Clean.

Ten tips to help your kids (and you!) start sewing.

When we talked about kids sewing last week, I noticed how many of you were hungry for a little inspiration and training of the needle-and-thread sort.

Many of you loved the idea of sewing with your children, but didn't know where to begin.

Well, then. How about we begin right here?

With a few tips to start you off in the right direction.

Ten Tips to Help Your Kids (and You!) Start Sewing

1. Gather supplies

You don't need much to be ready to sew.

A small budget and a trip to the local craft store (or better yet the thrift store) will give you all you need.

Gather the following supplies:

• Sharp needles in a variety of sizes
• Sewing thread in a few colors (I find grey to be handy when you don't have the right thread color on hand.)
• Woven (as in bed sheet-type, not t-shirts) cotton fabric in a variety of colors. (If your budget is tight, buy button-down shirts or skirts at the second hand store when you find them marked down.)
• Sharp scissors or shears
• Straight pins
• Somewhere to park those pins, even if it's just a folded piece of fleece (Sewing a pin cushion is a great beginner's project!)
• An embroidery hoop or two if you plan on any cross-stitch or embroidery.
• A seam-ripper. Because, well, you know. 

2. Assemble a sewing kit (and keep it handy)

An old suitcase, sturdy picnic basket, or lidded box is a perfect sewing kit. Choose something you already have on hand or pick up a box at the thrift store. Then organize your supplies using mint tins, jars, and bags.

Keep your kit near your other craft supplies so the kids can find it when inspiration strikes.

Don't overfill your sewing box! If you have lots of fabric, just offer a small selection at a time to keep from overwhelming your kids (or yourself).

3. Find a mentor

Do you have a friend who sews? If sewing is new to you, have them show you and your child the basics.

If you don't know anyone with basic sewing skills, ask around. Craft stores, fabric stores, or even knitting shops are great places to connect with crafty folks who love to share.

4. Fill the bookshelf

Pick up some sewing books from your local bookstore or library geared towards children or for beginners.

We all enjoyed the book I shared with you last week as well as the one pictured above.

"Fabric, Paper, Thread" is also written for kids, but for those with a bit more experience. (This book was also sent our way via Sew Mama Sew and Fun Stitch Studio.) With these new books in hand I realized how lovely it is to have fresh inspiration.

This book inspired the drawstring bags shown here. Lupine and Sage worked together to craft them for favor bags for Sage's birthday.

Look for books that will hold your interest as you and your kids gain skills.

5. Pick up a needle and thread

Nothing inspires your children like watching you take the leap. You don't need a sewing machine to sew! In fact, handwork is an ideal place to start.

But start. Just start!

6. Release the negative self-talk

Now that you started, be nice. To you. Because dang it, you're sewing! How self-reliant you are.

The need to be perfect or get everything right on the first try is the perfect way to stymie any lick of creative juice that you might have had.

Wonky seam? Eh. Who'd notice? Mis-matched bobbin? Edgy! Some puckers? Call 'em pin-tucks.

If your child sees you roll with your own imperfections they will probably give themselves the same grace.

7. Find important work for little hands.

Give your child a job as you work on a project together.

The old blue snips pictured above have been in the hands of my kids since they were each two. (I'm sure they were in my hands when I was small, as they came to me after my grandma died with the rest of her sewing supplies.)

My children would sit in my lap anytime I sewed at my machine, blue snips at the ready for the stray tails at the end of each seam.

That work was vital for them to be engaged and learning as I worked on my own projects.

What job can your child do?

8. Allow your kids to create

Let your kids to dream, plan, and create. Let them cut and sew and make 100 little pouches out of your fabric scraps or tiny pillows for their dolls.

If I may be so bold: get out of their way.

Breathe through the urge to do for them, to suggest a matching thread, to improve or otherwise usurp their process. Just let their creativity run wild and their confidence and skill blossoms.

By all means be there to guide and assist them, but know when to guide and when to step away.

9. Build your skills

What scares you a little? Button holes? Embroidery? Putting in a zipper? Work your way up the skill ladder one small project at a time.

And as you learn, help your child build skills as well.

Remember: YouTube is your friend.

Just last night YouTube was there when I needed someone to explain how to bind a quilt. Because I'm making a quilt. And I don't know how to make a quilt! I didn't know how to make a quilt, but I learned.

10. It's all about the process

Very little of what our children craft will land in your "forever" box. They make, they learn, they grow. And lucky us! We get to watch them along the way.

I try to remember with most things in life, it's the process that we're after.

Sewing is no different.

