my passion for loving

my love for vintage aged meets hand sewn art

mixed media meets here with layers of paints, illustration and glee

love notes inside of box featured in Stampington Life magazine 2015 Feb

stitched yummy layers wrap everything up

handmade Valentines all in a row 

my passion for loving. just a few treats i had made and sent into possibly being published in Stamping and Company magazine. Lucky for me several of my items have been published this month celebrating love sweet love.

It's easy to surround yourself with the things that make your heart skip a happy beat. It does not have to cost a lot of money. Really it just takes noticing what makes you feel joy. I love all things in nature and I love history. So I tend to collect vintage pieces and I adore making pieces that are new look vintage.

I have always loved Valentines Day. I remember growing up I would decorate a shoe box and slice a little opening in the top. Then I would proudly (ever so shy I was) take it to school and sit it on my desk. Each year (I went to school with the same kids from elementary to high school) I would wish and hope that the two cutest boys would leave me a Valentine. I can honestly say I never received one from either boy. I continued to wish and still adored all of the sweet cut out designs with my friends names on the back. To this day I still have a few of these.

Sometimes I wish I could do this again. Create the box march it proudly to where my friends are all gathered and see the magical wishes that get dropped inside. Perhaps this is why I adore creating note cards, letters, snail mail, packages and wishes for others.

Fond memories of hoping the right boy would give me a Valentine.

Little did I know back then it takes years to find the right Valentine and when you do hold on tight and surround them with love sweet love.

I have handmade Valentines in my etsy shop for sale. The prices are super good. Thank you to those of you who have ordered already.

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

layers making up my life and my art

building layers of painting, illustrations, clips of my world, vintage flowers

adding gold leaf for added goodness, white illustration work

watercolors, acrylic inks, india ink, illustration joy

paints, illustrations, tissues, stitched together

Today I was noticing my methods to building art. I have always been a lover of details, textiles, fonts, colors colliding together. My background is heavy in graphic design and illustration. I am noticing how I have always found a way in my computer generated designs to introduce elements of hand created artwork. I like this about me. Funny how we do something for so long it is just the way we do it. Not really thinking just doing. I find that when I get completely out of my head and just create it all flows out of me.

I am building a collection to present this year at the National Stationary Show in NYC in May - a new division called Fresh. Juried section and smaller I like this. Starting out designing my cards I thought "however do I do this?" Funny I have been doing this for decades. I paint and draw and layer and sew and layer more and then find the words that spill from me until I have a piece that makes me feel original and good. Something worth leaving behind in the world.

My goals are to show up in NYC with lots of new designs, pride in my booth style and in me. Being mindful of the truth of being me. Staying true to all that I am and all that I want to leave behind.

I am praying that others will be drawn to my style, my gifts and my messaging. Continuing the path of knowing that I am meant to do exactly what I am doing in this very time and space.

handmade valentines by me

details, layers, gold leaf $35.00

layers of love found here for $35.00

gold leaf heart with wings layered on happy brights $35.00

love sacred love found here for $35.00

collage i love - sweetheart yummy

layers of love stitched here $15.00

really, yes only $15.00

large matchbox all original graphics and vintage bits $25.00

gorgeous hand made heart box for hiding treasures $24.00

crazy pretty vintage only $22.00

I love celebrations. I love being able to create tons of art many styles, mediums all filled with the joy I live to express. So my etsy shop is stocked with very affordable originals created by me for you to give or collect.

So much to learn and do and create just wanting to keep the fresh, love of creating alive for me and price my art for others to collect and enjoy.

Thank you for being here and liking what I do. It matters to me. I notice you. Love sweet Love.

Link to my etsy shop just in case you see something that makes your heart beat a little faster.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/kellimay

a little how to wrap a cool package by me

layers of book pages, tissues, paints come together.

find supplies by looking at paper in a new way.

i love to theme my gifts. color, textures, words, love.

vintage goodies are a must.

layers of paintings by me, vintage statues i collect, a flower from moms garden

One of my most favorite things to do is give. I love giving. I love wrapping. I have always thought that part of the joy of receiving a treat is the magic it is wrapped in. So with that I am going to give a few tips on how to customize your wrappings. Might be fun!! Once you start thinking and looking with new eyes at everyday things you have = you will be hooked.

I start by collecting papers that I think are cool. Could be a page from a magazine, a vintage book page, words printed from a grocery bag.

