Friday's Lovelies!

Adore this wisdom [for my sons] flickr set.

I really love this this necklace, I keep going back to it over & over again.

Read this amazing story about Michelle performing 34 Random {ish} Acts of Kindness on her Birthday & download the free "Please Enjoy This Random Act of Kindness" Cards that she used for some of the acts- Love this!

Today is the day Jessica Swift is offering her Custom Portraits to the world! Oh! So excited about it!

Super cute printable Low Pesticide Cheat Sheet for when you can't buy organic produce!

I received & have been wearing my String-Ring™ this week (when my fingers aren't like marshmallows, hello I'm due in a week or so, SOOO EXCITED!) - I ADORE the ring!

Sooooo in love this the free printable We're All in this Together Poster

I heart Babywearing Dads!

Appreciate {the little things in life}





Vanessa at Chicken Soup for the Dorky Soul talks about the importance of sticking to a schedule with blog writing -- so true!

I'm really thinking that this print from The Small Object's Etsy shop needs to come live with me. Yes.

Carolyn Rubenstein gives you five essential questions you should ask yourself each day!

Kate Swoboda is making a new video revolving around the theme "What's Your Wisdom?" & she wants us to help! Go here to get the nitty gritty details.

Michelle Ward aka the When I Grow Up Coach is accepting scholarship applications for a free life coaching package -- that's 12 private 45-min phone sessions for FREE! Go here to see how to apply!

Words to Live By



Please be kind & take a moment of your time to visit our Sponsors
over there on your right! They are all so wonderful & really do
keep Kind Over Matter afloat!
Click, Click!

I hope you all have an awesome weekend!!!
See you Monday!

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Feel Good Nouns : Kittens

i've hardly known you, yet you've felt the wept of my tears., originally uploaded by **meagan.

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Freebie Alert : Printable Art : Such Great Heights

download:
Such Great Heights - PDF


Inspired by
♪ The Postal Service - Such Great Heights ♪
♪ Iron & Wine - Such Great Heights ♪
(cover)

This PDF can printed on a 8.5 x 11 piece of cardstock, perfect for framing in a 8 x 10 matte! Just set your color printer to high-quality & print!


Please remember that Kind Over Matter's Freebies are for personal non-commercial use only. Print them for yourself, give them as a gift but please don't sell or redistribute them in any other way! If you'd like to share any of our projects on your blog you are more than welcome to, we just ask that you link directly to the post & not the PDFs, thanks for understanding!


Enjoy!


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We Love Our Sponsors : When I Grow Up Coach

Michelle Ward is The When I Grow Up Coach, & she thinks that helping creative people devise the career they think they can't have -- or discover it to begin with! -- is complete awesomeness. A musical theater actress with her BFA from NYU/Tisch & a certified life coach who's been featured in Newsweek and Metro News, Michelle uses a dose of empathy, a shot of butt-kickin', a wagon full of enthusiasm, & a crapload of inspiration to help turn her client's grown-up skills & values into a passionate (& possibly out-of-the-box) career. She can be found coachin', bloggin' & givin' away free stuff at whenigrowupcoach.com.

Speaking of free stuff, make sure to apply for the 2nd Annual When I Grow Up Scholarship by May 7th. 1 person will get 12 sessions for $0, & the rest will get 20% off of any of Michelle's services. She's hoping that picking a scholarship winner will be the hardest decision of her life, so make sure you do your part by entering!

Connect:

:: Website :: SPRING : Inspiration in Bloom :: Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter ::

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Interview with Handmade Spark

Check out our interview on
Handmade Spark!


Thanks Tim!

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do that, be that

joy, originally uploaded by whimsy studios.

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DC : What Are You Doing for Others?

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Giveaway Thursday with Monica van der Mars!

This week's giveaway is from Monica van der Mars!! One of you lucky lucky people have a chance to win one of her quote necklaces!

You can choose from the following quotes:

* believe * bliss * create * dream * dance * embrace life * faith * hope * imagine * joy * love * peace * plunge boldly into the thick of life * while alive live! * sing * trust * courage * harmony * giggle * amazing * grace * strength * inspire * nothing happens unless first a dream * scatter joy * live in the moment *


Connect here:

:: Website :: Etsy ::

WINNER TBA!!!

How to Enter:

Leave a comment saying which word or quote you'd like & your e-mail address! To make this a little easier for everyone you can copy, paste & fill-in-the-blanks:

Word/Quote:
Your e-mail address:

Contest ends Wednesday May 5 at 8pm EST - winner will be chosen randomly & announced on Thursday, May 6.

Bonus Entries:

If you do any of the following let us know by leaving a separate comment for each one you do. If you do any of the following already, let us know in an extra comment. Please, please make a separate comment for each of the bonus things that you do or your comment won't count. The separate comments help us to stay organized & makes choosing a winner so much easier...& it also ups your chances of winning! If you have any questions please e-mail us!

