Last week we talked about scraps — letting go of perfection and simply creating with what you already have. But after that episode, and after kicking off Sonnet’s Scrap Challenge on my live, it got me thinking about something deeper.

If creativity feels so freeing… why do we sometimes make it so hard on ourselves?

In this episode of Rescued & Upcycled, I’m sharing 10 things creative women secretly struggle with. These are the quiet thoughts and feelings many of us experience at different points in our creative journey.

We’re talking about things like:

• Comparing ourselves to other creatives
• Saving “special” supplies for the perfect project
• Feeling guilty about investing in our creativity
• Not finishing projects
• Being afraid to ruin something beautiful
• Feeling behind on trends or techniques
• Having too many ideas and not knowing where to start
• Wondering if we’re good enough
• Creating for others instead of ourselves
• And believing we have to do it all

I’ve experienced a little bit of each of these myself, and if you have too, you’re not alone. The truth is, these struggles are often part of the creative journey — and they can actually help us grow, find our own style, and become stronger in our creativity.

So if you’ve ever doubted yourself, compared your work to others, or wondered if you’re doing it “right,” this episode is for you.

Because creativity isn’t about perfection.

It’s about showing up, experimenting, and creating something you love.

Thank you for being here!  

Keep rescuing, keep creating, and keep reimagining.
See you in the next episode. 💛

Join me weekly as I tell my story and start interviewing other creators to hear theirs as well.  I hope to give you a well-rounded space for inspiration, encouragement to create, tips on trying new techniques, give you advice, and overall real talk about owning your own business.  I'll be uploading a new podcast every Thursday so don't forget to hit that subscribe button and turn on your bell notifications, so you don't miss out on an episode!   I hope you've enjoyed Episode 68 of my podcast and see you next week! 

I’m giving YOU more ways to experience the magic of the Makers Box—and I’m launching a brand-new creative community too!

Makers Creative Community, where you’ll find:
• Monthly DIY challenges
• Live styling sessions
• Quarterly Zoom projects
• Early access...VIP perks & behind-the-scenes peeks
• A space to connect, create, and grow with fellow makers

You’ll now have three new ways to join in:
• Makers Box: Paper Lovers – for those who adore vintage-inspired decoupage & rice papers
• Makers Box: Paint Lovers – for the DIYers who live for curated paint collections
• Makers Box: Digital Press – for printable lovers who want instant access to my exclusive designs

And for those who want the FULL creative experience—the original Makers Box still delivers it all:
• 2 Exclusive Roycycled decoupage papers
• 2 Exclusive The Painted Photographer rice papers
• 2 DIY Paints
• 2 Fusion Mineral Paints
• 1 Sweet Pickins Milk Paint
• 1 specialty decoupage napkin
• 5 Exclusive printable digital downloads
All curated and coordinated with love.

Do you have a stash of beautiful scraps you just can’t throw away?

Those leftover pieces of transfers. The bits of decoupage paper you saved because they were too pretty to discard. The fragments of paint inlays, gelli pad prints, and layered papers that inspired you—but are still waiting for their moment.

In this episode of Rescued & Upcycled, I’m sharing how those scraps aren’t leftovers at all… they’re opportunities.

We’ll talk about how scraps can actually free your creativity, removing the pressure that sometimes comes with using a full sheet. I’ll share how I organize my own scraps using clear envelopes from IOD, so I can see and use them easily, along with simple and inspiring project ideas to help you turn those forgotten pieces into something meaningful.

I’m also sharing a personal realization about why scraps have become such an important part of my creative process—and why I’m making it a goal to intentionally use what I already have.

And I’d love for you to join me.

Introducing Sonnet’s Scrap Challenge

This week or next, I invite you to create one project using only scraps.

No new transfers. No new decoupage paper. No new supplies. Just the pieces you’ve already saved.

Pull out your scraps. Lay them out. Experiment. Let those pieces guide you.

Because those scraps aren’t leftovers… they’re beginnings.

If you join the challenge, I would absolutely love to see what you create. Share your project and tag me so I can celebrate your creativity alongside you.

