April Eight, Music for all-ages

Birthday Song - "Sara Shining" especially for Sara!

2012-01-27T12:16:00.002-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

SARA SHINING
by April Eight

Sara it's a lovely day

The wind blows cold and

The skies are gray

Even the flowers are hiding away

But who cares, for we have you

Shining through

Sara, smile for us

Share the spark that shines from your heart

There's nothing more that the world could hope for

Than the wonderful girl that is you

Shining through

Sara, happy birthday to you

Six years old, so much to be, to do

Remember the light that shines from you

Can never go away

Even on the grayest of days

You'll shine through

Happy birthday, sweet Sara - xoxoox!!

For a Gloomy Day

2012-01-20T13:34:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone, I am writing new songs lately - so many ideas running through my head. Writing new songs sometimes makes me think of the ones I have written before. I thought I'd share the first one I ever wrote for APRIL EIGHT - "The Pixie Peddler" - with you again.

Much love to you on this gloomy January day. When it is dark outside, remember what Rumi said (he was a smart guy who lived a long time ago) "Do not go in the direction of darkness -I tell you: suns exist." Or, as the Carter Family sang (they were cool musicians that lived not so long ago) "Keep on the Sunny Side of Life". Funny how the same ideas bloom again and again. Do you ever wonder why?

And as the Pixie Peddler would say, "Hay Ho Diddly Do, I've something special for you!"

xoxoxo April

Stock UP!

2012-01-15T10:49:00.002-05:00

Stock UP! The APRIL EIGHT CD makes a great birthday present. Buy a batch and give them out through the year - a great stress relief - you know you have the present for little Henry's birthday on Saturday - no last minute trips to the store! This week Buy 2 get 1 FREE, Buy 4 get 2 free and so on. It is a great deal. You can even wrap them all at the same time. Have your child makes a personalized handmade card and you are off the to the party - now that is a treat!

Just CLICK HERE! http://www.aprileight.com/p/april-eight-songs-for-magical-winter.html

CLICK HERE! http://www.aprileight.com/p/april-eight-songs-for-magical-winter.html

"I can NOT get enough of April Eight music!" -S.E. Miller, age 8

"This album is filled with wonder and enchantment and positive magic. Its the kind of music that encourages the best part of childhood imagination, and reminds us grown ups to honor what we knew so long ago, but may have forgotten. "

- Carrie Newcomer

NEW VIDEO! Howl with Me and the Fairies

2012-01-10T13:46:00.002-05:00

The Night of the Fairy Ice Skating Ball! I have to say, I just LOVE singing this song!

Sing with me! And, if you don't yet have the CD, you can get it here or down load it here. You can also buy it at The Spotted Goose, Park + Vine, The Blue Manatee and Joseph-Beth Bookstore in Cincinnati!

xoxoxo APRIL

2012 Dreaming and this Tree House

2011-12-31T10:51:00.001-05:00

I just found this on pintrest.com and fell in love! I'm making big plans for 2012 for April Eight. I can't wait to share it all with you. But for today, a quiet day with my family dreaming of this tree house. ;-) Happy New Year, wonderful people!

Source: theletteredcottage.net via April on Pinterest

"Once Upon a Time" in Bloomington, IN 12/15

2011-12-14T12:18:00.000-05:00

Hi! Tomorrow I'm heading to Bloomington to perform as part of "Krista Detors Sixth Annual Holiday Benefit for Africa". I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to the show! I'm so glad my percussionist friend Matt Halvorson is coming along for to join me in the show too. It is going to be a great holiday party for a fantastic cause, Giving Back to Africa. See, it IS all good.

Get your tickets for this fantastic event right here.

APRIL EIGHT at Clifton Performance Theater!

2011-12-08T11:49:00.001-05:00

Hey Wonderfully Wonderful You,

I am super excited to get to tell you about this fun project I've been working on. I've joined up with a group of FANTASTICALLY talented people at Clifton Performance Theatre to create "Winter Songs and Stories" - a Variety Show Spectacular this Friday 12/9 and Saturday 12/10 and next Saturday 12/17. It is a FAMILY show - for ages 2-100. Bring your date, bring your friend, bring your kids, bring your grandma and come on down.

I am lucky enough to be working with the astonishingly talented: Kevin Crowley, Cathy Springfield, Reggie Willis, Carol Brammer, Untethered Theatre Group. Matt Halvorson will be joining me on percussion too. YAY! The show is at Clifton Performance Theatre at 404 Ludlow Ave, in the Clifton Neighborhood of Cincinnati, OH.

Here is the goofy story of how it came about....

About a month ago I came to Carol Brammer at Clifton Performance Theatre and said I'd love to do a show at CPT. She asked me what I wanted to do and I said,

"Uhhhh..... you know what? You know what my real dream is? It is to do one of those old-style Variety Shows like Carol Burnett or the Muppets. I always loved watching those shows as a kid with my parents."

And then she said, "OK, let's do it!" We brainstormed for about an hour and she made a few phone calls and VOILA, suddenly an amazing cast of talented actors and performers were all on board to create a show based on my new CD, "Songs for a Magical Winter".

We've been rehearsing and WOW! I love what we are creating. Songs, Stories, Skits, Improv, Poetry. It is a DWEAM COME TWUE! I hope you'll come out and share it with us because it is not to be missed. For ages 2-100.

12/9 7 PM "Winter: Stories and Songs" with Untethered Theatre Group at Clifton Performance Theatre - Tickets $12 adult/$5 under 12 / under 3 free!
Tickets available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/211497

12/10 2 PM "Winter: Stories and Songs" with Untethered Theatre Group at Clifton Performance Theatre - Tickets $12 adult/$5 under 12 / under 3 free!
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/211497

12/17 2 PM "Winter: Stories and Songs" with Untethered Theatre Group at Clifton Performance Theatre Tickets $12 adult/$5 under 12 / under 3 free!
Tickets available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/211497

AND... If you want to sing along to the CD, you can download the new APRIL EIGHT Songs for a Magical Winter at CDBABY.com.
Can't wait to share this great show with you - See you THERE!

At the Spotted Goose

2011-12-04T12:47:00.000-05:00

;-)

CD Release Party TODAY at the Spotted Goose

2011-12-04T08:39:00.001-05:00

Hey Wonderful People - the day has come! It is finally the day of my CD RELEASE PARTY at the Spotted Goose (3048 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209)! I can't wait. We have all sorts of fun planned - songs, surprise guests, a CD give away, and cookies - but the most fun part will be YOU! So come on over and play with us!

If you can't make it to the party but you still want your CD - you can get them in Cincinnati at The Spotted Goose, The Blue Manatee, Joseph-Beth Bookstore and Park + Vine! Online right here, and a digital download from CDBaby.

Love love love to you! xoxo APRIL

APRIL EIGHT on TV!

2011-12-02T19:23:00.001-05:00

Hey Everybody - I was on TV yesterday on WTIU's "The Weekly Special" in Bloomington, Indiana. I'm a Hoosier ya know, so Indiana and particularly Bloomington are near and dear to my heart.

