Kelly Rae Roberts's Blog, page 69

autumn happiness is....

[image error]  cozying up with my daily tea....and new arm warmers (fleece lined!) from the sundance catalog. enjoying my very first loose tea teapot. i put a call out on twitter for a recommendation and beehouse was the overwhelming response. so, i made the order and boy do i love it.
heading out for very early morning power walks with baby. i'm rededicating myself to exercise. really want to be around in physical body as long as possible so i can see this little spirit grow and shine for as long as possible.
finding meaning, inspiration, and words of hope everywhere. these were found at the local whole foods bakery.
[image error] making art that is so centered to where i'm at these days, or at least to where i'm aiming to be. i'm feeling quiet, strong, and staying very close to my core perimeter of family and friends. i'm craving simple, simple these days without too much activity. [image error] finding more poetry posts and stopping to read the poetry all over my neighborhood. i am feeling quite inspired to build a poetry post for our front yard...love. [image error] going to bed early, like really early (8:30-9:00) and cozying in with a book or magazine. this is a new practice for me. i love the downtime, the solitude, the inspiration.
[image error] and finally, autumn happiness is witnessing baby True become toddler True with all of his walking, and happy running, and busy bee sounds, and cuteness overload.

Sponsor Spotlight: Word Cellar, Gwynnie B Designs + Experimental Art e-course

I like to think of my sponsorship program as a way of playing matchmaker. These weekly sponsor spotlight posts allow me to do just that - play matchmaker between you and some really amazing people who are providing unique and well crafted offerings. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor (includes your ad on the sidebar + ongoing spotlights), please send me an email at kellyraeroberts@gmail.com for further information!

Now accepting new sponsorship reservations for the holiday season (Nov+Dec).
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Need a little writing nudge this November? Join me (Jenna McGuiggan of The Word Cellar) for Alchemy Daily, 30 days of writing prompts and inspiration. Each day you'll receive a bite-sized dose of tasty creative juju in your email. The prompts will be your jumping-off point, an invitation to write a few words, a few sentences, or even a few pages. No rules, just pure writing magic. (It's also the perfect companion or alternative to NaBloPoMo or NaNoWriMo!) This is about giving yourself the freedom and permission to write. We'll get your creative juices flowing and help you to overcome what holds you back in your writing life. The next session of Alchemy Daily runs November 1-30. For just $45 you receive the following:
* daily writing prompts * nuggets of inspiration * a private community forum * an e-booklet of all the prompts *
Alchemy Daily is for anyone who wants to write, whether you're new to the world of words or a longtime acquaintance of the page. See what past Alchemists say and register here.
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It's almost Halloween and here at the Gwynnie B Designs studio the critters are getting ready for some spooky fun! Lucy will be a dancer in her pink tutu with rhinestones, Louie will just be grouchy (he's old so that's the best he could do), Bleu Kitty will be invisible by shedding white fur on all my black clothes, and Fatso Skinny will collect stickers in his fluffy tail to bring inside for a scary mess.

Besides all of the Halloween fun going on over here I'm busy getting things ready for the holiday season with lots of pretties that are perfect for gifts, or just because. There are new pewter bowls, adorable boxes, plaster books, key chains, and lots of sparkly jewels to chose from in both my shop and my Etsy shop. And be sure to check out my Beautiful heART blog for studio musings and all things pretty, and spooky, of course.

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Welcoming the new OPEN ACCESS experimental arte-course. As I launch in to year 2 of my art MA I'm offering you the chance to study a wide and inspirational set of art projects too for the next year (instead of 6 weeks). Enroll once and get access to the new site and the whole course to work on at your leisure until October 1st 2012. There's great new links and resources including strategies I've used for the business side of being an artist, including a discount on my brand new e-book: HOW TO MAKE MONEY TO DO WHAT YOU LOVE. Roll up your sleeves and delve in to art and creativity with an online group until October 1st 2012 (sign up ANY time from now!) doing paper sports, collage, painting, drawing, photography and so much more. See what others have said about it here and visit my blog and website. Remember there's an early bird offer on now until November 1st (when Open Access starts). Come join the party and lets art together! Amelia.x

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Big thanks to my sponsors! It takes a lot of courage to create a business from dreams, and I'm honored to highlight their bravery + and their offerings. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor (includes your ad on the sidebar + ongoing spotlights), please send me an email at kellyraeroberts@gmail.com for further information!

A few things I've seen lately that have caught my attention

I was at my favorite Portland antique store recently and spotted this clever display from one of the vendors -  totally want to do something like this as a fun, creative headboard. Working on it....


Was at my favorite Portland nursery and spotted this clever garden display. How cool is that? LOVE Love! If only we had a large yard....

