(Above photos by Samantha Lamb)

She generously shared her day with us this last Monday and showed us around her farm, affectionately named Early Bird Acres. I wanted to share a little bit of our day with you here, and maybe you will be inspired to see agrarian beauty in a whole new light.

The closer we got to Sam’s place, the more the views looked like this. Nothing but wheat fields for miles and miles. I stopped on the side of the road and took photo after photo and marveled at the quietness – you could only hear birds chirping – and of course my two boys loudly declaring that they, too wanted to get out of the car. :)

It was really beautiful in the simplest way. Oklahoma may not have really epic views or wonders of nature compared to other states, but you can still appreciate the natural rolling plains and flat fields. Yes, God sometimes is a minimalist.

Sam’s adorable farmhouse in seafoam blue where she’s made her home for the last three years. My boys seemed quite at home here. Perhaps they have a future in agriculture.

My friend Mandy came with her 4 kiddos, and we had such a good time picking radishes from Sam’s garden. We came right before harvest, and I’m so glad we didn’t miss the majestic stalks of golden wheat rising from the earth.

Sam raises lots of different animals on her farm – sheep, chickens, cows, ducks, and even a rooster named Charles. She names all her animals, and speaks loving words every morning as she tends to them.

There is an adorable guest cottage on the property, full of antique furniture, old books, the quaintest bed and even a vintage organ.

After picnicking beneath her pecan tree, we headed out to the cow pasture where Sam rode her 4-wheeled steed to lure Ohio the cow in for a visit. Her beloved dogs Harold and Rosie joined in for the fun.

We were eager to meet this famous cow that is expecting a calf very soon.

Lots of running and exploring.

My oldest boy riding “Smoothie” the vintage tractor. As much as he loved the animals, the tractor was his favorite thing on the farm. I think he looks the part!

All in all, it was such a wonderful trip. Sam was the most gracious and sweet hostess. To learn more about this talented lady, you can read this incredible interview from 20 Something Magazine. Thank you Sam for the great day and the wonderful memories!

I’ve had a Craigslist alert on my phone for months for an easel. Then the other day an ad popped up for a vintage Grumbacher portable easel for $35. It was in great shape, and I swiped it up. I’ve been wanting an easel for years, I do believe this will make oil painting much easier. :)

Spring is inspiring me with color and I’m loving that paired with fresh white space. I’ve been drawn to watercolors and all the dried leaves and flowers I’ve been pressing since last fall.

Faces and foliage, these are my favorite subjects lately.

My husband also got me some prismacolor drawing pens that I’m absolutely loving (thank you honey!). If you can believe it, I’ve never really had quality drawing pens so I’m excited to experiment with them.

What are working on lately? Is Spring inspiring and infusing your art?

I’ve been feeling like a lone ranger mom these days. It’s not for a lack of friendships, playdates, activities and the like, it’s just for the day to day work and toil of mothering little ones, I feel quite lonely – and worn out. My mind entertains quite frequently the thought of moving to an African village where I can rub shoulders with other women everyday, and bring up my children in a more communal type setting. There is an oft-quoted African saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” I think you could add a second half to the saying, “…and a community to keep the parents sane.” I think modern American home life really lacks in this area.

Patrice Karst is the author of The Single Mother’s Survival Guide. She says, “All through history, women took care of children together. As a culture, we need to stop worshiping privacy and realize we’re tribal by nature.”

Biblical community is something I’ve been thinking alot about lately. Life is not meant to be lived or cultivated in solitude. I’m not sure why our society and our religion has evolved to where we do life primarily alone, and stay at home parenting is set up as something of a burden. We’ve become like silos. At least that’s how I feel.

I’ve been studying Acts this year, and the early believers gave us such a beautiful picture of what Biblical community looks like:

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
Acts 4:32-35

Anyway, I’ve been praying for months and months about what to do. I considered starting a Good News Club since there is a school right behind our house, but after taking some steps to check it out, didn’t feel like it was the right fit. Finally, a few days ago I had a breakthrough and narrowed it down.

We love our neighborhood in midtown Oklahoma City – it’s busy, loud, diverse, colorful and full of wonderful people. We have Latin American neighbors right next door with three kids that we play with all the time. They teach us Spanish, we teach them English. The way we do life differently is so unique, and interesting. We know most of our neighbors that are closest to us, but I want to branch out and get to know other families that are on my block. When we moved here, I had this vision of our home being an open place for anyone to come and be loved, served, and cared for. I want neighbor kids running around playing, I want my kitchen to be stocked with food so I can make meals for people who stop by.

So it feels a little scary, but I’m making step towards this vision, because I know it just won’t happen by itself. I’m starting a big community playdate once a week at my home. Since the weather has warmed up, it’s perfect timing. I’m envisioning blankets laid across my back lawn with books, toys, games. We will have snacks, sing songs, let the children play and the parents/caregivers get to know each other, and hopefully build a community of people that we can know and serve.

