Monday, March 31, 2014

A Year of Kindness - Challenge Week 13 & a blog giveaway

So what did you do this past week to lend a helping hand? I had a couple of opportunities to hold a door open and returned a grocery cart left in the parking lot (by choosing to use that one on my trip in). And (from prior challenges) also found myself spending a lot of time just LISTENING and filled out a couple of surveys regarding repair work and purchases. Funny how quickly these things can become habits! But I feel like my attempts at adding more kindness to my day are truly starting to be integrated into everything I say and do.  How about you? Is this challenge helping keep kindness at the forefront of your mind?

This week's challenge is likely to give me a better idea of just how many people are actually reading these weekly posts.... The kindness challenge for this week is in the Pay It Forward category. The specific challenge - pass on a book you have finished and do not need to keep for your personal collection. Whether you give the book to a friend, have a drawing on your blog, donate it to your local library, hospital, nursing home or shelter, or to one of the many charities that accept books, passing on the gift of learning is a beautiful kindness!  Click HERE for a site with a list of places (including international) that would love your gently used books.

To kick off the Pay A Book Forward campaign, I have three books that I have read (twice each), enjoyed, and decided I don't need for my permanent collection.  If you are interested in one of these books, please leave a comment with the title that catches your interest.  I'll draw and announce winners on next week's Kindness Challenge Post.  All three of these books are PACKED with gorgeous images!

This first title has mixed media projects (not just canvases) from six different artists, half of them male. If you are interested in the masculine side of mixed media or looking for ideas for projects for that guy in your life, you may find some inspiration here:

Painted Pages is all from artist Sarah Ahearn Bellemare.  While I'm personally not a fan of her particular style as shown in this book (and all the best painty pages are at the end), the text (her ideas about supplies, warm-up activities, journaling, etc.) is a very good read.

Taking Flight by Kelly Rae Roberts has beautiful images and lots of great food for thought. The text describes Kelly Rae's personal journey into an artistic life, includes thoughts and inspiration from contributing artists, and gives you a great peek into Kelly Rae's techniques. 

Remember, to be in the drawing for one of these books, just leave me a comment with the title that catches your interest!

7 comments:

scrappyjacky said...

I think I've fulfilled this week's challenge last week!! I gave a pile of books to a local charity store....and passed on some magazines to a friend.I'm intending to sort out some more books for the charity store this week as well.
I think 'Taking Flight' would be my first choice there....but would be happy to receive any of those books...a very generous giveaway.

Melissa said...

What a FUN kindness challenge this week. I have two books in my giveaway pile right now - I usually take them to the library on my next visit. I'm also exchanging books with my sister this year & the one I sent her for March was for her to keep & not return. I gave away a really good magazine (that I didn't tear any pages out of) to my personal trainer a couple of weeks ago.

All three of these books look great, but the Mixed Media Workshop one caught my eye because it has step-by-step directions! :>)

Karen said...

We've sent three bags of books to the library for their used book sale in the last couple of months. I already own Painted Pages, but would love to read (and then pass on) either of the other books.

Anonymous said...

I am loving these Year of Kindness posts and will gather some books to take to the charity shop on Saturday. I would like either of the first two books you have on your blog this week as I am just dabbling in Mixed Media and would like to try some more techniques.

Miriam said...

Ive been taking books and CD's to the charity shops this week. Reaching to the higher shelves in my supermarket for the vertically challenged has been my kindness this week. The Kelly Rae book would be my choice. I love her blog.

Carola Bartz said...

Kindness, being kind is my "ueber-word" for my life - showing kindness in daily life, in the little things. It is so worthwhile because it does not only lighten someone else's day but your own one's as well.
I love your idea of a book give away (and yes, please count me in for "Painted Pages"). I usually give the books I read and know I don't want to keep to my favorite thrift store. Most of my books I also buy in thrift stores, and I like the idea that this way I kind of "borrow" the books for a small fee and then give them back. Some of them, though, I keep because I like them so much and know I will read them again.
BTW I love "Taking Flight" - it was THE book that got me starting on my own journey.

alexa said...

It is lovely to hear how kindness is blossoming in your life! I will be giving away a over at hundred sheets of coloured Bazzill and patterned papers at the next crop I go to - they're all ready in two crates :). I'd love to be in the draw for the first book - I've read the second and have the third :). Thank you for such a generous offer...