Miller July 2026 Monthly Update
- Michelle
- Aug 6
- 8 min read
This month went...normal speed?
For the past almost 3 years I started my blog posts with the month going by so fast...so what changed?
Well a few things. 1) slowing down 2) dropping things that don't need to be done 3) not stressing about things that need to be done but cannot be completed and 4) allowing more time of silence and slow, intentional tasks.
So the first part is allowing the mind to be present. Stop letting it lead you to what needs to be done, or what has already been done. More time just sitting where you are, taking in the senses of what is actually around you. Knowing that this moment may or may not ever happen again. You know the saying every moment could be your last? It doesn't always mean your life. It could mean the way your life is right now. Something could drastically change your lifestyle taking this common moment you may currently have. Life changes so fast we don't see the smallest transitions happening with every breath we take.
Then the second is stop putting importance on tasks that do not have an immediate result or required for a continuous investment (i.e. exercise that doesn't show results in a week but requires weeks to months of consistency), then consider how much of a burden it is rather than something bringing benefits. Some tasks you may think you do for entertainment or relaxing...may be causing more issues with the amount of time or importance you are placing on it. Such as a football game you are excited to see....don't push everything aside to rush to see it right when it starts. That is SELF-INFLICTED rushing. We have technology to record ahead of time or even go back to other recordings to catch up on what was missed. Take a deep breath, calm your heart and breathing to be level, and then continue. Though you may love and enjoy the game...it does not provide an investment in your life. (Even with bets...whether you are watching or not does not influence the results so no matter when you view the game does not change your chance of winning).
Third is not stressing about things that need to be done but have valid and reasonable barriers preventing its completion. This would include physical injuries that put life on halt. For example, I twisted my ankle pretty badly and after 2 weeks, still struggling to walk properly. There were many things I needed to do and far more wanted to do. For two solid days all I could do was sit in bed. Having to accept that all the tasks I had planned...even months ago for this open week...had shifted suddenly. But I couldn't drive so why stress about going to the locations I thought I was going to go to? It can wait a week or two until my ankle heals. Let that go for the time being. The body needs to heal, so let it heal.
Fourth would be allowing time for silence and stillness. During tasks John and I used to watch YouTube in the background. Absorbing an immense amount of information a day. Except when it came to bed time, there was so much our brains were holding onto that it couldn't process anything until we were ready to sleep...which also kept us from sleeping with a vicious circle forming. Since we couldn't sleep we would watch more videos. Lately we have been working on crafts with the silence creating peaceful atmosphere. Occasionally, we still have conversations together when something pops up, but otherwise we are focusing on what we are doing with our hands. If there is too much on your mind where it's spinning with ideas and thoughts to not let your mind rest...then it's time to draw or write it all out. Ramble it all out with little care on grammar or spelling and let it have a place to be. Your mind needs rest.
With that I have noticed a significant amount of peace and calm. I'd like more but this start has been a great step.
So because of this, both John and I have been creating an amazing amount of art in July!
John has completed his set of 3 large papercut artworks. Ok well one is almost done but close enough to July completed art. Each artwork is named: Birth, Death, and Rebirth respectively.
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We moved into our new Art Studio at Who Gives a SCRAP! We are now Studio 12 and would love for you to stop by and see how we have everything set up. There are a lot of projects going on at the same time so plenty of things to see and maybe a few things to make when you stop by.
Speaking of which, we have been decorating and John wanted to make a mural on one of the walls. So he also completed his large Mural in our studio last week! Here is the latest photos of how our studio currently:
John's been creating far more than normal. Like when we are making ATCs and I tend to make a few during his one card? Now he's starting to make about 3-5 every time we sit to create. They are still adorable with lots of work put into each. So he's become more confident in what he creates to try more!
Now with my art...it's been quite a bit more with my mass production of art hitting overdrive to prepare for the Trade Board refreshes and the upcoming TRE Art Show coming up. These are still not all the ones I made.
