Some time ago I made the decision to leave hugely stressful events in my life off the blog. Mostly because, for me, this is one of my favorite online toys and I must have one area of my life that is free from the insanity.
Ironically, though, that decision sometimes leaves me with very little to talk about when things get knocked off center. So I got to thinking about all the bad things that we all keep hearing about and got a little bit annoyed with the imbalance.
There are good things in my life and I'm sure there are in your's as well - wouldn't it be nice to focus on those for a change?
So here's what I've decided to do: I'm going to attempt to add a small bright patch to someone's day. It's simple for you to be the recipient - keep reading.
On the fifth of each month (I know today is the third of the month but all future giveaways will be posted on the fifth of the month) I will give away a small piece of my artwork. I'm a mixed media fiber gal so my work tends to vary in terms of materials used and I work by hand so the stitching is more graphic. But it makes me happy to make things which means they have good energy in them. The giveaways are what I call micro mini art quilts, never larger then 6"x6".
All you have to do is leave a comment on this post to be in the running BUT there are five golden rules you must follow concerning your comment in order to be included in the drawing:
1) Leave a comment about someone or something that is positive and helping to make your life or someone else's life less stressful.
2) NO ANONYMOUS COMMENTS. You have to use at least your first name and the first letter of your last initial. Why? Because there is no way to identify you if you don't. If you leave an anonymous comment, it won't go into the drawing.
3) Keep your comments to no more then five sentences. If you are the winner, I will contact you for the full version (keep reading to find out why) but we don't want to torture Blogger with excessively long comments. (It can be cranky so let's not try.)
4) Comments must appear on this post. I'm a pretty regular blogger so take a gander at my sidebar on the right. You'll see a link list to each post that is a Good News Giveaway post so if you don't come to visit on the exact day a new drawing goes up, you can find it easily and still leave a comment.
5) You can't post the same comment twice. The goal of this is to find things in our lives that are positive and make us smile, so look hard if you have to but find it.
You'll have until the last day of each month to comment to win that month's giveaway. The winner will be announced when the next month's giveaway goes up along with the full version of the story that the winning comment was based on so everyone can enjoy it.
So here is the first micro mini up for giveaway:
Give6"x6"
Materials: hand dyed fabric, ceramic tile, beads,
hand dyed cheesecloth, yarn, hand stitched
So do we have a deal? Yeah?
Great, now get commenting.
Great, now get commenting.
48 comments:
Lynn, what an absolutely wonderful idea! Ok, here's my good news: after several years of owning screenprinting materials, I'm finally learning to screenprint! This makes me happy, happy, happy. Silly, I know, but there it is :-)
Lynn, this is a fabulous idea, and today I have GREAT news! I have finished counting and organizing the collages for Collage Mania 2009. We have 161 artists participating from all over the world and 383 collages!
1st: love your new header. I'm not much for change, but this is a good one. 2nd: let your generosity come back to you 2 fold. 3rd: I will be teaching classes on Tyvek and Shivas, and I am excited and up to the challenge.
Lynn,
Love your idea. In these times, it is good to remember our blessings. I have two wonderful sisters who are sharing the extra load of caring for an elderly, frail mother.
Hi Lynn, what a wonderful idea! As a fellow Michigander, I'm attuned to your concerns. My good news is that everyday I'm thankful for a loving husband, a roof over my head, and the best 11 year old one could ask for. Thanks for doing this. I hope you get back as much joy as you are giving!
Wonderful idea! My good news is the puppy we have adopted. My daughter and son have been begging us for a dog for years and we have finally relented. He is such a fun little puppy. The kids named him Sparky. But I call him Frank as he is a dachsund. He is the hit of the neighborhood with all the kids.
Great idea! My good news is that after being without a job for more than a year, I now have a new one. Okay not directly art related, but the extra income makes it possible to buy new art supplies :-)
Dear Lynn,
Great idea for these times! Like Pollyanna's "glad game": you have a choice of what to stock your mind with.
My good news is the I have a list of 3 or 4 calls for entry thru July that I am inspired to answer. Ideas for work are coming out of my ears!! Including your show!!!
Linda Laird
hi--this is so great! i love this idea! I don't need more artwork (alhto this looks great!)--so do not include me in your drawing--but on my blog I am writing about a recent trip I made with a group of kids--a service learning trip for them--to Ghana--this was a very life changing and positive experience for all of us...http://foxyartstudio.blogspot.com/
Lynn, I like your idea! Good news is spring is back and my garden is blossoming. And I found out... I'm not going crazy and hearing things in the walls; we really do have raccoons in our chimney and basement.
Dolores F.
Great plan! We need to encourage "happy thoughts" especially now in such trying times. I believe we ARE our thoughts....you go girl!
My good news today is that my taxes are finished and I didn't make any mistakes. YEAH! This is hugh for me. I have come to take pride in my mistakes as a form of "uniqueness", I make so many.
Now I'm off to the studio to make some more!
