More fall updates, comfort shows, a shared jacket, a messy desk
BFFs for the win!
Greetings.
I’m writing this from my bed today, which is where I’ve spent most of the week due to being sick. I slept through most of that time in a DayQuil/NyQuil-induced haze, occasionally gaining enough consciousness to comfort-watch episodes of Gilmore Girls for at least the 36th time.
I’m not back to 100%, but I am feeling much better. Seems like there’s a lot of sickness going around, so I hope you are staying as healthy as you can.
A lot has happened in the world since my previous newsletter — It seems like much longer than a couple weeks. And since this newsletter is called Paper Crane Feelings, I want to offer an ear if you are having a lot of feelings and want someone to talk to. Seriously, please reply to this email so I can get in touch with you.
Current Projects
Snail Mail Club updates.
Huge thanks as always to SMC members. You are truly wonderful!
I realized I forgot to mention last time that SMC members voted on the Fall stamp. Autumn Colors was the clear winner. Thanks again for your input!
Fall. Illustrations for the Fall zine are almost completely done. I was going through quite a creative crisis — specifically, I was doing these really awesome sketches, but when it came time to go over them in ink, they lost everything I loved about them.
I finally realized I needed to try bringing the process of the sketches into the final drawings. I started over and knocked out all of the illustrations in a few days. Trying out a new style was scary, but I was much happier with the results. I hope you will enjoy them, too.
Now that I’m feeling better, I am trying to finish up the cover design this weekend. I am considering sending the zines without the usual extra bookmark and possibly stickers, and either finishing and mailing those separately or sending them with the winter mailing. I appreciate everyone’s patience, but I really want to get these sent out and start on the next project!
What is Snail Mail Club? SMC members receive unique handmade cards four times per year that are inspired by the seasons. Additional items are included in every release such as stickers, bookmarks, and other surprises. If you aren’t already a member, you can sign up through Ko-fi HERE!
New journal entries.
Before I got sick, I wrote about a shared jacket (er, puffy vest) that has kept two of our dogs warm.
Luna.
Luna is still doing well, and she has been a wonderful snuggly companion while I’ve been sick. It finally cooled off here and we actually got a ton of snow last week, so she’s been wearing her jacket for our early morning walks.
Recent Inspirations.
Watching.
Comfort movies or shows. Whatever that is for you, I cannot recommend enough how much of a comfort it can be to re-watch your favorite movie or TV series for the millionth time, especially when you are feeling overwhelmed.
Agatha All Along (2024). I was so pleasantly surprised by this Marvel series on Disney+. I will watch just about anything about witches, but I laughed and, of course, I cried. My partner, Josh, enjoyed it, as well.
Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003). Josh and I re-watched the whole trilogy one day recently. No matter how many times I’ve seen these, the same parts make me cry every time. (“My brother. My captain. My king,” anyone?) And it makes me think about that hot take that Samwise is actually the hero of the series. But I believe it is pretty clear that the friendship bond between Frodo and Sam is the true hero. BFFs for the win.
Reading.
Midnight Sun (2020). Stephenie Meyer’s companion novel to Twilight, written from Edward’s point of view. I’ve had this on hold through the library for a while and it finally became available. I’ll let you know how it goes.
In conclusion.
I hope each of you has a support system to help hold you when things are tough. And that you take advantage of a comforting movie, album, or book when you need it.
I also hope you will find some joy and comfort in these Twilight zines that with any luck will be heading to mailboxes soon.
Love,
Becky // Dear Chizuko