Three Winners!

The three lucky winners for Jeanne's Creatively Made Home e-course are:

Sandi~ A Cottage Muse

Nicole~ Farmgirl Chaos

Linda~ Burlap+Blue

Congratulations ladies!! Please email me fadedprairie@gmail.com with your emails!!

Creatively Made Home E-course Giveaway!!

With the changing of the seasons upon us I find myself turning {towards home}. It becomes time for me to leave the harvest fields earlier to prepare for my little family returning home. It is time to settle in and cozy up.

This will be the first season that our house is truly our home. I long for our remodel to be finished so our home reflects who we are; where you leave feeling the essence of our lives. While I am thrilled for opportunity of filling new negative space it is a little overwhelming. Where to begin, how much to add, and to how to create the perfect backdrop to our living.

You can imagine how blessed I felt to find Jeanne offering a new e-course:

Here is a little of the {why} Jeanne created such a unique e-course:

"I wanted to create a course that celebrated what really matters in your home.....you and your family. I also wanted to celebrate making life beautiful in the everyday. I know so many that want to make their home beautiful but feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start...so they do nothing.

It is time to open your doors because of what is inside of you.....not what is inside your home.

It is our desire that this five week online course will change how you see yourself, your home and your family."

Jeanne is bringing together four of the most inspiring woman I know to help us see and live the beauty everyday. Tracey Leber, Sara Duckett, Kimberly Taylor and Jennifer Rizzo will all be sharing how they truly live joyful lives and how their homes are reflections of themselves.

This course will packed full of tips and suggestions for gardening, cooking, decorating and entertaining! I simply cannot wait!!

Jeanne puts SO much heart and soul into her courses, they really are life altering!

She contacted me last week and is generously giving away THREE spots to Creatively Made Home for some lucky Faded Prairie readers! WHOOT, WHOOT!!

Please leave a comment on this post about what you would hope to gain from such an *amazing* course. What area of your home is basically giving you heartburn! {Like my entire home at the moment!}

You can also increase your chances by posting about this giveaway, sharing on facebook, twitter, and pinterest!

* Please leave a separate comment for facebook, posting, and/or twitter

* I have created a pin here so all you have to do is repin, i will automatically be notified when you have done so; so there is no need to come back and leave a separate comment for pinterest

* Giveaway ends next Monday the 13th, 9:00 a.m. {mst} winner will be announced thereafter

Creatively Made Home begins October 22nd, you can find more information here. Good luck dear readers!!

*THANK YOU* dear Jeanne for sharing your gifts, for your inspiration, and allowing me to be a part of something so beautiful!

xoxo

kristin

Saddled Up and a Winner

June...

As a child I never thought how much I would come to *love* a month so much. I never realized how nostalgic I would become and how I would cherish each moment of this magical month. Blogging has definitely taken a back to seat here, our main seat and mode of transportation this month is this...

I cherish each moment spent in the saddle, behind our herd of cattle. Listening to the bellows of mamas and babies, not so enjoyable when it is my own children bellowing at each other but what do you do?!? :0)

I want to *thank* each of you for taking the time to entire Kim and Xanthe's giveaway. I have read and reread each and every comment, taking in the strength, the passions, the insecurities, and realizing I'm not alone. You are all truly beautiful!

I finally have chosen a winner; I can not begin to tell you how hard it was! I wanted you all to win a spot...sigh...maybe when the husband brings home a calf check I can all splurge and award everyone! ;0) Do you think he would go for it?!?

For now....

was the number picked and Jackie Cate is the winner!! Congrats girl! You have been such an inspiration to me for so long now, {such an amazing artist and photographer!!} I cannot wait to see what direction your passions take!

*Thank You* again to everyone for stopping by and sharing your passions. Within the next week I hope to share some of what they were and talk a little about what has helped me give voice to my passions. For now it is back in the saddle trying to get some stubborn old gals to stay on the right side of the fence! :0)

xo

kristin

E-Course Giveaway!

Blogging....

Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed with it? This year has been so difficult for me, I cannot seem to gather of my thoughts, I feel as if what I have to share doesn't compare to what is out there. I just feel a little {blah}...

I then have to remember why I started blogging in the first place. Blogging for me has always been about sharing my passions. Photography, gathering farm finds, my life on a cattle ranch and farm, the beauty of cattle grazing in the prairie green pasture....blogging has given me the opportunity to really focus on what these mean to me. It gives me the opportunity to break each one apart, to study and sink my roots deeper into the soul of these passions. Then to share with you all what truth I saw in a photo, why the beauty of a certain piece whispered to me, why a cow can bring peace to my heart.

With that said, trying to create a space {worthy} of these passions can really take the joy out of a person...not kidding you, just ask me about the new blogger interface...gggrrr...

It can take so much of your precious time; time you would have spent {sinking your roots into the soul}. We all know how fleeting these moments can be and how intentional we have to be with our time. My dear friend Kim {a true kindred spirit} and Xanthe {whom I have yet to meet but just know for certain we are kindred spirits :0) }, to rescue! Check out the new e-course they are bringing to the e-course frenzy...

