Bits & Pieces: Playing Catch Up

I realized recently that I never posted a January Bits & Pieces.

So this? This is me officially playing catch up.

The new year didn’t exactly ease in — it launched.

We started January full speed ahead with Month of Challenges 13, and what a way to kick off 2026. The gallery was bursting with creativity, stories, and pages that made me stop and smile more than once. We’ve officially wrapped MOC — gift certificates have gone out, prizes have been announced, and if you haven’t popped into the forum to see the final details, make sure you do. It was such a strong, inspiring way to begin the year.

January also brought a new creative voice to TLP as we welcomed Danielle of Creative Retreat as our newest guest designer. I love what fresh perspective adds to our space, and she has been such a beautiful fit.

And then — almost before we could catch our breath — January turned into February.

We welcomed a brand new BYOC and rolled straight into Love Our Designers. February has been full in the best way. BYOC always brings that spark of coordinated color that makes you want to start something immediately. And Love Our Designers is one of my favorite traditions — getting to spotlight each designer, give them a day of extra love, and watch this community show up with encouragement and gratitude. Their creativity is what allows all of us to tell our stories, and celebrating them never gets old.

And somewhere in the middle of all that… life threw in a plot twist.

It wasn’t on my January bingo card, but my family and I made an unexpected move.

With the move came a slightly smaller craft space. And honestly? I thought that might feel like a downgrade. Instead, it feels like a reset. Everything is within reach. It’s organized. It’s intentional. Of course, I labeled everything — because if you know me, you know that was always going to happen. There is something deeply satisfying about opening a drawer and knowing exactly what lives there.

Here’s a peek at the new setup — smaller, yes… but somehow more me than ever.

The typewriters made the cut, of course. Some things are simply non-negotiable.

The plot twist also made me realize something else.

I didn’t quite finish Month of Challenges the way I had planned. So I decided to bring MOC into my home instead. I printed one of my layouts on canvas for the first time — and I absolutely love how it turned out. There’s something powerful about taking a digital page and giving it physical presence. It feels like my story stepped off the screen and onto the wall. A reminder that the creativity we share here doesn’t just live in a gallery — it can live in our homes, too.

And in the middle of all the boxes and reorganizing, I rediscovered something I had forgotten I loved: baking.

Apparently, I’ve entered my slightly chaotic Martha Stewart era.

I’ve been making scones, homemade coffee syrups, cookies, muffins… the whole thing. There’s something grounding about measuring flour and waiting for something to rise. It’s creative in a different rhythm — slower, warmer, and a little sweeter.

Now, I will say… going from a gas stove to an electric stove has been a bit of a rude awakening. After ten years of cooking on gas (and growing up with it), switching back to electric heat is just not quite the same. Let’s just say there were a few moments where I was fairly certain the fire department might show up uninvited. Apparently electric burners do not respond to “but I turned it down” in the same way gas does. I am learning. I am adapting. I am trying not to set off the smoke detector.

And while we’re talking about downsizing — you should see/hear about what I did to the kitchen.

It may be smaller, but it is not lacking for anything. I somehow made it all work. Every tool has a place. Every drawer is intentional. Now… finding something might feel a little like going on an Easter egg hunt at first — but oh, it’s there. It’s always there. And there is something deeply satisfying about knowing I made it all fit.

And if you ever need a creative twist for your spice cabinet, just hit me up. I found the perfect solution for mine. A little unorthodox? Maybe. But it works — and that’s really all that matters.

So that’s the catch up, until next time!

xx-Estther