Same old story…I’m late again! But this list was worth sharing 😉
I’m working on changing the format of these monthly posts (again) – I’ve tried to limit text and pictures in an effort to share more content. Let me know what you think!
Just a day late this time 😉
Keep reading to hear all about what I loved in February!
Oops! It’s the 1st Friday of February (instead of the last Friday of January) so please forgive me 😉 I still wanted to share what I’ve been lovin’ since the list was so good!
My sister “taught” me how to access audiobooks with our library membership and I’m hooked.
I’ve been using the Libby app
Books I’ve listened to so far:
Andy’s first birthday was this month (all.the.tears.) which means all of her daycare friends are also passing the big milestone. I whipped up Pete the Bear for one of her friend’s birthdays and was delighted at how quickly it came together!
Pete the Bear made by yours truly
I’m definitely planning to make more bears – they’re a great scrap-buster and kid-friendly gift to have on hand. Warren the Charity Bear is also on my “to-sew” list – so cute!
This list of parenting hacks are genius!
Definitely picking up some 3D paint on my next trip to the craft store…
I love Rosewood Market and was thrilled to see their post promoting buying in bulk. Buying in bulk doesn’t have to cost a fortune or require a garage for storage.
You can read more about buying in bulk at Rosewood Market here.
I met Bex and DeAnna at a conference last summer and was thrilled to discover that they make and sell body care essentials. I have been using their No Mo B.O. Pit Cream since the holidays and absolutely love it! I have tried a few “all-natural” deodorant options and couldn’t find any that I liked. The consistency of the No Mo B.O. Pit Cream is thick but goes on light and works really well. I’m a convert.
Race and my own privilege is something I’m still wrestling with. As a mother now I feel even more motivated to do.the.work. I want Andy to grow up even more enlightened and accepting than I can hope to be.
I found this post really moving and am working through the recommended resources.
Like many folks, I do most of my fabric and supply shopping online. As a working-away-from-the-home mom, every second counts. The less time I can spend driving to a store, cruising the shop to find what I’m searching for, and waiting in line to pay, the more time I have to spend squeezing my favorite little squishy human.
BUT I acknowledge the wastefulness of online shopping. Disposable packaging makes my heart sad. I always try to reuse what I can, but that’s not always possible.
So, finding this list of sewing shops who use plastic-free packaging when shipping orders made me so happy!
Find the list of shops here.
My husband and I have started watching Tidying Up With Marie Kondo on Netflix and I am fascinated. While I love the organizing tips, the magnitude of “stuff” in these homes and watching the “stuff” get bagged and tossed does concern me quite a bit. I do wish the deeper causes were addressed more to focus on prevention (of accumulating stuff in the future) and sustainability (to remain tidy) as they relate to our consumer culture.
I really liked Kate’s perspective – specifically the five things she recommends thinking about instead of joy. Give it a read!
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{Catch up on all of my monthly What I’m Lovin’ posts here.}
I really loved this reflection on what it is like to make and give a handmade gift.
There is love in the decision to make by hand, love in the choice of project and love in the hours spent making. Our handmade gifts are infused with many gorgeous thoughts and feelings and we often seem to simply trust that the recipient will comprehend this…
– Jess of Willow and Stitch for Seamwork
I love quilts with meaning and this Bicentennial Comb Quilt has a really neat story!
I didn’t realize that the seemingly innocent act of washing clothes (or fabric) can send plastic into the ocean (source).
As you may know, I’ve been following the zero waste movement and working to reduce my family’s impact on the environment in any way I can. I recently ran across a claim that synthetic fabric leaches microplastic particles with each washing. These microfibers weave their way through the water supply and into rivers and ultimately the ocean.
Now there’s a scary realization.
As a garment sewist, I have slowly become more knowledgeable about the different fibers and the benefits of each (and which I prefer to work with and wear). I know that synthetic fabric is readily available both as yardage as well as ready-to-wear garments so the opportunity for impact is there for all of us whether we realize it or not.
Through my research spiral I found Patagonia’s GuppyFriend Washing Bag – it’s claim to fame: “protects synthetic garments and reduces the amount of microfibers that may enter rivers and oceans from washing”
GuppyFriend Washing Bag from Patagonia
This bag is on my wish list!
You can read more about microfiber pollution here.
It took me a little while to jump on the Instagram-Stories-Train, but I like them! AND Buffer now has a free tool you can use to create graphics for Instagram stories! Try it out here.
