Kelly Rae Roberts's Blog, page 2

My Instagram Weekly Round Up ��� Wellness Journey

I'm obsessed with Instagram ��� it's my favorite online home! Here's a recap from the last week, and for those of you who aren't on Instagram, come and join me! And you can click here to see all the Instagram updates right here on my blog!

Friday, January 29



Katie Daisy and I were internet friends and then she bought our 1974 VW Orange bus in 2012 I think it was. We continue to stay in touch and we even share an awesome business manager, Betsy! Katie is an incredible artist. I adore her, her family, her artwork and I'm super excited about her new book (preview here) How To Be A Wildflower which is coming out via Chronicle books super soon. Hello inspiration. Hello sweetness and wild and freedom vibes. Can't wait to get my hands on this book! (���� by @katieisadaisy from her awesome feed)

Print available from my shop
Embrace the imperfections
The chaos
The holy mess of your beautiful life...

Saturday, January 30



Today it's a facial (self care), picking up meds for Lulu's UTI (doggie care), picking up my computer that died and got repaired (work care), cleaning out my car (car care), picking up all the dog ���� in the backyard (poo care), and a quick pick up of the house (home care). Whew! My goal? To do it all with my word of the year (devotion) in mind. These cares are sacred and deserve to be seen and held as such. Even picking up ���� is an act of love. That's what I'm telling myself, folks!

Monday, February 1
Print available from my shop
Surrender your fear and trust your journey and love love love.
Wishing you the best for this Monday, my friends. 

Tired, but here. Also, you guys. I am still playing with letting my hair do its natural wave thing, but it's so inconsistent. So yesterday I bought one of those Conair super curler things - like the ones they show on TV where it sucks in your hair and then spits it out curly? Well, y'all, it works! And with zero product in my hair! I'm loving it! Having some friends over later this week so we can have girlie geek out fun with it. Have you tried it? I can't get over this thing. 

Wednesday, February 3


Print available from my shop
She decided it was time to trust her joy, her voice, her wings. 


Truth: I have been in a cycle of on and off sick for months. Some of you have noticed and have wondered what the heck? Me too! Mainly it's been flu like stuff, sinus stuff, congestion and inflammation stuff. Nothing major, but enough to knock me down, and often. I've tried various things, but this week I'm tackling it with major devotion. I started IV immune boosters, accupuncture, and had an allergy test with my naturopath. I'm also working with my western med doc for blood tests, including hormones. And I'm also starting the Whole 30 again (no dairy/sugar/gluten). I'm feeling optimistic. I'm also feeling compassion for anyone suffering from chronic illness. These last few months have been quite hard on my mental health, trying to keep routines while battling being constantly under the weather. My heart goes out to anyone dealing with chronic conditions. I'll keep you guys posted, but meanwhile send up some good vibes and energy my way. ����������

Thursday, February 4


Woke today feeling energized and ready to tackle the day. It's POURING outside which makes it more adventurous. Thanks for all the love and support yesterday. I'm hopeful it's a simple solution and that it will be revealed soon. In the meantime, much gratitude to all who are holding space for me. It means the world. Also, I'm still mesmerized and addicted to the Conair secret super curl thing that sucks in my hair and spits it out curly. It's the little things and it's lifting my spirits for sure. ������


That's it for this week! Check back here next week for another update, or join us over on Instagram for daily photos and thoughts!

XO,
Kelly Rae

My Instagram Weekly Round Up – Wellness Journey

I'm obsessed with Instagram – it's my favorite online home! Here's a recap from the last week, and for those of you who aren't on Instagram, come and join me! And you can click here to see all the Instagram updates right here on my blog!

