HeARTed: Autumn Edition

Posted on September 28, 2010 by K

{Totally in love with this rug by Thomas Paul.}

It would be a beautiful addition to my bedroom. :)

{Music by Little & Ashley}

They’re on my fall playlist. So lovely! What’s on yours?

Caramel lattes (made with soy or rice milk) Yum! Might I also recommend the Pumpkin Spice and Toffee lattes @ Starbucks? Double Yum. :)

{Elsie’s Photojournals e-course}

I’m having so much fun gathering supplies to make a few mini-albums inspired by the ideas in Elsie’s Photojournals e-course. I envision many cozy fall nights ahead (with mugs of hot apple cider to fuel the creative process!). :)

{photo credit: K is for Calligraphy}

I’ve been charmed by calligraphy lately, and as mentioned in my 27 Things List, I’d love to sign up for a class!

What’s inspiring you lately?

Happy Autumn,

Becoming More Me

Posted on September 26, 2010 by K

This has been on my heart recently (from my Jesus Calling devotional):

Find fulfillment through living close to Me, yielding to My purposes for you. Though I may lead you along paths that feel alien to you, trust that I know what I am doing. If you follow me wholeheartedly, you will discover facets of yourself that were previously hidden. I know you intimately—far better than you know yourself. In union with Me, you are complete. In closeness to Me, you are transformed more and more into the one I designed you to be.

It reminded me of a C.S. Lewis quote I really love:

The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become …

During the last few years, I’ve watched Him develop my interests and passions, and shape my heart, revealing bit by bit the woman He created me to be. So far, it’s been an incredible adventure — and it’s a journey I look forward to continuing.

Vintage-inspired Fridays: Headbands

Posted on September 24, 2010 by K

Lately, I’ve been swooning over pretty vintage-inspired headbands…

{photo credit: Love, Taza}

{photo credit}

Lovely, right? Be back soon with a HeARTed: Autumn Edition blog. :)

P.S. Just for fun, here’s a pic of one the new headbands I got at Renegade!

Happy Friday!

Another Little List

Posted on September 22, 2010 by K

Because my 27th birthday is quickly approaching, I decided to create a “27 things to do before I turn 28″ list (inspired by my friend Carmen’s list).

So, without further ado …

{ 27 Things }

1. Make more art, and sell my artwork + photography at a local craft show.
2. Join a small group and begin cultivating Biblical community in this new life season.
3. Cultivate a stronger prayer life.
4. Make this pumpkin soup that I never got around to making last fall.
5. Explore my city. Find a favorite coffee shop, used bookstore, etc.
6. Visit new flea markets, thrift stores, and antique shops (especially those located in my city. (See #5).
7. Go to more live music shows.
8. Complete The Sketchbook Project.
9. Begin reading my One Year Bible again.
10. Buy a new ribbon for my typewriter. Type lots of pretty words.
11. Wear purple tights.
12. Sort/organize my desk & craft supplies.
13. Attend an art or writing workshop like this one.
14. Set up an Etsy shop.
15. Serve my community.
16. Take weekend trips to see out-of-town friends.
17. Do more creative writing.
18. Invest in a new computer/creative software.
19. Visit a local pumpkin farm. (Buy pumpkins and apple cider.)
20. Start an actual work-out plan.
21. Experiment with typography: Take a letterpress class and/or calligraphy class. Invest in some pretty new fonts.
22. Start a monthly crafting night with a few girlfriends (also inspired by Carmen). Thanks, Carmen! :)
23. Learn how to use Photoshop Illustrator to create/enhance artwork.
24. Read Kate Morton’s new novel The Distant Hours.
25. Go to the beach!
26. Invest in a new camera.
27. Take piano lessons again (it’s been years and years since I’ve touched a keyboard, but I’d love to start playing again!)

So, there you have it. Twenty-seven things I’d love to do in the next year or so.

What are some of your current goals/dreams? :)

A date with autumn

Posted on September 18, 2010 by K

I spent the afternoon on my first proper date of the season with autumn. A few books, my creative daydreaming journal, and a pumpkin spice latte made for a lovely afternoon.

There’s a little gazebo in the center of the park, and I sat inside for a bit reading and scribbling things in my journal. Twinkly lights are strung all along the top of the gazebo, but when I’ve driven past the park in the evenings, I’ve never seen them on. I think it would be quite magical to spend a cool fall evening here with thermoses of hot apple cider, enjoying the sight of warm light from the gazebo and the strands of twinkly lights.

While scribbling in my journal, I decided to make a list of creative daydreams for the season. I’m thinking about signing up to participate in this e-course, for example. I’m also preparing to apply for a local craft show and dreaming up ideas for The Sketchbook Project.

{ Dear autumn, thank you for a lovely afternoon. You will always be my favorite. Love, K }

Vintage-inspired Fridays* Dressforms

Posted on September 17, 2010 by K

One of things on my current “Treasure Hunting List” is a vintage dressform. I’d place it in a corner of my bedroom, and dress it up in pretty scarves, necklaces, and vintage brooches.

Photo Credit

Photo credit

Seen at Oh! Joy

And speaking of fashion and pretty accessories, I’d love to have a closet that looks like this. {Happy sigh.}

It’s Friday! Hope yours is i n s p i r e d. :)

Crafty Goodness: Renegade Chicago

Posted on September 14, 2010 by K

Hello, hello. I’m sorry I’ve been absent the last few days, but I went on a fun weekend getaway to Chicago for the Renegade Craft Fair! :-) OH MY—tons of wonderful crafty goodness (more than 300 crafty vendors)!

Weekend highlights included: a hotel-room sushi party, the most amazing breakfast at Stax Cafe, meeting the talented Elsie Flannigan of Red Velvet Art, and a weekend filled with lots of inspiring art to see and purchase, of course!

My breakfast: Oatmeal Apple Cinnamon Waffles

Dressing up for the show was a lot of fun. :)

This cute photo of Elsie’s booth is from her blog. Couldn’t resist sharing the cuteness, since I didn’t get a pic of the entire booth. :)

I came home with some lovely handmade items, including two pretty headbands and a fabric button ring.

And after so much inspiration, I’m excited to pull out my craft supplies and make some pretty handmade things myself this weekend. Yay!

Can’t wait until next year! :)

New Feature: HeARTed

Posted on September 7, 2010 by K

Hello, all! Back to share another new blog feature: HeARTed. Art of all kinds inspires me, and this new feature will be the perfect place for me to share everything I currently heart. :) HeARTed features will include visual art, writing, music, etc.— anything that’s inspiring me. I also hope to include artist Q&As occasionally, too.

First HeARTed feature: Nan Lawson

I absolutely adore this little autumn girl pen-and-ink drawing. If I could be a drawing, this is the one I would choose! :)

A bookish print—what’s not to love? :) Speaking of reading, what’s on your fall reading list? I need to compile one, and I’d love to hear what you’re looking forward to reading as the days get shorter and the air gets chillier!

No comment necessary for this one. :)

Nan also does custom work of couples/families/their pets, and they are quite charming, too. Wouldn’t that be a sweet wedding or anniversary gift for someone??

Visit her Etsy site, here, to see more of her artwork. You can stop by her website, here. Enjoy!

See you again here soon,