Everything is always working out as it's supposed to


Hi Reader!

I hope you're having a wonderful week. I'm enjoying a quiet Thanksgiving week at home this year with my kiddos instead of traveling to see family like we often do (well, more like a "quiet" week – I hear C and G bickering about something in the background right now, which is pretty standard), and it's funny how things work out so perfectly sometimes...

We loosely planned to go to California for Thanksgiving and then decided to go in December instead. Then we made plans for a friends-giving, and that ended up not materializing either. And then I decided it might be nice to just have a quiet Thanksgiving here at home, just the three of us, and be cozy all day and cook what we want. And last week I ended up getting sick (like, real sick, not just an annoying little cold) and I'm feeling somewhat better but it's been lingering for almost a week now, and if I had to travel or host a bunch of people at our house in a couple of days I'd probably be kinda dreading it. But instead, I get to just look forward to relaxing and being cozy at home!

It's all working out exactly as it's supposed to.
Everything is always working out as it's supposed to.

It's not always easy to see things that way in the moment. Things might not make sense sometimes. But I love how often when I look backward at how things have happened that all the pieces fit together so weirdly perfectly and the dots connect so much of the time.

It reminds me that I can TRUST what's happening TRUST myself, and TRUST the universe and the great mystery of it all.

Anyway, to all my fellow Americans – Happy Thanksgiving this week!
And to the non-Americans – happy normal week!
I hope wherever you are, your week is exactly what it's supposed to be, whatever that might be for you. :)

BLACK FRIDAY SALE

The big sale starts tomorrow! And there are brand new prints in the shop, just for the occasion. This will be the last sale of the year, and a good time to stock up on holiday gifts!

NEW FREE MONTHLY ART-MAKING CALL

Starting in December we're going to be hosting a monthly FREE, hour-long, community live art-making session. We're kicking things off on Wednesday December 4th, and you're invited!

FREE 5-DAY ART-MAKING CHALLENGE

We're starting on December 9th! Perfectly timed in the middle of the holiday season, because if you're anything like me you'll want/need a therapeutic art-making break in the midst of the holiday chaos. Come join!


That's all I've got for today!
I'm sending you loads of gratitude and appreciation today. Truly. Thank you for being a part of my colorful world!

LET'S BE FRIENDS ON IG!

Jessica Swift.

I'm an artist, surface pattern + fabric designer, author, mama, and online teacher in Portland, OR. I believe in the power of art-making as a tool for radical self-care. I help people feel a little bit brighter and a little bit less alone through the art and products I make, the words I write, and the classes I teach. Come join 18k+ people in my colorful, uplifting world!

Read more from Jessica Swift.

Studio Notes is my (mostly) weekly creative letter – part reflection, part art, part inspiration for real life. Inside this week: What's Happening Lately In the Studio Loving Right Now A Little Joy Calendar For the Week Ahead Hi Reader, How ARE you? Happy February! January whizzed by, and this just about sums it up for me: Image via James McCrae on Substack Right?? January went so fast, it makes me wonder what the rest of the year will feel like. It's the year of the Fire Horse, so the...

Studio Notes is my (mostly) weekly creative letter – part reflection, part art, part inspiration for real life. Inside this week: What's Happening Lately In the Studio Loving Right Now Try This Calendar For the Week Ahead Hi Reader, Yesterday I had this bunch of adorable (and loud) rascals in my house to celebrate my sweet girl's 7th birthday. We crafted some fantastic headband crowns, and as promised, here are a couple photos: It was a fun, chaotic, crafty time! It was interesting, too,...

Studio Notes is my (mostly) weekly creative letter – part reflection, part art, part inspiration for real life. Inside this week: What's Happening Lately In the Studio Loving Right Now Noticing Calendar For the Week Ahead Hi Reader, Mid-January already?! Make it all slow down, my goshhh!! My girl G turns seven tomorrow, and I'm having one of those mama moments where I truly can't believe how fast time goes. Everyone told me this how it would be! But there's just no way to know until you know,...