Kathryn Costa - Collage Diva

Unexpected surprises when you stop and look.

While on an early morning walk I noticed some sand on the sidewalk. The rain and wind had pushed it into the shape of a heart. I pulled out my cell phone to snap a photo. To my surprise a second heart emerged. A closer look reveals that the smaller, darker heart is my reflection. Now how cool is that? Can you see my head and shoulders?

I love unexpected surprises when I stop and really look at my surroundings.

I hope you experience some unexpected and delightful surprises this weekend. Go look for them!

Namaste,

Kathryn Costa, Collage Diva

PS: This "Creative Joy' post was inspired by the Creative Joy Retreat with Jennifer Louden, Marianne Elliot, & Tracey Clark.  

PSS: Click on the image to get a closer look.

Quiet moments bathed in morning light.

This week I found myself getting up early for a morning walk. I savor this time when the light is warm and filled with promise. The morning light whispers, "What will this day offer you?" This question excites me as I think about the possibilities and opportunities that are waiting for me. I pause to feel the warmth of the sun on my face and I feel nourished and pampered in these moments. 

I had my new cell phone in my pocket and I'm sure glad I did. I was able to capture this peaceful moment where the morning light illuminated some ferns and Lilies of the Valley in a neighbor's yard. This photo delights me.

What a way to start the day!

How do you kick off the day? I suggest you keep a camera on you to capture those sacred moments.

Namaste,

Kathryn Costa, Collage Diva

PS: This post was inspired by the Creative Joy Retreat with Jennifer Louden, Marianne Elliot, & Tracey  Clark.

PSS: Be sure to click on the photo above to get a closer look at it.

 

What brings you CREATIVE JOY?

One of the best things about a good question is that I carry it with me for days even weeks and it has me looking at life differently. I love it when I'm awakened and in just a couple of days I'm feeling really awake and energized by the question, "What brings you CREATIVE JOY?"

I'm noticing the things that I do that I love and I'm remembering other things that I've done in the past that I want to do more of. I've been using Adobe Photoshop now for over 15 years and I'm at the point where I can play with this tool rather than fumble and struggle. One thing I desire more of is PLAY. Today's post features a "nice" photo that I altered in Photoshop. I think it took me about 15 minutes to select the photo and alter it. It was a simple little dose of HAPPY and a moment to remind me how much more play I crave in my daily life.

How about you? How will you play today? What brings you CREATIVE JOY?

Namaste,

Kathryn Costa, Collage Diva

PS: This post was inspired by the Creative Joy Retreat with Jennifer Louden, Marianne Elliot, & Tracey  Clark.

PSS: Be sure to click on the photo above to get a closer look of the interesting textures and details.

The Thin Veil Between the Ordinary and Sacred

This week I've been observing how the sacred is present and available in any moment. To see and feel the sacred is about being mindful. It isn't always easy to let go of the details of my busy life that keep me anchored to the ordinary. When I slip into the precious present moment, I see with wonder and awe. I feel at peace. I tap into my creative joy.

Looking through the lens of my camera I can cross the thin veil between the ordinary and the sacred.

What gives you CREATIVE JOY, today?

I'd love to here. 

Namaste,

Kathryn Costa, Collage Diva

PS: This post was inspired by the Creative Joy Retreat with Jennifer Louden, Marianne Elliot, & Tracey  Clark.

PSS: Be sure to click on the photo above to get a closer look of this sacred moment.

What do your dreams need to blossom?

This weekend I had the pleasure of traveling down to Washington, DC during cherry blossom season. It is absolutely incredible how many trees line the tidal basin. (click on this photo to see it enlarged)

It was really quite magical walking under the canopy of pink and white flowers.

Fernando and I thought this location would be a spectacular place to celebrate our one year anniversary of when we met. A year goes by so quickly!

While we were in DC, we shot some video for the upcoming Journey of the Heart Journal online class. In addition to the written text, beautiful journal pages, and audio interviews with inspiring women, I'm capturing snippets of me on video sharing different reflections to go with each theme for the course. 

I love how flowering trees offer us a metaphor for our own journeys and the cherry blossoms were a great backdrop for this new video series. (click on this photo to see it enlarged)

As I put the finishing touches on the text for the Journey of the Heart Journal online class, the one thing that keeps coming up is how important our attention is to nurturing our dreams. Do you have a dream that needs your attention?