Join my group page Sonnet's Garden Blooms Creative Outlet Group Page

Thank you for being here!  Keep rescuing, keep creating, and keep reimagining.
See you in the next episode. 💛

Join me weekly as I tell my story and start interviewing other creators to hear theirs as well.  I hope to give you a well-rounded space for inspiration, encouragement to create, tips on trying new techniques, give you advice, and overall real talk about owning your own business.  I'll be uploading a new podcast every Thursday so don't forget to hit that subscribe button and turn on your bell notifications, so you don't miss out on an episode!   I hope you've enjoyed Episode 68 of my podcast and see you next week! 

I’m giving YOU more ways to experience the magic of the Makers Box—and I’m launching a brand-new creative community too!

Makers Creative Community, where you’ll find:
• Monthly DIY challenges
• Live styling sessions
• Quarterly Zoom projects
• Early access...VIP perks & behind-the-scenes peeks
• A space to connect, create, and grow with fellow makers

You’ll now have three new ways to join in:
• Makers Box: Paper Lovers – for those who adore vintage-inspired decoupage & rice papers
• Makers Box: Paint Lovers – for the DIYers who live for curated paint collections
• Makers Box: Digital Press – for printable lovers who want instant access to my exclusive designs

And for those who want the FULL creative experience—the original Makers Box still delivers it all:
• 2 Exclusive Roycycled decoupage papers
• 2 Exclusive The Painted Photographer rice papers
• 2 DIY Paints
• 2 Fusion Mineral Paints
• 1 Sweet Pickins Milk Paint
• 1 specialty decoupage napkin
• 5 Exclusive printable digital downloads
All curated and coordinated with love.

No matter how you craft,

In today’s episode of Rescued & Upcycled, I’m sharing why thrifting became such an important part of my life—and how it completely changed the way I see creativity, beauty, and possibility.

Thrifting didn’t start as a hobby for me. It started as a necessity. But over time, it became so much more. It became the foundation of my creative journey, the way I learned to trust my eye, and the way I created a home filled with character, meaning, and story.

In this episode, I’m diving into:

• Why thrifting shaped who I am today
 • How my childhood influenced my love of rescuing and upcycling
 • What I look for when I walk into a thrift store
 • What it really means when a piece has “good bones”
 • How to see potential in pieces others might overlook
 • And how thrifting can transform not just your home—but your creativity

Thrifting isn’t just about finding things...It’s about learning to see differently...and once you learn how to see possibility… everything changes.

Keep rescuing, keep creating, and keep reimagining.
See you in the next episode. 💛

Join me weekly as I tell my story and start interviewing other creators to hear theirs as well.  I hope to give you a well-rounded space for inspiration, encouragement to create, tips on trying new techniques, give you advice, and overall real talk about owning your own business.  I'll be uploading a new podcast every Thursday so don't forget to hit that subscribe button and turn on your bell notifications, so you don't miss out on an episode!   I hope you've enjoyed Episode 68 of my podcast and see you next week! 

I’m giving YOU more ways to experience the magic of the Makers Box—and I’m launching a brand-new creative community too!

Makers Creative Community, where you’ll find:
• Monthly DIY challenges
• Live styling sessions
• Quarterly Zoom projects
• Early access...VIP perks & behind-the-scenes peeks
• A space to connect, create, and grow with fellow makers

You’ll now have three new ways to join in:
• Makers Box: Paper Lovers – for those who adore vintage-inspired decoupage & rice papers
• Makers Box: Paint Lovers – for the DIYers who live for curated paint collections
• Makers Box: Digital Press – for printable lovers who want instant access to my exclusive designs

And for those who want the FULL creative experience—the original Makers Box still delivers it all:
• 2 Exclusive Roycycled decoupage papers
• 2 Exclusive The Painted Photographer rice papers
• 2 DIY Paints
• 2 Fusion Mineral Paints
• 1 Sweet Pickins Milk Paint
• 1 specialty decoupage napkin
• 5 Exclusive printable digital downloads
All curated and coordinated with love.

No matter how you craft, there’s a perfect place

In this episode, I’m sharing what this current season of creating looks like for me — not in theory, but in real life. From being an IOD Artisan and working with the newest release, to creating multiple videos on my own channel, thrifting again, styling my booths, and showing up live with more intention, this season feels different in the best way.

