Last year I participated in Sofia Barão's Autumn Swap: I put together a surprise package for Kate in Australia, and received one from Danielle in Ohio, and in the process gained two new brilliant, creative friends.
This year I signed up again, and was so occupied with pulling together a package for my new recipient (more on that later) that I completely forgot I had a package coming to me. I was just returning from the post office with Beau when we drove up to find a big box on top of the mailbox. Beau said, "Look, Mommy, it might be from Santa!" and we ran inside to open it up.
The package came from Liz Kalloch, and talk about rampant joyful generosity! It might as well have been from Santa... a really cool, artistic Santa...
.. and I've been having a lot of synchronicities in my life lately, and Liz's package was full of them.
First of all, Liz lives in San Rafael, CA, where I used to live as a little girl.
Secondly, I open up a card from LIz (one she designed) and the message on the card is exactly the same sentiment as two pieces of art I've been working on.
Then I open up a custom-made aromatherapy oil blend that LIz made herself ("for Joy & Creativity") and a beautiful burner.. I open up the oil, and the scent is a dead ringer for one of my favorite aromatherapy candles that's been discontinued for years!
The rest of the box is like Christmas morning:
- Two (two!) books: The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner (I've been needing a new book for months now) and The Vision Board by Joyce Schwarz.
- Raspberries in dark chocolate.. danger!
- Shimmering gel pens (had to hide them from Beau)
- beautifully designed sticky notes (ditto)
- a "Oiseaux" CD of mixed songs, that included one of my favorite songs ever, "Golden" by Jill Scott
- a collection of goodies designed by Liz: a bird journal, magnets, a gorgeous pocket calendar for 2010, and six greeting cards!
At this point there was paper and bubble wrap everywhere, and Beau's attention had been happily diverted when I noticed there was a secret trap door at the bottom of the box, and in it was a beautiful matted piece of art, entitled Song of Revival!
Such incredible generosity.. I was so humbled.
Liz is an exceptional artist and designer, with two blogs: one for design and one for knitting. She also has an etsy shop that you must visit. I so look forward to enjoying all of her gifts, and for getting to know her better.. I am already a fan of her blogs.
***Thank you, Liz!!!!!***
.....................................
Add on:
Jennifer from Odette New York just received my package, you can take a peek here! And check out her beautiful jewelry, I have a few items already on my Christmas list.
What an amazing package! I can't wait to receive mine - but it has big shoes to fill from last year!!
xx
Posted by: Kate | November 10, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Hi, congrats on getting the best-selling book THE VISION BOARD in your package and tx to Liz for sending it to you. If you or your readers want to read a free sample chapter of the book and find out more about visioning your life and your art & design go to http://tinyurl.com/visionboardamazon And to see hundreds of articles on creating vision boards (send yours when you're done, please) go to www.visionboard.info the official blog for the book!
Posted by: Joyce Schwarz | November 10, 2009 at 06:34 PM
oh Shelley.... just SO glad you are happy with your package, its so much fun to put together a box of treat to spoil someone... here's to this lovely life and all the growing connections and moments and synchronicities... xo
Posted by: Liz | November 10, 2009 at 07:03 PM
I discovered your blog while I was searching for something. Your blog design is really nice. Thats a great Jill Scott song.
I also wanted to give a plug for a site I have been working on that might be useful to you and your readers. The site helps people share songs with their friends.
My radeo http://www.myradeo.com is a social music site built on top of Facebook and YouTube. You don't need to install or signup for anything to use My radeo. It's free and easy. You can login with Facebook Connect. Check it out if you get a chance. Thanks!
Posted by: Aneto | November 11, 2009 at 08:18 AM
Got it! And I love it all, so thoughtful...thank you! Check out this morning's post for more about it. Thanks Shelley!
Posted by: jennifer | November 17, 2009 at 06:44 PM