Sunday, October 31, 2010

Blog of the Month - A Way to Garden

So many nice blogs out there and I feel like sharing. It is time for blog of the month!


The writer of the blog A Way to GardenMargaret Roach, describes her blog as: horticultural how-to and “woo-woo.” The blog includes lots and lots of great information about gardening written in a friendly authentic way. It is packed with information and laughter. A wonderful combination, don't you think? I'm only starting to explore all the knowledge it contains and just signed up for her newsletter. I'm very exited to see how following this blog will influence my gardening. 


P.S. Margaret left her job as editorial director of "Martha Stewart Living" at age of 54 to live more creative life. She is publishing a book about her journey in February 2011. Too late for Christmas but my birthday coming up on February the timing might be just perfect for me;)



Sunday, October 17, 2010

Work in Progress

started my second quilting course three weeks ago. The first quilt we are making is the Square Dance. I had a hard time choosing the fabrics and ended up buying a ready cut package from the quilt shop. The colours are different than what I usually would buy but I like them. And I think they are perfect for the person I'm planning to give the quilt. Perfect Christmas present don't you think?
Did not bother to iron it for the pictures. Either I'm lazy or try to keep it real.

 

Friday, October 15, 2010

Radical (the book) Homemaker (me)

RADICAL HOMEMAKERS (the book)
After reading about the book Radical Homemakers by Shannon Hayes in several different blogs I finally just had to have it. I was hesitating a bit because of the word 'Radical' which so often leads to 'alienating' I feel. And the book is a quite black and white, us and them, which I don't like. But there is lot in it that is just empowering. 


This is how the publisher describes the book: 
Radical Homemakers uncovers a hidden revolution quietly taking hold across the United States.  It is the story of pioneering men and women who are redefining feminism and the good life by adhering to simple principles of ecological sustainability, social justice, community engagement and family well-being.  (for more see source

The book is divided in two parts, the why and the how. The twenty-year-old me would be in shock, but I don't care about the why. Not in the way Hays is exploring it, the academic way. I have studied feminism and all that and I just think I'm done with it. It doesn't interest me any more.  


But the how! So powerful! 


ME, the not-so-radical HOMEMAKER
When I was a serious worried little girl I decided that I needed to save the planet. So that would be what I would do when I grow up. When I got older the task ahead started to look a bit too challenging and alienating (radical activism and all that stuff was not for me). Finally the cynicism of the university world killed the last sparkles and I was left wonder career wise. Otherwise life was getting sweeter by the day. 


About a year ago I decided I need to do something about my career and now we get back to the Radical Homemakers and some of my favourite pieces of it. 


Because it is not about the career. It is about identifying my true source of contentment (page 46). It is about the discovery that a home-centered life is the way for me to feel connected (page 121). 


The book put so many pieces of the puzzle into its place. To name few, I realised that community-building is a skill that can be learned and while establishing limits may be necessary, passing judgement is not (yay!). That there is a method how to be self-learner:  "think independently, embrace general knowledge, work with what you have, make mistakes, find your own teachers and muster the courage to start from where you are" (p. 215). 


Changing or adjusting your lifestyle can be overwhelming,  but this powerful book gives the key to it:
"...a key to keeping pace with the lifestyle is to limit the amount of time spent doing it" (p. 224). Take baby  steps and be okay with that (p. 226). Develop a tolerance for imperfection and have adequate rest (p. 228-229).  


To come back to my career, according to Hayes "Those homemakers who seemed most satisfied...entered a 'rebuilding face'. In this period they took on genuine creative challenges tended toward engagement with their communities" (p. 47). And that is what my company is all about. 






Friday, October 8, 2010

Ahoy You All - the Store is Open!

My store is open! Please visit www.piecesoffab.com or www.piecesoffab.nl. It is the same thing,  I just can not decide which domain to use. And www.piecesoffab.eu should be the same thing as well but is not working yet. 

This is just a small start to something bigger. New products will be added regularly. If there is anything you think would be perfect for the store and should be added, please let me know! Figuring out the feel and look of the store and most importantly the items sold is a constant work in progress. It is also a lot of fun. I feel like an explorer on an expedition to find new species and territories (much more fun than figuring out what is my "market" or  who are my "target customers").

Wish me luck on this new voyage I'm undertaking!