Kristen Robinson

The Year of Gratitude and Positivity

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the other. Cicero

The BRILLIANCE in Cicero's words resonates through my soul. For me 2009 is about gratitude, positivity and grace. There is such an immense beauty in the act of showing gratitude and living a positive life. I know there are times when we all stumble along our path however, may we regain our grace and continue on a path of living a life full of brilliance and beauty; giving and sharing with open hearts and positive outlooks.

In the Kitchen

I am a busy little bee in the kitchen creating mini cupcakes for a baby shower. With test batches complete I am armed with my Kitchen Aid mixer and ready to create create create. Stay tuned for the finished products for these are only a taste test.

The Colors in My World

 

My studio is literally overflowing with new colors.  Colors that I created by mixing a wee bit of this color with a dollop of that color. Ounces of wool roving once natural in hue now find themselves dancing about in a new shade.

From pearly pinks and crimson reds to a luscious chocolate browne I am surrounded by new colors - could it be my palette is expanding, I am growing leaving my comfort zone.

What to name this soulful red which stirs in me a deep longing. Stay tuned as your help will soon be needed.

Baby Mine

This year I made a promise to myself  - refrain a bit from frivolous purchases and only buy that which speaks to me in great volumes. Last week as Ruth and I enjoyed the intimate quilt gathering at the Bowers Museumin Santa Ana there was one item in particular I found myself unequivocally drawn to.

Layers of pink and creme pin tucked ribbon called my name. While a sweet image (cut from an antique book) is quietly resting upon a delicate quilt.

I found myself so very drawn to the simplicity of the stitches that bound the intricate details together. I cannot help but wonder what loving hands created this darling piece that spoke so loudly to my heart.

The Natural Evolution of Aging

This is the year I turn forty. Hard to believe at times as I really do not feel as though I ever left my twenties. With this change has come a plethora of pondering, reflection and goal setting. As I experience each day I think about all things that surround me and age as I do. As I watch my Little Man grow I find myself in awe of what he is and how he views the world - his of so youthful age is an awakening; as my plants and trees evolve from seeds I feel pride in the ability to nurture something into life. 

The progression of life is a natural evolution, one we all experience. Seth of the Altered Page has put forth a brilliant challenge. A gathering of items that are to be left to the elements of winter, not to be gathered within our arms again until the dawn of Spring.  

Within simple string lies layers of vintage ledger paper, antique documents, pages from a beloved novel and of course tea stained tags. I wonder what spring will gift with?

Seeing With Our Hearts

"It is only with the heart that one can rightly see.What is essential is invisible to the eye."

The Little Prince

 

Often we do not see what is right before us. When I think of all the moments compacted into our lives it almost becomes somewhat overwhelming; daring to record the history of what has been is a lofty goal however one I am determined to stay true to. I wish to see the world from the window of my heart. The gift of being, sharing and loving is one that is truly gilded with gold.

As of late I have been literally seeing hearts everywhere- in my studio, in rocks, within the frothed milk of my Belgian hot cocoa. However after dropping a basket of fresh blueberries about the kitchen floor I found a simple marking on the bottom of my foot left behind from a one of the small blue orbs.

For it is true when we view the world with our hearts we truly see what gifts lie in front of each of us, or perhaps even under our feet.

Royal T

There is a place in my heart that often longs for moments to be as they once were; decades even centuries ago. The thought of a simpler, technological empty world causes me to pause and ponder. 

 

I have no doubt that within what we now call the simpler days, complexities and challenges did exist and the average person experienced them - albeit on a different scale. 

 

Perhaps by filling my empty spaces with items from the past I am laying permission slips about. Permission slips to the future, quiet reminders to embrace that which once was while at the same time encouraging one to ponder that which is not yet.

Within the Pages

I will be very forthcoming in admitting this type of post is extremely hard for me to write as I find it difficult to talk about myself. However, alongside the difficulty is the elation that I feel when I see my words and artwork within publications that I admire so. Truly it is always an honor, and a joy to do what I love and share it with the world. Without further ado, I share with you some of my work on the stands right now.

I love February for many reasons but the main reason is simple....February 14th is Valentine's Day; a day in which all things romantic and charming fill our days. Last February my friend Marilyn Healey  invited me to join in a Valentine's Day Round Robin with a group of lovely and wonderful artists. As a true romantic how could I resist. Little did any of us know at the time that our books would evolve into a publication of its own. Hence, I give you Somerset in Love a delightful and charming collection of amazing pages created by talented and gifted women. I was honored to have my pink book featured on the cover alongside Amanda Elton. It was a true delight to peruse the pages, enjoying amazing artwork that was created long after the book had left my hands. To each of the participants I offer a heart felt thank you and to Marilyn, my deepest thanks for pulling us all together to create books of love that we will cherish for days to come. 

The BRAND NEW publication Art Journaling by Somerset Studio has hit the stands. Pam Garrison's amazing journals not only grace the pages but the cover.

    

Within the pages you will find my wee art journal and a bit of my history with journaling. There is a lot more to the story of this journal, in so many ways it has turned into a book of healing for me as the words and artwork created in this book were done during my time serving on a murder trial. In the future I will share all of my pages with you however for now it remains something difficult for me to talk about.

The second issue has hit the stands.....can you hear the shouts of glee. More divine studios full of inspiration and beauty. Charming and inspirational words from Jo Packham welcome us into the second installment of Where Women Create - The Magazine. 

This issues Create It is all about inspiration boards. I am a firm believer that no matter where you create an inspiration board is a must have. Whether it be a closet or a studio display those things that bring you joy and engage your creative self.

And last but certainly not least....Somerset Life. Another amazing issue full of creative living ideas, enchanted artwork and amazing words that will fill you with inspiration.

 

From altered pillowcases....

and wrapped up pencils

to picture frames altered into trays. the issue is the creative living must have.

New Creations

Perhaps it is the warm air, or the time of year. Perhaps my soul has been longing to create in high speed. Or perhaps it is simply the inspiration that surrounds me each day as the birds chirp outside my window and the breeze adds a sway to the delicate branches that are a bit brittle from the cool evenings and brisk mornings.

Whatever the source may be I have been in a very creative mode as of late - filling my shelves with new trinkets and baubles. Finding myself creating in high gear.

Putting together bits of inspiration and baubles of beauty.

Bobbins of love, with wee bits of color.

Framed ladies who dance upon sheet music and satin ribbon, while vintage trim frames their beauty. There is more so  much more and yet more inside of me waiting to pour out.

Goodies and gifts that I have listed in my Etsy store.