March

The winds whipped up last night, shaking the windows and howling out as they circled around the house. At dawn, the world seemed to be swept clean as I headed off to yoga. My teacher spoke of the importance of having an anchor when a storm blows in. It's a message I know well, but I smiled sheepishly from my mat because I'm always grateful for a little kick in the pants reminder. You see, February is typically my challenging month.  It's been a little more than four years since my life turned upside down- I truly feel wonderful most days, but these deep wounds are always tender at anniversaries, don't you think?  I chose to slow down internet-wise for a little while to allow for some quiet. And some yoga. And breathing. And smoothies. And making stuff. All of my favorites.

I didn't even realize I was anchoring when the winds began to blow a few weeks ago...  I just do so naturally and automatically now. This is a direct result of having a tool kit for survival at the ready. 

I'm amazed that Hope, Make, Heal continues to be my very own guidebook, and I so hope it helps some of you. There are three crafts up on the Well and Good site directly from the pages that might just be the something you could use right now, including the instructions for making the Survival Satchel below that I love so much!

So happy to March forward with you... into the wind we go!

light

Wishing you a cozy and peaceful Solstice. This shortest day of the year brings the annual hope of light returning us- the perfect metaphor for anyone traveling through a dark time. The holidays can be challenging for so many. Missing loved ones that can't be here, or the knowledge that life doesn't always match the parades of perfection flaunted by every ad campaign. Our lives are complex and often fragile.  Sending you all so much love and strength as we turn towards the sun.

This handmade message candle is one of the projects in my new book. I call them "Lights for the End of the Tunnel".

Hope, Make, Heal 20 crafts to Mend the Heart will officially hit bookshelves next week (yes-finally!!)... and freshly printed copies will find their way into all of the mailboxes of folks who pre-ordered it a few months back and even today. A brand new year is the perfect time to begin the process of using creativity for self-care and renewal... my wish is that this book finds its way into the hands of all that need it right now.

monday inspiration

During the weekends a good sleep-in is always welcome, but when Monday arrives- I love the hush of waking before daybreak and watching the sun come up. My back meadow is beautiful, but nothing beats the ocean rises I had this time last year at Serendipty, so that pic is for you as much as it is for me! Wherever you begin your day, these Morning Mantras are a really great practice.

And here are some other great links and ideas that have inspired me recently:

• I'm still on a low to no gluten diet, but sometimes I dream of baking bread again- this is a version of two of my favorite recipes combined. Amylou's Lazy Bread

• This weavers work with wool and roving is breathtaking!

• I'm pressing leaves right now for this fave fall craft from The Artful Parent.

• Cal pointed me to this video knowing I'd LOOOOVE it. You will too!

• I've been gathering up some wish jars to give as gifts to friends that might need a little extra magic in their life. If there is milkweed in your area, this is a fun project for any age- to give or to receive!

•  I'm discovering so much about this wonderful plant- I loved learning about all of its edible properties, too. Read this!

Have a wonderful start to your week!

wise words

Filling the corners and ledges in my house with wise and uplifting words helps me to remember. I thought I'd share some of them with you… in case you need some pearls, too.

Most of them are from my dearest friend, Christine Mason Miller, who is the world's most amazing snail mail goddess… and who's incredible e-course is about to begin! Every word lover must check out her The Conscious Booksmith.

And these words from Maya Stein are above my sink and never let me forget how to ride a wave.

Right now- I'm wearing my words. #coyoteloon's brand new line of sweatshirts has me feeling good! Because "I love this life now!" 

 You can find out more here. No matter what is happening in your life… a few choice words make all the difference. And learning to love NOW is wonderful place to be.

Have an inspired weekend!

SHE- a review and giveaway!

  It's a new month... it's a fresh week! We're heading towards spring, whether today's snow flurries likes it or not! There is a hint of good beginnings in the air, and I'm certain that this new book has contributed to my enthusiasm about where I'm headed. And yes- this is yet another wonderful project that one of the many awesome women in my life has just brought into the world. Big cheers for Liz Kalloch who co-authored (with Mary Anne Radmacher) and illustrated SHE!  I'm thrilled to point you towards this treasure that is sure to remind what is so easily forgotten- HOW AMAZING YOU ARE... AND HOW FABULOUS IT IS TO BE A WOMAN! SHE offers inspiration and wisdom through care-fully crafted love letters and insightful quotes married to gorgeous images. Every page feels like a personal gift for you and every friend, sister, mother and daughter you know. I can't think of a book that has prompted me so swiftly to get copies for every woman I love.  
Here is how Liz describes it:
She is a book of qualities illustrating the greatness of all women. From "everywoman" to role models such as Hillary Clinton and Madeline Albright to visionary artist Shiloh McCloud and poet Maya Stein, these many women represent the very best in the human spirit. 