I talk about how having more space has changed the way I create, why deadlines no longer feel heavy, and how allowing myself time to explore, experiment, and imagine has brought creativity back to the center of my work. I also share what I’m enjoying about WhatNot Wednesdays, collaborating with Tara on Monday lives, and bringing more behind-the-scenes moments into my content.

This episode is an honest look at what it feels like to be back in the studio, making again, and letting the process lead. If you love creativity, DIY, thrifting, and seeing how ideas come to life, this episode is for you.

Keep rescuing, keep creating, and keep reimagining.
See you in the next episode. 💛

Join me weekly as I tell my story and start interviewing other creators to hear theirs as well.  I hope to give you a well-rounded space for inspiration, encouragement to create, tips on trying new techniques, give you advice, and overall real talk about owning your own business.  I'll be uploading a new podcast every Thursday so don't forget to hit that subscribe button and turn on your bell notifications, so you don't miss out on an episode!   I hope you've enjoyed Episode 68 of my podcast and see you next week! 

I’m giving YOU more ways to experience the magic of the Makers Box—and I’m launching a brand-new creative community too!

Makers Creative Community, where you’ll find:
• Monthly DIY challenges
• Live styling sessions
• Quarterly Zoom projects
• Early access...VIP perks & behind-the-scenes peeks
• A space to connect, create, and grow with fellow makers

You’ll now have three new ways to join in:
• Makers Box: Paper Lovers – for those who adore vintage-inspired decoupage & rice papers
• Makers Box: Paint Lovers – for the DIYers who live for curated paint collections
• Makers Box: Digital Press – for printable lovers who want instant access to my exclusive designs

And for those who want the FULL creative experience—the original Makers Box still delivers it all:
• 2 Exclusive Roycycled decoupage papers
• 2 Exclusive The Painted Photographer rice papers
• 2 DIY Paints
• 2 Fusion Mineral Paints
• 1 Sweet Pickins Milk Paint
• 1 specialty decoupage napkin
• 5 Exclusive printable digital downloads
All curated and coordinated with love.

No matter how you craft, there’s a perfect place

After stepping away from the mic for a season, I’m sharing an honest reflection on where I’ve been and what this past year taught me about burnout, survival mode, and losing touch with the joy that originally led me here.

In this episode, I open up about a powerful wake-up call from my mom that made me realize I was doing everything required to run my business — but not enough of the things I truly love. We’ll talk about being reactive instead of proactive, the freedom that comes from asking for help, and how making space for creativity changed everything.

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed, or disconnected from the parts of your life that light you up, this episode is for you.

Keep rescuing, keep creating, and keep reimagining.
See you in the next episode. 💛

Join me weekly as I tell my story and start interviewing other creators to hear theirs as well.  I hope to give you a well-rounded space for inspiration, encouragement to create, tips on trying new techniques, give you advice, and overall real talk about owning your own business.  I'll be uploading a new podcast every Thursday so don't forget to hit that subscribe button and turn on your bell notifications, so you don't miss out on an episode!   I hope you've enjoyed Episode 68 of my podcast and see you next week! 

I’m giving YOU more ways to experience the magic of the Makers Box—and I’m launching a brand-new creative community too!

Makers Creative Community, where you’ll find:
• Monthly DIY challenges
• Live styling sessions
• Quarterly Zoom projects
• Early access...VIP perks & behind-the-scenes peeks
• A space to connect, create, and grow with fellow makers

You’ll now have three new ways to join in:
• Makers Box: Paper Lovers – for those who adore vintage-inspired decoupage & rice papers
• Makers Box: Paint Lovers – for the DIYers who live for curated paint collections
• Makers Box: Digital Press – for printable lovers who want instant access to my exclusive designs

And for those who want the FULL creative experience—the original Makers Box still delivers it all:
• 2 Exclusive Roycycled decoupage papers
• 2 Exclusive The Painted Photographer rice papers
• 2 DIY Paints
• 2 Fusion Mineral Paints
• 1 Sweet Pickins Milk Paint
• 1 specialty decoupage napkin
• 5 Exclusive printable digital downloads
All curated and coordinated with love.

