life observed by {kate}

hey cleveland!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:09:00 +0000

If you live near Cleveland, Ohio (lucky you!) you should come to this. Some of my photographs will be on display along with a whole bunch of Cleveland creative goodness.

more arts and crafts

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000

In continuing with yesterdays theme I had to show some items from this Etsy shop. Fantastic.

Decorative Design Works

So if you have a love for the arts and crafts movement and are looking for a rad iphone case or business card holder pay them a visit!

arts and crafts

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:46:00 +0000

image via here (the article is interesting too)

Two of my favorite classes during college were our History of Design classes - part 1 and 2. We went through the periods of design and architecture - starting in Egypt and making our way up to present day. By far my favorite design period is the Arts and Crafts Movement - which you can get at least some info on here. (Thank you, Wikipedia.)

image via here

I love the colors, the patterns, the symmetry, the woods used, the cozy and welcoming appeal. Someday...someday I will have such a cozy bungalow. Or be friends with someone who has one and I can visit often. :)

etsy...is it worth it?

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:59:00 +0000

These are a few of my newest prints on Etsy.

I've had an Etsy shop for a couple years now. I haven't been successful with it and debate quite often if I should just close it. But I have fun keeping the shop and it's not a high cost, so open it stays. Anyone else out there a struggling Etsy shop owner? I have been working on better tagging and have a couple other ideas to improve upon my getting "found" by searchers. But I came to the conclusion this week that if God desires to prosper this little venture, He will. So while I still need to make smart choices in my little business - ultimately He holds the cards. Pretty comforting thought, really. :)

yellow birds

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:36:00 +0000

I haven't a use for these at all. But aren't they such sweet and darling birds? I love them. You can find them HERE.

Happy Monday!

April Promotion!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:11:00 +0000

Mornin' friends! I'm running a special with my photography biz, Hey Kate! If you're in Northeast Ohio and looking to get your picture taken - check it out!

one fave + one fave = a swell song

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:24:00 +0000

Two of my faves teamed up to do a song. Sad breakup songs aren't my favorite - but shoot, it's still a goodie.
(P.S. I saw Jon at a local music festival with my brother Zach forever ago. Way before he was famous. We loved him - especially his piano playing.)

hello again Mr. Hitchcock

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:14:00 +0000

Another winner. Let's be honest, I haven't really disliked any of good ole Al's movies yet. (Except maybe The Birds. Yes, that one was creepy.)

There's a scene towards the end in Stage Fright where the characters are in the shadows and so you're getting all the emotions from their eyes.

And oh man can those eyes act.

tea towels

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:34:00 +0000

I'm in love with tea towels. Hand-stamped tea towels I'm even more in love with! I found this tutorial and decided to try making some - I didn't do it exactly how she did (for example I got a stencil instead of the individual alphabet stamps..I have a feeling the stamps are easier! I had to keep cleaning my stencil to avoid getting unwanted paint on my towel!)

Here's my first one. I feel a new hobby coming on....and don't be surprised if you get one of these as a gift from me. ;)

I love the imperfections. :)

nan oh nan

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:12:00 +0000

If you've followed my blog for even a little while chances are good I've posted something of Nan Lawson's. It's no secret I'm absolutely smitten with her illustrations! One of her latest ones with Lady Mary from Downton Abbey is oh so darling!

gone south

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:30:00 +0000

My Mom, sister Jodi and I took a trip down south last week. We stopped first to see my sister Laura in South Carolina (she's in the middle!) and then my mom and I ventured on to Atlanta, GA. I got to meet my sister Melissa's sweet baby Gemma Grace for the first time! She was born in January and so I've been itching to get down there. She is darling!

I'm in love.

akron zoo

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:03:00 +0000

Lindsey, Parker and I had a lovely stroll through the Akron Zoo a few weeks ago. Sooo thankful for this early Spring weather in Northeast Ohio! :)

rocks

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:50:00 +0000

Inspired by Geninne (who frequently has posts of amazing rocks she's painted) I tried my hand at rock painting. I'm nowhere near her talent but it really was fun! I put the fruits of the Spirit on some that are now sitting on my kitchen windowsill. A constant reminder of the traits I desire to grow in. :)

nature

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:08:00 +0000

Here's this gal's Etsy shop though I found this particular image on Oh, Hello Friend's blog

HE wants the praise.