What a great experience! I had fun and the host, Joe Hren, and the crew were incredibly nice and ever so professional. Being on TV is a whole different sort of performance experience - Which camera do I look at? Am I loud enough? Where should I stand? Do I look at Joe or the camera? Stuff like that....

Here I am performing a few songs from my new CD "Songs for a Magical Winter" (which you can get your hot little hands on right here). I came to Bloomington to promote a wonderful cause - I'll be performing at Krista Detor's 6th Annual "Once Upon a Time - Benefit for Africa" at the Convention Center in Bloomington on December 15th. More on the Benefit soon, but for now, here I am on TV! You'll see me on around minute 19 - I close the show. Everything before that is pretty interesting, so if you have 26 minutes, go for it!

xoxoxo APRIL

CD Release Party December 4th!

2011-11-30T09:27:00.001-05:00

Hello Wonderful People! The APRIL EIGHT CD Release Party is this weekend at the Spotted Goose in the Oakley Neighborhood in Cincinnati on Kid's Row. I'll be sprinkling fairy-dust and singing songs at 3PM. We'll have CD give-aways, treats, surprise guests and lots of FUN!

Come be a part of the MAGIC!

Until then we'll all just ooh and ahh over The Spotted Goose's gorgeous store windows. Sigh - what a dreamy wonderland. See you on Sunday!

xoxooxxo APRIL

P.S. To download the EP beforehand so that you can sing along to every song, go to CDBaby!

April Eight "Songs for a Magical Winter" Now Available!

2011-11-29T12:25:00.001-05:00

You can now buy my new EP, "Songs for a Magical Winter" directly from APRIL EIGHT! I'm so excited to send it to you. I hope you love it as much as I do.

The first 20 EPs sold will get special custom written notes to their recipients. Please put your child's (or your own ;-) name in the notes on PayPal and I'll send something extra special along with the CD.

Love to you all! Happy Magical Winter!

APRIL EIGHT "Songs for a Magical Winter" out December 1st!

2011-11-26T10:52:00.001-05:00

I'm too excited for words! My CD "Songs for a Magical Winter" will be out December 1st!

I feel like a little kid at Christmas-time. Finally I can share the cover art with you. The illustration is by my amazing sister Janet Ivas (www.janetivas.com). I'm so in love with the songs and the packaging I could burst. What do you think - do you like the cover? Let me know!

CD RELEASE PARTY at the SPOTTED GOOSE on Sunday, December 4th at 3PM.

xoxoxoxo APRIL

April Eight Birthday Party!

2011-11-02T13:06:00.000-04:00

Sleepy birthday girl after the event-resting near the
giant burlap mushroom I sewed up for the party.

Hi Wonderful You - We had a fantastically great time the other day at an APRIL EIGHT birthday party. Oh we had so much fun with all these cute kids!

Margot Madison and I put our heads together and brainstormed everything we thought would make a great fairy birthday party. Yes, fairy birthday parties have been done before, but as APRIL EIGHT I've been developing an aesthetic that I love to look at and think about that harkens to fairies, nature and childhood. Margot and I have a great time together pushing each other's creativity in our Creative Juice Monday morning coffee group (more on that later) and between us this birthday party concept turned into a beautiful reality.

Gina Weathersby of Kiwi Street Studios captured the fun so beautifully.

Margot, who is an amazing designer (she has made invitations for Collin Cowley) and blogger, has created some gorgeous printables and crafting ideas to go along with all the singing and fun that I bring along to these special APRIL EIGHT parties. Nice to have the whole event covered, isn't it? I'll let you know the minute they are ready!

Gina Weathersby of Kiwi Street Studios came by and took some GORGEOUS photos of our sweet event. Here is Gina's blog about it. And here is Margot's. Such goodness. More from me on this soon. To book an APRIL EIGHT birthday party, contact me via email at april @ aprileight (dot) com.

Love love love! xoxoxoxo APRIL

The Birthday Queen in her crown sewn by Jenifer Sult.

At The "Boo Manatee" Halloween Costumes and Songs

2011-10-30T08:33:00.000-04:00

We had fun at "Boo Manatee", the Blue Manatee Bookstores Halloween Party. Here is a wee bit of what I saw and loved.

Pirates!

A Mad Potion Master with crazy concoctions!

A minion!!

And of course, someone had to sing:

xoxoxox Happy Halloween!

See You Tonight at the BOO MANATEE!

2011-10-28T12:39:00.000-04:00

See you tonight at the Boo Manatee! I can't wait to play with you. The Blue Manatee puts on a great program for children in honor of Halloween and I'll be there to share a few songs about witches, goblins and fairies... Of course, I think we all know that I am not too scary ;-)

The event is from 7-8:30 Friday, October 28th. For more info, go to:
http://www.bluemanateebooks.com/home/activatees/parms/1/which/2011_10_28_boo_manatee.html

Pro-Kids Benefit

2011-10-22T10:53:00.001-04:00

I met these cute kids last night at The Blue Manatee while I played a bit of music during the Give Back Block Party for ProKids on Kid's Row in the Oakley neighborhood of Cincinnati. While these two are happy and healthy and LOVED by their mom, ProKids is a wonderful organization whose mission it is to help impoverished and neglected children:

ProKids trains volunteers to become Court Appointed Special Adovcates. These volunteers are assigned to a foster child, making sure that the child's needs are met, that they are safe, and helping each child move into a safe, permanent, and nurturing home.

BlaBla

2011-10-12T20:08:00.001-04:00

I love BlaBla dolls. I always want to buy them for myself, I confess. I found this dapper fellow at The Spotted Goose this morning. His charming top hat really swooned me. Now, who can I buy him for that I could actually somehow keep him for me? Hmmmm....

What a Good Girl!

2011-10-07T13:35:00.002-04:00

I'm recording mandolin parts at home today for my song "The Night of the Fairy Iceskating Ball" for my Winter EP out next month. Sometimes recording at home can be extra challenging because I have this little 11-pounds-of-barking friend named Roxie who likes to spend as much time with me as possible. That can be really sweet when we both curl up for a quick nap or it is time to go for a nature walk or, say, one of us feels like getting her ears scritched (the editor says that scritched is not a word, but Roxie knows for sure that it IS - and one of her favorites).

Now when I'm recording, well, Roxie is not always the best friend to have in the house. There are so many exciting things just outside the window that captivate her imagination and send her on barking sprees. Anything really. A leaf blowing by, a neighbor returning home. Don't even get her started on The Mailman - she knows some day she will capture him and only then the neighborhood will be safe!

But today, she is being extremely quiet. Was it the walk I took her on? Perhaps the brilliant rays of sunlight streaming through the windows that are so cozy to curl up in?

I don't know, but sssSSSSHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhh, don't get her excited. Maybe I can wrap this song up and get on to the Goblin Dance. Hee heee - so much fun!

If you'd like to help me make my EP AND get some some extra wonderful April Eight TLC exclusively for Kickstarter friends then check out my page right here.

xoxoxox!!

Be Part of the Fun for the April Eight "Winter EP"!

