Reading · Haley’s Newsletter

daffodil illustration by me

Happy first day of May. May and September are solidly my favorite months. The weather is just ::chef’s kiss::. I’m looking forward to gardening and Mother’s day, open windows and Elliott running around outside with the kids from the block.

I’ve been doing my own version of Spring cleaning, it’s slow and by no means a total overhaul, just little projects. I spent yesterday unloading some digital files to dropbox that were slowing down my pattern making. This way I don’t get a “YOU’RE ALMOST OUT OF STORAGE” alert every time I sit down to draw. I’m also trying to come up with a better system of keeping track of all the things I’m making, like you know, naming files instead of all my illustrations in procreate being called “untitled”. I am clearly not a type A person.

I cleaned out my closet and while I didn’t get rid of a bunch of stuff or make a capsule wardrobe, I did keep only the “hell yes” items in my dresser and closet and filed the others away in a bin in the basement to see if I miss them.

I cannot wait to plant my wall pockets, they make me so happy every year. This is a Spring project I really look forward to. Here’s what they looked like last year.

I want to get some adventures on the calendar to enjoy this month! I’ll keep you posted!

Things Worth Sharing:

Folks said I buried the lead last week, so if you missed it, my illustration is going to be on a banner on South Street in June!
A Mother’s day PSA: If you don’t know what to get the mother of your children for mother’s day, might I suggest vacuuming her car out for her. I don’t know any Mom that wouldn’t love someone to clean out her car for her. Honestly, maybe take the kids to the car wash, so she has a free morning, and then come home with her clean car and favorite takeout. You will win mother’s day.
Loved these tips about taking photos of Moms.
Don’t make fun of me, but I want to see Sheep Detective with my family.
Who wants to be on my blacktop group chat?
I went with some of my besties to Platt’s Farm market in Jersey last weekend and bought a bunch of treasures for my garden. They’re cheaper than Lowes, the quality is better and the people running the place are super kind. And they have long horned cows and sheep and ponies.

Every year I get the Square foot garden book out from the library, and then I just end up scattering seeds like a wild animal.
One other hot tip, Lowes has fresh markdowns on plants on Thursday mornings. I pass by one after taking Elliott to school, so I like to swing by and see what treasures they have discounted for my garden in the Spring.
I made this feta salad dressing this week and it was too good.
I dig Viv’s style.
I love these appliqué wall hangings from Tessa Layzelle. The sun reminds me of the t-shirt I made and wear every other day!
Look at these Enzo Mari geese.
I somehow ended up on this live stork feed. The first time I checked it was nesting, and the second it was preening itself and you could see the babies! Then this morning I got to watch them feed the babies!!!!!!!!
I put this book on hold at the library inspired by Austin
Yale’s most popular class, the Science of Wellbeing is available for free online. (via Courtney Carver)
Barbel Dressler is running a free trailing floral pattern workshop starting May 7th. She is a great teacher.