Spreading Kindness

Cake image courtesy of birthday-clip-art.com

 Today is my birthday! This past year has been a beautiful and tremendous transformation for me. In the spirit of gratitude for all the gifts that have shown up in my life I want to pay it forward. One of the commitments I made to myself this year was to honor connection more. That means more phone calls and writing letters. I don't know about you but I feel like I am being swallowed sometimes by social media as it becomes more and more prominent in my life. So in an effort to connect with new friends and reconnect with old I want to spend more time truly communicating with others, not just on their Facebook walls. In celebration of my birthday this week I would like to send anyone who comments here a hand written postcard. If you would like to hear from me via snail mail please comment below AND email me your snail mail address to celwyss (at) gmail.com. I promise I will not use your information for anything other than to send you a postcard! I very much respect your privacy.

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.”

                                                                                ~Abraham Lincoln

A Goddess Giveaway

I want to share with you a little story about a day I stepped out of my comfort zone. While attending a local open house art event I was blown away by a certain woman's work. All of her necklaces were beautiful Goddesses. Molded into every which way and all of them unique. Upon seeing me drooling over her Goddesses the artist came and introduced herself to me. I gushed over her talent and took her brochure. I could have walked out happily with my purchase but I didn't. Something was pulling at me, intuitively, to keep in contact with this woman. So I walked back over to her as we were leaving and gave her my card. I had no reason to do this other than I just felt like I needed to. It was completely out of character for me. I did have her contact info but probably would not have been brave enough to reach out after that moment had passed. Thankfully the next day I had a sweet email waiting for me in my inbox. I'm so grateful she got in touch with me because now I have a beautiful and talented new friend to share my passions with.

Paige has very generously created a Goddess specifically for me to give away here on Altered Muse. She is called the Goddess of Dance and her card reads: This Goddess assists you with your freedom of expression. She is beautiful and I know whoever gives her a new home will adore her knowing she was crafted with love and best of intentions weaved into her little body. Please visit Paige's website, Holding Space, to see more of her work.

To enter, please leave a comment along with a way to contact you. I will ship worldwide. This weekend I will randomly select a winner and notify you. The last day to enter is Friday, October 21.

A Giveaway!

In celebration of my new Etsy shop opening this week I am giving away one of my newly created necklaces! "What's that? Necklaces!" you say. Oh yes I am spreading my creative wings! I have been sitting with the idea for months. It actually was the main reason the transition to Altered Muse took place. I spent days toying around with names that would symbolize all the creative passions I explore. This rebirth opens the door for new possibilities and doesn't leave me boxed into one specific title or hobby.

To enter simply leave a comment below by April 27 telling me the one word you find peace with. What word helps you feel uplifted or grounded? What word keeps you present or takes you back? What word is your word? Is it your word of the year or something else? I will choose one comment at random on April 27 at 9:00pm PST to receive the Breathe necklace pictured above.

Calendar Winner!

The handy-dandy random number generator picked a comment number for me and we have a winner! Congrats to Sarah from Sarah Jean Photography! I'll email you soon to send off your calendar.

Calendar Giveaway!

I adore blog giveaways! Really though, who doesn't love free stuff? I have been lucky enough to be on the receiving end of few myself. Now it is time to pay it forward with a little something fun. I will be giving away this set of 2011 calendar pages to one person drawn at random here on the blog next week.

The lovely ladies at Shutter Sisters provide this free calendar template every year on their site. I selected photos that I have shot through out the past few years that are my personal favorites. The size is meant to fit perfectly into a CD jewel case but you can also fasten them together with a binder clip to hang on the wall if you prefer. I just kind of love the idea of the CD case because it is handy and a great way to re-use it! All you have to do is take off the hinges and reverse the case so it stands up.

To enter just leave your name and location in the comments below. If you aren't registered on the site please make sure to leave your email so I can contact you if you are chosen! I will draw one name from the comments on Monday, November 15 at 10:00pm EST.