Telling Stories

A Canvas Contest, An E-Course and A GIVEAWAY!

I know you're anxiously awaiting my run-down of the week of hibernation that was our Illinois Christmas experience, but I'm still playing catch-up around here and haven't even uploaded any of my photos yet. It's just been something of a whirlwind. 

What with the Canvas Contest and all...

What's that you say? You want to vote for our photo so we win a gallery wrapped canvas of our first ever Family Photo? 

I know. Shameless plug. But seriousy, look at Ethan in that picture. Don't you love his hammy face?

This was one of my very favorite photos...I think because of the colors and also because of the big frame. And also because Lyndsey captured the boys' personalities so well. If you go HERE, and leave a comment that you vote for #14, we could win the canvas and decorate our new house (and its bare walls) with it. 

But wait! That's not all, I've also got a fun giveaway today. And by fun, I mean hugely wonderful and inspirational. My friend Jeanne is launching a brand new E-Course called "Creatively Made" and I get to give away a couple of spots in it right here on my little blog. 

I love the flexibility of e-courses, being able to learn so much without actually leaving the house. Or showering. (Is it just me?) I LOVE learning and there's something so freeing about doing it in the comfort of my own home. Especially when it comes to art! Trying something new can be scary, but the great thing is...no one is judging you! 

If you've ever thought about stretching your creative wings, this is a GREAT way to do it...

For more information on the course, hurry on over to Jeanne's blog. And just leave me a comment on this post and you're automatically entered to win! How super easy is that? 

Pretty darn easy, I'd say. I'll draw a winner this Friday so hurry up and leave a comment! 

Happy...what day is it again?...oh, Wednesday...Happy Wednesday!

Perspective

Sometimes when you're just goofing around, someone's there with her camera, goofing around with you...and she captures someting undeniably you. 

It's in that moment that you realize how thankful you are...

For a new life...

A new town...

A new perspective...

But all experienced with the same old guy. 

Photo by my uber talented friend, Lyndsey.

She Holds His Hand

 Sometimes through my lens I catch something beautiful. 

A look. A smile. A relationship. 

She's growing up. It doesn't scare me. I'm excited for her. 

But I'm sad. Because what if one day she doesn't fall into step beside him...what if she thinks his wisdom is outdated and runs instead to the arms of another boy? 

What if she doesn't go on for a year and five minutes about what happened at school that day or she forgets to give us every. single. detail. and then tell us again an hour later?

When the day comes that she no longer tells us everything, where will I be sitting? What will I be doing? How will I let her go? 

The other day I looked at her and thought, "Wow, she's tall..." and in a split second I was holding her again for the first time, trying to figure out how to be a mom, certain I was going to fail. Sure I didn't have what it takes. 

Recounting all my faults and all the ways I'm not good enough. All the ways I'm not like my own mom...who is brilliant at this job...

And now she's a decade old and I'm a decade older and she still talks to me and she still worships him...

What happens the day that she doesn't? 

What will I say to her then? What would you say to me then? 

I'm not ready.

Thursday Thought of the Day

 
 

When there are no words...

My last post was all about me making light of all the things I seem unable to keep up with around here. Let's face it, we can't all be domestic goddesses. Some of us are just better at self deprecation then housekeeping.

Truth be told, I'm floundering a little...so I don't have a lot of extra words floating around. Only guilt.

And Jim Gaffigan quotes. (Chip Chop Chip? What does that even mean?)

And pictures of my girl before she got her hair cut...

 

That's all I really want to share today...pictures...

In spite of her hair, I think she's beautiful. And lately there are days when I want to strangle her but more often I want to hug her and tell her I"m proud of her. And I do. 

The other day when I was working on projects for my Papercrafting book, she sat with me in my office, doing her own creating. She made this:

It's a prayer jar. I didn't help her at all. I didn't even give her the idea. She just wanted to make a jar where she could tuck in her prayers. 

That sort of amazed me. She has a big heart, but her faith she mostly keeps to herself. It always surprises me when I see it coming out...and then I remember that I'm the same way, really. 

She's also picked up another one of my habits (though this idea didn't come from me either)... writing notes to herself on the mirror. Affirming love letters to herself. Nothing makes me happier...