Join me on the next Journey of the Heart Journal online class beginning May 8th. CLICK HERE for more details and to register. Don't forget you get to bring a friend on this journey at no extra charge!

Here is to making time to listen to our hearts.

Namaste,

Kathryn Costa, Collage Diva

Day 11: More of Portland Maine

On Sunday we stopped in South Portland to check out the Portland Head Light. Look at that dramatic sky - it makes a fabulous backdrop don't you think?

It was windy and very cold. Fernando caught me looking for cover.

It was definitely a day for hat, scarf, and gloves!

Of all the photos taken on our day excursion, this one is definitely the best. Well done Fernando!

It is day 11 on the 21-day cleanse. This marks the 1/2 way point. Yoo-hoo! Kris Carr in her book, Crazy Sexy Diet warns that we make experience some emotional days. Well, yesterday was the first time that came up for me. It really doesn't come as any surprise that when we clean out our bodies, that we also clean out some of the emotional stuff. I spent some time thinking about my insecurities and areas where I'm feeling vulnerable. I hunkered down early last night with a book and went to bed early. I woke up feeling refreshed and renewed.

Thanks for sharing this journey with me!

Namaste,

Kathryn Costa, Collage Diva

2013 Calendar Preview

Last night Fernando and I worked for hours on our 2013 calendar. We rushed to meet the Shutterfly deadline and take advantage of 40% off and free shipping. Here is a preview of a few of the months. Although I was exhausted, I loved how we pulled together photos from our adventures together. 

Pictured here is an ikebana (Japanese) flower arrangement. Isn't it so cute?

Click on any of the photos in this post to see larger.

These beautiful shots came from one of our first outings to Morningside in Charlestown, NH. That was a magical day!

This captures our love for cooking together.

We thought we would end the year with a little silliness.

Today I'm feeling grateful for the photos we've captured of our life together and how easy it is to pull off a project like this.

What gifts are you making this year?

Namaste,

Kathryn Costa, Collage Diva

Art Every Day Month

Capturing Gratitude - A daily photograph challenge

 

Beauty found along the highway

I'm taking us back to June when things were really blooming around here. Along a little stretch of highway a blanket of yellow and white flowers captured the hearts of me and my DH.

This is one of those landscapes I've only dreamed about. Behold the abundance!

As you can imagine we felt like two kids playing.

Fernando had been driving by this spot for a week or more as he would travel from Manchester, NH to Boston, MA. One Saturday morning we woke up early to capture this special spot before it faded.

Today as I write this post, the trees are looking bare and dried leaves clutter our neighborhood. I'm grateful for these photos to take me back to one of the many outings I enjoyed this summer with my DH.

I can feel the warm sunshine as I look at this landscape.

Thanks for stopping by!

Namaste,

Kathryn Costa, Collage Diva

Art Every Day Month

Capturing Gratitude - A daily photograph challenge

 

Persimmons

Yesterday I tried a persimmon for the first time. My DH was surprised that I never had one before. Before eating it, I couldn't resist snapping a couple of photos. I love the outline of the leaf.

I played a little with this image. I was going for a timeless look. I'm calling it the dusty persimmon.

It is a soft and sweet fruit. Our specimen wasn't exactly ripe so it was high in tannins leaving a dry feeling around my gums. 

Today I am grateful for the HUGE variety of fruits and veggies that we can get at our local stores. What abundance!

Art Every Day Month

Capturing Gratitude - A daily photograph challenge

 

Beautiful bundle of garlic

There is so much that I am grateful for today. For one, I am relieved that President Obama was re-elected. I haven't felt this much anxiety over an election since 12 years ago in the race between GW Bush and Gore. As my friend Art put it this morning on Facebook: "Now let's see if both parties in Congress can act like responsible adults and start addressing problems and the need for real compromise."

Today's altered photo is of a bundle of garlic that I have hanging in my kitchen. I picked it up a month ago at a Farmer's Market in Concord, NH. The garlic comes from a charming farm in Canterbury, NH. (Two Sisters Garlic). I am grateful for small, independent farmers who offer quality foods. 

What are you grateful for today?

Namaste,

Kathryn Costa, Collage Diva

Art Every Day Month

Capturing Gratitude - A daily photograph challenge