Have you witnessed, or experienced your own, wholehearted expression? There’s a magic to it. Something I can’t quite articulate; that I can only see from the corner of my eye. People lean in, energetically drawn to a person who is able to show up without pretense, without armor, without the need for adulation. Wholly in […]
I’ve been teaching a series of classes locally on sewing knit garments…a t-shirt, skirt and leggings. The students and I jumped right in with pattern drafting on the skirt and leggings and with pattern manipulation on the t-shirt because that’s what I love. The ability to get your most perfect fit. The magic that comes […]
I’m pondering grace today. The word keeps surfacing in my reading and thoughts and this morning I decided to spend time with it’s meaning. It’s a nuanced word…moving with beauty and elegance; in favor; a sense of politeness and consideration; ornamentation in order to beautify; the thanks we give before eating, and the one that […]
My wee boy began preschool this fall. It’s been hard. It’s the first time he’s been dropped off with a gaggle of other kids with or without his mama. Each day has gotten a bit harder as he begins to anticipate his fear of being “left”. It breaks this mama’s heart when he runs after […]
I’m a maker. It’s in my soul. Making gives my everyday life deeper meaning. While I love making clothes, I’m not always in love with the patterns or colors or types of fabric that are available. Using materials that are gentle on both the planet and people is a value of mine but that limits […]
I’ve been dabbling in natural dyes for a couple of years…not consistently or often, but on occasion. At first I wasn’t hooked. That’s not really true, I love the concept…taking plants and natural materials and making dyes for our cloth in the same ancient ways as our distant ancestors. That appeals to me big time. […]
In my garden there are several volunteer squash plants. I’m a first time gardener, so rather than wisely thinning them out, I’ve delighted in their wish to become an edible harvest in my little garden and have left every single one. If you are a gardener you know how this ends. While I was not […]
I’ve always been a lover of lists. Lists with little boxes to check when completed. Packing lists. Making lists. To do lists. Grocery lists. Lists of restaurants visited on a 3 month road trip. List of books I’ve read. All of the lists. Making a plan and writing a list has brought me a […]
Not long ago I had the honor of teaching at a skill swap. It was a lovely, peace-filled day full of happy, smiling people intermingling, learning a thing or two and sharing both bread and a dance step. I taught a class on hand sewing a tee shirt…and I failed at it. Really…not […]
Our first retreat is A Study in Slow Fashion…but what does that mean? Slow fashion, the alternative to fast fashion and part of what has been called the “slow movement”, advocates for principles similar to the principles of slow food, such as good quality, clean environment, and fairness for both consumers and producers. (wikipedia) A […]