No matter how you craft, there’s a perfect place

Today I’m sharing a very real, very behind-the-scenes episode of Rescued & Upcycled — the story of reclaiming my creative space. After years of collecting thrifted treasures for future projects, my garage became so full I couldn’t even see the floor.

During my 12 Days of WhatNot, I pulled out 100 items a day and sold over 600 pieces… yet the garage was still overflowing. That’s when I realized this journey wasn’t just about decluttering — it was about rediscovering my creativity.

In this episode, I’m talking about:
✨ How clutter was crowding out my inspiration
✨ The forgotten treasures that re-inspired new projects
✨ Why I’m letting go of pieces even when they could sell for more
✨ The start of my new weekly WhatNot Wednesdays (101 items every week!)
✨ And what it means to reclaim your space — physically and creatively

If your creative space feels overwhelming or heavy, this episode will speak right to you. Sometimes the most creative thing we can do is make room for what’s next.

Keep rescuing, keep creating, and keep reimagining.
See you in the next episode. 💛

Join me weekly as I tell my story and start interviewing other creators to hear theirs as well.  I hope to give you a well-rounded space for inspiration, encouragement to create, tips on trying new techniques, give you advice, and overall real talk about owning your own business.  I'll be uploading a new podcast every Thursday so don't forget to hit that subscribe button and turn on your bell notifications, so you don't miss out on an episode!   I hope you've enjoyed Episode 68 of my podcast and see you next week! 

I’m giving YOU more ways to experience the magic of the Makers Box—and I’m launching a brand-new creative community too!

Makers Creative Community, where you’ll find:
• Monthly DIY challenges
• Live styling sessions
• Quarterly Zoom projects
• Early access...VIP perks & behind-the-scenes peeks
• A space to connect, create, and grow with fellow makers

You’ll now have three new ways to join in:
• Makers Box: Paper Lovers – for those who adore vintage-inspired decoupage & rice papers
• Makers Box: Paint Lovers – for the DIYers who live for curated paint collections
• Makers Box: Digital Press – for printable lovers who want instant access to my exclusive designs

And for those who want the FULL creative experience—the original Makers Box still delivers it all:
• 2 Exclusive Roycycled decoupage papers
• 2 Exclusive The Painted Photographer rice papers
• 2 DIY Paints
• 2 Fusion Mineral Paints
• 1 Sweet Pickins Milk Paint
• 1 specialty decoupage napkin
• 5 Exclusive printable digital downloads
All curated and coordinated with love.

No matter how you craft, there’s a perfect place

Have you ever been scrolling Pinterest and stopped mid-scroll because something about an image just pulled you in? That’s exactly where this episode begins.

In today’s Rescued & Upcycled, Sonnet shares how her creative membership group uses “Stop the Scroll” sessions to study what makes a vignette truly captivating — from color and composition to texture and storytelling.

She then takes you behind the scenes of their latest community challenge, Deck the Chairs, inspired by a stunning holiday photo from Country Sampler Farmhouse Style Magazine. What began as a simple styling exercise turned into a full-blown collaboration featuring 17 creators, each reimagining the same vignette through their own creative lens.

Listen as Sonnet breaks down what makes a perfect vignette, shares how this challenge came together, and invites you to join in by creating your own Deck the Chair vignette at home.

🎄 Watch the full YouTube playlist to see all 17 transformations, and don’t forget to tag @sonnetsgardenblooms when you share yours!

Deck the Chairs Playlist

Join me weekly as I tell my story and start interviewing other creators to hear theirs as well.  I hope to give you a well-rounded space for inspiration, encouragement to create, tips on trying new techniques, give you advice, and overall real talk about owning your own business.  I'll be uploading a new podcast every Thursday so don't forget to hit that subscribe button and turn on your bell notifications, so you don't miss out on an episode!   I hope you've enjoyed Episode 68 of my podcast and see you next week! 

I’m giving YOU more ways to experience the magic of the Makers Box—and I’m launching a brand-new creative community too!