Mary Anne Radmacher and I gathered a short list of 25 qualities we see in women, that we found to be the most compelling, along with advice and sustenance for a life's journey. We cover topics of leadership, friendship, purpose, adventurousness, cooperation, collaboration, risk-taking, resourcefulness, happiness, compassion, what it is to inspire and much more.

Each page spread features a collection of vintage art and ephemera elegantly designed by me paired with a love letter by Mary Anne Radmacher to each quality along with a tribute to women's strength, character, and the extraordinary capabilities within each and every woman. SHE gathers the wisdom of many wise women including Madeleine L'Engle, Laura Schlessinger, Erica Jong, Rachel Carson, Oprah Winfrey, Christine Mason Miller, Harper Lee, Lucille Ball, Mother Teresa, Pearl Buck, Cheri Huber, Julia Child, Drew Barrymore, and many more.

Although it is available on Amazon, Liz and Mary Ann are embarking on a west coast book tour, and when you purchase books or cards from Liz's Etsy SHE shop it will go directly to funding their trip. So, I am pointing you directly there. THE SHE SHOP.

GIVEAWAY TIME!

They are also offering a copy for one you. Please leave a comment below before Thursday, March 6th, to enter- and remember to leave your email if it's not linked. I will announce a randomly selected winner on Friday.

If (and only if) you feel like sharing,  I'd enjoy hearing what quality of greatness you'd love to wear more freely each day... whatever comes to mind. I know you don't have the book yet! Ha!

type rider II

  I
Two poets will ride 1,400 miles on a tandem bicycle through America's heartland, writing free poems & building Little Free Libraries.

 Maya Stein and Amy Tingle are some of the most inspiring women I know. This summer they'll embark on an epic adventure. It was conceived out of their infinite generosity, powered by their passion to spread the love of words, and will be fueled by their own daily pedaling. This is the kind of story that begs to be celebrated and shared.

Here is how they describe their journey:
{Our Plan} Type Rider II builds on the experience of the first trip (learn about it here) in several ways. First, we will be partnering with Little Free Library (www.littlefreelibrary.org). 

According to the organization, there are currently 11,000 towns in the U.S. that do not have public libraries. We want to change this statistic! 

During our bicycle tour, we will be helping to build new libraries in the communities we visit, as well as visiting some of the existing network of libraries. 

Secondly, we will be engaging local and national poets to hold poetry readings and participate in other events at our stops and donate books to these small community libraries. 

And finally, we will be creating personalized poetry on our typewriters for the people we meet, a keepsake of our trip and - we hope - an inspiration for others to tap into their own creativity. 

The Type Rider II KICKSTARTER campaign is in the homestretch. The funds will sustain them on the road and supply materials for the libraries that they'll build along the way. Contributing to and supporting something so good feels amazing.... yes, it does! And KICKSTARTER makes it easy. There are just 6 more days to donate and every little bit counts. 

So, here I am as a cheerleader:

Never doubt the difference you can make by supporting someone's dreams!

begin

 A blank page. A fresh canvas. A clean slate. All are invitations to begin something new. In the same way that I enjoy putting up words as reminders, I am also finding it inspiring to keep open notebooks and untouched canvases out and ready. They have become both display and decor. I have always been drawn to the simplicity of white... and this gives it a crisp new perspective.

And so... I begin. During the early hours of summer mornings, when the birds are up, but the children are not. Writing, drawing, designing, painting... allowing myself the freedom of starting fresh with new ideas and a desire to dive deeper beneath the white sheets to who I truly am and have always been. 

What might a blank page or fresh canvas invite you to express? Consider placing some in welcoming corners or even in the middle of your living room (as I did with my canvases!) and see what happens.

glimpse

 Hummingbirds traditionally symbolize joy, peace and lightness of being. There is much to admire in these tiny iridescent winged ones, besides their obvious beauty. Their ability to fly backwards and long distances also speaks of their agility and endurance when it comes to finding what feeds them. We have an abundance of bee balm outside a bank of windows in our sunroom. It returns each year with its fiesta of brilliant red plumes... beacons to endless hummingbirds.
They flock to its nectar all day long. No matter how many hundreds of visits we receive, each sighting feels like a little gift. A glimpse of bliss. A reminder to search out the sweetness in life and drink it in... and share the joy.

Have a lovely start to your week!

new beginnings

 I slept! I went to bed before 10 pm! Just needed to tell y'all. It's as mundane as sharing what I had for breakfast, I suppose. But you know it's a big deal for me, so I felt confident you'd smile when shouted it out.

And guess what? Today has been super productive. Crazy productive. Checking things off that were on yesterday's list from the day before that, if you know what I mean. Might try it again tonight. Living dangerously, that's me!