{a small glimpse of where they create beauty}

An A to the men people! Isn't that what it is all about! Blogging your passion, and creatively to boot. Here is Kim's and Xanthe's short version of what this new e-course covers and why it would help a girl out...

We will share the details of how and what we shoot, our processing secrets and finally how we share all this on our sites.

We are all unique. The key to great blogging lies in authenticity and sharing your true passion.
The student will leave this course with a clear vision of their blogging mission....concrete ideas to make it happen....and inspiration to spread their unique vision.

This is not a technical blog-building eCourse. We will not be showing you how to create a blog from scratch. However we will offer some great resources for this. Building a blog is really just the beginning..... It's what you pour into it that's key.

In this class, we will take you behind the scenes…sharing our daily creative process. We will share the ins and outs of what we shoot, how we shoot and finally how we share it on our blogs.

Wanna know how we put a post together? Want tips on staying focused and getting your post written quickly and efficiently? We are sharing it all.

How 'bout tutorials on all the extra little touches...such as image layouts, blog headers, buttons, mouseovers, animation, slide shows, and even short films....Want tips for telling a story with your photos? We got it covered.

Having trouble finding focus? finding your voice? It's hard! But we have lots of tips to share.

We're super excited to share all this and much more with you.

For more information on what is covered in the course and the long version of why this is going to be absolutely amazing on all levels,head on over to Reflection of You and check out Behind the Scenes information page...

I couldn't be more excited about this! Finding focus is exactly what I need right now, and since blogging is about sharing...guess what friends...Kim and Xanthe have been SO generous in offering a spot to a lucky Faded Prairie reader!! Whoot, Whoot!

So tell us what passion{s} do you want to give voice to? What direction would you *love* for your little piece of blogland to go in? Just leave a little note here to be entered, of course sharing the news about this giveaway will give you extra chances also {be sure to leave a link please}!

*Giveaway will end Friday night, 5:00p.m. MST*

*Open to all US and international friends*

Good luck to you all!

xo

kristin

Be....

i hope you all had the most, wonderful christmas...

we enjoyed every single moment..it was the most peaceful holiday i remember for a long time...

we spent the time playing games, ice skating at beautiful bryce canyon, working over cows, and just being together...it was pure {magic}...

now here we are, 2012 and i feel SO excited!  i just know the year is going to hold some extra special *fabulousness* for my little family :0)

we have made some plans for some big changes here and i can't wait to share...it is something we have been waiting 14 years for...it is definitely time! 

i have also been making some plans for my little space here, i have been chatting with an insanely talented girl to help give the blog a little lift and new direction.  in early november a new muse visited me and her story is waiting to be told.  it really is miraculous how everything comes together...

when reflecting on 2011 one word came to my mind...{muddled}...

i had some Dreams come true during the year, some i never realized i had but i just felt as if the little trials drowned out a lot of the joy.  it seemed that i really couldn't focus on anything and just {BE} in the moment...

so my one little word for twenty.12 is {BE}...

i also have a little confession to make before we go any further...i loose interest in things quite rapidly {the half-a$$ed projects throughout my house can testify} so making a commitment on one little word for an entire year is really not feasible...i don't think i can even remember what word i chose for last year, i definitely know it wasn't muddled! ;0)

so i'm changing up the way my word is going to work for me and my new found *love* of art journaling is going to help out, i hope you join me for my B.12 project...

every two weeks i'm going to come up with a new {BE} word...this word will help me stay focused and intentional in my living...

all my thoughts and direction will be written here...

my B.12 journal...

i recently came across an article on the life of an artist, how you as an artist can have all the mediums, the ideas, the space and desire to create but if you don't actually produce something you are a {poser}...yes, a poser and i am the biggest {poser} of them all!  i can't tell you how THAT one little word has affected me, i know without a doubt that i DON'T want to BE a POSER!!  i want to create, i want live an artful life, a creative life, i want to live the life i know i'm capable of living....to just {BE}...

{BE.GIN} is the first little word to start guiding me on my creative journey...i found this quote on pinterest tonight that reaffirmed the importance of beginning...

Source: en-cour-age.tumblr.com via Kristin on Pinterest

it really is that simple...{BE.GIN}...

i'm {BE.GINNING} by taking an in-depth business course with kelly rae and beth nicolls...i'm ready to take faded prairie to the next level and make the most out of it...

i'm also {BE.GINNING} with another e-course...the wonderfully, all inspiring, jeanne oliver's dream come true....{CREATIVELY MADE} rediscovering the beauty of your gifts...i don't know a better way to begin a journey than this...

i hope you will begin your journey with me, please share how you plan to begin.  are you going to be accountable within the written word, are you going to begin by picking up your camera one extra time each day...what ever it may {BE}...just begin...

Three Hearts...

i cannot tell you how much you all mean to me...

