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Hello! Where has the time gone? I could not believe it has been a few weeks since I last blogged on both blogs but here I am back to tell you what I’ve been up to. My camera has been my constant companion the last 5 weeks as I completed some photo shoots for a few publications. I also had the pleasure of collaborating with Matthew Mead for a story that will be in his upcoming Holiday Magazine. Matthew and Jenny Mead are the sweetest and the experience was AMAZING! More details on the article in a few weeks. I snapped this photo at one of our local Antique Shows that we shopped at while the Meads were here in Kansas City. I think Matthew found a few treasures to take back home!
And a photo session with this Darling Family~Bentley’s baby blues just popped against his parents lime green shirts!
I also styled an “I Do BBQ” Engagement Party for my Son and his Sweet Girl:)
The last few weeks have been busy but enjoyable! I saw this quote on Pinterest and I think it speaks volumes~
My hope is each of you are living the life you want by Following Your Own Bliss! Blessings, Carol Follow me on Facebook
If you’ve been a blog follower of mine over the years, you know how passionate I am about leading a creative lifestyle. I’m also just as passionate about sharing inspiration and helping creatives shine, because life is too short right? When I went to California a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of spending time with the artistic and incredible Jeanne Oliver. Many of you may know Jeanne from her lovely design business but did you know she also offers a fabulous e-course on helping you achieve your creative dreams and rediscovering the beauty of your own gifts? I’ve taken the course and it is amazing and you will come away with all kinds of refreshing ideas touse in your own creative endeavors. Please note, You DO NOT have to be an artist to receive the benefits from this exceptional class! Jeanne’s e-course will help you explore and appreciate your own individual creative gifts so you can SHINE:) ~For more details watch this video~Click the link below Creatively Made by Jeanne Oliver E-Course
Jeanne has so graciously offered me 5 spots to give away for her e-course that starts June 18. Just leave a comment here, on my FB page or other blog and I will draw the winners on Wednesday.
Hopefully I’m not too late to enter. I’m definitely not an artist, but I would love to be more creative! 
I would love to try this creative e-course. Thanks for hosting this contest. 
Since I am sitting here in tears wishing for the kind of fulfillment and inspiration others seem to have captured after taking her course, I think I should register to win. 
I could use a create boost, Thank you so much 
What a gift it would be to win a spot…… Thank you for sharing your gifts to us all, and this generous opportunity for others to enhance their own. My fingers, eyes, arms, legs and toes are crossed my name will be drawn. 
I could use a creative boost. Please include me. Thanks! 
Thanks for the opportunity! I have been wanting to take one of her classes!
I have been wanting to take one of her classes! 
Your blog inspires me. I have all this creativity in my head but do not know where to go or start from there! May be just the class I need. Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity! 
Oh, this would be perfect! Stuck in an office job, too tired to do anything creative when I get home, I sooo need a boost and inspiration! 
I am a former lawyer trying to get in touch with her creative roots. I would love to attend the creativity course with Jeanne! 
This sounds like something I need. This would be a welcome win. Thanks for the giveaway. Nancy P. 
This is right up my alley, and just what I need! I’m breathing deeper already! Cheers! 
Hi Carol! What a generous giveaway and a great looking e-course to re-energize your creative efforts. 
I could use a little “Jeanne sparkle and shine”! 
Ooh that looks like a wonderful way to while away the summer days. Lucky winner! Hope it’s me! 
What a wonderful giveaway, I’d love a chance, so please include me, please!! I had no idea, Jeanne Oliver, did so much. lisa 
Wow! I would love to take this e-course. Thanks for the opportunity. Do you ever find the days just rushing by and before you know it a whole month is almost gone? The last few weeks have proved to be a busy time for me but very enjoyable. I was honored to be the guest speaker at a creative event for Women in California the first part of May which was amazing. That combined with a couple of project deadlines, has made this month fly by. I never take for granted though that I am in charge of my own schedule and feel very blessed to be able to do what I love. But nothing could compare to being able to photograph my Son and his sweet girl for their engagement session this past weekend.
