branch homestead

it was a great day at the brainery bazaar on saturday

mayday! underground crafts & art

what i am making with washable paper fabric

as mentioned in my last post i have begun an adventure with washable paper fabric. 

 for many years i have been looking to make bags for produce that i purchase at our local farmer's markets, brighton, south wedge, rochester city public market and our co-op the good food collective.

i've used fabric produce bags that i've made and i love them. they are great for keeping produce out of the fridge like apples, tomatoes & bananas so that the fruit flies stay off the fruit.

i am making lunch bag style bags that comes with a clothes pin. these bags are great to take to the market. they are the perfect size to transfer any produce that comes in a quart container and then fold over the top of the bag and use the clothes pin to keep out the fruit flies! the bags are best for produce that you want to keep moisture away from, peaches, mushrooms, apples, potatoes, onions & garlic. tomatoes love these bags, you can keep them out of the fridge. the bags can go right in the washer and dryer. i have been hanging mine on the clothes line, but they are fine in the dryer too.

for several years i have wanted to create a reusable/washable pint container. i think the design i have now is really wonderful. i am using this to store many little things and loving it for beautiful tomatoes and berries.

i will be selling these tomorrow at the brainer bizarre in the village gate, come and visit me.

 

squam-full circle

i've come full circle.

i started this blog following my first retreat to squam art workshops in june 2009. as so many have shared their love and appreciation for elizabeth duvivier, i feel immense gratitude for so many of the dear souls that are now in my life thanks to my time spent at squam. this would take an entirely different post, thankfully  lizzy house wrote a beautiful post about this back in 2013. she spoke of all the love that comes from shared connections. sometimes the joy can be overwhelming...all from one choice.

i am just coming back around to making the time to create full-time. my original goal with the blog was to offer ideas that we have found effective to be gentler to the earth with our daily needs. i am getting back around to this.

while i was away from the blog i spent much of the time learning to sew garments for myself.

 i received a gift from my sister-in-law and brother-in-law. they returned from a trip to italy with a bag made from washable paper fabric. it took me a while to find a source and to discover how best to sew the material that in many ways acts like leather. i have created a few products and felt that i was ready to sell! i decided that squam art fair would be the perfect place to begin this new adventure. i knew that i would have lovely support there. virginia and noah from gather here were hosting the first squam modern quilt show and several other makers who i know and adore would be there too. i was thrilled that my very dear mother was available to make the trip with me.

 we had a lovely evening as expected. received a beautiful reception, informative feedback and my favorite part of the evening was discussing the washable paper fabric that i have been making many of my products from. i feel strongly that this product is a game changer. i have so many things that i want to make with it and collaborations in the works. hoping to share more soon. thank you to those who have encouraged and supported me.

 

 

 

 

a new beginnning

i was a bit overwhelmed when we finally made the decision that it was possible for me to leave my place of employment to try to making some things that you might want to purchase that could bring you joy.

we are also trying to simplify. expect to see many more poached eggs with lentils.

 

i will be sharing what is working for us and what might work for you too.

expect to see more sunshine too. i have really enjoyed searching for and sharing the sunshine everyday. 

happiest new year to you.

 

 

{this moment}

getting back to it...

i have been away for a long time but even before that i had lost the original purpose of this blog.

as a family we are trying hard to reduce our footprint. often times i am asked how i do this. i chose to start this blog to share some of the tricks that i have learned and share the journey of so much more that i plan to learn.

we have been more focused lately on reducing and i am trying to get back to finding more ways to re-purpose and recycle.

so much has changed this year in and out of our home that we are reassessing how we consume and what is really important to us.

my favorite place to be!

This moment

Sent from my iPhone

{this moment}

{this moment}

     
a photo~an extraordinary moment~no words~pause~savor~remember...

another thoughtful idea from soulemama