Atiliay noun, a play off the French word “atelier”; a workshop/studio, esp of an artist or designer; my creative space

Notes plural noun, a brief record of facts, topics, thoughts written down as an aid to memory; a short informal letter

 

Throughout each month, I collect things that I think you might like--articles, ideas, quotes, songs, etc. then create a list to share with you. Here's what I gathered for September, I hope you find something that resonates, is helpful, inspiring, fun, or interesting!

✍️ Join me for this year's Sketchbook Un-Slump! This is a free 4 week email series to help inspire and encourage creativity and exploration in the pages of our sketchbooks! The first prompt goes out Oct 12th. Sign up here.

 

🧦 Do you like games and supporting young artists? Help me fund Keanu's Sock Squad card game on Kickstarter!  My good friend Parmeet's 9 year old son Keanu created this “toe-tally wild card game for ages 7+ where mismatched socks and strategies collide! Rescue your socks, dodge pesky Gobblers (aka washing machines), and race to outmatch your rivals before your pairs disappear- all in 15 mins or less.” Please check out the link for more details and support if you can--he's put a lot of hard work into this creative venture and I think it'd be so amazing to help him bring it to life! 

 

💪 “You don't need to add ALL THE THINGS at once. The data shows when you attempt to make too many changes at one time, the brain will shut down the decision making process and you won't actually do any of them. So instead of changing your workout habits, removing gluten, buying a weighted vest, adding red light, committing to more sleep and starting meditation all in one week, pick THREE things to focus on. Just 3. Commit to them for 12 weeks. Then reassess and add more as needed.” - Jessica Valant I've been following Jessica's weight lifting videos and loved what she said here. It really inspired me which leads me to my next share:

 

✔️ Tracking my habits: I busted this out again! I used it the entire month of September and even though it wasn't perfect, it really helps me 1) see what I want to do (out of sight out of mind) and 2) the virgo in me LOVES checking off a box :) If you want to try using a habit tracker, I have a PDF version for $2.99 in my shop. There's 3 variations and you can put the print out in a clear sleeve so you can use dry erase markers on it instead of redoing all of it each month!

👂 “I was just a girl who loved animals and wanted to learn about them.” This is a lovely article about jane Goodall. It always made me feel better that someone like Jane was out there speaking up and advocating for animals. She leaves such a beautiful legacy of empathy and hope. 

 

💛 Here's one more quote from Jane, her 2018 New Year's message that's still just as important today if not more: “There is still so much in the world worth fighting for. So much that is beautiful, so many wonderful people working to reverse the harm, to help alleviate the suffering. And so many young people dedicated to making this a better world. All conspiring to inspire us and to give us hope that it is not too late to turn things around, if we all do our part.”

 

🌝 The first harvest full moon could be seen yesterday, Oct 6th! Here are some amazing photos from around the world.

 

📺 I recently watched Chief of War and was really captivated by it! Jason Momoa and the entire cast are amazing. Fun fact: Kaina Makua who plays Kamehameha the Great had no acting experience and was cast by Jason when he saw him at a state canoe paddling event where Kaina was coaching the high school paddling team. Jason approached him that day then called him 3 years later to offer him the role! 

 

👀 Stamp Making Workshop Playback Is now available on YouTube!

The Creative Spark Challenge prompts will be going out later this week--it'll be a shortened version since the Sketchbook Un-Slump will be happening this month! Until then, wishing you more hints of fall as we settle into the season.

 

Take good care and talk to you soon,

PS: At the end of September I got to experience a RailCycle outing in Mineral, WA for the first time! It was a good workout--going uphill was definitely tough at times but downhill was SO much fun and worth the earlier struggle! lol I'm also seeing the leaves starting to change which I don't think will ever get old. 🧡

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