Yup. I know. I missed last week’s newsletter. It was bound to happen. 

My husband left town for 5 days, life got a little extra busy around here, and by the time I came up for air, the week was over. Sigh. 

I could’ve spent a bunch of time feeling guilty about it, but instead I decided to just pick up where I left off… and feel just a little bit guilty about it. 🫤

We do this to ourselves way too often.

We miss a workout, don’t sew for a few weeks/months, neglect the garden, or fall behind on something else we enjoy and we immediately feel like we’ve failed or have to start all over.

Sew clothes with me

But life happens.

Sometimes we pause because something else needs our attention. That doesn’t erase the progress we’ve already made. We just gotta get right back to it when we can.

Because really… what good does beating yourself up about it do?

Nothing really.

So here I am, picking up where I left off with another email newsletter! I have plenty to catch you up on this week, friend.  


CRAFTY GEMINI WORK

We just released two new individual bag making courses! These are in the Mystery Mini Bag Club #3 series of projects but they are now available for signups separately. 

  1. The Study Tote Bag: a great tote with 4 pockets! Perfect for storing a laptop, tablet, notebooks, planner, etc.
  2. Gemini Twin Zipper Pouch: Features two separate zipper compartments and a handle. It’s my favorite for markers, pens, watercolor brushes and small supplies.
Two tote bags laying on table
Hand holding a blue zippered pouch

WHATNOT SHOPPING SHOWS

My LIVE auction selling shows on Whatnot have been going great! Thank you to everyone who shops with us on there.

I cut 132 yards of fabric this morning so, if you shopped with me last night your order is already on the way to you!  See below.

I’m hosting another show tonight at 8:00pm EDT. 

To sign up (and get a $25 shopping credit) click here: https://www.whatnot.com/invite/craftygemini

Find your next project

Hope you can join us tonight. Here is the direct link to the show: https://www.whatnot.com/s/o14PsFoI

Two side by side photos one showing dozens of cuts of fabric on a table ready for live selling and one with bolts of fabric with "shop quilting cottons"

COMMUNITY SERVICE

With the teens in school and my husband out of town I taught the craft classes by myself this past week. Afterschool sessions with kids ranging in age from 6 years old to 13. And then the monthly craft class for senior citizens. Everyone made sublimation lip balm holder keychains and it was a hit! 

Learn more about the work we do at: Crafty Gemini Youth Development, Inc.

Two photos side by side showing crafty afterschool class and a room of senior citizens waving after a craft class

IN THE GARDEN

We are still in full blown pepper season here with all the rain and heat. 

Tons of shishito, santa fe grande, sweet ise, jalapeño and scotch bonnet peppers. I just fed my sourdough starter again this afternoon because jalapeño cheddar sourdough bread is calling my name! 

I also harvested the first of the auyama (West Indian Pumpkin), planted 150 sunflowers and about 50 zinnia plants this week. Fall floral bouquets coming right up!

Three photos of Vanessa holding fresh garden harvest

This Week’s Favorite

This week my favorite thing I made was another viral journal cover! Remember last email I mentioned it. Well I had a few friends come over to make one and my new one looks so much better than the “prototype.” Check out the pics below to see the ones we made during our Craft Night! They came out so cute!!

The next morning we went to a Paper World Expo in Orlando and shopped for journals, stickers and cute washi tapes. 

There are so many cute journal cover tutorials on Instagram! Just type in “viral journal cover” and you’ll see what I mean.

Two photos one of cute DIY notebook covers and one of women crafting around a table
Two photos of from Paper World Stationary Expo. One of Vanessa taking a selfie in front of the expo sign. One of a full conference market

And that’s just the highlights from this week. You know me… there’s always about 12 other things I’m doing any given week. 😂

Thanks for hanging out with me for a little while. I really do enjoy putting these little pieces of life into an email and sharing them with you. I hope you’re enjoying coming along for the ride, too.

Until next week…

vanessa signature

Find your next project in the Crafty Gemini Shop.

Sign up here for the Crafty Gemini Newsletter.

Learn more about the work we do at: Crafty Gemini Youth Development, Inc. 

Learn with Me

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