Website Update, Creative Chaos & What’s Next?

Rebranding and shifting with my same wild squirrel chasing brain.

Well, apparently I decided I needed another project. Because what better way to spend perfectly good sewing time than updating my whole website?

After years of juggling different creative projects, business ideas, blogs, social media accounts, and approximately 55 ideas at any given moment, I’ve decided it’s time to bring a few more things together.

I’ve been working behind the scenes trying to give my website a fresh look, reorganizing pages, adding new photos, rewriting my About Me, and generally attempting to make sense of the creative chaos that is my life.

I’m keeping the blog (because apparently I have a lot to say), but I’m also making room for everything else that’s been happening.

And there’s quite a bit!

So, what have I been up to?

🎵 Making music out of just about everything.

I’ve been writing songs, experimenting with AI music tools, and putting my creations out into the world. From feel-good tunes and quirky adventures to songs about algorithms, politics, humanity, and the occasional dirty duck, there’s no shortage of inspiration.

I’ve also been exploring music as a way to tell stories, make people laugh, question the world around us, and hopefully leave a little more joy behind.

📚 Writing books (plural, because apparently one isn’t enough).

I’ve got several books in the works, including Running Into It, The Hula Hooper’s Guide to the Universe, Artificial Clarity, and my sailing memoir of sorts where I helped take 105’ racing trimaran across the Atlantic Ocean.

There’s also my little Birdie the Birdfish children’s book universe, which has already made its way onto Amazon.

Some stories are funny, some are adventurous, some are philosophical, and some are probably beyond the scope of even my comprehension.

⭕ Spreading the joy of hula hooping.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that play doesn’t have an expiration date.

I’m still hooping, making reels, dreaming up new challenges, and working on The Hula Hooper’s Guide to the Universe.

And there’s that Guinness World Record hooping adventure I’ve been working toward. Because why not add a world record attempt to the list?

🌎 Collecting adventures and stories.

From sailing in salty places to running half marathons in faraway lands, hiking mountain trails, camping in a van, and finding hot springs all over the world, I seem to have a knack for saying yes to things that make good adventure stories.

It’s a pretty wonderful way to live, even if it occasionally makes for a ridiculous amount of laundry.

What’s the big idea?

For a long time, I’ve thought of these things as separate projects. The sewing business, the music, the books, the hooping, the adventures.

But lately, I’ve been realizing they’re all expressions of the same thing.

Creativity. Curiosity. Play. Storytelling. A desire to experience as much of this wonderfully weird world as possible.

I don’t particularly want to fit into one box. I’m not sure I’ve ever been very good at that.

So instead of trying to choose one thing, which I haven’t been able to do- I’m holding space for all of it.

This website is the home for all my creative adventures, whether that means a new song, a finished book, a travel story, a hula hoop tutorial, or an unexpected philosophical rabbit hole.

Come along for the ride!

If you’ve followed me for the sewing, stayed for the stories, discovered my music, picked up a hula hoop, or simply enjoy watching someone enthusiastically chase one idea after another, I’m glad you’re here.

I’ll be sharing new projects, behind-the-scenes adventures, blog posts, music releases, books, and whatever else my curious little brain dreams up next.

And if you’d like to stay in the loop, make sure you sign up for my newsletter. I’ve got some fun things planned, including a little freebie to help inspire your next adventure.

Thanks for being part of the journey.

Here’s to making things, making memories, making mistakes, making music, and making the most of this one wild and wonderful life.

Never grow up. Stay curious. Say yes to adventure.

With love,

Ayla Joy Love ❤️

Artist. Author. Adventurer. Professional collector of hobbies and unfinished projects.

Woah Man!

Hello, People of Internet Landia

Welcome to the most recent edition of my diary—I mean, my blog.

All I can say is: whoa. Life is crazy.

Where do I even begin?

Since I came back from Iceland, I have felt different somehow. The trip was amazing, and as with any trip, there were highlights and lowlights. Just like good hair days and bad hair days, there was sunshine and rain, joy and pain.

