NEW Sponsor Spotlights: Casey Wiegan, Illuminate the Artist Within, Chrissie Grace, Wish Studio + Live it to the Full

I like to think of my sponsorship program as a way of playing matchmaker. These weekly sponsor spotlight posts allow me to do just that - play matchmaker between you and some really amazing people who are providing unique and well crafted offerings. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor (includes your ad on the sidebar + ongoing spotlights), please send me an email at kellyraeroberts@gmail.com for further information!

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Hi! My name is Casey Wiegand, I am a freelance artist, wife and mama. I also own an art studio for kiddos in Dallas! I love painting and sharing our life through my blog...where you can expect pieces of my perspective on life, faith, kids, marriage, with touches of art, creative inspiration, projects and things I love along the way.

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Are you looking to get away from it all, and take time to work your ownpersonal creative project? Do you tend to procrastinate, get overwhelmed, or experienceblocks when it comes to making your creative dreams reality? Would you like toreceive support on your inner creative process, and learn the secretsof an illuminated artist; how to stay inspired creatively despite any obstacle?

If your answer is a YES, this retreat is for you: Join Deb Chaney and a small group of a variety ofartists for an ‘illuminated’ retreat experience in support your self and yourinner artist. This is a retreat for YOU. Take time for yourself. Take time foryour art. Find out more: http://www.debchaney.com/debchaney/Retreat.html

Deb Chaney, SCA is a Contemporary AbstractArtist, Speaker, Writer and Workshop Facilitator. www.debchaney.com

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My name is Chrissie Grace and I am a mixed-media artist and author. My work is primarily faith-based… I have a passion for creating art that glorifies God and all things inspirational. I love color!...and that shows in everything I create! I sell original paintings, prints, custom inspirational pieces, and lots of lots of hand-sewn custom pillows!

Please join me over on my blog where I talk about faith, family, and art: www.chrissiegrace.blogspot.comVisit me over at my etsy shop, too: www.mixedmediamama.etsy.com

Please use KELLYROCKS20 to receive 20% off any order for the whole month of February!

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Have you heard the news?

Wishstudio has gone Co-op! In the effort to build smart and savvy community while making creativity affordable and an every day part of your life you can now join as a co-op member for FREE classes online at wishstudio.com or in-studio at our brand new Newburyport, MA studio.

WishBIG ecamp Winter 2012 is just one of our many fabulous offerings (take a peek at what else is coming up!), and it’s almost time to gather round the creative fire once more. Be a part of our virtual retreat and enjoy classes from our inspiring Camp Counselors, Connie Hozvicka, Miranda Hersey, Chris Zydel, Vivienne McMaster, Jenna McGuiggan, Stacy De La Rosa, Rachel Awes, and Amy Plako who will help you wishBIG, createBIG and liveBIG! Camp begins on February 19^th. For more details, stop by Wishstudio and check out what else is new. See you in the studio!

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Live it to the Full Announces February Courses

Live it to the Full is pleased to offer two courses in February 2012. Both begin on Monday, February 6.

Easy iPhoneography

On the go photo capturing and nearly instant editing tools have made iPhones the best thing since point and shoot! The hard part is often deciding which apps to use and then how on earth to use them! Photo pros and iPhone junkies alike will take away all kinds of good information in this two-week course with Aimee Giese. Learn more and register today »


Walking Wounded

Thousands of honest, sincere people are finding themselves on the outside of a faith system they once held dear. If you are feeling lost, disillusioned or hurt as a result of a shift in your faith or by a negative church (or other faith community) experience, this four-week course led by Kathy Escobar and Phyllis Mathis just might be for you. Learn more and register today »


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Big thanks to my sponsors! It takes a lot of courage to create a business from dreams, and I'm honored to highlight their bravery + and their offerings. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor (includes your ad on the sidebar + ongoing spotlights), please send me an email at kellyraeroberts@gmail.com for further information!

link love and some happenings around here.

How are you guys doing out there? This weekend, I am planning on more time at my studio table - currently working on my first ever true blue holiday/Christmas line and I'm really thrilled to be challenged in this new direction.