2011-09-30T14:22:00.001-04:00

I'm raising a wee bit of extra funds to help push my April Eight Winter EP project, "Snowflake Fairies" over the top. Join the fun and get PRIZES like the EP itself, t-shirts, special songs, drawing and videos!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aprileight/april-eight-snowflake-fairies-ep-music-for-all-age

xoxoxo APRIL

Preview - Feast of the Hunter's Moon

2011-09-26T15:48:00.000-04:00

Ah, dear people, what a wonderful weekend! I had the great fortune to attend "The Feast of the Hunter's Moon" festival in West Lafayette, IN. It was such a wondrous affair - campfires, costumes, history, crafts. One little photo to give you a taste of the experience. More soon, promise!

Kitchy-Kitchen a la Margot Madison

2011-09-23T11:40:00.000-04:00

Friendship is for sharing. Today I am sharing with you a funny/sweet birthday party styled by and blogged about by my friend Margot Madison. Margot is fancy - she makes invitations for a living - and for very fancy parties indeed. Parties where the invitations had to be sent off to all parts of the world, places like private islands - stuff like that. Now that is fun, right?

Here is her little niece Meredith's "MAKE YOUR OWN" party with a Kitchy-Kitchen theme. Gotta love it. For the whole story, click here. And check out Margot's lovely blog as well. She is very generous with her great ideas. You'll come away rejoicing.

Check out more on this Kitchy-Kitchen Party here.

Look for Margot next month when she helps me with as SECRET APRIL EIGHT event. I'm so excited about it!!!! Shhhhh..... hee hee!

xoxoxo APRIL

New Video -"Follow the Sun"

2011-09-20T11:09:00.000-04:00

As you may have read here on my April Eight blog or on the April Eight Facebook page I am working on a self-produced Winter CD out in early November. I am so excited about the songs and inspiration that are coming out of me for this project. It feels as though the fairies have gather around me, whispering ideas into my ear, playing with my hair and breathing songs into my breath so I will sing them out into the world with a voice a bit louder than theirs. Also, they don't know how to use GarageBand and I do. Are they using me? Well, use away because I have not had so much fun writing and recording in my entire life. I'm a lucky duck!

Alrighty, now I want to share one of the songs I wrote a few weeks ago for this Winter CD I am gabbing on about. I made this little video of me singing it - see below. I am wearing my traveling hat because this is a song about bird migration. Seems like one of the first signs that Winter is on the way is the birds gathering in the trees, discussing their big plans, carb-loading on berries and then heading out in groups toward warmer climes.

I love this. I love the way they all pick one tree to gather in and this tree is a-shimmer with birds (yes, I made up the word "a-shimmer" just now), the cacophony of their songs and chatter, and then off they all go at once to journey on their way.

Here is video and the lyrics. Hope you like it. Let me know what you think! xoxoxoxo!!

All the world is always changing

I have to go with what I know

I hear the answers in these feelings

And there is no question it's time to go

Let's go

We follow the sun to the new horizon

We follow the sun to a brighter day

We follow the sun for the life it brings us

We follow the sun, yes we follow the sun

We follow the sun.

I am a song with wings and feathers

And I've sung for you all summer long

But now the wind speaks of a new day

that grows colder

And there's no question it's time to go

Let's go

We follow the sun to the new horizon

We follow the sun to the brighter day

We follow the sun for the life it brings us

We follow the sun, yes we follow the sun

We follow the sun.

We gather together

We're birds of a feather

We spread our wings and we fly

Following the byways, rivers and highways,

Following the stars up in the sky

Maybe you'll feed us

Maybe you'll see us

A shimmering cloud winging by

Following our glorious, gleaming guide.

We follow the sun to the new horizon

We follow the sun to a brighter day

We follow the sun for the life it brings us

We follow the sun, yes we follow the sun

We follow the sun.

Street Performers

2011-09-19T12:46:00.000-04:00

I have noticed an upswing in Street Performance in my city. The energy and exuberance that a great street performance creates give the whole city a surge.

A great street performer has to wear so many hats that honestly, I can't believe there could be very many people who could wear them all. They must be so talented that he/she can stop the average citizen in their tracks; extroverted enough to keep their audience's attention in an uncontrollable environment; loud 'cause let's face it, trucks DO drive by; and focused enough to keep their show going, interact with their audience and still do something worth stopping to watch. And, not the least of it, bold enough to ask for money.

A wise-cracking Fire Juggler at Newport on the Levee, Newport, KY

Silver Robot Dancer - brilliant and surreal - at Fountain Square, Cincinnati, OH

We always have to remember to open our wallets and pay these performers. Do you know how much energy goes into those acts? Sometimes it seems like watchers take for granted the living, breathing, sweating, creative and hardworking entertainer in front of them. We've been programmed by television to just watch. But I like having them here making our city a more fun place to live. If they don't get paid, none of us can play. And I say, more more more! I love them!

xoxoxoxxoox!!

Great Day at Imago

2011-09-14T09:29:00.018-04:00

I had a lovely day performing at the Imago Earth Center's "Music in the Woods" event. Wonderful audience, wonderful people!

I find it particularly fun to play outside. And when we set our minds to imagining a woods on a snowy evening for a moment, I could feel the beauty and peace of the little grove we were in, despite the mosquitos nibbling on my arm. Sweet September.

A little more information on what exactly Imago is: Imago's mission is to foster a deeper harmony with Earth by providing educational experiences, creating opportunities for discussion and community building, and conserving natural areas.

Imago was founded over 30 years ago by Jim and Eileen Schenk, two social workers, with the purpose of reconnecting people to the natural world. Through the years Imago has brought to the Cincinnati region innovative ideas on living sustainably.

Imago is part of an Eco-Village developing in the East Price Hill neighborhood on Cincinnati's West Side. It is beautiful there - sign your kids up for a camp or take a class yourself. For more on Imago, go to imagoearth.org.

IMAGO!

2011-09-09T15:51:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone, APRIL EIGHT will be playing tomorrow afternoon at the 10th Annual Music in the Woods at the wonderful Imago! For more info click here. See you kids and your adults tomorrow at 4:00!!

September Walk

2011-09-08T10:00:00.001-04:00

Here is my little dog Roxie and I enjoying a lovely September walk. I do love September!!

SEPTEMBER

2011-09-07T10:57:00.001-04:00

I am sharing a poem with you today that I must have read with my class when I was in third grade. I have always loved it and my imagination well capture by this line in particular: "In dusty pods the milkweed Its hidden silk has spun." I don't know why - was it the secret or the silk? Kids are funny. Adults are too but we forget.... kids have to remind us.

SEPTEMBER

by: Helen Hunt Jackson (1830-1885)

The golden-rod is yellow;
The corn is turning brown;
The trees in apple orchards
With fruit are bending down.

The gentian's bluest fringes
Are curling in the sun;
In dusty pods the milkweed
Its hidden silk has spun.

The sedges flaunt their harvest,
In every meadow nook;
And asters by the brook-side
Make asters in the brook.

From dewy lanes at morning
The grapes' sweet odors rise;
At noon the roads all flutter
With yellow butterflies.

