Closet Overflow

Has this ever happened to you?

Someone is coming to your house, unexpectedly (like in an hour), and your place is a mess!  You go through the house and do the quick clean - shoving everything in a closet.  They come over - you enjoy their company.  Share stories, laugh, eat, drink.
You say your goodbyes.

Then, a similar situation happens again.
You do the quick clean and put more items in the closet.  You're beginning to run out of space because what you had put in there is still there.

The cycle goes on until the closet can't close anymore.
Then we look for other closets to hide our stuff.

Sooner or later what was put in the closet has to be dealt with.

Isn't that just like our lives?

We go and keep putting things in "closets" or "compartments" in our heart and say, "I'll take care of that later."

We put away our hurts, we shove down our disappointments, we hide our pain, etc.  we keep piling them up on top of each other but, as long as we can still close the door, we think we're doing fine.

Keep putting the smile on.
Keep going through the motions.

Until one day the door won't close anymore and the "stuff" begins to spillover into other areas of our lives.

Have you been there?
I know I have.

Since the beginning of this year, I have been going through areas of my home and getting rid of things.

One drawer
One closet
At a time

It's a symbolic gesture of cleaning out my heart, as well.  Getting rid of layers of stuff.

One prayer

One forgiveness

One healing 

At a time

Difficult, yes.
But, not impossible.

I've been ready.

Are you ready -
To clean out your "closet"?

What do you need to finally let go?
What is taking up unnecessary space in your life?

The Miracle

This past weekend was Easter but it was also my daughter's birthday!

I started thinking about her and the miracle she is..

When I was pregnant I knew there was something wrong

You know what I am talking about, Moms?  Our knower just kicks in..this pregnacy was different than my first.

I kept my fear inside and didn't share except to God in my prayers.

One day I woke up and told my husband that I think I needed to go to the hospital to get checked.

They ran their tests and were about to send me home when one doctor said to try a different exam.  There was no amniotic fluid and rushed me to have an emergency c-section.

I was so scared

Scared for my little girl

The rest of that night is a blur

bits and pieces in my memory

I saw her several hours later with that little face poking through her swaddle.  Flat face with a small button nose and large dark eyes..

I immediately felt to protect her..

My husband telling someone to pray that the doctors were concerned.

She didn't look like a normal baby but was beautiful

Ear closed up

One leg bowed

Flat faced

No neck

But she was mine!

The doctor kept doing test upon test on her until there was no place else to cut on her little feet.

5 days..

5 days of being told she would never be like her older sister

5 days of being told I needed to face reality

There was something inside that wouldn't let me settle for that.
I prayed.  Her Dad prayed.
We brought her home.

I looked at my little angel.
She was so good.
Slept through the night and was never fussy.
Prayed
and
Prayed

and then
we started to see a miracle

the ear that once was closed opened
the neck that wasn't was
the flat face began to take shape

but those beautiful eyes never went anywhere

I remember taking her to visit my OB/GYN and he cried (literally) saying this couldn't be the baby he delivered.
Then my husband and I took her to the geneticist @ 2yrs of age and she was in shock.  My daughter was writing on a chalkboard and playing games..everything they said she wouldn't be able to do.

Now my sweetheart celebrated her birthday the big 13!  Oh my!  What a privilege it has been being her mother.  Watching this miracle grow into a young woman. 

It's wonderful to look back and see the good that has happened in your life.  She is my reminder that there is 'Nothing that is impossible for God'...even when it looks like there is :)

What are some of your moments? 

Designing Life

I have been thinking about "Design" for the past several months and what that means to me personally and to Modern Earth Design.

I do love creating beautiful spaces and all the layers it takes to make that happen.  It's a passion that I get lost in and won't ever get tired of.

However, I just don't want a great designed home I want a designed life.  Living not on accident or by default but on purpose.  I want my talents and life experiences to enrich the lives of others.

So, my blog is going to take a different turn and I am excited about it!

Yes, I will still be discussing interiors and latest projects but I will also be talking about life and what I am doing in "Designing Life".  Maybe along my journey you will be able to use something for your own.

Welcome to Modern Earth Design

"Designing Life"

www.kellypelley.com

Side Note..There will be changes taking place to the look of the blog over the next couple months

Where I Go

Every day I have to have a moment where I can be alone and just think, pray or be creative.

Are you like that?

I am a mom of 3 awesome kids but how many of you know that even though you love them to pieces you have to sometimes just close the door and go to that place where you can be filled up again.

I come here.

It's my quiet place.  I come and read novels.. design magazines.. get my ideas for my clients (with a good cup of coffee in hand.  I love coffee! )

The best thing about this spot... is the view!

  Creating your own oasis isn't hard..just surround yourself with things you love!  If you love books then create your own library with some shelves!  If you love plants..hang them or place them on tables in a grouping or solitary.  If you like to be cozy put a basket near a chair with throw blankets in them and perhaps a cute pillow.  Create an environment that gives you peace and can foster creativity.