Friday, January 29



Katie Daisy and I were internet friends and then she bought our 1974 VW Orange bus in 2012 I think it was. We continue to stay in touch and we even share an awesome business manager, Betsy! Katie is an incredible artist. I adore her, her family, her artwork and I'm super excited about her new book (preview here) How To Be A Wildflower which is coming out via Chronicle books super soon. Hello inspiration. Hello sweetness and wild and freedom vibes. Can't wait to get my hands on this book! (

Art In Motion: One painting from start to finish

I wanted to share a super sped up painting with you guys. I love watching these time-lapses - so intriguing! 
This is a painting where I tried something a little different with her face and played around with non-traditional face colors. I enjoyed mixing it up a bit, which is always good for creative play and experimentation. 
The final painting lives here! 
Thanks, friends!xo,Kelly Rae
ps: My angel painting class, Spirit Wings, is in session. If you're feeling the nudge to come paint some angels with me with all sorts of step by step instructions and encouragement, come on over and join us. It's an amazing group of kindred students!

My Instagram Weekly Round Up ��� Inspiration All Around

I'm obsessed with Instagram ��� it's my favorite online home! Here's a recap from the last week, and for those of you who aren't on Instagram, come and join me! And you can click here to see all the Instagram updates right here on my blog!

Friday, January 22


Print available here
Dear World,
Thank you for your smallest of moments that bring the greatest beauty.
Thank you for the stars, the light, and your soulful hearts that make living worth all the love you hold.
Let's let the small moments be big ones this weekend, friends.

I received some amazing books for Christmas and I'm loving them on our mantel. Worn Stories is super interesting (a great book for anyone doing #thewearyourjoyproject, btw) and the Domino book is so useful and informative. And The New Bohemians book by @justinablakeney is a huge book of eye candy, a fave. And of course the @humansofny book has captured my heart.

Saturday, January 23



He snuck into our bed last night around 1am. We snuggled on and off until dawn. As much as it interrupted my sleep (and his), I savored every last leg getting plopped on mine, head nuzzles into my neck, nose kisses, arms gently placed over my chest, sweet kisses, random breathing sounds, and just being that close for that long. ����: Tara Whitney

Sunday, January 24

Sunday morning. Grateful for these flowers John brought home. Grateful for the sinus thing not turning into a full on infection. Grateful that I slept in until 10am (!!) and woke up to the elusive sunshine. Grateful for this home, our life, our health. All of it. ���� 
Monday, January 25
You guys. I'm having a party. A real life, in person, party. I'm going to celebrate my accidental, unlikely journey these last ten years of not only becoming an artist and Possibilitarian, but also starting and growing a wildly successful creative business without an MBA, without art school, without knowing what the next steps would be. Possibility lead the way and quite honestly I have often felt that I'm just along for the ride with something bigger, something drenched in Inspiration leading the way. Also. The last ten years could not have happened without the World Wide Web, and without the explosion of Etsy, blogging, social networking, and a whole lotta creative women GOING FOR IT. There was so much inspiration and momentum in those early days and I feel crazy fortunate to have collided with the Internet at just the right time to use it for good, for making stuff, for connecting with others, for building a living that supports a family. I find it so remarkable and I'm just glad and amazed. These last ten years have ushered in a ton of mistakes and learning curves but also book deals, licensing deals (fashion! Decor! Gifts! Garden! Holiday!), countless magazines, world travels, amazing collabs, workshops, online offerings with the best students ever, and so sooooo much more. Most importantly I discovered myself, my heart, my capabilities, my strength, my purpose, and my passion of combining my social worker background with art. I will be celebrating it all and making a marker, an honoring of this milestone. I can't wait. The only bummer is that I can't invite all of my internet besties. Ohhhh, but maybe we can live stream it somehow? Hmmmm. I dunno, but I will figure it out as you guys are such a huge part of my honoring and celebrating. Thank you a million times �������� ps: photo by Zipporah Lomax
Tuesday, January 26

Loving this gram from @anahatakatkin's feed. I'm a huge fan of Anahata. I took a class from her years ago where we created large people paintings from giant strips of wallpaper. It was such a cool class. She was/is an amazing teacher and I remember her tearing up at the end of the class as she was so inspired and in awe of the work that was created that day. She was so IN IT with us and I've loved her ever since.