By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer's best of weather,
And autumn's best of cheer.

Isn't that nice? What do you think? Leave a comment and let me know - I love to hear your thoughts and ideas.

Tiny Nest Concert

2011-08-18T13:09:00.000-04:00

This wee nest I found in the Magnolia Garden in Eden Park is about the size of a small teacup. What kind of bird might have built it? Perhaps a hummingbird? Fun to imagine about...

Kids Dig Andy Goldsworthy

2011-08-10T14:23:00.001-04:00

You know what I've noticed? My kids are fascinated by Andy Goldsworthy's art work. I think all your little pixies and fairies might agree. Goldsworthy creates his art about Nature, through Nature, using Nature, inspiring anyone who plays in the backyard or the woods to look at the possibilities of the raw materials in his/her surroundings.

Both of my children (and my husband and I) have spent hours with his book Wood.

I wonder if Andy has ever seen any fairies while he is working?

CINDERELLA - "The Magic You Were Born With"

2011-07-26T17:23:00.001-04:00

I'd excited to share a video of one of the songs I wrote for a children's cast of CINDERELLA. It was so much fun to work with Carol Brammer from Cincinnati's Clifton Performance Theatre on this project. I think we put an interesting twist on classic tale! Carol wrote a smart and hilarious stageplay for the kids and I was very happy with the songs that came out of me for everyone to sing.

Here is a little video of the Fairy Godmother's song, "The Magic You Were Born With".

Let me know what you think!

Clifton Performance Theatre is an all children's cast of Cinderella this weekend, July 30th and 31st. For tickets and more on the theatre, click here.

Join the April Eight Mailing List!

April Eight This Fall

2011-07-19T10:42:00.000-04:00

winter bird from Karen Combs' NAMA ROCOCO wallpaper

Just a quick note to let you in on my plans for the Fall. I'll be writing and recording an EP of about 8 songs to release on November 1st - it will be all about WINTER! Hard to imagine on this lovely HOT July day. But I've got songs in the works that I am very excited about and sweet creations of a musical kind underway. Can you tell I am excited?!!

Also, my story/song THE GOBLIN DANCE will be out as a single on the new moon on September 15th. Look for the video! Hooray!

I'll be performing a lot this Fall and Winter, so look for me on a stage near you. And if you want me to come to your town, leave me a comment below. xoxoxoxo APRIL

Fairy Ring

2011-07-13T16:25:00.000-04:00

A fairy ring looks like a circle of mushrooms. Here is an amazing one we found on a hike in the lovely woods near Bloomington, Indiana.

Fairies everywhere!!

See YOU on Saturday

2011-07-05T12:23:00.001-04:00

I'll be at The Blue Manatee Bookstore on Saturday, July 9th at 3PM. I'm so excited because I LOVE The Blue Manatee <3 <3. I love their thoughtful selection of children's books, all their funny toys and puppets, the helpful people and great service, the sweet and lovely murals inside and out, the delightful birthday cards and of course, the nice selection of children's music. They also have yummy snacks, smoothies and coffee in the DeCafe. I am a fan!

I'm looking forward to sharing some new songs and stories, a few of my favorite childhood poems and all the songs I've been singing for you already because I love you. Come sing with me on Saturday - I'll see YOU at the Manatee!

xoxoxoxoxxo!!

Playing Games

2011-06-30T09:00:00.034-04:00

Do you remember playing games with your friends? Freeze Tag, Capture the Flag?

A few mornings ago it was too cold for the swim team to get into the water, so the sweet and fun coaches of my daughter's swim team decided to play games instead. They lead the kids out onto the beautiful lawn and they chased, screamed, laughed, howled, and ran for over an hour. The coaches played too.What a blast they all had!

April Eight at Clifton Cultural Arts Center

2011-06-28T10:06:00.000-04:00

Hello Wonderful People!

I have a series of shows coming up that I am REALLY excited about. Tomorrow night, Wednesday June 29th at 7PM, April Eight will be performing at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center as part of the "Concert on the Green" Series.

April Eight is on at 7PM followed by my band Honneycombs at 7:45. Honneycombs seems to have a great kid fan-base according to those who say that Honneycombs is the one CD that the whole family agrees upon in the car. I LOVE that! I LOVE you! Can't wait to see you on the Green in Cincinnati's gorgeous Clifton neighborhood! Directions to the CCAC.

UPCOMING APRIL EIGHT SHOWS:

The Blue Manatee Bookstore on July 9th at 3PM

Fort Thomas Library on August 27th at 2PM

UPCOMING HONNEYCOMBS SHOW:

Red Tree on July 8th from 6:45-8:15

MORE shows are in the works and will be posted soon. I am excited to be performing more April Eight shows - I'd love to come to a bookstore or library or theater near you. Let me know where you are!

Go ahead and LIKE April Eight on Facebook. We have fun over there, and we'd hate for you to miss it. xoxoxoxo!!!

Where Go The Boats?

2011-06-25T14:49:00.000-04:00

When I was a child, one of my favorite books was an old, pretty battered copy of "A Child's Garden of Verses" by Robert Louis Stevenson. I still have it - cover gone, pages falling out.

The idyllic pastoral illustrations and fine poetry captured my young imagination. I think it has quite a bit to do with my turning into a songwriter, or perhaps I was drawn to it because I was to be a songwriter? Who knows....

Last Saturday my family had the pleasure of an invitation to a party way out in rural Ohio at a wonderful farm that is "off the grid". One of the things that off the grid means is that this family creates its own electricity with windmills. Of course, If you wanna watch TV you have to get on the attached bike and start pumping. No couch potatoes here.

I have lots more to write about our time at the farm - and pictures too - but today I will leave you with a poem and a photo or two of the handmade boats on the creek that runs past the farm.

Where Go The Boats?
by Robert Louis Stevenson

DARK brown is the river.
Golden is the sand.
It flows along for ever,
With trees on either hand.

Green leaves a-floating,
Castles of the foam,
Boats of mine a-boating—
Where will all come home?

On goes the river
And out past the mill,
Away down the valley,
Away down the hill.

Away down the river,
A hundred miles or more,
Other little children
Shall bring my boats ashore.

Rainbow Dog

2011-06-13T11:12:00.000-04:00

This dog wants ice cream - hooray for summer festivals.

Garden Gnome

2011-06-08T11:20:00.000-04:00

I found this scene in my friend's garden... Poor thing, carried off my aliens. ;-)

Tower Park

2011-06-04T15:34:00.001-04:00

I confess, I am a Tree Hugger. A walk in the woods does me so much good. This morning I took an early morning hike with a dear friend on trails that she knows by heart. You can see the evidence below:

My hiking friend finds heart-shaped rocks everywhere she goes. She has a little collection of her finds tucked away in this trees roots.

I grew up in part in rural Indiana. Woods and fields, ponds and streams. Moss, dragonflies, hay, geodes, fossils. It was isolated, but I discovered a lot about myself out in nature. Nature. I was lucky that way.

