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Journaling can surprise you...It's never too late to heal.

A new friend...

I made a new artsy friend today!  We met over facebook and the blog world and decided to go and have lunch.  We sat and talked for almost three hours-it was really fun.

I love my artsy girls!

This makes me feel so....

This makes me feel so proud and happy!  When you follow your heart, it can take you on some amazing, life changing adventures...

Note to self....

Note to self....

Lucky am I.....

How lucky I feel to be a part of this magic.
Melody wrote a wonderful description of what happened at Brave Girl Camp.  Lucky am I....

favorite things....

One of my very favorite things in this world is bread pudding! MMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm  Like an edible hug :)

a little spice....

So since coming home from Brave Girls Camp, I've been spicing up my wardrobe a bit.  (Thank you Chrissy, for inspiring me with your adorable style!)  A little of this...a little of that!  Us artists can get away with wearing just about anything, so why not take advantage of that, right?!   So I bought these cute little short cowboy boots at Ross the other day for $13 buckaroos, added a little paint and Mod Podge, and Wallah!  I call these my Brave Girl Boots (cuz you need to be pretty brave to wear these puppies! )  But life is short, so I'm just going to WEAR THEM ANYWAY!

Another Brave Girls lesson...

Another Brave Girls lesson just smacked me in the face (more like a sweet kiss actually)...

When I was growing up, my family didn't go to church.  We believed in God and my Mom would tell us bible stories when we were little, but we didn't have a church that we attended.  When I was in high school I had 3 best girlfriends...one was  Christian, one was Jewish, and one was Mormon.  So all throughout high school I would go with these friends to their churches, temples, camps, celebrations, etc.  Well it was all good, and I have respect for each and every religion out there.  But for me its pretty much just God and Love-those are my religions.  And I am good with that.  It fits me.

So....the other night I was talking to my husband and he was frustrated with something and I said to him, "honey, I think we just need to know that God has his plan, and even if it doesnt seem like it right this moment, everything will work out just the way he has it planned for us..." and all of a sudden I was smiling and lighter and not worried at all.  The words rang truer than ever before.  I FELT the faith and it felt sooooo warm and safe, like a blanket being wrapped around me.

That was one of those moments that I promise myself never to forget.

More Brave Girl memories...

Someone asked us the question-"What were your top 5 memorable moments at BGC?"  This was my answer...

Here are some of mine-in no particular order
1. Tharice's story really got me. It told me that God is in control, no matter what we may think.
2. The giggle fits that Patrice and I shared two nights in a row. My stomach is still sore. I love you Patrice.
3. Watching our sweet Jamie jump into the lake with the girls-It felt so symbolic to me. I love you Jamie-you are stronger than you know ♥
4. Getting off the bus and walking through all the twinkle lights and recieving all the love and hugs-All defenses were down before we could even enter the house. It was magical.
5. Every meal time, watching the women sing and put the food out-everything felt so very symbolic to me-it was like a very lovely, simplified version of life, where love took over every detail. I'm feeling so blessed ♥

Home from Brave Girls....

This is what I wrote in my journal, as I was on my way home from Brave Girls Camp.  It's hard to put into words how incredible and life changing it is.  I am feeling so, so lucky.
"October 9th, 2010-
I'm sitting here in the Boise, Idaho airport, waiting for my flight to go home from Brave Girls Camp.  I feel changed; deeply.  I feel a new sense of love for my family.  I feel like I know myself better than I ever have before.  I feel like I have been rewired, renewed-stronger and better and more at peace.  There has been an awakening deep inside of my core.  I am making a promise to myself right now.  I promise to live my life in this new, wonderful, warm light.  I promise to remind myself of this light and how to turn it back on if it ever goes dim.  I promise.  I promise.  I promise.  I promise to teach my family about this light and to try and shine it on anyone who needs it.  I am blessed.  It's never too late to begin a fresh life.  I am excited to begin.  I have recieved something miraculous.  I promise never to forget. "

Home...

Home Sweet Home and full of love ...

Life...

Boy life has it's ups and downs doesn't it???? Conflict is difficult for me, but I know that sometimes it opens up new doors and avenues that need to be opened.  A chance for growth and healing can be found in some of lifes most difficult moments.  It's not always so easy to remember that, especially when you're hurting or scared.  Oh sometimes I wish my logic side was stronger, so that in moments of despair it could give me some peace.  I really need to work on that.

Lady Gaga....

I'm lovin me some Lady Gaga lately-I just got her new cd-she is soooo talented.  I think all the artists that used to have her write songs for them must be thinking..."uh oh"
I will only post Amazon Links on my blog if I really like something-I promise :)

A musical Etsy Treasury!!!!!!

Wow!!!! 2 Etsy treasury's in one week!   How fun is that?????  This one is really cool too-take a peek!

TILE: INSPIRE

Worked on something a little different....
INSPIRE
mixed media 6x6
stone tile, ink, pastel, collage embelleshments, beeswax

One more week....

Only one more week till I'm sitting on a plane, flying to Boise, Idaho!!!!  I don't know how I got so lucky, but somehow I managed to go from the waiting list, to the real list of women going to Brave Girls Camp!  I'm so excited.  I think it's going to be something incredibly special.  A group of 22 of us I think, that are all flying in from all over the country.  We will stay at a beautiful lodge, up in the mountains.  I know it will be amazing...I'll take plenty of pictures so I can remember every second.  I can't wait!
          WHHHOOOOOOOOO!!!!! HHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Another Etsy Treasury!!!!!

My print All Things Grow With Love made it into a lovely Etsy Treasury!  Very fun!  Come take a peek, there's lots of great stuff!

A good team!

