Connections…

Yesterday, I got a package from my sweet, incredibly talented friend e.b..

That kind of package makes me so excited because Elizabeth gets me very well, and knows what kind of treasures make my heart glow bright.

Inside was this bundle of hand made love with e.b. all over it !

Included in these “kimcushions” were little bits of stuff I recognize, even some fabric remnants I had shared with her,

and best of all,

the loving handy work by my favorite magic maker.

It felt like a big cozy hug from my friend.

A cool thing happened right after I took this pic of myself feeling the love.

My phone rang and it was Elizabeth ! She is in Nebraska taking care of her dad after his knee replacement surgery, and she was missing me just as much as I am missing her.

Our conversation was like another great hug.

I am so very grateful for our heart connection.

Another little bit of synchronicity happened as I was writing this post.

Yesterday right before I received my package from e.b., I was working in my 6X6'” journal with a new stencil I ordered from MaryBeth Shaw’s awesome company, Stencil Girl Products.

When I went to check the name of the stencil this morning so I could include it here, I discovered that it is called : “Connections”.

This is very fitting, and it is also the name of this two page spread I did in my journal.

I used this great stencil designer by  artist Wendy Aikins as a background on my pages,

spraying with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Sunflower and Oriental Poppy.

Then, out came the Faber Castell pens and some major doodling happened,

picking up some of the designs I have been using on my Rock Beings.

I guess I am creating my own new language of symbols. Again, making connections throughout my artwork.

I used Twinkling H2O’s to add in my color. The paper in my journal is too porous to do blending with my pens but the H2O’s are watercolors with great pigment so they blended well.

Connections – Art Journal Pages – 2/4/13

So I think this is the theme for the week.

Connection…

a cool one to explore.

What connections are you discovering and celebrating, Beautiful Ones ?

Big, big Love to you !

I miss the old Blogland…

New art – “Sunshine on a foggy day” – January 13, 2013

So I took a break from Facebook today.

I realized as I read through the posts that appeared on my page that many of them just weren’t doing it for me.

I was getting annoyed by some,

bored by some,

and one even made me angry.

Yes, there were a few lovely ones that made me smile or nod in agreement,

but for the most part,

the posts on Facebook today made me feel anything but joyful.

I spend a lot of time on Facebook everyday.

A lot.

I think I am looking for ways to feel connected to others, as I spend a lot of time alone.

But if I go to a pretty hollow place to find connection, doesn’t that mean that the connections I make are pretty hollow too ?

Well, it felt like that today.

So I stepped away.

I am not writing any lines in the sand or anything but I am taking today to try and find more meaningful connections…

My stepping away from Facebook made me think about my blog too.

I have gained so much from having this place to share bits of myself, my art and to give myself and others positive messages about life in general.

I love my blog and I am very proud of it.

And I love my Blogland friends so much !

I do miss the days when there was a lot more comments going back and forth or  the days when the comments were a lot richer.

Facebook has taken some of that away, I know. Instant gratification and in the moment stuff is pretty powerful.

All of that said, I will continue to write and share here, and visit my blog friends at their Blogland homes.

And as for Facebook, we shall see. But a scaling back is definitely in order !

Happy Monday, Beautiful Ones !

I hope you have an awesomely full week !

“Let the light inside shine from the inside out.”

Yes, it is grey and rainy here again.

Looks like I will have to dig deep and use my own gentle strengths to

provide the Light that I need.

“Let the Light inside

Shine from the inside out.”

As on of my all time favorite songs says.

     “This Is It.” – by Hot House Flowers 

May you fill your Monday with the Light you need.

Big Love, Beautiful Ones !

Sharing the Joy Thursday–Before it’s too late…

Today is Thursday, May 12, 2011.

Beautiful One,
I just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you. I hope there are moments of sweet joy in your world today. You are not alone. We are all so connected.
Sending light and love your way.
Kim
oxoxox

I tried to send this note to someone today, but no matter what I tried, it wouldn’t go through.