We made a new friend on our hike. He was so adorable. My first pets were turtles that I caught in the lake near our house when I was 8 years old. They were goofy so I felt it was important to give them the grandest names I could think of: Isabelle, Duke and Beauregard.

I hope you can spend some time hugging a tree soon. Nothing better!

xxoxoxo!!!

Enoughness for All!

2011-05-13T22:25:00.000-04:00

Hey, Wonderful You. I've been thinking about you. I've been thinking about all of us, really. Aren't we awesome? Don't we do so much in a day? So many ideas and doodles and little jokes and things to say and tons of thoughts.... All day every day.

Sometimes we don't think we are enough because we haven't done blah blah blah. But that just means that we have forgotten how completely great we really are. Totally great. Totally enough. That is what this little video is about. Because, we are all just where we are and everything is always changing and growing and becoming something else. And right now is part of that. And that is life - the whole deal really. So let's think up some good things about ourselves right now. Say 10 things OUT LOUD right now that are awesome about YOU! Enjoy them all! You Rock!

Sharing Gifts - Singing the US National Anthem for Relay for Life

2011-05-12T10:04:00.000-04:00

I'll be singing The US National Anthem on Friday evening, May 13th, to kick off the Relay For Life in Colerain Township. I have many beloved people in my life who have struggled with cancer. Even though I'm a little NERVOUS about singing this beautiful, complicated song, how could I say no to a wonderful friend like Felicia Davidson, who has been through so much and come back so strong?

I can't, and now I am excited. Singing is the best gift I've got to give!

Come be a part of Relay for Life on Friday and share your gifts too. If not this one, consider training with them for another event. My amazing mother-and-father-in-law, David and Betsy Mann, ran their first marathon in Dublin, Ireland with Relay for Life to celebrate David's 60th birthday. How cool is that?

Or instead of running, you can show up and sing your heart out. That works too, I hope. ;-)

For more info or to sign up: http://www.relayforlife.org/colerain

My Little Blue - Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-05T16:30:00.000-04:00

Sometimes being a mom is tricky! But we love our kids, and this song is about just that.

Share it with all of your favorite MOMS - Happy Mother's Day!!

Celebrating Spring with The Pixie Peddler

2011-04-28T14:03:00.000-04:00

Mmmm, I love Spring. It brings out all the pixies and fairies I haven't seen all Winter. I'll miss the Snowflake Fairies and the icy escapades, but Spring is my all-time favorite - tulips, magnolias, violets and thunderstorms. Again with the mmmmm.... Is it because I'm named APRIL, I wonder?

They Seem to be Considering the Possibilities

2011-03-23T11:21:00.003-04:00

"Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers, 'Grow, grow.'" -the Talmud

The angels may whisper, but I am shouting "HOORAY" for Spring! Here are a few pics of what is going on in my front yard today. What is happening in yours?

Sewn Studios

2011-03-01T12:14:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited I could burst - I had a dream come true! My ideal fabric store, Sewn Studios, opened its doors in February.

Midwestern February and still cute!

I love to make my own clothes but I haven't had any fabulous fabric inspiration since St. Theresa's Textile Trove bailed on Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood a few years ago. Sewn Studios has all the glorious fabrics by the designers I particularly adore AND interesting sewing patterns - a whole new experience for me!! Oh, I've taped together patterns printed from BurdaStyle, I've eyed patterns at the Amy Butler site and bought a few from Purl Soho (which I love!) but I hated to pay shipping for a sewing pattern that I might not ultimately like once I held it in my hands.

Shopping local really IS so much better! Right here in my town, in my hands, next door to one of my fav coffeeshops, Red Tree, is a great fabric store. This is good living. This is EXCITING. Did I say that before?

My eight-year old was gaga for the Hedgehog embroidery kit
with a shout-out to her friend Oscar's Hedgehog, Miss Prickles.

And I just want to buy 5 yards of EVERYTHING!

Alright wonderful people, sew on! xoxo

Suspension of Disbelief- Cinderella Songwriting

2011-02-11T10:31:00.001-05:00

Taking their bows - Alice in Wonderland

I'm currently wrapping up the songwriting for a children's theatre version of Cinderella. I love children's theatre - all the fun of creative imagination in action: learning lines, developing characters, suspension of disbelief, singing songs, dancing. Hilarity happens when you fill a room full of a smart batch of 4-14 year olds. It is thrilling to watch the kids in action.

I was honored when the wonderful people at Clifton Performance Theatre asked me to pen the songs for Cinderella. An interesting challenge - what new can be said about an ancient fairy tale? What new needs to be said?

The theme of Cinderella goes beyond finding true love. Cinderella is about believing in yourself, believe in your dreams. Fairytales usually are.

Immersed in writing songs reminding children to believe in their dreams, reminds me to believe in my own. To listen to my own truths, to accept my ability to create magic, to suspend any self-disbelief and allow my best self to sing her own heartfelt songs.

Perhaps life should mimic art -- the suspension of disbelief that we so readily allow in works of fiction like movies, plays and books -- maybe we could allow a bit more of that into our non-fictional lives. We humans loves fairytales for a reason....

A 4-year old working his magic in Mary Poppins.

CPT's adaption of Cinderella is written by the witty talents of Carol Brammer. There will be 3 workshops for Cinderella, the first beginning Feb. 23rd. To sign up your child, click here. Bring your favorite peanuts to see Cinderella Sunday March 27th and Sunday April 17th at 2PM. Cinderella will become part of the theatre's repertoire and run throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall 2011 giving the kids a chance to rock their characters just a little harder and laugh a little bit longer. For info on summer camps etc. check out the Clifton Performance Theatre's website.

At the Bill Harley Show

2011-01-29T13:23:00.000-05:00

Wonderful show at the Playhouse in the Park - Bill Harley is a great story teller!

Snowflake Fairies

2011-01-20T19:24:00.000-05:00

Snowflake fairies falling, wishing for you calling, "Love, we'll keep you warm! Come out and play."

Time For a Nap

2011-01-12T11:37:00.001-05:00

My funny little fox terrier/jack russell terrier Roxie loves to snuggle. At night she burrows under the covers and curls up with us. I thought it was a little annoying to have a dog actually IN my sleeping space until I realized that she warms up the whole bed before I get in. Quite a luxury on a cold winter night! Here she is snuggling up with a little friend. She weighs in at 11 pounds of barking. We seem to love her anyway....

Happy New Year - Let Peace Begin with Me

2011-01-01T12:36:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

I want to share with you a little video. I recorded this as a New Year's Day wish for all of you with my dear friend, Laurie Burnham- the wondrous voice behind so much of the gorgeous harmony that happens in Honneycombs. We wanted to record Let There Be Peace on Earth because it sums up so much of the power of intentional thinking, a concept the two of have been very focused on in the last few years.

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.... well, where else can I begin? Who else do I have control over? Only myself. Raising children is when I really learned that I cannot change other people's actions no matter how much I want to or try. "Stop hitting your sister!" is a good example. ;-) And so my best efforts go into peaceful thoughts, peaceful actions. Sometimes I can get peaceful enough that it affects those around me, sometimes not. What I do know is that if I go with them into arguing it doesn't work out.