Makers Creative Community, where you’ll find:
• Monthly DIY challenges
• Live styling sessions
• Quarterly Zoom projects
• Early access...VIP perks & behind-the-scenes peeks
• A space to connect, create, and grow with fellow makers

You’ll now have three new ways to join in:
• Makers Box: Paper Lovers – for those who adore vintage-inspired decoupage & rice papers
• Makers Box: Paint Lovers – for the DIYers who live for curated paint collections
• Makers Box: Digital Press – for printable lovers who want instant access to my exclusive designs

And for those who want the FULL creative experience—the original Makers Box still delivers it all:
• 2 Exclusive Roycycled decoupage papers
• 2 Exclusive The Painted Photographer rice papers
• 2 DIY Paints
• 2 Fusion Mineral Paints
• 1 Sweet Pickins Milk Paint
• 1 specialty decoupage napkin
• 5 Exclusive printable digital downloads
All curated and coordinated with love.

No matter how you craft, there’s a perfect place

Step inside three unforgettable days of creativity, community, and inspiration at the Vintage Soul Creative Retreat 2025!

From October 2nd–4th, six amazing creatives gathered at the 10th Frame in Appleton, Wisconsin — and together, we created, laughed, and connected through paint, paper, and passion. In this video, I’m taking you behind the scenes for a full recap of every project, every teacher, and every magical moment that made this year’s retreat so special.

Featuring:

Sally from Iron Orchid Designs (IOD) – Paint inlays, molds & stamping magic

Sasha from Sweet Pickin’s Milk Paint – The beauty of unpredictable milk paint

Connie from The Painted Photographer – Painting sunflowers & custom decoupage papers

Tara from The Reclaimed Ranch – Mastering the art of blending

Christina from The Turned Leg – DIY waxes & vintage tree projects

Sonnet from Sonnet’s Garden Blooms (that’s me!) – Gelli pad printing & custom canvas bags

NEW for Next Year!
Tickets are officially available for the 2026 Vintage Soul Creative Retreat, and the early-bird rate is open through May 1st!
I’m beyond excited to announce that Jonathan Mark Mendez from The Painted Love and Susie from Susie on the Farm will be part of the creative lineup — with more names to come soon! Grab your early-bird ticket before prices go up ➡️ 2026 Tickets

PLUS — A New Creative Collaboration!
My Maker’s Creative Community is teaming up for an exciting project inspired by a photo from the 2022 Holiday Edition of Country Sampler Magazine. Each of us is recreating that beautiful chair inspiration in our own unique style — and the videos start rolling out this Sunday!

Join me weekly as I tell my story and start interviewing other creators to hear theirs as well.  I hope to give you a well-rounded space for inspiration, encouragement to create, tips on trying new techniques, give you advice, and overall real talk about owning your own business.  I'll be uploading a new podcast every Thursday so don't forget to hit that subscribe button and turn on your bell notifications, so you don't miss out on an episode!   I hope you've enjoyed Episode 68 of my podcast and see you next week! 

I’m giving YOU more ways to experience the magic of the Makers Box—and I’m launching a brand-new creative community too!

Makers Creative Community, where you’ll find:
• Monthly DIY challenges
• Live styling sessions
• Quarterly Zoom projects
• Early access...VIP perks & behind-the-scenes peeks
• A space to connect, create, and grow with fellow makers

You’ll now have three new ways to join in:
• Makers Box: Paper Lovers – for those who adore vintage-inspired decoupage & rice papers
• Makers Box: Paint Lovers – for the DIYers who live for curated paint collections
• Makers Box: Digital Press – for printable lovers who want instant access to my exclusive designs

And for those who want the FULL creative experience—the original Makers Box still delivers it all:
• 2 Exclusive Roycycled decoupage papers
• 2 Exclusive The Painted Photographer rice papers
• 2 DIY Paints
• 2 Fusion Mineral Paints
• 1 Sweet Pickins Milk Paint
• 1 specialty decoupage napkin
• 5 Exclusive printable digital downloads
All curated and coordinated with love.

No matter how you craft, there’s a perfect plac

If you’ve ever felt like a project would be so much easier if you just had the right tools — this episode is for you. Today, I’m opening up my toolbox and sharing the top 10 tools I can’t live without in my DIY and upcycling projects. From my trusty Dewalt sander and brad nailer to the jigsaw that lets me cut creative shapes, these are the workhorses that make every build, flip, and furniture rescue smoother and more enjoyable.

