I so enjoyed reading your comments in my newspaper while I had the glorious 'music of the opera' filling the air of my morning a couple of days ago.

Your refreshing, poignant, and profound phrases were such a welcome (and -unfortunately- necessary) wake-up to us in our national community.  I read every word and the whole made for such a delightful moment in my morning with my newspaper.  We've got a lot to learn (and re-learn).

Thank you for your insight, and review of the basics.  I (for one) loved it.

Kelvin W. Cole, Killingworth

I just wanted to let you know that I discovered your book (and you) today, at a time when I needed a pick-me-up oh so badly - and my soul was soothed at first glance!  Thank you - for being who you are, and doing what you do! It has lifted my spirits immensely, refocused my energy positively . . . such the perfect "soul salve" at just the right moment! I had to post about you on FB, so my friends could check you out! I hope you don't mind - I thought it would be selfish of me not to share the discovery!

I am writing again about Jill Butler and her articles.  I can't even explain what they mean to me, so inspiring, so colorful and delightful, so full of ideas, honorary mentions of locals, family and friends...she just does it all:) I love reading her articles and I have to say it is the only article I read from start to finish.  I just don't want to miss anything. I am sure she has helped others along the way with her organized approach to getting things done and looking at things in a different way.

I am so glad but jealous that she is going to Paris in October. Oh and I can't wait to read her articles when she gets back  (maybe it will be a new book).  Her books are the best!

I wanted to say how much I appreciate having Jill Butler as part of your Shoreline paper and again it is the best paper around town.  Keep up the good work!!

Thank you for entertaining me and my friends with your articles.

I love this book! I think the binding choice is wonderful! It makes it easy to leave open on an inspirational page and come back to it. (Last night I left it open to the page about having project tables all around, for my husband, who loves flat surfaces and fills them all! He also liked the photo on page 21 - all the notebooks. That speaks to his engineer-self.)

I love the concepts and the presentation/organization. It is better, more inspirational - than I could have imagined. (I'm not saying this to flatter - I really mean it.) It's bright, happy, warm and personal. I love the illustrations, photos and text. The book was fun to read and the ideas were fun to contemplate. I'm filled with new ideas.

Our trip was fantastic! And, we referred to your books often. We even scheduled our morning itinerary around the Marché des Timbre (Stamp Market) you wrote about! Compared to all of the other “travel stuff” I’d collected, your whimsical books were easy-to-use and the perfect introduction to Paris. So, thanks again!

When I started reading Jill Butler's book, Create the Space You Deserve, I was captivated. About a month earlier, I had purchased a small cottage which needed updating. I had bought the book for decorating ideas. What I got was much more.

I instantly became aware that what Jill had written about was not merely color, fabrics and decor tips, but...life. I found myself contemplating not only how I wanted my cottage to look, but how I wanted it to feel. How I needed it to feel. And, that once I got it to that point, how I, in fact, would feel differently, more true to myself, more authentic. Happier.

I read her book from cover to cover, several times. Each time I got a little something different, something new, something perfect. And my emotions became in tune with my new cottage.

All that...from a book.

As a woman who turns 60 years old in August, I am creating a new seasonal home in the Finger Lakes and I thank you for your inspirational thoughts and ideas. 

I really enjoyed your webinar.  I am just planning my business and got a lot out of your contribution to the day.  I have always been a journaler, but had gotten out of the habit.  Your course reminded me why I need to keep doing it!  I am excited about the mind map.  Please send me a copy.  I think I will even teach it to my kids.  Thanks again.  I can't wait to get my copy.

Monica Perry

I just recently took an LP Practice course through GE/NBC/Universal taught by Sandy Sullivan and Nancy Schumann who are both incredible instructors. At the end of the last day of the course, we were given the opportunity and privilege of choosing one of your amazing pictures.  For many of us, it was an emotional day so it was such a pleasure to see all of your artist faces and read the sayings.  Just watching everyone look for themselves in the faces was so delightful. To be honest, one of the other women in the class actually chose mine for me and it was perfect. I get up every morning and look at it as a reminder of where I want to be. It is a great inspiration to me. I want to thank you, on behalf of myself and everyone in that course, for giving us something to remind us of what we are working towards.

On behalf of all of the Leadership Practices participants held in Shannon, Ireland last month, I would like to thank you for the great material you have built for the course. The course has been a fantastic experience and is already having a major impact on our lives from both a professional and personal perspective.

The eye-catching binders were a real ‘breath of fresh air’ and set the tone for a completely new leadership experience. Your creative artwork has really inspired us to explore who we are and uncover our individual breakthroughs. Selecting my very own ‘Birds‘nWords’ was a challenge as there were several that really captured who I am and what I am striving for. Having my own ‘Birds’nWords’ provides me with a constant reminder of the experience, my personal breakthrough and the possibilities I have discovered for today and the future.

Sincere thanks to you on behalf of all of the course attendees,

Thank you for all the insights I gained yesterday. The program was certainly more than I expected it to be, and I loved meeting you and my new colleagues. It was difficult to say good-bye.

As I drove home, I was thinking about ways to improve my studio workshop and I suddenly realized that I have a porch that is not being used to its full potential (aha!). Although I cleared out all the junk from the rest of the house, I still must do that in my studio and the porch, so now I have a plan to improve and enlarge my space! I'm sure I wouldn't have thought of this if I hadn't taken your workshop (well, I didn't, so that just goes to show you!), so thanks a million!

