Cards Workshop
~ Russell the Sheep and the Lost Treasure
~ FD Flickr Toys (mosaic maker is good for the prompt)
~ ATC update and official announcement of the May theme: "Reach for the Stars"
~ and more... Plus, as always, good podsafe music. (Length: 58 min)

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
Pete Hopkins ~ Become [PMN]
Bree Noble ~ Can You See the Stars [PMN]

~ my angst over the blank book I'm using
~ the rewards of a 20-minute drawing during a morning lull
~ a few great picture books for the kids (Mademoiselle Moon by Marie Louise Gay and Paint Box by Maxine Trottier)
~ suggestions for needlepointing with kids
~ I circle the block for a purple flower photo
~ mom's coming to visit
~ two new creative prompts - a continuation of last week's "photo grid" prompt and this week's thematic prompt: Keeping Time
~ FD Flickr Toys (mosaic maker is good for the prompt)
~ ATC update and "reminders"
~ and more... Plus, as always, good podsafe music. (Length: 58 min)

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
Monique Rhodes ~ Under the Sun [PMN]
Spaghetti Cake ~ Give Me the Sun
Jonathan Coulton ~ I'm Your Moon [PMN]

~ a pull-out bed leads to unexpected time focused on ATCs for April's "A World in Bloom" exchange
~ my first whirl with an SLR (but not digital), the little one suggests taking a photo of his bottom would be easy, and thoughts on the boundaries of photographing others
~ I finally turn my attention to The Life Organizer: A Woman's Guide to a Mindful Year by Jennifer Louden (author of the Woman's Comfort Book: A Self-Nurturing Guide for Restoring Balance in Your Life) designed to help you organize your life and create a life you love [for more information, see listener Lain's interview with Jennifer earlier this year]
~ By the way, Lain has her own Podcast! Check out Scrap Happy!
~ I spend time with the "weighty" A Photographer's Life: 1990-2005 by Annie Leibovitz and catch up on some photgraphers unfamiliar to me in In Real Life: Six Women Photographers (and references to the Lange and Adams books I looked at earlier this year)
~ two new creative prompts - one photographic prompt that will send you through your house looking through your lens in preparation for an inspiration grid; the other, this week's thematic prompt: "In the Kitchen"
~ in the first prompt, I mention Michael Leu's work - which I remain enamoured with after many, many years
~ and more... Plus, as always, good podsafe music. (Length: 1 hr, 12 min)

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
Rachel Fuller ~ Just Breathe [PMN]
Ehren Starks ~ The Story of Room 620 [Magnatune]
Cassandra Kubinsky ~ Cradle the Moon [PMN]

~ we get ready to head for the mountains and (maybe) snow
~ restaurant art and the beauty of index cards (a great shimmer robot which I did not let go as a birthday card, dino and dragon cards, and an inspiring view from the Twin Peaks lookout)
~ needlepoint (with a Mary Engelbreit theme) returns in the house, the importance of a "first fish," and an unexpected meltdown
~ three new creative prompts: a look at your tools (see Ryan's fab photo), a "get out there" prompt (with a stack of blank cards or separate papers), and "Home" - this week's thematic prompt
~ a guest spot by SunnyNole from Florida, moderator of the Digi-Scrapping Moms group at Flickr
~ and more... Plus, as always, good podsafe music. (Length: 53 min)

(In looking up links for the show notes - I discovered that the needlepoint store I mention in this episode [in the same breath with FLAX and Dick Blick] may not carry Mary E items anymore [no doubt a licensing issue gone awry]. Part of me says, "ahhhh," but another part says, Yahoo! This discovery means that when I need to replenish fiber, because I'm sure to run out of some color or other despite good advice and planning at the time of purchase, I can go back to the store and not be so susceptible to splurging! There's always a window - you just have to find it!)

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
Kelly Cavagnuolo ~ Rebecca's Theme [PMN]
Jon Schmidt ~ Winter Wind [PMN]

I am also going to be talking about needlepoint. There will be art of the sketching/drawing/painting kind, too. But, needlepoint as well. So, stay tuned. And, if you've got a canvas tucked away that you every once in a while look at longingly but bury again in the closet and focus instead on your knitting or your painting, drag it out. I'm there with you. This show is for you - and all the rest of the tapestry needle artists out there!