A friend of mine watched an older woman checking out at a local store. She did not have enough money. The woman behind her winked at the checker. The checker said"oh I must have counted wrong, you have enough". The "wink" somehow told that checker that this woman would make up the difference which she did. Angel in disquise?
Lynn, You are amazing! Just the idea of this makes me smile. My good news. The National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago was so pleased with the work of my group that they gave us not just an exhibit (the first in their new gallery) and an opening! The opening was packed. And the quilts were amazing. With gratitude, Karen Musgrave
What a terrific idea! There is so much good out there. If only we could get the news media to devote HALF of their air time to the good stuff....
My good news: I entered and was accepted into 3 national level shows, and at last night's reception for one of them I had a manager from another gallery express interest in having some of my work in their place! woohoo!!
Your idea of counterbalancing current 'challenges' with such imagination and open-heartedness is a wondrous one. Good news from Guadalajara: several of my ex-students have just made the rigorous cut on the way toward joining Mexico's fine diplomatic corps. After years of 'talking the talk', I just learned that I now get a chance to 'walk the walk', serving on the board of the local Mexican-U.S. cultural institute. Also, Hilary just visited Mexico, and Obama has a visit scheduled. All positively hopeful news!
As a former Detroit gal, your idea is beautiful. So, I would like dwell on some great things...I will think about the beautiful Diego Rivera murals in the DIA in Detroit, buying a sewing machine that finally works and get me creating quilts, and the third thing is that my little sister who is 46 just had her first baby a week ago. It is a boy!
I have enjoyed reading everyone's good news. :o)
My good news is that as a result of all the rain we have had here in Mississippi, my back yard looks like a wild meadow, with all kinds of wild flowers blooming in the tall grass. The good news for my guys is that I won't be nagging them to mow as long as the flowers are blooming. :o) They make me long to capture their beauty with needle and thread!
Lynn... I'm a big fan of your "Where I Stand" photos. And, now you've come up with another great idea. A positive thought from me is that I had a great afternoon talking and quilting with friends. Lou
Lynn, thank you for doing this, a wonderful idea, I am already lifted from everyone's news. My news is I found out I was awarded a grant from the city to go Turtle Art Camp with Susan Shie this July.
-Jeanette Thompson
How appropriate the piece is named "Give" because that is exactly what our new friend is doing. We have a rescue Dachshund named Bailey, and she is the joy of our life. She was suffering in deplorable conditions and we were grieving the loss of our cats. So all of us get to Give to each other, and such joy it is.
Love it!
My good news is that, even though my husband got laid off a year and a half ago, we've been able to make our small business support us and have made the mortgage payment and health insurance payment every month, including this one (which is, of course, a real b*tch).
It's Spring Break! Yay! Happy Kathy!
I keep trying to be positive. It's very difficult. I end up being sarcastic instead. Must be genetic.
I love reading all the good news! Mine- My favorite bright blue Snow Glories are finally blooming... The first flowers of Spring that will be followed by many many more!
Wonderful idea to encourage the positive!
My daughter acquired a new pet (a squirrel named Sandy) and I'm finding it a great pleasure to wander the area, pick flowers for her food, and watch her intently demolish them. Sandy loves hibiscus and shrimp plant...and sometimes eats them dangling from her hind feet...but gardenias are only good for petal-plucking.
http://froggyweb.com/?p=3127
Eighteen years ago come Monday our darling three-year-old flower girl feel asleep on her feet during the main event hitting her chin on the altar rail on the way down. A couple of weeks ago she sandbagged in Fargo-Moorhead for twenty-eight hours many times during the 12:00a-3:30a shift at the Fargo Dome. Auntie Jo can't help but wonder if she almost fell asleep on her feet those many hours. She's my favorite "bag lady" :) :) :) and helped to save the day.
Ohmigosh! Lynn, this is such a terrific idea! I'm loving reading all the good news by your other readers. My good news is my sister Suzanne, who has moved in to live with me, and has always been my biggest supporter in my art-life. It's great to have a sister and Best Friend all rolled into one!
cheers,
Linda Teddlie Minton
What a great idea!! My good news is that I am going to begin teaching beading at the local beading store. I not only get to play with beads, but I get to help others learn something new.
Good news and humor are contagious, and I am soooo glad to be alive to share. The source of my happiness is recovering from a severe car accident during a white-out snowstorm 2 1/2 months ago in which my seat belt caused a giant hematoma and internal bleeding to my left breast. All during my trauma hospitalization and subsequent treatments, I have depended on humor (and prayer) to get me through. Instead of tears, I played the "glad game" which made me feel better and certainly helped the doctors, nurses and techs in their care of me. They won't forget my soccer ball size boob and I won't forget their care and smiles.
Lynn,
Thank you so much for starting something so meaningfull. Kudddos to you! "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead You are doing just that, changing your coner of the world.
My great thought to share is that I am finally down to quilting the house quilt. I can't wait to give it to my father-in-law. I took your advice and decided to add no border to the quilt. We did mind the quilt.