What I find interesting is that letting peace begin with me can also translate into peace beginning with being peaceful with myself. How about that for a concept? Saying nice things to myself, patting me on the back, telling myself to relax, take it easy, take a breath, take a break. Honestly, it doesn't come naturally. I have an incredibly busy mind and it always thinks I am not doing enough, not trying hard enough, not pushing myself very far. So, please dear April, let peace begin with me. This might very well be the biggest piece of the peace puzzle.

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me: doing my favorite thing in the world, singing a lovely song. Sometime life is so sweet. Thanks for singing with me, Laurie!

Knitting Class at The Spotted Goose

2010-11-13T10:06:00.001-05:00

The Spotted Goose in Oakley has knitting classes on Saturday mornings. Knitting is wonderful for eye/hand coordination and confidence for kids (and adults ;-) ) . The yarns are beautiful and our wonderful mother/daughter teachers, Lisa and Georgia, bring their crafting enthusiasm in sharing this timeless skill. We love it!

Fall Flowers

2010-08-26T11:42:00.003-04:00

A back to school beauty by Dovey Love from the Spotted Goose in Oakley for a sunny third grade Thursday.

A gladiola from my garden planted in honor of my sweet Aunt Olga who lived in a small town that celebrated a Gladiola Festival every year.

My Afternoon Companions

2010-08-25T14:48:00.000-04:00

Singing, Playing, Writing. Guitar, Mandy, Banjo. I love what I do!!

Scavenger Hunt

2010-08-20T18:02:00.000-04:00

My kids had friends over and they were all "bored". With ages ranging
from 7-11 it was a little tricky coming up with something to keep them
all engaged together. It was too beautiful of a day to fall back on a
movie.

The big girls hid the littlest girl and hid a ransom note for the
middle two. It turned into a hilarious scavenger hunt throughout the
house and neighboring yards. Once the littlest was found a stuffed
dragon, two Zuzu pets and a fancy necklace were hidden. The games
lasted for hours and the kids loved every minute of hiding, searching,
making up clues and hints and finding the "stolen" goods. Next time
you have a batch of kids try it!

When is a Pinata Not a Pinata?

2010-08-18T13:52:00.006-04:00

When your child can't bring herself to break it...

We had so much fun constructing the dolphin shape, tearing up the
newsprint, making the paper mâché paste, making a big gluey mess, and painting that when it came time to fill it with candy and hang it for her friends to smack with a stick, my daughter couldn't bring herself to do it.

So the morning of the party we quickly filled a paper grocery bag with
confetti and candy, taped together the top and decorated the exterior
with tissue paper we'd fringed and glued. The kids had a blast whacking that piñata with a bat. No problem!

The dolphin became a sweet decoration and all of the girls at the
party "oohed" and "ahhed" over it.

How DO You Make a Pinata?

2010-08-10T08:20:00.000-04:00

One wonderful thing about the internet, you can learn how to make something in no time flat. One of my daughter's wants a pinata for her birthday party - I know it involves paper mache and a balloon but how do you get the structure right? - now I know. Here is the link I'm following for what I hope will be a magnificent dolphin pinata. Wish me luck! I'll post the results.

Boredom Begets Creativity

2010-07-21T15:07:00.000-04:00

Meet Mr. Toe and His Family. We've been laughing and making jokes with this little bit of creativity born of boredom for two days. Kids rock. I think I've said that before....

Great Pet Hats!

2010-07-08T14:06:00.000-04:00

Check out these great Pet Hats by xmoonbloom's on Etsy. She is a Bay Area creative with great ideas and a very cooperative cat!

You can buy it here. I love the teeth and the big eyes. I love the whole thing.

I should buy this one for my little Roxie:

Available here.

GET HAPPY! "Say Hey" Music Video

2010-06-22T08:34:00.011-04:00

"Say Hey" Music Video

You know I'm on a happiness mission. This Michael Franti and Spearhead video does the trick! Can't wait for my lazy summer kids to wake up so we can dance around the living room to it. Thanks to Sandy at Peaceful Daily for the head's up.

Flash Mobs

2010-06-07T21:55:00.019-04:00

I'm loving this relatively new invention: the Flash Mob. Mostly it is the dancing Mobs I go for. They just make me happy and I'm on a happy mission these days. A Flash Mob is a group of ordinary people who learn a dance, get together and boldly spring it on a public place. The dancers casually mill about beforehand and when it is over, no bows, the performers walk away as if nothing happened.

Check it out. And you can find many more on youtube...

This one happened in April in Seattle:

You've perhaps seen this on:

Right here in Cincinnati:

And it isn't always dancing - here is the famous freeze in Grand Central Station.

Cheers! Leave a link in a comment if you have a great one to share.

Cute Girl's Skirt

2010-05-27T11:35:00.005-04:00

Do you sew? I do. For years nothing I ever made turned out. Well, to be honest, I was a sloppy sewer. (Hey, that looks like sewer - as in gross stuff going down the drain! I think the proper term is seamstress.... now I know why. ) Finally I learned my lesson. I'm careful when I cut out the pattern, I'm careful when I sew each seam. Believe it or not, now I follow all the directions. Since I made a more committed effort in my sewing, it has become a worthwhile pursuit. In this age of mass manufacturing in China, sewing your own clothes is extremely satisfying.

Look at this beautiful tutorial I found today, a How-To on sewing a simple skirt. It has a lovely photo and instructions for each step of the way. Really, if you have a sewing machine and a ruler, you are all set.

http://www.houseonhillroad.com/photos/twirly_skirt/index.html

I actually learned to sew in 4-H of all things, rural Indiana kid that I was. I bet you Urbanites don't even know what 4-H is. I have no idea what the H's stand for, come to think of it. Hay, Hillbillies, "Have any chewing tobacco?" and Hoosier? Hey, I can say that, I am one... anyway.... Actually I just looked it up and it is an extraordinary and admirable organization. Of course it is, it gave me a life-long skill! Anyway, the 4-Hs are "Head, Heart, Hands and Health" - see, admirable.

I'm ready to make something special for my dear little creatures. I'd say this beautiful skirt will do the trick. I'm inspired! Of course, if I start sewing for them they'll want to take over my sewing machine. I wonder if there is a 4-H chapter locally?

xoxoxo APRIL

Whirly Girl coffee truck

2010-05-22T10:19:00.009-04:00

Cincinnati has caught on to the mobile food culture I've seen in other
parts of the country. It is genius here in Cincinnati as there are so many great neighborhoods to set up in, why pick one?

My favorite Americano in town moves around a bit: it comes from the Whirly Girl coffee truck. The hipster owner Whirly Girl herself and her cool truck are currently parked at the Over the Rhine art fair. I'm sipping my delicious coffee as I write this post. To keep track of where I can find her I go to the whirly girl blog at : http://www.whirlygirlcoffee.com

Happier!

2010-05-19T11:56:00.003-04:00

Sometimes the world just gets you down. When it happens to me I wallow for a bit and then I turn into my mom: RESEARCH! FIND ANSWERS! DEVELOP NEW TECHNIQUES!

