Source: mckensiesmith.blogspot.com via joythebaker on Pinterest
March 7, 2012
Everyday Art 3.7.12
For those who are new around here, occasionally I share what I call my Everyday Art. Everyday Art is anything that inspires me enough that I will stop and take a picture of it with my phone or camera. It can be something I find beauty in or something funny or just something that makes me stop and think. Just 3 pictures today, from the top left going clockwise:
- That is a rainbow trout my brother caught on the river last week. We grew up on the river and fishing is a favorite family pastime. It is a way of life for us. It is our culture and our heritage. I have photos of my grandparents’ lawn with rows and rows of fish caught on the same river and my Grandma still gets out to the ponds from time to time to wrangle a large mouth bass. I see a beauty in that fish that most people would miss. And I know how hard it is to hook one of those!
- I was having a particularly stressful week last month and while walking through Michael’s I looked up and saw this sign. I started laughing right there on the clearance aisle. Relax, Carey. Just relax.
- I few months ago I was working on a project for a class I took from Brave Girl’s Club. This quote spoke so much to me so I created an art piece with it and I wrote below: “I’m still here, there must be a reason.” There were more than a few times over the last several years that I wasn’t sure my physical body would make it another year. But I’m still here, and I spend everyday trying to honor that gift.
Until next time my friends. And I hope you will stop and admire the Everyday Art in your own life.
December 1, 2011
I Hate Cancer, But…
October 15, 2011
Day 15: Words
Can you believe we are halfway through the 31 Days Challenge? 15 more days of simple things coming your way but so for we have covered: Nailpolish, Art Supplies, Doodling, Spice, Nostalgic Recipes, Old Movies, Hot Bath, Color Swatches, Sunday Football, Trying Something New, Other Bloggers, Celestial Seasonings, Just Sittin’, & The Seasons.
I am certain it will come as no surprise to you that I love the written word. I have loved to read since I started learning phonics. Then came my love of design or what I prefer to call, my love of pretty things. I painted and drew and used my hands to make things pretty. Somewhere along the line my two loves combined into the love of pretty words. There is an art form to putting words on a page: a thoughtful quote, a scripture, advise. All of these things can have a greater impact when combined with design. For example, here is a favorite scripture:
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may find mercy and grace in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
Beautiful, yes?
But let’s take a look at it artfully displayed:
Source: jacyann.tumblr.com via Carey on Pinterest
Still just words on a page, but with so much more impact!
Some words are funny but true:
Source: misskaelovesyou.tumblr.com via Carey on Pinterest
Some words are just plain funny, no embellishment needed:
Source: polyvore.com via Carey on Pinterest
Source: weheartit.com via Carey on Pinterest
Some words are inspiring:
Source: lanipauli.tumblr.com via Carey on Pinterest
Source: french-knot.tumblr.com via Carey on Pinterest
Some words are meant to be shared with friends:
Source: images.art.com via Carey on Pinterest
Source: girlfromparis.com via Carey on Pinterest
You can find more of my favorite “words” on my Pinterest board Heart2Heart.
September 28, 2011
31 Days… In October
Here’s a “heads up” on a little blog-share-fest that will be going on during the month of October. The gals over at… well, they are 8 separate writers each with their own site (below) but in past years they have agreed to each write an ongoing article called “31 Day of…”, one post every day during the month of October. They open it up to other writers and this year I am going to participate.
Now, everyone gets to pick their own topic, anything goes. Since “simplicity” is my personal focus for the rest of the year I have decided to write “31 Days of the Simple Things.” What are the “simple things?” They are the little products, events, ideas or foods that put a smile on my face. They make my life easier. They are cheap (or free). They are uncomplicated. They make me grateful.
The first post will come out on October 1 which is Saturday…<gasp> I’d better get writing!
The writers hosting the event can be found below along with what they will be writing about for 31 days. Check them out, they have wonderful sites.
Jen - 31 Days to Balancing Both Beauty and a Budget
Jessica – 31 Days of Memory Keeping
Melissa: – 31 Days: Inspired Holidays
Sandy – 31 Days of Warm Connections
Darcy: 31 Days of Photo Tips
Emily: 31 Days to Change the World
Emily: 31 Days of the Little Things
Nester – 31 Days of Charming Imperfection
September 26, 2011
Who Cares About Pinning?