I’m blogging about this because I want to know your thoughts – especially those of you who stay at home with young kids. Do you feel a strong need for community like this? What would it look like for you to pursue it? I look forward to sharing more with you soon…my first one is next Tuesday! I’ve already printed the flyers, so there is no turning back now. :)

So last month I got to work at Anthropologie for a couple days. A new store was opening in January here in Oklahoma City and a friend of mine was hired as a manager. Boy did I feel lucky when she asked me to help prep the store for their grand opening! I hung up my mommy hat and donned my dusty work hat. It was so exciting see the store unfold and become what we all know Anthropologie stores to be – a treasure trove of inspiration, beauty and retail perfection.

I got to work on one of the art displays, my own personal favorite attribute of Anthro. They had people from all over the country working to help get the store to standard. One of the gals painted this giant mural of an Oklahoma landscape and then we cut it up and put them inside these old canvas frames. It was so much fun being a part. I also steamed ALOT of pretty dresses.

It was also awesome to see a local artist there, creating one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture and displays for the environment onsite. Jerrod made the coffee table you see above (borrowed from his instagram).

Belt courtesy of forthemakers.com

This was what I wore to the opening party I got to attend with a girlfriend. Don’t tell, but none of it was from Anthro! I was also sporting a sassy new haircut – my friend Erin says it makes me look like Roxie Hart. (Thanks Erin!)

We ended up doing more chatting and eating the yummy hors d’oeuvres from Deep Fork than shopping, but it was still a great time oohing and aahing over things we couldn’t afford to buy. Ultimately it was a great opportunity to do something special and different, but it really made me appreciate my role as a mom so much more. I don’t think I would cut it in the retail industry! Now, if I could help with the store displays, THAT would be another story. :)

But, I have a tremendous lineup of artist interviews coming up that I’m so excited to share! Jenna from Whimsy + Spice, Jihan from Geronimo Balloon Troopers, Shauna from Something’s Hiding in Here, and Caroline from Paloma’s Nest all have agreed to share their passion filled artforms with us and why they do what they do.

So check back soon and if you think of me, please pray that we will survive this move with both the children (and ourselves) intact. :)

There are so many stereotypes designers fit into. I’ll admit – I fit in a few. But, for years I felt there might be something wrong with me because I felt I didn’t exactly fit the mold. Now I’m at the point in life where I can embrace my quirks and differences and still be {relatively} confident in what I do. Let me make it clear that I don’t have anything against ANY of these things; my intention isn’t to make people feel bad. It’s just a way for me to say…embrace what makes you different. Even if it’s a flaw. Embrace your limitations (see #1). You don’t have to do or wear or own any certain thing to be a creative person. Just be you. So with all that said, I’m a designer. And these are my confessions.

I don’t use a Canon or Nikon. I use a cheap Panasonic Lumix camera for all my photography.

I don’t drink Starbucks. Or any coffee for that matter.

I do all my design work on…wait for it…a PC! I don’t have anything against Mac, it’s just what I’ve always used. And it works for me.

I don’t own anything Eames. Someday though.

I don’t own a Keep Calm poster.

I can’t really bring myself to buy anything retail. Unless it’s a really good pair of jeans that fit *perfectly.* And then I’ll just wear those for ten years until they fall apart.

Speaking of clothes, I’m terrible at putting outfits together. I just don’t have the personal sense of fashion or creativity or boldness, or whatever to do it. Promise does though. So does this girl.

I didn’t go to college. Everything I’ve learned has been self-taught in the area of web and graphic design. This was an insecurity of mine for a long time. I was confident at the time about my decision not to go to college, but people along the way definitely made me doubt myself because I didn’t receive formal training. I’m over it now though.

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

OK, I broke the ice. Now it’s your turn to spill the beans!

Today I celebrate seven years with the man I love. I can’t imagine spending my life with anyone else. Even through the rough times, it’s always been truth – God put us together – and we are inseparable. I love you Kent Shaffer.

The birth was thrilling, but also one I’m not eager to do again anytime soon. I think exhaustion has been the hardest thing to deal with this year, that and trying to do everything else too. But, oh what joy. I just melt inside thinking of the joy he brings in my life. So it’s been hard, and character building. And this post is dedicated to him.

Journaled at 7 Weeks
You are the embodiment of everything beautiful in my life. You are sweet and peaceful, thoughtful and content. You began smiling at me about a week ago, and though you don’t smile ALL the time like Eli did, you seem to have a distinct look of intention and focus behind your smile, and it’s so endearing. The first week you were born you would lock eyes with me and your gaze was so intense. You seem to have such depth and personality already at your young age. Your eyes are deep blue and your toes are always flexed when you are awake, almost like you can’t relax.

