my cup runneth over with....

yes please...and thank you :)

image credit: style me pretty

True Beauty

Scarlet by Liz.rusby

Purple Posies

sigh.... xxo....

compliments of Country Living

POP

DECORARE

Spring - So Inspired

spring blooms by rachel nicole

memories of spring by amber aiken photography

missing the light by ania

Creativity - a Gift

January 15th Entry from Julia Cameron's Artist's Way - Every Day

In a sense, our creativity is none of our business. It is a given, not something to be aspired to.  It is not an invention of our ego. It is, instead, a natural function of our soul. We are intended to breathe and to live. We are intended ot listen and create. We do not need special pens. We do not need special rooms or even special times. What we do need is the intention to allow creativity to create through us. When we open ourselves to something, or someone greater than ourselves working through us, we paradoxically open ourselves to our own greatest selves.

Here's to you...and the beautiful gift of creativity....

xxo, Kim

Inspirer Feature - Sweet Elk of Red or Gray

Hello Lovely iStudio Friends.  How are you?

Today's feature is all about our sweet inspirer.. the oh so lovely Elk.
I know, I know... she is not ours... but gosh we do love her!

Do you ever click on a site and feel an instant connection?  A certain peace washes over you? And you feel as though, you are home? 

That's how I feel with every image Elk shares, every lovely piece of Art she creates, every visit to her site.... 'sigh'
Peacefulness.....

I invite you to view a few of her lovely pieces....and then to explore her beautiful world a little further.
Be sure to visit her site, Red or Gray...and her lovely etsy shop, Red or Gray Art. 

I have always loved Elk's art.  And I have no idea, what I was waiting for...why had I not shopped her shop?..
and just recently a lovely little package arrived in my mailbox... a gift from Elk....  and oh my word...  her art is even more amazing in person!!
I am now super excited to say...I own a sweet little piece of her lovely art....Thank you my friend... I love my little birdie and hand made card....
and as of just a few moments ago.... I am officialy a Red or Gray customer.
Yeppers, I just shopped Elk's etsy shop .....  'sigh' 
Check it out.... it's soon to be.... all mine... 

I can not wait til the postman delivers this sweet little 'Elkified' Moleskin.... Don't you love it?

Oh and, that lovely gift I mentioned.... included a sweet note card....with Elk's oh so artful hand writing.....  honestly it's just so perfect....

Check it out...as displayed in her shop...

I'm telling you, Elk... you need to have a font made with your hand writing!!

just a few more lovelies...

a sweet little red bird mobile...  LOVE. 

a little brown paper mobile....  perfect!!

Be sure to pop over to Red or Gray..just in time... for Elk's new series... 

each friday for one year she is going to end the week with a photo of one of her sweet paper birds with a word tucked into a quirky wing.. to end the week on a special encouraging note.. it will be called

simple birds .simple words

How perfectly, perfect....

And if you wanna moleskin too...  here's a little piece of fabulousness from her shop.

Here's to you and all you do, sweet Elk...... We love you!!

xxo, kim
p.s. click the pics to go directly to the etsy listing...

Holiday Flickr Feature

just a little holiday inspiration from the iStudio Flickr Group....

If you haven't had a chance to check out the pool, you can find it here....

And please visit our iStudio Daily site.... we feature an inspired pic from the group each day...

Happiest Wednesday, sweet...inspired friends...

(click the pics to follow the images to flickr)

dove by Moon-Goddess-Earth

winter wind by maureen

out with daddy by jssteak

Christmas Red and White by Cosi

Ev'rywhere you go by Cosi

Berries and Inkwell by Pat Mark

....
seriously...that's just a small snippet of the loveliness ...
thank you all for sharing your images...

xxo, kim

Inspirer Spotlight –The Blue Muse

Happiest Monday, my sweet i~Studio friends! 
I’m super excited to begin a new series, here at the Studio called The Inspirer Spotlight.
I am so grateful for the amazing contributors that pop in and share their inspiration with us!  I can’t even begin to express my true admiration and gratitude for each and every one.

Today’s featured Inspirer is Kelly from the Blue Muse.  Kelly shares her series 'Beauty in Words', here at the iStudio.  And each post she writes seems to stir my soul!! 'sigh'
You can catch up on Kelly's series here.
Kelly is not only the most beautiful writer… she’s also an incredible business owner.  And her story is one that is sure to inspire.

I asked Kelly to share her story with us… 
Enjoy.

…..