*thank you* SO much for all the kind words and encouragement with my last post...

things are looking somewhat better still no answers but feeling more calm and peaceful...

i cried when i read the words and thoughts you all shared with me...

i cried about the raw, tender, beauty you all possess...

what beautiful, beautiful souls...*love* you all!!

it is *amazing* how He works...

how it all comes together when you need it the most...

i signed up for this course quite awhile ago...

thinking to myself oh anything done by christy is going to be fabulous...

i can learn SO many more mixed media techniques...

little did i know how much my soul and {hearts} would need to be healed once class finally started...

i have started my journal and i have included all of your encouragement and sweet, gentle words throughout my first pages...

i will share photos soon...once the sun decides to grace us with some warm rays...

*thank you* again dear readers...you all *amaze* me..

big prairie LOVES...

She Art...

i usually don't post on the weekends...

but i had to share...

as many of you know i have been taking a mixed media workshop...

the she art workshop...

this has been one of my most *FAVORITE* e-courses by FAR...

christy is absolutely *amazing*...

she seriously cracks me up...a full fledge, outright *hoot*...

each moment is chuck full of information and tips on mixed media...

how to create textures and layers with rub-ons, stamps, doodling and vintage ephemera...

registration is NOW open for the next class which begins april 11th...

christy has posted all the information on her blog today...

she is also giving away one spot into the course!!!

i KNOW!! eeeee!!!

there is NO doubt in my mind you will enjoy this class!! head on over to christy's blog today to find out more and to be entered into her giveaway!!

{be sure to let christy know that i sent you her way and i just might win a little something, something also! she is *simply* the BEST!!}

enjoy girls and i will see you in the she art community come april!!

E-Course Inspiration...

i have a confession...

i do believe that i am a e-course junkie...

yep, anything and everything e-course....SiGn me UP!! :0)

today i wanted to featured a few of the great e-courses out there...

ones that i am taking and next week some that i {dream} of taking...

first up {she art workshop}...

this 4 week course teaches you how to create she art through mixed media...

my first canvas...

i have been dabbling with mixed media and altered art for about a year now and finally feel comfortable with my abilities as an artist...

*love* mixed media and i'm working on a little something, something...

a little hint....13 Hens.... :0)

christy is an *amazing* instructor and this has been one of my very favorite courses!

*thanks* christy!!

another one that i'm taking right now is vivienne's {you are your own muse}...

this course made me really nervous...

photography is all about stories for me...

the stories of {what once was} with my vintage finds...

the funny stories my kids are creating each day...

the story of stewardship with my photos of the farm and ranch...

but i have never turned my camera on myself and told my story through my lens...

this is what you are your own muse is teaching...

how to let go of your inhibitions with being the focus of the camera and sharing your soul...

really an inspiring and thought provoking course...

one upcoming course is susan tuttle's {photomanipulation 3}

susan's photography is absolutely *stunning* and during the 4 week course susan teaches cross processing, film grain, and turning a photo into a work of art...

really excited for this course to begin!!

these three courses are just a small sampling of what the blogging world has to offer...

i hope to talk about two or three a week, if you have any new or amazing courses please share!

now i'm off to get messy with my art! :0)

Photography Projects...

today is tempting...

tempting and teasing us with spring...

so i am headed out to help baby calves suck, doctor calves, check on calves, and hopefully not have to help a heifer calve... :0)

can you tell we are in the middle of calving season?!?

the husband is off rounding up cattle..

so it is up to the kids and me today...

and i show you a picture of a hen...go figure?!?

i did want you all who are looking to improve your photography skills, learn the basics, and practice, practice, practice...

there are some *amazing* sites that are offering projects and linky parties on just exactly how to do this!

becky of {farmgirl paints} is hosting The Thrive Project!! *love* this...she shares tips and tricks on all the basics...*fabulous*!

jeanne of {a bushel and a peck} is taking photos with a purpose...

every friday during the month of februray she will post a theme and you take photos that fit within that theme...

a great way to practice and celebrate love all month long!!

and lara with {modern prairie girl} is hosting a fun, unique, photo challenge...

where you find any {still-life} object around your house and play!!

these are just a FEW challenges, and projects going on around blogland...

there are many 365 day challenges, 10 for 10, and 52 projects on flickr so spread your wings and challenge your photographer self!!

{i will talk a little bit more about some other challenges and e-courses within the coming weeks that i will be participating in! *love* this blogging land!!} ;0)

what about you?? are you already participating in some? know of some fabulous ones out there?? Please share!!

have a wonderful, tempting spring weekend!

Art of Texture...

i've been talking about textures a lot haven't i?!?

well there is a reason...

besides my absolute *obsession* with them...

i've had the idea to create my own set of prairie textures for quite awhile now...

i just wasn't quite sure where to begin...

well my dear friend kim is offering this...

a beginning...

the ecourse begins november 18th and i CANNOT wait! everything kim does is absolutely beautiful and she also offers a way out of manual reading for this prairie girl!! :0)

would *love* to have you join me and kim in the art of texture it should be fabulous!