Craft Show Adventures: A Photo Story

Saturday’s craft show was in a funky old building that doubles as a music venue and cafe. It’s got a great atmosphere.

Sales weren’t amazing, but people really seemed to enjoy looking through our artwork and often commented about the bright, happy colors and uplifting words.

The truth is we both love making art so much that it really isn’t about the sales for us. We’d make paintings, even if we never did another craft show. ;) When it’s in your heart to create, you just can’t stop yourself, I guess.

It’s my prayer that the people who looked at and/or took home our artwork were blessed or inspired or encouraged in some small way.

Thanks for putting up with such a photo-heavy post. Just couldn’t narrow it down! ;)

Hope your weekend was lovely!

{k}

Giving Thanks

Inspired by Jessa Anderson’s Good Things series, I decided to start a similar series at A Place to Dwell.

Following God’s instruction to us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, I want to keep a regular running list of all the good things He blesses me with even (especially!) during the more difficult moments and seasons.

Jessa explains her series as such: It’s simply a collection of the things in my life that are worth celebrating (big or small), and I find that writing them out especially helps me to overcome my tendency to complain. Life does come with frustrations, but I find that when I look at the big picture, they are usually small things in comparison to all the blessings God has graciously given. Even during our lowest moments, counting our blessings can remind us of the joy we have been given in Christ Jesus!

I love the idea of posting what I’m thankful for as a regular blog series, since it’s something I’ve done on and off in my journaling the last five years. It truly is such a good way to remember the joy we have been given in Christ Jesus.

So, welcome to post number one in my Giving Thanks series. ;)

Right now, my heart is thankful for:

The discovery of a delightful new market to shop at that’s full of delicious and healthy foods; the amazing church I belong to and the way my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ partner with me in prayer, encourage, inspire, and help me to know Christ more fully and completely; the perfect evening weather for a walk outside; my daily quiet time and the hope I’ve been finding in God’s Word; a new font to design with; an upcoming craft show adventure with my sister; hearing Jessa Anderson’s music for the first time today and connecting so completely with her lyrics; the best friends a girl could ask for; and last, but not least, this little blog of mine and all of my faithful readers.

And what about you?

Please do leave me comments to share what you’re thankful for lately. Let’s encourage each other and praise our wonderful Creator in the process! :)

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}

Life Lately: In Instagram Photos

I’ve seen various bloggers doing Instagram update posts, so I wanted to share a little mosaic of Instagram photos from my holiday this year. I love that Instagram helps me document some of the little details I might not capture with my regular camera.

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year’s Eve.

I’m hopeful about all God has in store for 2012.  ♥

12 Photos/Memories from 2011

A little Year in Review Recap inspired by Elsie @ A Beautiful Mess:

(I did a similar recap last year.)

January: After months of working on my sketchbook, I mailed it off to the Brooklyn Art Library in Brooklyn, New York, to begin its tour. The book really spoke to the life season I was in — growing, learning, taking risks, and lots of dreaming and hoping.

February: I created this pretty mosaic to inspire me one cold and wintry weekend in February. (I know, technically, it’s more than just one photo…) ;-)

1. Untitled, 2. Untitled, 3. Hello Weekend!, 4. Untitled, 5. Untitled, 6. Travelling

March: I enjoyed many creative weekends in 2011, working out ideas in my sketchbook and creating art for art shows.

April: One of my poems won third place in a local art show. It was such a special evening with friends and family at the opening night of the show. If you’d like to read the poem, you can read my original post about the evening, here.

May: I was excited to welcome summer with new sunglasses, pretty shades of polish, iced coffees, etc. I love to celebrate the little details that make life special.

June: In June, I went on a fun antiquing adventure with a dear friend. It was the perfect way to spend a warm June morning and afternoon.

July: I spent lots of time out on my porch, enjoying the beautiful summer weather and flower pots my mom planted for me.

August: During my lazy summer afternoons and evenings on the porch, I read two incredible books by Shauna Niequist (Cold Tangerines and Bittersweet).

