5 Must have books for 2019!

As we slide into the new year here is Detroit Craft Academy’s Reading list for the upcoming year!

#1 Block Print Magic!

Emily Louis Howard of the Diggiest Girl is out with her first book!

“Block Print Magic is an essential guide to the techniques of linoleum block printing, including 17 captivating step-by-step projects and the works and insights of talented printmakers for inspiration and visual demonstration. “

Emily was featured back on Episode # 28. If you missed that one check it out here:

EPISODE #28 EMILY LOUISE HOWARD OF THE DIGGINGEST GIRL

#2 The Sisiter Pie Cook Book

Get in some inspiration for whipping up some tasty treats with Lisa Ludwinski of sister pie!

“A bursting-with-personality cookbook from Sister Pie, the boutique bakery that’s making Detroit more delicious every day.”

Lisa was featured on episode #20 tune in to hear more from lisa:

Episode #20 LISA LUDWINSKI OF SISTER PIE

#3 Dare to Lead

I can not get enough of Brene Brown, her new book dare to lead is a great look into vulnerability as leader and how you must be venerable to effectively lead. This is not just for bosses either! “I define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential.”

If you are not familiar with Brene Brown I highly suggest picking up her books!

#4 How to be a Fashion Designer

This one is not only for the kids, the beautiful illustration and DIY projects are sure to spruce up anyone’s wardrobe!

Lesley is a fashion designer, fashion blogger and author from NYC. I got the pleasure of interviewing her back on episode #21

EPISODE #21 LESLEY WARE

#5 Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be

This is a quick read that will surely get you inspired to live your best life. Also Rachel is so funny. This is a new Author on my radar and I LOVE her! She also has a new book coming out that you can pre order ” Girl, Stop apologizing” which I will also link below…

As the founder of the lifestyle website TheChicSite.com and CEO of her own media company, Rachel Hollis developed an immense online community by sharing tips for better living while fearlessly revealing the messiness of her own life. Now, in this challenging and inspiring new book, Rachel exposes the twenty lies and misconceptions that too often hold us back from living joyfully and productively, lies we’ve told ourselves so often we don’t even hear them anymore.

 

 

WHAT’S ON YOUR READING LIST? Leave in the comments below.

Episode # 29 Jessica Sheeran of Cool Critters

On today’s Episode we talk with Jessica Sheeran. Jessica is an artist, graphic, designer, and the creator behind Cool critters.

Here is a link to the show:

And here are some of the cute adorable things that jessica makes and some links to check her out! 🙂

Here is a link to her etsy shop:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoolCritters

Here is a link to her facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/shopcoolcritters/

Episode #28 Emily Louise Howard The Diggingest Girl

On today’s episode of Detroit Craft Academy we talk with Emily Louise Howard of the Diggingest Girl. Emily is a bad ass print maker and as I discovered on the show a new author of a up and coming book!

 

 

You can check out Emily’s site here:

https://www.thediggingestgirl.com/

You can find here book and pre-order it here:

 

 

 

The power of journaling.

I used to shutter every time I would hear someone talk about journaling. It made me think about being a child and having my older cousins tease me about having a diary.  I’d roll my eyes and say “yeah what ever.”  Truth is I wasn’t able to stand the idea of being alone with my thoughts. Now, I have a little perspective on it and realize how important it is to have a place where you can check in with yourself.

I started journaling about ten years ago. I don’t always do it, and there have been times that I have fallen out of the habit, but ever since I started my own business it has become a super important thing that I do (almost) daily so that I can check in with myself, my goals, and have a space to look back and stay aware of goals I want to achieve. We all know that to-do list that gets written over and over again until that one thing on the list just kinda disappears into the universe? Yeah, what ever happened to that job, that person, that email?

Here are 5 things that I have learned while journaling, and some questions you can ask yourself to start your journaling journey.

1. Journaling gives you freedom to talk freely. In today’s world we can’t go to the bathroom without a tweet, check-in, like, heart or post. I’m gonna age myself here but stay with me… when I was growing up my internet was magazines or the library. I didn’t have to worry about being watched all the time and when I responded to a friend’s comment I didn’t have to worry about trolls. Heck back then the only trolls I had were neon troll dolls with gemstone belly buttons.  In an era where everyone wants to have their own safe space, your journal will always be there for you, always listen, and won’t judge you.
2. It’s a great way to see how we have grown. After a certain age we stop growing up in inches but that doesn’t mean we stop growing. A journal can help measure personal growth. Looking back at where I was two years ago in my old journals I am so happy with where I am today.  Without having a journal I wouldn’t have been able to work that thought into my head and seen my personal growth.
3. When we check in with ourselves we keep our goals and intentions always forward in our minds. Because of this we are more likely to seek out activities or actionable tasks that direct us towards our goals. One of my current goals is that I’m trying to pay off my student loan debt (that’s a big pill to swallow.) Sometimes it’s easy to loose site of that goal when I get a payday. Yes I’d much rather spend that “extra” $100 on a new pair of shoes, but every morning by checking in with myself I can say “I’m working on paying off my debt and every “extra” dollar goes towards paying down those student loans.
4. Journaling allows us to dream freely. Have you ever played the what if game? As an adult I like to play the what if game, but with a positive twist. I call it the possibilities game.  Think of something you’d like to do and then be open to all the possibilities. Example “What if I hired someone to help me run my business? What would that look like? By answering questions to our dreams sometimes we can know the answers to get there.
5. Slows a racing mind. At the end of the night after a long day sometimes I just can’t sleep. On nights like that I grab my journal and just write. I let the ink flow until I get out every last thought that might be weighing on my mind. When I lay down I can sleep sound knowing I won’t miss a thought tucked away in my journal ready to be revisited in the AM.

Are you ready to get started journaling but not sure where to start? Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to start off.

1. What are 5 things you are grateful for today? ( giving gratitude everyday changes your brain.)

2.What goals do you have today? This week? This month? This year?

3. What are you scared of and why?

4. If  you had to walk away from your job right now and switch career paths (money/education being no worry) what would you do?

5. When you where a child, what did you think your life would be like right now? What would you tell your 5 year old self if you could write them a letter?

Remember journal writing is fun, and free, and yours!

Check out these journaling guides for more inspiration: