Urban Organica

sugar rainbows + trumpeting windsails

From our Book of Days...

new earthlings, alaska native peoples & earth hour

Look at these children.  How inspiring are they?  Lily's Jamaican, Peruvian, Italian & Irish.  Haven is Caucasian & Vietnamese, with a Hawaiian & Bible-belt Baptist background. And our True is Pilipino, French, German, & Spanish with bits of Chinese & other stuff in there.  

B is a Korean-version of Strawberry Shortcake, swimming in freckles.

These 3 brothers are Creole by way of Alaska with a lot of Northern California.

Some of the new children change with the light & with their expression.  There's hints of every culture in their faces, informed by a future that's theirs & not ours.  So I think I'm not even able to see most of their beauty.  Like, it's there, but I don't know what I'm looking at.  They are wonderful.

Tonight's Earth hour.  We will have all of our electricity off from 5-11.  For the love of a backyard bonfire.  Will you be joining us?

And finally, my beloved friend Evon Peter just gave the Keynote Address for the annual Tanana Chiefs Conference on the theme of Culture, Partnership & the Future of Alaska Native Peoples.  As a boy he was singled out as a leader in his tribe (Neetsaii Gwich'in) & in his 20's became their youngest chief.  He stepped down to give his children a taste of their Maternal culture in Arizona with the Navajo-Dine people.  Currently he's the Executive Director of the Indigenous Leadership Institute, where he & his wife Enei support culturally based leadership & sustainability initiatives. www.indigenousleadership.org

Evon's a charismatic, wise soul.  I think it's important for Americans to stay current on the needs & conversations of our First Nations.  I feel like his talk is relevant globally, as it addresses our current world circumstances with much-needed medicine, but I thought it was relevant to my own life.  He pointed to specific solutions that apply to me, & I appreciated the bit on "Defining Ourselves by Respecting Ourselves."  

I'm also fascinated with how he introduces himself by naming himself in context, naming his wife, his parents, where he comes from & acknowledges his ancestors.  Imagine how much more intentional we would all be with our words if we were always consciously representing our communities, speaking for ourselves, but of them.  He doesn't start in English, by the way.  

Watch him here

www.evonpeter.net (click on the "Videos" tab on the site to view the speech)

or

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4916401171052337380

Have a fabulous day!

The Golden Sun so Great & Bright

It Warms the World with All it's Might

It Makes the Dark Earth Green & Fair

It Tends Each Thing with Ceaseless Care

oh, May Each Deed throughout the Day

Everything I Do & Say

Be Bold & Strong & True,

Oh, Golden Sun, Like You!

letting them work it out

Putting a tent on top of the poles, instead of slipping the poles into their sleeves.

Does the scientific method really need to be taught?  Do we really need to tell children the outcome of everything they want to do before they do it?  IS that to protect them from failure?  I think they're okay with failure, actually.  Until we interfere & suggest they shouldn't be.  They just keep at it until they have a result.  No, not the result they want.  A result that's interesting.  And then?  They keep at it some more, until they've used up the learning opportunity.

I have to create a new category here, "natural vs. normal."  Certainly I don't know what's really natural & what's really normal, but I'm just going to assert a few things anyways, & probably I'm going to shift as I go along.

I don't think it's natural to take over children's learning. Or to control it.  But it's normal.  It's easy.  There's so much agreement for it.  I'm not saying that they don't need teachers, or guides, or mentors.  They do, need great ones.  I also think it's great to give very specific instructions some times, & to invest in nice materials sometimes, & to let them create a finished piece that they can feel really good about.  

But those projects don't usually have as much real learning, real accomplishment & real character-building autonomy packed in.  They just don't.  Sometimes a child will be guided in a certain direction, say, a tent is placed out while someone's cleaning the garage.  And it turns out they enjoy tent making.  Then they will push it along & find they enjoy camping & will find a naturalist program with an inspired teacher & go full out under that individual's wing.  I consider that natural.  Same goes for real, true community elders passing on a life's worth of intangibles.  Natural.

