Inside: my no-stress dinner menu & behind-the-scenes sewing fails
Hi friend,
Summer sewing, painting, scanning, pattern-making… it’s been a creative whirlwind in my studio lately.
And guess what? I did it.
I officially crossed off my New Year’s resolution—hosting a dinner party on a tablecloth I designed! And now? I already have visions of holiday tablecloths swirling in my head (because yes, July hits and my brain instantly goes from “happy 4th!” to “happy holidays!!” ).
The truth is, as a small biz owner, the second half of the year moves FAST. Holiday collections, sale prep, new product launches—whew! When August hits I usually feel behind for the holiday season.
So tell me: When do you start your holiday shopping?
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October (early birds unite!)
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Early November (love a little pre-Black Friday sneak peek)
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Black Friday weekend (bring on the deals)
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December (I live for the holiday hustle + bustle!)
Pick your favorite shopping time and let me know in the comments below — I'm mapping out this year’s promotions based on your shopping style!
Inside My Studio
I can’t believe I actually made the tablecloth!
Thanks to an early fabric delivery, I had a tiny bit of breathing room…and I decided to go all in. Instead of just cutting a rectangle and calling it done, I set out to sew it for real (despite knowing zip, zero, zilch about sewing).
Armed with YouTube, my vintage sewing machine, and sheer determination, I learned to make mitered corners. Bonnie even kept my test hemmed square as a Barbie blanket!
Now—was it perfect? Absolutely not. I made every mistake possible (left the presser foot up, tangled thread, botched corners). But you know what? It’s done. And it’s beautiful in its imperfect, joyful way.
Seeing that tablecloth draped over the dinner table filled me with pride. I achieved the resolution I set in January—and now I’m dreaming up a holiday version. It will be an extra long custom tablecloth so I can fit it over the dining room table’s extended sections for our big family meal.
Looking to dress up your own late-summer dinner party? You can shop the Farmer’s Market Tomato Toss fabric on Spoonflower:
- Fabric (for the DIY-er), available in extra-wide
- Tablecloth, a done-for-you experience, or runner
- Napkins
- Placemats
What I’m Cooking
Here’s the full menu from my dinner party (on said tablecloth!):
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Samin Nosrat’s Buttermilk Chicken — a no-fail favorite
- Her Panzanella Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette — fresh, bright, and perfect for summer (Samin herself recommends it in her book to pair with the chicken), similar recipe here
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Simple Roasted Okra from the Farmers Market — salty, crispy, and unfussy, using Defined Dish’s method to cook it
- Brownies + Ice Cream — because the peaches weren’t quite ready for the olive oil cake I planned to make, but honestly…no regrets.
You can read all about how to make it happen on a weeknight in this post here!
Later in the week, those Peach Truck peaches ripened beautifully. I made pork tacos with peach salsa that were chef’s kiss. I’ve been eating 2+ peaches a day and plan to freeze any extras for cobbler or boozy slushies later.
What’s Inspiring Me
This book I’m reading has been a mindset shift in the best way: 10x is Easier than 2x.
The premise? It’s actually easier to make a huge leap forward than to just slightly improve something. The clarity needed for a 10x leap helps you ditch distractions and get laser-focused.
The same amount of clear, focused effort can move you 10x versus staying stuck using scattered effort at 2x.
One chapter really hit me: it’s about how we tend to compare where we are to where we think we should be—and that gap can keep us stuck. Instead, we should focus on the progress we’ve made and the bold, clear steps toward our biggest goals.
By comparing our present to our past, we can rejoice in progress. If we stay in the gap, comparing our present to future expectations, it’s a recipe for disappointment.
This is true for most, I’ve decided. Art practice is a good example - always look at the progress you’ve made versus wondering why your current drawing isn’t quite where you want it to be.
(Side note: Highly recommend this one! I’m listening to the audiobook version as I drive)
What I’m Reading
📚 Manacled by SenLinYu
I’m about 25% through this very long Kindle read (it’s intense and heavy—I had to pause).
📚 The Good Part by Sophie Cousens
Currently reading for something lighter and it’s been delightful! Exactly what I needed.
What’s Coming Next
I’m working on a new playful series—think sports-themed elements in the same vibe as Bonnie’s safari jungle animal collection.
My first version of the sports illustration felt too stiff—like a slicked-back ballerina bun when I really wanted messy, carefree beach waves. I redrew it using thick markers and loose brushwork, and now it feels just right—playful, bold, and FUN.
Next up: butterflies + flowers, and (by popular demand) a dinosaur version. I’ll work on my pronunciation of diplodocus.
P.S. You may have seen in your inbox—I’m donating 100% of proceeds from my Cobalt to Sap Green piece to Texas Hill Country flood relief efforts. If you’d like to help, you can grab the print here. I’ll process all proceeds at the end of this week. Let me know if anyone is matching donations so we can increase our impact!