Where do you go?

I Did It!

Hi Everyone!
This has been on my mind to do for quite some time and I finally did it.

I am happy to announce my design website www.kellypelley.com

You can get to know me and meet the most important people in my life (my family).  They are truly the wind beneath my wings.  I promise not to break out into song (definitely not my gifting..lol)

Hazel Eyes Photography

Take a peek into some of my favorite projects..

Hazel Eyes Photography

Plus an area where we can connect

Thankful for my friend, Marissa, who is an amazing photographer based out of Charleston, SC.  If you are looking for an artistic photographer to capture moments .. look no further!

Hazel Eyes Photography

A Lounge For Many ( Process of Transformation )

I was honored to be asked to be a part of the design team for our church's women's conference.  

During our meeting we were able to pick which areas we wanted to head up.. I decided to take the lounge area where we gathered to have our first brainstorming session.  The conference theme was "Go And Be" and immediately my brain started going with ideas.  

What I took "Go And Be" to mean was "Grow And Be".  You are evolving and becoming who you truly are.. If you submit to the process.

So, with that inspiration I decided to go with an organic, ecclectic feel of the space.  Those coffee pics that you see in the space needed to be covered and I wanted to bring the theme of the conference in them.  Also, the wall with the blue needed to be covered inexpensively because of a small budget..which just caused me to be more creative.

Then there was the brown wall with the credenzas that needed a feature too!

My design business is a family affair.  My kids help me a lot in what I do and I commissioned my oldest daughter for this. I had her draw a quick sketch of what I wanted her to do on the wall in the space.

My youngest daughter and I made log stump coffee tables .. 

We kept cost down by bringing in some of my furniture pieces and a friend of mine and great photographer, Marissa Siebert, from Hazel Eyes Photography, let me use her pieces too!  Thank God for good friends who understand design and get you out of a jam!

Here's my oldest daughter doing her art piece..chalkboard wall mural.  We covered the wall with a two sided bulletin board paper.  Do you remember the coffee pics? We covered them with plywood.  Thankful for Benjamin Carter for all his hard work.

Late night trying to get it done..

Putting in the final touches for the space..

Remember that dark brown wall with the credenzas? 

I wanted a wall installation of flowers !  ( whisper.. Don't mind that lamp sitting there with absolutely no purpose). I want to personally say thank you to Ahndea May for bringing her silk flowers from her personal collection to make this into a reality for me.  She is an amazing stylist .. Check her out at AhndeaMay.com

 (photo credit from Hazel Eyes Photography)

Closer look

People enjoying the space.  

This was so fun!  It was great to be a part of something that touched so many women's lives.  

I want to thank everyone that helped me make this space happen.

Remember it's time for you to "Go And Be"

If you're looking for creative solutions for your residential or commercial space Modern Earth Design is here to help.  You can contact us at modernearthdesign@yahoo.com

What Are You Thankful For?

Good Afternoon!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I am looking back over this year and thinking about all I have to be thankful for.

This year has been filled with so many challenges and victories.

Earlier in 2012 my dad was put in the hospital and it was scary.  At one point we almost lost him but I am so grateful that he is doing much better.  Later in the summer my Dad & Mom, and my sister came to visit.  Happy for another year with them.

 And those lovely kids who give me the drive to do what I do.

 

 Then we got this little guy..an answer to prayer for my girl.

 (That's a story in itself)

Thankful for my extremely hot, husband!  

Who works so hard for our family.  Thankful for new work opportunities that came his way.  He has been such a big supporter of my dreams as well.

Which leads me to...

This year marked the official beginning of my business. 

Thankful for Sara who created my logo and just "got me" when we met.

She also cleaned up my site since I am technically challenged : )

For the new people I have met..

Project Ladybug

Eric Stromer and fellow Canadian Bloggers (Lynne Knowlton)

Emily Henderson (HGTV)

 

Also, for all my clients thus far!  Thank you for your trust in me for your homes and commercial spaces.  Looking forward to new clients in the coming year : )

Most of all I want to thank God (and no this is not like an AMA speech) for truly all He has walked with me through.  He gets my ultimate Thanks.

Hope your Thanksgiving is full of looking at the true joys of life.  God bless!

Some Changes..

Good Afternoon!

I have been working with the amazing SARA!  Yes, she rocks and is an absolute genius at what she does.  I gave her the task of coming up with a logo for Modern Earth Design.  I think she did a brilliant job... so

TaDa..

I will soon have my page cleaned up and the header changed.  It's a wonderful feeling to see what was once just a dream begin to become reality.  

If you need someone to help you with a logo design and branding let me know : )

Hope you all have a great day!!

BTW...

I am on Jane.Tv .  All you have to do is go to the DIY section and scroll down and you will see some of my content on there.  This is so exciting.  While you are there check out the rest of the site..so much good information and shows to watch.