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:45:00 +0000

"God wants the praise for what we do in our lives. But if we never pray audacious, courageous prayers, how can He answer them? If we never follow Him to positions where we need Him, how can He show up and make His presence known?" | Francis Chan in Forgotten God: Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit

Great read. This book has made me freshly aware of and thankful for the Holy Spirit's ongoing and powerful work in our lives. I want to stop ignoring it and pretending it isn't the absolutely incredible gift that it is!

chicago photos {part 2}

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 11:00:00 +0000

I took all these photos with my 50mm lens - which isn't the best choice to capture a wide spread of area! Luckily I did have my basic point and shoot with me - which sure came in handy when I wanted to take a picture of a building and get more than a window. :p

Craig really wanted to see this theater. For those of you who know your crime history, John Dillinger was shot right outside this theater. (anyone seen Public Enemies?) Sounds morbid - but he was one of the first famous and at large "bad guys" that the FBI caught so it's kinda a big deal.

can there ever be enough pictures of The Bean?

Skaters in the park!? So quaint!

Hard Rock Hotel - looked way awesome from the outside..maybe someday we'll see the inside too!

man this stuff was good.

chicago trip photos {part 1}

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 19:52:00 +0000

We took a trip to Chicago last weekend. Two of my sisters have been serving at an orphanage in El Salvador for the past 2 months and their return flight was coming into Chicago. So Craig and I made a weekend out of it and spent a few days in the city. We had such fun! I've been to Chicago many times - but never with my husband. It was fun doing a formerly single thing with my love. :)

My favorite breakfast place in THE WORLD. (at least so far)

My favorite person in THE WORLD. (I'll stop capitalizing THE WORLD in every caption.)

I looked for Sandra Bullock..but she wasn't there.

my girl

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:59:00 +0000

A listening treat for your Friday morning. One of my favorites in a not too shabby cover.

P.S. I want to learn how to play violin oh so badly!

"May the odds be ever in your favor"

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:38:00 +0000

via etsy

Loved the Hunger Games series and seriously excited to see it at midnight (yes, midnight!) when it comes out. But no matter how much I love different series (Harry Potter, Twilight..yeah it's true) I have to laugh at the paraphernalia that comes along with the books popularity.

Friends - even if you loved the books, please don't wear this shirt. ;)

Come on March 23rd!!!

day 29 "something you're listening to"

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:05:00 +0000

I've been introduced to a bunch of new music thanks to my hubby. Noah & The Whale has by far been one of my favorites. I had to take a photo of my computer screen for this one - I can't remember the last time I actually bought the physical CD rather than downloading it...I kinda miss that.

Also - this marks the final day of the photo challenge. I loved it! AND I'm also inspired to be shooting more and viewing life more often through my camera lens. Keep me accountable, friends. Thanks for following along! Happy LEAP DAY!!!

(if you're in Ireland and a real gutsy gal - go propose to your fella...or just watch Leap Year and smile at the happy green hills of Ireland.)

(I'm doing a photo a day with this challenge)

day 28 "money"

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:16:00 +0000

quarters for laundry

(I'm doing a photo a day with this challenge)

day 27 "something you ate"

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:35:00 +0000

(I'm doing a photo a day with this challenge)

days 21 - 26

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 23:38:00 +0000

It's Sunday and I'm finally back. This has been a full week - with good stuff and hard stuff. My Grandpa passed away on Monday..it was expected, but its' still loss..it's been an exhausting week but full of family and happy memories. So first up is a couple of my favorite photos of my Grandpa and I. :) Let's catch up, shall we?

day #21 - a fave photo of you. my Grandpa and I dancing at my cousin's wedding. and me with my grandparents when I was a baby. :)

day #22 - where you work (it's not an office..but I sure do a lot of work here :p and since I already posted a photo of my workspace I thought I'd change it up)

day #23 - your shoes

day #24 - inside your bathroom cabinet

day #25 - green. my house is full of lots of green.

day #26 - night

day 20 "handwriting"

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:26:00 +0000

a Christmas gift from my dear friend Autumn...I could have done my handwriting, but I so adore hers!

For all you faithful followers (yeah YOU!) I'll be catching up with the photo a day posts on Friday. I'll be traveling and rather than have it take time away from the family I'll be with, I figured I'll just do a round-up post. So I bid you adieu until Friday!

(I'm doing a photo a day with this challenge)

day 19 "something you hate to do"

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Paradis) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:53:00 +0000

I wouldn't use the word HATE - but I don't enjoy cleaning the bathroom, particularly the floor and base of the toilet. Gosh, this is the worst photo I've posted. My apologies. Look forward to a brighter challenge tomorrow. ;)

(I'm doing a photo a day with this challenge)