My goal is to create a waste-free environment by gardening, composting, and making products from upcycled materials. All of my products are sewn with my most cherished heirloom, my grandmother's 1958 Singer Slant-O-Matic sewing machine. My prints are hand-painted from the plants in our garden. Iris is our desert tortoise we adopted from the Living Desert Reserve who lives under the mesquite tree in our garden.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Smoketree Collection debut at Renegade Austin!
I'm very excited about my latest designs in the Smoketree Collection. I will be debuting them at Renegade Austin this weekend. The new products are made with organic cotton and hemp fabric and include the Smoketree dress and scarf for women and home accessories including napkins, tea towels, potholders and coasters. All of the products have a hand-painted print of the pressed leaves from the Smoke tree in our garden.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Coachella Valley Handmade- Patio Gardens
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Drying Herbs
All of the herbs in my garden are in their prime with the mild spring temperatures and recent rain. Every morning I collect a bunch of herbs to dry and preserve them...my form of therapy. Like the oregano in the photo below which looks like a miniature rainforest.
I want to be able to use the dried oregano throughout the summer, especially in our staple food...empanadas. Other herbs I'm drying this time of year include mint, chamomile, marjoram, lavender and sage.
I want to be able to use the dried oregano throughout the summer, especially in our staple food...empanadas. Other herbs I'm drying this time of year include mint, chamomile, marjoram, lavender and sage.
I dry my herbs under our patio cover in the garden. If you are drying herbs outside, you just want to make sure to hang them upside down in a warm, dry, airy place out of the sun. Here is a great resource for harvesting and preserving herbs...
Saturday, March 17, 2012
90% chance of rain!
I love stormy days in the desert. It's almost mandatory to stay in bed an extra hour and catch up on my reading with a big mug of coffee on my hand-painted lemon leaf coaster, upcycled from corduroy pants and a cotton tablecloth. 
And I get to turn off the water in our garden for a few days...it's always my goal to get an 'Excellent' rating on our water bill, since water bills are tiered these days. It's nice to get rewarded with a lower bill for conserving water.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Phoebe Tops
This time of year in the Coachella Valley is the perfect weather for Phoebe tops ...
Guess where these two popular spots are?**
**In order to remain anonymous,
the models requested that I crop their faces.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Composting fabric
After tomorrow's event, I will be back in my shipping container, working on converting it into my studio. I also plan on making short video tutorials on how simple it is to compost...one of the easiest ways to decrease your everyday waste....Stay Tuned!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Wildflower Festival- March 3, 2012
I will have a booth at this great event just steps away from the where I grew up in the Cahuilla Hills and first discovered the beauty and diversity of the Coachella Valley.
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9am - 4pm
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center,
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center,
Palm Desert, California
(760) 862-9984
Free entry – Free parking – Free Shuttle buses to event
Free entry – Free parking – Free Shuttle buses to event
FESTIVAL LOCATION: The Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival is being held at the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51-500 Hwy. 74, Palm Desert, CA 92260. The Visitor Center is located 4 miles south of Hwy. 111 off Hwy. 74.
Event Parking: Free parking is provided by St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert. There is no on-site event parking.
Complimentary shuttle buses run every 15 minutes to and from the parking lot to the festival grounds. The first public bus leaves parking area at 8:45 a.m. and the last public bus leaves the event grounds at 4:15 p.m.
DIRECTIONS TO EVENT PARKING: St. Margaret’s parking lot is located at 47535 Hwy. 74, (2.5 miles south of Hwy. 111). From Interstate 10, take the Monterey Street exit and travel south to Hwy 111. Monterey Avenue becomes Hwy. 74.
KIDS’ ACTIVITIES
Bring the kids out for a day of fun! There is an entire section of the festival known specifically as the “Kids Zone.” There will be a variety of crafts tables for children to create special projects and bring home their creations.
