Buttons & Magnets: A Fun New Inkling | Free Cards Friday

I love creating art ~ I love touching people’s feelings, inspiring moments and making folks think and remember. I LOVE it. It is my passion.


I love seeing my paintings used to create inspiring and purposeful items. I am a minsumer; which for me refers to the fact that I am not a big buyer, a big consumer. I purchase things that really speak to me, but I spend most of my money on healthy produce and art supplies so I can feed my family and my passion. I also spend on the creations of my those whom I admire, with an intention of someday having walls adorned with beautiful and thought-provoking story-infused art.

Grab the Magnets here • Grab the Buttons here

I do not love mass consumerism, I do not love multitudes of cheap-o things created just to sell, with no thought for the process of creation, or they whom created it. I struggle with this on a daily basis: supporting my family (healthy organic produce can get spendy) but at the same time creating conscious products on my own. It is indeed a daily struggle, but I know I am not alone.


Since I DO love to create things, I love handmade. The handmade movement inspires creation by hand while infusing the love and attention of the artist. We, as buyers, get so much more that way!

It is because of this careful and mindful nature that I am very cautious about how my artwork is used. I choose not to have it manufactured in ways that I cannot support and when I am unable to know the ins and outs. There are some control issues in play here, as well, but mostly, my instincts strongly suggest that I keep it as close to home as possible; keep the creation as close to the studio as possible. In the same way I like to fuel my family with foods as close to the earth as possible, and as close to homemade as possible.

This is where I am, right now, in my thinking and my life.

Today, I’d like to share with you my newest fun little inkling ~ these cute little buttons and magnets. They are 1 ¼” across, sweet and lovely.

Each Magnet Set contains:
two (2) motherhood magnets, sized at 1 ¼” across. Featuring (1) magnet of Home and (1) magnet of Spinning Tales. $3.99

Each Button Set contains:
two (2) motherhood buttons, sized at 1 ¼” across. Featuring (1) button of Home and (1) button of Spinning Tales. $3.99

My brother made these for me, a mere 20 miles from me, as he has perfected his craft and enjoys creating them. I’m thrilled to know that my brother feels good supporting me and I, him.

I do not have a ton of buttons or magnets, but I have had them on my desk looking at me for a couple weeks and I have decided that I might as well get them into your hands, where you can put a little button on your purse, scarf, hat or baby bag; and you can stick a little magnet on your fridge. These would also make easy and affordable gifts.

I suppose, deep down, it is my hope that the little images might remind you of your intentions as a parent, and as you open the fridge to create a meal, you might again be reminded of who you are feeding; how you are nourishing them; and most importantly: why.

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Grab the Magnets here

Grab the Buttons here

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It's Free Cards Friday ~ Add your note or insight to this blog post (here at the blog or on the Facebook page) throughout the weekend and be in the running to win some cards ~ I'll choose the winner on Monday and post by Tuesday. Come back on Tuesday to see if the winner is YOU! Have a great day.

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What's For Dinner? ~ Free Cards Winner

Now that I have one area of my home in order and under control, with the Great Studio Re-Do, It’s time to work on the next area.

Can we have a conversation about food? Ingredients, inspiration but most importantly: Dinners?

I visualize an epiphany for myself, an answer (or seven) to this difficult daily-recurring moment in my life. The moment when I realize it will soon be dinnertime. I have a huge urge to feed my family well and simply, whole and deliciously. I have a huge urge to feel like I have this part of my life figured out.

I affirm that someday the dinner preparation part of the day will be a joy, a time to connect as the kids help, a time to listen to music and drink tea, to put love and energy into the food I am preparing for the people I love. I affirm and visualize these things, but I’m not there yet!

Currently: I start to sweat and fret at about 4pm each night. I have tried to plan a weekly menu (it has been awhile so it is probably time to give it another whirl) but I have such a tendency to rebel against things like that. Thus, I really dislike this time of the day.

I am contemplating different versions and formats of the weekly menu – like possibly mounting my favorite 10-20 dinner ideas on boards and storing them in a little box in the kitchen, so I can quickly flip through and pick one...

I am a thorough Out-Of-Sight-Out-Of-Mind kind of person. Pair that with my tendency (my undying URGE) to have everything put away, and that makes for a lot of things out of mind, forgotten. At least until 4pm.


I visualize an inspirational Meal-Planning Area on my kitchen counter (it is already beginning to take shape). It is where the fresh peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchinis have naturally gathered after their receipt from the CSA (Osprey Organic Farm). It is where the recipes and cookbooks will someday sit, staying out, and staying in mind.


It’s funny, I pretend sometimes that I don’t have time to cook because the boys need me and the studio needs me and the laundry and garbage and dishes need me, however, the most important part of that is the boys. And to be honest, my children love to have me in the kitchen, working away. They know I’m available; they play together and run beneath my feet with their toys and homemade things. Or they help prepare. They rarely ask me to do things for them and understand that mama is busy creating dinner. This is a great lesson for them! This is a great way that I can show them the importance of a healthy meal that takes at least a bit of time to make.

And true, part of what keeps me striving for the above reality is the memories of my mom serving good meals at the table. We did TV dinners too, sometimes, which reminds me to cut myself some slack.

I have memories of my own mom happy in the kitchen – creating meals for her (I’m sure) gratitude-lacking family. I don’t remember ever thanking my mom for a meal – but now I expect that my children should thank me. Why not? So, I am contemplating a dinner discussion on gratitude – but what will we be eating that night? Will it even be something that I can feel grateful for?

I strongly value this quote by Hippocrates:
"Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food"

I am thinking the first ingredient of an evening meal should be sunshine (as I pull open the kitchen blinds) and the final ingredient: gratitude.

