Hey friends! It’s Joleen here, and oh my goodness — this week’s episode of the Happy Time Craftcast felt extra special.
So, picture this: I just wrapped up an 11-week retreat season (yep, eleven weekends in a row!) filled with yoga, tarot, art, and the most amazing humans. You’d think I’d be totally wiped out, right? Nope! Instead of exhaustion, what I feel most is gratitude — big, sparkly, heart-bursting gratitude.
When my guest for this week had something come up (hey, life happens!), I decided to turn that little gap into something fun and spontaneous — a cozy solo episode all about my favorite crafty books. And honestly? It was such a treat to share them with you.
Let’s Talk Crafty Books!
If you’ve ever wandered the aisles of your favorite bookstore or fallen down the Amazon rabbit hole of “things I don’t need but definitely do,” then you know how exciting a new art book can be. In the episode, I go through a stack of my absolute favorites — books that inspire me, make me want to grab my brushes, and remind me why I fell in love with creating in the first place.
Here are a few highlights:
Creative Abstract Watercolor by Kate Rebecca Leech – Kate’s book makes you feel like an artist right away. Her monochromatic palettes and gold accents are just chef’s kiss perfection.
Learn to Watercolor by Lacy Walker (Rebel Unicorn Crafts) – This one has watercolor paper right inside the book! It’s part guide, part practice pad, and 100% fun. My daughter Georgie and I both use it, and comparing our pages has become a sweet little tradition. 💕
Painting Happiness by Terry Runyan – Oh friends, this book is all about joy over perfection. Terry’s quirky cats and “start with blobs” approach remind me that art doesn’t have to be serious to be meaningful.
Kawaii Doodle Class – Found this one at Five Below for $5 (yes, really!) and it’s adorable. Perfect for doodlers or anyone who wants to sprinkle a little cute into their sketchbook.
And that’s just a taste — there are a few more gems in the episode if you’re hunting for gift ideas for your artsy friends. 🎁
What You’ll Take Away
This episode isn’t just about watercolor and doodles (though we do have a lot of fun with that). It’s really about making space for creativity, especially during the busy holiday season.
I talk about:
✨ How creating can be a form of gratitude.
✨ Why trying something new (like a new book or technique) can reignite your inspiration.
✨ How art doesn’t have to be perfect to be joyful.
Whether you’re painting, sketching, or just listening along while wrapping gifts or sipping cocoa, I hope you leave this episode feeling lighter, inspired, and ready to make something beautiful.
Thanks for hanging out with me, friends.
Keep painting, keep doodling, and keep sprinkling creativity wherever you go.
With so much love and paint-splattered joy,
– Joleen 💖
PS: 🎥 Watch the full episode below:
Guest Bio
No guest this week — just your favorite creative cheerleader, Joleen Emery, beaming positivity and practical art wisdom straight from her studio.
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Episode Chapters with Timestamps
[00:00 – 02:29] – Post-retreat gratitude and holiday energy
[02:30 – 05:59] – A quick catch-up: reflections on 11 amazing back-to-back retreats.
[06:00 – 07:29] – Surprise! No guest today — instead, it’s all about Joleen’s favorite crafty resources.
[07:30 – 10:14] – Book #1: Creative Abstract Watercolor by Kate Rebecca Leech
[10:15 – 14:44] – Book #2: Learn to Watercolor by Lacy Walker (Rebel Unicorn Crafts)
[14:45 – 17:59] – Book #3: The Big Book of Watercolor by Mallerie Jane
[18:00 – 21:29] – Book #4: Painting Happiness by Terry Runyan
[21:30 – 24:59] – Book #5: Kawaii Doodle Class (from Five Below)
[25:00 – 30:59] – Book #6: 20 Ways to Draw a Tulip
[31:00 – End] – Wrapping with love & laughter
Quotes from the Episode
“I thought I’d feel relief… but I mostly just feel grateful.” – Joleen Emery
“Creative Abstract Watercolor makes you feel successful really quickly — and who doesn’t love that?” – Joleen Emery
“Let’s start with blobs, add more blobs… friends, we can do this!” – Joleen Emery
“Art isn’t about perfection — it’s about joy.” – Joleen Emery
Resources and Links
📚 Books Mentioned:
Creative Abstract Watercolor by Kate Rebecca Leech
Learn to Watercolor by Lacy Walker (Rebel Unicorn Crafts)
The Big Book of Watercolor by Mallerie Jane
Painting Happiness by Terry Runyan
Kawaii Doodle Class (available at Five Below or online)
20 Ways to Draw a Tulip