My heart is smiling can you tell? Raised In Cotton on Facebook Raised In Cotton on Pinterest
so sorry, I put the wrong blog to my name.. forgot and “e” in create…I love this music on your blog. Who is the artist?
Hello, so nice to see another happy couple… when is the big day? I just got done marrying both of my sons, YES both, this summer in less than three months from each other.. A wild ride it was, and I now feel totally lost, and graveling.. I have torn into my home, flipping bedroom furniture, to cleaning out their things, only remembering all of those events and good times that have past. When being in a home for over 26 years, things just happen to stay around. But these things are a testament to all that we did with them and for them. Here’s to you and your family and the happy times ahead. 
I can see and feel your heart smiling all the way down here in Texas, Carol! Beautiful work, beautiful couple! XOXO, 
Congratulations to you all! What a very happy time in life, and how lucky you are to be able to capture it in your beautiful photographs. Xo suzanne 
She is stunningly beautiful, and what a darling couple. Congrats to all. (and your photos are fabulous too!) Recently a friend I know said to me, “Blogging is the Devil!” I was a bit stunned with her statement but after a lengthy conversation she further explained that visiting blogs always makes her feel very inadequate and unworthy. That it seems if you don’t have some incredible house or incredible DIY project or incredible photography or been on an incredible trip to post about, why bother? Basically her take was the fairytale world of bloggers was filled with narcissistic personalities that wouldn’t know the real world if it bit them in the ass. Ouch right? I tried to justify to her that my reasons of blogging were to connect, inspire, market the business and mentor. And how I’ve always been grateful for the friendships and opportunities that have come my way because of blogging. But wait, did her view of blog land have any merit? Did my own blogs fall into that same fairytale world she described? Probably to some extent, but that’s because I’m very conscious about putting out the best content I possibly can on my blogs. I owe that to the people who take the time to visit me on my blogs and have been supportive over the years. Also, understanding that blog readers usually are looking for two things, information and inspiration. That there is enough ugly in the World we live in and being able to escape in blog land for a bit is OK.
Why you blog and the content you offer is a decision that is ultimately yours. But as my friend reminded me of in her assessment about blog land, don’t get caught up in the smoke and mirrors of blogging that you feel the need to constantly produce to obtain favor. The internet has fostered a wave of instantaneous gratification and short term memory loss. Basically any fame you receive from the internet can be very fleeting so remembering that and taking things in prospective when you post should be a lesson for all of us bloggers.
Hi Carol. I met you at Bird Song I last year and loved your class I could not make it this year, but plan on next year. I can agree somewhat with your friend. It does appear my daily reads, on my fav. blogs, are somewhat far different then my daily life. However, there are many bloggers who are honest and tell their life like it is. I love looking at most of the blogs, and feel very inspired by their designs. 
Hi Carol. I met you at Bird Song I last year and loved your class I could not make it this year, but plan on next year. I can agree somewhat with your friend. It does appear my daily reads, on my fav. blogs, are somewhat far different then my daily life. However, there are many bloggers who are honest and tell their life like it is. I love looking at most of the blogs, and feel very inspired by their designs.
Thoughtful assessment all around. Good words to keep in mind to maintain some perspective on blogging and why we do it. By the way, I popped over here last night while researching blog design and I remember visiting this blog a while back. It’s great to re-discover your site and browse all your wonderful photos and ideas which are pretty and inspiring. Enjoy your day. 
This is a great post to think about, Carol, and I can relate to what your friend was saying. I started blogging nearly 3 years ago to let family and friends know about a medical condition I have and the surgery I was going to go through, but it quickly changed to being more about family and faith. There were times I thought about quitting when I compared myself to other bloggers, but that is no longer a problem and I enjoy other blogs for inspiration and encouragement. I may not have a large “following,” but it doesn’t matter to me, as I just blog as myself. I am glad that you blog what you do – we downsized into a much smaller, new cottage that we are transforming into a home that is welcoming, and your photos and information are a great inspiration! 
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Beautiful, Carol!!!
What sweet, somber pictures. Very mood evoking. They are a lovely couple. Hugs- Diana