Kelly Rae Roberts's Blog, page 74

recent gratitude

- for the rare morning when True sleeps past 6am
- for all of my mom's help and Greggie's endless play with True + Bella
- for the way John takes care of us
- for new websites and loving it so.
- for long hot, hot baths in the middle of the night when everyone else is sleeping
- for old friends forgiving my carelessness
- for almost zero travel plans for the rest of the year
- for my new love of loose tea made french press style
- for being witness to other people standing in the center of their gifts and serving those gifts up to the world for our taking, our nourishment, our inspiration, our transformation. There is nothing more inspiring or moving to me than being witness to another who has found their truth, is living that truth, and offering it up for another in the spirit of serving, inspiring, changing peoples lives. This is exactly how I felt while at her concert recently - in total awe of her talent and her offerings and so honored to have been transformed by her music, her gift.

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Come join us for a life changing, business growing, joy jumping experience! It all starts 8/7/11. Don't miss it! This will be the ONLY time I offer this popular ecourse this year...see you there!

first words are "mama" and "light"

My mom and I are heading to the Brandi Carlile concert tonite - it's outside, at one of the lovely zoo concerts here in Portland. John surprised us with tickets last week which made my heart melt. He's always doing stuff like that. Today he kicked all of us out of the house to go shopping so that he could clean the house. I know, right?
My parents, who recently moved to Portland from FL (we are so lucky!), are living with us until they find a house. We've all settled into a summer routine of enjoying the amazing NW weather (it's finally summer around here!), and doing fun things with True. It's so hard to believe that last summer I was pregnant and this summer we have a 10 month old who is ON THE MOVE.
True is saying a couple of words, mainly "mama" and "light" - those two things over and over and over. I love having my parents here and having them be a part of his routines and his everyday life - feeling really blessed.
 (had to share this with you - cutest little baby birds in their nest - found in manzanita, oregon) John and I went for our first date night in 10 months (since babe was born) a couple of days ago - sooo fantastic. We had pasta, then out for dessert, then a drive, then a walk. We savored every moment. The truth is is that we are so busy over here with life and business and family and work. I'm starting to wonder how anyone has time to do anything, and we have just one kid! Yesterday I had an hour or so to sit on the back deck and flip through a HUGE stack of magazines that have been piled up for months. It felt like heaven, that little break from work, responsibilities, obligations.

Life feels full over here...trying to hang on and go for the ride while savoring all the moments so that I don't miss the  sweetness of  it all.

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Come join us for a life changing, business growing, joy jumping experience! It all starts 8/7/11. Don't miss it! This will be the ONLY time I offer this popular ecourse this year...see you there!

Sponsor Spotlights: Unravelling e-course, Experimental Art e-course, Lisa Ferrante + Louise Gale

BIG thanks to my sponsors!  I'm really enjoying these weekly sponsor spotlights where their creative talents and businesses are featured.  If you are interested in becoming a sponsor (includes your ad on the sidebar + ongoing spotlights), please send me an email for further information!
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The Unravelling e-course is an 8-week online class designed to help you heal the way you see your self and your world, using photography and journalling to access hidden thoughts & dreams and encourage personal realisations, all in the safe space of a like-minded community.

Photographer & writer Susannah Conway is your guide through this process, sharing her insights and wisdom gleaned from a four-year voyage through grief and healing. You don't need any previous photography experience to do this course - all you need is a camera (iPhones are perfect for unravelling!), a journal & pen and an open heart.

Registration for the autumn Unravelling: Ways of Seeing My Self class opens on Saturday August 20th (class starts September 26th) — you can see what past participants have said about their Unravelling journeys over here (there are videos too :)

Give yourself permission to take a couple of hours out of your week to devote solely to YOU; this isn't self-indulgence, this is nurturing, nourishing soul time - come join us for some autumn unravelling!

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The Autumn 2011 experimental art e-course starts on Monday 12th September. Dates & enrollment have not gone public yet, but as a Kelly Rae reader you can get an early bird guaranteed spot here. As an online group we delve in to; painting, collage, photography, paper-sculpting and more. Techniques and prompts are designed for new artists and those artists who need fresh inspiration. Discover your passion, share ideas, and be in for a chance to win a free art book (on every course!) I share pdf, and web resources, and link to a wide range of artists. Access many tips and strategies for making unique art. As a trained tutor and artist working in the UK, I give feedback on creations you share on the course. The world is our art oyster, so to start creating your individual and wonderful art ideas: enroll here, see what previous participants have said here and see links to my art and blog. I look forward to seeing you on board if you decide to join us :) Amelia.