Maybe it is a technical glitch.

Or maybe, I sent it too late ?

For now, I am just sending it out on heart waves, and hoping that she gets it that way.

Do you have a note you need to send ?

Don’t delay, okay ?

Share the joy.

Share the love.

Today.

For more joy sharing, go visit my friend Meri at Meri’s Musing. Join the joy flow…

Big Love, Beautiful Ones.

Spreading the Rock My World Love...

So there have been a few exciting things happening in my Rock My World adventures lately.

My meditation teacher, Deb, who is also the owner of Full Spectrum Wellness

where I go for meditation each Monday, purchased a big bag of rocks to keep in a bowl in the lobby of the center.

Deb has told me how clients there have really been enjoying choosing little love messages for themselves and then passing them on. A few of the ladies in my class have shared stories of how they passed on the rocks in their own circles, and had some sweet exchanges with people.

One client who happened by the FSW center was the chef and owner of a local hot spot restaurant call Z Restaurant.

Tom found a rock that said "Do what you love." laying outside on the steps when he came into the building. He said he knew that rock was for him ! Then when he saw the bowl of the rocks in the lobby, he decided this was something he wanted for his restaurant as well.

As of yesterday, all Z Restaurant customers receive a Rock My World rock and a little added love, on the cute crooked white plates that they get their check on

.

This is the rock my friend Lois and I had on our check plate when we were finishing up our delicious dessert of "Almost Frozen Lemon Mousse" - yummmm...

So these events, as well as a generous purchase of some rocks from my Mom's boss in Montreal, have allowed me to start an added little aspect to my adventures.

I would like to offer you the chance to pay it forward, spread the love and rock your own world!

What I propose is that you send me an email with your idea for where you would like to share the Rock My World rocks in your neck of the woods.

It could be like my mom, who has a bowl of the rocks on her front reception desk so that employees at the insurance company where she works can all have an inspiring word to begin their day with.

Or like my friend Patti Digh does, offering rocks at her Life is a Verb retreats as talismans for the participants.

Or my sweet friend Kim and her son Riley, who leave rock love messages on their path on their morning walks with their dogs.

It could be like what Lyle and her daughter, Toni did, giving the rocks to kids who were having brain scans where Toni works as a technician, where the rocks help the kiddos to hold and and be brave in the face of something that can seem pretty scary.

Think of a place where you encounter people and could add a little extra love into their day. Think about how you can have a loving, kindness connection with others in your own life.

Think of where you can spread the LOVE.

Share your ideas with me and I will work with you to get some Rock My World rocks your way. This may mean free shipping or a free bag; we will work it out. I would like to use some of the profits I have made from selling my rocks here and there to make this love circle even wider and to continue to put it out there. The rewards I have received for these adventures are so much more than monetary and I want to keep that flow going.

So send me your ideas at queen-of-arts@comcast.net and let's keep on rocking it, Baby !

Big Love to you, Beautiful Kind Ones.

Heart Connections...

So this was waiting for me when I got home on Sunday evening...

It came really quickly from CA, filled with beauty, kindness and love

from my friend lynne hoppe.

Every precious detail made me smile and sigh...

from the perfect white feather inside the card to the cloth wrapped treasures inside.

You see, lynne and I share a love for rocks, among many things of beauty in our world,

and she lovingly shared some of her gorgeous hand-painted creationswith me !

Also wrapped in this package was an incredibly smooth black stone...

A rare piece of obsidian,

that lynne had asked for just for me

and the Universe gifted us both with...

I looked up the properties of this special stone and found that

"Black Obsidian is protective and provides support during change. It repels negativity and

disperses unloving thoughts." It is also a stone associated with transformation

and with facing the Self full on.

So very appropriate to where I feel I am these days...

I absolutely marvel at the whole package

and the love and care that lynne put into this gift.

I have a heart connection with this incredible woman whom I have never seen in person,

yet have felt connected to in deep, soul-tingling ways.

It makes me feel truly blessed.

