finding your inner 'creative' self!

Hey ya'll!!! Welcome to my second "Interview the Crew." Today we are going to be talking to the pretty lil' Kendra. We're gonna talk to this lady about all things crafts. Let's get this party started!

-Hey Kendra! I can't say enough how happy I am that you dropped in to chit chat with us today, thank you! Let's start off with telling everyone a little bit about who Kendra is :) Because I mean I know who you are, but I wanna show everyone else how cool my friends are too! {Yes, I'm bragging.} 

• hi ms. sam!
• let’s see, i live in oklahoma with my husband ryan (the other half of our blog), dog – zia, and cat– penny.   i love going to concerts and finding new music, one hobby i’ve carried with me since college, taking not-so-professional photos, traveling, learning and creating.  i have to say my biggest passion is relationships and hearing other’s stories.   otherwise, i enjoy: hiking, rock climbing, backpacking, & camping.  i really feel closest to God when i'm outdoors. 

-Well I'm glad you enjoy listening because I know being friends with me requires lots of that, ha! Now, one of the many things I've always admired about you was your... how do I say this.... "crafty-ness".... or creativity! You always seem to have the neatest DIY projects and really dabble in it all. Where do you get that awesome inspiration from? And what makes you choose the projects you choose? 

• ha, the street definitely runs both ways!  i should have added that i really like to share as well.
• the internet is a magical magical place and i find SO much inspiration from blogs and websites.  sidenote: everyone should take the time to learn about google reader, it makes reading and organizing sites so very easy.  also, i’m lucky enough to have some pretty talented friends who continue to inspire me every day.   
• i enjoy taking on projects that have a definite purpose, so the finished product is something i can use in our apartment or a gift for a friend, etc.
• and can i say that i admire YOUR creativity with words?  your blog is always an inspiring little haven of words and thoughts.

-Ah shucks* Thanks girly :)
YES! I think we can all agree, the internet is a wonderful place. That's such a good tip too about google reader. I'm ashamed to say that I have not mastered it yet, however I have not tried that much {NOTE TO SELF}. So, to go along with your creativity {and for those of you that don't know} you got married this past June {so fun!} and you incorporated A LOT of your own handy-dandy craftiness for the big day! The centerpieces, decor, etc. Tell us a little about that! I mean I got to see it all, but for those less fortunate :) 

• yes!  almost a complete DIY wedding that i’m so proud of and had such a fun time creating. the inspiring, talented friends i talked about earlier had a big (huge) hand in helping me research ideas, brainstorm, and create many elements of the wedding.  no way could i have done it without them. 
• many projects centered around mason jars that were my grandmothers: they held the flower centerpieces, candles placed on the mantle for décor, and candles that each guest held for our sendoff.  i placed them anywhere and everywhere!  otherwise, the invitations, programs, guest book “tree”, lawn games signs, outdoor décor (tissue paper pom poms), and indoor garland around the cupcake area were all handmade by my wonderful friends and family.  i can’t take much credit at all!

-WOW! That all is amazing. I'm so glad that you have such a great group of family and friends that were able to help make your day perfect.  So glad I was able to be apart of that special day. AND even more glad you're sharing the details with us here today :) What advice would you give to other people wanting to have a DIY type of wedding? Or even advice for people wanting to tap into their inner creativity? I know a lot of times people get discouraged and think, "I could never do that..."

• meee too!  so thankful for everyone who helped AND who were able to come celebrate the day with us. i really love sharing the details,  wedding talk never gets old :)
• my advice to anyone wanting to tap into their inner creativity (whether that be for a wedding or for a special project) is to let go of the “perfect outcome” idea.  for me, nothing turns out exactly how i imagine, yet in a unique way, it’s turns out better because of its flaws and differences.  at least, that’s how i see it!  
• and there are many helpful with tutorials from individuals who LOVE to share their creativity.  we found numerous ideas for the wedding ceremony and reception from other’s on the web.  you can take their ideas and mold them into something that is unique and personal to yourself.  it’s pretty amazing, really.

-That's such good advice! I swear that's me when I do a project. It NEVER seems to go as planned. Then I get discouraged. That's why I'm such an admirer of creativity, like yours! I promise to have a better attitude about DIY projects from now on though :) what project are you most proud of??

• it’s easy to get discouraged (i definitely have myself), but you just have to keep calm and carry on!
• hmmm, that’s a tough question… can I have 2?!
• 1.)  i made a framed wine corkboard for my friends’ adam and kirstie.  i used corks from the wine served at their wedding reception and then pinned photos of us as a going away gift (they moved to california soon after the wedding).  the cork board was not an original idea, but the meaning behind it was really special to me and hopefully pretty special for them too.
• 2.)  another project was for my friend, valerie.  she needed a headpiece for her wedding and i took on the project!   it was a fun DIY project and it really meant a lot to me as well.  paying it forward only a bit since she made my WEDDING DRESS for me. 

-Oh, I'm sure those meant a lot to them as well! It's amazing how special "handmade" gifts can be. Are there any sites you'd recommend to others? For of course creative ideas, but also just general ones you look forward to reading? 

• one of the first blogs I started following was jeremy & kathleen (http://jeremyandkathleen.blogspot.com/) and i continue to find inspiration there.  i mean, they just hiked to everest base camp!  it’s pretty extraordinary.   the blog is a good mix of design, art, the outdoors, recipes, and the everyday life of another couple living in OKC.  and how about orange (http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/) is a great place to find crafty things to try out. 

-I love jeremy and kathleen too! Plus, I always feel a connection to fellow Okies. Cheesy, yes I know :) ANYWAY, are there any big hopes/dreams/crafts/aspirations for 2011?!

• not cheesy at all, i feel the same way.
  this year i hope to move to a new state, dream of perfecting my new camera (dreaming BIG here), plan to craft every card i give/mail, and aspire or seek adventure every day.   

-Those sound like amazing plans! Especially the card idea. So neat! Well lady, thank you so much for doing this interview today. I had so much fun showing you off! :)

There you have it kids! Interview with Crew, Kendra style. Hope you all enjoyed todays feature. Now, go say hello to Ms. Kendra and check all sorts of more fun things this lady has to offer! 

Have a beautiful Monday my lovies.