And every so often we're blessed with not only a joyful process, but a beautiful project as a bonus at the end.

Happy crafting!

Love,
Rachel

 

 

Simplify your home. A step-by-step plan.

Thanks for the swell comments on yesterday's post.

It's good to know that I'm not alone and that others are struggling in the journey towards simplicity.

What you see below is a (much needed) repost from early 2012. A simple path to a simple home.

I think it's time to revisit this plan and take in on anew. Are you in? 

Ooh! More ugly pictures. (You love these, don't you.) Yes. This space looked so lovely when we first set it up, but it's been a while and it's looking pretty tattered.

I have formulated a plan for how we can work together to transform our homes to more simple and beautiful spaces. As we roll into the weekend I thought many of you would be anxious to start. While some of you are probably already digging in, I thought others could use a formula to get started. There is no right or wrong way to go about it as long as you're making progress. Below is my plan:

A Simple and Beautiful Home

1. Take a notebook. At the top of each page jot down the name of each room or space in your home. (Don't forget the basement, garage, and any additional off-site storage spaces that you want to tackle.)

2. Walk through your home and list the projects that need to be accomplished in each room. Write it all down. Then you have the satisfaction of crossing off each task as it is completed and you'll see the progress in your notebook and your space. (For super geeky simplifying, shoot some before pictures. I'll figure out a way for us to share before and afters in the coming weeks.)

For example, the room above, our homeschooling room (really a pass-through hallway) needs the following:

Homeschool Room

• Clean clutter off globe shelves and top of hutch. Wipe off globes.
• Clean, purge and organize craft supplies. Wipe down hutch inside and out.
• Purge and organize books.
• Clean off nature table and start fresh.
• Touch up paint.

Repeat this process for each space.

3. Now decide how much time you will commit each day (or week) to simplification. I suggest a bare minimum of 10 minutes per session so that you can actually see some progress and a maximum of a few hours. Try not to schedule such large and frequent chunks of time that you burn out, but schedule enough that you'll see progress and be inspired to continue. For many of you (myself included) setting a particular time each day to work will be helpful too. After dinner, before bed, etc.

4. Before you start your first space, gather a few supplies:

• Bye-bye box (items to donate)
• Recycling box (for all that paper that seems to breed and multiply on every flat surface)
• Trash bag
• Damp rag for wiping surfaces down
• Your notebook: keep it close at hand to cross off tasks and to jot down any additional supplies you may need. (Say, a bin, coat hook or file folder for example. You may find you can repurpose something you already have that you find in a room further down the list.).

5. Choose the room that will pack the most satisfaction without being overwhelming and start there. Come back to that room each session until it is done if you are unable to complete it in one go.

That's it! Now you are rolling. Your new simple, de-cluttered, beautiful home awaits. Go and get it.

Thanks for the swell comments on yesterday's post.

It's good to know that I'm not alone and that others are struggling in the journey towards simplicity.

What you see below is a (much needed) repost from early 2012. A simple path to a simple home.

I think it's time to revisit this plan and take in on anew. Are you in? 

Ooh! More ugly pictures. (You love these, don't you.) Yes. This space looked so lovely when we first set it up, but it's been a while and it's looking pretty tattered.

I have formulated a plan for how we can work together to transform our homes to more simple and beautiful spaces. As we roll into the weekend I thought many of you would be anxious to start. While some of you are probably already digging in, I thought others could use a formula to get started. There is no right or wrong way to go about it as long as you're making progress. Below is my plan:

A Simple and Beautiful Home

1. Take a notebook. At the top of each page jot down the name of each room or space in your home. (Don't forget the basement, garage, and any additional off-site storage spaces that you want to tackle.)

2. Walk through your home and list the projects that need to be accomplished in each room. Write it all down. Then you have the satisfaction of crossing off each task as it is completed and you'll see the progress in your notebook and your space. (For super geeky simplifying, shoot some before pictures. I'll figure out a way for us to share before and afters in the coming weeks.)

For example, the room above, our homeschooling room (really a pass-through hallway) needs the following:

Homeschool Room

• Clean clutter off globe shelves and top of hutch. Wipe off globes.
• Clean, purge and organize craft supplies. Wipe down hutch inside and out.
• Purge and organize books.
• Clean off nature table and start fresh.
• Touch up paint.

Repeat this process for each space.

3. Now decide how much time you will commit each day (or week) to simplification. I suggest a bare minimum of 10 minutes per session so that you can actually see some progress and a maximum of a few hours. Try not to schedule such large and frequent chunks of time that you burn out, but schedule enough that you'll see progress and be inspired to continue. For many of you (myself included) setting a particular time each day to work will be helpful too. After dinner, before bed, etc.

