New year New start

Hallo and welcome to my Creative Nest in Italy!

So a new year is here and my intention for this year is to create and share more art.

I’m working on a fun project and since I gained more confidence I’m ready to share what I do without further ado.

I planned to write a zine once a month for my Patreon, along with other exclusive content as post and videos of behind the scenes.

The Soulfulcrane Gazette will be a lovely trivia zine full of articles, illustrations, puzzles, curiosity etc. something to collect and treasure for those who loves small things, antiques, nostalgia, illustration with a soul and having a calm moment for yourself while the world drive anxiety to the society. That’s what I need for myself too, so I’m really excited about this project.

The first issue of the zine will be available from this coming week end, I hope you’ll come to cheer it on Patreon.

See you there!

Since then, stay save and tuned.

Xoxo, G. Aka Jdeebella at Soulfulcrane, the creative nest in Italy.

Closing a year of pain and sorrow, opening to light and love

Dear Friend,

December was a calm and resting month, I cannot help, but this year I can’t share my love for Christmas time, it’s strange, as this festive was dear to me since I can remember and I always felt joy in this time of the year. But this one is a sort of mess, the world is messed up and 2025 was plenty of bad things for humanity in this part of the planet, so I cannot feel the Christmas spirit as I was used to. Maybe for you isn’t so, and I draw a garland to bring you my wishes for the future, I really hope that light will come to the humans and that peace could reign again everywhere.

So, December bring some lovely things: lots of hot tea cups, I celebrated my birthday, a new dress from Sondeflor, the Jane Austen 250° anniversary - small things are always the best to comfort the soul.

So, as this year is coming to an end, I hope that 2026 will bring some light to the world, I pray for peace everywhere, I pray for a better human minds and way to live our life, thinking to the others and not only to self, not only battling for a better economy but for the human being rights, because I feel that the world is loosing compassion and this isn’t a good thing. So I wish light and love for the 2026.

I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year, with yours and if you can, just do something for your neighbors this Christmas.

Since next time, xoxo G. Aka Jdeebella at Soulfulcrane, the creative nest in Italy

A Folk soul in a windy city

Hello dear reader,

So, November is coming to an end.

This was a generous month and while I’m writing I’m eating a delicious carrot almond and coconut pie sipping my morning coffee to celebrate and sharing my thoughts with you.

And while the north wind called Bora is clarifying our ideas and path, family is settling down, I’d the time to play with brushes and get some work done.

I’ve always been fascinated by folk tales, especially those from the North, where magic has a central role. I have a predilection for Scotland and Highlands and November brings some new ideas inspired by those stories, by tv series as Outlander, and also from documentary as those host by Ben Fogle.

So yes, I can say I have a Folk Soul seeking for the magic, the quite, and the kindness in people and everywhere around. Spirituality is a fundamental part of those who knows how to live in the world, how to coop with elements, and how to pursue compassion and kindness could bring calm and joy to the self and the other around you.

Perhaps the reason why I love the Scottish islands is that sense of spirituality and community one can feel there, which reminds me of my homeland, Sicily. There is the same magical bond between the people, the land, the sea, and the trust in God’s will, whatever it may be. That spirit of collaboration and mutual help, knowing that one is never truly alone but part of a community and of something beyond oneself, is a spirit that must be preserved and that becomes one with the surrounding nature.

In the city where I live, it is difficult to find all of this; there is a lot of individualism, but I know I can still rely on a few close people who make me feel that same sense of belonging even here.

And finally, November also brought the magic of being recognized as a professional illustrator, and now one of my works has become a painting in the home of a friend, who shares the same gentle and slightly folk spirit.

So that’s all for this month, see you in December and remember to be kind to each other, giving is always the way to get the best for you too.

Since next time, xoxo, G. Aka Jdeebella at Soulfulcrane, the creative nest in Italy

November, the Month of Shadows — A Journey Through Ancestral Magic and Autumn Mysticism

November began with the awareness that this is a time for introspection. My mind returns to my origins, to a childhood where nature and humans completed each other. Where there wasn’t much, but that little was everything.

I had a happy childhood with my grandparents, who taught me the difference between good and evil, who protected me, cared for me, and helped me grow strong, confident, and with a critical mind. This November, when the veil between worlds becomes thin, I hold them in my thoughts with gratitude.

I fondly remember the chickens in our coop, the vegetables and fruits from the garden, the corn roasted over the fire, the slow passing of the seasons, the cycle of life with its rebirth and death — a life filled with slowness, joy, and love.

Sometimes I think my grandmother was a healer — one of those women admired and feared in ancient pagan rites. But there was nothing to fear with her. She was a living example of love, kindness, and compassion toward others, and she overflowed with affection for us grandchildren and all our relatives.

Anyway, enough with the nostalgia — back to reality: November greeted me with the warm embrace of a lovely flu. How thoughtful!

So, between sipping herbal tea and adding an extra blanket to the bed, I took some time to draw — inspired by these poetic images from my childhood and the allure of pagan worlds I'm rediscovering thanks to the TV series Outlander. I painted two illustrations that I truly love, and they feel deeply connected to my wild and free spirit.

As you know, I've always been fascinated by Scotland, and I finally have the chance to watch Outlander—I've been waiting so long for it here in Italy! At last, Prime is streaming it, and I'm absolutely loving this series with all my heart.

Now I want to knit some of those beautiful shawl Claire’s wear in the series too.

Well, that’s all for now, since next time, xoxo, Giusy aka Jdeebella @ Soulfulcrane - the creative nest in Italy

Octoberphile - An Autumn soul drawn to crisp air, amber leaves, and the quiet magic of October

Hello dear reader, how are you?

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you already know that my favorite season is Autumn.

For the new ones, here is why:

October is a symphony of change. The air turns crisp, the light softens, and the world wraps itself in amber and gold. It’s the month of quiet magic — of warm drinks, layered clothes, and long walks through rustling leaves. It’s when everything slows down just enough to let you breathe, reflect, and fall in love with the world again.

And…. Stars Hollow (Gilmore Girls) is also on the run - with pumpkins on porches, coffee cups, clutched in mittened hands, and the scent of cinnamon drifting through the air. It’s the season when even fictional towns feel more alive… and I’m fully immersed in a long rewatch of the series again!

And for me, it holds something even deeper: it’s the month I gave birth. A moment that forever tied my heart to this season of transformation and tenderness.

Astra our cat, turned 6 months yesterday, she is a really good one, it’s sweet and cheerful, a tender cat we just love to cuddle in our harms.

So, it was very natural to bring all these feelings into an autumn postcard as you can see above.

Life is bittersweet, isn’t it?

When democracy is at risk, the only thing you can do is believe - and do what you can to raise awareness, support good causes, and offer your two kind cents to the world around you.

That’s all for now, xoxo from my creative nest to yours.

Jdeebella at Soulfulcrane - The creative nest in Italy