Milkweed grows rampant in the field on the southern side of our house. It's a fall tradition to collect their pods and blow the seeds o...| mayamade.blogspot.com
It's been such a long time since I've sat at my computer to write a post... I've missed YOU! The longer I was quiet here, the harder it became to find the time. The full story is not just about being over scheduled, but a desire for privacy as I moved through so many new changes, each with huge uncertainty about the outcomes. Accepting that life is unpredictable is what I'll be working on forever, it seems. I think I've been holding my breath since the last post in April. It's time to exhale ...| maya*made
Hello friends!| maya*made
I made this last night, and it's my new favorite soup. Topping it off with fresh radish sprouts made this root puree feel fresh and springy, too. I didn't measure, but I'll share with you the ingredients and steps to try to concoct something similar yourself. Because you have to! It's just so good!| maya*made
I hope your weekend was rejuvenating. Often times, I feel like I spend Saturday and Sunday catching up on laundry, cleaning, sleep and work. Somehow I managed all of that and still had time for a lot of play. And this morning I woke up to blue skies and a weather forecast that has me singing! Spring is definitely in the air...| maya*made
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 turne...| maya*made
Just a quick local announcement! I'll be reading, crafting, selling and signing at the end of the month, and I'd love you to come if you're somewhere close by. Below are the details:| maya*made
On the other side of my beautiful lake (Cayuga Lake of the Fingerlakes) is a pretty little village built directly on the shore called Aurora. Right before you arrive, a sign for The Aurora Shoe Company can be seen from the road.| maya*made
Ellen Abrams and I have been friends for many years... raising our children in the same small community and always wishing for more time together. As a marriage and family therapist, with an established meditation practice, Ellen began offering weekly groups for people working through grief a few years back. In her lovely words- she began running "trauma informed mindfulness groups as a place to explore oneself through the lens of kindness and to develop, with support and connection, p...| maya*made
"The act of healing will look different for each of us. There is no need to rush—nor a clear timetable for traveling through the unique terrain of each loss. Death of a loved one, a traumatic life event, or deep heartbreak are all wounds that have the potential never to leave us. The scars remain to remind us of what we’ve felt, whom we’ve loved, and how we’ve grown. They become part of the fabric of our lives.| maya*made
Ahh! You know how much I love when a new month is on Monday- so fresh and good!| maya*made
Hello lovely friends! I'm still here- just spending most of my time over at instagram these days. I do hope you'll join me there- it's quite cozy and I'd love to stay connected with you. In fact, I'm hosting my first instagram giveaway over there right now. I'm offering a signed copy of Hope, Make, Heal along with the original feathered banner from the last chapter. I will be tucking in a surprise or two, as well. Heading to my studio right now to work on a little something for the sweet winner.| maya*made
It's been said by many that the energy in the room was wonderful at the Hope Make Heal launch at Buffalo Street Books. It was a very receptive crowd, who not only were so supportive of me personally, but also were clearly happy to take a copy of the book home with them... either for their own use or for a friend. Here were my opening lines before I read excerpts from several of the chapters:| maya*made
Feathers played an integral part in my healing process- painting, carving and collecting them. I've included some of my favorite feather prints in the back of my book for using with several HMH projects or some of your own. | maya*made
This week, three years ago I had done everything within my power to give my children a beautiful Christmas and my daughter a happy birthday. Although almost a year had already passed since their father had moved out without warning, it was our first december on our own. The winter holidays have the potential to be a time of magic, as well as the tendency to illuminate loss and magnify grief. I remember making it to this last week of the year and thinking- I'm almost there. I will survive ...| maya*made
I love that we had all the ingredients for these cookies in the cupboard. My kids love an addition of crushed candy canes to everything this time of year, and I do believe that it elevated them to the perfect treat to leave out for Santa tonight.| maya*made
It's the count down to Christmas, and if you haven't started wrapping your gifts- it's time to start thinking about it! I have a great new class that was just released on Creativebug. I show you how to make two kinds of burlap bags- a boxed edge stand up tote and a frayed edge bag that features weaving. Both elevate the gifts your giving and are quick and satisfying. Bonus- they cost nothing (or close to that!). They also double any gift you give because they are re-usable. Whip up several at...| maya*made
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.| maya*made
I adore our hodgepodge of mismatched and handmade Christmas ornaments, but I equally enjoyed it with only lights- and have been missing that simplicity. I've made a plan for next year. We will have TWO trees! There will be an addition of a smaller one with only lights and this felt garland I made a while back. It was never long enough to cover our typical 7ft tall tree, but would work perfectly on a tiny one. Our collection of Swedish straw stars are my favorites, but usually only go on a...| maya*made
I hope your lists aren't too long. It's so easy for many of us to become overwhelmed this time of year. Each December, I set the intention to do less and enjoy more. I don't know that I actually lesson my load, but I certainly am more conscious of the pleasure it is to give to the ones I love. Every holiday I look forward to simple handmade gifts for them wrapped in basic and natural materials. Here's our stack of teacher gifts... Little bits of "happy" tied up with jute. Have a merry sta...| maya*made
I have not had much time these days for my own creative pursuits, but have have felt so fulfilled helping the girls in my sewing classes create wonderful holiday items both by hand and by machine. I was surprised yesterday when I was handed a slew of fabulous felt ornaments after they had gotten together for a sewing date without me. Watching their evolution and total joy as they create things on their own has been one of the best things ever! Pretty impressive pajamas, mittens and pouches ha...| maya*made
Hi friends! I've missed you and my creative time the last few weeks. Life has a way of spinning into a busy flurry this time of year, but I'm back and gearing up for the winter ahead! Our dining room table has seen a lot of sewing and girls recently, as I hosted a Holiday Stitch series for my advanced sewers. One of our most exciting projects involved flannel. I make a pair of pajama pants for my daughter every winter, but this year I thought she and her friends were up to the task on their o...| maya*made
New mittens- made by my 10 year old! She has forecasted many more. She used the pattern for "Easy Going Mittens" from Jennifer Casa's brand new book Handmade Heirlooms. Several of her sewing buddies came over with their machines and each of them whipped out a pair. They were simple and satisfying with just the right amount of challenge (sewing stretched elastic can be tricky). This is just the right combo for making gifts in multiple- something many of us are thinking about at this time of ye...| maya*made
I love the beginning of November! The doorway to the holiday season opens, and it's like an old friend welcoming you into a cozy home filled with the scents of soup on the stove and pie in the oven. Decorating with nature is at its peak, as I forage for as much as I can find on the forest floor before it's covered in snow. I gather up my dried leaves, line up my squash and pumpkins and scatter pinecones and acorns everywhere. Maybe I was a squirrel in another life!| maya*made
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.| maya*made