While at the nursery, I spotted this sweet little boy with his new animal hat.
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Messages are everywhere. This one was found in the wall art section of Home Goods.


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I believe when we see these messages, they're speaking to us. We just have to notice. This one caught my attention in a random magazine. Shine, shine, shine...


And this one was spotted in another antique market - love it! I took its message and thought to myself "Why thanks so much! Very kind of you to say so, dear table!"

What messages and delights have you been discovering lately? Isn't the hunt fun?
XO,
Kelly Rae



ps: We're giving away serious goodies to anyone who places an order of $75 or more in the online shop this holiday season! We're giving away brand new fabric totes (large + small), journals, new magnet sets, shopping bags, and so much more. Only while supplies last...xo! Thanks so much for all of your orders lately - we're busy little elves already!

new office nook + fly fishing!

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I created a little satellite office for myself up in a small nook in our attic master bedroom. I still mainly work in my closet office, but I like to chase the sun when I'm working, moving here and there from one little space to the next. This desk came from my childhood. I remember it well and now it's in my home - love the history.

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Hello Courage - a good reminder to me to stay connected + open when I work. Still loving the diy lampshade my mom fashioned. The hello courage wall piece is part of my home decor collection with creative co-op! This is turning out to be a great space to sit by the window and write or catch up on some reading.

[image error] There is something about having our own cozy spaces, however small, that feel like forts - like the forts we used to build ourselves when we were kids. We all need those nooks that are ours for play, rest, and imagination. The magnetic shelf wall piece is also from my home decor line. I can't tell you what a treat it is to actually use pieces from my line in my house! Seems unreal and I wonder if it'll ever sink in.

In other news, if you're a newsletter subscriber, you may have noticed our twice weekly short + sweet notes in your inbox. We're trying something new this holiday season to keep you guys in the loop on all the new products we've been getting for the shop (hard to keep up, so much goodness!). Inspired by the twice weekly newsletters I get from Garnet Hill (new fave shopping experience --> great sales and their pima cotton dresses are amazingly soft and wash very well), we're trying it out ourselves. So be sure to sign up if you want to stay in the loop - there may just be a secret sale coming up just for you!

PS: Did I tell you John took True and I fly fishing? I caught a tiny little fish and then let him go.

some evidence of piddling

Teetering on the edge of burnout, my instincts are telling me to stop everything I'm doing and build in space and time for piddling around the house. I love piddling. I find it extremely relaxing, creative, and energizing. I love rearranging furniture, creating little functional spaces here and there, making wish lists of what each room needs (a candle? a photo frame? a rug?) to make it more cozy, getting out the candles, the vases, and eating my mom's extremely yummy chocolate chip banana bread while doing all of the above.


Tulips inside, autumn on the outside - a view from the kitchen sink.


Totally rearranged the living room. While I was at it, I put this large photo of baby True up in the front window - love that sweet face! Psst, if you like that frame, here's one just like it :)


Those giant dahlias came from our front yard and that giant vase came from my new fave store (home goods). Notice the plate wall, friends. It's in progress and it's fair to say I'm obsessed with plates at the moment. And fresh flowers. And candles. And soup. Hello, autumn!

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One of the perks of licensing is that you get free samples. Imagine my happy dance when the large wall piece you see above (huge, really) arrived at my house - a sample from my home decor line! It's a large magnetic wall piece that doubles as a shelf. Totally pefect above John's little desk area in our kitchen. Notice the sunlight. It's the best part.

Sponsor Spotlights: Mondo Beyondo Dream Lab, Katherine Quinn, Lindy Gruger Hanson, NatoBotto Art + Beth Nadler

I like to think of my sponsorship program as a way of playing matchmaker. These weekly sponsor spotlight posts allow me to do just that - play matchmaker between you and some really amazing people who are providing unique and well crafted offerings. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor (includes your ad on the sidebar + ongoing spotlights), please send me an email at kellyraeroberts@gmail.com for further information!
Now accepting new sponsorship reservations for the holiday season (Nov+Dec).

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There is still time to enroll in the Mondo Beyondo Dream Lab e-course!If you are searching for more courage, wanting to experience more gratitude and/or are longing for your tribe, this course is for you!
There is still room for you to join us!
Courage: What if you knew you could be brave, right here, right now? Learn about where courage comes from and how you can access it,especially when you're feeling apprehensive about what's next.

Gratitude: What if you knew deep down you already have everything you need?
Examine how cultivating an awareness of your present day resources helps sharpen your vision for the future and deepen your capacity to experience joy right now.

Tribe: What if you didn't have to do it alone?
Play with the possibility that you can besurrounded by the support and companionship you need when you need it the most.Simple stories of connection and love help you see ways you can expand yourcircle and let the love around you in.