4. Before you start your first space, gather a few supplies:

• Bye-bye box (items to donate)
• Recycling box (for all that paper that seems to breed and multiply on every flat surface)
• Trash bag
• Damp rag for wiping surfaces down
• Your notebook: keep it close at hand to cross off tasks and to jot down any additional supplies you may need. (Say, a bin, coat hook or file folder for example. You may find you can repurpose something you already have that you find in a room further down the list.).

5. Choose the room that will pack the most satisfaction without being overwhelming and start there. Come back to that room each session until it is done if you are unable to complete it in one go.

That's it! Now you are rolling. Your new simple, de-cluttered, beautiful home awaits. Go and get it.

There is no "after" picture. Simplicity fail.

"Before" pictures of my basement. As for "After" pictures, well, there are none.

Kathy at Bliss Beyond Naptime asked me to join her for a simplicity home tour she's hosting on her blog. I was invited to feature one wonderful space in my home, and share how simplicity has really made it a pleasure to use.

And while I love the concept, I politely declined.

Because the truth is simplicity is feeling rather out of reach these days.

I'm overwhelmed, discouraged, and up to my armpits in stuff.

And it sucks.

This revelation today is courtesy of two things, the first being a lost book (no big deal but still frustrating as I paw through the dusty corners of my house in vain), and the second a missing birthday banner.

Sage's birthday is this weekend. And last year he didn't want to use his bunting, but this year he does.

And I can't find it.

After a half-hour of searching I found the bag of birthday loot (the wooden spiral, the candles, and Lupine's bunting) but Sage's is no where to be seen.

What. The. Heck.

Yes, yes. I'll cut myself some slack because well, two years, one move, and two basement floods have come and gone since I last saw the thing, but still. Boo.

In the big picture it's not a colossal mothering failure to misplace a birthday banner.

I get that. But having just spent an hour digging through boxes and totes in the basement, the barn, the sewing room, and the closets makes me wonder where I took a wrong turn.

I'm nothing short of floored by all that we still have to do.

Because we still have so much stuff.

And loads of it has been boxed or half-boxed/pawed through since we moved.

In November.

Why oh why is this stuff still here?

Because It's epic.

That's why.

Because it's messy and uncomfortable and letting go can be hard.

Because there are memories and trinkets mixed with random papers. Because there are things to toss and things to keep all jumbled together and sometimes it's hard to know the difference.

And if I get really honest it's because I'd rather garden or sew or knit or cook or can or scrub my toilet or do almost anything instead of stand in my basement sorting boxes of I-don't-even-know-what.

And yet it needs to be done. I want it to be done. And I haven't made it happen.

I've stalled out.

And simplicity is not someplace you arrive at and then stay there. It's like dishes or laundry. You have to keep at it or it starts to unravel again.

I guess I've fallen off the simplicity bandwagon. And I didn't stick the landing. 

It's high time I climb back on. As in: right now. Even if it's uncomfortable. Even if I'd rather be in the garden.

Because I want my life to be clean and ordered and real. Not strewn with boxes and bags of forgotten treasures to walk around.

Keep the good and let go of the rest.

And be ruthless with it.

So yes, friends, I have too much fabric and too many old pictures. We have too many bicycles and too many vintage suitcases. Too much camping gear and too many ski boots.

We have. Too. Much. Stuff.

It's time to dig out.

Again.

Will you join me on this journey?

Thanks for your non-judgement, for your reflection, and for your companionship along this road.

And thanks for listening.

love,
Rachel

Tall Ships, Driftless style.

Because, quite simply, kids don't need toys after all.

 

 ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

 

And because it's exceptionally hard for me to not talk more that just that, here are some follow-up thoughts!

1. Purchased toys are overrated.

Yes, we all have them. But no, we don't need any more.

Our kids have all they need right in their own amazing minds, if only we can support them and get out of the way.

2. When Minecraft or movies or games are not an option, magic happens.

Yes, we do screen time. But no, not a lot.

I think that's good for everyone involed.

3. You don't need giant feral zucchini and a spring-fed creek to let such goodness bloom.

Yes, I grew crazy squash. But no, you don't have to.

What do you have? Some mud? A bin of rice and some food coloring? Yarn and twigs? You get the idea. More inspiration in this department here and here.

4. Yes, I let my kids use knives.

Even when they were small.

Wondering why on earth that would be a good idea? I talk about it here.

That is all.

Love,
Rachel

Blueberry picking with my favorite sister.