(recent painting - in process)

I wanted to share a few things that have caught my eye recently or things that I keep forgetting to tell you:

- Did I tell you I've been on the search for months to find the perfect skinny jean that hides/holds in my post baby muffin top? I asked for your recommendations on Facebook and I tried them all: Old Navy, Gap, Not Your Daughter's Jeans, Paige, AG, and more. Thanks to those recommendations, I found THE skinny jeans that are the most comfortable jeans ever. Pricey, but worth every penny. It's been several weeks now and I've worn them a lot, washed them a lot, and I'm still loving them a lot. Best with boots...

- This article has been making the rounds, but just in case you are a mama who hasn't yet read it, it's a MUST MUST MUST read. This part just made me want to scream yes, yes, yes: "Parenting is hard. Just like lots of important jobs are hard. Why is it that the second a mother admits that it's hard, people feel the need to suggest that maybe she's not doing it right? Or that she certainly shouldn't add more to her load. Maybe the fact that it's so hard means she IS doing it right...in her own way...and she happens to be honest."

- This commencement speech had me in tears.

- My dad has been building us doorway bookshelves in the dining room inspired by these. I am loving how they are turning out. More photos soon when I can sneak some time to fill them up with our book and globe collection!

- My art pal, Traci Bautista (she is so smart, so kind, so talented) has a new book out. I have a copy and I highly recommend it. It's perfect for us adult doodlers and teens as well. Very cool. Go Traci (and congrats!)

- Speaking of talented people, remember when I gushed and gushed about Amy Barickman's book, Vintage Notions? Well, friends, she is having an amazing design challenge and the winner wins $3000 worth of products, including sewing machines, fabric, patterns, and more. One of my dreams is to learn how to sew. It's a bit of a fantasy/pipe-dream at the moment and has been for years. Once, about 10 years ago, John and I took a sewing class together. By the end of our many weeks of classes, he had made me an outdoor vest with a zipper and everything. Me? I never made it passed the collar to a shirt! Ah well. One day, I'm gonna do it. But for all of you sewers out there, be sure to check out Amy's design challenge. I'm inspired!

- I agree and loved everything he said - a powerful video on how empathy informs the best kinds of innovation, creativity, and transformation.

Flora, image by Tara Morris

Flora, image by Beth Nicholls

- And last, but not least: My friend Flora's highly anticipated painting e-course is launching on Monday! I'm telling you. I have taken her workshops. I have talked with her for hours and hours about how the painting process intermingles with life's biggest blessings, lessons, and awakenings. She is a natural teacher, incredibly talented, and just crazy generous with all that she gives. You don't want to miss it. I can't wait for Monday to start!

Have a great weekend, friends. See you next week....

Kindness Misson #2

 

Remember our first kindness mission? I am still putting up Take What You Need signs everywhere and I've been inspired to do more like it, but with different messages. Please know that when I post these signs, they'll always be free, pdf downloads so that we can all print them out and then post at our local coffee shops, or in our office lunchrooms, or by the local atm machine, or at the playground, or grocery store bulletin board. Or perhaps it will inspire you to make your own...

(A more family friendly version)

This particular sign was inspired by Michelle (aka When I Grow Up Coach) who is an inspiring soul in our blogging community and who is in the fight of her life. She has so bravely shared her story, and her courage is a huge inspiration to me. I want people like Michelle (and their family + friends) to stumble upon signs like these out in the world - a strong, powerful surprise, a message from the universe, a small token of synchronistic confirmation that they aren't alone - that there are people in the world who are thinking of them and sending out messages of hope.

True and I are going to head out and put these signs up all over our neighborhood. My goal? For survivors, and people in the center of their fight (and their friends + family), to pull one of the tabs and quietly store it in their pocket and to continue on with their quiet, brave strength but perhaps with a bit of feistiness in their step.

These signs were made for you to download and print. Click here to download the "bum" pdf and here for the "ass" pdf. Then just hit print and off you go!

Kindness changes everything....
XO

back at the table

 

 (Walked around the block from my new studio space and stumbled upon the grand opening of my all time favorite art store (Blick) - could not believe it and I got very giddy. My favorite art store just around the corner from my new studio! I wandered in and snapped this shot. Art IS a gift. To all of us - a complete and full gift.)

Cropped and in progress....
I've been back at the studio table. It feels wonderful. I can sense that I have a lot to get out, creatively. I can sense that a lot has transpired internally these last few months and now it just wants to be released. And I can sense a flowing, a pouring out, a fast and furious compulsion to create. I love it when this happens. Doesn't happen often, but when it does, I love the sense of adventure it brings to my life.

