I’ve always been a bookworm and I graduated from college with a degree in English. Words are something I collect, just like tangible possessions. I find quotes and sayings that inspire me and I feel like I have to have them in my life somewhere - even if only on a Pinterest board. Here are a few that I have fallen in love with lately:

I recently watched an online lesson from Deepak Chopra about how to handle inner and external chaos. It was something that I wasn’t expecting to be so helpful and I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how much I have used these 4 sentences to get myself through chaotic situations.

What am I observing? (Non judgmentally) It’s important to simply identify what is happening without placing judgment on it. This is harder than it seems.

What am I feeling?

What do I need?

What is the best way to fulfill this need?

I used this new learning as inspiration for a 2 page art journaling spread.

I’ve been reading a lot of great books this year and one of my favorites was Craft a Life You Love by Amy Tangerine. I’ve followed Amy’s work for several years, but I didn’t know much about her background or how she got started in the scrapbooking industry. Her story is fascinating and her philosophy on crafting is so refreshing. I felt so inspired after I read this book that I ordered another copy and sent it to my daughter.

My life has really been crazy this year. We’ve had some significant illnesses, injuries, challenges, changes, and just all sorts of random things that have popped up. It’s really always been that way (life usually keeps us on our toes) but it feels like it’s been a bit of a pile on lately. Even with all of that, we are all still OK and that’s what matters at the end of the day.

I would love to have a gallery wall or two filled with photos and a few other fun pieces. I decided to browse through Pinterest for some ideas and then it dawned on me to turn it into a blog post to share with all of you. I hope you will consider putting more of your photos on display in your home. It means so much and helps those who see them appreciate how much they are loved and celebrated.

I started designing in 2006. My first shop was at A Cherry on Top where I sold word art and idea files. I soon moved into designing papers and elements as well. I also sold at The Digi Shoppe and Natural Scrapbooking Designs (both are closed now). I took a break from designing from 2009-2012 while I focused on writing and scrapbooking, and later came back to it as mainly a template designer for a few years. I later added on pocket cards, printables, and some paper packs. I can’t seem to get it out of my system! I currently sell my products in my own shop at katiethecreativelady.com

I’ve decided that I really can’t go very long without some digital art journaling. It really does feed my creative soul. It’s funny because the style I use for art journaling is very different than the one I use in my general scrapbooking and even in my designing. Maybe that is why I need it so much.

It’s been quite some time since I blogged about my workspace so I thought it would be a good idea to share some recent photos and details. I don’t have a large office, but it’s very functional and I love it. We took an extra bedroom on the main floor of our home and turned it into a shared workspace for me and our son Alex. This is where the magic happens folks!

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted about who I am and what I do. I have an “About Katie” page here on my blog but I don’t think many people stop to visit that. Here are a few more tidbits about my life that I haven’t shared there.