Good things

Except, why is January so long?

Hi all!

I took an unexpected break this month. Why is January so long?

It was very challenging getting into the swing of things after the holidays so instead of pushing we just went slow. I actually got quite a bit done, I’ve just done it slowly and quietly.

I organized our pantry, and I’ve kept it organized, like a pantry hawk.

I’ve been sticking to a budget.

I’ve been prepping food twice a week!

I’ve mostly been going to bed at a reasonable hour most days.

I start at a new gym next week.

I’ve been making new work.

I’ve got another pattern at the printer.

I’ve got so much cute stuff on my desk.

I’m feeling hopeful.

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Love Letter is shipping! I’m glad to have work on this scale out in the world again. I’m mostly excited to see what you make.

Could we plan a little retreat in a month or two someplace warm and work on Love Letter projects together? If I had 4-5 days to work on a few things with it and eat snacks with friends, I think I’d be a better person than I am now. You know?

Now that I’m thinking of it, would it be crazy to have a retreat after a fabric release? Has anyone ever done that? As a designer I love this idea… to just theme the heck out of the weekend! It might be too niche, but who can say?

Piece by Piece

Piece by Piece part II

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I turn 40 this year, which feels a little surreal. Like what does that even mean…

For my birthday/anniversary I’d like to be in England, and I want to walk the Cotswolds way with my family and anyone who wants to walk with us. Won’t that be so lovely?! It’s a 100 mile walk that starts in Chipping Campden and ends in Bath. You can do it in as short as 6 days or take a little more time and do it in 10. We might stretch it out so its a little more leisurely. I’m going to start walking 10 miles a day to train. I’m also going to train carrying 40 lbs on my back for 2 of the miles, because I imagine we’ll have to take turns carrying Magnolia for parts of it. I’d love to have more kids with us. I know Magnolia is more motivated to keep moving when we hike with friends.

When I think of what heaven must look like, I think of the Cotswolds, and also just green rolling hills in general. So I’d like to embody that to mark such a big occasion.

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All of my Valentines and stationery kits have come in and are being assembled by yours truly in the day while Miss Magnolia is at school. I’m just absolutely tickled by everything. I’m not exactly sure when I’d put up a shop before Valentines, as we last minute decided to participate in one of our favorite shows of the year up north.

Not doing hardly any shows last year was the best decision I’ve ever made?! I took so much stress off my family’s plate, and I was able to make up the financials in other ways. It has been just really good to go slower.

I feel like that’s my motto these days…

How SLOW can we go?

which can I just say, has actually helped me not procrastinate so much. It’s wild. I don’t know the science of it, but it’s really helping.

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The other day I received some samples for a new product/collaboration. It’s something that I have ALWAYS wanted to make/have my work on.

If you go waaayyy back into the archives to my Alphabet poster I made ages and ages ago, you’ll see so many of my priorities then are still important to me now, and even sweeter, so many of these things are deeply important to Magnolia too. It’s either conditioning or we just have very similar and very good tastes.

I remember when I really wanted to make washi tape, and what a joy that was to make that a reality.

Now, I have my own ribbon, something I’ve truly always wanted! It’s such a powerful thing to have dreams realized. It will be available from Renaissance Ribbon in a month or 2. I’ll keep you posted.

When these things come to fruition, it changes your perspective. Things that seemed complicated or far away, just aren’t anymore. It opens up possibilities, and begs the questions, “what’s next",” and “can I dream bigger?”

I know I can.

I know you can too.

Might be time for an updated alphabet poster with some new dreams.

I hope you’re having a good week. I hope you’re finding joy where you can.
Remember, the sky is always blue above the clouds.

xoxoxolizzy