This time I was in a great mood and wanted to get in to a greater one so I put a few books I'd researched online on hold at the public library (also just like my mom!). Oddly enough, when I got the notification that they were available for me to pick up, I was in a pretty bad mood. Not for long.... Fortunately for me, I had put"Happier" by Harvard Professor Tal Ben-Shahar, PhD on my list.

It is an easy but fascinating read. I've just dug in, but already I understand myself and what is actually getting me down (and what can bring me up) much more clearly.

This isn't a feel good book about puppies and angels or really even a self-help book in the general sense of the genre. It is real research and a brilliant man writing it all down in a relatable way that anyone would be interested in reading. I'd like to give this book to everyone I know.

So, if you want to insure that you can keep yourself happy and teach your children how to be happy (and who doesn't want that?) I highly recommend this great book - Get Happier!

Hollywood Market

2010-05-09T19:19:00.000-04:00

Wait, here is the best one!
Xo April

Hollywood Sunday Market

2010-05-09T19:15:00.000-04:00

Inspired by: NATALIE CHANIN

2010-04-20T13:03:00.004-04:00

Natalie Chanin is the very cool and interesting designer behind Alabama Chanin, a design business dedicated to "slow design". The focus of her materials is on organic fibers and recycling. All the clothing and home objects are handmade in Alabama by Natalie and the artisans in her rural Southern region who are skilled in those beautiful arts of by-gone days - passed down for generations: sewing, hand-stiching, embroidery, beading, etc.

Perhaps you saw the beautiful handmade tree skirt for the President's official Christmas tree. That was made by Alabama Chanin.

She is a hero of mine for a so many reasons, but here is the one that speaks straight to my heart: She stays true to her personal vision ("It has always been hard for me to do it any other way.") I have her wonderful book "The Alabama Stitch Book" and if I could, I would crawl right inside of it. Everything I've made from it has turned out wonderfully. Besides corset and skirt patterns and how-tos on her stitching projects, it also has a wonderful recipe for Southern biscuits. My family seems to be all about biscuits these days. But that is for another day.

She has a new book out too, that I can't wait to get my hands on.

She does all this with a three year old. Wow!

I love this interview on how she runs her business at ReadyMade and also her wonderful website, alabamachanin.com. And her blog and her.... I could go on and on.

Let me know what you think....

Twirlers

2010-04-19T19:14:00.001-04:00

Sometimes the simplest things are fascinating in multiples. I haven't been able to find out who did this project - what must be thousands of wind twirlers in Burnett Woods across from the University of Cincinnati's Design, Architecture, Art and Planning building - but I love it. I've been driving by and it is funny how everyone turns into a child when they get near this installation. I've watched college students cartwheel, adults chase each other and of course, little kids frolick.... sweet.

Sunrock Farm at Earth Day

2010-04-14T09:38:00.000-04:00

I love Earth Day in Cincinnati. Mostly because the community events that take place down at Sawyer Point include the petting zoo from Sunrock Farms. Yeah, that's right, I like the petting zoo. Come on - goats! potbelly mini-pigs! chickens! bunnies! I'm crazy for all of them. The rest of the party is good too - Park+Vine of course, and music, a fascinating mobile fish tank display of the wildlife that lives in the Ohio River, much discussion of worms and composting... but let me chase those little pigs around. They are SO CUTE!

Moss, Rocks, Woods

2010-03-28T20:28:00.002-04:00

I like to be in a busy metropolis full of cafes and shops walking walking walking or way out in the woods. This past week we spent a few cold and rainy Spring days hiking in Red River Gorge.

The water in the Red River Was an incredible shade of translucent green.

Bark bark bark...

And moss everywhere. I am a moss FREAK! I love it. A luxurious living coat wrapped around rocks and trees. Divine!

I really cannot get enough of it.

xoxoxo APRIL

As always, you can contribute to the April Eight CD Project at
http://www.aprileight.com

Clifton Performance Theatre

2010-03-22T10:06:00.000-04:00

I've been signing my kids up for acting and singing workshops at the Clifton Performance Theatre. They LOVE it. The wonderful women who run it, Carol Brammer (acting) and Tajci Cameron (vocals) are miracle workers. All the kids have a blast becoming pirates and fairies for Peter Pan, jungle creatures for the Jungle Book and donning the ruby red slippers in The Wizard of Oz. My simple iPhone camera does the lighting and costuming no justice.

Every kid gets a role that is appropriate, there are no audition. And the best part is that after the workshop the show goes into the repertory performances every Sunday at 2 pm. That means that your kids get a chance to do their shows over and over again, gaining confidence and experience and becoming close friends with their fellow cast members.

I think the next round is Mary Poppins. And while the kids are at rehearsal the parents actually have a chance to talk to each other and perhaps go out for Indian food. I'm just saying....

And of course, for those of you whose kids aren't quite ready to be in the show, there are wonderful all-kids cast performances every Sunday at 2PM. For more information just click here.

xo April

Spring Please

2010-03-16T15:34:00.001-04:00

Just when you think you can't take one more second of winter, look who shows up! Those fairies are always up to something. "Wake up you Sillys, it is time for SPRING."

Personally, April is my favorite month... can't wait!

Why Would I Ever Let the World Get in My Way?

2010-03-12T20:40:00.005-05:00

It may not seem likely when you are a kid, but sometimes when you grow up your siblings are your favorite people to play with. I'm super lucky because my brother James and I love to play music together.

I was visiting him in Los Angeles a few weeks ago and I played him one of my new April Eight songs. Well, he loved it! It always feels great when your big brother approves, even when you are a grown up. When we started making little videos for our music project Honneycombs, he insisted that we make a video for my April Eight song too. And then he said, "I'll DANCE!" That was a little unexpected!

We had sooo much fun making this video - I think you can tell. We couldn't stop laughing....

This will take you to my webpage where the video is posted....

xoxoxo big love from April

-

Process - Writing Butterfly Adventurer

2010-02-23T14:06:00.002-05:00

I have new music ideas almost every day, but they certainly don't all turn into songs. The song in this example was actually started by Michael (my husband) and my daughter Lyla. She was working on a science experiment, trying to get a paperclip butterfly to balance on her hand. Michael was, as he so often is, helping the kids and noodling around on the guitar. He wrote the chorus and the first verse. Well, it was so lovely that, six months later, I cooped it, added some exoticism and mystery("snow covered mountains and warm southern seas") and arranged it to turn it into a full, actual song.

Here is where we are in the process now. I am about to go into the studio, so I recorded this little demo version for David Weber, my producer extraordinare. I literally just sat in front of the computer with my mandolin, opened up a project in Garageband and sang into the computer mic. This is a single performance, just to give David an idea of the song before I show up - giving him time to think about instrumentation, production, etc.

So, here is a taste of where the song "Butterfly Adventurer" is now. It isn't a perfect recording, but I like the where it is headed. You can hear the fish tank and my little dog running around the room too. Always a squirrel to spy on. But I thought I'd share so you can see what I'm up to. Click below to hear the song...