She got that idea from a devotional she's reading written by a girl about her age (and her mom.) 

Sometimes I forget she's not this tiny person anymore. She's got a mind of her own. She needs independence. She needs to spread her wings a little. 

Never mind that the last time she "spread her wings" we found her on the other side of the neighborhood (where she isn't allowed to be) and is now grounded for the rest of the week. 

Those are just silly details. 

Speaking of details...

How about two winners of the Preschool Hands-On Bible??

The first winner...

Sharon said...

Courtney, I'm not quite sure why I have never visited your blog...but I suppose He drew me to it tonight with the post on FB about winning this :)

Good luck to me!

ReplySeptember 29, 2011 at 08:33 PM

and the second winner...

AnnaMarie said...

Ok this is pretty freakin' awesome!! :) How uplifting to be involved with a project like this...and love that it is experiential - it will really help the children to process the stories. Even if I don't win, I am so ordering one for my preschooler!! :) Thank you for the opportunity to win! :)

ReplySeptember 27, 2011 at 09:45 AM

You ladies need to send me your address so I can send you your Bibles! 

Thanks to everyone who entered! Hope you're having a great Tuesday. (Is it Tuesday?) 

 

All Four Love: Love Yourself

 

It's the third week of our All Four Love photography challenge. The theme? Love Yourself.

Hm.

If you read my blog or know me in real life, you might know this is something I deeply struggle with. It maddens my husband that my self worth is tied up in a number on a scale or in what other people think/say about me.

 
To be honest, it drives me nuts too. I wish there was a turn off switch. A way to move past it. I'm starting to learn. I've found ways to be more at peace with myself lately. It starts with getting rid of toxicity. Keeping yourself clear of people who make you feel small.

And I'm not talking about physical stature here.

 

I've basically been on a diet in one form or another since I turned 12, but as I age, I'm starting to realize that while I can celebrate my weight loss achievements (I'm down about 25 lbs. since we moved here in August) I know they don't make me who I am.

 

And I also know that I am deeply loved. By my Creator, of course, but by the man he's given me to share my life with. A man who sometimes leaves his wet towels on the floor but who always hugs me when I need it.

 

I guess the bottom line is...I don't have it all figured out. Or even half of it. But I'm trying. Trying to see myself through God's eyes, through my kids' eyes, through my husband's eyes. Trying not to belittle my accomplishments, my ideas, my dreams...and desperately trying not to let anyone else do that either.

 

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." --Eleanor Roosevelt

I do confess there is one part of my body I like...pretty much no matter what I weigh, I still like it... I can't believe I'm admitting it... but this is it...

 

My collar bone. See how it sticks out just a little bit? I love that. Gross, right? It makes me feel...I don't know... feminine maybe? (I'm resisting the urge to tell you how dumb I know I am for feeling that way...I'm not a feminine person.)

You may admire the way your legs look in heels...I like my collar bone. It's my thing, I guess. I hope you have something you love about yourself too...no matter what you weigh or wear. Even if no one else gets it.

I am thankful for the journey I've walked when it comes to my body. It's kept me close to God. Just like praying for everyone who emailed me yesterday or left me a comment has done.

 

It brings me peace. And I'm so thankful for that comfort. Especially since sometimes it makes no sense.

 

But God gets it. He even sends me friends to call at the exact moment I need them to tell me they're going through the same thing. Old friends who know me and get me and encourage me. And, like melted butter soaks into a slice of warm toast, I soak into the comfort of the knowing.

 

I choose to love myself. Because it doesn't simply happen. You choose it. Like you choose to love your kids when they're making you crazy. Or your husband when he forgets to put the milk away. Or the person who hurts your feelings or breaks your heart.

I do that to myself sometimes. I hurt my own feelings. break my own heart.

 

But today...I choose to love myself anyway. To stop the self deprecation.

Because who I am isn't tied up in what I do. Or what size pants I wear.

I am so much more than numbers and statistics.

And that, I love.

We're linking up on Jeanne's blog today. Even if you just snap a photo quick, join us today. Tell us about your own journey to love yourself. We'd love to see it.

All Four Love: Love Unexpected

 

Unexpected.