~ an extended look at our artist's date to FLAX
~ we make handy color inventory charts
~ I notice the impact of my "everday" drawing on the oldest
~ PITT artist pens in S, F, M, and B
~ I feel scattered and overwhelmed and can't bring myself to look at things behind the counters
~ a brown and cream pigeon?
~ not one, but two creative prompts - one thematic (INDISPENSIBLE creative tool?); one more hands on and concrete (draw a postage stamp)
~ the theme for the APRIL ATC exchange is: "A World in Bloom"
~ an anniversary and a gift of (dip) pen and ink
~ a review of the sequel to Charlotte in Giverny
~ a quick overview of The NEW CREATIVE ARTIST (which is chock full of great information, examples, and activities and ideas)
~ the multi-leaded pencil crops up again
~ and more... Plus, as always, good podsafe music. (Length: 1 hr, 8 min)

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
Katy Pfaffl ~ Through it All [PMN]
Jon Schmidt ~ I Do [PMN]
Collin Raye ~ All I Can Do Is Love You [PMN]

(For more relevant titles, see the list from Episode 24)

1. The always amazing and inspiring Cloth, Paper, Scissors. You can't tell from this shot, but highlighted on the cover of this issue is an article on "Creative Sketchbooks."
2. Somerset Studio - and the cover notes there is a profile of Keri Smith in this issue.
3. A special issue of Somerset Memories - I LOVE the collage on the cover (color scheme, shapes/lines, images... fabulous).
4. What's missing here... maybe Home Companion. I used to love one called Artist's Sketchbook, but I think it must not be in print anymore.

~ Linda and Karen's follow-up to the fabulous Visual Chronicles, Journal Revolution, is scheduled for release in September. They've set up a Flickr group called "The Art Army" where you can start sharing your pages now.

~ Keri Smith, author of Live Out Loud!, has a new book coming out soon called Wreck This Journal.
You can find out more about the book on the book-specific blog and in the accompanying "How to Wreck a Journal" Flickr group.

~ I literally ran into a copy of this - I was stocking up on magazines for a road trip (and I'm waiting to crack them open until the trip), and this was tucked away on the shelf: Artist Trading Cards Workshop. It's so, so, so full of beautiful cards and ideas!

~ The Dot and Ish (brought to my attention by Ryan): I've again had these out and have been reading them with the kids. These two never cease to delight me - and Reynold's style (of watercolor and linework) is brilliant.

~ You did know there's a new Magic Tree House book out, right: Magic Tree House: Dragon of the Red Dawn (#37)

~ And, of course, you've preordered your Harry Potter for July, right?

~ More Than Words: Illustrated Letters From The Smithsonian's Archive of American Art

~ Wide Open: Inspiration & Techniques for Art Journaling on the Edge

~ It seems like everywhere I turn these days (from blogs to a parenting magazine), I'm running into mention of Flow. Have you read it?

(*Thanks to Jessica for pointing out the upcoming release of Wreck This Journal.)

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
Rachel Fuller ~ Shine [PMN]
Heavy Mellow ~ Oh My God [Magnatune]
Katy Pfaffl ~ Down the River [PMN]

~ thoughts on Episode 40 - and wouldn't you rather I just write a book?
~ some wet on wet watercolor and a misadventure with masking tape
~ early morning creativity for the boys until the milk gets spilled
~ Justin Roberts' wonderful children's music - especially Meltdown (Justin's site)
~ a new thematic creative prompt ~ M E L T D O W N (thanks to Justin's CD!)
~ a couple of paper crafting books (one on cards; one on collage)
~ and more... Plus, as always, good podsafe music. (Length: 53 min)

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
The Egerton Boyz ~ A Kite Song [PMN]
Heavy Mellow ~ St. George Island [Magnatune]
Jan Linder-Koda ~ Just What I Needed [PMN]

My calendar (and my heart) knows this is a birthday week for both my brother and my grandfather...

