Good morning!

I have so much to share with you from the class I hosted this weekend.

It was such a beautiful day watching Katie Kendrick create and I was amazed at all of the art the women created.

Come back later this week to see photos of the weekend.

Today I wanted to give you some sneaks into the brand new Creatively Made Home Summer Series.

This is a series with mini courses throughout the summer.

Short courses packed with the best information!

Summer can be busier but you still want to learn, connect and create.

I have chosen some of your favorite bloggers to be guests in the series and their mini courses will truly transform your creativity this summer.

This summer you can:

*Take your photography to the next level

*Learn beauty and fashion tips that will help you dress for your age and body type

*Decorate your home for summer and create your own DYI projects

*Learn how to make jewelry and incorporate vintage treasures into those pieces

*The basics of beekeeping

*Learn to use those power tools you have been eying to create beautiful signs and frames

*Get those paint brushes out as you explore the beginning techniques for watercolor painting

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I love that each of these mini courses will only be a few hours long but full of content.

You will get supply lists, PDFS and step by step instructions and the best part…

Each mini course is only $10!

I have chosen women that will offer you courses I would want to take!!!

These are also courses that you can do with friends and your children this summer.

Let me introduce the talented women that will be teaching the courses…

Cathy Walters.

Cathy is our family photographer and my photographer for all head shots for my business.

Her talent runs deep and she has a wicked sense of humor.

Here is a description of her mini course.

The mini course will be available on June 17th.

The Art of Seeing

I am passionate about being present in the day….seeing what is really there…being in the moment and embracing everything that makes daily life.

That’s where the magic is. 🙂

I want to help you see your life.

One way to do this is through a lens.

You will not need a ginormous camera or a ten pound lens to do this class. Any camera will do.

I will show you:

1. how to pay attention, set an intention for the summer, and avoid the traps that trip us up in the process

2. my favorite apps, supplies, gear, software, and online stores that I use on a daily ?basis.

3. basic DSLR info and ways to get out of the dreaded auto mode

4. portrait tips and guidelines

5. a few photo projects that can really help document who YOU are, and ideas for what ?to do with your images when you are done.

6. a very long inspiration list of photo ops to get the creative juices flowing

To register go to my creative network and register (this part is free).

You will find the mini course along the left hand side of the site under COURSES.

Click on the course “The Art of Seeing” and register.

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Paige Knudsen

I have known Paige since I first started blogging.

I love this girl!

She has such a sweet faith, so funny and her style is amazing.

Here is a description of her mini course.

The mini course will be available on June 24th.
I’ve always loved fashion.
As a little girl I would spend hours and hours breezing through JCPenney catalogs, cutting out images of the models and creating paper doll families.
I would sit on my large oval sized pink rug and line up my baby dolls in a circle, changing their little outfits depending on our imaginary itinerary for the day.
Our family wasn’t wealthy and I didn’t spend weekends at cocktail parties and celebrations, but I continued to grow up with a love for all things fashion & beauty, especially on a budget.
As a busy mom of four daughters I feel like I’m playing paper dolls & dress up even now.
We love to shop at TJMaxx & Marshalls with a little dose of Anthropologie when the budget will allow.
Cowboy boots and ballet flats ( and mile high wedges for them) are part of our regular playlist.
This summer I’d love to invite you to join me.
This won’t be a course on high fashion coming from an endless budget.
What this will be, is a time where I encourage you in your own fashion style, give some tips on accessories and the importance of having a young person’s opinion when it comes to choosing the right pair of jeans.
So climb in your comfy yoga pants, settle in your favorite chair & let’s enjoy playing dress up. Hope to see you there.

To register go to my creative network and register (this part is free).

You will find the mini course along the left hand side of the site under COURSES.

Click on the course “Let’s Play Dress Up” and register.

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 Jennifer O’Brien

I have known Jen since she lived here in Colorado.

She now lives in New York but our friendship has continued to grow over the years and I have loved watching all she has accomplished.

She is one of the most creative DIY girls out there.

She will blow you away with her projects and videos.

Here is a description of her mini course.

Her course will be available on July 1st.

Inspired Decorating Ideas for Summer

Summer has always been one of my favorite times of the year.

A time to slow down, have a little fun, do some entertaining, spend much needed time with family & friends and make lasting memories.

We all want our homes to have presence & feel pretty but it should also be reflective of you & your family.

I think summer is the best time to capture your family’s “life” and moments you create together.

Decorating and setting the stage for family fun should also be easy & gratifying.

In this mini-course I will show you simple ways to use different materials to accessorize your home for the summer.

I demonstrate how to create weathered & barn board finishes to picture frames and how to easily change out your art inside them.

I will also show you how to build a rustic tray for those simple impromptu picnics to the backyard.

Lastly, I will teach you how to make your own photo canvases, so you can display your favorite memories of the season.

I hope you will join me for this fun and enjoyable summer series in creating beautiful handcrafted accessories for your home and capturing those simple summer moments for a lifetime.

