I’ve been wanting a change in the living room and this was a perfect chance for a little switcheroo. I’m still working on styling it, the lamp will change, and I might have to shift the map frames, but it definitely has more personality than before.

I also got this chair and think it will be the next free:DO, since I picked it up for $4 (close enough!).

I already stripped off the awful quilted satin upholstery, and I think it’s going to be really cool when it’s done!

“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.” - Ira Glass

My shop has been open for almost a year now, and while I’m fairly happy with some of my work, there has always been a nagging feeling that I could do better. Lately, though, I’m sensing a shift in my thinking and coming across this quote really helped validate that. I’m gaining confidence and have lots of new ideas and designs to explore. So anxious to share it all with you!

While it’s not quite officially summer, the new line in my shop celebrates the bright and cheery nature of the season. In addition to the pillows I shared with you last week, I’ve also added a couple new prints and tea towels. Check them out and let me know what you think!