December 2024

Dear First name / friend,

 

Are you finding ways to infuse creativity into your days as you enjoy this festive time of year? The holidays are full of opportunity for this. Even if you think you're not creative, I bet you are in some way. For example, did you tweak a Christmas cookie recipe because you were missing that one spice or don't care for cinnamon? Did you decorate your home? Did you put together a new outfit for that holiday party? The choices you made, the placement and combination of items, are all evidence of your innate creativity.

 

Personally I've done a little of all of the above and I'm looking forward to making a fresh floral centerpiece for the dining table. I have no idea what it will look like but I'm excited to find out. It's these little things that add delight to my days because they make me slow down enough to savor the simple and express myself too.

Mixed media Ranunculus.

 

Did you have a chance to try out the coloring page from last month's newsletter? I played with mixed media and ended up with the above.

 

I also designed two new patterns to enter into Spoonflower Challenges for wallpaper and fabric designs using Pantone's Color of the Year for 2025 - mocha mousse. Brown is back! See the bottom of my newsletter for related posts on Instagram.

 

Otherwise, December is my month to reflect on the past year both professionally and personally, and to plan the year ahead. I spend some quiet time checking in with myself and journaling. I remind myself of the wins I've had, the highlights, how I feel about where I'm at and what I want or need in the year to come. Ten years ago I began a practice of choosing a “word of the year”. It embodies the essence of my goals and serves as a compass to guide my decisions about what to focus on. The practice has served me well and so I'll be doing that again in the lull between Christmas and the New Year.

 

 

Skillshare is an on-line learning platform with classes taught by creatives for creatives and I'm a fan. Pre-recorded classes allow you to learn at your own pace. It's better than YouTube because there aren't all those distracting ads. It's easier to navigate and you don't have to waste time sifting through a lot of junk to find good quality instruction. I love it for all sorts of creative classes both analog and digital. I use it for business and social media stuff too. On Black Friday I scored a 50% off deal for the annual subscription and did a happy dance.

 

They offer a free 30 day trial so do check it out if you haven't yet.

 

Already a user? I'd love to know what you use it for and which classes you recommend!

Upcoming giveaway items for subscribers: Linen/Cotton tea towel with my watercolor design, art books and coming soon - fat quarters.

 

To encourage your creativity or that of someone you know, I'd like to send you a book from my art library - your choice!

 

Super-quick techniques for amazing painting by Samantha Nielsen

Or

Painting Techniques, No Drawing Required by Gina Lee Kim

 

Both books have been very gently loved and it would make me so happy to pass them on to anyone creative or curious. Just reply to this email to let me know which one you'd prefer (#1 or #2) and you'll be entered.

 

I'll announce the winner in the January funletter.

 

 

Last but not least, as a thank you, all current subscribers were automatically entered to win a tea towel with my Retro Wild Daisy Calendar design. The randomly selected recipient of the Linen/Cotton Tea Towel is: sarahs2b2. Please reply with a mailing address by January 31st to accept your gift and I'll send it to you. Merry Christmas and thank you so much for subscribing. I truly appreciate your support.

If you missed out on the giveaway and would like to order one, you can do that here - Retro Wild Daisy Tea Towel.

 

Pro tip: If you sew, keep an eye out for a fabric sale on Spoonflower and order a fat quarter of this design or any other on their Linen Cotton Canvas fabric. Just hem the edges for a DIY tea towel.

 

Happy Holidays everyone!

P.S. Thanks for reading! If you know someone who might enjoy this funletter, please pass it along.

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