September: I created my 28 Things list, and I’m happy to say, I’ve already been checking things off the list. :) (I know, this isn’t exactly a photo, but I’m counting it anyway…) ;-)

October: I went on a much-needed girls’ weekend getaway with my family. We had a great time revisiting old memories, talking about our family history, shopping at local boutiques, and eating yummy food.

November: I displayed and sold my artwork at my company’s holiday art sale. It was a goal of mine, and it meant a lot to complete it.

December: December has been about the Advent season and celebrating Christmas. I’ve spent a lot of quiet time by my tree, in the Word, journaling and praying. It’s also been about time with family and friends and sharing and celebrating life with the people who mean the most to me.

And like I did last year, I’ll share my “presently delighting in” lists from 2011:

Winter 2011/2012

Taking pretty pictures; journaling; stocking up on books to read; making coffee/hot chocolate; being cozy; and settling into the quietness of wintertime.

Fall 2011

Apple cider, caramel lattes, burning fall candles, black-and-white photos, mellow music, art journals, and celebrating each day.

Summer 2011

Iced coffees, dreaming big dreams,  collecting inspiration, journaling, and giving thanks for the everyday blessings that make my life more beautiful.

Spring 2011

The beginnings of spring, polka dots, art explorations, reading and writing poetry, and learning what it means to have faith.

***

2011 has been a great year filled with faith, hope, new creative pursuits, and memories made with the people I love.

I’m already dreaming up ideas/goals for 2012 and look forward to another year filled with growth and creativity. I’ll be back with a post about 2012 goals and share some peeks into my sketchbook and journal.

{k}

Vintage Books + Hot Cocoa

It’s been the kind of day that calls for good books and hot cocoa.

After grabbing lunch at a cute local diner with family, I’ve settled in at home to drink cocoa, do some blog/creative project brainstorming, and perhaps work a bit on organizing my craft supplies.

I hope you’re warm and cozy today.

P.S. How cute is that vintage book bundle? It was a Christmas present from my Aunt this year.

Hello, December.

 

In December, I hope to:

*Light a candle each week for Advent and spend some time each day reading scripture and reflecting on what it means to be living the Advent season.

*Make this Let Your Heart Be Light glitter banner for my home.

*Visit my favorite vintage store (they go all out with vintage Christmas decorations).

*Host a cookie-baking party (and bake Chocolate Cherry [or Strawberry] Cookie Drops.
(What’s your favorite holiday cookie recipe?)

*Watch Christmas movies.
(What’s your favorite? I’ll add it to my list!)

*Make some meaningful handmade Christmas gifts.
(Check out A Beautiful Mess for some great ideas!)

*Document the season with picture-taking and art journaling.

*Enjoy time off work.

*Approach the holidays with this in mind: to choose quality over quantity, meaning over mania, people over pressure, relationship over rushing (from Shauna Niequist).

*Go ice skating (it’s been years!) or sled riding.

*Make hot cocoa.

*Visit some of the cute towns nearby that have sweet little downtown areas that get all decked out for Christmas.

What are your December plans/traditions?

{k}

Thankful Hearts

Thanksgiving was about being with family, giving thanks for each and every blessing—and remembering there’s always more to be thankful for than we realize.

Thanksgiving was about enjoying the simple things—like pumpkin spice coffee with whipped cream and cinnamon, the joy of laughter, and the brightness of the sunshine.

And Thanksgiving was about the sweetness of slowing down and just appreciating life and the people we’re blessed to share it with.

Hello, November

It’s hard to believe it’s already November. I’m looking forward to what God has planned for this new month, though.

In November, I hope to:

*Make new art.
*Create fearlessly in my art journal.
*Live with a heart that reflects this.
*Keep learning how to trust Him more.
*Spend lots of time with family and friends.
*Join a book club.
*And start getting in the holiday spirit. (It’s time, you know—Starbucks has unleashed the red cups, so it has to be, right?) ;-)

And just for fun (since Halloween was yesterday), here are a few pics of my Halloween costume:

Happy November to you! What are your goals/hopes/dreams for this new month?

{ k }