Happy almost 2022! I'm still in disbelief that 2021 is about to end, how about you? We're buried in snow here in Seattle, experiencing unfamiliar subarctic temps. I haven't driven for a week, though my intrepid husband ventured out to attempt to swim in Lake Washington three days ago. It's his thing. Similar to Wim Hoff -- aka The Iceman -- M is a devout believer in the power of cold water swimming to cure all ailments. He's been doing it since the pandemic started and it appears to work since ... Read more
2021 Advent Calendar + Free Printables!
Hello, hello my friends! If you're in the US, I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving weekend to kick off the holiday season. Mine was quiet and very low-key, which is exactly how I like my my celebrations, especially celebrations about gratitude. One of the things I've been working on over the long weekend is the annual Advent Calendar. It's going to go on top of the piano, and this tradition is a much beloved one in our family. As I was cutting and assembling, I realized that this will be ... Read more
Uncomfortable
Happy Halloween, my friends! If it's a thing in your area, are you dressing up and/or trick-or-treating? That very abstract inky image right above is actually my living room wall when sunshine suddenly burst through the clouds and cast a murky, Halloween-y shadow pattern. Although I want to get more into the spirit of things, my Hallow's Eve zest has been distracted by surreal events happening throughout the month. I've been very, very uncomfortable. I'm stepping out of my comfort zone, as it ... Read more
A simple offer can lead to so many things
Way back in 2014, back when sewing blogs felt a little different from the current vibe, I was approached by a marketing person at Tuttle Publishing about reviewing a couple of Japanese sewing books that had been freshly translated into English. I said yes, of course. As I was corresponding back and forth with the marketing person, I offhandedly mentioned that if they ever needed another translator, I was happy to help out. A single sentence in a short email. A few months later, an editor from ... Read more
SUMO books giveaway [CLOSED]
Today is the birthday for my newest book babies SUMO COUNTING and SUMO OPPOSITES! I’m doing a little giveaway on Instagram, but in case you’re not on the ‘gram, I’m offering up the chance to win a set of these darling sumo books here on the blog. These bright, cheery board books are ideal for babies, toddlers and beyond! I loved every moment of creating them. To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment and I’ll select a winner this Friday, September 10th. On IG, I asked about favorite ... Read more