Hi friends,

I hope you’re all doing well! It is currently the late afternoon but it feels like midnight outside. As I am writing this newsletter, Peach has snuck onto my lap. She’s been doing that a lot lately… maybe she doesn’t like how windy it has been these days and is hanging out for warmth. It only took 5 years for her to finally be a lap cat haha.

Speaking of time… this season is breezing by too fast! There’s been so much to do and I’ve been busy with the shop; which means I’ve mostly been working at home or waiting in line at the post office. The other day I thought about making a “waiting in line” playlist haha. So far I have… “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper and “Please Mr. Postman” by The Marvelettes.

Hopefully I can make some time to sew some gifts for my family in the next few weeks. Last month, I finally finished sewing my pants from my sewing class.

⚘ Bonfire Shop Update ⚘

I shared new items earlier this month in a separate post/email but I forgot to share that I updated some shirt designs in my Bonfire shop. I ordered one shirt for myself just to see how my design would look in person and I’m really happy with the new pocket size/placement. Also, if you have a short torso like me, there are shorter and cropped tees available now.

⚘ Small Business Sale: 25% Off Discount Code ⚘

Small Business Saturday is on the 29th, but I wanted to offer the sale early 🧡 Please use the code SUGARMAPLE at checkout to get 25% off your order. The discount will be available until the end of November in my main shop (justinegilbuenashop.com). Thank you so much!

⚘ En route: October Art Mail ⚘

The October art mail was sent out earlier this month

(Tabitha's Tailor Shop Postcard, Sewing Bird Sticker)

⚘ November Art Mail Sketches ⚘

Since it has been so busy, I decided to look at my “drawing list” for ideas. One idea that I had written down a few months ago was a frog eating pancakes at a diner. So this month’s art mail is inspired by my D&D character… Fig, a healer frog. During one of our D&D sessions, Fig ordered 7 stacks of pancakes (3 per stack) before a quest.

Felix will be the featured Patreon pet in this month’s postcard. 💛

The sticker will be a frog juggling pomegranates. At first, they were juggling tomatoes but I wanted it to be a wintry fruit.

Below is the postcard sketch and finished sticker drawing…

(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 November snail mail during the first week of December.)

Pomegranate Juggler is also available as a greeting card in the shop…

⚘ Favorite Little Things ⚘

I recently bought a washi tape dispenser from Galen Leather and it was packaged with so much care. It felt really special and thoughtful with all their little details. It was really inspiring!

Okay I think that’s all for now, I hope you all continue to have a great week!

💛 Justine