I have never been the person who thought of myself as an artist. My grandfather was an artist (the real kind) and by comparison, I paled.

So, I guess it was somewhat unexpected for me to stumble upon art. And to find myself smiling while I paint.

 
It was unexpected that I would venture out of my scrapbooking box and fall in love with a different form of art. Especially when I never looked at scrapbooking as "art" even though in so many ways, it really is.

I find it wonderful and exciting to discover a new passion...a new love...waiting for me underneath the layers of paint and gesso. It keeps my creativity fresh and stretches me to constantly learn and try to improve.

 
They say you always find love when you aren't looking for it. And I don't think they're only talking about a soulmate.

 
Passion hovers. Waits in the shadows, and like an unrecognized wallflower sitting alone at a high school dance, it stares at us wide-eyed...hoping for that one glance in its direction.

All it takes is one glance...enough to fall in love.

 

Unexpected.

Link up with Jeanne and I right here on my blog this week! We can't wait to see your photos!

 

All Four Love: Loved Deeply

It's been an interesting week for photographing things around here. Basically, having the kids home for two days due to extreme cold had me feeling, well, not deeply in love with anything.

But I did manage to capture one moment. One very special moment that is indicative of our life. And I thought for the beginning of "All Four Love" it was a perfectly one to share.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, this post explains it better. (And it's not too late to join in!)

The theme for this week was Loved Deeply...

 
I admit, there are moments when I don't feel I love deeply enough. There are days when I wonder if my husband and kids got the leftover crumbs of my love.

But there are other moments when I know they have my whole heart. Days when, in an instant, I stop and take note.

Like the other day, Adam was rushing out the door to work. He doesn't usually rush in the morning, but on this day, I think he had an early meeting. As he was getting ready to leave (literally, he had everything ready to go), Sam, sitting at the kitchen counter, said "Daddy? Will you play with me? Just for a minute?"

And who can resist a lisp like our Hobbit's?

Not his daddy, that's for sure.

 

My camera was right beside me so I snapped a few pictures...because I wanted to remember how my husband does this. Stops everything for our kids. I'm not quite as adept in that area.

 
(Aren't you jealout of our 1980's gold rimmed fireplace? But I'm trying to be better about not whining about our rental. So, that was just an observation. Not a complaint.)

This isn't a moment out of the ordinary. This is typical, and that's why I think it's so much more important to document it.

 
Adam picks up the toys and enters right in to Sam's world. Just like that.

 
...moments that someday, when the lisp is gone and he wears something other than pajamas, Sam will always remember.

Yeah, that's the kind of thing that makes me love deeply in this world. There's nothing else like it!

If you want to play along, head over to Jeanne's blog and link up! We can't wait to see what you come up with!

And don't forget to comment on the post just below this one for a chance to win a spot in Christy Tomlinson's mixed media She Art Workshop! It's gonna be amazing!

Have a wonderful weekend!! I'm heading down to Colorado Springs for a writer's conference and I cannot wait to keep learning how to craft a better book.

P.S. I keep playing with my font choices here on the ol' bloggio and I can't seem to settle on one. I promise eventually I'll figure out what I like and keep it consistent. Eventually.

All Four Love

 
Lately, I've run up against some opposition in my overactive imagination. I have a tendency to jump to conclusions about how I think things will play out, and even though I'm almost always wrong, I'm still a jumper.

So yeah. I definitely need something to help me focus on the GOOD. Because really, friends...there is so much good.

In an effort to turn February into something other than a cheesy holiday sandwiched between a few shortened weeks, my friend Jeanne and I are teaming up to bring you a really amazing photography challenge... a chance for you guys to join us as we choose to focus on something really GOOD.

Love.

 

It's really a simple concept. All you have to do is take a photo inspired by the theme for that week, then post it somewhere online next Friday. If you don't have a blog, you could post it on Facebook. Then, come back to our blogs and link yourself up so we can all check out (and be inspired by) your photograph.

I think simply focusing on something other than the negative is going to be hugely important this month. And I love the idea of paying attention (intentionally paying attention) to the things I love.

So,the first week, the theme is LOVE DEEPLY. 
 