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My name is Lisa Ferrante and I am a self taught mixed media artist. All my pieces are about love, maternal love, romantic love, self love and self empowerment. They are me exposed; each purges a powerful emotion, a profound realization, another step in my evolution as a woman. A customer recently wrote: "Lisa, your package brought me, my sister and my daughter to tears. Your generosity of spirit and kindness on top of the sheer beauty of the pieces filled us to overflowing with gratitude, love for art, artists and life! We all felt so aware that what we were celebrating was the supportive relationships between women and the amazing effects we can have on our worlds".

Kelly Rae readers receive a free gift with purchase just write in "message to seller" Kelly Rae sent me! Browse my shop at chloeandsofiasmom.etsy.com for beautiful and inspirational prints and reproductions pieces for you and every woman you love. Or check out my blog at LisaFerrante.com And please c
heck out the July/August issue of Somerset Studio Magazine to find out more about my life and art!*****************************


Looking for some inspiration?
Do you believe in the universe? serendipity and synchronicity?Louise Gale is offering this FREE e-book from the "Stories from the Universe" seriesSign up here.Hi everyone, I'm Louise Gale - Artist and Creative Living Energy Coach from "Dream-Inspire-Create"
I strongly believe that the universe sends us little messages constantly. For many years I didn't really listen until the summer of 2009. May 2011 saw my first year anniversary of being outof the corporate world and the launch of my new website.
To celebrate, I asked 11 amazing women who had inspired me on my journey so far to guest post, telling a story of Synchronicity, Serendipity andfollowing their Intuition. Thank you to all the inspiring souls who are part of this series and to my creative community who have supported and grown with me.
Please pop over to sign up to my list to get your e-book of 37 pages of stories, images and lovely inspiration.
Thank you Kelly Rae for also being part of this inspiring series.

new website!

So excited to show you the new and improved version of my website! Many thanks to Leah of LeahCreates who helped with the redo (she also did my new online shop awhile back!)! I love love the new homepage!!


We also updated all of the interior pages, changed out all of the photos, and added a few new pages (like the licensing page, the resources page, and more!). Although I still have a bit more updating to do (including credits to photographers, etc), it's mostly done and I'm loving the new look! We're tackling a blog redo next - coming soon. 

Embrace Change, available here. In other news, I've been making art and I think I need to make art every single day. I just love it. Time stands still, I pause for freedom, for stillness, for inspiration and my heart breathes its fullness into the work - a welcomed and needed release of love, of creative energy, of a life unfolding.
I am so lucky to do what I do. Thank you, universe, for making it so.
I feel like I have so much to tell you: about recent travels, about seeing girlfriends, about my parents living with us at the moment, about baby True babbling and almost walking and sleeping longer in the mornings now that we've discovered the wisdom of darker curtains, and so much more. Stick with me....more coming soon.
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Come join us for a life changing, business growing, joy jumping experience! It all starts 8/7/11. Don't miss it! This will be the ONLY time I offer this popular ecourse this year...see you there!

found

Found, available here.
Found. At home. Safe. Cozy in the nest of our souls where we can love and where we can allow ourselves to be loved.  Found. At peace. Connected to center, to the things that really matter so we can inspire and be inspired. Found as in grounded in, loved in, firmly rooted in kindness, in flow, in spirit.

Ever since reading her book, I've been incredibly inspired by the word found. It's everywhere to me and describes exactly how I'm feeling but in an incomplete sort of way. My journey into creativity and now into motherhood has gifted me with the profound experience of what it feels like to belong first to your dreams, what calls you, what supports you and then to your community as it circles around you. There is something really tender and beautiful about that sense of belonging, to yourself and to your community. If it's authentic, if its genuine, especially if it starts with our belonging first to what is possible for our lives, then there is a peace that arrives. And I suppose that's where the sense of being found comes from - even with all the chaos, the upendedness of this life, the messiness - there is feeling found, and simply resting inside the coziness of being found.
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Come join us for a life changing, business growing, joy jumping experience! It all starts 8/7/11. Don't miss it! This will be the ONLY time I offer this popular ecourse this year...see you there!

more praise for Flying Lessons Ecourse

You guys. The response has been incredible to the upcoming ecourse - totally loving your excitement about it! I'm reminded of how I felt about the ecourse during its run last year and I just know in my bones it will be just as special.  Thank you, also, for spreading the word on your blogs/twitter/facebooks - this is HUGELY helpful and I so appreciate it.

