We were just as thrilled as our fans to receive a gorgeous shipment of Kelly Rae Roberts scarves in The Shoppe this past week. The Hello Love, Follow Your True North, and Dream Big designs all boast different color palettes and beautiful mixed-media art to cater to every fashionista’s personal style. To get the most mileage out of these pretty accessories, Shoppe Manager Vanessa Spencer explores 10 innovative and easy ways to transform them into wearable art, home décor, and more.

1) Kelly Rae Roberts Mixed-Media Scarf – Boot Adornment

Find your favorite pair of boots, wrap the Kelly Rae Roberts scarf around twice, tie in a bow, and voilà! In just seconds you can add a soft, feminine accent to any outfit.

2) Kelly Rae Roberts Mixed-Media Scarf – Hat Accent

Another fun way to wear the Kelly Rae Roberts Hello Love scarf is tied around a plain straw hat. It adds a flowing, delicate touch and will have people turning heads in no time.

3) Kelly Rae Roberts Mixed-Media Scarf – Tied on a Handbag

Tote around an artful bag when you tie on the Follow Your True North scarf around one of your straps.

4) Kelly Rae Roberts Mixed-Media Scarf – Pillow Wrap

The art of presentation is key when it comes to home décor. Beautify a bland pillow: Wrap around and tie in a loose bow to make your guests feel more than welcome to kick back and relax.

5) Kelly Rae Roberts Mixed-Media Scarf  – Picture Perfect

Spotlight your new scarf and add a pop of color to any wall in your home with this easy frame idea. Simply tie one end and place over the top of the frame, drape the lovely mixed-media design behind, stand back, and admire your new wall art.

6) Kelly Rae Roberts Mixed-Media Scarf – Gift Wrap

The perfect thing about tying a present together with a Kelly Rae Roberts scarf? Not only does it add an element of interest to a blank box, but it doubles as part of your gift.

7) Kelly Rae Roberts Mixed-Media Scarf – Table Décor

Turn your table tops into a feast for the eyes when you use the sheer fabric scarf as a runner. It’s never been so easy to set the mood for a romantic dinner for two.

8) Kelly Rae Roberts Mixed-Media Scarf – Simple Shawl

Whether you’re headed to the market or treating yourself to a night out with the gals, you’ll feel divine when you wrap yourself in color.

9) Kelly Rae Roberts Mixed-Media Scarf – Neckwear

We may be stating the obvious here, but when the weather turns cold, what better way to keep your neck warm than with this stylish statement?

10) Kelly Rae Roberts Mixed-Media Scarf  – Belt Accent

Instead of confining yourself with a notched belt, tie the one-size-fits-all mixed-media scarf around your waist to stand out in a crowd.

Can you think of any other ways to alter the new Kelly Rae Roberts mixed-media scarves? Comment below with your ideas!

If you love Kelly Rae Roberts, discover more of her distinct style and beautiful artwork in the entire Kelly Rae Roberts collection.

Photography Credit: Tracy Porter

Please join me in welcoming to our blog, savvy business woman and beloved wife and mother, Tracy Porter. From home décor to fashion, Tracy is the mastermind behind signature, emotionally engaging designs that capture a spirited blend of modern and soulful whimsy.  Today she offers a glimpse inside what most inspires her creativity in the design process: authentic countryside living with her husband John, and their four rascally boys.

My Poetic Wanderlust

I’ve lived in the country for most of my life, save a few years in Paris, France and another few in Chicago. It seems my heart strings yearn endlessly for the kaleidoscope of inspiration I find that the country lifestyle offers. I see the poetry in simple things around me — the pod of pregnant seeds ready to drop or the brilliant sunrise that startles me each morning as her golden tones create an exuberant burst from the top of the mountains then fall lazily over the dew covered meadows. My spirit feels free, my senses absurdly awakened. Living a life in the countryside is as unexpected as it is breathtaking, but always inspirational.

My husband, John, and I moved our family from the beautiful Wisconsin countryside to the sunny mountains and meadows of California a few years ago. We were craving a warmer climate and more of a year-round outdoor lifestyle. We have found our geographical heart in the charming Santa Ynez Valley.

We work and live on a small, enchanting ranch that overlooks two wondrous mountain ranges. Each morning, I open my studio doors to take in the views and say my hellos to our small flock of hens, goats and alpaca, some of which can be found lingering on my studio deck — they often pop in for a peek around, too!

My days are spent designing a range of delicious goods, from tableware and bedding, to wall art and luggage. All of my designs are soulful, enchanting and kissed with a bit of Bohemian elegance. I am (I will admit) obsessive about creating designs that are literally a feast for the eyes. It is pure joy for me and my true passion. Being as close to nature’s song as possible allows my soul to sing, stirs my emotions and inspires my desire to explore, evolve, and constantly keep my mind and heart open to the newness that each day brings.

One of my favorite things about having a countryside studio in California is that several times a day I meander outside for an eye-full of goodness. I will often take few liberating moments in our wildflower garden to poke around and a wee sit in the pasture to give our menagerie of critters some treats.

I find inspiration comes in many forms but my beloved countryside seems to provide my senses with an utterly delightful and alluring bit of poetic wanderlust that keeps me endlessly addicted to her whimsy and opulence.

10 Facts that Explain the “Wander” in Wanderlust:

1. I did not go to college. Instead, four days after I graduated from high school I moved to Paris, France, with a plane ticket I had won in a contest. I stayed for nearly two years.