The embroidery? Those gorgeous free-form stitches, that explode like a burst of fireworks, were created for my new year by my dear friend Kathrin of Annekata. I cherish it. Nothing like friends who know how to support and inspire new beginnings. I hope I might be that to you in some small way.
Thinking of you all with your fresh starts and baby steps.
xox,
Maya 

grateful

Here's some insight into last week's adventure... via instagram. (username: @mayamade)

I landed in my favorite city and hometown during a heatwave. I went from our first snow to 80 degrees in a matter of hours. oh, San Francisco in November! It was incredible and thrilling- a true gift as we gear up for our long winter out east.  I was so fortunate to be working with the amazing folks at Creative Bug. I am in love with each of them, and feel so honored to now be part of their family. I'll share more soon, but my lips are sealed until then.

I ate tacos for almost every meal... had to fill up on the real stuff, and the Creative Bug "headquarters" are adjacent to my old neighborhood... and down the street, so to speak from my Dad's. Crazy! Serendipitous!

Paid a visit to SCRAP. That is a post in itself... scheduled for later this week. Here's a peek at my haul of rescued treasures...

It was one of the best weeks of my life. I kid you not. I felt so seen, and the world felt beautiful. Bliss was at my side constantly. After how my 2012 began, my gratitude for this kind of ending to the year has no words. It's just a deep knowing and thankfulness that no matter how dark it gets, if you keep truth in your heart and never stop reaching for the light... it will find you! And who knows... you may even be more on top of the world than ever before!

As much as I love... LOVE my city, you know how happy I always am to come home to my nest.

We got right down to work, because the warm weather followed me back, and there was a last opportunity for farm chores. Nothing like mucking out a chicken coop to bring you down to earth... in the best possible way. Grounded, I am. And so are my favorite helpers, who love HOME just as much as I do!

And just in case I needed a bit more acknowledging of the goodness of HERE... a little more rejoicing in the great community we have, our friends called us over for a spontaneous bonfire last night. Staring into the flames, I counted my blessings- there are just so many. In this month of gratitude, I feel full and at peace for the first time in so long. My hope in sharing it with all of you, is that it gives anyone else experiencing the darkness and despair (that is a part of each of our stories at one time or another)... HOPE. It really does get better!

tipi

She wanted a wooden hut at the base of tree... a space that was all her own that she could dream in. She hoped one day to tame a fox and they would live happily there until the snow came. She knew her mama and big brother wouldn't be too far away with a wood stove when they got cold. She wondered if their cat would let her fox inside? Probably not. 

Diligently she gathered sticks and stakes. By herself or with the help of friends. Throughout the summer I quietly listened to the many conversations of 7 yr. old girls discussing building materials and wild architectural plans. The dreams were big, but in the end a little grown up help was necessary and the blue prints in her mind morphed to encompass the supplies on hand and a timeless design. With the help of her very enthusiastic grandma, my daughter built her first tipi. 

 

Instead of at the base of a tree, she located it right in the center of the yard. Something this beautiful should be seen! And seen it is. I asked if she wanted to plant scarlet runner beans or morning glories around it next year, but she said she like the walls to be made of air and the ceiling to be the sky. 

shooting shadow silhouettes

Taking a walk in the woods is a surefire way to synthesize ideas and sort out new projects in my head. The air is clear and the birds are good company. Inevitably, I come home with a few bits of tangible inspiration- leaves, branches, sprigs of this and that. I find botanical patterns fascinating. To reduce the shapes into simple silhouettes, I use the sun when it's high overhead. I photograph the shadows so that I can incorporate them into stencils, stamps, illustrations and embroidery later on. It's really quite simple. If you're looking for interesting patterns and shapes for your own designs give it a try.

The only tools you'll need are your camera and the sun. This will work most times of the year, but fall stalks and weeds are especially stark and lend themselves to shadows beautifully.

Bet,you can find some interesting materials out your back door, too. Try a neighborhood park to expand your repertoire. This is quiet, meditative work that doesn't take very long, but will slip you into an instant peaceful state. If your children are about, they'll enjoy it too... they are expert foragers, as you know. Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

yes

Suddenly, I've found myself with breathing room. Every time I thought that IT would arrive...  something came along that needed my attention. IT being that magic bubble of space that offers a little time to be still. I had never known it to be so elusive, and yet I just couldn't grab hold of it... slippery little whippersnapper!  A piece of treasured time fell into my lap, yesterday. For a while I sat on the old slate stones out back with my eyes closed. The air was brisk, but the sun was high, and I lifted my face to it and whispered "hello old friend". At first I thought I was talking to the sun, but then I realized I was talking to ME.  Yes. Yes. Yes. Right then and there, I decided on a little welcoming home gift to give myself. I will find a few moments every day to actively seek out random inspiration. Like old times. Not online. Outside. Around my house. In the shadows. Illuminated by light. I would dust off my camera from its job of shooting finished items and let it become an extension of my eyes once again. I thought you might enjoy seeing what's been caught in my lens...

Mmmm. That felt so good! By having making time to see what's right in front of me, I feel like me again. When you give everything to something you love... a new child, an exciting dream, a huge project, eventually you have to find your way back. Back to yourself. Back to your center. Yes. Have a beautiful weekend, friends. I hope these blue skies stretch across the world to wherever you might be!