I consider it normal to mold ourselves around our children's needs & then to control the outcome of everything they start.  I consider it normal to over-discipline & to warn children about how things will turn out.  I consider it normal to keep kids away from the real tools & the real outside dirt & cold & animals, while keeping them inside, giving them toys versions of tools, supplies & animals, with grown-up designed exercises.  I consider it normal to stress ourselves out & put our own hobbies, dreams & well-being on hold for the kids.  But I think this is a recent phenomena.  Part of me knows that I shouldn't be telling them the consequences of every experiment.  I should be washing the dishes, doing the laundry, caring for the community in the way that feels healthy & right for me & engaging on my own work.  Isn't this how it's been since the beginning of time, & still in many sustainable cultures?  

It seems to me that the great teachers, the ones everyone agrees are great, like John Taylor Gatto, are the ones who are passionately doing their own work, discovering things they already know again & again, as if for the first time.  They are modeling learning, right vocation & discovery for the children, while intently holding that same possibility for the children.  (Please don't misunderstand me, here.  I don't consider myself their teacher.  I consider myself their mother, learning alongside them.  I too yearn for great teachers.)

I think they would agree that here again, the children are learning on their own, making their own conclusions & lighting their own bulbs.  A world where everyone else's bulbs are going off would be a little duller than one where I had my own light bulb, above my own head, going off every time I noticed something.  

But it's so natural for them to set off their own light bulbs.  They do it all the time, they push & push until they are outside.  Until they are using real tools & they are making real efforts that create real results that they're real proud of.

This is a great example.  And, for the record, I personally take over & control their initiatives a little bit everyday.  Like I said, that's normal.  So I'm presenting an extraordinary example here, packed with learning, one that I'd like to take credit for.  But the reality is, They were making me laugh & I was too busy taking pictures to interfere.  

As a result, I feel accomplished, too!  These are not homeschooler girls, either.  They are neighborhood girls in the local public school.  This stuff applies to all kids.

pushing the poles into the ground - working together

asserting leadership & trying out each other's ideas

working together to do things that take a community

including all ages at their level

"aye! why is it leaning over like that?"  free: "oh, thank you guys for making a tunnel just my size!"

start over.  what do we do with these poles?

how to make a quick fabric picture frame

One more thing I found at her house ~ a little picture frame True & I made when he was 3.  We just took one of those cheap cardboard frames from Hallmark with the plastic for glass & covered it.  These can cost as little as .25 cents if you get ones after a holiday.  They're also a good way of recycling fabric because they are so small.  I'm thinking it would be cute to make a few out of kids clothes to match their pictures!  (If only I could somehow bottle up their smell & the feel of their hugs.)

 We make these often, 'cause their cheap but classy little "prizes" to give to loved ones. I think they look lovely.  It comes together in about 15 minutes, more with "help."  It should be allowed to dry overnight.

Materials:

Paper frame

Mod Podge - matte, or white glue

Paint Brush

Pretty Fabric

Thin decorative paper like rice paper or wrapping paper. (I sometimes will use paper napkins!)

Fabric Scissors

How To:

* Remove plastic & set aside.  

* Carefully rip front & back stand from the base.  

* Take the fabric & lay it right-side down on your work surface.  Lay frame on it, right side down & trace opening + around the sides.  Now draw an additional line 1/4" around the outside & within opening outline.  These will be your cut lines.

* Cut along those 2 new lines.  To make it form to the frame, you'll need to make a few darts.  At each corner of the frame, cut a little square by cutting from the outside edges into the corner.   Inside of the frame opening, make a series of small cuts from the  cut line to frame outline all the way around.  

* Cover the frame front with glue & press onto fabric.  Apply glue to inside & outer edges.  Fold extra fabric onto the back. 

* Place paper right side down.  Cover the back of frame base with glue & press onto paper.  Smooth it out with your fingers.  Cut off excess paper, leaving 1/4" all around.  Glue edges base front & fold excess paper onto edge. 

* Repeat with stand.  Let dry.

* Place frame base onto work surface, right-side up.  Place the frame front right-side down.  Apply glue to sides & bottom of the opening.  Be careful not to glue the top, where you'll slip in your photo.  Turn it over onto base & press with finger to attach.

