Kelly Rae Roberts… the artist, author, possibilitarian.  I loved her book Taking Flight, have followed her blog for a year or more, and have read several of the creative magazines she has been featured in so many times.  She is an inspiration to those of us who love creating and making a living at what we love.  I recently was able to take part in her Flying Lessons online creative biz course.  What an awesome, honest, creative journey that has been, definitely not your average online course… all due to Kelly Rae’s wonderful personal style and huge heart.

So, it is exciting to be featured in her latest Sponsor Spotlight.  Celebrate Life Everyday is a new sponsor of Kelly Rae’s blog!  I’d love for all of my readers to jump over to Kelly Rae’s blog and browse around her site and shop.  While there, visit some of her other sponsors and see what they are up to as fellow creative entrepreneurs.

Then… let me know what you found and think!  Looking forward to your comments!

Have you seen the latest issue of Women Who Create?  

The Aug/Sept/Oct 2010 isssue is loaded with profiles of uber talented women and so much inspiration!

Peek inside the work spaces of editor Jo Packham, Wendy Addison, Amy Butler and the Junk Bonanza‘s Ki Nassauer!  So much to discover…  Look into Nancy Soriano‘s home office (past editor-in-chief of Country Living) and behind the scenes of the Curious Sofa‘s Debbie Dusenbury. We even get a glimpse into the creative studio of Kelly Rae Roberts… a treat not to be missed!

What inspiration did I take away from the magazine… well, after I get done hyperventilating over all of the talented women and their creative nests… (sorry, the creative excitement really gets to me!)  I really just love the stories.  Yes, it’s not about one person, their art, or even their studio.  It’s about each of the personal stories of how they got there, what makes them tick, how they fuel their creative energies, and how they find the time to create.  I am thoroughly inspired and motivated to make my own story count even more. 

Almost all of these fabulous women can be seen this month at the CREATIVE CONNECTION EVENT in Minneapolis, MN.    Yes, can you say, how many talented women can you get into 3 fun-filed inspiring days?  Oh I can’t wait… I will be there for sure!  Will you?  Register here and now, so that you too can attend!

If you are attending the Creative Connection Event, please comment below and let me know… I will be sure to search you out!  If you aren’t able to attend, first go out and get the Where Women Create issue, read and wander through all of the delicious pages, then join us all online on our blogs so you too can experience the joy of women creating together.  Oh, that just sounds fun, doesn’t it?

Do you have those little thoughts that sneak into your day and divert your attention to something special? They are for the most part, unplanned little serendipitous moments that often catch us off guard. They provide a little “vacation” from the ordinary moments of our day.

We might recall our small children splashing in the tub with exuberance while we are cleaning it.  We might be driving near a bakery and the smell of fresh baked bread takes us back to our grandmother’s kitchen.  The scent of rain in the air can make us recall a childhood memory of dancing in the rain.  The sound of the ocean can make us remember our special trip to the islands.  A song can take us back to our first love.  Creating a special gift for someone can make us feel alive with the act of creativity.

These are all special moments that we are to claim, embrace and even savor.  They are life’s memories that are meant to connect us to our past, those we share this life with, and the reasons we are here.  They are mini-vacations into our live stories that we need to connect with to stay hole, happy and complete. They are God’s gift to us.

Next time you have one of those happy thoughts, stop to really enjoy it.  They are one of the ways we can celebrate life everyday and to make the ordinary special.   Happy thoughts…

Do YOU have an Inspiration Board? 

An Inspiration Board is a fabulous way to display ideas, thoughts, keepsakes, and images to “inspire” one to create, connect or live from.

There are many reasons to create these boards- to inspire our thoughts; to remind us of lovely, favorite things; to inspire our creativity; to keep our goals in front of us; to keep us positive or grateful; or to help us with a project.

I like to use Inspiration Boards for all of the above.  I have a rotating board that changes with my mood.  I have a few more boards for projects and creative boosters.  I also have some Inspiration Folders and Binders- filled with overflow elements that I seem to wander through when needed.

Key elements for an inspiration board:  keep it in view, keep it simple enough to gain from the content, keep it fresh if you are not looking at it and responding to it.

How does one create an Inspiration Board you say?  It can be quite simple- a cork board and some push-pins can be an in-expensive starter.  A custom fabric covered board with criss-crosses of ribbon to hold the elements on is another version.  A vintage framed magnet board with hand-made magnets is another.

Not enough wall space for a large piece?  Try a small cork inserted into a cabinet or closet door.  As I mentioned above, try out a Folder or Binder if you are limited on space or just prefer to be able to carry your inspiration around with you.  Either way, it’s a simple way to hold on to the elements that strike our hearts or creativity.

What goes on it?  Anything that inspires you!!  Favorite quotes or scripture, photos of places or people, art, magazine clippings, handwritten notes, advertising images, color swatches, words, fabric, jewelry, ribbon, in other words, anything that brings you joy and motivates or inspires you!

My challenge for you today is to create a Inspiration Board.  If you already have one, either update that one, or start a new one.  Let your imagination take off as you introduce these new thoughts to the front of your brain!

I am in the exciting and overwhelming process of choosing products for my upcoming online shop.  I have found so many wonderful finds, and craftspeople to share with you already.  I also am very interested in what you, my readers, would like to see.

The NEW SHOP will be a mix of vintage and flea market finds, along with hand-crafted art, home decor, soft goods, and personal items.  Some items will be one-of-a-kind pieces, others will be available in multiples, a few items to be custom or special order.  All items will be chosen with the thought of making our daily routines and homes infused with special touches.

So, what are you interested in? 

What do you find hard to find?

What do you love to collect?

What brings you joy when you use it on a daily basis?

What do you like to gift when buying for that someone special?

What special items do you look for to add to your own nest?

I want to hear about what you love.  I am having a great time collecting these things and plan to have the shop up and running sometime in September.

Let me know what you would like to see in the comments below.  I value your input, so please give me your thoughts!

Thank you…. by the way… the shop name will be revealed soon!