The retreat, the refresh, and what’s coming in 2026
November 7, 2025
A direct line from my art table to your inbox—where creativity, connection, and a little chaos collide.
So let’s get into it, shall we? Here’s what I’ve been up to since we last chatted→
Let me take you back to the last week of September. This was a scheduled break from my business. We had the pleasure of going to Spain with good friends — the first time in a couple of years that I truly shut off my “business brain” and stepped away. I didn’t realize how much I needed it until I was there!
Of course, the thing about truly stopping is that it can be so hard to get going again 😅. There’s something about momentum — even when it’s slow — that keeps you trekking forward. Taking that pause made me really reflect on the direction I was headed. Was I moving just because I felt like I should be, or was there actual purpose behind it? It’s so easy to get caught up in progress for progress’s sake, without pausing to ask if that progress is even taking you where you want to go.
When I got back from vacation, I was dealing with a bit of jet lag and a small cold I picked up while traveling… but there wasn’t much time to rest. We had family visiting from out of town, and I was already gearing up for another adventure. This time, I was staying stateside and headed to Oregon — all my energy shifted to prep mode. It was time to teach my very first in-person, four-day retreat (alongside my good friend and talented artist, Andrea Chebeleu).
I flew in early so we could get the space and class kits prepped. We managed to sneak in a little couch lounging, TV binging, and stitching, too. It’s such a gift when your collaboration partner is also a friend you actually want to hang out with! (And of course, I got the idea to start a new stitching project while I was there — because why not add one more thing to the list? 🤣) See photo of my stitched bowl — this might have to become a future class 🤔. I’ve since made two more and am working on a colorful one right now!
Getting back on track — soon it was the day before the retreat, and our 13 students were arriving for our informal “meet and greet” that evening. It was really our way of easing the anxiety that comes with doing something new and meeting new people — the perfect way to break the ice.
What followed were the most magical four days — full of laughter, art-making, and memories to last a lifetime. One special attendee said, “In a grey world, I felt like I saw color again for a few days.”
(Everyone's incredible projects from the retreat)
You better believe this whetted my appetite for teaching in person and experiencing the full retreat magic again! Hopefully more coming next year 🥰
(The smiles say it all - October 2025 Retreat Among the Trees with BB + Andrea)
Once the retreat was over, I was filled with so many creative new ideas — but I was also tired. Traveling and teaching took their toll (I’d 1000% do it again — totally worth it). But more than that, I was left feeling a bit stuck. My day-to-day rhythm and the flow of maintaining and growing my online business had been interrupted, and I felt like I needed clarity before plowing ahead. I wanted to make sure my next steps aligned with my bigger vision.
It can be hard to sit in that stillness — especially when you’ve realized that, in your head, you’ve equated busyness and productivity with value. I’m actively trying to break that thought pattern that feels hardwired at this point — reminding myself that growth happens in the quiet moments, too, not just in the flurry of movement.
Before I left for my trip back in September, I had started a major studio refresh — reorganizing and taking steps to make my space more usable and aligned with the way I like to work. (See my email from September if you missed the first part!) After sleeping for what felt like an entire week — honestly, I was probably asleep more than awake — I decided to dig back in. Little by little, so I wouldn’t overwhelm myself. This type of task has always been a high source of anxiety for me, so I knew I had to tackle it with care.
Before I left for my trip back in September, I had started a major studio refresh — reorganizing and taking steps to make my space more usable and aligned with the way I like to work. (See my email from September if you missed the first part!) After sleeping for what felt like an entire week — honestly, I was probably asleep more than awake — I decided to dig back in. Little by little, so I wouldn’t overwhelm myself. This type of task has always been a high source of anxiety for me, so I knew I had to tackle it with care.Soon, an idea sparked for how I wanted the shelves to be built, and I was off and running. With the help of my always supportive (and very handy) husband, we started bringing the vision to life. I was determined. It also helped that we had exactly one free day to work before he started his shifts for the week and then left on a trip — there’s just something about a deadline that lights my pants on fire!
The shelves went up exactly one week ago today, and I’m so proud of the progress I’ve made. There’s still a lot to do, but for the most part, everything is in its new home. The shelves will need a coat of paint at some point this winter, but getting them installed was the priority so I could get my studio usable again. Now I can tackle each shelf individually as I have time — much easier now that everything’s sorted into categories.
(Stay tuned — I plan to write a blog post all about how I tackled this massive project and fought my perfectionism along the way. I'll also share photos and a studio walkthrough soon! For now check out the photo of my new favorite area, my journal shelves 🩷)
All of that leads me to today — a very exciting day! I’m kicking off filming for the upcoming 3rd Annual BB Bash😍. I’m not quite to the prompts yet, but I’m planning a few YouTube videos to share in the lead-up to the event.
If you’re new around here, the BB Bash is a free 14-day interactive experience designed to inspire, motivate, and connect mixed media artists and creatives of all levels. Nearly 10,000 artists joined me this year! It’s more than just an art challenge — it’s a guided experience blending live calls, actionable exercises, pre-recorded tutorials, and a supportive community.
It may be a little early to sign up for the BB Bash, but it’s definitely not too early to mark your calendars — February 1–14, 2026!
It was so good catching up with you! Talk again next week 🩷 xxBB
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