CSAs

Community shared agriculture.

MV Knits Video

I saw this on Etsy for months ago and loved her story.

studio space

This is my studio / design area. We rehabbed the basement when we moved in.

sketches from last weekend

Preliminary sketches of animals. Observations from my recent visit to the zoo.

Loft Life Magazine

If you like to read about sustainability, good design and a modern lifestyle, this magazine is for you. Reclaimed materials are used in many of the featured designs. For the naysayers that think modern is cold and boring, think again! Modern means form follows function in terms of design practicality and aesthetic. Using natural materials like reclaimed wood will add warmth to a space. Modern doesn't mean life devoid of nature. At this very moment, most households across the country are not buying random junk to fill their homes anymore and they are being choosy about what they will buy. Designing with a purpose is now a part of our culture. You can't turn on any lifestyle show on networks like HGTV or DIY without this concept being beaten into you head. If you are looking to re-design and get inspiration this magazine is for you. Sometimes changing your lifestyle means changing your space in order to feel differently.

I had a conversation with someone from Loft Life Magazine yesterday while on Facebook. Loft Life is trying to gain readership and they certainly deserve it. About a month ago I started noticing this magazine at the local bookstore, but like everyone, I'm counting my pennies and passed it up. After viewing their magazine online and seeing what the magazine is about, I will be an avid subscriber. In a week I look forward to receiving a copy in the mail. I will pass up my other design magazines for this one.

Recycled Chairs

After


Before


I was driving down a street near home where I spotted chairs that were the right size and shape for my kitchen being discarded on someones lawn in our neighborhood. I remembered that I had some fabric that I got at a fantastic discount at a local store a year ago and that is when it came to me to reupholster the chairs. I bought some almond colored paint from Lowes. I bought batting for quilting at a local craft store and I already had a staple gun that I use for building canvas stretchers for painting. With all that I was able go from shabby to chic in a week. The chairs took much longer than anticipated to paint. Plan to spend at least 5 hours in total on just painting. The chairs were from the 60's and in poor condition. Comments and questions welcome.

Environmental Studies and resources

On my last visit to Oberlin a few weeks ago, I discovered the environmental studies building on Elm Street at Oberlin College. On the same trip at the local bookstore I saw books by David Orr who teaches environmental studies. The students of Oberlin have the opportunity to work with local farmers and they eat what is locally grown. Sustainablity is the word.