facing fears. learning. launching my first online class FINALLY!

spirit wands created by me. new online course. 

truth. there is no perfect, only what you make it. 

me at 54 (almost 55 years) 

i stitch to heal. i stitch to learn more about myself.

I looked at my little blog that I started so very many years ago and noticed I had not posted since November. Wow! How did that much time zap by? It just does, that is life.

I made a promise to myself in this new year of 2018 and that was to LEARN. Learn all of the things that I thought were bigger then me. To put aside the self talk that never has served me and just show up and learn. I have wanted to teach, to put together online courses about things I love to create. I have let the fear of learning how to accomplish this take over.  NO MORE!!!

I have a very smart and talented husband who believes in my talents so very much! With his help and my being brave and reaching out to a friend who is so talented with art and online courses, I just launched my first one. It was so wonderful! I love learning this stuff. I even surprised myself! I love organizing the lessons, styling the photos, chatting away about what I am creating. I even let go of not being young looking enough or pretty enough. The heck with all of that crap. I am doing it!!

I even launched with a class that to many might be odd. I do not even care. To me it is a sacred gift that I wanted to share, so I did and you know what, people showed up! Students are loving this online class. I am humbled and thrilled beyond. So excited to hear and see what they are creating. This is wonderful stuff.

Of course as I move forward it is easy to look back on my life and see how I traveled to where I am now. I have always been an artist my whole life since I was a little girl. I grew up and went to collage and became a graphic designer and illustrator. Cool! I still adore designing and illustrating. I had build up a routine of bad self talk - not enough self esteem until I was frozen. It feels great to not be frozen in fear. Sure I still suffer from anxieties but, man I have a handle on those (for the most part).

I am now creating my second online course and it will launch soon. I have plans for at least 20 courses already in list form.

My life is not as easy as some might think, I work really hard. I have some people who show up that are terribly mean to me. I live with knowing how lucky I am to be alive and I take it seriously. I want to show up and be positive to be a light. I no longer want to feel hurt by bullies and mean people. I just do not want to fear it anymore.  So I am learning how not to. I learn more daily! I work on learning and growing and facing and slaying these fears every single day.

Be inspired by your life. Show up and do the stuff you feel calling you. Try it! Do not let others tell you who you are or what you are capable of. Just listen to YOU!!! This learning gig is the real stuff. I am so grateful that I am on this path. I wish this for all of you!!!

My online course is = Creating Your Own Spirit Wand
It is over 4 hours of video lessons, 20 PDF downloads of inspiration, tips, lessons, sources.
The early registration price is $49 until the 15th of March after the 15th the price is $59

If you are registered in the class by the 15th you are entered into a drawing to WIN the Spirit Wand I create in class. I also have a drawing to win a big box of supplies from my studio. I love giving and I have been creating lots of ways to give back as a thank you for supporting me.

If you follow me at all on facebook or instagram you know what these are.

Here is the link if you are so inclined to join me. I would love that!!!
https://goo.gl/nvGGrX

Celebrating Pearl Button's World of Holiday Happiness = 6 happy cards

 

Some celebrations are bigger then others. This one folks is big for me. Pearl Button our little 11 pound JRT and I have designed 6 holiday happy cards. I have been realizing lots of dreams this year and having cards designed (really loving them) and printed and for sale is a biggie.

I have found that I go back to what I love the very most. Painting, drawing, graphic design. Taking all of these loves and combining has brought me joy when creating this line. Lots of layers, hand illustrated type. Happy words floating around = its a very good moment in my life.

I have over 30 everyday cards that will be ready to go as well. 

Knowing that my path has been moving mountains lately. Knowing that I can move them and stay steady on my path. Knowing how grateful my heart is for the ability to create.

I am lucky. I am loved. I am absolutely following my gut on this path. 

They are for sale in my etsy shop = link below. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/kellimay 

Dream marches BIGGER. We are MOVING north.

downtown main street in Galena - charming historic art filled goodness = local

views from end of main street looking across the park

history is everywhere

driving into Galena in July. i took this picture. the view is never something you tire of.

Ulysses S. Grants home from 1865

Wishes, dreams are wonderful. They can build and change and always create more in life. We are packing up everything we own (again) and moving North to a small river town Galena Illinois.
I am thrilled. Yes, I will miss a few friends, the ocean and warm weather, shrimp. I can visit and come back to splash in the ocean - and I will.

I have wanted to live in Galena since I was in 6th grade. Our class took a school trip on the yellow bus to tour the home of Ulysses S. Grant.  I was immediately smitten with the history and charm that seemed to pour out of this little town. I grew up in a small river town called Camanche in Iowa. Camanche is one hour and 45 minutes away.

I am learning so much about myself and I am most grateful for all of it. I moved away from Iowa once I graduated from college. I have lived in mostly big cities for a very long time. I thought that I needed to live by the ocean. I did. I did it and now I know that I need more charm, history, seasons that change, community that I can feel and know. I need Galena. I am praying that Galena needs me.

So I continue to move those mountains. Be brave and shine = I am doing it. I am proud.

We have rented a beautiful historic home built in 1846. We will be packing our big truck up end of October and rolling into the fall weather and bonfires.

I am so grateful for my life. I am filled with creative spirit that will shine even brighter as I move across this beautiful country. Going back to a small river town knowing it is home.

Oh and my darling hubby has a wonderful new job waiting for him. So flipping proud of him. He is my best friend and love who totally gets me and how to live a full life.

photos above (except for the one i took) courtesy of the web images of Galena.

Mindful Living = Connections for a lifetime

traveling shrine so amazing

lucky me to be surrounded by such talents and love

this girl is all about REAL style and beauty

not a better soul to be with

passion flower - stunning

not a sweeter, more fun beauty to be blessed with

serious SHINE from within WOW

the start of something sacred for me

no better circle EVER

intentions are everything = remember this 

love this lady

these were daily gifts i received so much = grateful

beauty + beauty = stunning

There are times in my life that I know that being brave and knowing my heart is the right thing to do. I follow these always no matter how hard it might be for me, or how shy I can be, or the anxiety that finds me. I take my doubts about who I am and what I have to offer and I place them in this little invisible bag and take them with me as I face what I fear. EVERY single time I am rewarded with more happiness, more knowing of my soul, living with intentions, shining on souls and making a difference in this big world.

I create daily for a living. My goal from this retreat I bravely marched into is to create for me and make my card line for Pearl Button's World. I am using my soul filled self to start this dream.

Dream daily. I do. I know that they come true. I know with intention behind my efforts I will shine.

Grateful to you beautiful souls who have again taught me so very much about life and myself.

I love all of you so much.