Archives for April 2014

April 30, 2014 By 1 Comment

Wednesday Sale

So I have crazy fun plans for this weekend and just up and decided this morning I would have a little sale here on the blog tonight…8pm central.  Josh and I are going with Full Count Ministries this summer to Nicaragua and I thought this would be a perfect way to help with funding some of the trip costs. Josh will be there for 2 weeks and I’m going for 1 week.  I’m super super excited.  Cannot wait to see what God has in store.

I will have canvases, key fobs and mini-buntings up for sale.  Everything will be posted tonight under the tab at the top Currently Available at 8pm central sharp.  And if you are needing something by Mother’s Day, I will ship your item as soon as payment is received.  So if you pay tonight, I will ship tomorrow 🙂  Think Mother’s Day, end-of-the-year teacher gifts, friend gifts, birthday gifts, happy spring gifts, etc.

A little impromptu Wednesday night sale.  Fun handmade goodies all for a purpose.  And tell a friend.  The more the merrier.

You can send me a message HERE if you have any questions.  See you tonight.

Happy Wednesday!

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April 29, 2014 By 10 Comments

Cookies & Cribs

We do not have cable, but this post title absolutely sounds like a show which should be on a network owned partially by Martha Stewart & MTV.  My mind took this way too far in the thought process as to what a show called “Cookies & Cribs” would actually look like.  I might talk Josh Kelley into getting cable if said show existed.  But I digress.

So I told you I would let you know about “The Best Snickerdoodles” recipe.  Insert Sidenote:

Laura Kelley Fun Fact #2:  If you put anything remotely close to “World’s Greatest”, “The Best Ever”, “Hands Down The Most Wonderful”, etc, etc, etc, in front of your recipe, I WILL TRY IT.  It’s like I just can’t not try it.  When you claim something is the greatest in the world, well, I’ve just got to try it.  “World’s Greatest Crap Pie”  Me:  “Holy cow.  World’s Greatest Crap Pie. Well I just have to see this for myself.”  Seriously, it’s becoming a problem.  Like a drug I can’t quit.

And well, it turns out these snickerdoodles are totally legit.  They even have brown sugar in them.  A snickerdoodle with brown sugar?  Hold up.  So much so, I made 100 of them.  I actually did not mean to make 100 of the best snickerdoodles, but if you double the recipe, you get 100 cookies.  I’m not complaining.  More to share.  Bakes goods can change the world.  By the way, if you decide to double the recipe…do not double the sugar/cinnamon mixture you roll the cookies in…you will have way too much leftover…like I did.

And remember when I said I was getting rid of everything in our house…like for reals…even the crib which all 4 of my sweet little baby Kelley’s slept in?  Well, we couldn’t donate or sell the crib because it was a recalled drop side crib…which we bought in 2009 before Harper was born at Kmart for $100.  The crib.  Not Harper.  She was not born at Kmart for $100.  But that would be an amazing story.  Anyways.  As Josh Kelley was about to drive off headed to the dump with the crib I realized maybe, just maybe I could repurpose at least the springs and I could be a little nostalgic with this sweet piece of recalled furniture which held all our children while they slept.  I told him to wait and asked him to pull out the spring base piece.

And when he got back I was already spray painting it.  Life is good when you are cool with spray painted, sentimental junk hanging on your wall.  Josh’s reply, “Well, that didn’t take long.”  I love him.

So a little spray paint, two nails in the wall and boom shocka locka.  I love her.  I think I’ll keep her.

Happy Tuesday!

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April 28, 2014 By 3 Comments

Torandic Monday

In true Tennessee weather fashion we’re in full on tornado season and I’m dreading the thought of trying to pile all 6 of us into the closet under our steps that seriously holds our vacuum and a empty few boxes & paint cans.  It’s the world’s tiniest closet and literally the only safe spot in our home.  A definite down side to a house with big windows EVERYWHERE and no basement.  It’s sure to be a long night so we’re being super lazy today which is not good because my to-do list is long.  I am making time to finish up a few more art canvases though.  Hoping to have a Saturday sale sooner than later.  Josh and I are both going to Nicaragua this summer with Full Count and I’m going to try and raise some funds.  We’re both pretty excited.

Our weekend was really fun, but tiring.  Baseball and a birthday party and the kids marathon and Bible study and church and the drive-in movies and then throw in all our regular life stuff.  Really fun.  Super busy.

We’re still raising funds for the Ngungwane carepoint in Swaziland, Africa too.  I cannot tell you how absolutely thrilled I am with the generosity and kindness of you guys and others.  The world is still full of amazing people and God is always in the business of making the impossible happen.  You can read all about the giveaway HERE.  Remember, one lucky donator will receive over $700 in Noonday Collection goodies.

