Hi friends! After a brief absence from work, I am back! And just in time to celebrate the 9th anniversary of my shop! 🥳
Every year I like to offer a discount code as a small thank you for the support. If you’d like, please feel free to use the code “SHOPBDAY2025” on my website, justinegilbuenashop.com, for 20% off your order. The discount will be available from today and ends on Wed, May 14th at 11:59PM (EST).
Thank you all so much for your kindness and continued support! 💛
Things have been pretty busy recently, even before my few days away (which was actually to attend a wedding for my partner’s brother and it was really nice and low-key).
However, I still tried my best to make some time for one of my favorite activities… Spring cleaning! I should say that it’s not the actual cleaning that I enjoy, but there is something so refreshing about having a clean space with things all in their designated places, and it always helps me feel less anxious or overwhelmed. Of course, there are still some disorganized drawers and boxes to go through, but that’s for another time - though hopefully before NEXT Spring 😅… maybe when I finally decide to put up that blue wallpaper!
What really helps me stay on track with the things I need to get done are my to-do lists. I actually like using them so much that I designed one of my own and shared it as a free printable in the Patreon Shop! I like to separate my lists with primary, secondary, and tertiary tasks so that’s why it’s divided into three columns. You obviously don’t have to do it that way haha but I hope you find it helpful too!
⚘ In Transit ⚘
First thing to check off the to-do list: I’ve sent out the April snail mail earlier on May 1st! Here are the completed drawings below.
(Crow’s Song postcard & Crow and Tulips sticker)
Next to check off the list: I printed the crow and tulips as a greeting card.
⚘ May Snail Mail Sketches ⚘
Still to check off the to-do list: Snail mail illustration! This month’s snail mail will be a writer typing away inside a wisteria covered building under the full moon postcard featuring one of my patron’s cats (Patreon Pet Easter Egg), and a rabbit journaling in a lavender field. Here are the rough sketches so far…
(If you’re interested in this month’s snail mail, I’ll send them out to any new patrons that sign up for the $10 tier between now and the end of the month. Please note, I will mail May snail mail during the first week of June.)
⚘ Favorite Little Things & Book Finds ⚘
Listening to: Haute & Freddy - Shy Girl (on repeat forever)
"A Bird Made of Birds" by Sarah Kay / Flight of the Starlings
Music to read to: Oh, stars, and dreams, and gentle night by Christopher J. Bissett
THE GAP by Ira Glass (I remember watching this video soooo many years ago and recently stumbled upon it again and it’s such a good reminder)
Some secondhand and new books I recently picked up!
Added Little Women to my Penguin threads series collection, hehe 🤭
I was so excited to pick up Sarah Kay’s newest book of poetry, A Little Daylight Left!! I love her work so much… I also recommend checking out her other book of poems, No Matter the Wreckage.
That’s all for now. I hope you continue to have a great week!
💛 Justine