Think of something that conveys your deepest love. How you interpret the theme is totally up to you (and I think that'll be part of the fun of it--to see what you do with it!) You have a whole week to take the picture, post it next Friday, February 4th and link up on Jeanne's blog (It's really easy. The following week, you'll link up on my blog. 

Easy as pie. (mmmm. pie. Did I mention I haven't had sugar in 24 days?)  

So, what do you say...are you in?

Not convinced yet? Here's some perks.

1. You don't need a fancy camera. Any camera will do!
2. You don't have to buy anything... (owned, bought or processed...or sell anything sold, bought or processed)... any Say Anything fans out there?

 
Surely I'm not the only one. Be still my Lloyd Dobler lovin' heart.

3. It gives you a chance to be creative in a really cool, unique way.
4. All the cool kids are doing it.
5. I really want you to.

Convinced now??

Okay. That's that. Come play along!

It'll be

So.
Much.
Fun.

Creativity and The French Nest

This weekend, I had the chance to go to The French Nest. I was going to go with my sweet friend Jeanne, but she had far too much beautiful stuff to make for her shop. She just listed all of it this morning and it's all beautiful! I bought a bracelet/cuff and I cannot wait to get it.

When Jeanne couldn't come with me, I almost didn't go (have I told you about my social anxiety before?) Adam forbade me to spend all day Saturday working, and I am so, so glad I have a husband who knows me so well.

 
It was the perfect day for an outdoor market. Sophia and I went together, and it was a wonderful morning together. So much beauty and creativity all in one place.

 

This market is in Old Town Fort Collins every month from May-October. This past weekend was the last one of the year. I am sad for that, but so so happy I went. I was so inspired.

 
But it got me thinking about all the different forms of creativity that are out there. Booths run by artists, jewelry makers, knitters, women who made handbags or quilts decorated the park.

So many different mediums we can choose to express ourselves. So many mediums I've never tried. I've settled on writing, but does that mean all I can do is write? What about all the people who swear they aren't creative? What would it take to prove to them that they are?

  
  

Creativity is so intensely personal, but I do believe there are some similiarities from person to person. It's got me up at night thinking...

What do you do to express yourself? Does working with one medium get boring? Do you need a new medium to challenge you? What keeps you from being creative? Time? Money? Space? All of the above?
 

I'm really curious about other people's creative processes, so I hope you'll share. Mine is in a bit of limbo right now so I've got time to ponder. And if you don't think you're creative, why not? Would a trip to the outdoor market change your mind or make you feel inferior?

What if you saw this little gem as part of the decor in one of the booths?
 

Then you'd be hooked, right?

I am. And I'm hooked on creativity.

Up at night thinking...

Blog Question for Blog Readers

A bit of 'off the top of my head random' for today.

I have a question for people who read blogs. (That means YOU.) 

I am hoping you'll respond via the comments because I really need some answers here.

As a writer, I do a lot of reading about marketing yourself and the use of blogs and websites and this sort of thing. One bit of advice I keep hearing over and over is that your blog should be focused on one topic in order to draw an audience who will come back over and over again. (To which I respond... "What is this FOCUS of which you speak?")

I understand that point. There are writing blogs I read regularly and I like home decorating blogs and artsy blogs, but I can't get myself to believe that this is the ONLY way to do it.

Some of the most popular blogs I know of, often read, often commented on, are ones that explore a bevy (I'm highlighting that word because I like it.) of topics--motherhood, faith, art, reading, photography, recipes, home decor, fitness... a little bit of everything. These are my favorite blogs. I love to see what people are up to, what's working for them, how they're spending their weekends. Perhaps it's a little voyeuristic, (Translation: WEIRD.) and I really hope not, but I love to see how people live.

I'm curious what you think? Would you prefer a blog to be focused on one topic? What if that topic didn't particularly interest you...you'd leave right? Why read a blog about photography if you aren't a photographer? Is it the topic you're coming to see or the person?

Call this market research, but please, weigh in on this one. As I begin to dive into this whole writing a novel thing, I'm learning a LOT...but this is one area I just haven't wrapped my brain around yet, so your help is greatly appreciated. (I say that like I've wrapped my brain around a bunch of the other areas. Ha. I'll just go ahead and let you think so.)