You guys. I can't even. Every single day. The joy energy has so been elevated with this weirdo hilarious dog. She is five months and huge for her age. ����: Zipporah Lomax

Print available from my shop 
Dear Soul,
You are on a remarkable journey
(you're doing a great job)

One of my few girls featured in profile. I think that's why she's close to my heart...
Wednesday, January 27


Friends, it is with SO MUCH delight that I can say I'll be at the Brave Girls Symposium this summer as a speaker, as a fellow brave girl, as an ever evolving creative woman. I'm thrilled, happy, and can't wait for this event. Come join me and get nourished and inspired by your kindreds! All the details are here: http://symposium.bravegirlsclub.com xxoo!!!!

Thursday, January 28

 Print available from my shop And then she followed her heart
And let joy in

My favorite kind of story...

That's it for this week! Check back here next week for another update, or join us over on Instagram for daily photos and thoughts!

XO,
Kelly Rae

My Instagram Weekly Round Up – Inspiration All Around

I'm obsessed with Instagram – it's my favorite online home! Here's a recap from the last week, and for those of you who aren't on Instagram, come and join me! And you can click here to see all the Instagram updates right here on my blog!

Friday, January 22


Print available here
Dear World,
Thank you for your smallest of moments that bring the greatest beauty.
Thank you for the stars, the light, and your soulful hearts that make living worth all the love you hold.
Let's let the small moments be big ones this weekend, friends.

I received some amazing books for Christmas and I'm loving them on our mantel. Worn Stories is super interesting (a great book for anyone doing #thewearyourjoyproject, btw) and the Domino book is so useful and informative. And The New Bohemians book by @justinablakeney is a huge book of eye candy, a fave. And of course the @humansofny book has captured my heart.

Saturday, January 23



He snuck into our bed last night around 1am. We snuggled on and off until dawn. As much as it interrupted my sleep (and his), I savored every last leg getting plopped on mine, head nuzzles into my neck, nose kisses, arms gently placed over my chest, sweet kisses, random breathing sounds, and just being that close for that long.

My Instagram Weekly Round Up – More Disney and DIYs!

I'm obsessed with Instagram – it's my favorite online home! Here's a recap from the last week, and for those of you who aren't on Instagram, come and join me! And you can click here to see all the Instagram updates right here on my blog!

Friday, January 15


And we're off! Last day here we're super digging California Adventure's vibe. Xxo!

Okay friends! Super excited to share these new tote bags with you! The one with the yoga mat is quite large which I love! We have three more styles in addition to what you see here and I just adore them all! They are all via my partnership with Demdaco!
This week is the AmericasMart in Atlanta. It's the winter show where all my new products debut, including these totes! I'm super excited to have lots and lots of goodies in the Demdaco showroom, including these, new mugs, socks, Angels, and more. 

My Instagram Weekly Round Up – Sunshine and Disney!

I'm obsessed with Instagram – it's my favorite online home! Here's a recap from the last week, and for those of you who aren't on Instagram, come and join me! And you can click here to see all the Instagram updates right here on my blog!

Friday, January 8


We stand for love! Happy Friday, friends. 

This weekend, let's.... Find sacred in the ordinary
Seek beauty
Choose joy!

Have a wonderful one, friends! 

I'm heading to CA tomorrow for a girls weekend and then to Disney with the fam. This captures my anticipation perfectly. 
Saturday, January 9



Have you ever arrived at the airport for your flight only to be informed that your flight was YESTERDAY? Friends, such is my life. Or actually such is my brain. I can't even. Anyway, here's to trusting this journey to CA and hoping for a standby seat. I cannot believe I did that!
Sunday, January 10

Made it to CA for a weekend with some dear friends. Grateful for that standby seat and the truth of trusting. And friendship. Whenever I'm with these dearest I always think of that amazing quote: A friend is one to whom one may pour out the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that gentle hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.
- George Eliot

While I'm down here in CA, I wanted to announce my new exciting partnership with Tapestry Fair, a producer of EXQUISITE hand-painted needlepoint canvases for independent needlepoint shops across America. All of my needlepoint canvases are debuting this weekend at The National Needlearts Tradeshow in San Diego. You guys, I'm super super excited about this. This photo shows one of the hand painted needlepoint canvases ready for a stitcher to do their thing. I can't wait to see one completed. OMG!Monday, January 11

