gratefully giving. take time to notice the gift of friendship.

created the box with layers of papers then painting and more layers.

oh the love of details 

she loved beauty = i do i do

grateful for kindred spirits

happiness combo platter = 3 gifts ready to mail

Today was a day for packing, thinking, creating and gifting. Oh the joy I feel when I create presents for others. I truly love love love giving. I am not sure what a therapist would say about this passion I have for giving. It comes from a very real pure place in my heart. I never expect anything in return. Okay, I like thank you's. I really just feel better noticing that others need to feel loved and being a tiny light shining = hopefully saying, "hey, i notice and you are beloved."

So I created three fun packages today. I am happy to say in the midst of a very busy studio day and packing. So much of life is often over looked. I love having the ability to take time to be grateful and gush out into the world.

Grab the gifts of friends and like minds. It matters. I have learned this past year about community of like souls. I have been on this beautiful key living, creating and facing every bit of anxiety, fear and doubt. I have been very alone (thank goodness for my hubby and sweet little dog Pearl Button).
Prior to moving across the country I was lucky to have several friends to call and instantly have community. I have had big surprises this past year. I am grateful for the learning however painful the lessons. I am growing stronger, braver and getting my messages into the big world.

I matter. What I create matters. I am good at being me. If a handful of people see me truly get me that is plenty. More then enough. I wake up wanting to gush joy and gratitude for my life, and that is perfectly fine. It's who I am. I am just swell with me.

Happy is the very best path in life. Take it, you can make it thru most days with a dose of happy.
It is in the noticing. Promise.

and so it begins. marching strongly. my own path.

and so the boxes start stacking.

tick tock the clock tells me to follow my heart = i am

my roads to travel ending here in galena = gratefully knowing

journey back to you. i am.

alter that will be glowing until we pack the truck.

And so it begins the packing of every single thing i own. We own. Yes, it can seem overwhelming and at the same time it can be a gift. A gift of letting go of things, of knowing that treasures wrap in boxes and go with us, of really taking a look at what makes us tick (how does our world go around) what matters the most.

I have had several people (that hardly know me) comment this week on my dream of moving from beachy sunshine to Galena. Folks think I am crazy, comments like, "I thought Florida was your dream." Really are we allowed one dream? Not for me as long as I am luck enough to be alive I will dream daily. I will march in the direction that my heart and soul tell me to. I am a really hard worker and I know that anything is possible with hard work and faith.

So I really hope that those of you who follow me get this about me. I will always be dreaming big and moving mountains and trying my very best to inspire, give from my whole heart, be a good person and create like today is my last day.

Grateful for each and every step in this life. Loving and knowing and growing every single day!!!

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.

dreaming even bigger = starts now

dreaming bigger making it happen = moving another mountain

always knowing what really matters in life.

 today was a good day. i learned a great deal about staying true to my soul and my art. i had all sorts of people i do not really even know share the kindest words to me about my art. i know that i am meant to move great things with my art. i am doing it and it is only going to shine brighter.

i am in the middle of making a huge dream come true. my hubby is a huge part in making this happen with me. my little jrt pearl button is always by my side telling me i can do more hard things with great love.

so tonight i rest knowing that my world is unfolding in its perfect time and space. sure some things are rattled around from time to time, that is life. being alive allows us to dance around and grow our thinking = oh i am grateful for these gifts.

love sweet love.

Dream big then dream even bigger. Knowing that trying is everything!

shrine built surrounding my big dream of making top 50.

i love this book and this woman Lilla Rogers.

shrine. lilla rogers book, journal, painting, sacred heart, sacred feather for flying bigger and braver.

Lilla Rogers 2014 Global Talent Search

Dreaming big then dreaming even bigger. This year is all about growing from the inside out for me. Creating vision boards of dreams. I have moved away from tons of paying work to focus on me and my art and getting it out into this big world. Sure money is tight but, the knowing the climb and the mountain moving is surrounded by all of my energy = feels amazing, feels right, feels true, feels like the me that has been waiting to be. For this I am the most grateful girl ever.