Register today w/ the coupon code "BRAVE11" and get a 20% discount.

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My name is Katherine Quinn and I am the New Zealand artist behind Sleep And Her Sisters. I sell my original works to 9 galleries around New Zealand and have three online shops where I also sell originals, prints and other goodies. I live with my two children, 18 year old Hannah, 6 year old Ben and our 11 year old cat... Holly. I work from my kitchen table at our home in the sunny Hawke's Bay where I love to create with paint, chalk pastels, graphite, paper and also dabble in making a little bit of jewellery. At the moment I am working on a project to create 7 sisters... characters that I hope will one day feature in a book. I also love to collect things. My favourite colour is a soft, pale, antique sort of blue.

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[image error] Greetings, My name is Lindy Gruger Hanson and I'm a peace loving and joyful hearted artist living in the high desert of Central Oregon. My paintings are a way to express my inner vision in what I call my symbolic language. I love color. I love texture. I like to take shapes, lines, textures and colors to create a world from the imagination. Worlds of playfulness and energy connecting each of us to each other. I hope my art can lift your spirit! I have colorful prints for sale in my Etsy Shop and I invite you to see my original paintings for sale on my website. For all Kelly Rae readers, please use discount code kellyrae2011 to receive a 10% discount in my Etsy Shop, good through Nov. 31st. And I hope you'll come by my blog and say hi.
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Nato Botto Art is "creations from the heart" by artist Natalie Kelsey. Her art inspires through whimsy, beauty, peace, faith, and tenacious optimism! With equal measure of kindness, patience, gratitude and creativity, she urges all of us to trust the process that leads to the joyful life we are each destined to create for ourselves. Above all, Natalie encourages all of us to nurture the artist within, and to trust that your heart is your compass, follow it!
Visit her etsy shop to find unique, playful, jewelry, accessories, and inspirational works of art--creations from the heart!! Be sure to mention that Kelly Rae sent you and receive a free gift with any purchase. Each item from Nato Botto Art is made purely from joy and arrives to you all packaged up snazzy and ready to give as a gift. For shop news, heart warming stories, and giggles please visit: http:/www.natobottoart.blogspot.comInspiration comes from the most peculiar places...What inspires you?
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Beth Nadler has been drawing and painting ever since she could remember. After having a wholesale business in the home décor industry for many years called, the MacBeth Collection, Beth decided to be brave and dive into her true passion and become a full-time artist and designer. Her work has appeared in many home and decorating magazines throughout the years and she's done custom design work for Dylan's CandyBar, Shabby Chic, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom's, and Free Spirit Fabric. Several of Beth's paintings can be seen on the new hit TV show, The Nin Lives of Chloe King. Beth has two on-line shops at http://BethNadler.Etsy.com and http://MyPinkPorch.etsy.com. She also has a blog: http://BethNadlerArt.blogspot.com where she shares her thoughts and images on life and the creative process. She would love for you to come and join her on her creative journey through life!

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Big thanks to my sponsors! It takes a lot of courage to create a business from dreams, and I'm honored to highlight their bravery + and their offerings. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor (includes your ad on the sidebar + ongoing spotlights), please send me an email at kellyraeroberts@gmail.com for further information!

poetry posts in portland

[image error] True and I were on a walk today and came across a poetry post in someone's front yard. These poetry posts are all over Portland, by the way. It's such an awesome concept. You can read/see more about them here, here and here. I so want one - someday.

Anyway, we happen upon these posts often and we always stop to read the poetry tucked inside the box. But this particular poetry post made me chuckle today and I had to share it with you:

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Pretty awesome, right? Portland, I love you for your poetry posts.


PS: I keep forgetting to tell you guys that we now have skins for the iphone 4G! You've been asking for them, and we're happy to offer them up! Check em out!

mistakes are plentiful!

I made a big error the other day. Like big, big. Like booking a trip during a week that I'm supposed to be somewhere else for work, somewhere where other people were depending on me to be there. The funny thing is is that I overbooked the first obligation with another commitment. I can't be three places at one time and I have no idea how this mistake even happened. Because, yes, I'm seriously detailed at keeping a calendar (or so I thought).

Since having True, it's one scheduling error after the next. I used to pride myself on being totally reliable, but now I'm missing appointments, forgetting carseats, losing my wallet, forgetting phone conferences, missing birthdays, losing important emails, and more. The silly part of all of this is that I don't even realize that I've made the mistake until well after it's already been made -I'm that oblivious.

A whole new world, being a mama. In an apology email I recently sent, I wrote, "I think it's time I change my tagline from artist/author/possibilitarian to flaky/overbooked/mistake making mama. Someone told me recently it doesn't get better, this new mama brain, but rather we just learn to cope with it better. I just feel bad for everyone else in my life who also has to learn to cope with my mistakes! Ah well, I'm learning not to sweat the small stuff.


