Joyful Purpose

for the joy of swaps

Oh for the joy of swaps!  Many of my swaps arrived this week - vintage fabric and notions on several different fronts.  Very delightful - the little treasures made for a very nice addition to my gift wrapping.  Here are some of my goodies.

A Glimpse of Purpose

I have been thinking a lot about my purpose - yes, my purpose in life, my purpose as a person, my purpose as a mother, daughter, wife and friend, and the purpose of my art.  Yesterday, after talking with a dear friend the clouds started to part ... Alexandra's Event was very successful and everyone had a great time.  This was a group of people that for the most part had never heard of or done any art journaling.  I got this email from a mom who had brought her two young daughters with her 12 and 14 ( the family has been through so much losing their son to cancer 2 yrs ago and the 14 yr old has struggled with leukemia and yet once again they are amazing positive luminous souls) this is what she wrote ...

I just wanted to take a moment to tell you again
what a wonderful time we had yesterday. *** & ***
came right home and started in working on their
books.   I had to MAKE them put them away around 9
and get ready for bed.  *** came home from school
today and started in again.

This made me feel so good that I could make a small difference in someone's day by sharing what I have learned.

Then I had a lunch meeting yesterday with the director of the Free Arts for Abused children program which I am a part of.  Their Mission Statement which I love...

MISSION STATEMENT

                     

Free Arts sparks the creative spirit                         of abused, homeless and at-risk children and their families                         to inspire and transform their lives through the power                         of artistic expression. Free Arts plants the seeds of                         hope and healing to help children build self-esteem, improve                         social skills, develop trust with caring adults and express                         emotions in a positive way. The philosophy behind all                         Free Arts programs is simply that “Art Heals!”                         

She asked me to help coordinate a project with other artists on art journaling and a finished mixed media piece for a gallery show in Sept. that will celebrate their 30 yr Anniversary. 

I realized as I talked to my friend - the same friend that I had wept too almost a year ago about not feeling that I had any purpose - that I feel I know or am starting to know what I am to do with this life and with the talents I have been given - it is a glimpse and one that I am willing to look at and embrace.

A Day of Joy

Yesterday was the fund raiser for Alexandra.  It turned out lovely.  Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves and got into the art journaling aspect which was a new experience for most of them.  Alexandra and her Mom even got to come.  She has been feeling really sick this week so I wasn't expecting her to be there.  But to my delight she was.  She has such an amazing spirit, soul and being ~ knowing her honestly makes me a better person.  She is my lesson to focus on Joy and all of my blessings. We raised close to 2000.00 between the event and the raffle and donations.  And above all an anon donor purchased the laptop and printer for her and my friend Holly purchased her the most lovely laptop case.  The money raised can now go directly to help her and her family.  My life and my soul are very rich with blessings.

These are a group of 3 collage paintings that I made for her raffle with her in mind ~ she wanted to win them but I told her I would make her her own ~ they are her actually the sweet, soft colors, the innocent yet wise little faces filled with knowing and kindness and with just a hint of sparkle ~ they define my sweet friend very well indeed.

If you stop for a moment think a good thought or say a prayer for her today ~ I believe that no matter how small all positive energy can heal and bless us ~

And the Winner is ....

I am happy to announce that the winner of the joy journal is .... TAMARA!  Have a Joyful Day.

Button Joy

My Button Swap contribution was mailed out today.  Here they are.  I think they turned out rather cute. I am busily getting ready for my fundraising event this Sunday for my sweet friend Alexandra who has cancer.  I will share with you the stuff I made later.

jewelry on Etsy

I just put two new pieces on my Etsy shop for sale. check them out ~
Birdy Necklace

and the Joy necklace.

P.S. Give away

I have one extra copy of the "joy journal" collaborative book which I am going to give away.  Please respond to this post and I will draw a name by the end of the week.

Joy, Mail, and a new member of the family

This is a finished copy of the collaborative Joy Journal that I hosted.  The copies are going out in the mail today.  Thank you so much for the joy you put in the work - Sherry, Michelle, Ginny, Nerissa, and Kim.  The new journal collaboration will be on the topic of Purpose and we will be working in a specific color choice.  If you are interested in participating please email or comment to this post and I will get back to you with all the info. 
Also going out in the mail today is my contribution to Tammie's vintage fabric and notions swap.  She is hosting 2 new swaps on "birdys" and "cupcakes".  this are great fun - check her out and join in the fun.

Now meet Solomon our new member of the family.  Grayson has been asking for a kitty of his own for his bday.  So this cutie came into our life last Friday.  We rescued him from L.I.F.E. animal rescue - the same place we got our dog Cheyenne.  The family who owns the barn where I keep my horse owns the rescue and has the operation on the same property.  God love her - she has saved so many wonderful animals.  So here is Sol's story.  He is a 3 yr old unneutered male (now neutered of course) who was due to be euthenized at the Camarillo shelter but alas one of the LIFE volunteers rescued him and brought him to the Life rescue.  And on what day did this sweetie get rescued?  Why April 2 ~ which just so happens to be Grayson's Birthday.  It was meant to be.  Here are the boys ~