You are very strong. Sometimes we will find you turned a 180 from where we set you down – you can maneuver around quite well for an infant! You can also hold your head up by yourself if I’m holding you upright. It’s very impressive! One time you even nose-dived off my pillow to try and retrieve your pacifier…and you succeeded.

Journaled at 4 Months
You still eat 4-5 times a night, and every 2-3 hours in the day – which wears me out, but I really don’t mind too much. Your joy is expressed with your entire body, it starts in your eyes, then creeps down to your mouth, and then your arms and legs join in. Sometimes you look at me so happy and your eyes water…which inevitably makes me tear up too. In the rare occasion that we get to nap at the same time, you like to touch my face all over and then fall asleep. You have developed the cutest dimple in your left cheek despite the baby fat that’s been stored there. It shows every time you smile. I hope it stays. Eli has been interacting with you more and you love it. You seem to have already idolized him as your big brother. You love to watch and be involved with whatever he is doing. He is great at helping with your diaper and always says, “whoooaaa” just like I do. Haha!

Journaled at 9 Months
All within the last two weeks you’ve started crawling, saying mama and pulling up to a stand. In public, EVERYONE comments on your gorgeous blue eyes, and I’ve been told more than once that they just sparkle.

Journaled at 10 Months
The other morning I woke up with your cute little baby foot about an inch or two from my face. It was awesome. Your feet are so cute. You’ve been sick with an ear infection for several days. So if I thought we were joined at the hip before, this week has pretty much soldered us together. All you want to do is cuddle cuddle cuddle. I don’t mind, I love holding you. Your brother minds though. I don’t think he likes the extra attention you are getting. Changing your diaper sometimes takes two people, one to wrestle you down one to slap the diaper on your bum. Yes, now I can mark the one off the list “let a 10 month old get the best of me.”

Unfortunately you still aren’t a good sleeper. Waking up 2-3 sometimes 4 times a night still. And you started this new thing where you just roll and thrash your body around until you or I finally succumb to what you want (nursing or pacifier). I get a good laugh out of playing chase and hide and seek with you around our couches. This is the most fun. I get a little jump out of you every time I come around the corner you aren’t expecting. And giggles. Lots of giggles. It’s funny feeding you. I’ll set something yummy in front of you and you grab it by the fist full and shove it all in your mouth. Sometimes you use two fists. And then, if I bring something else that you think is yummier, you throw down or spit out whatever you are eating to make way for the new, more yummy stuff. When you don’t get what you want, it’s like the world is ending. You throw your head back and raise your arms and cry BIG tears then throw your self back or forward without caring about the consequences. Sometimes you even bang your head against the floor repeatedly. Aren’t you too young to be doing this? I think so, but you’ve seen your big brother do it plenty of times, so I guess you had a good teacher.

I feel like 75% of the time I’m watching you, you have something in your mouth, or you are about to put something in you shouldn’t, or I’m fishing multiple things out. You are so fearless. You do things that make me so nervous, and I really can’t keep you out of my sight for too long. That and your brother pesters you alot. You like to be right in the middle of things, in the thick of the action. You don’t like being on the sidelines. So that bothers your brother alot, but he will get used to it. You still cry ALOT. Anytime I put you down in your crib, you cry. Anytime I put you down at all, for any reason (and walk away), there is a good chance you will cry. You just still like being right by me or being held by me. It’s exhausting, but you know, I love you so much I would never ever wish it away. I’m just glad I have the time margin to be able to baby you while you are still a baby.

—-

Abe, you are so loved. Happy Birthday my sweet boy!

No, I’m serious. I’m not being sarcastic or facetious. I love seeing my ideas used in other places. I love it when people build off them and create their own beautiful things. Let me explain further.

I believe art and creativity should be:

The topic of being generous with art has been on my mind a lot lately. I believe anything good is worth giving away – that includes ideas, art, beauty, design – I believe it should be shared. I’m tired of stingy artists. I’m tired of artists laying claim on a certain idea they had, and possessing it in such a way that no one feels like they can reproduce it. I’m tired of the inconsistencies. We steal ideas from others and boast about it, but then get mad if someone does it to us.

A creator is neither a slave nor a master, he is one who gives, and gives abundantly. -Berdyaev (via my brother, Jason)

C’mon, be honest and admit it. You’ve copied someone else at some point in time. I know I have. As a graphic designer just starting out, I copied what other people were doing. It made my own skills better and helped me discover my own voice as an artist. The point is not to stay there. It’s to grow and begin to discover your own originality and uniqueness. My friend, Promise, has a great post about that.

It is a shame when people intentionally steal other people’s work down to the very detail in order to make a profit. There are many reasons this is wrong, and they are obvious so I won’t go into them all.

