Friday, August 31, 2012

One lucky subscriber will win this bag tomorrow...


The newsletter will arrive about once a month in your inbox with links to my best blog posts, new items for sale online and other tasty scraps about moth and squirrel, green living, and learning together.

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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

These little scissors cut out all the tiny layers of t-shirts when I do reverse applique. I find their rounded tips help me only cut through the top layer without poking through to the lower fabric. And the different finger position from traditional handles gives my hand a welcome variation in repetitive stress.

Monday, August 27, 2012



Sometimes I just really love a random color combination from the pile of recycled t-shirts. I joke that the huge mess is an essential part of my creative process, but it's not really a joke. As I was sewing this edge I wished I had my camera at the studio. Then I remembered that I did.
If you also love mint and olive green together, perhaps with some hunter, red or blue, check out the hats at my booth this saturday. And as the first saturday of the month, we will be celebrating 20 seasons of the Bellingham farmers market with 20% off all cotton hats. First of september, final summer fling, time to make room for the wool...


Monday, August 20, 2012



Every night before we go to sleep we talk about beautiful things with franklin. It helps us foster gratitude, even after long days and battles over tooth brushing habits. For this blog I want to post sketches of beautiful things, well made objects that bring me joy, bits of nature that held my attention. I want to create a tiny space online for documenting little rituals, pleasures and inspiration. I am ever inspired and in awe of Jessica Bonin's one a day project last year. I am not hard core enough to post one a day, but once a week would be nice, don't you think?

p.s. this phrase came into our family lexicon via Bahamadia

Wednesday, August 15, 2012


I captured more shots of the bag I am giving away at the end of august. Subscribe to my new mailing list by the August 31 for your chance to win the amazing chicken tote. It folds into it's own little polka dotted bag to slip into your regular purse or bag. So convenient and thoughtful, eco friendly and stylish, just like the newsletter you will occasionally receive in your inbox.






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Friday, August 10, 2012

yes oh yes!



I listen to this album a lot sewing in my studio. Just saw this video and it made me cry with happiness.

Thursday, August 09, 2012

sack of potatoes


 

There are plenty of projects out there using burlap right now, things made to look rustic and natural by using this humble fabric. The irony is many of the buntings and slip covers and votive candles use brand new burlap by the yard to achieve these eco-fabulous results. So I was really pleased when Mary from Hammerhead roasters was able to hook me up with some of their burlap sacks. I started a sewing project with franklin and planned some more Pinterest inspired crafty projects. However this way of growing potatoes is bringing me so much pleasure right now, it feels like enough.This is recycling at its most simple and elegant. It required no additional products or tools, filled a genuine need, and retained the character of the material's original purpose.

I have two of these set up now, one at the garden class for folks with disabilities and one on our front lawn. By layering more organic matter vertically it should be easier to harvest potatoes and allow us to grow more in a small space. Especially useful since we have clay soil at our house that is a bear to dig.  As the plant grows we unroll more of the bag and stuff it with more straw and soil, keeping a few leaves exposed to catch the sun. I often see this basic idea of growing vertical potatoes created by stacking old tires. But the reality is, a stinky old tire is really heavy to lift onto a stack of tires. And although old tires are often free, they are rather difficult to bring home in a tiny car or on the back of a bicycle. But someone who uses a wheelchair or a two year old can easily work with the burlap sack. When it comes time to harvest our sack of potatoes, we just tip it over or cut a slit in the side to let the spuds tumble into our eager hands.

Thanks to Mary for the sacks. The Stomp Swill Dark roast alone inspires all kinds of creative projects. I am grateful for another great resource from my farmers market community. But if you don't live in Bellingham, they ship their deliciousness!(click here to check out their roasts.)


Wednesday, August 01, 2012

papa's got a brand new bag

Today starts the official bag ban in Bellingham. Stores cannot offer plastic bags to customers and must charge 5cents for paper bags. There are allowances for produce and bulk foods related plastic bags, take out bags and small paper bags to keep tiny items safe. People on food stamps don't need to pay the fee for bags. But no more plastic bags. It's pretty serious.
As a tote collector, I am naturally unphased by the new ordinance and am hopeful that more local businesses will step up their efforts to offer cute sturdy bags with interesting designs. As a retailer myself I am also unphased as I have been offering customers various canvas bags for years. This season I have gone a step farther and am offering gift bags made from tshirt scraps. But as a cheap hippy, I am totally disappointed that I may have to buy garbage bags now since I won't be able to reuse the occasional plastic bag I get at the store. All those re-use a bag spots will quickly empty out and at 5cents a pop, people won't be so eager to part with their paper bags.

Which leads me to my first ever give away! In honor (celebration? acknowledgement?)of the bellingham bag ordinance I am giving away this amazing chicken tote to one lucky reader who signs up for my newsletter by the end of the month.

What? a newsletter?

Yes! I am collecting names of those who want to stay in the loop. I will be putting out an occasional email to let you know about upcoming sales and events (including classes), inspiration for your own crafty life and links to the best blog posts. Maybe once a month, probably with the seasons, you will get a friendly note from me in your inbox.

this is the tote. I spent a whole day on it, french seams and all. I couldn't figure out what to charge for it and couldn't justify keeping it for myself. So I want you to have it. Really. It can even fold up into a little blue polkadot pocket inside to toss in your other bag.






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