Speaking of Noonday…my best friend Ashley who lives in Orlando, Florida just became an ambassador.  What the what?!?!?  The greatest news.  I am beyond excited for her.  So if any of you Floridians want to host a Noonday show and earn some free items, shoot me a message HERE and I’ll get you Ashley’s info.  She’s awesome and fun and kind and totally the best.

Bike riding is kind of all the rage in the Kelley house now.  That and baseball.  The boys are crazy obsessed.  Amon is majorly crazy obsessed.  Every morning he wakes up talking about “baeball” and his glove is becoming permanently attached to his hand.  He takes it everywhere.

Hey, no kick stand?  No problem.

I always wanted to be a mom of 4 boys…this is pretty dang close.  And having a girl in the mix to relate to is just as good if not better.

I’m making these alleged best snickerdoodles cookies tonight and tomorrow.  I’ll let you know how they go.  I have big, high hopes.  Needing to share lots of cookie love this week.  Baked goods can still change the world.

And that’s all I’ve got.  So how was your weekend?  Do anything crazy fun?  Have any randomness to share.  I feel like my posts are always just like the thoughts in my brain…scattered and random.  I’m always shocked you guys stop by to read, but I am so thankful and glad you do.

If you need me, we’ll be in the closet.  Happy Monday!

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April 25, 2014 By Leave a Comment

I Spy {Hudson Edition}

FIRST…You guys are crazy.  Crazy, crazy, crazy…in the best way ever.  We’re already over 1K in donations.  And we still have so much time left.  Thank you for all the donating for the tables and chairs for the Ngungwane kiddos.  When I realized we had already met our goal I may have cried.  I’m a total weepy person lately.  God is just so good.  And the world is still full to the brim with kind and generous people.  So let’s keep raising funds.  Let’s give them way more than they ever expected.  Remember, we’re going to send a huge package of over $700 in Noonday goodies to one lucky donator.  Read all the details HERE or scroll down to the post below.

On a different note…My kids are drawers.  Big time.  We can fly through a ream of copy paper like nobody’s business.  The boys especially.  They will draw and draw and draw.  All of their drawings are so interesting, but Hudson’s take the cake.  I took a few moments the other day to look through a pile of  their drawings.  And I cracked up.  Hudson seriously has the craziest, most fun imagination.  I picked out a few of my favorites and asked him about them and for your pure enjoyment I would like to present…I Spy…the Hudson Edition.

Hudson spies with his little eyes:  A man with snake arms, a guy spitting, but it looks more like he’s smoking a bubbly pipe (insert wild little boy laughter here) and an intense battle with lasers & a magic genie.

Hudson spies with his little eyes:  Jaba the Hutt, a battle between Obi Wan & Darth Maul and a guy shooting a canon.  Please note at this point the majority of his people look more, how should I say, phallicy.

Hudson spies with his little eyes:  An octopus man, a guy with a firework gun, two swords in a box and a tiny man who’s sword is too heavy for him to carry.  I may have died with laughter when I figured out who that last guy was.

Hudson spies with his little eyes:  A guy swinging on a rope, two guys trying to blast away on one jet pack and three guards protecting gold.  I would like to note at this point all of Hudson’s people feel the need to always have in their stick arms either a gun, knife, sword or canon.  Every last little person.

Hudson spies with his little eyes:  A fire breathing & fire throwing lizard man and a guy with a smelly magic wand battling a bad guy with his own magic wand…his does not smell though.

What an imagination.  I love it.  Hope you found everything and thanks for playing.

Enjoy the weekend.

Happy Friday.

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April 24, 2014 By 9 Comments

Let’s Do This…Together!

Our family’s hearts have been slightly captivated by Swaziland in southern Africa.  Specifically our carepoint, Ngungwane.  We help sponsor three siblings there and I had the chance to meet two of them and visit with their family at their house last November.  And God willing Josh and I will be going again with a team this year too.

While I was there I so enjoyed meeting and hanging out with all the staff, but Amy and Steve…the staff who work directly with Ngungwane…we’re especially helpful and you could see their great love for all the people and kiddos who work and come to the carepoint each day.  It was a privilege to meet them.  We had the opportunity to discuss big and small goals for Ngungwane too.  One of the smaller goals was to purchase tables and chairs for the building on site.  Ngungwane now has a preschool teacher who comes regularly to the carepoint to teach the smaller kids, but they have no tables or chairs.