I'm also still working on my Handmade Paper Embroidery Art with another 60 waiting to be sewn together. So I'm approaching 300 completed at the beginning of August.
I have a few Art Classes up on the calendar if you are interested in joining and having fun crafting with us! Last month we were able to have our first which was creating Mini Top Hats! We had a lot of fun and found a lot of joy seeing people wear their hats home. One little girl left with two happily placed on her head which was so adorable.
Sherlock is doing well. She's been a bit grumpy but then after her Dental appointment She's been a lot more affectionate since snuggling with John. We had been busy and I had been unable to do much let alone play with her, John was busy taking care of me...so she felt a little left out. When she got back home, she was stoned out of her gourd and it was hilarious. Sherlock would take a bite of food then just freeze for a minute or two just processing what was going on. Very cute and she's much happier now that that is all over.
Anyways I'm working on the website again. There is a lot that needs to be changed and updated now that we are knowing which niche we are settling into. But that may not be released until 2027. I don't want to stress myself out in having to get it all done. Especially not until winter when I'm forced to stay mostly indoors anyway. So keep an eye out end of this year or beginning of next year for our next adjustment!
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This past month we were able to create with friends. Experimented with Gelli prints, ATCs, ACEOs, and more. Last month's events was a little crazy with adjustments needing to be made. With my ankle injured so badly it's still hurting 3 weeks later...many places or tasks we were going to do had to be pushed and rearranged. Next month will be our last summer month scheduling and will be adjusting to our winter schedule.
We do not plan to be out before 11am. We are going to prioritize our mornings so that we aren't shocked awake by stress at 2am in the morning. That's mostly me but for both of us, we lose a lot of energy if we have to jump into heading out right away. If we are able to have a slow morning to wake up and be ourselves, we can take on the rest of the day much better. Especially giving us some time to slowly get into work before heading out to get other work done!
Next month I have classes at Who Gives a SCRAP! They will be the last TWO weeks of August! Either sign up on our website or let us know you'll be attending and pay when you arrive. Right now we are trying to figure out how to work the sign up portion of our website. The top link is to the Who Gives a SCRAP calendar. Bottom is our page where you can sign up to join!
With this next month we are going to try hosting a quarterly or monthly craft get-together for friends and people we would like to be as friends. For those who we have crafted with a couple times, we are hoping to invite over for a 4 hour snack and craft event at our place! Not sure how many I can invite, our place isn't large but we aren't expecting people to stay the full 4 hours but come and go for an hour or so at a time. More on that later.
We want to craft more and craft more with friends. So trying to incorporate more opportunities for that to happen. We are a part of another crafting ATC group hosted by our friend Jim! Another ATC group hoping to grow and meet monthly at East Library from 1-4pm in room F1. If you'd like to sit and craft with other people, chat and learn while working on affordable and achievable artwork...this group is or you! (Plus it's FREE!)
Message us if you'd like more information!
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Also this past month we have come across a new business we would love to share and encourage you visit: Happy Time Donuts by Rockrimmon, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Highly recommend stopping by, tho not on a Monday or Tuesdays as those are their closed days. Prices are affordable for specialty donuts and the flavorings are airy and light. Nothing heavy or in-your-face intensity. If you aren't adventurous, still their plain glaze or Coffee Cake donuts are the TOP choice from us! They also change their flavors every month or was it quarterly? Either way, you'll want to stop by monthly to get your fix. IF you have another event coming up, please consider ordering from them!
Oh and you'll want to show up before noon as their donuts sell out FAST! We showed up at like 9am and all of their plain glaze were already gone. So keep that in mind~
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That's all I have for now. The front page of our website should have the updated schedule of what and where we will be at. So make sure to check that when you need to know what's up! Or shoot us an email or text for direct feedback.
Well I'm off to go work on things or sleep. I've been sleeping a lot lately....
....depression may be hitting. Keep messages sending through John please!
See you next month!
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