I wanted to share some more praise for the e-course with you. I want you to hear its essence, its voice, because I believe in it, and I know it to be life changing (for me and for you!)

"I cannot believe how much you have covered, the depth and quality of each lesson, and how many 'tools' I now have to enable me to soar! Thank you so much Kelly for your generosity, for gifting us with your wisdom."
"This information is SO, SO helpful. I feel like I'm reading a letter from my biggest fan / supporter / friend / mentor – I can't thank you enough."
"I've taken many workshops and without a doubt your content has far surpassed any of them in terms of you giving us your heart and practical information to use. I've been a photographer while holding down a part-time job for awhile and just haven't had the guts (fear?) to take it to the next level. This content has helped me realize "What am I waiting for?" I've got a logo concept going, next is a website redesign and finally to get a blog going. I now know I can do it to. I feel ready. Thank you!"
"You've covered topics that I have long wondered about, but didn't know how to do or where to go for answers. Thank you for your generosity in sharing."
"I never dreamed that tips on hot to grow my creative business would be so deeply touching and awaken inspiration that I never knew was asleep."
"This content has helped me with so many things, from mental clarity, to organizational skills, to technical details to reconnection with my spiritual path and growth… This was worth SO much more than what I paid in terms of the growth it inspired in me."
"Flying Lessons was fantastic. You went above and beyond. I have taken many classes/workshops but not one of them could even come close to the information/content you shared."
"I am in possibility heaven!"
"The content totally exploded my mind and continues to push me into all new places…Kelly is generous beyond belief. I wish I'd "met" Kelly when I was a fledgling business woman and yet there were still volumes to learn from her rich content. What I have learned is helping me to prioritize my creative business and stay true to my creative spirit."

Sponsor Spotlights: Word Cellar, Jenny Shih, Gussy Sews, Gwynnie B + Sacred Cake

Big thanks to my sponsors...I'm really enjoying these weekly sponsor spotlights where their creative talents and businesses are featured. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor (includes your ad on the sidebar + ongoing spotlights), please send me an email for further information!

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Calling all writers and "wish-to-be" writers to The Word Cellar. Would you like gentle, useful feedback on your writing? What about personalized creative coaching? Let me (Jenna McGuiggan) be a supportive and honest guide along your writing journey. Here's how it works: You'll email me your work, I'll review it and then send you written comments on what's working, what could be improved, and suggestions on how to move forward. As your writing coach, I'll help you to follow your dreams and find creative clarity by asking questions, listening, and recommending books, resources, and creative practices. We'll meet via phone or Skype and can discuss anything related to writing or creativity. I'll serve as your sounding board, cheerleader, nurturer, and brainstorming partner. Whether you need one session or ongoing monthly support, let me know how I can help – and I'll design a custom package just for you and your writing wishes. Learn more or contact me.

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Are you a creative person with a big
idea you want to make happen?
Are you driven to make a difference in the world with your ideas?
Do you struggle to make your ideas actually happen?I want to help you, so please join me
for a FREE teleseminar:
11 Things You Must Know Before You Can Make Your Ideas
Actually HappenHi, I'm Jenny Shih. I work with right-brained, solo entrepreneurs who have world-changing ideas that they need to get out into the world. My clients come to me spinning, stagnant, or confused about their business. There's lots going on in their head but not much is actually happening. They're looking to get moving on their ideas and make things happen in their business. They want to get clear, set a strategy, and know that they can do great things in their business. We plan, we scheme, and we make stuff happen. Then, the magic starts to happen...
Nothing should stop you if you want to change the world.Join me for this FREE call and learn how to make your ideas actually happen. Register here.

