Seriously, not a big Valentine's Day fan.  Ten years ago, on a cold, snowy Feb 14th I signed the first of many divorce papers.  But something happened this year- perhaps its the almost 2 years of Covid craziness but I felt the need to send a bit of love out into the universe.

I decided to make my own Valentines.  I put on some music, found some old magazines, a glue stick and random bits of paper.  Just like a 12 year old working on a fun school project I had a blast.  

You don't have to make cards.  Buying cards from local artist is a great way to support talent.  There are so many cute small batch cards.

Of course, you don't need to make "Valentine" cards.  It's always appropriate to send a message of cheer to a family member or friend.  I love to send and receive mail.  It's so much fun to open your mail box and instead of a bill or letter from the IRS, there's a card from a friend.

XXOO

"A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day.  We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world."

"From challenge comes change, so let's all choose to challenge."  The IWD website invites everyone to share a photo with your hand up high to show you are in.  More details on their website.

It's a bit unclear about how IWD began but it's rooted in fighting oppression and inequality and possibly the garment industry.   One of my favorite quotes is from history.com-

"Brooklyn, writer Charlotte Perkins Gilman (of “The Yellow Wall-paper” fame) told the congregation of the Parkside Church: “It is true that a woman’s duty is centered in her home and motherhood…[but] home should mean the whole country, and not be confined to three or four rooms or a city or a state.”  This rings so true this year with the inauguration Of VP Kamala Harris.

I loved Emily Stochl's Pre-Loved Podcast: International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. It's such an interesting slice of history and the campaign to get consumers to "look for the union label" needs to be reinvented into "shop small and indie".  

We're celebrating IWD by the makeover of one of our favorite and nourishing cremes.  Meet "Everyone creme"- made for everyone and designed to be used everywhere.  Formerly our #resist creme the new label celebrates moving forward, taking care of ourselves so we can take care of others and our planet.

We hope you take some time to celebrate all the accomplishments from the past, look towards the future ready to face challenges and of course taking care of yourself. 

We all have sweaters with holes in them.  Instead of throwing them up turn them into wearable art using the simple buttonhole stitch to mend and strengthen any holes or tears.  We take you step by step through the buttonhole stitch as well as how to use it for mending. Happy mending!!!!

Read more

Welcome to mending.  This week we are looking at the basics and starting your very first mend.  Learn how to choose a spot to mend, cutting a patch, as well as the simple but definitely not basic running stitch.  Have fun and happy stitching!!!!

Read more

Life and the zero waste journey are more complicated this year. Actions that became habits disappeared with the realities of the pandemic.  It's a balancing act for sure and this year we've replaced tips with a shift in perspective to help navigate these challenging times.

Read more