* Turn it all over & glue top tab of stand onto back of frame.

home tour

shells gathered by hand over decades on beloved beaches

D's mama just moved to town.  She's lived in over 15 cities.  Somehow every home feels the same. She's a master at living anywhere at any level & making it a comfy palace. She taught me how to light candles, put on dinner music & make little things special. 

It's all a great reminder of why I keep this blog ~ because it's such an exercise in gratitude.  Snapping these shots makes me feel like I own the coziest, sweetest home in the world, even though I don't even live there!  

I think you might agree...

with her beloved brother + my spectacular sister

batik fabric appliqued on an old pelican

bonneted ladies on their way to greet my future niece

my darling d holding his little brother.  for sure i loved him then, too.

gorgeous + homey

the stuff on her counter: gifts, antique silver spoons from wherever, sweet sugar bowl 

that recipe box holds cards smattered with oil, sugar & sauce from dozens of kitchens & generations of loved ones

a resting spot that is everything her homes are ~ impeccable style, made to live with, filled with love & things handmade

how to make an embossed runner

This is so simple, it's a great project to do with older children / beginning sewers.  (I made this particular runner for my then-boyfriend's mom when I was 20, & just found it again on her table!) It's very easy to do in an afternoon.  Depending on what fabric you pick, it can make a truly sumptuous accent.  It has always surprised me that she keeps it on such a lovely table, but seeing the pictures, I really see how the right materials can hold their own in an elegant dining room.  It doesn't use much though, & can be made for under $20.

Materials:

Measuring Tape

Velvet, length of Table + 2'

Lining, same length

Metallic Thread

Sewing Thread

12 1/4" Wooden Beads

1+ Rubber Stamps

Tools:

Sewing Machine

Sewing Needle

Iron + Board

Towel

 

How To:

* Measure your dining table + 2 feet.  This is the length.  Cut this length x 2' out of both the lining & the velvet.

* To emboss the velvet, set your iron to high.  (If it is synthetic, use correct temp, going a level higher if needed.  Test so you don't melt it!)  Place your stamp, rubber-side up on the ironing board.  Place your velvet right-side down onto stamp.  Hold stamp under the fabric & iron directly onto the velvet. I like to hold it for 1-2 minutes.  Repeat as desired.

* Cut 3" squares of velvet.  Place a bead in the middle of a square.  Gather up the sides, then the corners.  Pinch them in place & tightly wrap a length of metallic thread several times around the gather.  Tie 2 double knots & cut off ends.  Trim excess fabric off the bead.  Make 12.

* Place right sides of lining & velvet together.  Pin.  Sew together along edges leaving 1/4" all around.  Leave a 6" opening.  Turn inside out.

* Place runner on ironing board, velvet-side down.  Place a towel over it to iron.  Try to tug at the lining a bit so that the fold is on the velvet side & hides the lining.

* Handstitch the opening closed.

* To attach beads, place 6 pins along each end of the runner to mark.  Using another length of metallic thread, tack into gathered fabric on bead.  Pull needle out & into runner, leaving 1" of thread.  Pull out of runner, leave an inch, tack into bead.  Repeat with al 12.

self-portrait

Our sweet friend Ray turned five & brought us cupcakes for his birthday.  The boys wanted to make something with him to celebrate, so they chose a little "drawing folio." He loves to draw these amazing dinosaurs & loves green, so we used a slip of Japanese dino fabric from our stash (I LOVE this fabric) & some Lotta Jansdotter notecards in similar shades.  

First we cut letter-sized paper in half.  We folded them in half & inserted 3 folded sheets into the cards to make 6-page journals. Then the boys took turns sewing them down the middle.  They did all kinds of crazy stuff to the tension, so I'm crossing my fingers the books don't split in half!  In anycase, we made...5.

I did a simple hem on one side, then we kinda measured the size of the journals & folded the fabric in half over them.  The boys stitched "straight" seams 1/2" apart for pencils.  They pressed the petal VERY fast, tried to hold the hand wheel still, pressed reverse at weird times & really made me pretty frenzied.  I need to just relax.  It turned out so charming, I think.  I especially love the way the tops & bottoms of each seam look darker & thick, almost like they were drawn on.

Because he's a real artist, we donated real artist watercolor pencils.

Ready to go.

meyer-lemon + chocolate graham cracker parfait

I was planning on making Meyer-Lemon Tarts that were featured in Cookie Mag, but the boys intercepted the ingredients before they were done.  One of the reasons I cook with them so much is that it develops impulse-control, you know, waiting for the finished project & all.  One of the reasons I love cooking with them so much is that they keep taking me off my high horse & forcing me to be impulsive & eat things like half-blended chocolate-chip graham crackers & butter. 

meyer-lemon + chocolate graham cracker 

parfait

1 box silken tofu

1 meyer lemon + zest

1 C. powdered sugar

1 box of Annie's Graham Cracker Bunnies (w/ chocolate chip, vanilla & plain) or gf cookies

1 stick of butter, room temp

In a food processor, blend the butter & graham crackers.  Try not to eat it.  I dare you.  (You are supposed to press it into a greased pie pan & bake for 10 minutes @ 350') Put into a bowl.  Blend together tofu, sugar, lemon juice & zest.  (You are supposed to pour it over the crust & freeze) Put it all into tea cups so they don't get all sugar-cukoo.  Sneak several servings for yourself while they're distracted.

a stylist's spring booklist

Spring always lifts up the curtain, & I never know what ideas are going to surface. 

We started early on our Spring cleaning.  Months ago, actually.  We just have accumulated so very, very much junk from the people we love.   So out it's been going, & with each box out, 3 new piles fill my kitchen.  It's ridiculous.

We're great fans of generating flow.  How?  By giving away as much as possible.  Spare change, spare clothes, spare pillows, you name it.  It's been tempting to hold on to all kinds of things, "just in case."  And, flow is flow.  A dammed river doesn't always become a lake.  It will first become a muddy swampy mucky mess full of sticky debris.  This is happening in my home.  Right now.

Maybe it's best to follow Earth's example & keep only what's needed.  Let the rest go.

  

I tend to forget this always brings much magic & makes us more comfortable with the bottom line.  Not theoretical to us, this practice has literally paid our bills & those of others.  So it's time again.  I'll post some of my favorite organizations here as we go along, should this idea make sense to you.  Often they have "wishlists" & we can send them what they need while freeing up more space in our lives.

This time around, we're using this "space" to get more aligned with our values.  We're on that list.  Of folks experiencing a new level of solidarity with the rest of the world.  With their neighbors.  With their loved ones.  Starting over in every possible way.  Reconsidering where we live & how we live.  How we eat, how we parent.  Suddenly very in touch with our hobbies, our joys, our heart's delight.  Excited for the chance to shed not just one burdensome layer, but many.  And to choose a life full of music, laughter, love & community.  To invent work that feels healthy & right.

(Everything that I may have wanted to say about this, Stefani already did.)

So what's informing my eye is also informing my heart & filling my thoughts & tumbling about in my dreams.  Care for a peek?

Hollyhocks & Honeybees - Garden Projects for Children

Free-Style Handmade Bags & Skirts

Nature Smart

Family Spaces

Children's Bags from their Own Drawings (Japanese)

Baby Buddhas

Paris Toddler Bedrooms (Japanese) 

Woman Power

You Can Heal Your Life

Everyday Celebrations

Craft Magazine #5

Mother Pletsch's Painless Sewing

Stitch & Bitch

The Balanced Mom

Pasqualina

The Feng Shui Garden

Real Simple The Organized Home

East Quilts West II

Landscaping for Privacy

The Sustainable Vegetable Garden

The Sacred Contracts Workbook ~ Carolyn Myss

Last Minute Fabric Gifts

Markets of Provence

You Grow Girl

Mother Rising

The Tibetan Art of Parenting

The Vaccine Book

The Neverending Story

Travel with Your Baby

Let's Get Primitive

Handmade Style: Japan

The Crafter's Companion

Everything for Baby

Chic Knits for Stylish Babies

Hawaiian-Style Money Folds

Bamboo Style

The Roots of Education

The Aware Baby

12 Steps to Raw Food

I Love Dirt

The Three-Martini Playdate