One of my favorite quotes. Here's to finding the sacred in the ordinary everydayness of our lives. Happy Monday, friends. Xxo

Print available from my shop. Dream big in the moonlight, dear one...
As we grow up and older, the weaves of our intersections hold wider, deeper meaning. Life is happening in our individual worlds outside of our intersections. Hard stuff. Good stuff. Confusing stuff. And every now and again it's just so good for the soul to be with those who may not live nearby in the geographic sense but who certainly are my heart's closest neighbors. I am so grateful for their witness and also to witness their unfolding, through all the seasons, ebbs and flows. This year I want to show up more for my friends, for all the people who live far away but who reside in my heart and in my soul. Xxo.
Tuesday, January 12

Missing this snorty sweetheart. 

This week is the @americasmartatl in Atlanta. It's the winter show where all my new products debut. I'm super excited to have lots and lots of goodies in the @demdaco showroom, including this gorgeous large wooded JOY piece, new mugs, bags, Angels, and even really cool socks. Retailers, See all of the Kelly Rae Roberts Collection with DEMDACO in Bldg 2, Ste 685 and now in the @onecoastsocial showroom, 18th Floor, Ste 1837J. I also have many many goodies (tote bags, journals, calendars, and more) over in the LANG showroom.

My Instagram Weekly Round Up – New new new year

I'm obsessed with Instagram – it's my favorite online home! Here's a recap from the last week, and for those of you who aren't on Instagram, come and join me! And you can click here to see all the Instagram updates right here on my blog!

Friday, January 1


Today. The sun came out (yes!) and yet we barely stepped outside. Instead, it was one of those rare days where we enjoyed the inside, the way the sun lights up the house, middle-of-the-day baths, games, crafts, and a movie. I love how these two have found their rhythm. I knew getting a pup would be good for our little family but I definitely underestimated how awesome it would be for an only child. The giggles. The chases. The friendship. Even the frustrations. All so, so good. Today True said, "You know, now we have three babies: Sockdog, Sockdog [both beloved stuffies], and Lulu." He's right. And he treats Lulu accordingly. Also, friends, today was epic as I finally finished my winter break project of organizing TEN years of photos into photobooks. Here's to a new 2016, more everyday captures like this one, and sunshine. Lots and lots of sunshine.
Saturday, January 2



Here's to courage, courage and more courage in 2016. May we each take flight deeper and farther into the lives that are calling us. We are all meant for these journeys of courage, delight, and love. This year I hope to open up a bit more, and lean more into devotion of the sacred and the ordinary and the creative. Let's do this. Together. Xxo
Sunday, January 3

Snow in Portland is a rare thing. And today's snowfall was a total surprise. Love! We were at the French cafe this morning by 7:30, sitting by the window, watching it fall as we planned out our week, reviewed 2015, and dreamed up 2016. Kind of romantic. Kind of special. And now I'm back in bed for a morning nap as I'm trying to keep the lingering sickies at bay. Happy Sunday, ya'll!

She is starting to look like a full on English Bulldog. Her face kills me. Every time. Every single time. Monday, January 4
I'm diving back into work today after a proper Winter Break. I'm feeling inspired, motivated, and just grateful to do what I do. This is a big year for me as I'm celebrating 10 years of starting my creative biz. No art school or art knowledge (art supply stores terrified me!). And no MBA. Just an unfolding of an unlikely passion. For those of you who are feeling the creative nudges like I did all those years ago or if you just want to explore paint and paper and mess making in 2016, I invite you to come join me for one of my online painting classes. Doors are open and the classrooms are full of vibrant, kind, kindreds of all levels and experiences. Click the "learn" tab on my website for more info ;).
Note to self. Today and always. Both in joy and struggle. Sometimes harder to do the more life that is lived, but the awareness and the reminder are always welcome. I don't ever want to by cynical or jaded.

Hello, 2016. My word for you is....also, asking for some input from YOU!

