A Handmade Wardrobe

 

I'll admit that my sewing machine has suffered years of neglect. As we started to outgrow our little farm house, the space to do extra projects just disappeared. Our new house has enough space for me to finally get back to sewing. I used to sew a lot of things for my children but this time I felt motivated to make clothing for myself. I've always been inspired by Meg and her handmade wardrobe so I started with some of her patterns.

I made myself an Estuary skirt, Foraging vest and Strata top. I also made a Schoolhouse tunic and a Metamorphic dress. My size has changed since I last made myself clothing so I'm really glad I never cut my old patterns. I'm also so pleased to see more people offering plus sizes in their patterns. Fabric is just as expensive as ever so I've been working on upcycling bedding and scoring second-hand fabric. 

I also whipped up some of the most comfortable Luna pants ever. I took a chance and used double gauze and I made the ankles extra loose. Oh they are like pjs but better. I want to make all my pants out of double gauze. Another of my most worn handmade items is my Carrie sweater. Before we went camping a few weeks ago I decided I needed an oversized sweater to snuggle up in. The pattern is only 6 simple pieces and it's a breeze to sew. I think I'm going to make a short sleeve Carrie with a lighter knit for the summer.

My favourite part (aside from wearing these creations) is adding little details to my clothing. I used a piece of Liberty fabric that my mom gave me on the inside placket of my School house tunic. On the inside of my Luna pants I marked the back with a piece of my favourite cotton ribbon that is now out of print. And last month a got a package of these wonderful tags by Kylie and the Machine that are so lovely for marking your clothing with; these affirmation tags bring me such joy.

Chronic

 

Do you ever feel as though your brain and body were not meant to go through this life together? For a long time I've felt like my body is letting my soul down. My brain and soul craves adventure and nature. My mental health is always at it's best when I'm immersed in nature. I feel such growth within myself when I'm experiencing new places and engaging with new cultures. I feel fulfilled when I'm teaching and guiding, I love sharing information with others and expanding my awareness.

My body isn't on the same page. My body, since childhood, has been overly sensitive to almost everything. I would get chronic ear infections, rashes, catch every virus going around. I developed asthma that, in contradiction with the disease itself, only got worse as I grew up. As a teenager I began getting chronic migraines. In my early 20s I started getting pneumonia regularly. Now in my 30s I still have fragile lungs and killer migraines but now I also have chronic joint swelling and pain.

It feels like life is slipping by me. I limp behind my children as they run to explore new things. I miss out on new things because they are "too loud" for my migraines. I've lost my job because I can't work under fluorescent lights. Trips are cancelled, timelines altered, easier paths chosen because my body is chronically letting me down.

This month my children both celebrate their birthdays and this month I've spent 3 weeks in bed due to pneumonia (how fun is it to have a respiratory infection at a time when coughing triggers fear in everyone who hears it) and labyrinthitis. The vertigo is the worst part. I feel like a complete invalid. I can't get my own food or drink because I can't walk without help. I can't take care of my kids or pets. Even my plants are dying from neglect. 

I know everyone will have suggestions but trust me I've explored everything. I've tried chiropractic, gluten free, dairy free, turmeric capsules, acupuncture, botox, physiotherapy, aromatherapy, special glasses, UV therapy, medications, IV therapy, grounding; you name it, I've tried it. I've been chronically unwell for twenty years. 

I guess the point of all this is a note of solidarity to anyone living with chronic illness. As well as a reminder that even going to a walk outside is a huge deal because that's not something everyone can experience at any given time. Your vessel is important. Your mind and body don't always have to align but they are two parts of the same system. Give your body the maintenance it needs. I would trade anything in the world to never have to use the word "chronic" when talking about my health again.

Love Bits

 

If you've read my blog for the past several years you will know that I love Love day. Valentine's Day for us is a celebration of love. It's not romantic; it's love in all forms. I've been preparing for our Love Day for weeks. I found socks with hearts, heart shaped marshmallows and valentine embroidered patches to tuck in my children's mailboxes. I found the perfect treat for my husband and the cutest card for my best friend. I found some really cute Riley Blake valentine fabric with adorable puns on it (our family loves puns) that I whipped up into a skirt for my girl. I was ready to go. 

The other thing about me and holidays is that I have uncanny luck for illness and injury coinciding with holidays. I broke my foot on Mothers Day, I got pneumonia on Christmas, I also got severe Norovirus on Mothers Day. Well this Valentine's Day I took a trip to the hospital for suspected pneumonia. I was right. I have been stuck in bed for days with pneumonia and a vestibular migraine. I hate missing out on holidays with my kids but I know they felt special and loved, even if I wasn't at their sides.  

Corners

 

When we first started talking about selling our little house I felt a lot of resistance. I couldn't imagine finding anything that felt as "home" as that house. In birthed my babies there, we raised chicks, kept bees, cultivated that garden. It was home. Even though we were feeling very cramped in there the outdoor spaces kept us anchored there. 

Now we are trying to find our anchor here. We are putting personal touches all over the house. We painted, put up wallpaper, hung photos, refinished the floors but the work isn't done. I'm finding comfort in these corners of our new home that make me feel comfort and contentment. I'm hoping as we settle in more and finish more of the ongoing projects I can share more of our new home.

