No, I wasn’t able to travel 50,000 miles to Kenya with my husband 12 days ago. No, I didn’t see the faces or shake the hands or hear the stories face to face. My feet never touched it’s soil, but Kenya changed me and it changed my husband.

It was the story of our recently sponsored child, Owen, who is 8 years old, knows 3 languages and wants to be a pilot someday. We give him $38 a month, and with that money, Compassion International gives him an opportunity to not just survive, but thrive. Giving him a chance at an education, and to escape the grip of extreme poverty.

Photo by Keely Scott

My husband got to meet Owen, to experience the joy in his face as he took him to a Kenyan amusement park, to hear his “ahhs” as he saw photos of me and my son, and watch him marvel at how many toys my son had (there were two toys in the photo my husband showed him).

Photo by Keely Scott

It was hearing the quote by Shaun Groves that:

“Compassion International is trying to help release the poor from poverty, but it’s also helping to release us from our wealth.”

It was reading the stories of women like Eunice. Right now I’m wearing the necklace that my husband brought back for me that was made by a woman that has been taught by Compassion’s Child Survival Program.  She rolls slivers of old posters, calendars, and scrap paper into beads coated with varnish.

These mothers are full of so much joy that they have been taught to do something that can provide for the daily needs of their family.

It was being moved by these amazing people who have so little, but yet are so very joyful and thankful. Like in the case of 18-year old Eliud, living alone in one of the most filthy and impoverished slums in the world. In a prayer he wrote above his door and prays each day, that God loves him enough to feed him, bless him, and give him hope for the future.

Photos by Brad Ruggles

It was realizing that in 50 years no one will care about what kind of car I drove, house I had, or clothes I wore. Who am I to be discontent because of what I “don’t have”? I am going to be honest and say that I have felt discontent too many times about things that are so meaningless, like the kind of sheets I have on my bed. Or wishing I had the money to go shopping, when I already have a closet jam packed with nice clothing.

This has put things in perspective for me in so many ways. Where your heart is, that’s where your treasure lies, and my heart has been places that it shouldn’t for too long.

Photos by Ryan Detzel

Thanks for reading if you’ve gotten this far! I know this is an unusual post for me, but I felt it was appropriate and necessary because I feel that my life, (and consequently this blog) is being transformed and I want you to be a part of it.

If you are interested in making an impact in a child’s life, their are 3,000 children waiting to be sponsored in Kenya alone. Think about it — but not too much. Unfortunately we take more time deciding on whether or not to spend $38 a month on a life than on a pair of shoes.

As my husband embarks on an amazing 10-day trip to Kenya with Compassion International, I thought it would make me feel closer to him and his adventure by posting some beautiful things inspired by and from this African country.

Photo left: Samburu Girl in Full Traditional Dress

Amazing jewelry from Kenyan artisans (launching exclusively with Urban Outfitters in Spring 2009)

Maasai Princess // African Dress

Liquid Gold – a gorgeous strand of African Trade Beads from Kenya // Handcarved, handpainted wooden hearts

I love Africa! The bright bold colors, patterns and textures…and the people! So precious and beautiful. So while I can’t travel thousands of miles this time around, I hope to visit in the future.

Where are you dreaming of going someday?

Hi dear readers! I’ve got a couple easy DIY projects to share with you, a necklace and a bracelet! I don’t have step by step tutorials, so if you have any questions just ask.

Ruffle Necklace

A cute and easy way to add some interest to a boring outfit. Note to self: you are your own model, at least put on some makeup!

You need: A long piece of fabric and a necklace chain, needle and thread.

Cut a piece of fabric, sew long edges together and pull inside out create to a fabric tube (this step can be skipped if you don’t mind raw edges). Next, sew a gathering stitch along the middle and then just use a needle and thread to sew it to your necklace chain.

Baubly Bracelet

Is baubly a word? I don’t think so, but this bracelet reminds me of…baubles.

My hand looks freakishly large and manly here. Ah!!

You need: a rectangular piece of fabric and those craft pom poms you’re never quite sure what to do with. Cover your pom poms with the fabric, tying each ball in a knot with embroidery floss. Once done, you can hot glue your baubly (bubbly?) piece of fabric to some jersey or felt the size of your wrist and finish it with a button closure.

Yay! Now you have two really inexpensive, one of a kind accessories! Sweet.

I haven’t gotten my watercolors out in so long. The desire has been there, but the will hasn’t. So when a friend of mine wrote this post yesterday on getting rid of excuses and making yourself create, that was the kick in the pants I needed. So during my baby’s precious nap time I got out my supplies and gave it a go.

It was relaxing. It was peaceful. I chose to paint a dogwood flower, adding my own creative interpretation. I’ve so been looking forward to Spring, and I love dogwoods because they are sort of an impetus to seeing the world bloom again. Once they come out, life seems to radiate out from them in a trickle effect.

