by Kimberly | Sep 25, 2015 | Coffee with..., creatives
Here we are again with a sweet friend that is a true creative. When I first met Sarah back when she was in high school, I knew she was a creative. It is in every fiber of her being. She has a new venture and I thought I would introduce you to her. You will fall in love with her just like I love her!
If we were sitting down at your favorite coffee shop enjoying your favorite drink…where would we be and what would you be having?
My favorite place to sit and chat over some coffee is absolutely the Hyppo Cafe in St. Augustine. My parents think its weird that I will go out of my way to go there when I go up to visit, but its adorable, calming and I love their wooden tables and chairs. As for a drink, I think I have the soul of an 1900 victorian lady. I prefer an earl grey tea with a tad bit of milk and sugar, especially on a chilly day while wearing a sweater.
This is an exciting time in your life! Can you share what’s going in your world?
I don’t know how I got into this whirlwind of time. A couple years ago, I turned 22, and when my sister was my age, she had graduated college with a nursing degree, gotten married and then pregnant. I laughed thinking I wouldn’t have anywhere near that many accomplishments. Here I am however, at 25, graduated with a degree in stage management, engaged to an amazing follower of christ and working full time in a job I love. What happened to the child three years ago compared to the adult I feel like now?
Why DIY? What got you started and what fuels your passion?
I work with my hands and build stages and work with special effects at my job. I get to see so many props and scenery which added to my inspiration to start a DIY blog. When I was younger, my dad taught me how to use some power tools, and then let me put together furniture from Ikea. Meanwhile my mom taught me how to sew and use a sewing machine, and my sister taught me scrapbooking. Between my three influences, I must have been groomed to be a crafter. I took the inspiration with me to college and began in theatre classes. I learned how to design and draft out my own ideas, sew more difficult things and find new ways to create props. Do it yourself (DIY) projects always appealed to me because that is exactly what I had to do in school. If a show needed a coat hanger but it had to look like the 1800’s, then I had to figure out a cheap way to buy or build it. Now that I have done multiple building and creating projects, I know the cost of items, and I see that sometimes it is easier to buy things. When you create something however, there is this feeling inside you of accomplishment, of knowing you had your hands on every aspect of that item, that it turned out beautiful and you made it so. I have so many friends who love what i do but feel like they are not creative at all, or can’t afford to create these super fancy things.
I created my blog www.abeautifulbuild.wordpress.com as a blog for creative and non creatives alike, to give projects that anyone can do without costing a fortune. I want to give people a realistic idea of what a project costs before they go into it themselves. There are so many time I encountered a pause in a project because I had to make a run to home depot for 1 item and then I go back 2 more times that day.
One of the blogs I like to look at is www.jeffbranch.wordpress.com
I not only love the bookshelves and benches, but the beautiful fluidity of the cut pieces themselves. I want to create a blog that inspires people to push their creative limits.
Katie Shelton is a writer for the blog http://www.abeautifulmess.com
and her hair tutorials, sewing projects and home decor ideas are so lovely and adorable. I want people to feel that way when they see something they can create from my blog.What are some goals you have for 2016 w your blog and creative side? My goal for this next year is to have a new project at least once a month, if not more. I already have a giant project in mind that might take some time.
Who is your favorite Disney character?
As for my Favorite disney character, I am incredibly obsessed with frozen, however, I still think my favorite character is Merida, the princess from brave. She is stubborn but fearless, knows how to make her own way and has awesome red curly hair that makes me think of my best friend. Also I think Scotland is beautiful.
What part, if any, does your belief in God play in your role as a creative?
My biggest inspiration of them all however is in fact Proverbs 31. I had always heard of “A Wife of Noble Character” But had never really looked at it. Int he past couple months, i have been studying this chapter much more closely. This chapter encourages me daily to do what God gave me gifts for. I do not want to eat the bread of idleness, but I want to set about my work vigorously and have my arms strong for the task. I read each verse and apply it to each day. In my description of my blog, the last sentence says this:
“So get ready to work with eager hands, grasp the spindle and pray you are ready to make A Beautiful Build.”
Prov 31:13 “She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands”
Prov 31: 19 “In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers”
That is the woman I want to be, the woman who works with eager hands and grasps the spindle ready to work.
And just because I can, I’m throwing in an old school photo from my first trip with Sarah.
Thanks for joining me Sarah!
by Kimberly | Sep 4, 2015 | Coffee with..., creatives, north carolina
Each month I love to introduce you to creatives so you can get to know them, know their work, and continue to build community in this social media world we now live in. Today, I’m featuring Jenna Diprima who owns her photography business based out of a small, wonderful little town near the Triad in North Carolina, Mebane. We met because of my bestie and turns out that I go to church with some of her family. Small world. I actually had a chance to sit down with her for some coffee as I was passing through back in March, but with two toddlers, even when you venture to a playground, it can be difficult to carry on continuous conversation. Enjoy getting to know Jenna. Jenna – thank you for sharing some of your life and photography with us!