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Helloooo! My name is Gussy, and I sew ruffles and share my adventures of having a handmade biz on my blog. I live in Minneapolis with my husband Zack and puppy Bauer. I had never dreamt of being a small biz/indie biz owner, but clearly this is my passion. I love that I'm able to share my story of learning how to sew (which includes our story of unemployment), my story of an indie biz owner, and YOUR story of handmade goodness. Supporting other handmade shop owners is a true delight :]
Inside my shop you'll find colorful, ruffled accessories: tote, laptop and market tote bags, zipped pouches, make-up bags, wristlets, headbands -- even eReader cases. Visit my shop and check out or girlie, sassy products! xoxo
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Happy Summer Solstice! And with the new season comes new pretties at the Gwynnie B Studio. Handcrafted pewter gifts and whimsical plaster bowls have been making their debut with flying colors!! Each pewter piece was sculpted by me and then cast in lead-free pewter with a gorgeous luster finish. The bowls are too cute and will happily hold all of your fabulous treasures and groovy little trinkets! Please stop by my shop to check things out and please be sure to also stop by my Beautiful heART blog for studio musings and all things pretty.***************
Creating meaningful vintage assemblage jewelry with heirloom quality and a unique French flair is what my work is all about. I often use antique rosaries and religious medallions, mid-century French rhinestones, lacy filigree, lovely vintage glass beads and authentic Art Nouveau elements. I love to create custom work if you have a particular color in mind for your wedding or special occasion jewelry. You may have seen me recently in Jewelry Affaire, Somerset Life, Artful Blogging or Bel Armoire Jewelry magazines where I've shared articles, projects and tips. Look for my projects and articles in the upcoming issues of Somerset Home and Jewelry Affaire!
All Kelly Rae readers will receive free shipping and a special gift (I promise you won't be disappointed)! Visit my etsy shop and enter the code "JuneFree" at checkout to receive your discount and your gift. Please visit my blog for more simple projects, stories and inspiration. Merci!

savor vs dream

 
A few weeks ago I was talking to a friend about dreaming - how to manifest our dreams, how to create them, how to inspire the big ones, and what our current dreams were for our lives. Secretly, during our conversation,  I wondered if it would be ok to stop dreaming for awhile, to take a break - I didn't really have any current BIG dreams for my life. Besides, I was starting to worry that chasing one dream after the next takes a lot of energy, both spiritually and physically. And then she said it: Kelly, you are living a big wide open dream of yours right now. It's okay to stay right where you are, savoring it. There are times to dream and times to savor.
I haven't stopped thinking of it since.  I'm learning this really important piece - that sometimes we get caught up in creating new dreams for ourselves, or thinking that we should be dreaming, that we forget that it's perfectly okay to savor the ones that are currently living and breathing in our lives today without even the thought of the next dream, the next path. So simple, yet so true. I wanted to pass on this wisdom because there is so much power in simply resting inside our lives and dreams as they are today - to really savor every second. There are times to dream, and times to savor. 

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the previously sold out candles, travel mugs, and magnet boards are back in stock. just for you!

around here lately.....

Around here, lately, it's been warm (finally!) which means the windows are open and chub chub arms and legs are exposed and soooo cute! True is super into his bouncer. And I love how happy Bella looks in this photo with her airplane ears. John had just finished busting a move (dancing) and Bella and True looked on with whattheheckareyoudoing glee.


We've been dining outside a lot and I've been indulging in cocktails and coke - two of my fave beverages. 


Dani made me my first ever cake pops! How did I not know these were all the rage and oh so YUM?


I have been working. Hard. Working on new ideas, getting ready for the ecourse, new art, new collaborations, new website updates, and more - all notes are written in my trusty idea folder with little tabs galore.


We've been scooping up the peonies that are growing in our yard! It feels like a dream to have actual flowers in our yard that we can pick and bring indoors. Love.

 Speaking of yard, we've been planting flowers, placing rocks, growing grass, moving mulch, planting trees, and so much more. Our yard needs a ton of help as it was neglected for so long (run over by weeds) before we bought this house. It's coming together! One of my favorite things to do is sit on our porch in the evenings, after True is asleep, and share a drink with John and watch the world go by. Ahhhhh. Life feels full, overflowing, chaotic, beautiful. I can't remember the last time I watched tv or played words with friends or sat down to read a book or magazine. The pace is strong and fast but I'm capturing it  - the moments, big and small - in my heart and in my spirit. And perhaps out of sheer defiance and a hope that the time will come soon, I bought a book by an author that makes me ache with her honest and tender words. If you haven't read her first book, it's an absolute must.

happy

totally in love with this photo of true and his lovies. i was at the beach for a couple of days but when true saw me for the first time, he clobbered me with kisses and my heart melted right there on the side of the road.

i am currently obsessed with instagram. are you on it? the above photo is an instagram and i'm happily going about my days capturing a large amt of moments like this with my iphone + instagram app. happy, happy.

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ps: you guys. sign ups for the e-course are getting me so excited. are you in? it will knock your socks off. promise.
xo,
kelly rae