I just can’t help but rhyme and get poetic because I’ve been going crazy writing song lyrics, singing into AI’s “record your own voice” program, and creating my own music using Suno.

I’ve always loved music. Creating music. I’ve always written and played instruments, and I had this dream that I was going to be an artist somehow.

And now… maybe AI is making that dream come true?

Who knows where it’s going to go, but soon I’ll have my music on Spotify, iTunes, and more.

I also just finished self-publishing another book—a fun, playful, overgrown-child kind of book. It’s illustrated using Ideogram AI art, and honestly, it was the quickest and easiest way to turn what was in my mind into an actual, fully cohesive illustrated story.

The story is called Birdie the Birdfish, and it’s about upcycling. There’s an upcoming upcycled runway show as part of the Noisy Waters Mural Festival in Bellingham, and my friend Suzanne of The Goat’s Coat is putting on the show again.

So I’ve been inspired and rewired.

And I’ve learned how to use AI as a tool to help my creations not only come to life, but actually finish them and get them out into the world.

Which is pretty mind-boggling because I’m a perfectionist, and I don’t like feeling vulnerable. Most of us don’t.

But for some reason, AI has provided a mirror for me that makes me feel like it’s okay to just be my crazy creative self and let it out there into the world.

And it happens really fast.

Oh, look! It’s 11:11 right now as I’m dictating this post into the Squarespace blog app.

And just so you know: I am not using AI on this post at all. I’m strictly speaking into the app, and it’s dictating—or converting—what I’m saying into the text you’re reading right now.

Heck, I may not even edit this much.

I might just post it.

Yes. That’s how much I’m changing.

Instead of having anxiety and going back and forth over everything, changing it and wondering and feeling weird about it…

I mean, it’s my diary, right?

Aren’t you just supposed to free-flow post whatever you want in your diary? You write it and no one ever reads it?

I’m laughing because people can read this.

But do they?

I don’t know.

I haven’t been very good at marketing. And although AI has helped me create more, produce things, and actually finish them, now if only it could help me with the marketing aspect…

I need to update my website and rebrand and do all the things I need to do to make it easier for people to find all the creative, crafty things I’m making.

I really have no idea how this is going to go.

I’ve been in this weird flow state where I don’t fully feel like myself, but I feel better.

Although… it could just be the hormones that are happening with the shift of my age, combined with the weight of the world finally making me give fewer fucks.

Where was I going with this?

Oh yeah.

The runway show.

I’m launching my BirdFish collection, based on flying fish. They’re hybrid creatures that can temporarily launch themselves into the air and fly.

And that’s what I want to do.

I love to swim.

I love to sail.

And I just want to launch myself into the air and let everyone see me without caring.

I’m tired of carrying so much and worrying so much.

I just want to create—and somehow make the world a happier, more joyful, more fun place for all of us.

I’d like to do it ecoconsciously, too.

But maybe I have to use all the tools including un-eco-friendly

AI to help me spread the eco-friendly mindset I want to cultivate.

People are hating AI right now, but I love it.

Except for the people who are using it to create so much garbage.

I mean, really. Seriously.

Some of the videos are so creepy, and some of the content people are putting out there is just… trash.

I personally use AI more like a collaborator.

Like a producer, or an editor, or an agent.

They might tell me one thing, I tell them something else, and we bounce ideas back and forth until suddenly we have something that makes me go:

“Oh yes. This is right.”

Anyway, I am rambling on and on, and I’m probably going to have to edit this because I’m speaking faster than the thing can keep up.

But that’s okay.

If you’re still reading my blog, I hope to see you at the runway show!

It’s happening August 15, 2026, down at Trackside in Bellingham, at the Peter Paulson Stage—the location they’ve used in previous years—by those big, rusty, tall digestive tanks that give the whole place that amazing industrial look, with Bellingham Bay in the background.

It’s quite the scene.

And there are so many amazing artists there.

I wish I were a better muralist. I’d try that, too.

But for now:

Joy of all trades, master of some.