Big loving thanks to you, my friend lynne.

*******************************************

The landing from this last trip up North has been a bit bumpy.

I think I spread myself a little thin energy wise.

Today is the first day since I got home Sunday

that I feel a little more on top of things, which is good.

A day out in the sunshine with my friend Sonia (who drove all day so I didn't have to !)

helped me yesterday.

I feel the need to get things back into the flow today !

I have a package to finish filling that is heading down to Cali... ;)

I have to gather my felting and sewing stuff together for a special Art Friends Gathering weekend coming up...

The house needs a little TLC so that David is comfy while I head out again and so that my nest feels good when I return home...

And I need to get a paint brush in my hand asap to fight off the creating withdrawals !

Here's to a hump day filled with getting it done,

creatively !

Big Love to you, CReative Ones !

Circles of Connection

So yesterday evening was Meditation Monday. I drove to class as always through a busy part of town, at about 5:30pm. My path takes me right in from of part of the UNH campus and there is often a lot of hustle and bustle there at this time of the day.

As I drove carefully through the cars, crosswalks and pedestrians who pop out here and there, I glimsped something unexpected out of the corner of my eye . There, on the side walk, were two young women, sitting cross legged, their foreheads touching and their hands up, palms pressed flat against one another.

(art journal page - Connection - April 19, 2010)

My first thought as I slowly by was "Is there something wrong ?" "Do they need help ?"

My second glance told me that there may be some sadness going on but no distress or emergency of any kind.

I continued my own path towards my class.

As I drove I thought

what would have happened if I had stopped the car,

parked (a challenge in that area),

walked up to the two women and placed my hands on theirs ?

Would I have disturbed their moment ?

Would they have rejected me ?

Would they have felt comforted by and connected to me ?

Could the two in that moment of what seemed like prayer and connection become three ?

And then I thought what if some other open-hearted souls then saw us three and joined in...

How big of a circle of prayer and connection could somehow grow

if it was given the energy, calm and love of a few more people?

I didn't turn around and go back to join those two girls on the sidewalk.

I went and sat in my own powerful circle of prayer and connection in my meditation class.

But their image and their inspiration floated in and out of my meditating mind as well.

And into my journal this morning.

I have an experiment in mind...

What if I were to sit in a park with a friend in the same position as the girls

but include a sign that welcomed people to silently sit down and join us.

Would people abandon their fears of looking silly or touching a stranger

and take a risk and join in for whatever period of time worked for them ?

What connections and miracles could a prayer circle like that create ?

If you came upon such a thing in your park, would you join in ?

Or would you volunteer to be the friend who starts the circle with me ??

Thankfulness Thursday - We are all connected

I am going to do my best to participate in the Weekly Gratitude year long project of documenting what you are grateful for each week. I settled on Thankfulness Thursdays because I like the alliteration ! ;)

Today I would like to express my gratitude for Connection.

Not so long ago, I was lost in a place of real isolation and loneliness. On a day of desperation, I asked for help from the Universe. I said "Look, I am drowning here. I don't know what I am doing on this planet. Please help me. Tell me what to do."

The unexpected answer came in the form of a video called "girls who rock"(this video is no longer available) on a blog called "The Dancing Mermaid". The video by McCabe showed her and her mermaids warriors, her young girl tribe, joyously learning to be strong and healthy women during a summer creativity camp put together my McCabe. It also showed the girls painting these gorgeous brightly colored rocks with words of inspiration and connection for one another.

After I watched the video a couple of times and cried at its magic and beauty, and told McCabe how incredible I thought she was through a comment on her blog, I was pushed by everything in me to paint some rocks of my own. I actually had a bucket of smooth stones from the beach under my desk waiting for such a project.

The painting of the rocks was one of those experiences when you feel like something, someone else, is working through you. The words and phrases just came pouring out. It still feels that way to this day when I sit down to paint the Rock My World rocks.