I did get the chance to sit down with you for coffee, but can you tell everyone else what is in your coffee cup?
My favorite thing to drink in the mornings is black coffee from a french press.
Most mornings I end up with coffee from my coffee maker though
because let’s be real, most mornings are rushed. 🙂
Why photography?
I have always loved photography. Ever since I was a little girl,
I’ve usually been the one taking pictures at family events and when I’m with friends.
I’ve also always loved fashion, design, and other visual art forms.
I got my first DSLR about 6 years ago and as friends and family began asking me
to take pictures for them,
I realized how much I loved photography and
that I wanted to make it more than just a hobby.
How does your belief in God play a role in your photography?
My belief in God plays into my role as a photographer in many ways.
First, I believe God created all things and He wants us to delight in the beauty
we find in the world and thank Him as the Giver of all good things.
Second, I believe God has blessed me with the gift of photography
and I should use it to love and serve others.
I want to go above and beyond to serve every client and to love them as Christ has loved me.
I also work hard to do the best I possibly can at every shoot and every wedding because,
ultimately, I am working as unto the Lord, and I want to glorify Him with my work!
How’d you get started photographing weddings?
I began second shooting for weddings a few years ago
and I realized how much I love it! I love working with couples
and I love capturing such a significant and happy day in their lives.
I also love the details and the beauty that goes into weddings.
You live in a small town. What’s the best perk to living in a small town?
I live in Mebane, NC.
I love living somewhere where you almost always
run into someone you know! I love the sense of community that small towns have.
I’ve actually always been more drawn to bigger cities.
But I love that Mebane is central to so many big cities (it’s less than 30 minutes from
Greensboro, Chapel Hill, and Durham).
How do you balance being a wife and a photographer?
Great question!
Balance is always something I’m striving for and something
I often feel like I’m struggling to achieve!
Specifically as it relates to marriage,
I try to make sure that my husband and I have at least one day or one evening
where we’re spending quality time together. As a wedding photographer,
I’m often away on nights and weekends and so I try to be careful not to
schedule too many nights or weekends back to back
so that we can have quality time together each week. In addition,
I’m trying to train my husband to become a second shooter for me!
I think shooting together would be so much fun and would be great for our marriage!
If you could photograph a wedding anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I would photograph a wedding in London or Oxford.
I studied abroad in London and that city holds a very special place in my heart.
I love the architecture, the history, and the beauty found in that city.
Shooting a wedding there would be a dream!
by Kimberly | Aug 21, 2015 | Bible, Coffee with..., creatives, flowers, illustrated faith, kcreatives photography, photo shoot
Watching people who are really great at what they do do what they do – it excites me! And I want to introduce you to one of those people.
Lindsey Hohman. I met Lindsey while we were both getting pedicures at a spa night hosted by her sister-in-law. I immediately was connecting with her down-to-earth personality and her creative bent toward everything. This girl has so much creativeness that it oozes out the ends of her hair.
You can see it in everything she does and her style fits her home perfectly. When I left her home a few days ago I called my husband and told him I found our dream house. No joke. Gray, white, lots of light, hydrangeas, plenty of space, a huge back yard, a rocking chair front porch, Gator stuff in the house. Yup. I hope this girl keeps me as a friend!
Lindsey is a handletter-er genius and it flows from her. I wish I could do it – and I can’t. We all have our gifts. Apparently. But, I love her whimsical style of writing and her soft style of watercolor. I love her floral looks but it doesn’t make everything too girlie. She is authentic. She loves Jesus, the Bible, and the Gospel. She uses an ESV Journaling Bible. She has two really cute kids. She loved my food. Yup. She’s a winner.
Our kids played, we ate and talked, and she was kind enough to answer some questions so you can get to know her a bit.
First, the question every one will want to know, what is in your coffee cup? Sweetness. Hazelnut coffee with french vanilla creamer. Stevia for more sweetness. If its not sweet, I’m not drinking it.
What are you learning from your art? I’m learning to view God in the light of grace. I am getting out of the box of “I need to do this before I will be ______” Living in grace and not living in law.
“Its a challenge to see you how God sees you.” – LH
What’s one area as a business creative in which you want to grow? I need to work on my shop set-up. Learning which avenues are best for which art styles.
What are your favorite materials? I love being creative with paints and pens and chalk. I like manipulating them in different ways to get a different effect.
What inspires your creativity? LOTS. I am a visually-inspired person. I love pretty things. Magazine and Pinterest lend inspiration. I love to sketch and doodle. If I’m listening to someone talk, I’m usually doodling. Watercolor is a new medium. One thing I’m learning is you can’t base your creations on others’. A lot of my inspiration comes from magazines and other print work. I love taking time to sit alone a read through a magazine!
How do you balance being a wife and a mom and a creative? Inclusion and patience. Basically, multitasking. I can’t do just one of the other. I am always Mommy and _____.
Lindsey, thank you so much for hanging out with me. I look forward to future play dates, cupcake dates, and creative sessions with you.
