Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Hope gives you wings...

So on Monday, I was reading my friend Patti Digh's blog and saw her call to write "a hope note (or 5) today".

You see, this woman named Liz Miller volunteers with an organization called Helpmate and she has launched a project calling for some community help and support.

Now you know how I like to find was to spread the love, and that I love to find ways to use my art to touch others.

So of course, I was very inspired to make up some "hope notes" and send them off to the Asheville, NC address and help Liz and all involved in the Hope Notes project reach their goal of having as many cards are possible received by August 1, 2010.

I decided to use the technique I had so much fun with when I made some postcards for Hanna's Post Card swap a while back, and make some scrapped and sewn background papers.

Here's one sheet with blues and oranges...

and a second one with greens, some black and purple.

I glued all the bits and strips of papers down to a piece of card stock, covering the entire page.

Then I got out the sewing machine and went to town...

A little zig-zag stitch...

some crazy driving stitches...

and my paper was looking marvelous !!!!

I cut the sheets into 3.5 X 5 inch rectangles (Love my Fiskars Guillotine !).

Then I glued the rectangles onto blank 5 X 7" cardstock cards. I used rubber stamps and a couple of alphabet stencils and StazOn Black Ink to create the word "Hope" for each card.

I love how they turned out!


On the inside of each card, I hand-wrote my own little message of hope, using some lovely

quotes I had found on-line such as :

"Hope is knowing that people, like kites, are made to be lifted up." (unknown)

and signed them with my initials as the Hope Note project information suggested.

I imagined myself in the throws of a crisis and thought about what words or gestures would make me feel supported and less alone, and tried to make each note reflect that.

I will be mailing the cards off to Asheville tomorrow in a nice little package, with another note inside thanking Liz for her inspiration and for all she is doing to spread the love in her own community.

Maybe you would like to join in and send some Hope Notes of your own to Helpmates.

Or maybe someone closer to you could use a little hope note as well...

I encourage you to look for a way to touch someone else today, especially if today is a day when you feel a little helpless or blue.

It really does give your life meaning and make you feel powerful and loving.

And as this lovely quote I found says :

"What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for each other ?"

(George Eliot [pseudonym of Mary Anne or Marian Evans] (1819-1880).

Have a Happy Hope Day, Lovely Ones !

33 comments:

Eliza said...

These little notes are really fantastic, I love how you have created them and how bright and cheery they are. The world needs more people like you.

Anonymous said...

Kimie, ma Kimie,
Your are so good. On top of having the biggest heart of the world, your are so talented. I have a commisson piece for you. I want a post card 4 feet by 2 feet with the word IMAGINE. Can I have it for tomorrow?????

Love you sweet Kimie

Suzanne

Sherry said...

BEAUTIFUL!!! Big heart, big talent!!!! ♥

Mary said...

wonderful idea, wonderful, beautiful cards!!!

lyle baxter said...

kim, wonderful cards! I'm sure they will make someone smile! great idea! lyle

Luna Art said...

Wonderful cards, you have put so much love into them they are bound to lift people up! What a wonderful project to be part of.

Commuter's Journal said...

Great cards, Kim. The recipients are sure to treasure them and feel uplifted. I know I would receiving something so beautiful.

I want to share a little story about your love rocks. My cousin came to visit recently with her two little girls, Zoey, 6, and Ava, 3. I offered each of them a rock as they were leaving, Ava in particular loves rocks. Zoey, who is learning to read picked one that said "hugs." But little Ava who would rather run than walk, demanded "the red one." I gave it to her and she wouldn't let it out of her chubby fist. After her mother put her in her car seat to go home, I leaned in to kiss her good-bye and saw what was written on the rock: "Go slow to go fast."

Rock Fairy magic!

Liz Miller said...

