Being a mom doesn’t mean you can’t live a Life Creative

 

A celebration of motherhood, creativity

and the faith that binds them

Creative moms often feel as though they must lay their passions down once the kids arrive, if for no other reason than there is no time. But God has something special in mind for creative women during this intense season of mothering. In Life Creative: Inspiration for Today’s Renaissance Mom (Kregel Publications/September 27, 2016/ISBN 978-0-8254-4410-4/$14.99) authors Wendy Speake and Kelli Stuart show that “a mother’s natural bent toward imagination doesn’t just wither and die with the
birth of a child. This core component remains part of her intricate design.”

In our social media age of handcrafted children’s parties, artistic Instagram photos, tutorials for renovating old furniture into new treasures and blogs filled with poetry, prose and other expression, clearly a brand-new generation of inspired women is rising up. It is a renaissance born not in Italian cathedrals or Harlem jazz clubs, but in kitchens, nurseries and living rooms around the world. However, when Christian women become mothers, they often feel expected to give up their creative pursuits to parent properly.

Wendy Speake and Kelli Stuart know that struggle. While they acknowledge some seasons of mothering require setting artistic pursuits aside, they also argue these seasons don't have to last until empty nest time. Instead, mothers with creative gifts are called to use them actively to bless their families, their communities and everyone they encounter. “Life Creative is not a book about raising children,” Speake shares. “This is a book for moms, written by moms and including the stories of other moms . . . on a journey to embrace our God-given design in the midst of motherhood!”

In this book, the creative mom will discover: 

• Why the world needs her art
• How this Life Creative begins at home
• When art can turn a profit     
• Her part in this modern day Renaissance 

Inspiring and encouraging, Life Creative celebrates the ways mothers can live their art in the midst of mothering. Speake and Stuart share the stories of women such as author and speaker Angie Smith, recording artist Ellie Holcomb and jewelry designer Lisa Leonard, who are balancing their unique talents and giftings with the daily demands of motherhood. By following God's leading to embrace His gifts, renaissance moms can model the joy of obedience for their families.

Life Creative is part visit with a good friend over coffee, part muse of inspiration for the tired heart and a masterclass for start-up home businesses rolled into one.

Learn more about more about Life Creative at www.lifecreative.me, and join the community on Instagram (@lifecreative).

Advance Praise

“Kelli and Wendy understand that, yes, being a mom is about raising your children. But it’s also about fully being the woman God created you to be and expressing His love like only you can. Their words will support, encourage and cheer you on in the art and adventure of mothering.”

~ Holley Gerth, Wall Street Journal best-selling author of You’re Already Amazing

“Never has there been a time like this for creative and artistic women to embrace the high calling of mother-hood and the unique giftings God has given to each of us. There is indeed a movement — a Renaissance — of the creative woman, the creative mom. I’m grateful that Wendy and Kelli have chosen to encourage this generation of women, right now, to embrace their God-given creativity and steward it to the glory of God. This book is right on time.”

~ Ruth Simons, artist and writer, GraceLaced.com

About the authors

Wendy Speake is a trained actress and heartfelt teacher. She ministers to women’s hearts through storytelling and life applications, utilizing drama, comedy, poetry and the study of God’s Word. During her career in Hollywood, on shows such as JAG, Melrose Place, Star Trek Voyager and Roswell, Speake found herself longing to tell stories that edify and encourage women. She is the author of Triggers: Exchanging Parents’ Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses (BRU Press, 2015). Speake is a wife and homeschooling mother of three boys.

Find Speake online at wendyspeake.com, on Facebook (WendyJSpeake) and on Twitter (@Wendy_Speake).

Kelli Stuart is a writer and a storyteller at heart. She has written for several websites including The Huffington Post, 5 Minutes for Mom, The MOB Society, (in)courage and Compassion International. Stuart is the author of three books, including Like a River from Its Course (Kregel Publications, 2016). Stuart is a noted speaker, sharing her encouraging message never to give up on your dreams and passions with mothers who often feel lost in motherhood. Stuart her husband live in Florida with their four children.

Visit Stuart’s website at kellistuart.com or follow her on Facebook (KelliStuartAuthor) and Twitter (@kellistuart).