when your heart swells to bursting

Today I woke with a happy heart. I am just home from a quaint art retreat with a small number of friends. I am a not a person that shares their feelings outloud easily, and while I am not entirely "there" yet on that front, I can tell you this - I left that retreat a better, stronger, happier woman than I arrived. The simple acts of kindness and friendship that presented themselves in those few days were so very important to me. I left knowing it is okay to want to slow down. It is okay to be disappointed. It is okay to dream big. It is okay to want and need help to succeed in those dreams. I embraced my disappointments, reveled in kindness and gathered my refreshed strength to come home and try again. No wonder I woke with a full heart. I am so appreciative of the friendships in my life. The ones that are both near and far. The ones that are both new and old. They make me a better, stronger, healthier person. Thank you, friends, for that.

Random Act: Mail Art for a friend

I get great joy out of doing little things for people to make them smile.  It does not have to be a grand prize or a expensive gift to lift someone's heart - a simple thing made with love works best it seems.

These little trinkets have a flair for Autumn- pretty hand-dyed velvet & gauze ribbons, sweet and silky layered blooms, a handful of stitched and dyed paper leaves and cozy little sleeve for those hot drinks on cold nights.

This little package is headed to someone special who has above and beyond to help me and  never loses sight of what it means to be a true friend.

Random Act: Mail Art with goodies

Sometimes a little act of kindness is warranted. I have chosen Kadee @ kadeewillow.com. She often leaves such encouraging comments. I so appreciate her.

I sent out some stitched goodness - hand dyed wool leaves, collected ephemera stitched onto a card, paper bag envelope & a scrap-rolled flower.

I hope it brought her a smile.