I entered this contest created by the most talented Lilla Rogers and her team of brilliant folks. I have been a fan of Lilla's since living in Dallas Texas over 20 years ago. I respect her philosophy on life and talents. I believe in her thinking (very similar to mine) I covet her putting it out there in this world.  I know that I will meet her one day in person and thank her for the gifts she brings to all artists.

For today I will continue to create, create, create and send it out into the world the only way I know how. Pour myself into the truth I know, create so much daily that it fuels passion in new ways, keep learning and discovering and being brave. Push fears and anxieties out of my path. Believe and know that my voice and art are meant to be heard. I am here to inspire, nurture, give love and be gracious to others and myself.

I say thank you to Lilla Rogers. I say thank you to my husband who embraces my year of making art and designing for me.  Gratefully gushing is something I can never ever do enough of.

Grateful as can be = lucky me lucky me

Somerset Studio Article = my passion for presentation

yes, my heart flipped with joy.

counting my blessings daily = knowing my passion

loving this article so grateful

Today was a most lovely day when I opened my mailbox. I always love getting the mail. I am not even so concerned with what's in the mailbox I just love the thought of what might be waiting. I love seeing hand writing, notes, papers. It is always a surprise even when it is a bill. I always love walking to the mailbox. Imagine my glee when I opened it today and waiting for me was this treasure Somerset Studio Magazine with an article on me. Yippee.

I have been marching towards lots of dreams this past year. Blazing new trails and facing fears like a crazy person. Knowing my heart and what I love. I am so lucky to have always known I was born to create. I feel very grateful that a sweet talented women Jana found my blog and my artwork. I have always been going to submit art. I even have it on my vision board for this year. Super karma at work Stampington found me.

I ended up sending Jana my piece of art that she liked from my blog with a how to. This artwork will be features in Art Apprentice September 2014. Super duper lucky that I packaged the art in my most happy pants fashion (I simply adore packaging, wrapping and all of the details you can add to a treat)

So not only will I have my piece of art published soon but, they loved my packaging so here it is in Somerset Studio.

I am noticing the shift of love for what I create in myself. I am more gracious with my knowing my path is right in the perfect time and space.

Bonus, I love the color orange and it is happily all over this article. He he he!!!

www.facebook.com/730Thursday

so flipping excited about jumping in

mixing it up. i have been my entire life.

knowing simple can be stunning.

appreciating every little thing i can.

So flipping excited this week on the 5th Tuesday.  I will be getting an assignment from the 2014 Lilla Rogers Global Talent Search. I am thrilled to be jumping in with 10,000 plus other artists around the world. I know that I am meant to be seen in this world as Kelli May-Krenz. Blasting out with a full heart of knowing that this life is meant to be walked with pride and living full out.

Yes, I want to be in the top 50 you bet. I want each and every assignment. I want to show myself that I have arrived to the table of "noticing". Yes, I want to be noticed for my art, my giddy positive joy that fills me up each day when I am lucky enough to wake up and create.

So on this fine Sunday eve I am super happy to be looking at this fine week and celebrating on the 5th = the day I get my first assignment.

Let's go. Let's play. Let's create. Let's know that sharing creative energy is pure raw goodness!!!

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holding this place in my heart that is knowing

my mothers garden flowers are incredible

zinnias that are super huge and beautiful

the flowers are beautiful and everywhere

dads tomatoes are wonderful. simply perfect.

picture my mom took of me on our bike ride in Camanche by the Mississippi river

Happy Summer. It is rolling strong. I just came back to our home in sunny Florida after two weeks in my hometown of Camanche - right on the Mississippi river.

Funny I love the ocean and all of her magic. I found after traveling home to the midwest I miss it lots.

There is something about feeling grounded, rooted and having a real sense of community. I miss that.

Interesting how life takes us full circle. I have lived in many states since leaving home and going to collage. I have enjoyed my adventures and the person I have become. I have a deep knowing of the life I need to have now. That is a gift.

Now to grab all of my knowing and make my soul feel rooted. This is another big leap and I will continue to share my walk bravely and with a positive light all around.

