Creative Living

It's a funny thing unpacking my Studio in the midst of all this turmoil. The diminishing towers of boxes bring a welcome sense of spaciousness though the piles of creative 'stuff' quickly balance that out! Luckily I have help. (Thanks, Shibumi!) I think, perhaps, creating a bit of sanctuary is one of the best things we can do as we stay inside - and stay inside we must for ourselves and for others. I am finding it heartening to make a bit of progress each day. What's buoying your spirits? (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-KFqTjAVH3/?igshid=14nvux7ykeybu

Yes, it's early, it's dark and it's cold but I am loving sitting here by candlelight, writing my way into the day. #journaling #wintermornings https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Ti7yzgV0w/?igshid=6ktoywgfsc82

I was thinking this week about how the Studio Yearbook is literally a studio on paper. These pages hold practices that have been a part of my creative life for years, the tried and true practices that I know awaken the creative heart. Between these covers is a safe, courageous and creative place for you to experiment, play and grow. Each Studio Yearbook awaits the magic of the particular artist who chooses to step in. In no time at all, the yearbook takes on a unique character, reflecting back the taste, the life, the fascinations of the artist who poured her heart in. Unfurl yourself into the pages of this portable studio and discover the creative magic you have within! The spring edition is available now. Print copies available for a limited time only. See link in bio. #creativepractice #creativejournaling #creativeliving #mystudioyearbook #jamieridlerstudios #journaling https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Mp6mPAYZn/?igshid=5c48w6we5qhh

I host an Ephemera Exchange along with the Studio Yearbook. This season I took part and this happy package arrived from @debbiebeemer just before the start of Journal Club! Amazingly, my package to her did the same! I can't wait to dive into all the paper treasures Debbie sent me. I know they will inspire me and fill my yearbook with fun and joy! Thanks, Debbie!! #mystudioyearbook #creativemagic (at Toronto C•A•N•A•D•A) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8BwxzLArIq/?igshid=1uch9rf49l60b

As I reach into each box from the move, it's interesting to witness my reaction to our things. Some items elicit a gleeful "Oh, yes, I have missed you!" Others are sort of, well, meh. I am letting the latter go, unless it is truly useful. In that case, I consider it a placeholder for something that I love that can fulfill the same function. I am finding this surprisingly easy, much easier than letting go of things when we were packing up. And so I am learning something important about myself and my approach to life. I must be discerning about what I welcome in because once something (or someone) is on the inside, it's hard for me to let go. (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/B757VQMgTjA/?igshid=1xuakj4n08oho

As of today, we will have chosen all our lights for the reno. (Unfortunately we don't have room for something of this scale!) This also marks a major milestone; all of our major decisions have been made!!! #homereno (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/B48QlzYA8S5/?igshid=kfnrcjkzulx6

We want to the house today for a meeting and were so excited to see the windows in!! Even on this grey and rainy day our kitchen was full of light. #homereno #homerenovations #progress https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Ix--rAkgg/?igshid=13pxmrbg4zi6e

With the reno in full swing alongside getting the winter edition of the Studio Yearbook ready, it feels like the ultimate luxury to take an hour to read and journal at a coffee shop. I can't wait to start Wild Words: Rituals, Routines and Rhythms for Braving the Writer's Path by @nicolegulotta. Writing has been my solace right now so it seems just perfect! https://www.instagram.com/p/B4AG6lbg37h/?igshid=1di78c42olst5

Cats make things more fun, including picking paint colours! (at Cook's Wallpaper & Paints) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3id55Hgk_S/?igshid=bcqfzrhqi1h9

Choosing colours. If I told you how many variations of white and grey we have looked at, you would probably laugh! But the subtle tones of green or blue or yellow are everything. Right now we are debating whether to paint the majority of the house white (perhaps the popular Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore). It brings lightness and warmth and the joy of watching the light change. But generally we are cool people and toning it down to a sophisticated grey feels a bit more like home to us and may make it feel more 'finished'. Then again, should we stretch into something fresh? White walls, light wood floor, windows... dreamy!!! These are the things I wake up and fall asleep thinking about these days. One thing is sure though... if you follow the studio, you probably know where that blue is going! #homereno #homerenovation #choosingcolours #paintcolours #choosingpaint #coolorwarm #benjaminmooore (at Toronto C•A•N•A•D•A) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3e1X9vArs3/?igshid=mhaj7fkxsavw

Going to the house is getting more and more exciting. https://www.instagram.com/p/B3df02hAQsx/?igshid=qvy3bi25trn0

This thumbnail captures how I feel about Journal Club. #journalclub #jamieridlerstudios (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3NkV7gAQ3u/?igshid=cwgveb2u7zv3

A part of the joy of the Studio Yearbook is adding bits and bobs of paper treasures to the pages. That's why an Ephemera Exchange was such a perfect fit! This is our 4th season organizing the event for current yearbookers. Creative stash, magazine images, stickers, washi, book pages, art remnants, cut-outs, all sent to a creative buddy somewhere in the world. I love this spirit of creativity, friendship and sharing! I am taking part myself this season and am so looking forward to sitting down with a cup of tea and gathering creative goodness to my buddy! #mystudioyearbook #ephemera #ephemeraexchange #creativefriends #creativity #journaling #creativejournaling (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3H6OlsA_Gj/?igshid=1ry8xafsd3vg4

We are about halfway through our renovation and it is exciting to see the house starting to be put back together again. Yesterday we went to visit and we had walls!!! We also had some challenges to deal with and some decisions to make but that is all a part of the process. (I say that as if I am not in obsessive problem-solving mode!) #homereno #homerenovation #creativeproject #creativeadventure #mybiggestcreativeprojecttodate (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/B26YRB8AMNF/?igshid=1rvqaehcyxlse

It's Friday and for me, that means Journal Club, an enthusiastic and welcoming community of creatives exploring life, meaning and themselves on the page. It's an hour of creative sanctuary at the end of the week. It's a place where everything belongs - laughter, tears, frustration, joy. There's room for it all. There's room for you. We start September 27th. (Link in bio.) #journalclub #jamieridlerstudios #jpurnaling #creativejournaling #creativeclasses #journalinspiration #journalling #journalingideas #writingcommunity https://www.instagram.com/p/B2FOHTMgkY2/?igshid=7wn3yqrlif8f

I call this particular pairing if the Studio Kittens "The Troublemakers." For the moment... all is well... #catsofinstagram #studiokittens #catstagram (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1gn5jHgcQM/?igshid=j8hxjrl9xztb

I am taking a bit of a break this morning after getting all the print yearbooks into the mail. Before I started to write, a Studio Kittens comic came out of my finger tips. (See the whole strip in my stories today!) (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1eE2Z8A_1l/?igshid=1i26aeoemrgiw