And yes, Lindsey made that necklace!
All photos are property of kcreatives photography. Use with permission.
by Kimberly | Aug 7, 2015 | Coffee with...
Coffee…well, maybe popsicles. But that totally fits the summer and the fact that we were discussing photography while watching 3 out of 4 of our children play in the pool on her back deck. Made for a fun morning.
I love introducing you to friends who are good at their creativeness. This is one way I do it. I love to learn and learn more about them, specifically. Enjoy!
Celina and I met through our church, specifically through a freezer meal swap. We have children in the same age bracket (under school age) who like to play together. And we both like to shoot photos!
How long have you been interested in photography? I’ve always been interested in it, but never had much time to practice it. Then I had our daughter. One of our first apartments had no windows, so therefore no natural light. I started with a powershot. Then I moved up to a rebel. Just took pictures, practiced. I started pursuing it as a side career about 2 years ago.
How do you balance being a wife/mom and being a photographer? Photography is a good side business because you can edit at night or during naps and you can set your schedule. There is plenty of flexibility.
What word of encouragement would you share with those starting in photography? Stick with it. It if is something that you like and that God wants – it will happen. Be humble. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek advice. Watch tutorials. Ask google. Be creative with a situation – not just artistically.
What type of shoot is your favorite? Newborn definitely. I love to capture the excitement. You can see it in the parents faces.
How would you like to see yourself grow in the next year? I would love to continue to improve. I will never be perfect. I can improve with each shoot.
Why photography? Because I can’t draw. Seriously. It is my creative outlet.
All photos taken by kcreatives photography.
by Kimberly | May 11, 2015 | Books, Coffee with...
I’ve just been recently introduced to the life, ministry, grace, humor, and writing of Trillia Newbell. She does some great things for the kingdom in race ethics, CBMW, and for the ERLC. But, today, I’m not talking to her about those things – though I would definitely like to.
I’m getting the privilege to introduce to you her new book, Fear and Faith, by Moody. Ladies (gentleman, keep reading because your wife will thank you for the book) – this is one of those books, and they have been rare in my life – that I think every woman should read. Married, single, mom, widow, barren, adoptive mom, divorced…you name it – its for you. Because I think Trillia has hit on a topic all women struggle with. FEAR.
I’ll save my book review and the GIVEAWAY for next week, but right now you can hear from Trillia herself. And while I didn’t get to sit down with her face to face and have coffee, this is what I would ask her if I could have:
1. You write a part about always being in a hurry. How do you manage to write books, minister to women and others through CBMW, ERLC, and be a wife and a mom?
When I first began writing I had a desire to write as often as possible for as many organizations as possible. In part, I was simply excited to write. I also thought it was a great way to grow. As my responsibilities have increased at the ERLC and speaking opportunities have also increased, I’ve had to say no more often than I’d like to. That, I think, is how I’m able to balance. As new seasons come I have to make decisions to stop doing certain things. Before I was writing books, I was a fitness instructor, as I began to write more and my husband and I saw this as a ministry I ought to invest in, I gave up fitness.
I simply could not do this without my husband’s support, encouragement, and blessing. He helps me evaluate opportunities and balance serving the home, family, church, and broader ministry work. God’s grace is sufficient and he enables me to work.
2. When you got finished writing this book: what had you learned the most about yourself and what would be the first chapter in Fear and Faith part 2?
I’m not sure what I learned about myself but what I did learn is that fear is universal. I knew that it was a common struggle but the response has been such that I realize it’s almost a temptation for everyone. If I had a Fear and Faith part 2—the first chapter might be on finding our identity in Christ as we seek to fight these fears, especially the fear of not measuring up.
3. What verse or advice would you share w women on how to conquer social media and its push on what we do in life?
I think if a woman is secure in her identity in Christ and looks to Scripture to define for her what womanhood is, she will be able to fight the temptation to compare on social media. I don’t think that social media is all bad. I think we should be able to look on these various sites and rejoice with other women who receive what we do not or who are gifted differently than us.
But we also must know that we do not have to be on social media. I think many fear missing out so we check often. But if social media tempts us to sin rather than is a means of grace, don’t get it on it. There’s freedom to miss out—and honestly, we aren’t missing out on much because real life around us still goes on.
I hesitate to throw out Scripture because it depends on what aspect of it someone is struggling on. There’s plenty in the world about running our own race, not looking to the left or right, and encouraging one another. I would say anything in that category would be a good start.
4. Random question just for fun for your readers to get to know you better. If you could go on one trip just w your husband, where would it be and why?
Mine is Paris!! I studied abroad, in Swansea, Wales, and while over there I visited France. I traveled to Paris a few times and it was by far my favorite city. My husband, Thern, has not been to Paris (though he has been abroad). I would love to sit at the foot of the Eiffel Tower with him. Oh man, that would be so wonderful!
5. What is your favorite coffee shop where you live and what is your “regular ” order?
I love to work at the Frothy Monkey and The Good Cup. I enjoy fruit tea and various delicious coffees.