Devotion. 
I was thinking that my word for 2016 would be something along the lines of discipline or follow-through or commitment. But all of those words had a punishing tone to me, a schooling if you will. But devotion, ahhhhh devotion! It still communicates commitment and discipline and follow through but it's all about LOVE. 
I've been noticing that I'm half-assing it when it comes to certain things I want to cultivate in my life. Devotion is my reminder that I want to be all in. I want to devote myself to whatever it is I am doing, whether that's washing the dishes or making art or building friendships, with a sense of love and sincerity. I don't want to half-ass it. I want to be all in. With love. With devotion.
The other thing that I love about this word is it's reference to the sacred. I love the idea of devoting myself to all the things I'm tending to throughout my day to day life with a sense of divine, sacred love. Because all things are sacred and deserve to be witnessed and seen and nurtured as such. 
Devotion.
I'm all about it in 2016. I'm curious what will unfold. I just know it will be beautiful. And hard. And just right. 

photo credit: Zipporah Lomax
Another thing that's coming up in 2016 is my ten year anniversary since starting my creative business. I can't believe what has unfolded since that day in 2006 when I decided to take the leap, buy a printer, open up an Etsy shop,  and sell my prints and originals. An entire life awakened. I'm so grateful!
We have so many special things planned to help celebrate this huge milestone, including all the people who helped make it happen.
Part of what we've got planned is a brand new spankin' website with all sorts of bells and whistles, a new blog (with the comments open - finally!), crazy massive giveaways, a look back at some of my earliest blog posts when things were still so so new (and scary), a big party here in Portland, and much more. Stay tuned as it all unfolds....I'm excited to share it all with you.
I need your help and input!
We will also be launching a new newsletter in the coming weeks. I've been thinking a lot about the way I currently send out updates and I'm considering changing things up quite significantly with my newsletter - the content, how often I send, what to include, and more.
I'm curious what YOU think. What would you like to see from me in your inbox in 2016? Do you read our current newsletters? Are they too long, too short, just right for you? Do you wish we included less XYZ? Or more XYZ? Would you prefer short and sweet announcements? Would you like to receive sweet love notes, encouragement? Or just updates and information? 
Part of what I love about what I do is the community of kindreds. I'd love to hear your input, so please shoot me an email at hello@kellyraeroberts.com and kindly tell me what you'd like to see more of in 2016. I truly want to know! 
XO,Kelly Rae

Goodbye 2015, a review

Hello dear old blog. It's been awhile since I've given you some love. You know, with a real, old-school style blog post vs an Instagram recap. Don't get me wrong. I do love the Instagram recaps as they've been a great way for me to get some regularly updated posts here in this space as I took a much needed blog break last year (2015), but I suppose I'm ready to get back to my regular writing of blog posts. I've missed being here. Fully here vs kind of here. Also the writer, journaler side of me is longing to show up here again. To share my challenges, awakenings, family loves/life, business loves/life, and more. But before I dive into 2016 here in this space, I thought I'd recap 2015.

I'm a big believer in recapping our years - to look back, to relearn, to rediscover, to celebrate, to grieve, to realize just how far we've come. I've been recapping my blog posts by years for the last 10 years. For those of you who may be interested, here are my yearly recaps:

2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006


* I somehow missed recapping 2014. And that's okay.

Today's post is a recap of 2015.

My word for 2014 was Trust. It was such a powerful, life changing word for me that I kept it for 2015 as well. And I'm so glad I did. Trust, trust, trust. I fell deeper into its lessons in 2015 and I learned so much about surrendering ourselves to something greater than we are - that we are held, seen, and guided in perfect, mysterious ways. I also learned to keep letting go, to trust the unfolding, the process, the expansion of all that doesn't want to stay small. And then the trusting of people. For someone who fiercely holds onto her independence, this was a big one for me in 2015. I learned to cultivate - more than ever - an inspiring group of people who expertly and carefully help me tend to all things in my business.

Before letting 2015 go, I want to answer a couple of questions that my dear friend Andrea Scher introduced me to many years ago (can't recommend this practice enough!).





1. What do you want to acknowledge yourself for in regard to 2015? (What did you create? What challenges did you face with courage and strength? What promises did you keep to yourself? What brave choices did you make? What are you proud of?)