1. Follow our blog.
2. Follow Kind Over Matter on Twitter & Tweet about this giveaway.
3. Join our Flickr Pool.
4. Become our fan on Facebook.
5. Subscribe to our updates in your favorite reader or by email with feedburner there on the right & you get ONE extra comment.
6. Share a photo of a card drop that you've done & make TWO extra comments.
7. Buy something from Monica's Etsy shop & get THREE extra comments!

Good luck to each of you!!! ♥
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Ooooo - who's that winner!?!?

Congratulations Amanda!

You will be receiving the set of your choice very soon! Sooooo pretty!

Thank you soooo much Barbara & everyone who participated!

Stay tuned for this week's giveaway!!!

Peace & Love to the fullest!

xoxox
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share your stories

2-9-10, originally uploaded by beverly.13.

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we're all drawn to the Light

Pushing up Daisy's, originally uploaded by dj murdok photos.

Shawn Colvin -- Sunny Came Home
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Sharing Our Stories : Words for Wednesday : Behind the Rhododendron

behind the rhododendron | Amanda Oaks
for tammy foster brewer

soon after, in the bathroom,
i found a blade of grass hanging
loose, waving like a red flag staked
on the underside of my arm
declaring some small victory
over my innocence, fossils
of what my adolescent mind
thought was love, pitted prints
sitting still on my skin like
hoof marks leading to a breach
in the fence around my great-
grandfather’s orchard

until the gunshot

that heart of a second
where you think, should
i stay or run, the same
amount of time it takes
an eyetooth to puncture
skin, when the solution
of saliva & juice slip
from lips down chin

before

i tried to rubout the
marks, the chalk-ups on
my blackboard of purity,
make the dash back through
the gap in the fence, i
quietly reminded myself
that i should never
smooth anything over
out of shame

or fear



-
© amanda oaks

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trees can be the best secret keepers

, originally uploaded by [p.thiers].

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so, so, so, so true

Love., originally uploaded by ohdearbarb.

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The Kick Down the Door Project

In Tara's words:

the zine is completely free to download -- nearly 13,000 worlds and 31 pages of encouragement and inspiration for your creative journeys, whether you dream of your indie business or dream of living a more creative & fulfilling life.

the kick the door down project is a digital zine compiling the stories of creators who have broken through obstacles -- mental, physical, and situational -- to live the lives they’ve dreamed of. some are living those dreams and others are still on their journey. we can learn from them all.
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Teachers are Special Creatures II : A Handmade Gift Guide

Teacher Appreciation Day falls on May 4th this year, that's one week from today! How will you tell your teacher or your child's teacher how much they mean to you?

Let them know how much you appreciate what they do by giving them something handmade!


Printable Green Apple Stationery Set
by Creature Comforts

How to Make an Apple Tote Bag
by Craft Stylish

Printable Apple Leaves
by Skip to my Lou

Teacup Lights
by Martha

Decorate Office Supplies
by How About Orange

Clipboard Tutorial
by How Does She?

Glass Etched Organizers
by How Does She?

Teacher's Journal jar
by Nichole Heady

Coffee Cozies plus Gift Cards
by House on Hill Road

Fabric Bookmarks
by How About Orange

Printable Thank You Card Set
by The TomKat Studio

Cake in a Jar
by Angry Chicken


Be sure to check out our last year's mini-roundup of handmade gifts for teachers here:
Teachers are Special Creatures I!

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Five Kind Etsy Finds : Lavender Love!

:: 1. Lavender jade ring by Princessipal :: 2. Mon Coeur necklace by Je t'aime Boutique :: 3. Teardrop earrings by Loris Glassworks :: 4. Lilac Bloom earrings by Sterling Roses Design :: 5. Lavendar Vinyl Wall Decal by Circle Line Studio ::
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find your way

I'm finding my way, originally uploaded by knottednest.

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Tell Someone : Promise Yourself

remind youself to spend some good time with me, originally uploaded by Glasha Mandarinkina.

Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet.
To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds.
To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

- Christian D. Larson

Also, check out this amazing printable! We shared it with you last October but wanted to bring it in for this post, too, in case this poem moves you & you want to keep it close to you.

Download, save as:
Kind Over Matter : Promise Yourself : PDF
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Etsy Project Embrace

Etsy Project Embrace (EPE) is a Universal Coalition of Artists whose main purpose is to create awareness and support for people who have been diagnosed with Cancer, whatever kind it may be. Together as a Team we are unified in reaching out to others by creating Treasuries, posting in our personal blogs and shop announcements, sharing personal stories, comfort and knowledge to those in need...this is the core of what EPE stands for! We have an EPE fundraiser page on the American Cancer Society (ACS) website and Team Members are encouraged, but not required, to list items in their shops with the teamepe tag in order to donate the profits, or percentage of profits, for cancer research. As the future unfolds for EPE we have every confidence our horizons will grow more expansive to include other cancer related donation alternatives. Together, with caring, hope, compassion and love we can create awareness and make a difference!

