I heard chickadees outside today. In the summer months, I realize I might not stop to appreciate their “fee-bee” whistle, but hearing this sound in the snowy quiet, was bright and clear.

Despite the birds, it’s very routine here in the studio, I’m up early working on art and I crank through the day with Maisey at my side. In this wet weather, Maisey and I have come to enjoy what we call a “suburban walk.” We walk on the cement pad from the front to the back deck so she doesn’t get her paws wet. She’s something else this one…. but it gets us out and breathing the fresh air.

I said on Instagram that we were not prepared to deal with the snow at our new place. Thankfully, thankfully, our neighbor with a John Deere plowed us out, not once but twice! We feel quite welcomed out here. I will say, I miss talks in the dark night chatting with our former neighbor - shout out to Martha!

As some of you know, Evan and I moved out of the suburbs and are building a small scale homestead, which begins with rehabbing a 1970s ranch. The ongoing construction inside the house is dirty, cluttered, and slightly dangerous… I feel like either Evan or I get a “it will be worth it” pep talk once a week. The cold is slowing us down as it’s hard to use saws even in the garage at these temperatures. We will hibernate for a little bit longer…. there’s certainly plenty to draw on my desk in the meantime.

I planned to put away my sewing machine for a bit while the dust settles, that’s until a friend of mine announced her pregnancy! Obviously, the Juki is coming out of storage and on to the kitchen counter - I’ve got a baby quilt to make! Even still, l need something fun and compact to work on in the evening when we are cooped up that won’t be too much of a mess … and so, I began a meditation scroll.

The mediation school, or snippet scroll concept is simple. Two layers of fabric: the bottom strip and the scraps on top. If you follow my projects you may recognize pieces of my mini quilt coral/purple ombre that Evan accidentally set on fire… It lives again! On the top layer, the little scraps can be basted down or stitched down on as you go. For the bottom strip, I’m using a jelly roll. It’s 2.5 inches wide but I don’t see why we could do a scroll at any size.

I love this as a way to keep meaningful fabric, clothes, or swatches. Some people use the scrolls to cut apart and use for journaling embellishments or decorations but I think it can be just for the act of stitching practice and play.

Stitching for stitching sake! Loving these meditation scrolls for sitting in front the t.v. at night, I can really fly down the strip! (Though that might not be the point… LOL)

Ideally, you’d fasten them onto to a spool and roll them up. I happen to have a few large wooden spools I want to use, where are they? What box? It could be a while friends…

If you have any bit of inspiration to make a scroll, I invite you to join me and please send pics!

I’m trying to keep the sewing explosion contained among the wreckage of the remodel. Whatever the heck I’m making on my Living Canvas is in its “ugly stage” no doubt. It’ll all be worth it. <3

More soon.

P.S. Seriously - consider joining me on the scrolls!

Hello!

Let me begin my studio update sharing that I have SNAIL MAIL mailing list. I have lots of plans for my list so I can send cool stuff and updates in the mail. For now, I’m building my list. If you want to stay in touch with me, this is the best way to keep track of my work in the world. Link to Snail Mail sign up

Now! What have I been up to? First - HURRICANE GIRLS! This book, available for preorder is written by National Book Award Winning Kimberly Willis Holt!

Hurricane Girls takes place Westbank of New Orleans, this contemporary coming-of-age novel is a journey of growth, healing, and difficult transitions as the girls navigate their many life challenges: family trauma, body insecurity, and the conflict between ambitions and responsibilities. It's a powerful and enlightening exploration of how to surmount personal tragedy through friendship and forgiveness.

Not only did I get to work for one of my dream clients (and birthday twin) Christy Ottaviano but I go to illustrate a full wrap and the inside of the book as well. Jenny Kimura designed this terrific type treatment on the cover and was a joy to work with in from sketch to finish. To see some of Jenny’s design work, visit her website here.

Would you like to see some of the rejected sketches from the project? Below are the ideas that didn’t make the cut!

Throughout the book, the chapter heading is decorated with black and white illustrations. This is one of my first times getting to showcase black and white work. I have an exciting project under wraps that will include a lot more black and white in pastel. I look forward sharing more on that when the time comes.

Along my client work, I am writing my own stories. With my stories, I have been working in pastels exclusively to create the illustrations. These pastels are different than what you might think of. They are small dishes and the chalk is applied with a sponge.

As you may have seen in the news, AI (in summary, a robot that creates art by scrapping images from the internet to produce a new image) is threatening my job as an illustrator. Because of this, I think that is why I have been drawn to more traditional mediums like pastel.

It’s unknown if my stories will find a home at a publisher but for now, I’ll keep working.

Now let’s talk CRAFTS! I was intimidated to make a bag like this - but dying to try it! To my surprise, look how well it turned out!

To begin, I collected scraps from some of my favorite collections. All good things begin with scraps! Let’s be honest, most of the fabrics were by Tula Pink!

Working the squares in this diagonal looks really impressive but it’s easy to do.

A bit of trimming and we are off to add batting. I used a foam batting with a lofty batting on top to get a puffed up look.

Now if only I had a place to go to take my duffel!

Speaking of intimidating crafts, last night, while watching Christmas movies I made this star using folded fabrics. Isn’t it charming?! Would make a lovely ornament or keepsake. This craft is no-sew! Only fabric and your iron is needed. Check out the pattern and my advice, go slow!

With some imagination, this could be made in different sizes. Garlands, placements…. endless possibilities. Want to make your own? Check out this pattern here.

Lastly, many people have reached out about my health and I know it has been surprising to see me out and about with a cane. However, I want to thank-you for the prayers and kind words. To say the last two years have been hard would be an understatement. Death knocked on my door and I told him, NOT TODAY! Though I am still undergoing treatment, I am doing significantly better. As for autoimmune diseases, it’s often a day-to-day, ups and downs but I am okay. Here’s a photo of me and a note from my nurse on the cup.

Craft and be Merry! Best wishes to my friends and readers! Happy Holidays.

Kirbi