I’ll just continue focusing on writing and sewing stuff for the show, making books, and making music because I am obsessed and I can’t help myself.

Okay, well…

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and this little update.

I have my work cut out for me this fall and winter, but because summer is so short in the Northwest, I’ve been trying to make the most of it.

Thanks again, if you’re reading this.

And thanks for still liking this crazy woahman. ❤️

How can I help?

We all eventually reach a moment in our lives (hopefully) where we question our purpose. What if our reason for existing is directly linked to everyone and everything? Evolution is the solution to all the problems of the present. Therefore the answer to the question possibly lies in how we can help others evolve?

The problem with the English language is context and comprehension. We can say one word which has a myriad of meanings. I currently “help” people make their yacht’s better by creating custom covers and new upholstery which provides protection and comfort for those who can afford the luxury of having a boat. I love my clients/customers and many of them have even become good friends over the years for which I am super grateful.

Yet the truth is, I struggle with imposter syndrome and perfectionism which leaves me full of anxiety. My hair is gaining more silver streaks to show for the stress of my profession. Many days I wonder if I need to change my career direction. Maybe my skills and abilities can be put to better use elsewhere? How can I help myself be less stressed? Because isn’t it important also to help ourselves before we can continue to help others? They say, “put your oxygen mask on first”- if you pass out you can’t help anyone else- the logic makes sense. To continue to help others we must help ourselves.

What if helping ourselves means changing the way we operate and breaking the ingrained behaviors that seem so normal we often don’t question them? Change is challenging to say the least. I’ve been asking myself many deep questions lately. What is my purpose here on earth in this female avatar meat suit during the time of the patriarchy? A time where the President is a convicted Felon and the government is obviously so corrupt he can’t seem to be stopped?

How can I help myself and the world? I feel I must do something but I keep wondering what. Time moves quickly as one’s timeline compresses over the years. I thought I would be in a different place in my life. I want to be a writer because I think sometimes that my words might help somehow. I know my words will only help if my intentions are good and clear but also if my words can be seen. It takes a lot to get seen in the age of smartphones and social media. There’s so much and so many overwhelming distractions. The overstimulation of the modern age is taking its toll on us all. And I have to make money to be able to write and it all takes time.

I suppose part of my problem is seeing the interconnectedness of it all at once. How can I simplify? I just wish to discover what my specific quality is that I can use to both help myself and others. In my work I help people with their boats and in return get the funds needs to help provide myself with basic needs and some fun. But I want to do more…. I want to do better. I’d like to help in more impactful ways.

I want to help protect the planet and all of its inhabitants. I want to help humanity work together globally because the earth is our only means of surviving and thriving. I want to insist that we all celebrate the diversity yet collaborate and promote health, equality, education and inclusion for humanity. How can I help the world and myself evolve quickly?

Right now, the need to act feels overwhelming, as authoritarian forces in the United States threaten our country, economy, and ecosystems. But how? What can I do?

So I write, I wonder, I hope, I pray and I get back to work so I can eat, pay the bills and exercise. C’est la vie!

Artificial Intelligence

At first I was afraid to use AI tools now I am embracing it. The best way to face ones fear is to look it straight in the AI and embrace it? Right now I am sitting in my newly revamped office space where its a little chilly but the plants and lights make it more inviting. I am typing on my cheap 1TB HP laptop that I bought from Costco mainly to store photos on since I take so damn many pictures all the time and don’t want to keep them in the cloud. I am typing this as the Photosync app just crashed with the transfer. Attempt #2.

As usual I am multi-tasking and I just had a spam call which is probably what crashed the photo transfer. I was in the middle of trying to use ChatGPT to create a new logo for my author website when I got frustrated because it wasn’t coming up with what I could see in my minds eye. So I will go to photoshop later and do it the hard way.

I spent the morning using ChatGPT the free version to help me write blurbs for the Greater Bellingham Running Club gazette that I assemble every month around the 15th as a volunteer for the club. AI is not perfect and it took more time but at the same time saved time while creating better content. It’s like having a really smart buddy who is always ready to brainstorm and give feedback on any topic. I am learning to love it and rely on it as a useful tool.