Just recently I teamed up with Polarity-an Etsy site that uses recycled auto parts to create these fabulous little lockets!  They are so cute, and she puts artwork on them and they are adorable...well our creation together ended up on the Etsy Storque page!!!! Super Cool!  I guess we make a pretty good team! :)

So cool! Another treasury!!!!!........

Yipppppeeeeeeeee!  My artwork made it into another Etsy treasury!  Take a peek-this is a beautiful collection!

AE quote...

He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.
Albert Einstein 

I WISH...

Newest piece finished and just listed prints on Etsy!   I WISH...

Answering a question....

On The Brave Girls Club blog, there is a post that puts out this question.  "What was the hardest thing you went through this last year? And if you were 100 years old, what would your advise be to others about it?"
This was my answer:

The bravest thing I had to do during the past year was say goodbye to my son who started college. September of 2009 was very difficult. Jacob was moving two hours away to live in the dorms at the University of Oregon. I know it doesn’t sound like such a big deal. I know it’s all good. I know it’s all wonderful actually, but at the time it was very hard. Not for him…he fit right in and loved it all. But for me it felt like our family unit wasn’t a unit anymore. It didn’t feel the same without him under our roof. I cried so much during those first few weeks. It almost seems silly now, but at the time I was a wreck. The thought of not being able to hug him or just see his face each day was killing me. I turned to mush and was such a big baby. I even missed out on going to an art retreat that I had signed up for, because I just plain forgot all about the fact that it was right when I was in my funk!
Well fast forward to now. We have gone a full circle year, and he started back up this week for his sophmore year…and guess what? I haven’t even shed one single tear! I’ve realized that nothing; not time away, or miles apart can weaken our bond. I even feel closer to him now than ever before. He is growing into such a wonderful, smart, caring man and I am so, so proud of him. Nothing will ever break that family bond. It is such a relief to know this.
If I were 100 years old, I would try to tell all the Mothers and Fathers that it’s okay to cry, but to know deep inside that it’s a wonderful thing to watch your child fly. It’s a dream come true. Now please, can someone remind me of this next September 2011 when my daughter moves out to start college! I’m sure I will be a total wreck! 
P.S.  The Brave Girls Club is an incredible, powerful, uplifting and inspiring place.  If you haven't visited this blog, you really should.  Everyone in the world should have such a lovely and safe place to visit....

A little more progress...

Just a little more progress on this little "wish" piece.

I'm OVER THE MOON HAPPY....

I'm so so excited about this new challenge in my life!  Please send me lots of good mojo so that I do a good job! :)  I have so much to learn and I really am going to have to connect both sides of my brain to do it right!  Not an easy task-hahaha.  But I feel ready and full of enthusiasm for this adventure!  Hope you'll join me for the ride-I think it's going to be wonderful in so many ways!

Thank you Jenny Doh, founder of Crescendoh and beautiful human being, for having faith in me!  I won't let you down.  I'm so proud to be a part of what you are doing!

Love, Kelly

P.S.
Hold on tight!!!!!! Cuz here we goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just clowning around with Cooper....

Just had to share.....

Happy day everyone-Love from Cooper <3

Riding a big wave....

I have lots of creative challenges on my plate right now.  Feels wonderful-like I'm surfing a giant wave!  I'll fill you in real soon!

growing up....

Why is it that I always feel like the youngest one in the room?  And I'm not talking about looks here people.  I'm talking about ???????  I'm not quite sure really.  Is it confidence?   Is it experience?  Is it education? or lack of?   Is it innocence or naivety?  Possibly...or is that just me romancing the idea of inadequecy (sp?) (I couldn't even look this word up correctly in the dictionary) (OMG) That makes me think it must me the latter!   But noooooooooooooo.....I don't want that to  be the answer!  I want to be as capable as everyone else, and common sense tells me I am, and so does my instinct....but still I question myself always.  Will I ever feel like a "real" grown up?  Do I even want to?  I don't know...what I do know is that I want to feel strong and confident.  I know I CAN!  I CAN! I CAN! I CAN!  I BELIEVE IN MYSELF, at least I beleive in my creative self.  I LOVE MY CREATIVE SELF.  She is the best!  But I don't want to refer to her as "SHE" anymore-thats ME!  When will I give myself the credit I deserve?  SOON!

This is how I currently see myself....I hope I do another self portrait soon....

An art doll?

I'd love to make cloth doll, but I am a horrible sewer!  If I could find a "blank" doll, then perhaps I might give it a try...any suggestions?

A fun new partnership...

I have a brand new friend and partnership with a creative, lovely soul.   Her name is Cat and she makes these wonderful, unique lockets.  She has linked up with many wonderful artists and all the lockets are just adoraable.  I'm so honored to be a part of her work.  Thank you so much Cat for letting me be a part of your creations!  I'm so proud :)

Her line is called POLARITY.  Check out her Etsy site here.  These would make wonderful, unique gifts for anyone in your life, and you can even put photos inside!

New piece started....

I started on this new piece today.  It's about making wishes.

Excited...

Heard some exciting news (artsy news) today, actually not really "news"...was asked to participate in something amazing...I'll post more as this unfolds, I promise!  Life is good!

Possibly...

Possibly a trip to Paris at the end of October....I'm so excited.  I've never been to Europe before.  I hope, I hope, I hope!

Another cool treasury!....

Two of my artworks made it into this beautiful treasury!  So exciting!  Come take a peek....

EACH MOMENT

EACH MOMENT--just posted print for sale at my etsy shop!
Original 16 x 20
mixed media
acrylic, ink, pastel, collage, antique lace, beeswax

Work in progress...

I've been working on this new piece and will probably finish today.  So far I just love it.