Once I had a pile of these lovely rocks, all varnished and full of love, the question came "What do I do with them now ?" The answer came quickly "Go and give them away. Get out of your own head. Do something for some one else." That was the day that the Rock Fairy was born.

I walked to the park and started leaving the rocks on benches. The thing that was filling me up with each rock I left was the thought that my little act of leaving that rock behind was like giving kindness and love to someone else...without expectations, without a need to be recognized, just giving and connecting to someone at a heart level. The giving of that little extra bit of love was filling me back up in return - it was making me feel like I had a purpose in this life. My purpose is to connect to others in love and kindness. I have shared many stories here of how these little bits of love have allowed me to connect to people from all over. They have allowed me to know that I am not alone and that we are all in this together. Those rocks have really made my world better in more ways than I could ever describe to you...

Recently, I told you about a craft fair that I attended and you may remember that I met a young man there who was an art student who needed to do an interview with a stranger for a paper at school. He was drawn to me by the rocks, as I was giving them out and having wonderful exchanges with people at the fair.

Well, I met with Nick at a local bookstore, and he interviewed me. I told him the story of the Rock Fairy and how Rock My World started and what it has brought me, from the heart filled with joy at leaving a rock somewhere for a stranger to find, to receiving the title of Rock Fairy from my friends Michelle and Patti, and so much more. My friend Nick then wrote his paper, handed it in and received an A on it ! His teacher called what he had written "poignant" and "memorable". It was very well written, and best of all, it was done with such respect to my story and what I had shared with him. That really touched me !

Nick also send me a thank you gift of one of his incredible cardboard vessels that now sits fittingly on my altar in the studio, filled with Rock My World rocks. The greatest gift he gave me though, was in his last lines of the email he sent thanking me for my time. The lines read :

"I'm so happy to know you appreciated the story and it warmed my heart to read that you were proud. You are one of the kindest people I've ever met and if I'm ever feeling down, I'll just think of you and how I can do something for somebody else. This project has truly been such a rewarding experience!"

The card from Nick - a beautiful print !

The cardboard vessel - made with precision and an artist's eye.

I have come to realize that connection is what it is all about for me in this life. It is my purpose, my greatest source of joy and comfort, and my motivation for being the best person I can be. The better I love and connect with myself, the stronger and more powerful my connections with others will be.

So on this first Thankfulness Thursday of 2010, I express my gratitude for the beautiful web of connection of our souls and all it brings to us as human beings. I am thankful for it each and every day.

Happy Thursday, Beautiful Ones !

O Degrees of Separation

"Looking for Love"- art journal page, April 2009

So last night, I had meditation class. We were 5 women plus our magnificent guide, Deb.

Have you ever felt the power of what 6 people all connected on one task in the present moment can have ? It is pretty awesome when you think about it.

When I first started meditation, I was a little worried that it was going to be super spiritual, a little too "granola" for me.

Instead I have found a place where I am so present in the moment and in the company of people who are all looking for the same moments of real living that I am.

I don't really "know" these women, except for Deb, who I have shared a little more time with, and yet by sitting in a circle with them, focusing on our breathing, and focusing on putting love out into the world, I feel such a sense of connection to them.

"We are all connected to everyone and everything in the universe." was the post Amanda shared on kind over matter this morning.

I am so feeling that today.

I am so grateful for that today.

Look for love. You won't have to look very far.

"Thank you for being here, for everything tonight, as always." said the Teacher to her at the end of class as people were slowly leaving the room.

"I missed you." she replied, after having missed two weeks of class.

"I missed you, too." said the Teacher with a smile.

"Can I hug you ?" she asked, feeling kind of like a little child, but with her heart full of wanting to make that connection.

"Of course !" said the Teacher, genuinely joyful.

The hug, tight and pure ! "I love this Lady!" she said to the room. "I love this Lady too!" said the Teacher, making their two hearts touch even more closely.

She felt like she let go too soon. She won't do that next time.

Maybe you can look for ways to strengthen those connections even a little more today. I know I will be.

Big hugs and Blogland Love to you, my beautiful Friends.