Anyway, I’m glad I stopped talking myself out of doing something that ended up being really fulfilling to me. What barriers do you need to overcome to follow your creative urges?

If you are like me, sometimes you wait until the very last possible moment to get things done. Valentine’s Day has snuck up on me, and I’m looking for ideas. Here are some of my favorites:

Make a Tiny Valentine

Tiny Valentine’s Matchboxes

DIY Cherry Tree Diorama

DIY Valentine’s at Purl Bee

Make Him Something Sweet

Chocolate Hazelnut Pie Recipe by Cherry Menlove // Valentines cupcakes by ShiShi Cupcakes

DIY: Valentine’s treats by Melanie

Give Him Kisses

Well of course I will be giving him some of those!!

Blow A Kiss Flipbook

Give Him a Lovely Card

Vintage Romance Valentine Postcard (Free PDF Download)

Printable Vintage Valentine Cards

Let the romance ensue! Have a great weekend everybody and I hope you have a wonderful Valentines!

Special thanks to Jessica Hische for creating the beautiful logo.

I’m so excited to share with a great way for artists to use their talents to give back to humanity through their work. As an artist, I’ve struggled with the “why” behind the creative urges I have, beyond using them for profit or for myself, I really have longed for a greater purpose. I know I’m not the only one like this. That’s why I created A Beautiful Idea.

A recent aquaintance of mine hit the nail on the head so perfectly…she says, “how can God use artists to meet real needs in practical ways? Cuz my creative gifts seem futile up against a hurting world. Help!”

My hope is that this movement can be the vehicle to do just that – make a difference in a hurting world. Here is how it works:

• Etsy sellers, independent sellers and artists create a unique product to list and sell in their store, with 100% of the sale of that item going to charity. This can be ongoing, or a one-time deal. Your choice.
• Once a sale is made, you are responsible for donating the funds to ABI’s donation center.
• At the end of every month, ABI will donate the funds given to the chosen charity and give a report on our blog. Every 6 months (or once our monetary goal is hit), a new charity or cause will be selected.

It’s a three-fold beneficial cycle:

1. Artists have a way to create work for a greater purpose.
2. Consumers are given the opportunity to buy a unique product that supports a cause.
3. Charities are given the proceeds to help their mission.

Imagine with me for a sec, for instance if only 1% of Etsy.com’s current 200,000+ sellers (via entrepreneur.com) got on board making one $20  item a month – that’s $40,000 dollars a month! Think of the unprecedented change that ARTISTS could make in the world.

OK, you’ve heard enough and now you want to get involved, right? It’s simple.

1. Just fill out this form to join the network.
2. Get to work creating, listing and selling your unique product.
3. Donate 100% of your item(s) cost to ABI’s donation center.

That’s it! Once you fill out the sign up form, you and your site will be featured as a participant on ABI. There will also be product highlights featured on our homepage.

So sign up, and tell a friend!

I don’t consider myself to be a photographer, but I do love taking photos and experimenting with different angles, subjects, lighting, etc. We had such a beautiful snow last week, I just had to go out with my kid and my camera to take some shots. Here are a few of my favs!

A branch encapsulated by ice // A lone footprint

My husband’s sled, named “Laqueesha” // My sweet boy who wasn’t very fond of the cold

I love winter light, I think it’s the best. Did anyone else get snow last week? Though I do enjoy it’s beauty, hopefully that will be the last of the snow and ice for the season!

I think I’m addicted. The clothes I would yawn over before are getting a second look in my closet now. To me it’s just as thrilling to revamp something you already own than to go out and buy something new. Because, you made it. It’s yours. And it’s unique. So here is another sweater refashion I finished that I wanted to share.

Dare I admit that I actually owned this drab thing? I think I might have worn it once…underneath something else!

Well here it is now after cutting out the neckline to more of a boat neck shape and sewing a patch of nautical fabric and button to the front.

I also added some sleeve pickups complete with buttons! (Inspired by this tutorial.)

Forgive my blinding pallor in these photos. I can’t wait until summer so I don’t look so pale! Well readers, have you been inspired to cut up, add to, or embellish anything in your wardrobe? Please share!

We are under a blanket of snow and ice here in the Midwest, so it’s a perfect time for blogging! I was inspired to put a post together of some of my favorite inspirations in art made with paper. Stay warm and enjoy!

Paper flower wreaths (via 100 layer cake) // Paper cut cards from crafterall (via designmilk)

Photograph by Carl Kleiner

Paper flowers from the gilded bee

Neon scarf is Fierce original mixed media illustration // Tattered Angel Wings Paper Sculpture

Hey everyone! Thanks for all your sweet feedback on my last post. It’s really fun getting to share the journey with you! This is just a quick note to show off some brand new items I posted in my etsy shop this week. I’m excited to start making more things for your home AND your wardrobe!

Happy shopping!