More Kindness Rocks...

Looking for something to do as the days get shorter? I would like to appeal to you again to try painting kindness rocks. Besides planting it on your daily walk, leaving it for someone to find, and therefore bringing a smile to someone's day--it's a great craft and diversion for YOU! 

I've written about kindness rocks before. I even had a guest blogger write about her experience. I have to say I'm really taken with the whole "kindness rocks" experience. It really has come home to me again. I've been on a vacation to New Mexico. Wonder of wonders, when my husband and I visited the Taos pueblo, we were invited into a pueblo inhabitant's home. I was delighted to see some kindness rocks on a table in his house. Kindness rocks are everywhere. My son and daughter-in-law and grandkids are off to a cabin in Oklahoma for a Columbus Day respite. Imagine my surprise when my daughter-in-law sent me pictures of kindness rocks that surround their cabin. Lisa explained that there was a note from the owners in the cabin that said their kindness rocks tell a story about their family. And they provided paints and supplies for their guests to paint a rock and add it to their kindness rock garden. I love that!

The kindness rocks lining the path around the cabin where my family is staying.

Such a nice escape from the tribulations of this old world! I would encourage all my readers to give it a try! I like to collect quotations. This one caught my eye recently and it really is true:

It's therapeutic! Honest! It transports you to another place. When you're painting on a small rock, you really aren't thinking about the recent news events or your own problems. It consumes all your attention and focus. 

I think I've made my point, so let's get started! I am in no way an artist. You might call me crafty, but certainly not an artist. I just google and search in Pinterest for ideas. You can even search online for all the "how-to's" on rock painting. I'll share what I do, but some rock painters have even more steps and techniques, so look on Pinterest for even more suggestions and ideas.

I actually buy a bag of rocks from a home-improvement store. They have all sizes of river and beach rocks. I usually wash them, but I'm not even sure that that's necessary. I don't put a base coat, but I've read that some people do. I just start right in painting after they've dried. I buy acrylic paint for outdoors. I also buy paint pens. I've included pictures of all my supplies. I copy, copy, copy. None of these ideas are my own. I mostly copy what others have shared. When I'm finished and the paint has dried, I spray with an acrylic spray and let that dry. Then I'm ready to pass them out throughout my neighborhood! I think it's really that easy.

Paint pens really make fine details easy. So do the small foam brushes on the right--great for writing on rocks and for small detailing.

Spray with an acrylic spray when you're finished. That seals it and protects it from weathering. All supplies available at craft stores.

It's fall, y'all and a great time to hide some KINDNESS ROCKS with an autumn theme. Most of my rocks previously have included some kind of inspiration for the finder. But how fun to wish all my friends and neighbors a merry fall, happy Halloween or good thoughts for Thanksgiving! I've already started. 

Final thoughts~

I recently saw an online article about the advantages of adult coloring books, and I think some of the points made in that article apply to painting kindness rocks as well. Besides the points I've already made, think about these:

• You can release negative thoughts when you paint. As I've said in other blog posts, it's very zen-like. It's like meditating. When you're concentrating on copying a design or creating one of your own, you just naturally release a lot of tension and negative thinking.
• As I stated above, you get rid of your anxiety and stress.
• You tap into your own creativity.
• And for us older folks. (insert chuckle here) we're learning a new skill. It wards off dementia. It also improves our concentration.

Give it a try! Hiding rocks with an autumn holiday theme is just guaranteed to bring a smile to young kids and old folks alike. Spread some good cheer around your neighborhood or town. It's just plain fun!

​And please send any photos of rocks! I'm always looking for new ideas.

My other blog posts about kindness rocks:

​www.gigisseasonings.com/blog/kindness-rocks-project-with-the-grandkids

​www.gigisseasonings.com/blog/kindness-rocks-continued

And the online article about adult coloring books:

​www.higherperspectives.com/adult-coloring-1484031876.html