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UNDER MY UMBRELLA AND BEYOND: Love The Planet Productions

This photographic journal is by Maria Pavlik, co-creator of With My Umbrella, I Can: The Magical Journey of Penelope Puddle, in B.C., CANADA. "There's a revolution that needs to happen and it starts from inside each one of us. We need to wake up and fall in love with the Earth. Our personal and collective happiness and survival depends on it." - Thich Nhat Hnah

Life Is A Beautiful Ride

- July 03, 2018

Crescent Beach, Surrey, BC

Paper Bag Princess Gowns & Mom's Homemade Dresses

- May 10, 2019

Remember the beloved children's tale The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch? She had only a paper bag to wear after a dragon destroyed her castle and belongings. The shallow prince whom she rescued showed his true nature by complaining she didn't look like a princess dressed in that bag. Good riddance to the prince but here are some paper dresses any royal or awesome regular girl would be proud to wear. I came upon these works of art at the Oakridge Mall in Vancouver. Hopefully, they will end up in a local museum or someplace where more people will enjoy them. The lovely regal garments made of paper capture the elements and majesty of the natural world. The Langara College Paper Couture Exhibition by Vancouver design students explains what materials are used to create the clothing: "All of the dresses are made from a variety of recyclable white or brown paper, tissue, tapes, glue, spray paint, adhesives, paper twine, coffee filters, cardboard, string, thum...

The Couch Art Where Bernie Came To Visit

- January 23, 2021

"On the Web we all become small-town visitors lost in the big city." - Alison Gopnik President Joe Biden's inauguration was bursting with inspirational speeches and events. Heaven knows many who now breathe a sigh of relief also needed a good laugh. That's when Bernie stepped in with his cool attitude and awesome mittens. I couldn't resist joining so many others who included him in various ways in different spaces. I think he looks super cute and cozy on a sofa designed for the cover art of my Couch & Company story. Hope you enjoy it and explore more of the artistic side of life at Paint Party Friday . Still the kid I used to be Visit Postcards From Penelope Puddle and Penelope Puddlisms: BC Life Is A Whale Of A Ride to view more West Coast scenes. Because the state of our planet is the most pressing issue of our time, link up and learn about the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report .

O Canada, A Sing Along Song & Maple Leaf Waving

- June 28, 2020

Several years ago my daughter and three friends sang "O Canada" in harmony with no instrumental accompaniment. Their voices resonate particularly as we approach Canada Day and contemplate this country's bounty and heritage. Officially becoming Canada's anthem on July 1, 1980, the tune was first sung 100 years earlier. Composed by Calixa Lavallée, the French lyrics are by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier. Robert Stanley Weir wrote the English version later. Do you like your country's anthem? National anthems set the tone of a country and instill belonging. The world's second-largest country, Canada sends a unifying message to a vast land. My wish is that this diverse nation strives more for goodness than greatness and is ever more just towards all. If you have a minute, I hope you'll listen to the song, and should you feel inclined to sing along ... O Canada! Our home and native land True patriot love In all our sons command With glowing hearts We see ...