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Autumn Magic {Julie Chen Photography – Downers Grove Photography}

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This family. Are they not the cutest?! I actually photographed these shots a year ago & can still hear the little one saying, “Hi!” in her sweet little one year old voice. We had so much fun and their Christmas card last year was TO DIE FOR!

 

Grace & Peace,

Julie

 

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It’s HERE! Sunshine Studio Line is released with a GRAND OPENING SALE {& I am so excited!}

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{Nursery and Kids’ Room Inspirational Art available HERE}

Introducing Sunshine Studio

{inspirational art to warm your soul}

I am SO EXCITED to introduce to you my latest line of inspirational art, which I have named Sunshine Studio. A little different in style from my other Life Verse Design work you say? Why, yes! Since February I have been getting back to my roots of illustrating and have been enjoying every moment. I have been drawing, painting, and collaging ever since childhood and this new collection of art reflects that whimsical, childhood spirit.

 

I began with the baby & child collection as I feel it’s so important to surround your children with truth & encouraging words. In researching Christian/Religious/Biblical decor for kids, I noticed most of it {including my own} is simply typographically designed text and not illustrative works of art that are contemporary and sweet for a kid’s room. Bottom line is this new collection is inspired by my own childhood as well as my 3 kiddos and I wanted to create fun, colorful, and meaningful art for kids to enjoy day after day. {See more in the shop!}

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In fact, I named my new line Sunshine Studio for 2 reasons:

1. The influence of my Sunshine Girl, my light hearted, fun, and bright girl

2. I want my art to shine the light of Christ into your heart & warm your soulKitchenArt_WEB

{Kitchen Inspirational Art available HERE}

I have also added art for the kitchen, since, you know, much of our life is spent in the kitchen & I want people to wake up & start their day reading God’s Word so they are grounded in truth for the day. The pumpkin {Give Thanks} piece is ready just in time for Thanksgiving. I love the warm and rich color schemes of these. Makes me think of autumn!

 

TO CELEBRATE MY NEW LINE I AM HAVING A GRAND OPENING SALE!

 

In the new Sunshine Studio shop now thru October 19th, you can enjoy a Buy ONE Get ONE FREE Sale on any fine art print. {please note: canvases are not included}

 

At checkout, simply write in the name of the free piece of art you would like to receive in the NOTES TO SELLER {do not place the free art in your cart: there is no coupon code}.

 

I hope this new collection truly warms your heart!

 

Grace & Peace,

Julie

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5 Lessons I am {trying} to learn from Coaching

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{Coach Gifts available HERE}

This coming Saturday will complete my 3rd year of coaching my daughter’s soccer team. I originally made the above coach art for her first grade coaches & then after the parents heard me yell so much, they basically nominated me to become the coach. Now, I LOVE soccer. I grew up playing, but by no means did I consider myself a coach. And through my experience, I have been learning some things about coaching that transfer into parenting:

1. Wow. How do their teachers do it ALL DAY LONG?! I currently have 14 4th & 1st grade girls I am coaching & it is all I can do to maintain their undivided attention. My own little one is the ham of the team, along with the other coach’s daughter as they belly bump their way through practice. Ha! At least they are having fun. At practice, just like at home, I need to repeat things several times & tell them, “Look at my eyes” so that I at least feel like they are listening to me.

2. You will say the SAME THING at EVERY single game & practice ... & I am talking small basic things, like, “RUN!” or “Keep your eye on the ball!” {not rocket science over here.} Kind of like how EVERY DAY I tend to say, “Put your shoes on the shelf.” or “Did you brush your teeth?” {basics people. every single day.} I am constantly trying to discern what are too high of expectations for my team/kids vs. what they can truly handle & understand. {basically learning from mistakes here!}

3. You cannot play the game for them. OK, let’s face it: I really should just join a women’s league. I am WAY more excited about the game than any of my players combined. This hunger & competition comes out of me from deep within that I do not experience with other sports nor other things in life. Just soccer. But, I realize, all I can do is try my best at training them & they have to make choices and actually PLAY the game themselves. Just like in parenting, we instill in our children our values, but when it comes down to it, THEY make their own choices to live their OWN life. It’s not all about me. If my team wins or loses, it’s not all about me {though I tend to take that on} & if my child succeeds or fails, that is not all about me either… {this lesson is taking me quite a while to learn. Ha!}

4. What works for one child will not work for another. Some of my girls rise to the occasion when I strongly challenge them, while others melt into a puddle. Just like in parenting, what I say to one of my kiddos might effectively work, while to another would break their heart. So, I am constantly trying to get to know my team, their personalities & what type of instruction will go over best on each one of them.

5. When it comes down to it, I just want to love on them. I am doing this to spend time with my girls, get to know their friends, and love on others. Of course, during a game when we are losing I forget the “love on them” part of my heart, until of course someone gets hurt & my mommy-brain clicks in & I am hugging them & wiping their tears! But, really to spend time with these girls & be able to be at least some small influence in their life & be a place where they feel part of a team & needed is a sweet thing.

Grace & Peace,

JulieFreeSHIPPING

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Football Coach Gift {Half Price Tuesday}

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{Coach Gifts available HERE}

For just a few more hours it’s another HALF PRICE TUESDAY!

Today’s special is the 8×10 football coach art for only $10 + shipping, offer found over on my facebook page.

Show those coaches some love with this keepsake. Put it in a matted frame & have the entire team sign the matte!

The coach will treasure it forever.

Grace & Peace,

Julie
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High School Seniors {Downers Grove, Hinsdale Photography}

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This beauty is a TOTAL clone of her mom, who happens to be my cousin. Photographing Miss A was like stepping back into time when her mom was a teenager, seeing that lovely smile and hearing that light hearted giggle. We had a blast & she was a natural. I cannot believe she will be graduating this spring & off to Kentucky to play soccer for her university! Have a fun senior year! Love to you.

 

Grace & Peace,

Julie
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