I am absolutely in the most amazing state of awe right now for this beautiful, beautiful amazing contribution and post you have written. I am so excited to see these cards in my hands and feel the love that was sent along with them. Patti directed me to this posting, and it has absolutely made my day and keeps me moving forward. THIS is exactly what I hoped would happen... this idea to spread like wildfire... to people to remember the beauty of receiving a card with a handwritten message... how that tangible sentiment can be held onto for however long. I am so thankful for your participation and for genuine kind heart. Thank you, and I can't WAIT!!!! to see the cards.
I don't know if you knew this part, but the Hope Notes will be on display at a benefit fundraising event that I'm coordinating on July 15th. I think yours should be in a special spot, highlighted, for their creativity. I will work on making that happen. Hopefully it will inspire others too... I am inviting attendees to the event to also write some hope notes.
Thank you.. thank you thank you...

http://hopeinthehandwriting.com (Event website).

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous cards Kim!! Truly! I'm so inspired - on my way over there now to get the details.

blessings for your BIG heart!!
Kelley

Paula said...

Wow. Wow. Wow!!!!

These are beyond stunning, Kim. They are so full of love and hope...I am in awe.

deb did it said...

Kim...these are so FABULOUS!!! I love each and every one! and oh how I adore your new blog header!

Anonymous said...

These came out great Kim and the hope words made the cards pop. What a fabulous thing to do. I will have to check it out, a marvelous project! xox Corrine

jgr said...

I have only one word: AWESOME!!

Lynn Cohen said...

Your cards are simply stunning.
I am wowed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and for such a good cause too!
Bravo to you!

Mary said...

I was so excited about this project I got to work on the cards right away!!! I posted a link to your blog and info about Hope Notes. Hope more participate!!!!

Hugs!!

Janet said...

Kim, these are gorgeous! I saw this project on Mary's blog, too. What a great idea. I'm going to get busy!!

Suzanne said...

Oh, wow...this is gorgeous! So inspiring, I think I'm in love with your process...loving stitches and all :)

Bethany said...

oh, I just love you.
you are a hope note.
i love these little wonders of love and color.
you amaze me.
i've got to learn how to pass it on more.
you inspire.

Snap said...

Well Big Heart ... you've done it again! Beautiful work for a wonderful group. Well done!

~Auntie Snap

Kim said...

These are gorgeous and very, very hopeful. Sometimes it's just a word, but it makes us hang on. I remember a particularly trying summer and everywhere I looked I saw these student driving cars that had "HOPE" printed on the side - it was the name of the driving school, but I took each siting personally. Love this project.

Tammy Lee Bradley said...

Um, can i have one? ♥ Lovely, kim. Just lovely.

Charlie said...

Your cards have inspired me sooooo! They are so awesome and for such a great cause.
I love to mix scraping and sewing.

L. BROWN said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jennifer said...

Kim, your heart is amazing! You really do find ways to spread the love. Those notes are wonderful and sure to make a huge difference for someone in their time of despair.

*BTW, I deleted the message since I was signed in under my husband's blog by accident!*

Anonymous said...

That is an aaaaawesome idea and your notes are gorgeous!!!

Lorrie Grainger Abdo said...

Beautifully done for a wonderful cause. Thanks for sharing. (Did you scan them? These would sell as digital cards!)

beth said...

okay....these are so wonderful !
i think they could be printed and sold in stores...just saying !
xoxo

Elizabeth Halt said...

Oh, my gosh. You inspire me. (Also, I did not know you could sew on cardstock. Fascinating!)

And I agree with Beth - these would totally sell in stores.

Sueann said...

Your HOPE notes are fabulous!! Love the stitching!! And the way your created all the colors and textures...amazing!!
Hugs
SueAnn

A Miraculous Meliss said...

You make the most beautiful cards. I know because I have them hanging up in my studio. ;)

I really enjoyed the quotes you used, especially the second one. I absolutely think our #1 priority in life is helping each other get through life, which as we know, can be difficult.

Perhaps I'll join you.

~magick~
Melissa

rachel awes said...

i love these hope sewn wonders
like CRAZY
madly truly deeply
huge deep into my heart
like alice falling
into a well of wonders
amount!!! xox

Sharon said...

Beautiful! Just beautiful. The artwork. The wording. The sentiments. I just found your blog, but I'm going back to read more now. Thank you for sharing.

DMG said...

These are seriously amazing, Kim! And you've given me something important to thnk about today and, more importantly, a purpose. have a wonderful love-filled trip and enjoy the cool waters. I am so envious, down here in muggy, 98 degreee Georgia!