Hello! Happy Monday! I spent the weekend in my newly (slightly) re-organized studio (thanks Coach, for assembling IKEA things!). My mission was to take a few older pieces in my line and give them a little freshen up to see how they can find a new space in the world. It was really fun to take a look back and see how my style and color pallet and eye has changed in 10 years, but how my voice has not that much. I still really mean what I say, and said, and I look at these older pieces, and think of whose story they were telling then, and what they mean to me now, and they seem new again.
This piece was originally made (9 years ago) for a friend's sister who was going through a massive life change. She was a very important psychotherapist and had loads of clients, made great money and had more education than you could shake a stick at, but after a stint moonlighting as a make-up artist for (I think) a theater company, she was hooked! She decided to leave her job, her title and her professional life as she knew it and start the process of becoming a make-up artist.
I was so bowled over by this at the time. This risk. This adventure, this concept that you could just….do what you loved. Even though I was in the middle of doing it myself (little did I know), I was simultaneously terrified by her choice and completely impressed. This woman had you-know-whats! And here was her sister, cheering her on. That was just as impressive.
When you are doing something totally nuts, you need someone who knows that but believes in you enough to never let you believe it.
Here is the original piece (still available in our line as a card):
When I re-approached this one, I thought about what it meant to me now. How our minds are so much more available for this type of thinking, but still many of us don't trust the process. This is not to say that we should all quit our day jobs to stay home and craft, or bake or write or juggle. But we should definitely operate in our full space. Take up our full 360 degrees. We should absolutely make time in our lives for the pursuit and execution of the things we love to do. The things we need to do, the activities or service or energy that we need to put into the world. And that is how we should talk about what we “do”.
We are not our jobs, but we are what we do. And what we do, matters.
What do you think? Before? After? Somewhere in between??
More tomorrow…Oh, and P.S.: 'big' Marmalade opens in 3 days!!! I am freaking out!
xoxo
LOVE the new look, Leigh! Also LOVE LOVE the new “french” card! Good luck with Big Marmalade on Friday…I’m sure it is fabulous…can’t wait to see pictures:)
As someone who left her corporate job to pursue a site all about parties/entertaining – I LOVE THIS! It means so much to be able to get up every day and do what I LOVE! I feel alive 🙂 Definitely going to see if this is available as a card or print for my office!
I’ve got to tell you…I’ve sent that card to so many fabulous ladies over the years. I’ve always loved the message. The new design is darn-right lovely. Perfect message+new colors and designs=card magic!
yummy re-do. (cartwheel!)
oh, sweetie, it’s WONDERFUL! i like the evolution in your “visual” work, but how true you stay to your philosophy. you are teeming with life lessons and wisdom. can’t wait to pick up a dozen of this redo. xoxo
PS: i especially like how you draw yarn. (it’s my new christmas chicken.)
Pulled out my laptop to work on my resume tonight. Read this first. Funny how that works. Oh and “We are what we do” is also a quote from Donald Miller’s brillant new book, “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years”. I recommend. And prepare to be armed with a highlighter.
Bravo!
i love this.
new to you. am loving what i see so far.
found you in a local gift shop. so exciting!
post script: i like the redo. the softer colors are perfect.
love this. anytime i have a day that is gloomy, i come to your website and look at the cards and wall hangings- they always make me feel so inspired and that i can do anything. great as always! 🙂
I just recieved the old design from by best friend a couple weeks ago (who is also a huge Curly Girl Fan) and it meant so much to me. It sits right above my kitchen sink as enoucragement as I finish my last term of graduate school, which was a career change that began 5 years ago and has involved 2 moves cross country.
Oh yes! I agree with all, loved the old one, but I love the new one even more!!
Also a great encouragement today for my first day back at the last term of classes!
love the vintage softer feel of the re-do! As always beautiful!
Love the new. Bright & fresh.
Loved the old one – have given it many times – and love, love the new one. As life has presented me some new options recently, this cards becomes even more timely! Thanks!
I absolutely love and resonate with the words on this one… I have loved it from the beginning and love the fresh updated look!
I have given this card to many a wonderful friend and even to myself just to remind my inner-self to really remember who we are at our core is what we love and are designed for…and that truly is what we do. (Actions come from the heart.)
Thank you!
Oh, I need this card! When will it be available?
something about the new design – caught my attention. Brighter? the tool box? not sure why it draws me in – LOVE LOVE
I am currently sitting at my laptop that has this ‘skin’ on it. I get comments and compliments on it all the time. The old version is still perfect for me and my personality. I like the new version, but LOVE the whimsy of the original. But above all, I am a HUGE Curly Girl Fan!
I have this card, framed, and sitting on my bedside table. I need to challenge myself to make those changes that will allow me to make the most out of my talents and really get what I want out of life. But I wake up and see your words of wisdom and go to sleep and think about these words that are so true and ask me to really shake things up in my life! Love the redesign but the message, as powerful as it is, remains the same!!