If you steal an idea from somewhere else, you should definitely NOT try and pass it as your own original idea. Credit MUST be given. This keeps you honest, and it keeps the person you are stealing from from potentially being hurt emotionally or economically. Respecting other artists is key and actually keeps you from harmful stealing.

“Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is nonexistent.”—Jim Jarmusch

You should remain humble in any type of art that you produce. Creativity flows through us, we are not the Author of it. We are merely the vessels to get it out there – to make something from nothing is god-like. We are like God in that way, and that is humbling. If I’ve learned something about my creativity this year, it’s that I can’t take credit for it. I know it comes from a higher Source.

“It’s not where you take things from—it’s where you take them to.”— Jean-Luc Godard

I loved this article I came across recently, How to Steal Like an Artist. In it, Austin says, “You are, in fact, a mashup of what you choose to let into your life. You are the sum of your influences. The German writer Goethe said, “We are shaped and fashioned by what we love.” The artist is a collector. They only collect things that they really love.”

“Every idea is a juxtaposition. That’s it. A juxtaposition of existing concepts.”— Steven Grant

We should be inspired by other artists. Producing derivative works and building off existing art is what makes art grow.

Nothing is original anyway. Twyla Tharp says, “Baby, it’s all been done before.” There have been several instances I’ve found this to be true in my own creating.

Ashley’s doily runner // My doily runner (hers is way prettier)

A year ago I had an idea to make a runner out of doilies. I was truly impressing myself with my original idea. Then a few weeks later I found my friend Ashley’s post on her doily runner. Boy, did I ever feel silly. That’s when I truly realized – People CAN have the same ideas. It’s dangerous to see someone’s work and automatically assume they’ve copied.

It seems like artists all over are sort of paranoid about unintentional piracy of another artists work. Even I will go Google something and make sure no one has done it before so I won’t be accused of copying. This is a real shackle to the creative community. A young Helen Keller was accused in 1892 of plagiarizing Margaret T. Canby’s story The Frost Fairies in her short story The Frost King. She was brought before a tribunal, where she was acquitted by a single vote. She said she was worried she may have read The Frost Fairies and forgotten it, “remained paranoid about plagiarism ever after” and said that this led her to write an autobiography: the one thing she knew must be original. (source)

The art and creative community should be just that, a community. A brotherhood, or sisterhood. As my friend has said, our claws shouldn’t come out if someone else is using our idea.

So please, steal my ideas. Steal my artwork and designs. Copy my stuff. Copy my blog layout. Steal my projects, make them yours. I really don’t mind. I hope it builds you as an artist to find your own original ideas and builds the creative community towards a more giving, sharing place.

{ Except where otherwise noted, all quotes via Olivia Verdugo }

Images above all from my pinterest

I have somewhat of an addiction. The addiction is to beauty, in all it’s forms. Art, photography, crafts, ideas, typography, design, and even fashion. The invention of pinterest only feeds the content beast. It’s easy to be addicted because beautiful things that people create are all around us. Besides pinterest, there is flickr, twitter, blogs, magazines and more all with the focus of seeking and finding beauty and inspiration.

The trouble with all this beauty is it can breed discontentment. Maybe discontentment with our own skill sets. Or discontentment with what we have or don’t have. It also creates an insatiable appetite for more. Maybe I’m weird and I’m the only one like this. Or maybe not. But this is something I’m constantly having to keep in check.

My worldview was profoundly changed one year ago when my husband went to Kenya, and I saw these amazing people who had so little, yet found beauty and meaning despite their ugly surroundings. I immediately took a few phrases out of my vocabulary:

If you think about it, the context in which those phrases are heard and said in our culture seem pretty silly when you compare them to the true needs of others.

My blog also took a different turn. I stopped blogging about things with a consumeristic approach and started working on more of my own creative projects. That has helped immensely with my own personal creativity, and has helped me stay balanced.

I do believe you should have inputs. As Twyla Tharp, author of The Creative Habit says, “Everything is usable. Everything is relevant.” Every artist should feed into themselves somehow. But I have personally found I need to set limits on inspiration I look for via the internet. Otherwise, it inhibits my own creativity and it just makes me feel empty instead of full. These days I’d much rather go on a walk or visit a beautiful place or even explore an old run down building.

I wonder if we could just shift our mindset to see things online and not think thoughts like, “I wish I had thought of that” or “I’ve got to have that” or “I need that.” I wonder if we could see beauty and just appreciate it. To appreciate the talent of the artist. To admire and respect. To let it feed into us as artists and let it change us.

For discussion: What makes you seek out beauty and inspiration? Do you feel fulfilled by it, or does it leave you wanting more? Does it inspire you to create? Does beauty exist simply for our enjoyment? Or consumption to regurgitate it out? Or does it exist to inspire and motivate to action? To create change? To give people hope? I’d love to hear your thoughts!