I recently contacted Children’s HopeChest and asked for more details on how we could help make this happen.  They got me the additional details we needed.  Good metal tables are going to cost $50 each.  And each sturdy metal based chair is going to cost $12 each.  The wish list Ngungwane requested was 5 tables and 30 chairs.  When you do the math that’s a total of $610.

Our first step towards the tables and chairs was a big Noonday Collection show.  Friends and family and a lot of you guys made purchases and we ended up getting a ton of free stuff.  A ton.  $704 is kind of awesome.  Can you imagine how much fun I had picking out all the items.  It was crazy fun.

So here’s the deal.  I have the biggest Noonday Collection thank you gift giveaway just for you guys.  For every $10 you donate towards the tables & chairs, I’ll add your name to this “Thank you for donating” giveaway.  Every dollar…every single donation made…will go directly to Ngungwane to help purchase the tables and chairs.  If we raise more than needed, well then, hot dog and Ngungwane will just get extra money for additional items they need at the carepoint right now.  Seriously.  We can totally do this.  Think about what $10 can do.  A lot.

We’re going to collect donations for 2 weeks and then one lucky person will be drawn on Thursday, May 8th to receive the best “thanks for donating” package ever which includes all of the following items:

Get ready…cause this is really, really good.

Clementines Laptop Case $42

Lines and Stripes Catch All $142

Patchwork Clutch $38 (in purple)

Beachcomber Scarf $56

Nahuala Rectangle Trays (Set of 3) $36

Blushed Necklace $42

Del Mar Necklace $78

Honeycomb Necklace $38

Golden Trio Necklace (no longer available for purchase)

Annie’s Feathered Earrings $32

Bone Carved Leaf Earrings $30

Modern Angles Earrings $46

Athena Cuff $34

Bloomed Trio Bracelet $28

Galaxy Wrap Bracelet $48

Safari Stack Bracelet, Salmon $14

Are you swooning like I am?  For reals.  I am completely giddy about the fact that we’re going to mail all these items to one person to say “Thanks for being generous.  Thanks for donating.  Thanks for being totally rockin’ cool.”  This is going to bless someone’s socks right off.

It’s a win/win.  The craziest, most fun fundraising giveaway…all to help supply 5 tables and 30 chairs to some sweet kiddos in Swaziland, Africa.  No longer sitting on the floor to do their work, but hanging out and learning in their own little chair at their own table.  It’s just a good good thing.

Here’s how to donate:

1)  To donate through Paypal or credit/bank card just use the snazzy little DONATE button in the right side bar all the way at the top

OR

2)  To donate by check GO HERE and let me know how much you would like to donate and I will send you the additional information you need.

Remember, for every $10 you donate, we’ll put your name in this Thank You gift giveaway that many times.  So $10 = 1 Your Name  $20 = 2 Your Name.  And so on and so on.  I kind of think you should just go straight for the $100 donation for your name 10 times 🙂  Come on, you know you want to.  #peerpressure

Maybe you can’t swing $10 right now…no worries.  You know what you can do…Share.  Share this post on Twitter and Facebook and Pinterest and Instagram and email it to all your stylish friends and family.  The more we share, the more people see how crazy cool this giveaway is and hopefully that means the more donations we will receive.

There you have it.  The world’s most awesome “Thanks for donating” giveaway ever known to man.  These are sure to be the sweetest tables and chairs ever purchased.

Thank you for reading.  Thank you for donating.  Thank you for sharing.  I cannot wait to see what God has in store.

Happy Thursday!

UPDATE:  To donate using the Donate button you do not have to have a Paypal account.

1.  Click on the Donate button in the right sidebar all the way at the top.

2.  Then find the area on the bottom left side of the donate page that says “Don’t have a paypal account?  Use your credit card or bank account (where available) Continue”  (see picture below)

3.  Click “Continue” and make your donation using your credit or bank card.

Hope this helps and clears up any confusion for anyone.

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April 23, 2014 By 3 Comments

Busy Stained Hands: Full Heart

Josh Kelley and all the wee Kelleys really do fill my heart right up.  To the max.  Spilling over.  And when I create, it comes close to doing the same thing.  I feel at ease.  Like I’m right where I’m suppose to be.  My hands covered in ink and stain.  Our kitchen table covered up in supplies and canvases.  When I am immersed in my process, eyes focussed in and my hands are busy means my heart is full.  When I am cutting and piecing together fabric, putting together color combinations and trying to think & sketch ideas.  In those moments I feel God speaking and moving.  I feel like I’m using the gifts He’s given me and it brings me such great joy.