Your answers may be recorded for training purposes.

Now, because I can't NOT post a couple of photos, I would like to share with you my sad attempt to snap a nice photo of my Hobbit.

Feel my pain, friends.

 
 
(No wonder he has a lisp.)

 

 

 

I've taught him to use the bathroom on his own, but we just haven't mastered this "smiling for the camera" thing. At. All.)

 
That's what he thinks of my camera, I think.

 
I started to wonder..."Where is he learning this? Who is modeling this behavior?"

 
Got my answer.

All this and I only got ONE decent shot... (meaning, one frame-able shot... I think the ones above are decent in that they make me laugh, capture his personality and would be awesome on a scrapbook page... but in terms of decorating the wall...eh, not so much.)

I think I sort of caught him by surprise on this one which is why it's good, I imagine.

 
Now, to help you kick off your weekend. I leave you wtih this.

Which got me through the elliptical this morning, started our family dance party last night and will undoubtedly continue to entertain us for at least a few weeks.

 

 

what'chu workin' with?

I have a couple of deadlines next week that I need to get cracking on, namely edits for Book One in my Sweethaven series... so I thought for today I'd keep this short and sweet.

I just wanted to give you a tiny hint of what I'm working with over here.

 
I think it just really captures their personalities.

 
Don't you?

Brings to mind that old Sesame Street song "one of these things is not like the other..."

 
I admit I laughed out loud when this popped up on my computer because this is just SO HIM.

Feisty little hobbit, isn't he?

Other bits of randomness.

1. I'm trying to keep the weekend for PLAY and not for WORK. Not gonna happen this weekend. (But I love my work, so I'm good with that.)

2. I need a good desk chair. This little cheap-o one is killing my back. (Or, if you've got 'em, tips on sitting for a long period of time without having it hurt your back.)

3. Sam keeps getting nosebleeds. Yesterday I found four drips of blood on the kitchen floor and could not for the life of me figure out where they came from.

4. I turn 35 in 3 months. I'm feeling an insane amount of pressure to set some new goals for myself. I feel like 35 is the beginning of a new life. What kind of life do I want that to be?

5. I'm considering going back to Michigan for a little inspiration for my novels. They are set in a beach town there, and I haven't been in a few years. Plus, I'm starting to love traveling.

6. I'm such a dork I get excited when I get new emails...even when they are notifications that I've left my own self a comment on my blog (usually in response to someone else, but still)... This is a pathetic thing to admit, but it's true.

7. It kinda burns me up that my favorite photo of Colorado so far is one that Adam took WITH HIS PHONE.

 
(New blog banner?)

8. I really don't have anything else but feel like I should end on an even number, so there ya have it.

Wishing you a beautiful weekend of PLAY!

Fort Collins, CO portrait photographer

My brain is still processing the writer's conference, so I've decided to blog about something else I love for today... photography.

Before I moved I had the awesome opportunity to photograph my parents' neighbors' family. I went to high school with the two adult children, Brooke and Andy, and visiting with them and seeing their beautiful families was such a fun thing to do before we moved.

I went to their house on the Fourth of July, right after church. It was sweltering so I knew we had to get it done quickly.

Here are some of my favorite shots from that session. I hope you like them!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Estes Park

 
 
Several months ago, before the thought of moving had even blipped on our radar, I wrote a post about searching for a simpler life. The Search for Simplicity was an outward expression of all I'd been feeling. Dreaming of, really. Dreaming of a life that nourished me--body, mind and soul. I didn't have it because I didn't create it for myself and moving to another state isn't an automatic guarantee that it will be achieved. It won't. We could easily, easily slip right back into a similar, crazy schedule. We could hide out inside in spite of this gorgeous weather, put the kids off, eat out too much, stay busy, busy, busy.

But we are guarding against that with ever fiber of our being. (beings?) With all the fibers of our respective beings.

Nothing makes you drop everything panicky like having company. They don't want to sit there and watch you write articles or plot your next book. And in the case of my dad, he'll tell ya he doesn't want to sit around.

My parents came out a few weeks ago. We'd only been here about a week and had no idea where anything cool was, but we knew Estes Park was definitely a spot we wanted to visit. And visit. And visit. We knew it simply by the way everyone talked about it.