I’m affirming that I will get it all under control. I visualize a sunny kitchen where I can produce vibrant meals for a nourished family. I visualize my upcoming inspiration from eyeing brightly colored cookbooks with simple, natural (short) ingredient lists and very do-able task lists. I visualize my family feeling grateful for my efforts, and myself feeling thankful for my healthy family.

I will have this figured out someday – just as I figured out the studio. I know there area lot of moms who do have the dinner hour figured out, and I welcome welcome welcome the feedback, ideas, recipes, weblinks, discontent, questions, frustrations, solutions and friendship of anyone generously taking time out of their day to read this.

I will be honored for this to be a place (and on the Facebook page, too) where we can connect and share ideas.

The Free Cards Winner for last week is: Valerie – thank you ALL for playing along! Let’s do it again next week :)

Above Image: Washing Apples, collection of the artist, prints available upon request.


Have a wonderful day! And thank you!
Love & Sincerely, Katie

Bobs Red Mill ~ A Lovely Visit to Milwaukie, Oregon

Yesterday, I took my 85 year old Grandma and my two little boys to Bob's Red Mill in Milwaukie Oregon. We had been planning this trip for a couple weeks and I was so excited.

We have a lot of Bob's products in our kitchen, and my boys know his name. My 5 year old loves Bob's 10 grain cereal and I regularly use his flax seed, whey, gluten, as well as faithfully using his organic oats, organic whole wheat flour, and unbleached white flour.

Growing up, my mom baked our bread and once took me as a small child (with my Grandma) to Bob's Red Mill, in its earlier location (before it unfortunately burned in 1988).

Traveling there yesterday and walking among the shelves and bags of wholesome choices, barrels of bulk goodies brought back very hidden memories for me. I remembered my first (and only) visit to his store when I was just a little one. Peering into the big barrels of flour and not quite understanding how the whole bulk foods system worked.

When we walked in we were greeted by Nancy, Bob's Executive Assistant who led us to the cafe and explained very kindly our options and how to go about ordering. I was impressed from the get-go. Not to mention the moment you step out of your car, you are pulled in by the amazing aromas... :)


We had lunch in the cafe seating area, overlooking the store. At one point near the end of our lunch, I took my four year old to the potty and when we returned my five year old was beaming, as well as my Grandma... Bob had been by!

He had visited with them for a moment and given my son a little wooden coin that signified a free cookie. My boy was infinitely proud of the whole experience.

I told him he was my hero for meeting Bob and after lunch we looked all over the store, I wanted to meet Bob, too! My four year old covered his face with his hands and cried quietly when we found out Bob had left ~ he really wanted to meet him, too.

"I didn't want a free cookie, Mommy, I just really wanted to meet Bob..." he told me. I believe him.
He has never cried for lack of meeting Chuck E. Cheese :)

While my Grandma perused the bulk section, I took my boys to the bakery case for cookies. The woman behind the counter was so sweet - she opened a new bag of chocolate chip for us (since they were sold out of almost everything) and as she placed them in the case she broke one in her gloved hand.

"Oh well" she says "I'll just have to throw this one away, unless you want it." I most gratefully did :)

As we approached the counter to pay for my little one's cookie (my big boy proudly handed his little wooden coin over the counter), she said "I've got another coin back here, don't worry about it." And she gave my little one his cookie for free too.

So, in the end she gave us three free cookies (they were $1.25 each).

I purchased bunches of organic oats, organic 7-grain cereal, some interesting Anasazi Beans, several loaves of the best bread made with organic flour, potato-rosemary buns (must I say more about these?) and a big bulk bag of organic hard white whole wheat flour. Heaven, truly.

I seriously felt like a kid in a candy store - except I was a mama in a whole grain health foods store - which is much better.

It was entirely addicting ~ we spent 3 1/2 hours there!

All in all, our visit to Bob's Red Mill was a complete success. We left there tired and proud, my big boy and Grandma still bubbling about meeting Bob, and my little boy (his snicker doodle gone now) drifting off to sleep in his car seat.

Next time, in a few months, we will go at 10am and get in on the free 1 hour mill tour they offer: Monday through Friday only at 10am.

You will no doubt enjoy this story published by Oregon Live on February 16, announcing Bob Moore's generous gift to his employees on his 81st Birthday.

Okay, I just really wanted to share all of that with you. It feels great to do the right thing for your family's health, eh?

Have a great Sunday, Love & Sincerely, Katie

Free Cards Friday and Camas LIVE!

Good Morning!
The boys and I are getting ready to play a game, but I wanted to make a mention of an upcoming fun event in Camas Washington!

Friday, August 7 from 5-9pm in downtown Camas I'll have a tent with original paintings, prints, cards and 8x8s! This is a new event for me, so I will really be looking forward to seeing my local friends and collectors there! I'll keep you updated as it nears.

Point of View (above) has been one of my favorite 8x8s to date, and I realize that this little family still waits to inspire someone new on a daily basis.

Point of View hangs at the gorgeous Love Art Gallery in Portland Oregon. If you are interested and not local to the area then just let me know and I can retrieve it for you.

If you are local, I implore you to take a bit of time to go to Love Art Gallery (8036 SE 13th Avenue, Portland OR) - the atmosphere and personality there may floor you.

"Health, Learning & Virtue will ensure your happiness; they will give you a quiet conscience, private esteem & public humor."

Thomas Jefferson

Don't forget to comment on this post and be in the running to receive Free Cards for Free Cards Friday! I'll choose the winner over the weekend.

Have a great day!

Love & Sincerely, Katie