In 2021 we had another major life change. We had lived in Louisville, Kentucky and just across the river in southern Indiana for a total of 12 years. I am from North Carolina and had felt a strong pull to move back closer to my family for some time. So in February of 2021 we moved our family to the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. We rented a place in Blacksburg for a couple of months and then found our home in Floyd county Virginia in May. During this major transition I really feel like my creativity dried up. Alot of my time and energy went into working with my husband to renovate our 1902 farmhouse. I was also starting...
Over the next several years I did more markets and started selling in more local shops. As my business began to grow it was hard not to get caught up in the “girl boss”/”hustle” mentality that was popular on the internet at the time. I saw some of my artist friends with no kids traveling around the country to do art shows. I struggled to feel like these were things I should be doing. But also, I felt a pull to stay close to my kiddos. Sometimes I found the balance and sometimes I just had to say no to certain things. I also went through a really dark time around 2016/2017. I won't go into all of the details...
The Beginning I've always been creative. As a kid I would color and draw, as a tween/teen my grandpa would cut out wooden creatures for me to paint and in college I was constantly doodling on my notes. I did not go to school for art however. I was interested in it but was encouraged to look elsewhere for a ‘real job’. I had our first son in 2012. Even though motherhood kept me busy, I had the opportunity to stay home for the first time. I gave so much of myself to being a mom that I found myself needing to do things for me to keep my sanity. So I naturally gravitated towards making things. I...
How can we use our gifts to bring light and life to others? I have been asking myself this question in light of current events. I have created these free print-outs as an attempt to help others find light and beauty in dark and confusing times. The download includes a free print, scavenger hunt and a list of ways to help you find beauty and light during difficult and confusing times. Hang them in your home, use them to help you create rhythms in your life to focus on light and beauty. If you post anything about these on social media please tag me on Instagram @field_and_forest_design. I would love to see how you use them. Click here to download the...
I first met Lauren at a random dinner that a friend set up for some local creative business owners a few years ago. I have since taken a watercolor class that she taught and loved following her interior design and thrifting posts on social media. Lauren was kind enough to share her home with us and some of her thrifting tips as a part of the Embracing Home blog series. You can find her personal design blog here. -------------------------------------------------------------------- -Tell us about your home/family:My husband Mike and I have lived in our home going on five years this coming fall. We have two boys, Ari age four, and Maxwell age one. Our home is like most family homes,...