{Click the image to hear How to Make an IG Story: 10 Great Instagram Tools to Use}
I loved this article about craftfulness and how creating can positively impact mental health.
My husband sent me a link to this episode of the Experts on Experts podcast. From the discussion of our call-out culture to Jonathan Haidt’s view on parenting independent children, I was holding onto the edge of my earbuds the whole time – such thought-provoking viewpoints.
I also enjoyed this interview with Jerry Buting and this one with Dr. Drew.
I have been soaking up time lately with family and lots of holiday festivities. I hope you have been having a lovely holiday season as well!
Happy New Year!
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{Catch up on all of my monthly What I’m Lovin’ posts here.}
Winter trampled all over Fall this year and we went straight to freezing. Between the crazy weather shift and having a germy baby this season, I spent most of the month sick 😦 I’m feeling better now and excited to share what I’ve been lovin’ with you!
A fifth grade student at one of the elementary schools in the district in which I work wrote a book for children about dealing with depression.
Once I saw the story, I immediately ordered the book.
I recently submitted a tip and it was chosen to be featured in Closet Case Patterns‘ Maker Journal (vol. 14).
{Click the image to read the full issue}
A friend of mine is actually to credit for this tip – she told me about it many moons ago and now I trace all of my patterns with freezer paper! You can find freezer paper pretty readily at most grocery stores (this is what I use).
Submit your own tip here & sign up to receive future Closet Case Patterns newsletters here.
I know I’m not the only one that gets stressed out at the holidays. On that note, I saw this and had to share.
Be kind to yourself this season.
Earlier this month I stumbled upon Waste Free Planet on Instagram and fell head-over-heels for their posts!
They share lots of tips on reducing your waste as well as waste-reducing DIYs. A few of my favorites:
This month I participated in the #icareaboutwaste Challenge on Instagram hosted by Sew in Love and Sustainable Wraps.
Click the image to read more about this challenge
I really appreciated this post about sewing for an insulin pump on the Sewcialists blog. Sewing allows us a lot of “flexibility” with modifying and constructing clothing to fit our needs – something I often take for granted.
This is perhaps THE EASIEST recipe I have ever made. For years I’ve been searching for the perfect chili recipe that did not require me to pre-cook my vegetables. Well, folks, HERE it is!
Top it with avocado – DELICIOUS!
My favorite quote from the article:
But I’m starting to wonder if we have been using the wrong measure. Maybe the number of dollars in a bank account is not the greatest measurement of success. Maybe instead, the amount of good we are able to accomplish with our lives is a truer measure of success.
In Sarah’s post How I Am Learning to be More Sustainable on the Sewcialists blog, she mentioned a 4-bin system for waste in her sewing room: recyclables, fabric scraps to recycle, things that cannot be recycled, and thread scraps and bits of material to reuse for stuffing a pillow (brilliant!).
I loved her ideas and hope to implement them in my sewing room too!
In case you missed it, I shared 10 Environmentally-friendly gifts and a few of my favorite DIY lip balm recipes.
Are you planning to DIY any holiday gifts? I’d love to hear your ideas!
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{Catch up on all of my monthly What I’m Lovin’ posts here.}
Libra season is officially over (le sigh), but I was really feeling it this year! Proof: I purged my sewing room to the point of justifying a formal destash, I started reading The Curated Closet and have been thinking way.too.much. about “my aesthetic,” and unsuccessfully attempted to start a meditation routine.
Last month I told y’all about my brilliant idea that all changing tables need a coat hanger for your diaper bag.
BUT what we really need are actual changing tables... In places where everyone can use them.
Proof: This Dad…
This post is super comprehensive and has tons of wonderful photography tips.
The cool weather lately has me really feeling this hoodie!
Not a new discovery, but I love French seams. And I appreciate this tutorial from In The Folds on how to sew in-seam pockets with French seams (because I also love pockets!).
Somehow I totally missed that Season 3 of the Serial podcast was happening! My sister and stepmom told me about it last weekend and I’ve been binge listening ever since.
So far, the discussion has me feeling really fired up. I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
The research in this article about why our brains need craft more than ever is fascinating.
In case you missed it, I shared all about how to host a destash on Instagram!
I’m a firm believer that by freeing up physical space, we free up mental space (for creativity!).
It’s my birthday month & this year I passed a big one! You can read a quick snip of my reflections in this post, but also–this:
LOL.
