Hello Reader,

We got to the hotel in Lake Placid, NY and I carried in the tote bag that held my business notebook and collage sketchbook. I put it on the floor, where it slumped against the wall, and never touched it until it was time to pack the car for the drive home. We were too busy swimming, paddling, and climbing a mountain.

At this point, my sketchbook has become my creative security blanket—I need it with me, even if it stays closed. I've shared my travel collage kit on the blog for others who understand this need to carry creativity along, just in case

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School starts for my son next week, and that means I'll be back to work too. Here's what I have planned:

1. A sale of older pieces
2. Filming a new online class- letterpress printing and abstract collage
3. A new collection
4. Creating content for my new broadcast channel on Instagram (more personal/less curated). You can join the channel from your phone using the link in my profile.
5. Preparing for my in-person workshop at the end of September

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Whew, that looks like a lot, doesn't it? I've been preparing by organizing my studio, preparing panels, and writing lots of lists.

And, most importantly, I'm training myself to stop picking up my phone every five minutes—because those stolen moments add up to real creative time. My bean, Betty, is helping with this through the Focus Friend app from Hank Green. If I interrupt her knitting to check my phone, she'll drop a stitch and her sock will be ruined. I know it sounds quirky, but it works! When I'm not constantly reaching for my phone, I can actually focus on the projects I've planned instead of letting my attention scatter. Those five-minute phone breaks become five minutes of prep work, or cleaning, or simply thinking through the next step in a piece. I haven't upgraded to the paid version so Betty can knit scarves, but it's tempting—especially if it means I'll actually finish that new collection on schedule.

That tote bag might have sat untouched against the hotel wall, but it served its purpose—reminding me that creativity travels with us even when we're too busy living to use it. But I'm ready now to get back to work!

Until next time,

Sarah

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