Friend of the week part II

I AM DONE WITH THE SEMESTER!

That's right. I made it. I finished.

I am so excited to have some time again for blogging and other goodies.

But I just had to blog, RIGHT NOW!

Sometimes I see something and I am so overwhelmed with beauty and joy and inspiration I just absolutely need to share it.

So here goes..

Friend of the week: Hayden Welch

Hayden and I went to high school together and I had the pleasure of taking some art classes with her. I graduated two years ahead of her, but I always knew she was going to make it. She had something super special. It wasn't just her talent, it was her soul, her spirit, she is a lovely human being to share any time or space with.

Today she posted some of her newer work. I cried. By now in reading my blog I'm sure you know I am a complete sap, but really I was just moved.

She has just grown into herself even more than I could have imagined and what she is producing is simply beautiful. She is currently studying in Italy, and I hope she is soaking every moment.

A few years ago I wrote my first children's book. Hayden immediately came to my mind and I asked her to illustrate it.

The first time I received any of her drawings in the mail, I was speechless, it was like she took my brian and translated it for me. I was so thankful. It is on my back burner for now, but my story and her beautiful work will be revisited. For sure.

Sending love to you dear!

Whew! I just had to get all that out!

I have the next 5 weeks off of school. Do you know how much time that is?

This evening I have been compiling a list of everything I would like to accomplish in that time, I hope to share that with you later tonight or definitely in the morning.

xoxo jess

Happy songs for happy people.

It is beautiful out today!

It is one of those days I could drive around with my windows down and my music loud. I could let the cool breeze fill my car and the leaves fall in through my sunroof. It would make me very happy.

I made brief mention yesterday about a new journal I got! I am very excited about it.

A few months ago a friend of mine gave me this journal..

She told me to fill it with whatever is in my head. So I have been, so much so that its already full. I have not been wanting it to come to an end; I carry it with me everyday, everywhere. As soon as something pops in my head whether it be something I observe, a lyric I hear, a craft idea, a thought I have, I capture it and keep it here.

It has been wonderful to log my very full brain and be able to look back on those thoughts.

Unlike any other journal I have ever used, this one was filled with graph paper. I didn't know how to feel about it, but by the end I fell in love and it was essential my new journal had it too.

I found this one..

I am in love again. I am so happy I found one a little bigger so I can really use the space. I have been vigorously logging since I got it, I am beyond inspired.

Also my absolute favorite journaling utensil of choice is Sharpie pens.

When they came out with these there was only black and I would go through them so fast. Now they come in a whole assortment of colors and they just make me giddy.

Are you ready for my secret goal? I am going to learn guitar.

Or I guess relearn what I had started. I actually could somewhat play at one point. Ya know, when I lived at the Babiuk house of music genius. I practiced daily, and my Babiuk loves were always super patient with me. They also had about 30 guitars I could choose from to play.

Now I am home, guitarless and missing some music sort realease. I don't want to play for anyone else but me. Just because it calms me down, like the cello used to. I didnt care if anyone ever heard me, it just helped my soul.

Where I nanny in the morning they have a few guitars but I don't think anyone ever plays them much. But when I ran my fingers across the strings today, a miracle, it was in tune!

After the kids went to school I brought it out on the porch and played some chords and the only Shins song I could remember. Over and over again. It was a very nice time for me:)

So there you have it, a look into my secret brain.

I hope you all will challenge yourself. Make a goal, despite what anyone may think, and work for it. Being inspired is truly a gift, take advantage of it.

xo bird.

There's a corner of your heart, for me.

So. I live at home.

You may laugh, but I'm not paying bills. So it works for now.

But in my small room, I am trying to fit a small business, a studio space and somewhere to sleep. More times than not my studio or store win out, and I am left on the couch.

Not being at the preschool this year, I also have acquired a fully stocked classroom.

Something has to change.

Its already a beautiful color, 2 walls mustard yellow, 2 walls an orange/red. So that can stay.

But I cannot breathe in there, I have enough stuff and enough ideas to complete an entire apartment, but I'm not there yet.

So I have to work with what I've got.

I just put up shelving in the basement and am moving the store portion down there.

I think I can balance just sleep and studio in the space.

Otherwise I think I'm boarding being a hoarder which I am not okay with.

I want it to be an escape from life. I want to step in to be completely over taken by inspiration and serenity. I want to be able to create there, open enough to layout my projects and be able to be working on multiple projects. I just want it to feel like magic. Where my heart and imagination collide.

Here is what I've pulled for inspiration...

Oh beautiful things!

Hopefully I can pull it off. I'm literally tearing things apart. I'll show you what I come up with once its all put together. But its really been the perfect rainy days project for me.

Time for tea,

j

Surround me with Your unfailing love.

It's been a few days. I'm really trying to stay on top of this.
So right now I'm in Atlanta, sitting on a king size bed that that is long than me, width wise.
I am here for my brother graduation into the military but I thought that deserves its own post so quick update for now.
The morning before I got to have breakfast with Coach Jen and her two little tikes. She is still one of the most amazing people I ever met. So much of who I am came from the things I learned from her. About team work, support, love, acceptance, and family. I she's one of those people that has been in my life so long, she knows everything. She knows where I come from and who I've grown into, I love that. I'm so thankful for her and the fact that we've kept in touch through so many years and life changes. Its truly beautiful. Here's her little Nicholas as I was buckling him in his car seat.

After that I went yard sailing for a bit, back to the house to pack, then out to tea with Rach Farley. This tea date was so needed. We had so much catching up to do and so much creative process planning to start. We're doing our first collaborated project in a few weeks and I'm so super excited!! Rach is another person I hold so dear to my heart. She is my sister. She is a beautiful, beautiful spirit with so much to offer. I love when she gives me glimpses into her brain because its quite magical in there.

She is so artistic and I feel lucky that I've had the chance to watch her grow into the truly talented artist she is today. I love her. Sometimes she lets me take part in her projects. She painted me a few times this past year, but one series was shown at Art Awake and then into a gallery until August. We also done some photo stuff together which I always adore doing:)

I know I am surrounded by truly amazing, wonderful, talented, and loving people, right?

So I'll be here until the start of next week, I'll try to do another post but were having some serious fam time and catching up with my brother. Its amazing to see him. I cant wait to show you how cute he is:)

ps were going to an aquarium tomorrow, I may not sleep from excitement. I'm five, I'm aware.

xo jbird