Alter the paper in some way. Add messy paint, write a poem, stitch randomly (by hand or machine).
You can add layers on top of each other in several ways. A glue stick, deco podge glue, tape or sewing.

Wrap the gift in brown kraft mailing paper, white butcher paper, rolls of childrens white paper found in craft areas of most stores.

Take your altered paper and cut it to the size of the top of your gift. See already it is a fun gift.
You can theme your gift (birthday, holiday, something you know your friend loves)

Take a simple piece of twine, ribbons tied together, torn strips of fabric and tie around your gift.

See how much fun this is! You can play and create lots of fun altered papers and have a stack just waiting for the gift wrapping time.

Play. Spend time just moving around papers, paints and your own personal style.

The art of gift wrapping is special and I promise your friends will adore your attention to giving.

New Valentines created by me found here in my etsy shop.

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

2015 I am showing up

Happy New Year. Happy year of beginning again. I have been marching my design path for many many years. Always knowing that I had something bigger and more inside me to get out. Being brave enough to actually go beyond  being the artist designer but, not being seen has been a hard climb for me. I feel like this year is my year to ARRIVE. For this very reason I have picked my word for 2015 to be ARRIVE.

One year ago I chose the word SHINE. I pushed and created and took every chance I could to get my art and designs out to people who could publish and notice my work. I tried my very best to SHINE in the way I had longed to. I am blessed to say that it worked as of this new month of Jan 2015. I have been published 7 times. I have had so many friends and my loving family behind me saying that I could do this. I could overcome the anxieties and just put myself out there.

I am grateful for listening and believing others when I have not believed myself. My parents have always believed in me and my art, always encouraged me to design and create. My hubby has been a constant voice of positive encouragement daily (even when I doubt myself the most) he is there going through my panic and anxiety coaching me on.

This new publication called Room to Create is a huge dream come true for me. As I have always been interested in where other talents create and what fuels them. I am proud of this article as it truly is me, how I think, where my passions come from. I am grateful for being recognized (knowing there are so many amazing artists in the world)

I am learning that our blessing come when we gush positive goodness on ourselves, when we truly listen to our hearts and what we want to matter at the end of each day. I continue to work on my anxieties and Mr. Doubt. I know that I will continue to work on shining and I will ARRIVE this year.

Happy to announce that in May I will be launching my line of Pearl Button's World of cards, prints and other goodness. I applied to be in the NY National Stationary Show a new division called FRESH - where a panel of talent votes you in or out. I am so proud to be in this juried section of Fresh.

This much I know even when you have fears and doubts move forward any way you can. It matters, it counts and you are so much happier.

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

sacred souls

I have been thinking about what the word sacred means to me. I love the word. I love all of the many meanings it has for me. For me it seems extra precious. Like life - extra precious.

I find that most of my days if I start out counting every blessing I can think of I have a beautiful beginning to my day. The need to give, share and spill open this blessings of gratefulness is stronger then ever for me. I am unsure why but, it is very real, very much apart of who I am and who I am becoming.

So I gather around my "sacred souls" I share my hopes, dreams, passions and joy with. I pray my "sacred" cares and try to let them go. I live a pretty "sacred" good life - I am very flawed and I am at peace (for the most part) with my flaws. I see them as "special" and good and yes, "sacred".

So many pieces of life come together this time of year. Reflections are huge. Know this. Our lives are meant to live full out with every tiny bit of joy we can grab hold of. Yes, keeping them sacred.

December running full out

details i adore.

I knew that December would bring lots of emotions for me. It is the first time I have been lucky enough to be so close to home (where I grew up) in over 30 years. That is crazy but, true. For me the seasons, changing weather, bundling up, decorating for the holidays, listening to music saved special for Christmas time all adds up to being truly centered and happy.

I realize more and more that in this busy crazy month of December it is important to take the time to really listen to friends and family. Be there in spirit and being mindful of being present. It is so easy to just send off a gift or cards not as easy to drop everything you are doing and be there for others.

I have been trying super lots to be there for others by listening and sharing time. Granted I have few friends in Galena (as we just moved almost two months ago) I am listening and learning about what makes me feel whole. This town, this house, the streets and buildings all make me feel whole and alive. I feel like this December is so extra special blessed. Trying to hold every moment knowing they are the most precious of all.

