"Thankful Thursday...(#3)..."

Another week of special surprises and wonderful snail mail...! :)

...Presented by Fadwa in Dubai...
an artist, writer, and jewelry designer extraordinaire.

... Presented by Soulbrush in England...
who is currently "over the moon" in blogging joy and "Maggie-ness."
...A balmy tropical ATC trade with Lazzelle in Virginia...
What a glorious array of ATCs she has created! Pop over for a visit!
...A second trade...this time a 2 for 2...with Melody in Utah-
again, beautiful papers included as a fun extra...
I hope to hear from her soon on a third trade...fingers crossed.
And finally, yet another magical and wonderful "trade package"
from Marianne in the Netherlands.
(Simply click on images to enlarge and enjoy.
Click on highlighted names to visit individual artist's work!))

I want each of you to know
that
each precious bit of art that crosses my door...
each little comment you share on my blog...
each time you just silently pop in for a peek...
EACH OF THESE
is dear to me.
They are the magical "stuff" that makes me smile
deep inside
that place in my heart where my Muse lives.
Lately, she has been dancing
and leaping with
joy!

"Muses work all day long
and then at night get together and dance."
~Edgar Degas

A May Day Bouquet...

...of well wishes...

snail mail...

and delightful little bits of recognition.

I am so deeply touched by your kind words and sweet wishes

and am

so very thankful that you enjoy...what I love to do!

Today...My heart simply swells with smiles!

First of all...a cactus ATC!!!...from Lolo...
It arrived "Snail Mail" style today...this was a fave of mine!
LOVE it!
(...also, see the beautiful award Lolo designed further down on this page.)

This was received from Aimee...in Texas...

via email...just today also...

and now passed along to each of you who pop in for a visit

everyday...or every now and then.

Pass on the love! :)

This was received from Lolo...in California.
Laurel is a brilliant writer and a deeply soulful artist.
Her pieces are always a treat for me to see...
filled with imagination and uniqueness.
The marriage of her words and her brushstrokes take my breath away.
I feel good about the world around me each time I visit her.
Laurel not only designed this beautiful award
but who also wrote these heartfelt descriptors
gracing it:
"This award goes to fellow bloggers who visit frequently
and raise my spirits with their kind words of encouragement,

their beautiful images

and their wonderful outlook on life.

They make blogging a positive experience

and

continue to make my life richer."

Please feel free to pass this award along to your friends.

Thanks to all of you who raise me up! xox

Laurel...

you know this means the world to me! :)

This was received from Caroline...in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

If ever you wanted to do a bit of armchair travelling...

visit Caroline.

You will be in for a big treat.

Her posts are filled with exotic photographs and beautiful artwork.

I love stopping by regularly

and seeing what she is doing in her little corner of the world.

She is amazing!

This beautiful award was created and designed by the talented Peter Breese.

So, in the true spirit of the award

I pass this on to each of you "even keeled" friends

who through thick or thin

always seem to artistically cheer me on

to do my best

and have joy in my heart.

And...

if you are reading this...that means YOU!!!

Thank you all for sharing your art/photography/writing

and being such an inspiration!

Finally, this was received from Rhonda in Kentucky...

An amazing and talented artist

whose blog is filled to the brim with glorious artistic expression.

Her photography always interesting and engaging...

Her paintbrush an extension of her heart.

Her words lift one up.

I feel I always learn something new about our craft

when I visit her.

The actual "guidelines" for this award are

to list seven things

one is passionate about

and then

to pass this award on to seven others.

Tonight...I am gently tweaking the rules a bit...

my intentions in doing so are

to simply spread the joy I felt in receiving this

and pass this on

to those of you who also deeply love what you artistically do...

To those of you

who live your artistic life

with passion

and who, like Rhonda, paint it with the colors of your soul.

"Blogging Goodies..."

...From some truly wonderful Blogging friends.
What joy

these little surprises have brought!
I thank each and every one of you...

and

am humbled by your generosity...

and embarassed by my late posting and

lack of email organization...

Some of these date back to the end of December!

Geesch!

"How did it get so late so soon?

Its night before its afternoon.

December is here before its June.

My goodness how the time has flewn.

How did it get so late so soon?"
~Dr. Seuss

From Marianne in the Netherlands!

From Soulbrush in London!

From Soulbrush in London!

From Kazumiwannabe in France and Clare in Australia!

From Ann in the Blue Ridge Mountains!

From MuseSwings in Florida and Soulbrush in London, U.K.!

From Alex n' Alicia in New England...and Soulbrush in London

From Trish in Colorado!

From Serena in Brooklyn New York!

From Snarky in California!