Art print from Little Truths Studio

Wallpaper from Wayfair

Pandemic

 

Like the rest of the world, 2020 for us was dominated by the Covid-19 virus. The lockdown began in March during spring break. It lasted about a month before our province moved forward with safety protocols that allowed people to return to work and centres to reopen. 

It was a time of resourcefulness and creativity. Our little house felt very tiny as the pandemic wore on. Schools remained closed and as we were doing our home learning at the dining room table I realized the children needed a space to focus on class work. So I made a “crisis school” room in our garage. It had a space heater, carpet, lights, books, everything they could need. It worked for a while but we quickly learned that Zoom classes were not compatible with the either of my children. Learning became much more hands on and creative. We abandoned the workbooks and made it up as we went along. 

Thank goodness we still had our garden and yard. My time in my garden saved my sanity. I would retreat to the greenhouse if it became too cold for the main garden. We delighted in finding a small birds nest built in our greenhouse. And around that same time we found a hummingbird nest just a 3 minute walk from our house. It was a welcome distraction. 

When summer finally came we were so relieved to be able to go camping. We needed a change of scenery but we needed our space. However it seems everyone was camping that summer. It was practically impossible to find a site. We lucked out a couple times but were disappointingly sent home just as often. 

At the end of the summer we bought our new home and sold our beloved little house. It was a good change but bittersweet. My babies were born there, learned to walk in those halls, we planted gardens there and buried pets there. It was hard to say goodbye. Our new house is calling out for good memories and we shall oblige. Change is welcome.

New Wings

I love the opportunity to learn things first hand. Hands-on and right before your eyes is one of my favorite ways to absorb information. Don't get me wrong, I love books. Books spark ideas and spread information but sometimes you need to be right in it. So as we were learning about lifecycles, we looked for opportunities to watch them before our very eyes. Sprouting seeds, raising chicks and now butterflies.

Together with some local homeschoolers, we ordered Painted Lady larvae. We received 6 each. When they arrived they were so small; no bigger than a sunflower seed. For about 2 weeks they lived in a container with their own food (a soy type cake). They grew so rapidly. We checked day after day to see if they were ready to pupate. They would hang in the shape of a J then overnight the chrysalis would form around them. We then moved them to the cage we made for them so the children could watch them change. They had a metallic sheen to them which was so unexpected.

There was so much anticipation in waiting for the butterflies to emerge. We watched over the chrysalis carefully. Finally we saw spindly legs emerge from one of the chrysalis. Overnight the rest of the butterflies emerged. They sat on the side drying their wings, looking very brown. The next day we got a glimpse of the beautiful colors on the back of our Painted Ladies.

We decided to release them in our backyard near a large bush covered in orange flowers. I knew the honeybees and the hummingbirds love that bush and I was sure the butterflies would love it too. We gently lifted them from the cage and lowered them to the flowers. We watched them sip nectar with long tongues. Finally, they flew off to explore our yard and find a new home. It was nothing short of magic.

Indigo

 

I am always interested in new craft processes. Some I just can`t figure out (crochet still eludes me!) but I will always try. I love the look of indigo dyed fabric. It reminds me of water and sky. It`s gorgeous. So of course the more I researched it, the more I wanted to try it. I was luck enough to find an indigo dye kit at an art shop in town so I dove right it!

It`s actually a really interesting process and A enjoyed watching the dye oxides from green to blue. It was rather tough to imagine how they would look when they were all tied up but I was pleasantly surprised with the results. I think I love them all! I`m imagining all the things I can dye! And I want to try other dyes. And other fibers. I definitely feel a new obsession coming on.

Tutorial :: DIY Butterfly House

When we decided to raise some Painted Ladies in our home, I knew we need a good house from them. I was really set on ordering online but when that didn't work out, I figured I needed to make one of my own. It didn't turn out pretty but it is certainly functional and only cost me $10. Hopefully this tutorial can give you a starting point for your own butterfly house.

 Supplies:
:: two hoops (I used 19in dreamcatcher hoops)
:: ballet tulle (I needed a 38x34in piece)
:: a sewing machine
:: thread
:: sharp scissors
:: rope, cord or ribbon
:: straight pins
:: one diaper pin

Start by laying your tulle out, measure and cut to your desired dimensions. Fold in half and pin along the opposite side (leaving the bottom and top open). I used a tight zig zag to hold the tulle tight. You will have a tulle tube.

 Gather one end with about an inch of tulle at top. Make sure you've gathered it evenly. Here you can tie tightly with twine, tie a knot or stitch the end closed. I went back and forth with a straight stitch several times to close the end.

This part was tricky for me so be patient and butterflies won't mind the odd mistake. Put one of the hoops in your tulle tube. Push it evenly into the bottom with the knot in the center. Pin in place. You can machine stitch or hand stitch the tulle to the hoop.

 At this point, I skipped the second hoop and focused on the top edge. I folded over a 1in hem. Stitch this hem leaving an opening at opposite sides for the cord to pull through. Once I had completed that, I put the second hoop in. I pinned the top with a diaper pin and then got the second hoop in place (I put mine about 13in above the first hoop). Follow the previous step to secure the second hoop (I liked to hold it up as I was getting the second hoop in place to make sure it wasn't crooked).

 Pin the diaper pin to the end of your cord and feed it through the hem at the top and knot. Pull evenly through both openings. Now you are ready to hang it!

 Mine ended up a little bit crooked but I don't mind a bit.  I didn't add any tubing along the sides because I wanted it to be collapsible so we could store it for use year after year.