~ I reminisce a bit about my grandfather and my role as the "Middle A" (between him and my brother)
~ I worry about last week's "slumpish" intro
~ a stained glass sketch takes on new meaning in "light" of last week's "light" prompt
~ I do a sketch of a favorite family photo
~ songs as a family thread and songs at weekly Sing-A-Long (including: a Martin Luther King song, a Rosa Parks song, universe and recycling songs, and Each of Us is a Flower)
~ Pluto is no longer a planet - (that really messes up my "My Very Educated Mother..." mnemonic device! - I guess it's now "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos!")
~ two creative prompts this week... first, the thematic prompt: A Favorite Song, and then an added prompt on creatively tackling a loved one who is no longer with us (family/friend/pet)
~ update on ATC Exchange - and reminder that ATC etiquette is a good skill to practice
~ announcing the long-awaited Creative Mom Podcast email group so that you can all get to know each other! You can join the group here
~ and more... Plus, as always, good podsafe music. (Length: 1 hr, 5 min)

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
Collin Raye ~ Forgotten [PMN]
Joshua Kadison ~ Child of These Roads [PMN]
Ehren Starks ~ Dad's Song [Magnatune]
Josh Woodward - 1000 Words [PNM]

Don't worry... I talk a bit about being in a slump, but it's not about the show. It's just a regular ol' creative slump. It happens to the best of us. Besides, I think I'm about over it!

~ new paintings for the winter art show at the elementary school
~ two bookmarks for the read-a-thon
~ Spencer and I talk about Matthew's dragon
~ Spencer paints his cards
~ a new thematic creative prompt: "Light"
~ tagging photos (and interview with Dane Sanders on Scrapcast)
~ a photographic reading record (a la Prairie Poppins)
~ a bunch of must-read books from the kids corner

• Three Questions
  
• Zen Shorts
  
• Stone Soup
  
• Marie Louise Gay titles
  
• Henry Builds a Cabin (and series)
  
• cCam Jansen and the U.F.O.'s photography contest
  
• Dorothea Lange biography
  
• Russell the Sheep wins me over [cool Russell screensaver]
  

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
Jennifer Richman ~ Better Days [PMN]
Heavy Mellow ~ Midnight Chimes [Magnatune]
Sherby ~ Blue [PMN]

Also, if you need to remove yourself from the exchange, please make sure you deactivate yourself before March 1 so that your name isn't included when the next assignments are made. (I hope you stay "in," but I know there may be reasons you need to take a breather.) To deactivate, go here.

You can also take a look at some of the ATC's that were created for this and the previous Creative Mom Podcast ATC exchange in the Flickr gallery.

If you have questions, please let me know.

Featured Podsafe Music:

Intro Clip: Jim Fidler ~ All I Really Wanted [PMN]
Adrienne Pierce ~ Making Angels [PMN]
46 Bliss ~ In a Long Time [PMN]

So... Here's the awesome apple butterscotch recipe we're using these days... We made them last month for kindergarten snack without the butterscotch chips, and they turned out great - very moist and very apple-y!

Double Apple Butterscotch Muffins

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup flaxseed
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 large eggs
1 cup applesauce
2 cups coarsely grated or finely chopped red apples (approximately 2 apples)
3/4 cups butterscotch chips (optional; less is fine, too)

1. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. Spray 9 x 13 inch cake pan or muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Mix together dry ingredients (except butterscotch chips).
4. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Stir in applesauce and then apples.
5. Pour liquid mixture over dry ingredients and stir just until moistened.
6. Stir in butterscotch chips.
7. Pour batter into pan(s).
8. Baking time varies by pan type. Bake until top is golden and toothpick comes out clean. Cake can take 35 minutes or more. Start checking mini muffins at 12 minutes; regular muffins at 15.
9. Transfer cake or muffins to rack to cool.

Enjoy!

Next month, I'll share the oatmeal pumpkin recipe which has become my defacto preschool snack day mini muffin (I take in somewhere in the neighborhood of 80 at a time).

Help if you can. (If you read the post, you will also find a link to how to request a free mailing kit from the USPS.)