Connect:

Official Etsy Team Page
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
To Donate to the American Cancer Society
Search EPE member's listings with % of profits going to the ACS

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Kind Kindred : Carmen : Carmen Torbus

People describe Carmen Torbus as a cheerleader & that is so accurate -- she was this huge burst of positivity when Amanda & I were getting Kind Over Matter off the ground, always cheering us on. She's incredible & we are so absolutely thrilled to have her take part in Kind Kindred!! Thank you sooo much, Carmen!!! - Peace to you! Jenn



This past week has been absolutely incredible. So much awesomeness rolled into one week has made me realize possibilities I didn’t know existed. One person in particular showered me with kindness. Her encouragement, support and cheerleading throughout the week had a powerful effect on me. Christine Polomsky is the photographer who shot the step-by-step techniques at the photoshoot for my book this past week. She exudes kindness and she helped make this past week one
of the best ever.

I had a wonderful conversation with Christine about my passion for inspiration and cheerleading and it was so nice to be in the presence of a kindred spirit. She is the epitome of positivity.

I believe that kindness is powerful and I believe it is contagious. Kindness beckons kindness and it continues on and on. Thank you, Christine!

As I headed back home at the end of the week, feeling empowered, I began thinking about ways I can continue the flow of positive energy that began with Christine this past week. How can I be kind to myself & my loved ones and how can I sprinkle kindness into the lives of those I encounter each day?

Here’s a small list of Kind Action Items that I came up with:

Leave love notes out and about for people to find.
Ask for support.
Offer support.
Listen.
Smile and say, “Yeah! (pronounced “yeah-ya!”) way more often in
enthusiastic agreement.
Give & receive more hugs.
Plant something and shower it with kindness daily.
Pay for the car behind you in line at the drive through.
Make something.
Don’t complain.
Start a gratitude journal.
Share your art with the world.
Say please and thank you always.
Enjoy a hot bath.
Tell people how awesome they are when they least expect it.
Share what you know.
Interview someone you admire.
Wake early enough to watch the sunrise.
Crank up your favorite song and have a mini dance party.
Leave comments on the blogs you read today.
Smile and say hello to more people today.
Tip well.
Make a loved one a special meal.
Make yourself a special meal!
Ask for help.
Call your mom.
Tell 5 people that you love them today... including yourself.
Go look in the mirror and tell the person you see how awesome they are!

Here’s to another amazing week, full of kindness and support! I’d love to know what you’re working on right now that you could use some encouragement and support on... please share in the comments and leave your ideas for how to spread some kindness this week!

xo & buckets of belief in you,
Carmen

Carmen Torbus is an Inspiration Maven and Cheerleader for Creative Entrepreneurs. She wears many hats, from artist and mom to admin assistant and blogger. She answers to such titles as Bliss Follower, Big Dreamer, Mess Maker and Lover of the Words, “I’m so inspired right now!” Her book, focusing on developing signature artistic style is to be published by North Light Books in the Spring of 2011. Connect :: Web :: Facebook :: Twitter ::

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it will cost you nothing to dream

dream, originally uploaded by eida*lee.

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Friday's Lovelies!

Okay, ummmm, I have a confession to make... I completely e-stalked Danielle LaPorte this week - she is seriously on FIRE & incredible! Be sure to check out her interview with Carmen Torbus & I've been lovin' every single video/audio interview I can find with her: The Danielle LaPorte Videos, an interview with Susannah Conway & another with Nathan Hangen - this woman is an EARTH SHAKER!! While I am inspired every day by sooo many things & people, this woman shakes me to my core, gets right at the good stuff, holds up bowls upon bowls of life wisdom, a huge catalyst for brewing up the best self that you can be. LOVE HER! Pre-order the The Fire Starter Sessions now!

Totally will own a Custom Family Portrait by Jessica Swift in the future, oh yes!

Again, visit Spring - Inspiration in Bloom, watch the videos - all of it is soooo exciting & we are so glad to be connected to these wonderful-wonderful women!

Ten Things Blogging Has Taught Me

Lovin' these free printable Love Notes from Vol.25!

Jessica Doyle talks about how her 9 to 5 was killing here in this video interview - super inspiring.

Ohgosh, I love these stickers from Abby Try Again!

Tara's beautiful post talks about growing in balance as a mother & a woman - she sums it up so eloquently.

So in love with EVERYTHING in Shanna Murray's Shop!





Fat Quarterly has a new e-zine out! It'll be available for purchase starting April 27 & it's only $8!!!

The Inspiring Women Summit runs May 1-8! What's so amazing about this telesummit is that it's free, global, you only need a phone to participate & it features so many truly incredible women -- including Marianne Williamson!!! All of the events will be recorded, so if you're unable to dial-in you'll still be able to listen to what was said. So cool!

I'm really enjoying Rachelle's new feature on Magpie Girl about standing in your own power. If you haven't checked it out yet, please do!!

I am LOVING Claudia Pearson's Etsy shop!! So many pretty & fun things!

Have you seen Live Life Solid™'s Inspirational Positive Mojo Video yet? It's made up of 100% Feel Good Nouns, love it!



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