HIKES & WALKS
Certified trail guides will be located on the Randall Henderson Trail to provide information on the flora and fauna of the area. If you are not up for a moderate hike, consider a short walk on the Ed Hastey Loop Trail around the Visitor Center to learn about the native plants there from stationed guides. Please dress appropriately and wear good walking shoes and sunscreen. Water will be available for purchase.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND LANDSCAPING WORKSHOPS
PHOTOGRAPHY AND LANDSCAPING WORKSHOPS
If you want to get that perfect photo of a beautiful wildflower, why not sit in on a photography workshop before hitting the trail? Or learn how to landscape your yard with desert-friendly plants that you’ll be able to identify. How about learning about the fascinating life of an accomplished storyteller, painter, greeting card artist, mycologist, sheep farmer, and land conservationist? Presentations will be occurring throughout the day in the Friends Administrative Building or on the trail as follows:
9:30 am-10:30 am. Nature Photography Tips & Techniques – Chris Miller 9:30 am-10:30 am. Wildflower Identification Workshop – Katie Barrows 10:45 pm-11:45 pm. Desert Landscaping - How & Why – Ruth Watling 12:00 pm-1:00 pm. Victorian Era Conservationist and Author Beatrix Potter – Betsy Bray 1:15 pm-2:15 pm. Wildflower Identification Workshop – Katie Barrows
1:30 pm-2:30 pm. Nature Photography Tips & Techniques – Chris Miller 2:30 pm -3:30 pm. Desert Landscaping - How & Why – Ruth Watling
ARTISTS AND VENDORS
We will have artists and vendors offering a variety of interesting products for you to purchase. Items vary from pottery, artwork, home décor and gift items, to name just a few. Artists and vendors are donating a portion of their sale proceeds to the Friends of the Desert Mountains. Please come out and support them!
EXHIBITORS
Would you like to learn more about desert plants and landscaping, solar energy, local animals and other state and national parks nearby, among other interesting topics? Then stop by the exhibitor booths and ask questions and receive literature from a variety of groups. Come learn more about the area you live and play in!
MUSIC
There will be musical entertainment in the Wine & Beer Garden from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
WINE & BEER GARDEN
Wine and Beer will be available for purchase for those 21 and older with proper identification. Commemorative souvenir wine glasses are available for additional cost. NO ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED IN THE KIDS ZONE AND NO OPEN CONTAINERS MAY BE
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Spend the day with us. No need to rush home for lunch. Great lunch choices, snacks and drinks available for purchase. Please, no coolers allowed.
PLEIN AIR ARTISTS
Want to see a work of art created right before your eyes? Sit a while and watch as plein air artists capture the natural beauty of the landscape on canvas. Choose your favorite to purchase and bring the beauty of the outdoors right into your home.
BOOK SIGNERS
Renowned local authors will be on hand to discuss their literary works and autograph your book purchases.
PETS
While we love our four-legged friends as much as you do, space is very limited, so please do not bring pets to this event.
BENEFACTOR
All proceeds benefit the local nonprofit Friends of the Desert Mountains, a 501(c)3 who has been the leader in conservation of the beautiful mountains surrounding our valley for over twenty years. We are the largest private conservationist in the Coachella Valley owning more than 14,000 acres and partnering in the preservation of over 40,000 acres. We also provide support to the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument by providing volunteers, community programs and financial and promotional support for the Monument.
Monday, February 6, 2012
What to plant in your garden...
Here is a great source for what to plant in your garden based on your area's climate:
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Take a Hike!
Hike. Picnic. Enjoy the outdoors!
I'll have my picnic blankets, hats and other upcycled goods this Saturday from 9am-3pm at the
Experience the lovely Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center while supporting Conservation and the Artists of the Coachella Valley
51-500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA (approximately 4 miles south of Highway 111)
Great opportunity to purchase unique paintings, wood carvings, sculpture, jewelry, hand-made hats and clothing, nature photography, pottery ~and more ~ inspired by the natural beauty of the National Monument
Don’t Miss our Monthly Life Zone Presentation 1-2pm This month’s focus will be the Transition Zone
If you would like more information, please contact the National Monument Visitor Center at (760) 862-9984
A portion of all proceeds will be donated to Friends of the Desert Mountains to assist Programs and Conservation efforts within the National Monument
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Sale at Greenspace on Saturday!
There is a Customer Appreciation Sale going on at greenspace this Saturday, December 17 from 10am-5pm.
My sister is dropping off more of my upcycled sweater dresses, overalls and sweater hats just in time for the sale. They also stock my home and travel accessories including picnic blankets, potholders, coasters and shoe bags.
1122 Soquel Ave - Santa Cruz - 831.423.7200
www.greenspacecompany.com
Open Monday - Friday 9-6 / Saturday & Sunday 10-5
This Saturday (12/17) - One Day Only!
Customer Appreciation Sale
*may not be combined with other discounts, promotions, etc.
Green Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List
Gifts Under $15
Insulated Glass Bottle
Blue Lotus Org. Cotton Produce Bags
Gifts Under $50
Stainless Compost Pail
Cork Fold-a-Bowl
Locally-Made Gifts
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