Studio Journal
Explore by moment, feeling, or need.
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Search the Studio Journal for words like birthday, hospitality, sympathy, thinking of you, thank you, or encouragement.
Begin Here
New to Scatter Joyfulness?
These four stories introduce the heart behind everything you’ll discover here.
Find the Right Words for Every Occasion
Whether you're celebrating, encouraging, comforting, or simply reaching out, these collections will help you find the right words.
What to write in a thinking of you card
Joy’s Birth Month Flower Garden
Discover birth flowers by month, the stories and meanings behind them, and joyful ways to celebrate birthdays with flowers, cards, and a little Scatter Joyfulness.
When Someone Comes to Mind: Prayer, Asters & a September Birthday
A quiet morning of prayer became the beginning of a new greeting filled with purple September asters, a hidden heart, and a simple message for someone who came to mind. Along the way, the design also became a personalized birthday option and the start of a new collection standard for Scatter Joyfulness.
When Buttermilk Donuts Went to the Movies
Two buttermilk donuts, a 9 a.m. movie, and one very good Saturday morning somehow became the inspiration for the completely impossible Dream Donut greeting card.
Oh Happy Day — A Joyful Song Worth Sharing
I heard “Oh Happy Day” again recently and it made me smile, so of course I went wandering into its history. From an older hymn tradition to The Edwin Hawkins Singers, this is one joyful musical trail worth sharing.
50 States of Joyfulness
What if Scatter Joyfulness eventually reached all 50 states, one thoughtful greeting at a time? A personal studio note about where the idea began, how the journey has grown, and the whimsical adventure of seeing where joyfulness might land next.
A Bird in the Hand: A Coffee Morning and One Fleeting Little Surprise
Nearly two decades ago, an ordinary coffee morning in Oklahoma turned into a true fairy-princess moment when a tiny bird landed in my outstretched hand. Years later, that fleeting surprise became a story, a curious phrase to explore, and a Scatter Joyfulness greeting card.
What Does “Apple of My Eye” Mean? One Very Red Apple and a Curious Phrase
One August Sunday, a nearly empty can of red paint, an unripe apple and one ridiculous idea sent me wondering about the phrase “apple of my eye.” Here’s what the expression means, where it came from, and how one very red backyard apple may have become a greeting card.
What Is the August Birth Flower? A Poppy Story
A small birth-flower tattoo led me straight to August’s poppy. When Kaleigh explained that each flower represented a family member, I knew this month’s story had found me.
Salmon Sally Serves Sammies: The Story Behind a Personalized Fishing Card
A personalized card for a dear friend who loves salmon and trout fishing began with a gift-bag idea, took an unexpected bagel detour, and became the very confident Salmon Sally.
What Does Kit and Caboodle Mean? Origin and Roadside Story
A friend described a roadside row of storage condominiums as a place for the whole kit and caboodle. That raised two curious questions: What exactly is a caboodle, and can an ordinary-looking storage garage really be a condominium?
Why Do We Say "From Scratch"?
This morning I built a new landing page from scratch. This afternoon I'm baking oatmeal cookies from scratch. Somewhere between a QR code, butter, oats, dried cherries, and chocolate chips, I found myself wondering where this familiar phrase came from.
Why Do We Say “Smart Cookie”?
A trip past the bakery sparked plans for thick oatmeal cookies filled with dried cherries and chocolate chips, along with one delicious question: Why do we call someone a smart cookie?
Why Do We Say “In a Pickle?”
Why do we say someone is “in a pickle?” I followed this curious old phrase from salty brine and Shakespeare to the awkward situations we still describe today, then added my favorite sweet marinated cucumbers and an easy shortcut for days when less work sounds especially delicious.
Spill The Beans: Why We Say It
"Spill the beans" is often used when a secret slips out. Explore the stories and history that may have shaped this enduring expression.
Curious Food Phrases: Why Do We Say These Everyday Phrases?
Why do we say “food for thought,” “spill the beans,” or “piece of cake”? This growing Curious Food Phrases library explores the meanings, histories, and surprising origins behind familiar expressions we use every day.
Why Do We Say "Food for Thought?"
Why do we say “food for thought” when no food is involved? A conversation with my granddaughter sent me looking for the phrase’s meaning, its early appearance in an 1825 poem, and why we still use it today.
Silly Goose Meaning: Why Do We Say “Silly Goose”?
What does “silly goose” mean, and where did the phrase come from? My granddaughter called me a silly goose, which sent Lemon and me exploring its playful meaning, old-fashioned origins, and surprising journey across generations.
Garden of Eaten
An old pickup truck, a bed full of fresh vegetables, and a playful twist on the Garden of Eden became the inspiration for one of my favorite greeting card designs—and a tribute to a friend who lovingly prepares healthy meals.
Cheery Earrings and the Cherries That Got Away
A search for fresh cherries became a story about unexpected kindness and why ordinary days often become the ones we remember most.
Why Do We Say “You Crack Me Up”?
“You crack me up” means someone makes you laugh, often suddenly and wholeheartedly. Discover where this curious phrase came from, how it connects to clay jars and Scripture, and the whimsical greeting card it inspired.