So here's to coping! And here's to sweet little babies who laugh with mouths full of broccoli and make this flaky/overbooked/mistake making mama the happiest, proudest person on the planet. It's all so very worth it. It really really is.

ps: this new painting is for you. yes, you.
xo, kelly rae

join the revolution, and other upcoming ecourses i'm taking

Beth and I have been AMAZED at the response to Hello Soul, Hello Business. Thank you so much for embracing the idea that there really is another way - one which can result in more beauty, more profit, more genuine joy. We're on the 12 week countdown to Hello Soul, Hello Business' first e-course and we could not be more excited. Photo by the amazing Fancy Farmgirl, Tiffany Kirchner-DixonWe'd love for you to be a part of our growing community of other entrepreneurs - people just like you, just like me, just like those you admire. It's totally possible. We really do want to start a revolution. And we want you to be a part of it with our pioneering e-course called The Business Soul Sessions: Where Passion Meets Profit. 

Ps: For those of you who have already registered, we've made a button for your blogs and websites:

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*************************************** [image error] Speaking of classes, I'm excited about these two upcoming e-courses that I'm taking! First is Mati + Lisa's painting class. I took their first course and loved loved everything about it - the pacing, the information, the inspiration, the instruction, the videos, the community. I'm so glad they've teamed up to offer a part two - moving beyond the basics. Come join the fun - starts in just a couple of weeks!
 

The second course I've signed up for is The Art + Business of Surface Pattern Design. A class like this has been on my wish list FOR YEARS. And now I'm all giddy and excited for it to start. For any of you who are like me and want to learn how to create patterns for fabric, stationery, and products, come join me in the fun!

xo,
kelly rae

and just like that, baby True is 1.

Dear True,
A couple of weeks ago we celebrated your first birthday. It was an intimate gathering of family who came to celebrate the miracle of you, the sweetness of your first year. It was a lovely lovely weekend of celebrations and I just still can't believe how quickly your first year went. I read somewhere recently that having a baby is the longest, yet shortest time of a persons life. Oh how true that feels. You are a treasure like none other and we are just so proud and beyond words, beyond love, beyond joy to have you in our lives.

Here are a few photos that capture just a few of the moments of your birthday weekend that I want to be sure to remember.
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We made cupcakes for you, and we had great silly fun decorating them though we are certainly no experts as you can tell from the photo. Still, we had the #1 candle, an absolute must.


You've never had a cupcake before let alone sugar of any real quantity (incl chocolate) so we were all wondering what you'd think! It felt like a great mystery. Would you put your face in the cupcake like they show babies doing on America's Funniest Home Videos? Would you throw it on the ground and feed it to Bella dog (you love feeding her). Would you shake your head no like you do when you're not hungry or interested in food? So, as you can see, the family was ready with their iphones to capture the whole moment - your very own personal paparazzi. 

 
You very calmly looked at it, gently touched it with your finger, and looked at us like "what now, peeps?" I broke off a couple pieces for you, took a bite out off my cupcake and then you followed my lead.
  You were inquisitive.


And definitely into it.


The family spoiled you with presents including the push bike that auntie liz gave you and the cool handmade wheel board that grandpa made for you (you can see it in the background of the photo above). You are crazy about all things WHEELS so these two gifts delighted you to no end.


[image error] Gran Gran gave you a basketball hoop that you'll grow into, but in the meantime you love the small basketball and you're so good at rolling it to others. We just love you so much, True. We pretty much all sat around and adored you, watched you, played with you, and talked about you.

I love this photo of you and your papa, both with your blond hair and similar shirt colors.


Here you are with my parents. They recently moved all the way from Florida to Portland so that they could be close to you and watch you grow up. We are all so lucky for their adventurous spirits and big hearts and major courage to make such a move.

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And here you are with John and his family. Boy do they adore you. Your Gran Gran was here for a couple of weeks and the two of you played and played and played. She taught you many tricks during her visit (how to roll your arms and patty cake, how to kick the ball, how to blow kisses, and so much more) and we are sooooo glad she traveled far + wide to be here for your first birthday.


We are so lucky to have you in our lives, baby True. Thank you for changing everything. For helping us see what really matters, for making every morning feel like the best Christmas morning x1000 when we open the door to your room. Thank you for inspiring our hearts to stay wide open even with all the fear that comes with having so much to lose now. Thank you for sleeping 12+ hours every night, for being super social and friendly, for snuggling at nap + bed times, for your sweet babble sounds, motor sounds, animal sounds, for your kisses that you so freely give, and for saying the word "light" over and over and over again. That's what you are True. You are light. Pure, bright, and shiny.

Big love,
Mama K