The act of making things with our hands helps us to slow down, gives us the space to appreciate the beauty around us, and helps us to connect with our communities. Whether sewing or knitting, working with paper or cloth, making utilitarian objects or beautiful works of art, the act of making enriches our lives.
Barbara Parry’s Springdelle Farm revolves around the sheep, llamas, and goats that contribute to her signature farm yarns. Follow Barbara through a year on the farm—from lambing and caring for her flock to shearing and preparing fiber for yarn—and get an insider’s view of life on a fiber farm, all told through the eyes of a veteran shepherdess and textile artisan. Along the way, discover techniques for spinning and dyeing natural fibers, and patterns from top knitwear designers.
For many years, I had brightly colored Chinese paper lanterns hanging over the porch table to create a festive atmosphere. They finally shredded and disintegrated, so I replaced them with homemade “lanterns” made out of my cherished ethnic fabric remnants. These hanging lanterns would also make great outdoor decorations. Use little Christmas tree lights to illuminate them in you have electricity handy.
from Crafting a Colorful Home: A Room-by-Room Guide to Personalizing Your Space with Color
by Kristin Nicholas