My very favorite sister came to visit this weekend. (Okay, okay. You're right. She's also my only sister. No need to nitpick.)

She drove up from Milwaukee and soon after she arrived we were on the road again, headed an hour and a half away to pick blueberries.

This is what we do together, my sister and I. We talk about our dogs, the kids, and our mom and dad. We talk about crafting and we make stuff. We talk about dreams and manifesting.

(See what I mean? She really is my favorite sister.)

And then we forage, we harvest, and we put food by.

Yes, for all of our city mouse - country mouse differences, the growing-or-finding-then-preserving-amazing-food gene is one that we share. And with passion.

We picked berries for a couple of hours and hauled home an impressive ten pounds each, with the kids adding a couple pounds to the mix themselves.

(And yes, if you must know, I did buy more. Not as crazy pants style as I went with the peaches, but still a few extra pounds. Or so. Ahem.)

It was fabulous picking, a gorgeous view, and the best possible company. 

A delicious day.

And then we drove back to our farm to relax for the evening and plot what we would do with all those berries in the morning.

And what did we do with them?

Oh. My.

So many marvelous things.

Blueberry-buttermilk ice cream. (Scream!)

Blueberry-ginger jam. (Classic.)

Blueberry-lemon balm jam. (Sublime.)

And blueberry-basil jam. (Yowza.)

So. Who wants recipes?

Because my sister and I - we also both love to share.

Love,
Rachel

P.S. Some notes about our shoes above, in case you're in the market for some new favorites. Both pairs shown are ethcially made in the US by small family companies. Lupine's (hand-me-downs from Sage) are Soft Star Shoes and mine are from the Aurora Shoe Company.

These two brands are crafted to last, foot healthy, and sweat-shop free. They feel-good in every possible way. Now you know!

 

Raspberry-ginger ice cream recipe. (egg-free, dairy-free/vegan option)

This ice cream habit it getting a little out of control.

But I can't possibly complain about it. Because goodness. We're having ice cream. Twice a week at least. And it's some of the best we've ever tasted.

This batch was inspired by a morning spent picking berries at our friend's farm across the road. After I took my first bite I called that friend up and told him that he really should come over to have some.

Of course he did. And he was glad.

Because come on. Raspberries on the plants in the morning and decadent ice cream by sundown, just a few yards away? What could be better?

That's right. Not much.

The only challenge was having any left to photograph for you the next morning. You barely got this recipe, folks. Because I tiptoed downstairs in my pajamas and almost, almost ate it all before bed.

It's that good.

But enough chatter. Here's what you're after - the recipe.

First, some notes. As with my Farmstead Cherry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream recipe: 

• Feel free to replace all of the cream and milk with coconut milk for a dairy-free variety. You may  also replace the honey with 3/4 C of coconut sugar if you are vegan.

• The milk I used was raw when we started, the cream was not (because that was what I had).

This recipe was half-heartedly inspired by Molly Moon's Blackberry Sage Ice cream recipe. But not really.

Raspberry-Ginger Ice Cream

4 C raspberries, divided

1 1/2 Tb peeled and finely grated ginger root

1/4 C fresh lemon juice

2/3 C raw honey, divided

2 C heavy cream

1 C whole milk

1/2 tsp liquid stevia extract

Process

Combine 3 C raspberries with ginger, 1/3 C honey and lemon juice. Cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes unitl bubbly and thick and berries are well broken down. 

Remove from heat, cover, and allow to sit for 20 minutes.

In another saucepan combine cream, milk, and remaining honey. Stir to combine as you heat over medium heat. Stir frequently as you bring the mixture to just below a boil.

Remove from heat.

Strain seeds out of raspberry mixture by pressing through a fine mesh strainer.

Stir in strained raspberry mixture.

Transfer to a mason jar and move to the fridge. (To save my fridge from doing so much work I let mine sit out for 1 hour before transferring to the fridge. You can also stand the jar in a basin of cool water and slowly add ice to the water until cold if you are in a hurry.)

When mixture is chilled add vanilla extract.

Transfer to your ice cream maker and freeze.

When you start churning, spread your reserved raspberries on a cookie sheet and transfer to the freezer. (If your berries are room temperature they will melt your ice cream when you add them.) Also freeze a shallow, wide dish (like a Pyrex or tupperware container) large enough to hold 1 1/2 quarts of ice cream.

When churned, transfer to your chilled container. Layer ice cream with chilled raspberries. (Do not press down your ice cream or you'll work out the air you just worked so hard to put in.)

Place in freezer to set for one hour, or if you are impatient just eat it all while standing at the counter. Because yes, it's that good.