My sisters and I were discussing Pinterest yesterday at Amy’s baby shower and the fact that some people don’t “get” what the big deal is about it and does anybody actually ever do anything with their pins? And we all laughed because WE DO! Here are some examples:
Andrea & others were planning our sister Amy’s baby shower and created an inspiration-board on Pinterest. I can’t give it all away, but the shower was loaded with projects swiped off of Pinterest, one of which was this:
PinterestTake a look at the fabric banner above the table. Andrea asked me to take on that project and I came up with this:
OK, I’m not bragging or anything, but I think mine turned out even better than the original “pin”!
Here’s another pin that my sister Natalie pinned before nephew-Jake was born:
PinterestI used Photoshop to create the “L” and Natalie glued some micro cars to it, put it in a frame and voila!
Pretty darn good, huh? And cheap!!
I used this design board pin:
Pinterest..to create this logo:
… which I will be using come October 1st. More on that later in the week. Let’s see… what else….
PinterestI used that pin to create these:
So you see, Pinterest isn’t just a time-filler when you are standing in line at the DMV or up late at night. Pinterest actually makes life easier and a little more fun! If you haven’t joined the Pinterest club yet, just let me know and I’ll send you an invite to get you started quicker. You’ll love it!!
September 15, 2011
{in}courage: a comfy place for women
Do you know about {in}courage.me? It’s only a couple of years old but I have had the fortune to be a part of it for a while now. What is it? They describe it like this:
More than anything, (in)courage is about relationships – with God and each other. We realize that our readers are in many different places in their journeys of faith. All of you are welcome. When we asked ourselves what kind of place we were building, we finally came to see it as a bit like a beach house. You can put your sandy, dirty feet on the coffee table, laugh late into the night with friends, and also hear God’s voice clearer than perhaps anywhere else. Life just feels more vibrant and real, as if you’ve stumbled upon a glimpse of heaven and it’s nothing like you ever imagined but everything you’d always hoped.
For me, {in}courage is the equivalent of a big comfy chair, a cup of hot cocoa and a good book. It’s a place to go and relax, read stories of other inspiring women, get book recommendations or some daily encouragement.
It can no longer be denied that as a culture, we have embraced online communities. For women, I think they are especially attractive because we are busy: from the mom of 3 who savors her midnight-quiet time to the business woman who needs some quick and easily accessible inspiration. {in}courage is just the place for women of all walks to go and share, learn together and build one another up in faith.
It is Christian based, lead by women of faith, but women just like you and me. It is a safe place, full of inspiring articles (like this one on finding rest), special events, book clubs, and more.
If you want to know more, here’s a little video they put together:
So come on over to {in}courage, hope to see you there!
PinterestMay 12, 2011
Everyday Art
“In the beginning God created…” Genesis 1:1
Late last year, while battling with a re-occurring illness, I was struggling to find things that brought me comfort. Something to heal my soul while I waited for my physical body to heal.
I’ve always had a curious mind. Even as a child I wanted to know how something worked, how to do it myself, how to make it. Consequently, I’ve always had a lot of hobbies: sports, artwork, cooking, photography, reading, writing, sewing, you name it.
But when you don’t feel well and you have been drained of all energy; when your body aches and your brain is in a fog; when all you want to do is sleep, sleep, sleep… well, hobbies sorta take a back seat. And so all of those things I loved to do, I had to stop doing.
Then this winter I took a class by Melody Ross, Soul Restoration I , that reminded me how important “creating things” is to me. It’s part of my DNA. It’s how God designed me. It brings me joy. Armed with new techniques and the reassurance that it doesn’t have to be perfect I let the artist in me explore. My brain came alive and I started to see art in everyday life again. And it healed my soul.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Ps 19:1
Now, I try to be more mindful of the works of His hands as I go throughout my day. Not just see it, but capture it. I have my phone with me all the time so I try to take a pictures of “art”, as I see it. That word “art” can mean a lot of things but I love this definition:
art: of more than ordinary significance.
So from time to time, I will be posting a collection of pictures of my Everyday Art: things that are of more than ordinary significance to me.
I hope you don’t mind.
PS: Some of you are wondering why that mess John Mayer is on my art-board. But if you have ever heard him play live, you know why it’s art. Melissa, that’s for you!
April 25, 2011
One step forward, two steps back… « Brave Girls’ Club
Everything comes into our lives exactly when it’s supposed to, lasts exactly as long as it’s supposed to last, and teaches us exactly what we are supposed to learn.
via One step forward, two steps back… « Brave Girls’ Club.
January 6, 2011