Enjoy each moment. They change so quickly.

golds, teals, strength, candlelight to hold me close = knowing

my love of layers comes honestly = i pull from my deepest loves in life when i create.

painting with gold, torn edges much like life = shiny at times others not.

wood, golds, blues, soft lights, beautiful home = important to my being 

crystals, sturdy wings to carry me, golden bowls to dip in, candlelight to light my way

golden horses some of my most precious treasures. running strong.

painting ocean inspired. going deep into knowing my heart.

milagros = one of my very first loves.

The month of July has always been a special one for me. As my birthday is the 15th of July. I grew up in a tiny river town in Iowa. Lucky to have 5 girlfriends who were my friends from age 3 until now. I also grew up with a great love for water. Living 1 block from the mighty Mississippi river and we had a pool in my backyard (above ground and perfect) I have always found water most healing.

Noticing these days what I surround myself as I find my path. Golden hues, watery teals, rich strong elements (crystals, stones, metals, woods) Knowing that these are pieces of myself I long for and work daily to have = strength, stability, a strong nest to live in.

I am creating daily (like always). I continue to pour my soul into each art filled creation that comes from my studio. I am inspired by a deeper knowing, that creating art is my breathe, my freedom to be all that I can possibly be in this big world. Shine. Shine. Shine.

Knowing that wherever I go I long to shine and share light and goodness.

Always grateful for yet another day to wake up and fly further.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/kellimay

a little dog named Pearl Button building a brand Pearl

Pearl Button hits 500 on her facebook page!!! woof woof wag!!!

Pearl is most concerned with happy, joy and lifting others up.

sure we collect lots of pearl buttons around us

Pearl Button starting to talk about her love for life.

tiny world, hearts, milagros, shells, handmade love surrounds us.

For the past year we have been marching toward a dream of branding loving and creating a world around our little jrt Pearl Button = all 12 pounds of her precious. She inspires us daily to give more love, share more goodness, be more silly, goofy and happy. We have just hit a milestone on facebook of hitting 500 likes for this little genuine soul.

Our next big hit is July. Mid July we will have a line of Pearl Button inspiring cards to offer to the world. We are wicked excited. Studio has been a buzz with ordering supplies, getting all of our cards to production and printing. Yes, we are doing it  and it feels terrific.

Personally I always want to come for a place of inspiring others to dream big.

Some dreams take a long time to find and own = they are so worth your time.

Thank you for finding our corner of the world. We invite you to come along with us. We are soaring high and would love for you to be with us.

facing fears and growing = grateful for this journey

Up Level Your Business with Christine Kane in Atlanta held at The W Midtown

My talented artist friend E'Layne who gifted me this journey.

Adding to the "I WILL STOP" board. I have 30 days to do this.

my picture with Christine Kane. crazy inspiring and beautiful soul.

Christine Kane on stage. Tireless and inspiring beyond.

me on the flight home. feeling inspired and grateful

Up Level Your Business Binder - filled up with smarts

Funny as we start facing our fears we grow stronger, braver, more real. I am gratefully gushing about the journey I just came home from. I was gifted a wonderful business coaching conference in Atlanta Georgia - three really intense (super great) long 9 in the morning until 9:30 at night. Up Level your Business with Christine Kane. Sessions on what life can be for me.

I am learning to claim my place as an artist, designer who is meant to spread messages of giddy gladness, hope, inspiration and love. I am strongly marching this path. I have been needing a source of systems, of letting go of habits that have never served me and really honestly just doing it. Even if at times (there have been many) it feels risky or scary. Well I can proudly say this was one of the biggest missing pieces for me. I have learned so very much about ME and what I need to bust through this and soar.

I look forward to soaring. I look forward to new systems in my studio. I look forward to getting all of my designs printed and putting them out into the world. I look forward to being published many times in the next several months in magazines I have dreamed of. I look forward to spreading all of the most lovely of intentions with all of you.

Thank you e'Layne. Blessings arrive in the most unexpected ways = you are wonderful and gracious and so good.

Thanks to Christine Kane for delivering messages that really make a lifestyle change and matter most.

Now I will prove to myself that I am worthy, I am good enough, I can do this all day long.

So grateful for each day = me.

https://www.facebook.com/UplevelYou

https://www.facebook.com/kelli.maykrenz