Lynn, Every time I visit your site I always end up on 'Where I Stand." I especially like the one in front of your mother’s house. It's a reminder that no matter what we encounter in life there is always a place where one could land and find peace, to gather thoughts and rejuvenate. Just let your feet guide you to the place of serenity.
Lynn.. this is so cool.. I have to say that the most positive thing in my life right now is my son's LD teacher. She is incredible. She has made my son's self esteem shoot up. He is doing so well in school. If I would win this wonderful piece of art I would surely give it to her. I try to make her art occasionally so she knows how much she is appreciated.
Lynn - Way to be positive! My good news is that volunteerism is alive and well. I took a ton of stuff to the hospice thrift store (which is a double-good thing in itself). 9 A.M. on a SATURDAY and there were two cheerful 20-ish volunteers just waiting to help unload. They made my day.
I am thankful for the support I have had from two people this past year while my significant other is in Iraq. If I did not have them to talk to, I am not sure where I would be today.
I love the mini piece and "Give" is so appropriate. I give my time to do quilts and afghans for Project Linus. They in turn give them to children seriously ill or abused. Doing this for Project Linus gives me a good feeling and adds a very positive vibe to my life. I have done it for 6 years now.
Hi Lynn, this is a wonderful idea. My good news is that my son and his girlfriend are living with us until back on their feet and my son started a new job two days ago. Things are looking up for them.
Lynn, this is so great of you. You are one of the most "up" people I know (and Cathy, of course!) since I am of an alternative philosophic bent, I agree with Rhojo's comment - "we ARE what we think". I know it sounds so 60's (70's ?); but, good vibes out, good vibes back. So what am I positive about? There is so much, how do I pick one? Here goes; my taxes are not only done, I've already gotten my refund - Fabrications, here I come - yippee!
Lynn- What a great idea in these times of too much bad news. I truly believe that you reap what you so..... so, I believe you will reap plenty from what you sew~
My good news is that I had a letter to the editor published in last Sunday's Free Press related to identifying early symptoms/red flags for autism. I have received several phone calls and emails from this letter which have resulted in several young children being evaluated for early services. This is good news for families if their little ones can get help early on.
There are several of your friends that GIVE of themselves and are deserving of your "Good News Giveaway". Let's all make an effort to spread the good news and pay it forward.
Lynn, love your blog and though you have not been writing of your fears for Detroit lately I being a MI gal presently in VA think of MI dilema's daily...I'm thankful for the opportunity to teach student's I enjoy in VA and to be a student this week in Hawaii for fun..Hawaiian Quilting is something I admire to have class in it makes me appreciate it ever more...I am thankful we as a country must survive together, the farther I travel the more I find this is universal dilema so we will prevail.keep on truckin.....
Lynn, what a great idea! My good news is that after a 3+ year of very little art-work production (because of twin toddlers), I am finally getting back into it and I am so excited! I have all kinds of ideas and I plan on exploring many of them in a small format first. Yippee!
Cindy Harwood in Indiana
I really need this.
My big news: I lost 5 pounds last month.
Big news about people I know: all three people I know who recently had major and surgery and the one who had a heart attack are all recovering nicely.
Everybody's big news: the sun is shining and the birds are singing. (If not here, then somewhere!)
Great give away!
I have to say the positive, good person in my life right now is my counselor who is walking with me through one of the hardest seasons of my life yet I am the most peaceful and happy right now that I have been in a very long, long time!
I just read all of the comments and loved Laura Krasinki's! As a teacher it was so nice to read a comment given to another teacher who has helped her son. We rarely get these from parents. It made me feel good just to be able to read about another teaching soul reaching a student.
Jan J.
Lynn, your idea for a good news blog came about the same time I have good news! For the first time ever, I have a piece of "Quilt Art" actually hung up in a local gallery (Sacramento). Lesson learned: Art is truly in the eye of the beholder.
Hi Lynn...As we prepare for the 8th Annual exhibit of "Quilts & Their Stories" at the Coopersville Farm Museum here in Michigan, I am encouraged to see that Michigan is still quilting! The heart warming stories and quilts will be here soon (mid July). Quilters are beautiful people. LeeAnn C
What a beautiful piece of art, and a beautiful idea Lynn. My good news is that today was warm and sunny, and the weekend will be even better. These first warm days are so sweet, waking up the senses, feeling giddy happy, full of energy and ambition. Spring is hope eternal...or something like that.
What a beautiful piece of art, and a beautiful idea Lynn. My good news is that today was warm and sunny, and the weekend will be even better. These first warm days are so sweet, waking up the senses, feeling giddy happy, full of energy and ambition. Spring is hope eternal...or something like that.
My good news is that my mother, who fell into deep depression while my father slowly slipped away from Alzheimer's, is nearly well again. She still won't listen to music, her first love, but she listens to us. This is an amazing gift, after so many strained and lonely visits: to enjoy being with her again.
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