Vintage Lettering Love

Lately, I can’t get enough of vintage lettering — especially chalk lettering. I’ve been collecting inspiration on Pinterest and can’t wait to get a copy of the book Scripts: Elegant Lettering From Design’s Golden Age.

I’ve got some plans to use vintage-inspired typography in some upcoming art and blog projects, and I look forward to sharing those here! :)

Aren’t these images inspiring? They make me want to grab my sketchbook and start playing with letterforms.

{ Drew Melton of yourjustlucky.com }

{ Molly Jacques of mollyjacquesillustration.blogspot.com }

{ Dana Tanamachi }

For more inspiration, check out this great article in the Wall Street Journal about chalk-lettering artist Dana Tanamachi. Her video interview below also is super inspiring!

Happy weekend!

And the story is happening.

(from my new Sabrina Ward Harrison art journal)

This afternoon, I’ve been turning those words over and over in my heart.

And here’s the thing, it really is.

Right now, your story is happening.

My story is happening.

And here’s my question to you: Are you REALLY living it? I mean REALLY living your story — with arms wide open.

Are you embracing, loving, giving thanks for the story God’s writing for you, right now, today?

Sometimes, I know I’m guilty of just getting through the days.

One foot in front of the other, go to work, come home, etc. etc. etc.

But when I think about the fact that my story is unique to me, full of intricate details orchestrated by the One who loves me more than I can fathom, I feel a tugging in my heart to pay attention more, to love the moments more fully and completely. To trust more. Surrender more. Risk more.

I’m in an interesting season of possibilities and transitions. And some days, it feels like I’m walking a fine line, teetering along the edge of who I am now and who I am becoming.

I don’t want to forget these in-between days.

Because right now, in this moment, I’m learning, becoming, being shaped…

…and the story is happening.

January Loves*

A little look at what’s been inspiring me this month:

An Orla Kiely teal coffee cup dress? Pretty sure this was MADE for me. ;)

(seen via givemebows.blogspot.com)

This Diana+ photo lens from Photojojo (seen via A Beautiful Mess) and the super dreamy photos it creates (images also from A Beautiful Mess)

The gorgeous photos with swoon-worthy hand lettering in one of Modcloth‘s recent style books.

This beautiful paper cut artwork from Stealing Hearts

(I’ve added this to my One Little Word inspiration board at Pinterest.)

What’s been inspiring you this month?

* * *

The sun is shining this morning, and I’m looking forward to coffee + community at my church, worship, and preparing my heart for the week ahead.

{k}

Hope & Happiness

Just a little something that’s been on my heart this week. ♥

Hope your Saturday is lovely.

{k}

Life Lately: In Photos

Lately, life looks like this: icy weather; keeping cozy; brunch dates; art journaling; cocoa + creativity; writing and brainstorming; dreaming of spring; and lots of creative inspiration + refreshment at a local arts gala event.

I’m thankful for these moments.

What have you been up to?

{k}

5 Ideas for Journal Keeping

I love to journal, and I do so in quite a few different ways. Each one plays a different role in my creative process and spiritual growth.

1. Visual journaling   I love art journaling, in addition to keeping a simple handwritten journal. I find that visual journaling challenges me to express my thoughts in a completely different way. It’s a great place for me to explore collage ideas, as well, and it’s the perfect place for me to take risks with my art without worrying too much about the end result.

2. Prayers and prayer lists   In my day-to-day journal, I keep prayer lists (which include notes here and there that I can refer back to when I’m praying throughout the week), as well as complete handwritten prayers, where I write everything that’s on my heart and share it with the Lord.

3. Gratitude lists/things I want to remember   In both my handwritten journals and art journals, I enjoy keeping lists of things I’m thankful for, things I’m currently loving, and memories I don’t want to forget.

4. Inspirational quotes, lyrics, & scripture   I enjoy collecting quotes, lyrics, and scripture selections that inspire and encourage me. I save these in both my handwritten journals and my art journals.

5. Creative brainstorm ideas   I have a journal that I use specifically for blog/art/and creative writing ideas. It’s tiny, so it’s perfect for tucking into my purse. I’ve also used this journal to take notes during inspiring church messages.

In the past, I’ve also kept journal lists of books to read/books I’ve read. I’ve gotten away from doing that, but it was a lot of fun during one season when I was doing a lot of reading and wanting to keep track of everything I was reading and how it impacted me.

I love paging through old journals and giving thanks for all the Lord has done. It’s such a great way for me to keep track of hopes and dreams, favorite memories, my growth, and both the beautiful and bittersweet parts of my journey.

If you don’t keep a journal, I recommend giving it a try. If you’re not a big writer, try keeping a visual journal and pasting in little snippets from your everyday life. If you already keep a journal, think about fresh ways you can record your thoughts and ideas, your hopes and dreams, your memories, and what inspires/encourages you.

Happy Monday & Happy Journal Keeping!

{k}

Cozy Little Details ~ Mini House Tour

Just for fun, I thought I’d show you all some of my favorite little details around my home. :)

I love vintage treasures like cameras, chalkboards, typewriters, and milkglass; pops of color; and lots of artwork. Do you have any decorating favorites?

Happy Sunday,

{k}

Beginnings

Lately, as the temperature drops, I’ve been enjoying my big, comfy robe, tea and cocoa, reading old journals, and creating new pages in my art journal.

My word for 2012 is forward, but there’s a bittersweet balance between remembering and looking forward.

When I first set up this blog, I wrote a little welcome post and said I wanted it to be a place where I could share the simple bits of life that inspire me on a daily basis, a place where I could share a little bit about what I experience as a 20-something writer, trying to find her place in the world. I said it was my hope that A Place to Dwell would be full of inspiration and possibility.

I’ve come a long way in the (almost) four years since I sat down and wrote that very first post. Setting up this blog was a new beginning for me during a season that was full of learning important lessons and growing in so many hard, but also beautiful, ways.

Life is full of little and big beginnings, and it’s meaningful to look back at where old beginnings brought us, in addition to looking forward with hope for the new beginnings that are yet to come.

xo,

{k}

Weekending: Art Journals & Other Crafty Things

Last night, I signed up for Elsie & Rachel’s Art Journal All Year E-Course. I bought a new art journal a few months ago, and as I wrote in my 28 Things list, I’m looking forward to art journaling on a more regular basis.

I love keeping a daily handwritten journal, but I love visual journaling, as well. It creates such a beautiful record of my life at different stages and seasons and helps me to see who I’ve been, who I am, and who I’m becoming, as different experiences shape me and my life. I’m also excited about having this art journal as a place to focus on My One Little Word.

I also started a new collage painting last night, inspired by this lovely painting I saw on Pinterest. I’m going to hang it in my hallway, as a daily gentle reminder to be still and know.

How are things with all of you? Are you pursuing any exciting dreams or projects this year?

{k}

P.S. I think Kate Nash might be my new favorite art making soundtrack. Definitely check out her station on Pandora when you have a chance! ;-)

Be open to whatever comes next.

{visit workisnotajob.com for more inspiring art}

Now that I’ve chosen my word for 2012, I’m having fun keeping an eye out for art, quotes, etc. that inspire and encourage me to look forward with hope. I’m finding that because it’s on my heart, I’m noticing so many things that speak to that idea.

There’s something really wonderful about choosing a word to focus on each year. Last year, I lost sight of focusing on my word a bit, and this year, I’m hoping to pay more attention and post more blogs that share how my word is shaping this season of life.

If you haven’t chosen a word yet, I encourage you to think about what you’d like to focus on in 2012. And if you decide to participate, definitely let me know what you end up choosing! :)

Happy Wednesday,

{k}