I started making jewelry about six years ago, after a scare with an illness that turned out to be something that could be fixed, but it was a long, scary year while my doctors figured out the cause of the problem.
But during that year, I found a deeper appreciation for life, for trying to live in the moment, for finding beauty in every day.



At first, my sister and I made jewelry together, for fun, and as a way to spend time together. The next thing we knew, we had decided to go into business together, and we launched Blue Muse Jewelry.



We have been creating together for over five years now, and precious metal clay has become the main focus of our work.

Up until this year, we sold our work at local craft and art shows, and then we decided to try out an etsy shop. I decided to also start a blog as a way to promote our jewelry business, but it has evolved into something so much more than that, it has evolved into a place where I try to share the beauty I find in each day, as well as images and all these words that apparently had just been waiting to come tumbling out! I recently decided to open an etsy shop for prints of my images as well.



But what has really happened is that so much beauty has been added to my life, I have met so many wonderful people, forged new friendships, and found a whole support system of inspiring and creative women.
What a great place to be, among sisters.

….

thank you so much Kelly for sharing your story with the i~Studio community. 

…..

You can find Kelly at her beautiful site, The Blue Muse.
And check out her lovely Shops as well.
The Blue Muse Fine Art Photography
Blue Muse Jewelry

.....

My name is Kim Klassen.  I am an artist, photographer, and blogger. I fell in love with photography and photoshop just over a year ago. My desire is to spread my art and inspiration throughout the blogosphere. If you would like to learn more about photography and photoshop, come check out my site, Kim Klassen Café. I also hang out with my photoshop lovin’ friends at the The Photoshop Test Kitchen…a place to learn and share all things Photoshop. Here's to inspiration! 

Mimi-Toria’s Designs

Happiest Monday!

Meet Gretchen of Mimi-Toria’s Designs. Gretchen popped into the i-Studio a few weeks ago to share with all of us her exciting dream come true -  selling her wares at the fantastic event-  Junk Bonanza..  Oh how fabulous that show must have been! Her article was very inspirational.. and so exciting!

'Gretchen is a designer that is actively using vintage, found treasures and special new elements to design and create beautiful functional art. This may be in the form of jewelry for you to wear or art for decorating your home. Gretchen lovingly recreates with the idea of making something that was once tossed aside, now into something loved, worn again or used again and once more treasured. Recycle, Reuse, Recreate.'

I fell instantly in love with Gretchen's Art.  I love the mix of old and new. I hope to one day get up close and personal with her amazing creations.  I'd love to photograph her jewelry.  'sigh' 

I’m so happy to announce that Gretchen is going to be a regular contributor at the i-Studio.

I wanted to feature a few of her beautiful creations today.  Gretchen allowed me to play a bit with her photos. 

I added a few adjustment layers and textures just to ‘spruce’ up the images of her beautiful ART. Thank you Gretchen, for sharing your photos with me.



OH my, how I love all the beautiful forms that Gretchen displays her jewelry on.  They too are ART.



Gretchen's mix of old and new really is so BRILLIANT.



You can visit Gretchen online at her site, Mimi-Toria’s Designs. 
And watch for Gretchen’s next post at the i-Studio, later this week. Welcome to the i-Studio Gretchen.

....

Happiest week… to all …. Here’s to oodles of inspiration.
xxo, kim

Together…… Ben & Sophie eDition

‘A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.’
                                                                                                                                 John Lennon

 

Gratitude

Hi there, my sweet i-Studio friends.  I just had to pop in and say… I am still HERE. Honest I am.
I have been somewhat underground lately!!  The Photoshop Recipe Book was quite the undertaking.  It was a ton of fun and a lot of HARD WORK.
I just wanted to pop in and say I am so grateful for all the amazing contributors at the i-Studio.  You are all truly amazing!!  Thank you for doing what you do… so well!!
And I also wanted to say how wonderful it is to have such a great audience at the i-Studio. It’s all way too exciting!! Thank you for popping by, sharing your thoughts and encouragement.  We all appreciate you, very much!
I am behind on all the inspiring posts. But, I plan on catch up over the weekend.  I can’t wait!

I am not sure if you visit  the Café, but if not, I wanted to share a pic of our sweet new puppy, Ben.  He's a goldendoodle (golden retriever/poodle mix)....Oh my gosh, he’s completely stolen our hearts!  He basically looks like a smaller retriever... but his hair does have a slight wave to it...  and it's so soft... 'sigh'



I can barely stand how cute he is!!  Honestly…
 
I have to tell you what he did today!  He wears a bandana around his neck, cause it’s just so darn cute…
So, yesterday while we were on the trail he lost his bandana.  I thought it was probably in the pond.  Anyhow, today, as we are walking along with my sister in law, Tara and Ben’s cousin Sophie (the labradoodle)….  He comes running out from the long grass with his lost bandana…all proud of himself… I’m sure he was saying ‘look what i found Mommy…’  I mean how cute is that?!! 