I'm proud of all the allowances I gave myself. I drenched myself in permissions this year as a way of letting go of the many rules I've had for myself that don't really serve me. This was a big act of trust and it was good soul work for me. I'm proud of that. I'm also proud of the creative work I did on the canvas, in my classrooms as a teacher, and as the owner of a growing creative biz. I also made some brave choices around boundary work - always a difficult. The thing that I'll likely remember the most about 2015 is how it was the year of working on being and feeling settled. For the first time in probably 10 years, we didn't have any giant transition to work through. Instead, we settled in. Unpacked the final boxes from our move last year. Settled into not just a permanent home but a permanent studio as well. We rested, regrouped, and paced ourselves. It was amazing.

As for my biz, I'm particularly proud of the Spirit Wings painting ecourse I created. I loved writing it, filming it, spreading the word about it, and I especially love the result of all that hard work: a classroom of kindred spirits making meaningful paintings.

2. What is there to grieve about 2015? (What was disappointing? What was scary? What was hard? What can you forgive yourself for?)

I want to forgive myself for all the times I could have been more patient, and more trusting, for all the times I could have been more loving, and kind. I forgive myself for not following through on the many things I had hoped to dive into. There were many things that were disappointing on the creative biz front, but all small in the big scheme of things.

3. What else do you need to say about the year to declare it complete? The next step is to say out loud, "I declare 2015 complete!" How do you feel? If you don't feel quite right, there might be one more thing to say...

Thank you for being the year where I settled in a bit, where I caught up on my sleep, on my downtime, and let go of all the self-imposed rules that were not serving me. You were a good year. And I'm grateful.

Some highlights and lowlights include:




- I moved into a brand new studio space. It's big, bright, and housed in an old highschool. I love, love, love it. I especially love that we painted the floors teal. Full studio tour here.

- I quit caffeine AND sugar for a record amount of time.



- I delighted in the delight of heading to Disney Land with my family. Super fun. Definitely going to do that again.

- Struggled there for a bit and had a little pity party, and learned a big lesson…



- I continued The Wear Your Joy Project (#thewearyourjoyproject) personally and also launched a super successful 30 day ecourse. It was a hit, which made my heart happy.

- I shared my evening rituals/practices.



- Said goodbye to our lovely Bella dog. We had her almost 15 years - a rescue dog with many special needs. But we loved her dearly and were so sad to see her go.



- Launched many new exciting products via various partnerships with gift and stationery companies. This dream continues to unfold. So grateful!

- Also launched a new angel painting course called Spirit Wings. I continue to be blown away by the response!



- I joined the podcast revolution with my very own Possibilitarian Podcast! So love doing these.



- Visited a wishing tree with Andrea and True.

- Revisited my Art in Motion series. I forgot how much I love doing that!






- Had many many adventures with True who turned five this year and our little family. 
- Celebrated 16 years of togetherness with John.

- Let my inner child drive the bus…



- I turned 40 and hosted a huge bundle sale!!

- I chose joy and trusted my heart out.




- I traveled to the UK to take part in the Make Art That Sells event – wow wow wow.

- Released FULLY updated version of my popular ebook, Flying Lessons: The Whole Shabang!! This was a ton of work but super satisfying.



- LinkedIn came to my studio to interview me! You can check out the interview here!



- Continued to capture hearts out in the world, including this amazing one!



*Announced my latest collection, True® by Kelly Rae Roberts, celebrating true love, true connection, and true living!!



- Hosted my first original sale in many years…everything sold out in 17 minutes. Whaaaaaat?



*Welcomed Lulu Butter Butter Bean into my heart and life! She's an English Bulldog and we adore her. 



- I blogged many many room tours of our new house, including the following:
KitchenMaster BedroomLiving RoomDining RoomFamily FortTrue's room



- Travelled to an Arizona mind/body/soul retreat for a week of solitude. Best trip ever.



- Worked, strategized, and tended to all sorts of creative biz love with these two. So grateful for Nichole and Betsy who continue to help me steer the ship.




Thank you, 2015. I declare you complete!
Here's to 2016 and all that awaits! 
xo!