Life has been crazy lately, as always, and spare time has been hard to find.  When I don’t create I feel my heart stress…I don’t feel like myself.  I know that probably sounds completely strange to some of you, but I know God has wired me in a certain way which soars and is elated when my creativity in brewing.  It’s just how He made me.  And I’m so very glad He did.

This week has been so good for my heart.  We’ve had a rough year in a lot of areas, some of which I choose not to discuss and honestly, this week has renewed a sense of hope for me.  Even though a lot of things are still completely up in the air, there is hope in a God who loves us like crazy and is absolutely relentless with His love.  I’ve been trying to draw in near to Him…focus on Him…make the time He deserves…and I am digging the closeness and watching Him work.

My creativity I know is from God…He created us all so differently and anointed each of us with great gifts…and I want to use mine.  I want to use mine and use mine and use mine.  Lately I’ve had the time…carved out the time…to make sure I create…and instantly, the world is a better place.  The sun shines brighter and my head is clearer and my attitude is more in check and everything just jives a little better.  Today I am so thankful I have to privilege to do what I love to do.  I do not take it for granted, nor do I want it to go to waste.  May I always focus in on my Maker…and thank Him for the gifts He has given me and use them for His glory.

The sun is out, the day is bright and God is so very very good.

Happy Wednesday.

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April 22, 2014 By 9 Comments

Refresh Beauty Advertising Debut

I love/hate Facebook.  When I get on Facebook I typically do my PPA gig…check on comments, messages, try to respond to questions, post the link to that days blog, etc, etc, etc…and then I get off.  Friday night I had a message from a reader who had come across one of those ads that are ” suggested posts” and a company was using a picture from off here of me holding up one of our cardboard  “waiting for you” signs except they had photoshopped the sign.  She actually sent me a screen shot and I died laughing.  Like lost it.  I quickly got on our computer, found the page, got to scrolling and there I was…a full on screen shot was in order…I mean this is prime blog post material people.

I feel so famous.  Oh Refresh Beauty.  You photo swipers.  Of all our photos to swipe…seriously?!?!?  And the best part…the kicker…the text which goes along with my lovely picture…”I’m a 53 year old mom who used this simple trick to erase 10 years off my face.  If it worked for me, it will work for you!”

I’m intrigued with what exactly worked for me.  And hot dog, 154 likes and 87 shares.  Word up.  I was a little disappointed in the lack of comments though.

Let the laughter ensue.  I could not stop.  Big time cracking up.  Big tears.  I showed Josh Kelley.  He simply said, “So Refresh Beauty thinks you look 43 years old?!?!”  The laughter continued.

Thank you Andrea for taking the screen shot and sending me the message.  Today’s post is dedicated to you.  #shoutout #refreshbeautypleaseremovemyphoto

Happy Tuesday.

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April 21, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Easter

Before I forget, I received all the Noonday items which we will be giving away in order to help raise the funds for purchasing 5 tables and 30 chairs for our carepoint Ngungwane in Swaziland, Africa.  You guys, this giveaway is going to be huge.  Like gigantic.  Like $704 worth of awesome.  I would love to get the giveaway fundraiser posted this week, but I’m still looking for a good way to accept donations…a safe, secure site that is tax deductible would be crazy good.  If you have any recommendations, I would love to hear about them.

On to Easter.  This year may have been one of my most favorite Easters.  I don’t know if it was just how relaxed it was…easy going…not crammed to the brim or maybe it’s this place of waiting God has our hearts or maybe it was how much fun Amon was this year or maybe it was going to our night service vs. a morning service or maybe it was singing In Christ Alone in which I always burst into tears or maybe it was a combination of it all.  Yes.  Most definitely a combination of them all.

Hunting eggs and eating candy far too early in the morning thanks to Nina & Baba.

(I might have been doing some yellow spray painting)

I didn’t even take very many pictures.  Was a little bummed about my lack of photo documenting, but sometimes you’re just having a bit too much fun.  You may remember how I am about our kids clothes…you may die, but Easter is the same.  We wore our regular clothes…we even got fancy and the kids had donut holes and yogurt for Easter dinner.

And seriously…our church had a dude taking everyone’s pictures.  I love this picture…not because I think we look all hot and fancy and cute, but because this is just us.  Every Sunday.  Susan goes to church with us and we’re a big bunch of yahoos marching in there each week, so I loved documenting our little group on such a special occasion.

So how was your Easter?  I hope it was great.  And now we’re ready to take on another week.  I have a feeling it’s going to be a really good one.

Happy Monday.

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