One of my favorite things to do as the holidays approach is stock up on local, handmade gifts! My sister and I will be selling handmade bags at an upcoming market – if you’re local, come visit!
My husband said he was confiscating my wallet the morning of the market (Ha!) – he knows how much I love to support my fellow vendors at events like this 😉 Hope to see you there!
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{Catch up on all of my monthly What I’m Lovin’ posts here.}
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1. Flow Space Fitness’ Blog & Embracing moments of FLOW
Some friends of ours have opened a pop-up fitness studio and through the process they have both been sharing incredible posts on the blog.
Earlier this month, Zach shared about the state of FLOW. This can often be a buzz word, but if you dig into the science it is so neat.
Photo credit: Flow Space Fitness
I also loved this post from Erica about how she lost weight.
2. These 5 ways to stop comparing yourself to others
I recently set up a Flipboard account (which I totally recommend – it’s like Pinterest for news/blogs). A post called How I Finally Stopped Comparing Myself to Others – And 5 Ways You Can Do It Too came up on my feed and I immediately clicked over.
My favorite quote from the post:
Be more of who you are, rather than trying to be more of someone else. The former is exhilarating; the latter, impossible.
3. A Mediocre Life
I am really feeling Libra season approaching – seeking balance and harmony. I ran across this article shared by becoming minimalist on Facebook and it was just what I needed to hear.
4. Hearing how others incorporate self-care into their lives
I love hearing how others are incorporating self-care into their lives. Not only is it refreshing to hear others talk about prioritizing their own happiness (you can’t pour from an empty vessel), but it sparks new ideas for my own life!
Sharnice from The Garden of She recently posted some ideas for Self-Care September.
PS: If you’re interested, you can read about how I balance creativity, self-care, & motherhood in this post.
5. Reading
I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately. Right now I’m reading Rising Strong by Brene Brown – I’m also on my library’s waiting list for Daring Greatly and The Gifts of Imperfection (I think I’m mistakenly reading these out-of-order, but hopefully that won’t matter). I’ve heard really great things about her books and am excited to dig into these.
I’m also reading and implementing the activities from The Curated Closet. This book is incredible if you are craving a simpler wardrobe and/or honing in on what “your style” really is.
Andy helping me read.
If you have any book recommendations, I’d love to hear them!
6. Public Restrooms with a Coat Hanger Beside the Changing Table
RANDOM I KNOW, but any parent who has held their dirty-diaper-wearing-baby while debating on a clean spot to set the diaper bag that will be within reach once the wiggly baby is naked on the changing table is clapping right now.
When Hurricane Florence looked like a monster barreling in to eat the Carolina coast, we debated using it as an excuse to visit the in-laws in Atlanta. Finally, we decided to go. The Hubs had to work and was going to bring the dogs so Andy & I were on our own for the 4-ish hour drive.
We stopped often and not once did any of the bathrooms have a hook beside the changing table (if they had one at all) and I kept thinking how great that would be. The next day we were at Zoe’s Kitchen for lunch and guess what I found beside the changing table?! So handy. And such an easy, cheap solution.
7. Reminders to soak up the littleness while I can
Andy is changing so fast. The cliche saying that “babies don’t keep” is totally true. What’s also true: time moves at lightning speed once you have a baby. From the beginning I have tried so hard to soak in the little moments and not wish any of this time away. But I’m human. And I find myself wondering and wishing for future milestones. Reading this beautiful post about soaking in the littleness was a real perspective-changer.
Share the article with your mama-friends. It might be just what they needed to hear.
8. Love to Sew Podcast
I saw a spike in blog traffic at the end of last month and realized Helen’s Closet was to credit (thank you, Helen!). Then I fell down the rabbit hole of the podcast she hosts with Caroline of Blackbird Fabrics called Love to Sew.
So far I have loved every episode I have listened to! My very favorite so far was Episode 34: Intentional Making with Aidan Owen.
9. Jess’ honesty about sewing & body positivity
I really appreciated Jess’ honesty in this post. She admits that sewing your own garments does not equate to high body-positivity which I think is a really good point.
Photo credit: Jess Sews Clothes
10. Kicking Libra Season off with a Destash
Libra Season has me feeling motivated so I purged my sewing stash! Starting on Monday (10/1), I’ll be posting sewing books, patterns, fabric, supplies and other sewing-related goodies that are looking for a new home on my destash account on Instagram: @jordans.destash.
Follow along for some stellar deals!
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{Catch up on all of my monthly What I’m Lovin’ posts here.}
