Unexpected Pleasures

Katrina’s Zen Kin® Cousins: A Worldwide Project was released on Amazon on February 19, 2022, and it as #1 on Amazon’s list of New Releases in the Pen and Ink category for several days! That was special for so many reasons, and one of the biggest was that it was so unexpected. I love unexpected pleasures and the feelings they give me. I was excited that this book would be available for others to enjoy and was anxiously hoping that everyone who received the book would like it. I wasn’t even aware of the rating and tracking of books in different categories on Amazon. Then I saw that it was ranking high among other books released on the same day, and it made me smile. It also made me grateful for all the other authors doing the same thing since it takes some courage to put yourself out there for others to see. I applaud them, and I am letting myself feel the happiness that my courage has given to me.

Screenshot of the Amazon “#1 New Release”!

Another unexpected thrill is hearing people say that they have found joy by looking at the pages in the book. The book itself is spreading joy to others! We are experiencing a brand new challenge in the world now, and if this book can give even a moment of joy to someone during this stressful time, then the project and the book are all worth the effort of the participants and my team.

Here are just a few things that people have said to me that have brought tears of joy:

  • “I received a wonderful book today. It’s great to be a part of a worldwide project and see the unique Zen Kin®Cousins of a great community. I love it! Thanks”
  • Just got my book today! So nice that you put everyone’s name and state. I was able to find my friends from other places! This was a great project and thank you for doing it!”
  • “Brilliant!!! What a treasure! CONGRATULATIONS!”
  • “What a thrill it is to see my art (Zen Kin®Cousin) printed and published in a book! And it’s a book that anybody can buy! Thank you so much, Katrina Thiebaut CZT, for giving me an experience I never in my wildest dreams thought I would have. You are a real gift to the world of Zentangle®!”
  • “Your book just arrived at my door this afternoon. You did such a good job, Katrina Thiebaut CZT. By uniting all participating artists, you have united all of our countries showing us the good that can come from art. Thank you for your creations and for including so many.”
  • “Look what came today! I enjoy supporting my CZT family!”
  • “So much fun!”
  • “My Zen Kin@ Cousins book arrived yesterday. It is soooo cute! You did a great job with the layout. And the chart in the back is super organized and impressive. Congrats Katrina! A few of my students who are now CZTs are in the book!”

It is such a joy to know that those who have the book are holding the collection of cousins that I have had here with me. The fact that this is a printed book makes it seem almost like the original artwork is in the readers’ hands.

The back of the book

My team and I continue to work on a digital presentation that will give yet another chance to see these Zen Kin® Cousins. It will be released within the next two weeks. We have run into some delays with this and appreciate your patience. I hope that you will enjoy this presentation and will once again find joy and feel like part of a wonderful community of cousins when you view it.

Unexpected pleasures abound with the release of Katrina’s Zen Kin® Cousins: A Worldwide Project. Completing the project gave me a sense of pride but also a bit of sadness that it was over. Having people enjoy the book has given new life to the project and more joy for others and me. This project will live on through this book, and my mind is already busy designing a new project for the future, and another book is also in the works now of my own Zen Kin®. I am gathering all that I have created and will publish a book filled with their smiling faces.

Thank you once again for reading this blog. Thank you for your interest in Zen Kin® and Zen Kin® Cousins. Thank you for your participation and your enthusiasm for this completed project.
I appreciate you. Katrina

To purchase the book, use the following links:

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