sustainable systems & storytelling
While most of America is thinking about wool and Goretex, this desert rat is thinking about linen, cotton lawn, and the impending Phoenix summer. Last year, we suffered the the most brutal summer in history--145 days of triple digits, 53 days over 110, and 14 days over 115, and only two days of measurable rain.... Continue Reading →
The other day, I read a blog post by artist Austin Kleon on how blogging is a forgiving medium, as compared to ink, pastels, or performance. You can quietly go into correct a typo and no one will be the wiser. You can update an opinion, or simply click delete button if an old thought... Continue Reading →
Lately, I've felt a bit lonely and nostalgic for the good ol' days of blogging. In my early-20's, I would work my full-time job from 9am-5pm, then work my part-time job from 6pm-12am. I would go home to write for another hour or two, only to wake five hours later to repeat the same routine.... Continue Reading →
Ashen clouds billow and sprawl across the northern sky,sauntering slowly over Pike's Peak and Black Mountain.Elegant dress hems are momentarily caught on rising hilltopsas Phoenix welcomes her queen and savior. Clear blue skies bow to their guest and retreat,feathery white ice crystals trailing behind.The navy-gray scene becomes a black and white film,thick gray clouds fading... Continue Reading →
My brother has taken up walking during quarantine and requested an attention-grabbing fanny pack to take along on his adventures for Christmas. I searched far and wide and landed on the Proper Fit Clothing Fanny Pack Utility Bag Pattern, which has multiple pockets, adjustable straps, nylon webbing to secure carabiner hooks, and a water bottle... Continue Reading →
On the path from my front door to the adjacent artificial lake--home to the migratory geese that couldn't recognize spring--my eyes drifted up from the inky asphaltto a flock of iridescent angels, shimmering whiteagainst the sky-bound seas of the high desert. On the final day of the year in which machines forced last breaths into... Continue Reading →
For several years now, I've seen fellow sewists discuss the Make Nine Challenge. I love the idea of committing to projects, and I've historically set similar goals for writing, reading, budgeting, and all other areas. I took sewing lessons each summer as a child and would show up to the first class with a list.... Continue Reading →
my dreams lie dormantamongst this rotting metropolisnestled beneath the 13th floor awningcramped in the crevice betweenthe croissant connoisseurs and the well-dressed menwielding pink tape measures my dreams are dying in this suburban shoe box,lined with thin, decorative paper depictingmidwestern corn fields and a whale journeying homebrown-tipped pothos dangle daintily from the ceilingpeering down at tiny... Continue Reading →
After six months of donning a P100 respirator, chemistry googles and nitrile gloves in public, my boyfriend recently mused as to why--of all the verbal assault we had heard about--none had been directed at the most cautious person around. Yesterday afternoon, I received a text stating "It finally happened" and I knew exactly what it... Continue Reading →
an upward flurry of yellow blooms sail past my second story window carried by the choppy waves of the wind reaching ever-higher, in celebration of warmth, rain and winter's final retreat the gentlest of tornadoes grows larger as the wind whistles joyously out-of-tune tossing up tiny bouquets of sunshine toward the heavens and onto my... Continue Reading →
This is the true story of Eric, a rather ordinary 40-year-old college professor who believes that mozzarella sticks constitute a balanced meal, women are more mysterious than the elusive giant squid and chain smoking over games of nightmare chess is the best way to spend an evening. Last night, Eric deviated from his normal routine. Rather... Continue Reading →
A skin-colored bandage covers the rot, the festering past, all the things that you're not. When no one's around, you pull back the cloth and pick at the flesh 'til your mouth starts to froth. Today, we must show up to prove we're the best; there's no room for failure and no time for rest.... Continue Reading →
The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can. -- Neil Gaiman I started this blog nearly a year ago with the intention of it being a makeshift... Continue Reading →
"Do you have anything special planned?" A voice to my left inquired as we both plucked red-hued cards from the shelf and slipped them back into place, one by one. "No," I responded with a slight chuckle, "my boyfriend and I aren't big on the overly-commercialized holidays. We both appreciate a good card, though." The... Continue Reading →
Every day is composed of moments. Even during those phases of life in which we feel like we're reliving the same day over and over again, drowning in the monotony. Whether stuck in bed suffering chronic illness, home all day caring for an infant or glued to an office chair for forty hours a week,... Continue Reading →
