Pretzel bites, a wood joke, and launch prep
Last week’s newsletter spilled the tea: The Wonder Collection officially launches October 21.
It’s called The Wonder Collection because it celebrates all the things we loved as kids… and, let’s be real, still adore as adults. Dinosaurs? Space? Sports? Butterflies? Say less.
If you’re reading this - congrats! You’re on the list to get all the goods for the launch. 🎉
When the Wonder Collection goes live, so will my biggest shop sale of the year. The only way to get the code? Right here, in this inbox.
So if your art-loving bestie has been side-eyeing the collection too, do her a favor and forward this link. Only subscribers get the secret passcode.
This sale will be bigger than Black Friday—so you can shop early, snag your favorites, and then coast into the holidays with that smug “I’m already done” feeling. I’m fully embracing early-bird energy this year. 🐦✨
Inside My Studio
My desktop currently looks like a beautiful chaos of mockups and color tweaks - but we’re getting so close to the finish line.
I’ve been finalizing framed mockups of each piece, adjusting hues until everything feels just right, and prepping test prints to make sure they’re perfect in person.
You’ll see sports, dinosaurs, space, butterflies, and as a little *surprise bonus* a sketch I did on a trip to Mexico City. (Coffee and donuts, because of course.)
Behind the scenes, I registered copyrights, built the new collection page on my site, and tackled a mountain of unglamorous-yet-essential admin tasks. Not exactly Instagram-worthy… but very necessary for a smooth launch.
This week I’m deep in SEO mode, making sure you can find and pair pieces with the ease of stirring up a Friday-night martini. 🍸 Stirred, not shaken and with extra blue-cheese stuffed olives.
Oh, and I’m entering the Golden Coil fall contest because, yes, I will always be weak for a good indigo pattern.
What I'm Cooking
Still going strong with Pinch of Yum’s meal plan, and while I haven’t made every dish, it’s been a total lifesaver during busy September weeks.
We hosted a spur-of-the-moment German-themed dinner with friends, and it was honestly one of my favorite nights in a while. I made soft pretzel bites (shockingly easy for homemade pretzels and barely any rise time!) and schnitzel with roasted potatoes. Our friends brought beer cheese, a cozy squash salad, apple strudel, and a charcuterie board big enough to feed a small village.
As for this week? I’m keeping it simple. National Night Out is coming up, and you better believe I’ll be showing up to the neighbors with pre-packed Rice Krispie treats. I’ve got a launch to prep - no time to play Martha Stewart this week!
Creative Sparks
I’m halfway through my Paint Week classes and having so much fun. There’s something so freeing about painting without worrying about the end result.
Not everything has turned out how I envisioned (the ink colors didn’t exactly vibe with my watercolor palette), but it’s a nice reminder that creative play doesn’t have to be perfect.
The instructor uses the dreamiest Japanese-made palette that I’m now so tempted to buy. I keep saying I’ll “only buy what I need,” but my art supply store’s cart… tells another story. If a sale happens to hit, I’ll be ready.
What I'm Reading
Romance readers, assemble. I devoured Ali Hazelwood’s new novella and the entire connected series from five other authors. Christina Lauren’s book was my favorite (naturally), but even the ones that didn’t fully hit still kept me entertained.
Also: Julie Soto’s Not Another Love Song totally surprised me. I’ll admit - I judged that book by its cover (guilty), but it was such a heartfelt, joyful read. Heavy on the musical references, but in a charming cheesy way.
I’m still on the waitlist for The Artist’s Way (she’ll have her moment eventually), and I just cracked open Katherine Center’s newest novel for the coziest fall read.
Before spooky season slips away entirely, I need a good thriller—send me your faves!
Oh, and! I snagged tickets to Samin Nosrat’s Good Things book tour. If I can get it signed, I may actually cry. Her Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat cookbook changed the way I cook, and it feels like such full-circle magic to see her in person.
Coming Up...
Mark your calendars for October 21: I’m finalizing test prints, double-checking colors, and doing everything short of bribing the internet gods to keep my site from crashing on launch day (knocks on wood… wink, Taylor).
Once The Wonder Collection is out in the world, I’m hoping to sneak in a Christmas tablecloth design before the holidays. Will it happen? TBD. But I’m going to try my hardest after this collection debuts.
Don’t forget to share this newsletter with a friend who wants to snag new art on October 21st!
<3
Katie