Tuesday Sam started his throwing up but Wednesday he was fine. So, up we went. Up and up and up. It's high. I think over 10,000 feet? I admit I got a little nauseous. Sophia had headaches every day for the first two weeks. So did I. The Estes Park climb didn't help.

 

We pulled over and shot all kinds of mountains on the way up, me with my trusty 20D and my dad with his spiffy new 50D. Yes. I am jealous. More so of his lens than his camera. I am now on a hunt for the 25-125 and I guarantee I will find a way to buy it!

I should take this opportunity to explain that my parents were married in like 1902. They were high school sweethearts, but they are not goofy, really. Or silly. We're a rather serious bunch. My humor is dry and sarcastic and my parents aren't what I'd call jovial. They're more straight-laced. Like me.

So when I turned the camera on them and got this...

 
All I could think was that I wished my brother and sister were there so we could exchange confused "What is going on?" looks. Call it a Rocky Mountain High. They were in rare, goofy form.

 
After posing for a few minutes like Superman and his faithful sidekick, they sat down. But their mood didn't dissipate. At all.

Instead, my dad took this opportunity to revert back to his teenage fantasies and cop a feel.

Yep.

 
The result was priceless:

 
(My mom is gonna KILL me for posting this. And she's working today so I know she'll see it. Mom, I'm sorry. I am super busy today and can't answer my phone. Don't even bother calling. I'm, uh...washing my hair. Or..."Something Suddenly Came Up." That's it. Yeah.)

My mom was SO embarrassed and I could NOT stop laughing. She said "You just did that in front of your granddaughter."

Sophia, completely oblivious, now knew she'd missed something and wanted in on the joke.

 
I laughed for about ten minutes straight because this was such a crazy, weird, hilarious thing and so NOT like either of my parents.

We tried to take some legit pictures, but after that it was pretty hard to recover. My dad still looks like he's up to something...

 

 
Lord only knows what he was plotting at this point. I think he just likes to embarrass my mom.

Anyway, after THAT, we took in the sites for awhile... and yes, it was as amazing as everyone says...

 
Sam thought so too.

 

 
Here's one of me and my exceedingly large arm. Oh, and my uber embarrassed mom.

 
The mountains seem to sprout out of the ground in the coolest ways.

 
We stopped off to hike around a little. In flip flops. We weren't exactly prepared. We went up in the evening so we knew we wouldn't have a ton of time...but walking around proved to be an awesome experience and made us decide one day soon we will defnitley go back.

Ethan watched out for The Hobbit.

 
Which of course made me happy.

 
 

 
 

Also, we were driving around and stumbled upon two of these guys:

 
  

Just hanging out on the side of the road. It was pretty cool. They were really pretty. Don't tell them I said that, they may prefer to be called "handsome" and I'd hate to insult elk with such big antlers.

I've been thinking a lot about our life and the kinds of things we wanted to change about it. I think we're making great strides, but we're constantly thinking about it. Until it becomes second nature, I think we have to. We have to be careful not to overprogram the kids, or to take on too much or to work on the weekends. I have been trying to make myself STOP working at 4 when the kids get home, but it takes a conscious effort on my part.

We're getting it. Little by little. A simpler life.

I'm sure it's out there...

...and I'm going to find it...

 
...we all are.

Rockford, Illinois Engagement Photographer

Several weeks ago now, I got to take engagement pictures for a beautiful couple who is getting married in May. We kept waiting for a decent weekend, but we have had some pretty harsh weather this winter, so when we heard the sun was going to be out at a time we could go, we jumped on it.

But IT. WAS. FREEZING.!

So worth it though, I think... we ended up having fun and getting some good shots of the happy couple.

Because it was so cold, we didn't have time to go hunting down new places. I mean seriously, Lauren was wearing flats and no socks. I was wearing a hoodie with a short sleeve top underneath. (I think we are both insane.) So, I went for my tried and true favorite places...

...thankfully, I still managed to find some spots within those tried and true places that I've never shot before. Like this:

I absolutely fell in love with this red parking thingie. I have no idea what it's actually called. My only wish was that the painted "No Parking" was still on there... You can only see it if you look really close.