And just one more little Ben story… he loves his toys.. and seeing as we have only had him a little more than a week…he’s been pretty spoilt…  So if a shopping bag comes into the house, he gets all wiggly… and excited…  and when he gets a new toy he walks around the house, showing it off.  Today he had some new toys from Sophie…... so when John came thru the door after work… Ben could not grab his new toys fast enough, to show John.  And then he did the same thing with the boys.  Sooo cute.  ‘sigh’ I’m telling you..it’s crazy CUTE!! 

Okay, before i go….  if you are interested in Photoshop and image editing.  I am offering a free Photoshop eCourse called the Skinny-Mini.  You can find the details HERE.  I’d love to see you in ‘class’.

Here’s to a fabulous weekend… Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian Friends…xxo, kim

A Meaningful Life

Happiest Monday my friends. I hope you enjoyed a wonderful weekend.

I’ve been bursting to share my friend Gail’s story with you.

Gail and I first connected years ago. Gail is a beautiful artist and she has ordered many painting patterns and books from me. We had emailed back and forth, now and then over the years. I had no idea what Gail was going through...no idea what she had been through. Gail's story is a powerful one of courage and strength. She has been through so much…But instead of giving up, Gail found her way to a more meaningful life.

A Gift
This summer I received a gift in the mail. It totally blew me away. Sweet, sweet Gail sent my a warm and lovely prayer shawl with a beautiful note about kindness. I was so moved by her generous gift. I shared about it here, at the Café. And just a few weeks ago, Gail opened up and shared her courageous journey with me. I was so moved by Gail's story, that I asked her to share it at the i-Studio.

the prayer shawl Gail made for me

Now l’d like to turn this over to Gail… please read her powerful story. And at the end of the story you will find a special surprise. Thank you so much for agreeing to share with us all Gail!!

.....

First I’d like to say….Kim (with the biggest heart) was kind enough to ask me to share my story…… to a more meaningful life.

My journey began well over 10 years ago……………………

In the beginning I discovered a lump in my neck that kept growing and growing. Soon I could no longer swallow any food or drink any liquids. My weight went down and down and down, that would have been great on a good note. Soon there came tons and tons of doctors’ appointments, then tons and tons of tests. Three biopsies later I still was a mystery to them. One biopsy I lost my voice for a year, because they nicked my jugular and in the confusion my left vocal cord was damaged. My voice has never been the same. The last biopsy they put in a tracheostomy for breathing and stomach tube for eating. I’ve had both for 9 years. Over the years I have learned to eat again, at times it’s difficult, but my weight is back up to where it was. Thanks to the advice of my family doc, she encouraged me to eat so the muscle would keep working, she was absolutely wonderful. To look at me you would not see anything, other than I always wear a scarf around my neck.

It hasn’t been an easy journey and it changes from day to day……but I’ve worked hard and every inch has been a blessing.

So I’ve been on a quest for a more meaningful life. For me it was a huge pivotal moment in my life. You either sulk and cry and feel sorry for yourself……..or you get busy and enjoy what you have. From the very beginning, I have to celebrate that I have met the kindest, most genuine people on my quest. There is one thing I know for sure…..there is some fantastic people out there and you don’t have to look far to find them. Grateful seems like such a small word for all the blessings I’ve had.

When it comes to creativity…..I knew that was one thing that I had to keep up with. Anything I could get my hands on creative I tried. Painting was at the top of the list. Then I also knew I had to give back to the world, to the universe, contribute as much as I could each day. Every day, week, month was different. I used my painting skills to give back to my local church. With my sister we got involved with the Children’s Aid doing life books for the children. I started knitting prayer shawls a few years ago and what a gift that has been for me. In any way that I can I try to show my gratitude for the blessings I’ve received.

Would I change any of it?

It might have taken me forever to get on this glorious path……………..

Gail♥

.....

Gail has offered to share a give away with the i-Studio members.  She has a beautiful prayer shawl ready and waiting to send to a lucky winner. 
You can enter to win by leaving a comment below.  We will pick the winner on Thursday September 22nd. 

Thank you so much for sharing your story with me Gail...and agreeing to share it with the i-Studio community.
You are loved and admired.... 

Here's to you, my friend!! 

xxo, kim

Give Away Winner .... Congrats to Bodhi Chicklet