To register go to my creative network and register (this part is free).

You will find the mini course along the left hand side of the site under COURSES.

Click on the course “Inspired Decorating Ideas For Summer” and register.

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Andrea Singarella

I have adored Andrea’s jewelry for years.

She has an incredible eye for design and her craftsmanship is stunning.

Here is a description of her mini course.

Her course will be available on July 8th.

Vintage Trinket Jewelry

Join Andrea for a fun and inspiring jewelry course and learn how to create your very own unique jewelry!

She will walk you through the steps she takes to create her one of a kind designs, using both vintage and new beads, old baubles, religious medals and other found trinkets.

Andrea will share her own design process, from combining colors to selecting beads and creating a balanced piece.

Learn how to convert old earrings, costume jewelry necklaces, brooches and cabochons into charms, connectors and beautiful focal pieces for a necklace or bracelet.

In this course, she will demonstrate how to make all of the following projects with lots of helpful tips and techniques throughout the video:

 * Wire-wrapped earrings

 *Multi-strand beaded bracelet

*Ribbon bookmark with baubles

*Beaded necklace with repurposed brooch centerpiece

To register go to my creative network and register (this part is free).

You will find the mini course along the left hand side of the site under COURSES.

Click on the course “Vintage Trinket Jewelry and register.

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Anne Marie and Jason Klaske

Anne Marie and Jason have a charming farm not too farm from the area I grew up.

I have taught at her NaDa Farm sale and our little girls even love to write each other every once in awhile.

Their family loves to spend time on their land and making the most of what they have.

Anne Marie creates the most gorgeous garden each year and loves on her family with the bounty from their land.

Here is a description of her mini course.

The course will be available on July 15th.

The Basics of Bee Keeping

The course will cover a basic introduction to bees, beekeeping and honey production.

This class will be a great beginners class on how to start a hive.

For gardeners who want to maintain a hive for pollination or for those who want to collect honey, this class will give you all of the information you need to start beekeeping in your backyard.

Very basic knowledge on beekeeping is helpful but not necessary.

Jason and I will give each student a basic knowledge on beekeeping.

This beginner class is perfect for the backyard beekeeper who wants to maintain a hive for pollination for their vegetables and flowers, to gather the honey for personal consumption, and the basics of information for beekeeping.

The class will be set up like this:

Day 1:

-Equipment to buy to start a hive
-How to get a colony of bees and which ones to choose for your area/climate

Day 2:

– How to set up your hives and understand their construction

– The basics on feeding your hive when there is no pollen available (early spring)

Day 3:

– How to introduce your queen to a new hive
– What to do in case your hive ‘swarms’
Day 4:
– The best methods for working in the hive (including equipment to wear)
– A basic look into understanding the hive and the ‘language’ of the bees
– How to harvest your honey and the proper bottles/containers for storage

Day 5:

A few recipes to enjoy your newly harvested fresh honey!

Overall, Jason and I hope this course will have the students realize the important and vital role honey bees play in pollination so we can have food.

We cannot do without our honey bees!!

To register go to my creative network and register (this part is free).

You will find the mini course along the left hand side of the site under COURSES.

Click on the course “The Basics of Bee Keeping” and register.

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Courtney Khail

This amazing world of blogging and internet business has introduced me to so many incredible people.

I met Courtney at a business/marketing conference and I was smitten immediately by her humor and talent.

Here is her mini course description.

Her course will be available on August 5th.

Watercolors and Flowers {An Introduction To Watercolor Painting}

Whether you’ve tried watercolor before or are a complete novice, this course will give you confidence to tackle one of the trickiest painting media out there.

We’ll begin with basic color theory lessons to get you comfortable with your paints and supplies and then move on to mastering specific techniques and tips you’ll be able to use in all of your future paintings.

Lastly, we’ll combine all of the lessons learned to create three paintings from start to finish.

To register go to my creative network and register (this part is free).

You will find the mini course along the left hand side of the site under COURSES.

Click on the course “Watercolors and Flowers” and register.

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Melaine Thompson

I met Melaine years ago at The Farm Chicks Show.

Melaine can make anything, has a great eye for design and this girl knows how to use the power tools:-)

Here is her mini course description.

Her course will be available on August 19th.

For The Love of Reclaimed Wood

What do you do with leftover wood from a project?

At my house, no piece goes unused.

If I don’t have any leftover wood, I love the thrill of the hunt for old chippy rustic wood.

Whether it is from an old pallet, an old crate, or even out of someones torn down house, all this wood has so much history and character.

Creating pieces using it makes unique decor items for your home.

I will show you how to make picture frames for family photos or art prints, as well as custom signs.

Don’t know how to use power tools?

You will after this course!

To register go to my creative network and register (this part is free).

You will find the mini course along the left hand side of the site under COURSES.

Click on the course “For The Love of Reclaimed Wood” and register.

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Isn’t this an AMAZING line up!!!!

I am so honored and thrilled that these women are sharing their gifts on my creative network.

I hope to see you in class.