2. I collect words. I have for over twenty years. I find new words all the time. I am constantly looking. I like that word collecting is free and ever inspiring.

3. My willingness to embrace change, evolve and believe in myself are a few of the things that I would point to that have lead to my happiness in life.

4. I have, on various occasions, failed miserably in my career, but I view it as a gift. It’s for sure the hardest and most humbling thing to go through. I am grateful we live in a country that values entrepreneurs and second chances.

5. I love dancing. A good tune can take me away….

6. If I were to book a plane ticket in the next fifteen minutes to a fantasy destination, it would be to Istanbul. I definitely need to go there this year.

7. When I was eighteen years old, I spent two weeks on a Greek Island. No hotel…just the beach and a backpack.

8. I have been married for twenty two years to the loveliest man in the world.

9. One of my very favorite words is “enchanting.”  I try everyday to live my life as authentically enchanting as I am able to.

10. I don’t accept things that just are the way they are. I like to challenge conventional thinking on most levels, bringing a different perspective and thought-process.

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Thank you so much Tracy for offering a lens into your beautiful, enchanting lifestyle.

To read more about her inspiring journey in turning her passion into a profession, check out Tracy Porter’s feature article in Where Women Create Business Summer 2013.

Primitive Hanging Advent Calendar

Vanessa Spencer reveals how to put a spin on tradition by reinventing the age-old advent calendar in this rustic countdown to Christmas project.

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Materials Used:

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About the Artist: Vanessa Spencer, Stampington & Company’s Shoppe Manager

– Has an addiction to finding and creating with vintage materials

– Australia native (and still has the lovely accent to prove it)

– Mommy to two adorable little ones, Izzy and baby Brin

Please join me in welcoming to our blog, Director of Publishing and savvy creative, Christen Olivarez. Today she offers a glimpse inside an exciting new season of her life filled with wedding planning blisses (and some misses.) From venue choices to guest lists galore, after making a few wrong turns, Christen finds herself at what seems to be a dead end. But with time and a wise word from a friend, she finally finds what she had been searching for all along: the recipe to achieve a simple, authentic gathering amongst loyal friends and loved family.

Photo Credit: Johanna Love

When A Girl Says I Do

A funny thing happens when you get engaged. People come out of the woodwork to share their opinions on what you should do for your wedding. Venues are recommended, caterers are referred — everyone has something to say, and it’s all a bit overwhelming.

Last year, my then-boyfriend and I attended a lot of weddings. By a lot, I mean that virtually everyone within our circle of friends got married. Each wedding was very different, and we found ourselves commenting on what we would like or wouldn’t like, should the big day ever come for us. We were very much in agreement on what we wanted: a small, intimate, backyard celebration.

Flash-forward to this past June, when on a trip to Portland to celebrate our eight-year anniversary, I was proposed to while taking a stroll through the park to escape the sudden downpour of rain. Suddenly I found myself looking up venues, planning a monstrous guest list, and crunching an ever-growing budget. All previous plans of small and intimate were out the window, and my patient fiancé seemed to be on board.

It wasn’t until a month after we booked a venue that I started to have second thoughts. I found myself adding people to our guest lists just to fill the space. More guests meant more food, which meant an even bigger budget. Something didn’t feel right, and I was on the verge of a panic attack.
It was my future mother-in-law who saw the anxiety I was experiencing who simply asked, “Why don’t you just do it at home, the way you always wanted to?” I looked at my fiancé and asked him if he thought we could really do it. He took this opportunity to tell me that he was much happier with the original plan and would prefer to go that route. As I did some quick planning in my head, I instantly felt the panic leave my body. We could do it. Our backyard was big enough. And heck, if I had it at my home, I had complete creative control over everything. I was in.

So I am now in the middle of planning a very small backyard wedding that will take place on Memorial Day Weekend. Our yard isn’t anything special, but it will be. Yes, I’m sure people will still wish we opted for a bigger, more conventional wedding, but what I’ve learned is this: You have to do what is right for you. Sometimes you just have to shut out everyone else and do what sits right with your soul.

About the Artist: Christen Olivarez is the Director of Publishing for Stampington & Company and editor-in-chief of Somerset Studio, Somerset Life, Mingle, HandCrafted, and Artists’ Café.Interests: art, slow food, writing, books, yarn, authentic living Follow Christen on Her Blog: thedeliberatelife.typepad.com

“In my experience, the most important and hardest step in creating art is to sit at the table and begin. If you show up at your table every day, inspiration will always join you. Don’t wait. Begin now.” – Karen Grunberg

Discover new techniques to inspire your art journaling aspirations with this free article download by the talented Karen Grunberg. Learn how to overcome procrastination and find inventive ways to express yourself in a bright mixed-media fashion.

Click here to download the free article, “Voice of Your Soul,” originally featured in Art Journaling Winter 2013. This edition is chock full of artistic tutorials like how to create journal pages using 3-D elements and tips on how to transform blank pages into vivid backgrounds with paints and stamps.

You may also be interested in: Somerset Studio │ Mixed-Media Stamps by Pam Carriker

Is there a creative professional you’re absolutely eager to learn from? Comment below and we’ll do our best to spotlight the most requested artist as our next guest here [On the Blog].

With Somerset Place love,

Comments? Ideas?

Contact me: blog@stampington.com