I didn’t realize how much I’d been carrying until life forced me to set it all down. This is the story of shifting my creative life, letting go of what no longer fits, and stepping into a new version of myself with room to breathe.
I found an old video from 2020 where I made three different wood slice ornaments, back when my son was nine and wandering through every project I filmed. I’ve refreshed the instructions, updated the links, and pulled all three ornament ideas together — pinecones, JOY letters, and mandala dots — for a quick, meaningful holiday craft you can finish in one cozy afternoon.
A week of preparing for guests in a house that’s still mid-project and mid-life. A small reflection on hosting, raising a teenager, welcoming family, and learning to make a home that feels like us — imperfect, warm, and real.
IOD moulds can look intimidating, but they’re more forgiving than you think. This beginner-friendly guide shows how to use moulds with air-dry clay, resin, and food-safe projects without overthinking the process.
Ever wonder how big IOD moulds really are? I measured them all—from ten-inch mermaids to five-inch sunflowers—so you can plan your next project before you pour. Plus, I’ve linked tutorials from the IOD Sisters and Debi Beard to show how size affects design.
There’s a quiet kind of joy that comes from finishing something you started—especially when it involves torn paper, sticky fingers, and a $7.99 lamp from Goodwill. Two neglected lamps, a little decoupage paper, and one glowing reminder that making something—anything—feeds your creative soul.
There’s a small lamp in my office that never turns off. It’s been glowing through moves, late nights, and seasons of creative chaos — a quiet way of saying you’re home. When its shade was destroyed in the move, I realized the fix might be less about repair and more about joy: choosing a decoupage paper not to match the room, but simply because it makes me smile.
This coffee bag room screen took me over a year to complete. Each time I tried to gain ground on the project, I got frustrated and walked away. I would let it sit for a few weeks and then come back to it with renewed determination. I’d like to say the finished project was worth it, but I’m not sure it was. Let’s talk after I sell it.
I spent over a year working on this project, walking away from it more times than I can count. I finished it. I’m still not sure that was the right call.