I also see it’s flaws and why humans, especially creative minded people are essential to using it properly. My brain often goes at high speeds and AI seems to easily exceed my normal processing mode. I read fast and type quickly but AI does it faster. All I have to do is edit which is often the trickiest part anyway.

Oh and I learned that I should be writing these blog posts in a different program and copying and pasting them into Squarespace instead so I always have a hard copy for the future. Squarespace doesn’t allow an easy download of all content. Today is not the day for me to switch over even though it should be. Next time I’ll remember and start there. For now I’ll copy and paste elsewhere after.

Offloading more photos via photosync now… making space on my iPhone11 so I can maybe download the latest update that I have been avoiding. What I really wanted to do before I started all of this was just to lay down and take a nap. I’m pushing thru… the other work I have to do is too physical so I decided computer and administrative work was the way to go. I sub-taught two yoga classes the last two mornings and I’ll be teaching my normal yin yoga class tonight- thank goodness it’s Yin! I’m not sure why I am so tired other than I have been trying to do too many things.

If only I had an AI duplicate of myself, with an airdrop feature for all my thoughts and to-do lists plus skills but without the emotional component. Maybe it’s Mercury in retrograde or just being an empath that makes it so challenging to function when my system feels overloaded? I do my best work when my mind is clear and writing helps to clean the mental and emotional clutter. Maybe I’ll be able to get some physical work done after this? No, because I’m still in my pajamas under my down pants at 3:30pm and I have to get dressed before I leave the house.

The time just keeps flying by. At least the photos are syncing so I’ll have more room on my device. DId I mention that today is a Monday which also often feels a bit Manic even though I work weekends. It’s probably the Yin yoga that makes me feel sane the rest of the week.

Back to the topic of this Diary entry er Blog post thing, I am building a new website and AI already gave me the layout, framework and suggestions for how to make it support my next career as an Author. I will keep sewing because apparently people and AI say that writers don’t make enough money to make a living. Sigh… but isn’t life a catch 22 and we have to believe it to see it? I just need a few viral videos, a viral book and some luck right? I still want to choose to think that anything is possible, especially with the new AI tools at hand.

Okay, I have rambled on long enough while transferring photos- it has to be babysat. I need many upgrades and organization in my life, I am working on them as I fight the overwhelm that has arrived due to not only overcommitting to too much sewing work and having author dreams but being in a marriage where my husband doesn’t trust me so I feel like I am walking on eggshells all the time trying to avoid triggering his insecurities. He would (will?) probably be horrified to read this as well. Is it going to trigger another mood swing? It’s exhausting to even think about it. He’d probably be happy that I mention having a husband but upset that I mention it’s so challenging to be married to someone for 7 years and have him still doubt my love and faithfulness. We’re working on it. And I need to go get dressed and ready to go.

If you read this leave a comment and tell me what you think? Sign up to my newsletter too please, I think I put it under my contact page. Or not. It’s okay. I’'ll keep doing this thing anyway. Hope you have a wonderfull week!

Photo by @MommaGoatPhotos

Email list!?

I tried to get people to sign up for the newsletter that I never created… à long time ago. I don’t think people even read my diary (blog)… and I’ve avoided learning the SEO stuff I need to know.

And now… I’m writing again… working on my books, hoping to finally finish another one and the task in my writing community is to send an update or share à story to my email list… I don’t have one!

I mean I suppose I could just group email every one in my contact list and ask them to sign up? Is that kosher?

Oof, another thing to add to my list. I’ll mark this off as sharing, good enough and continue my lessons for now. ;)

Here’s a photo for fun from my last hike last Monday. Chain lakes loop!

September Again?

Wake me up, when September ends… do you remember, when it was last September? All the songs thru all the seasons, winter spring summer or fall… I’m not ready for cold, dark and rainy yet.