Happy December. Happy life. Fill it up with all that matters most to you. It counts.

grateful living

joy matters most = from my new card line Pearl Button's World

nest in love = from my new card line Pearl Button's World

my muse, best friend, daughter with paws = Pearl Button

Knowing that living with a grateful spirit. I am moved daily to be thankful for tiny moments. It is not always easy (yes, I practice daily) this lifestyle. So many pieces of life are really super hard and full of fear. I know this with my whole being.

I believe that by practicing daily the art of living gratefully I become more centered and a better me.

I am forever grateful for my life. I am loved, able to create for my living, in a marriage that is fun and good for me, parents who adore me, clients who really like me as a person and a designer. My list is long and for that I feel very lucky.

Today and everyday I am just feeling like the luckiest girl in the world to wake up each new day.

Fill your today up with joy (find it) practice finding it. I promise it works.

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

Pearl Button's Holiday Happiness Line of Cards = People are gushing!!!

our world believe all things are possible.

Pearl Button's Holiday Happiness Cards line of 6 designs is ready and gushing to bring cheer to all
this holiday season. I created six cards that are all about love, sharing, being the source of happy for others.
Lots of time was spent getting samples printed and making sure I loved the paper quality and brightness of all my colors. Yes, I have that now. All is good and so far the folks who have purchased are most delighted with them. For this I am grateful.
I have always loved cards and mailing letters the old fashioned way. I know that it will forever be part of who I am. I know the joy that comes with going to the mail box and having a little treat inside that someone took the time to send - just for you.
Kindness matters. Love matters. Giving from our true self matters. Leaving a moment in time better then we can ever imagine matters.

This card line is one of my dreams it too matters. I know that when others receive these they will smile and feel joy. I am striving daily to make this happen in a big way.

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

living life, being an artist, graphic designer + lover of life

always a journey to celebrate me = all of me daily

my nature is really to be silly, goofy and fun

lucky to be featured with Stampington Art of Journaling - and have the cover wow.

Tonight I am thinking about what it means to live your entire life as an artist, designer. I have been living this art filled life since I was very little (5 years old) I can still remember the joy in getting a new box of crayons and paper, coloring books. I escape into my own world. I feel very lucky to know my path. There is no searching for me about what is my passion, what makes me tick. I have such very big dreams. I keep marching to them. I get to the top of the mountains, really tall big mountains and I feel proud.

My biggest dream that I have yet to say out loud (on my blog) socially is that I want to be found in a big way. My soul has a calling to be known for spreading joy and happy living. I need this in my world. I create, create, create and send it into the world. I am going to go after the big dream of licensing my art. I have so many ideas, styles, layers to my art I could create a zillion lines. I just need to be seen. Being seen is all apart of really loving and celebrating yourself.

Today is the day to start celebrating myself as much as I celebrate others. Moving this next mountain. Building packages, making calls, praying and setting this intention. Today I will create a new alter around this intention. I feel good just saying this out loud.

Thanks for being part of my life = to all of you who are so good to me. Dream Big then Dream Bigger!!

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 

moved across the country = letting it all sink in

hello its me and i am back in my new studio. surrounded by boxes some unpacked. still feeling the space and realizing i moved across the country again. we have now moved three times in the past 2 years. i am ready to not move for a bit. i am full of positive wonder about life and filling mine up with as much goodness and dream filling as possible. i will say this  last move has zapped me in many ways i did not expect. slowly i will rebuild my energies and once again be creating in the studio.

i am so aware of what is around me more then usual as everything seems so different. the energies in this home are wonderful, the light is amazing. i love the history and charm that i see absolutely everywhere.

the big questions i am pondering are =
* how did the dream to Florida not work like i so (knew in my heart) would. i have lists of course. so many dreams around that move. most of the ones i planned did not happen. i was gifted an entire new set of blessings - bigger and better then i could have dreamed.
* letting go of what i thought was and is not. that is one for the books. i shall be working on this for some time. dancing with the emotions all around.
* realizing that the most important in life is health. so getting me in full energies is a must.
* can i really get all of my products together and into the world = YES I CAN. YES I WILL.

so i know this for certain. i need to keep designing and printing and getting my cards and other dreamy projects ready to send out to others. this is a must as all along moving from minneapolis to florida and from florida to galena = one dream was constant.

little wishes turning into big dreams = love your life. it matters the most!

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