I hope we can keep in touch - I'll let you know my progress.

Part 2:

I've been working on my studio and have great news - I've cleared away a lot of unused and unusable stuff! It was incredibly liberating!

Last weekend I was in a show and received a lot of direct feedback on my work; also, I could observe what did and didn't attract potential buyers. This helped me begin to decide just what type of work I want to continue doing. I came back home and cleared out everything I didn't need and couldn't use. I was able to bring a lot to the library for children's program use as well as to the swap shop at the dump. And I'm now in the process of setting up the room for the way I need to use it.

The most interesting aspect of this process is that it did not take long to accomplish. The longest part was thinking about doing it.

Thanks a million for your inspiration.

I left energized 1) by conversation in a safe welcoming circle with women all struggling to create space for shelved dreams--creative, personal, professional--and 2) with tools for transforming wishes into reality. Examples? I moved to Chester within the year. I'm co-hosting a monthly poetry/music jam. And I'm collaborating with various artists on prose and lyric projects.

If you have not yet had the fortune to meet Jill, I can attest that her stories and generosity inspire, encourage, and energize. Warning: you may leave wearing dancing shoes!

The biggest surprise from this program was how well the course complemented the work that I was doing to find my next career position.  When I started the class, coincidentally, I found myself out of work due to staff reduction.  The course helped me to define with greater precision what I really wanted in my next position.  I found that as I conducted informational interviews with my networking contacts, that I could be much clearer about what I was seeking in my next position.  And, having this level of clarity, I was more capable of demonstrating to those whom I was interviewing a higher level of confidence and understanding about who I am and what I would bring to the organization.  Also, with a clearer understanding of what I was seeking in terms of the type of organizational culture and environment, I was better able to quickly identify organizations that I would maintain relationships with and organizations that I would eliminate from consideration.  The end result was that the course enhanced the efficiency of my search by helping me to focus my attention more clearly only on those organizations that resonated with my vision.

This is fanmail! I read with pleasure your "ode" to summer in last week's Shoreline Times. I'm sure many other people did, too.

I wanted to let you know that your workshop I attended last spring continues to resonate with me. (I can't attend either of your workshops later this month because of a previous commitment and a mini-vacation, though I would participate again if I could.) Anyway, I was writing regularly in my journal in the morning for a while and then stopped. I can't even explain to myself why. But recently I've again picked up that exemplary habit, which really creates a good start for my day.

I am so glad I was part of your excellent workshop. Keep on keepin' on! And enjoy the rest of your summer. I know I will, and your feature column is going to help me achieve that end.

The workshop last Tuesday night was just wonderful. I’ve been organizing thoughts, articles, stuff, etc. since then, and just today purchased The Artist’s Way.  I’ll set aside some time this weekend to do the mind map, work on the steps, and begin planning my transition to a more creative life.   It won’t happen overnight, but at least I’ll have the steps to follow that will get me there.  Thanks so much for your inspiration and for giving me the impetus to get going in an organized fashion.

"I recommend this workshop to anyone looking for inspiration and guidance in developing her vision of her creative self - then using the tools that Jill provides to make it happen."

Thank you one and all for a great evening...I hope you loved it as much as

I did. Your vulnerability and openness was just great and string bikinis with patches certainly added levity, thank you Lianne.

Breathe and take

I took your "Creating your own Vision" workshop in January 2010 and i just had to let you know that the positive ripples of change in my life continue. I came in with absolutely no idea what I wanted or what made me happy and that has changed. Just wanted to thank you for opening my eyes to so much inside me.  I am a new person in so many ways and thriving instead of surviving now.

I wish we had three more hours!  Jill has an uncanny way of saying exactly the right thing (or things) you NEED to hear.  Jill has given us permission to use our power and spread our wings.

It was a great experience; interesting conversations and lots to think about and process.

Energizing evening of techniques and stories for our tool box.  I am ready to build something new!

Jill, I discover new things everytime I participate in your workshops.  Looking forward to what I discover at the next one.

Excellent workshop that digs deep - I'm walking away with clarity and new connections!

Post Workshop - Day 2

Girl! I have purged and lightened up my studio... I have submitted my art board resignation... And I've been more productive than ever - new pen & ink and watercolor pieces... All thanks to you! I feel like a new woman!

Post workshop - Day 3

WOW! did you help me get organized and I am honestly thinking more clearly now...the anvil is off my chest!

Abby Feinknopf

BE BOLD! Creating Your Vision Series

This workshop was so engaging, visually, emotionally, and intellectually.  Jill deepened and clarified my understanding how my dreams and visions empower me.  

Thanks so much, for the great workshop Jill!  It was a true thrill to meet the woman that created the books I love….sometimes you can’t even image people who produce these works, as regular people!   I learned a lot last night, and have been thinking of it continually since.  I will definitely be journaling about it.

I needed it all, Great stuff.  

This workshop was fantastic; it was a marriage of vision and practicality.  I have been "reset" to taking action on my creative ideas. 

When you are sick of the dogs of change barking at your door, Jill Butler's workshops muzzle the yapping with systems that help creative people's hectic lives make sense and work better.  

Great workshop!  Inspiring, motivating, it provided focus with a place to start and each step to get there.  Highly recommended. 

Jill has really taught me how to utilize the creativity that I always knew I had, how to channel it, share it, and make it grow.  I am really looking forward to my future; great things are possible thanks to Jill.