I’m in a mood lately, I’ve had a strange attitude, questioning why I do what I do. I think there should be more to life. I just want to be happy but I also want that for everyone else.

I care, I share, I’m aware that a lot of the time I’m not aware enough of my own thoughts. I stress, reset and de-stress, I’ll over eat then I’ll fast and repeat. The cycles like ocean waves- unpredictable but constantly moving up and down. Switching directions with the whims of the winds and tides.

You’re reading my diary… the public one… I wonder what you would think if you read the other one- the one I write in where I don’t care becuase no one reads it- not even me after I’ve written it down. I wonder. And wander along. For now, that’s it. Hope you are all well and healthy and have things figured out for yourselves.

Peace, Love and Wishes!

August Already

I’ve been seeing 11:11 and 1:11 and 888 so often lately!

Right now I’m listening to Kari Samuels August Astrology podcast on Spotify… she is the sweetest and it’s always interest to hear what she has to say about what’s happening with the planets and numbers.

Her advice this month is 3 things:

Pursue your passions- follow your creativity urges and play more! Find what brings you Joy and express it.

Amp up the volume- empaths usually shrink but stop and shine instead! Take up space and allow yourself to be seen!

Accept uncomfortable emotions. Give and receive abundance. Be authentic. Follow intuition.

This is an 8 universal month but a 7 personal month for me in a 9 universal year but an 8 personal year. If you know anything about numerology then that says a lot. If you don’t then don’t worry about it or Google it or down load à cool app to assist.

I use a free tarot & numerology app that I’ve input my stats into so it tells me all the details.

First diary entry in à while, I know… so let’s get to the juicy stuff. So if you have read this far, thanks, I’m forcing myself to write so it may feel sticky.

It’s felt like a huge effort to write lately even in my real journal. I’ve been feeling blocked in à way that has made it difficult to get any real work done. I hope I’m just reevaluating my priorities and making the most of the short summer months. I have tons of work stacking up and plenty of commitments for my business.

And that’s about all I can take or say at the moment. Even this feels hard to have written this far. I have a sprint triathlon tomorrow and an upcycled runway show I’m à designer in coming up that I need to make four outfits for. I have so many things on my mind and my to-do list. I’m sure you can relate.

I hope you have a great month! And let’s try to take Kari Samuels advice. Because that’s all I really want to do is go play outside. ;)

Photo was taken last night out the bathroom window. So pretty!

Stormy Day

It’s raining sideways with a late February Pineapple Express on delivery here in B’ham. I still have a headache from the nastiest head cold that I’ve caught in a long time. Getting better everyday but it pretty much had me on the couch for almost a week. Ouchie. Lots of people have been getting sick with all kinds of bugs. I’m glad it wasn’t the flu or Covid but it was still ugly. And it’s still hurting my head.

I sub taught a yoga class this morning but that was about all I could manage other than trying to organize my digital life. I still have so many ideas and too little time to follow thru and finish all the best ones. I have plenty of work lined up and wish I felt healthy and capable of starting these two cool boat upholstery jobs. I’ve had to put my patience pants on because my perfectionist streak needs me to make sure I can live up to my high standards so I must have a clear head to start.

Imperfection is okay in the other realms, I tell myself I must write even if it’s shite. Even for a little bit. This weather is perfect for staying inside- the windows are rivers at the moment on the windward side of the house. I got a business line new phone but don’t know how to make the separation clean. I’m writing this on the new device after digging out passwords to make the apps work here. Business stuff.

Next to transfer all the business photos. Boat stuff- lots of boat stuff that normally gets lost amidst all the hiking, running, sailing, pretty scenery stuff in the mix.

My goal this year has been to get organized but sheesh organization takes a lot of time. Anyway… enough rambling… you are reading my virtual diary after all so expectations should be low for content quality. I hope you are all staying healthy and happy in this crazy state/time of the world we are living in.

Photo: view out the window thru the rainy glass- tree blowing.

Happy New Year!