Still cropped and in progress...

 

I have so much to tell you. Back soon!

Sponsor Spotlights: Andrea Scher, Alchemy Inspiration, Sleep and Her Sisters, The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design, + Seek Your Course

I like to think of my sponsorship program as a way of playing matchmaker. These weekly sponsor spotlight posts allow me to do just that - play matchmaker between you and some really amazing people who are providing unique and well crafted offerings. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor (includes your ad on the sidebar + ongoing spotlights), please send me an email at kellyraeroberts@gmail.com for further information!

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Join Andrea Scher for her brand new course Elevate the Ordinary!

Superhero Photo: Elevate the Ordinary

Achieve extraordinary with even more fun photo prompts and activities aimed at showcasing your world in a whole new way. New and returning students are welcome, but previous enrollment in The Basics course is suggested for the best experience.

This brand-new six-week fall class begins February 13th, 2012 and costs $99USD. Register Today!

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What holds you back from writing? Fear? Shyness? Feeling stuck? Finding time? Not knowing what to write? Wondering if you have anything worth putting into words?

Me, too! But I've learned some ways to move past, around, and through these creative roadblocks.

Alchemy Inspiration: Start Writing begins February 6. This 4-week ecourse in The Word Cellar is a fun, easy-going, and accessible way to overcome your writing blocks. It's perfect for people who want to start writing for the first time or the first time in a long time.

• Give yourself time, space, and permission to write.
• Find the stories around and within you.
• Uncover and use your writing voice(s).
• Explore your creative process.
• Connect with other writers.

We'll explore the writing process, open ourselves to inspiration, and give ourselves time, space, and permission to write. You'll choose what to write, but if you have no idea where to start, fret not! That's what this course is all about: getting started. Register here. {Use code KELLYRAE for 10% discount!}

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My name is Katherine Quinn and I am the New Zealand artist behind Sleep And Her Sisters. I sell my original works to 9 galleries around New Zealand and have three online shops where I also sell originals, prints and other goodies. I live with my two children, 18 year old Hannah, 6 year old Ben and our 11 year old cat... Holly. I work from my kitchen table at our home in the sunny Hawke's Bay where I love to create with paint, chalk pastels, graphite, paper and also dabble in making a little bit of jewellery. At the moment I am working on a project to create 7 sisters... characters that I hope will one day feature in a book. I also love to collect things. My favourite colour is a soft, pale, antique sort of blue.

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The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design featuring Rachael Taylor

Module 2: Creating your professional identity

If you have ever dreamt of seeing your designs on stationery, fabric, homewares or other products, sharing your art through pattern, and monetising your designs this groundbreaking course is for you! ‘The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design’ is the definitive guide to becoming a surface pattern designer.

In this module you will learn everything you need to know to become a professional surface pattern designer including:

• How to start your own label
• How to develop your signature look
• How to build your brand image and get people talking about you the way you want them to
• How to understand and predict trends
• How to put a collection together
• How to get noticed and get press
• How to market yourself
• How to protect your work
• How to create technical repeats
• How to create static and rotating blog ads
• How to turn elements of a mixed media painting into a pattern and mock up products (featuring the work of Kelly Rae Roberts)

Class begins January 30. Find out more and register here.

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Do you want to live a creative life but don't know where to start?

Do you live a creative life but need help staying in-the-know?

Do you teach creative living and want to promote yourself?

Seek Your Course makes all that possible.

Seek Your Course is a database and online hub for connecting people with creative learning opportunities online and around the world.

• Through the Listings you can find ecourses, retreats and conferences with an art focus.
• Through Instructor and Retreat/Conference Profiles you can meet the artists and learn more about the events.
• Through the SYC Blog you can be inspired by interviews, book recommendations, guest posts and much more!
• Listings on many topics including: painting, drawing, blogging, entrepreneurship, encaustics, life coaching, photography, personal growth, and writing.

Come check it out: website | twitter | facebook

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Big thanks to my sponsors! It takes a lot of courage to create a business from dreams, and I'm honored to highlight their bravery + and their offerings. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor (includes your ad on the sidebar + ongoing spotlights), please send me an email at kellyraeroberts@gmail.com for further information!