Butterfly Adventurer

As always, you can contribute to the April Eight cd project at www.aprileight.com

Big love to all of you out there. You know how I love you.

xo April

P.S. photo by Katie Emery - magnolia tree blooming on the day we did our photo shoot by good luck.

Meet Birdie

2010-02-20T20:23:00.002-05:00

Wherever you go there are sweet dogs waiting to say hello.
Meet Birdie. Birdie is the perfect name for this sweet little girl - a
nervous nelly sweetheart who keeps a close eye on every move you make.
It was hard to snap a picture of her, she's so quick and shy. A former
pound dog, she now lives happily in the Hollywood hills. Yay for Birdie!

To preorder your copy of the April Eight CD go to http://www.aprileight.com

Rural Recording

2010-02-01T10:34:00.000-05:00

I'm thrilled to be in the studio today to start recording for my April
Eight album. How cool is that? Thank you to all of you who have
contributed to this project.

The studio I'm recording in is way out in rural Indiana. These were
the scenes on the drive over...

Thank You Potato Prints

2010-01-07T17:14:00.002-05:00

We all know that sending Thank You notes for presents and parties is the right thing to do. Appreciation makes everyone feel wonderful. But sometimes Thank Yous can feel like something you've got to check off your list more than a form of sharing gratitude.

My girls had thank you notes to write. They didn't "feel like it". What is a mom to do? There was only one way to go - turn it into an art project. We had paint and potatoes so I suggested making potato print Thank You cards. It worked!

There is honestly nothing much to it. Slice that potato in a nice straight line, cut out a simple shape with a sharp knife (parents need to do this part), then use a paint brush to apply gouache paint evenly across the shape. Then print. My girls were all about using their initials but any geometric shape works well.

I only had sweet potatoes which made for lovely orange stamps. I had some heavier parchment paper lying around so we used it to create custom stationary.

It was fun! And now to write the notes....

Puzzles

2010-01-06T15:59:00.001-05:00

The thing is, it is hard to find things that the whole family likes to do together, both adults and children. We like to do puzzles.

I always forget about them and then, winter is here and the kids are bored and ta da, we remember. Let's do a puzzle! We break out some 550 piece monstrosity, my dear husband puts on some great jazz, and off we go. Everyone content for hours. Collaborating on a section together or working solo - all toward one goal - the front of the box.

I admit, it is a relief when the family is happily constructing anything. And the whole purpose of a puzzles is the process of putting it together - it is about the time spent interacting, getting excited about finding the piece with the elephant's foot you've been looking for for an hour, or putting in the last piece of the sky.

The satisfaction of a puzzle completion goes well beyond the mundane "finished!"

Caroling

2009-12-22T15:40:00.006-05:00

I have Irish musicians in my neighborhood who organize caroling every year at Christmas time. Their penny whistle and concertina are such beautiful accompaniment to those old songs we all know so well. And if we forget a few words, they bring along little songbooks made years ago to help.

Cindy has the chords for each song taped to her concertina.

This year neighbors gathered at our house for gingerbread and cocoa before we went out into the night. It was even a little snowy this year.

My kids love this tradition. Sharing songs with friends and acquaintances is just sweet. Everyone was smiling. A blessing in itself.

Holiday Dollhouse

2009-12-20T13:28:00.002-05:00

In the spirit of decorating, check out this kid tricked-out old dollhouse from a friend's attic. I love how surreally beautiful it is - the funny little details and the scale: giant snowglobes and dolls, wallpaper as rugs, unexpected colors on the walls and floors combined with real dollhouse furniture, toys and paintings. The little dog and the Christmas stockings with the electrical wires and strange shag carpet. Unihibited creating=genius.

I Know What Kids Like

2009-12-19T09:46:00.002-05:00

I realized the other day that for my kids the holidays are all about decorations and special food - much more than presents. So I'm running with it. Special hairties to wear and paperchains to holiday-up their rooms. And soon, gingerbread. Kids just want to create and participate. All the more fun for everyone. And it barely costs a thing. And that works for everyone too.

Snowflakes

2009-12-16T17:09:00.002-05:00

'tis the season. I love these snowflakes my daughter made to celebrate winter. Simple white paper cut outs hung with yarn. What could be easier and sweeter? I want to fill the whole house with them.

Kids rock. But we knew that.

Riley and Snoozy

2009-12-10T10:14:00.004-05:00

I just got back from Los Angeles! While I was there Honneycombs shot a music video. We all had lots of fun. The cool thing about film/video sets is that everyone has to work together to create a great outcome. Everyone is on their toes which makes for so much energy.

The director, Chris Pickenpaugh, brought along his super sweet son Riley. And Riley brought along one of his best friends, Snoozy. Here they are. And later that night, they did in fact take a little snoozy right on the couch.

In the studio with Honneycombs

2009-12-03T14:41:00.002-05:00

After a delicious homecooked breakfast (thanks big brother) in Hollywood, we hopped in his silver beetle and set out for a perfect little studio in Santa Monica. Today I am recording with my band Honneycombs and I'm excited about the song we are recording. More on that later... This studio has a big batch of gorgeous guitars and this funny little picture on the wall. Woof meow from sunny California!

guilty Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

2009-12-01T21:47:00.006-05:00

I am leaving tomorrow for Los Angeles to record a few songs with my band Honneycombs. And make a video. And perform. I'm gone for 5 days and so I feel a little guilty leaving my sweet family behind.

But, I made cookies so they won't miss me too much! I am a bit of a health nut, so I make these chocolate chip cookies from the Jessica Seinfeld's book Deceptively Delicious. Shhh, don't tell. I sneak a banana in there too, and I add veggies like pureed carrots and pumpkin when nobody is looking. And she always uses egg whites, but me, I throw in the whole omega-3 eggs like there is no tomorrow. But the real trick is chickpeas. It is really weird because you can actually SEE the chickpeas in the cookies, and my kids still eat them without hesitation. Shocking, but great!

Here they are. I like this book. I recommend it: Deceptively Delicious.

Wish me luck on my trip. I'm excited. I'm a butterfly - I just love to go places!

New website with fairies!

2009-11-30T10:06:00.004-05:00

I'm very excited that my amazing illustrator sister, Janet Ivas, has decided to join in on the April Eight project. We're putting together a new website for April Eight. Have a look. Janet drew some beautiful little fairies. The first one done is of my oldest daughter Lyla. I love it. What do you think?

You can see more of Janet's work on her website www.janetivas.com.

New Dog - ROXIE!

2009-06-14T20:54:00.005-04:00

Well, this isn't about music, but she may inspire a song or two. We went to the pound and brought home a new little friend, ROXIE! Thought you might like to see all 9 pounds of her. Super sweet, and a little feisty. Just like the rest of the family....

Wonderful show at Park + Vine

2009-06-03T21:36:00.003-04:00

Thank you to everyone who attended my little instore show at Park + Vine. What fun we had! And thanks to Dan for hosting us. We didn't have much space, but I think we more than made up for it with Lyla's "Butterfly Adventurer" and Mia's "Wonderful". And thank you for your singing along. You sounded wonderful!