I just love it.

But then I love all of these spots.

The next one is another spot I've used two other times, but for some reason, I feel like with the snow on the ground, it looks completely different...

This one makes me so happy...

...and it's the start of 'happily ever after'... 

 
 
 

Inspiring Interview with Artist Jessica Rose

You know how you're on a blog and they link to another blog and then another and you end up in a place and can't really remember how it happened but you've got a new one to add to your favorites?

That's kind of what happened with me when I stumbled upon the blog of my Inspiring Interview for the week.

Her name is Jessica Rose and you are going to love her!

Friends, meet Jessica:

 

Jessica's unique and whimsical style had me at "hello" and I keep returning to ooh and ahh over everything she's done. I love that it's foreign to me. I can't dissect it. It's just complex enough (for a non-techy) that it leaves me squinting at the computer screen and scratching my head.

But most of all... it leaves me completely and totally 100 percent inspired...Read on and I think you'll agree.

Have you always thought of yourself as an artist?

Actually, I guess I always have. Even when I was a little girl my parents went out of they’re way to make me feel as though I had a special talent.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by so many random things. A trip to the mall will yield a handful of new color combinations I want to try, Quotes will inspire an entire print, and many of the blogs I read put a sudden urge to create. J

What keeps you creatively motivated?

The biggest most important thing is that I enjoy what I do. This goes a LONG way in motivating me. Keeping it from seeming like work does the trick for me.

 
 

Where do you get your ideas for your artwork?

I’m not really sure. I try to follow trends, but not let them lead me. I try to keep a positive outlook and work to make sure that translates into each piece.

How did you learn to create your artwork digitally and what program(s) do you use?

I am completely self taught. I just took it one step at a time. I use photoshop and try not to overwhelm myself. I take each day at a time. When I want to do something, and I’m not sure how, I just google it. J Google is my best friend.

Do you do something creative everyday?

Unfortunately no. J I have two little ones still at home, so my everyday routines are not always geared towards creative-ness. J

What do you tell people who swear they aren’t creative?

Look a little harder, everyone has done something creative at one point or another. Whether it be adding an extra ingredient to a recipe, or even putting a creative spin on an outfit. J

What is a one of your BIG dreams regarding your creative life?

To one day have my own studio/craft space. I would LOVE to be able to leave a project out and not have it take up kitchen table space.

Describe your style… do you find it translates to your home decorating, your fashion, etc.?

I’m not too sure about this one. I do tend to lean more towards a modern simplistic approach to decorating. My fashion sense took a turn for the worse after having my first daughter. It’s much more fun buying clothes for them, or decorating the house.

*Interjecting to tell you that I am in love with the above print and intend to get it in as big a size as I can.  

Are there certain conditions you need just so in order to create? (Foods/atmosphere/Music etc.)

It definitely helps to set aside time to create while my girls are napping. Having time to do something without being interrupted is priceless.

Complete this sentence… I am passionate about…

Life. I’m always worried I’ll look back and wonder what I did with my life. How will I be remembered?

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I am TERRIFIED of spiders. If you have been around me for more then a day you already know this…

What photo can you always look at to ensure a smile?

Family pictures will always ensure a smile. Pictures of my husband and I when we were dating, pictures of my girls.

What’s your favorite room in the house?

This would probably be my kitchen. Just because my little work space is set up there and I do 99% of my creating here. We completely remodeled the kitchen last fall, and I really like how it all turned out.

 
 

Describe your perfect day:

My perfect day would have all of these ingredients;

Creative time to work on a crafty project, an equal serving of play time with my girls, a smidge of house cleaning, sunny warm weather, a bowl of chocolate peanut butter ice cream, and a cup and a half of cuddle time with my hubby. J Not necessarily in that order either. ;) 

Complete this sentence: “An artist is…”

Talented, creative, and blessed.

  
 To get your own dose of jessica's work, check out her BLOG. 

Once you've done that, you're going to want to run (not walk) to her ETSY SHOP. where you can see her prints, cards and Photoshop Overlays.

You will love them!

*All images are the property of Jessica Rose and are used with her permission. Thank you, Jessica!

...Now, wasn't that INSPIRING?