It’s the last day of 2024 and tomorrow 2025 begins. I’m up early for me and hoping to start the new year off with better habits and actualize my good intentions. As always, easier said than done.

Either way, I just wanted to take a moment to wish you a happy ending and new beginning as each year is an opportunity to learn and grow. Best wishes to you for a wonderful New Year!

Falling Back

Daylight savings time just ended and it’s Monday again. Gale warnings are posted and the wind is fierce out there. I’m glad it’s not next weekend- sailing in this wet wild weather would be wicked. Round The County is the 9th and 10th and I’ll be racing on a Farr 30 called Electric LarryLand with a hello Kitty logo. Check my YouTube for previous RTC videos if you’re interested or wait for the one I plan to make this documenting this years event.

Anyway, I got an email about a comment on a blog post this morning- thank you for reading my diary! I’ve been thinking about how I need to write more again and that was just the nudge I needed to make another post here. It is November after all- National Novel Writing month. I’m failing to finish my novels but they’re still there in the back of my brain thankfully waiting patiently to come to the pages someday.

I’m drinking my morning coffee with collagen powder and it’s almost time to get back to work. I’m making a sailcover for Icon with zipper slots for the lazy jacks and it is such a tedious process. My right hand keeps tingling from tight shoulders and all the physical repetitive labor. Trying to get it done quickly but my body can’t quite keep up the pace like it used to. Slow and steady and soon it will be finished.

Teaching my usual Monday yin yoga tonight but for the next three weeks I’ll be teaching yoga on Wednesday evenings too. I’ve been doing about 20-30 minutes of yoga per day and not running as much as I should. I need to find another race to train for.

It’s almost Election Day and I voted! I’m hoping for the best possible outcome- I believe in my fellow humans. There is plenty enough for all of us so why can’t we all just get along? Diversity is beauty and respect is requested. Okay, enough of that.

Picture of Icon’s Icon on the new sailcover and my freshly cleaned off whiteboard- it was stressing me out having everything on it in my face so I super simplified the board but have the other to-do-lists and potential jobs in my phone and the back of my brain. And my crazy art is on the wall- another back of the list thing- painting will always be a passion.

If you’re still reading this Thank You. I hope you have a fabulous November!

Waxing Gibbous

The moon is not full but I feel it’s pull. Even as it appears time is spiraling out of control… the moon remains predictable.

It’s late and instead of sleeping after another very busy day, my mind won’t stop weaving intricate webs of entanglement.

It’s almost as if my emotions are the insects feeding the spider so it can keep spinning the silk that lures me into a perpetual trap.

Self reflective introspective pondering, wandering the deep shadows within some invisible liminal space.

I often look at the moon and it makes me feel as if life is all a dream. How is that we are somehow alive on this lush planet floating in space warmed by a giant star. That wild fireball we call the sun that flings things that dance and light up the night sky on rare occasions.

The steady reflections on that cool rock that orbits our earth like a loyal & faithful yet quiet and small friend. The moon always affecting our mood as it pulls at the waters within and around us and yet still a reminder that we are somewhere lucky in the Milky Way galaxy.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the should’s and wish I could’s, running on the hamster wheel of the human rat race, but is it even more overwhelming to stop and feel for a moment the oddness that we exist at all.

What is this life for? Sheer entertainment?

I suppose being nothingness and everythingness is perpetually boring so we have evolved to be the opposite. Fractured star dust aware of itself as separate, as something, feeling important and powerful yet we are so small and insignificant.

Out of the web I’ve woven as I lie in bed, thumbs tapping on the liquid crystal display, ready to push a button that means anyone anywhere in the world at any time can read the words I’ve just written. Isn’t it all just crazy? Am I the only one who thinks/feels/wonders like this?

I’m sure I’m not. It was just another thought.

I’ve been training for a triathlon- exercising a lot- juggling projects and all I want to do sometimes is be, to lay under the giant day star and not have to worry about anything but each breath I get to take. But I’m a human doing, not a human being… and right now I should be going to sleep. So sweet dreams whether you’re reading this day or night.

You are beautiful!