I’m also spilling my secrets on the unsung heroes — like the inexpensive thumb sander, the green scrubbing pads I swear by, and even the humble putty knife — plus a few bonus essentials like Titebond wood glue and the brushes I grab from Walmart.

Whether you’re just starting to build your DIY toolkit or looking to level up your maker space, this episode will inspire you to create with confidence and make every project a little easier (and a lot more fun).

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• The 10 tools I reach for on every project
• Which power tools are worth investing in (and why)
• The inexpensive essentials that make a big difference
• How the right tools can spark more creativity and better results

Join me weekly as I tell my story and start interviewing other creators to hear theirs as well.  I hope to give you a well-rounded space for inspiration, encouragement to create, tips on trying new techniques, give you advice, and overall real talk about owning your own business.  I'll be uploading a new podcast every Thursday so don't forget to hit that subscribe button and turn on your bell notifications, so you don't miss out on an episode!   I hope you've enjoyed Episode 68 of my podcast and see you next week! 

I’m giving YOU more ways to experience the magic of the Makers Box—and I’m launching a brand-new creative community too!

Makers Creative Community, where you’ll find:
• Monthly DIY challenges
• Live styling sessions
• Quarterly Zoom projects
• Early access...VIP perks & behind-the-scenes peeks
• A space to connect, create, and grow with fellow makers

You’ll now have three new ways to join in:
• Makers Box: Paper Lovers – for those who adore vintage-inspired decoupage & rice papers
• Makers Box: Paint Lovers – for the DIYers who live for curated paint collections
• Makers Box: Digital Press – for printable lovers who want instant access to my exclusive designs

And for those who want the FULL creative experience—the original Makers Box still delivers it all:
• 2 Exclusive Roycycled decoupage papers
• 2 Exclusive The Painted Photographer rice papers
• 2 DIY Paints
• 2 Fusion Mineral Paints
• 1 Sweet Pickins Milk Paint
• 1 specialty decoupage napkin
• 5 Exclusive printable digital downloads
All curated and coordinated with love.

No matter how you craft, there’s a perfect place for you here...want more details: Makers Studio

You can follow me on all the other socials and find so much more content!!

Join me in all the places:

• YouTube
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Sonnet's Garden Blooms

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we start our creative projects — and how sometimes, the hardest part isn’t the making… it’s the getting started. You know that feeling: you’re excited to create, but you get stuck trying to find the perfect paint, the right paper, or the pieces that will all work together. And by the time you’ve pulled it all together, the spark is gone.

If that sounds familiar, then today’s episode is absolutely for you.

Join me weekly as I tell my story and start interviewing other creators to hear theirs as well.  I hope to give you a well-rounded space for inspiration, encouragement to create, tips on trying new techniques, give you advice, and overall real talk about owning your own business.  I'll be uploading a new podcast every Thursday so don't forget to hit that subscribe button and turn on your bell notifications, so you don't miss out on an episode!   I hope you've enjoyed Episode 68 of my podcast and see you next week! 

I’m giving YOU more ways to experience the magic of the Makers Box—and I’m launching a brand-new creative community too!

Makers Creative Community, where you’ll find:
• Monthly DIY challenges
• Live styling sessions
• Quarterly Zoom projects
• Early access...VIP perks & behind-the-scenes peeks
• A space to connect, create, and grow with fellow makers

You’ll now have three new ways to join in:
• Makers Box: Paper Lovers – for those who adore vintage-inspired decoupage & rice papers
• Makers Box: Paint Lovers – for the DIYers who live for curated paint collections
• Makers Box: Digital Press – for printable lovers who want instant access to my exclusive designs

And for those who want the FULL creative experience—the original Makers Box still delivers it all:
• 2 Exclusive Roycycled decoupage papers
• 2 Exclusive The Painted Photographer rice papers
• 2 DIY Paints
• 2 Fusion Mineral Paints
• 1 Sweet Pickins Milk Paint
• 1 specialty decoupage napkin
• 5 Exclusive printable digital downloads
All curated and coordinated with love.

No matter how you craft, there’s a perfect place for you here...want more details: Makers Studio

You can follow me on all the other socials and find so much more content!!

Join me in all the places:

• YouTube
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Sonnet's Garden Blooms Website
• Makers Box Waitlist