This post was originally published on Substack. My monthly-ish newsletter is a way to mark time, remind myself of what I’ve accomplished, reflect on my creative practice, and update loved ones and students who aren’t on social media. You can read, like, and comment on the original post here. Please consider subscribing to show your support!

The golden rule for surviving winter in the PNW? Don’t make important decisions in February. Despite it being our third winter in Portland, I had to constantly remind myself this month that things suck because it’s February (and especially this year because *gestures at world*). Why don’t I want to get out of bed? Because it’s February in Portland. Why am I feeling so unmotivated? Because it’s February in Portland. Why don’t I feel like making things? Because it’s February in Portland (and Elon Musk did xxx today).

One of my biggest challenges related to recently learning I am neurodivergent and chronically ill has been coming to terms with the reality that my capacity constantly fluctuates, even in ideal conditions. Ignoring that reality by trying to operate at a consistent pace inevitably leads to crashes and burnout. This requires a lot of planning: reducing obligations so I can say yes to the things that matter most, intentionally scheduling events and spacing out deadlines so I have plenty of time for rest, anticipating and adding supports I might need for low-capacity periods. But (over)planning is my comfort zone. What is MUCH harder for me is the fact that being disabled often means abandoning the plan, listening to what I need at a given moment, and then—crucially—not beating myself up about it.

I thought I was making progress in the self-compassion department and then February (and DOGE) came along. I realized I needed to scale back after a busy holiday season of making and teaching, so I decided to take the month off from sewing. To respect my period of lower capacity, I focused on projects that encouraged working at a slower pace (like the adorable bat from Kiriki Press that I embroidered by hand). And to accommodate my low motivation, I infused my creative practice with a bit of novelty by participating in Katie Moody’s 30 Days of Sketchbook Joy challenge (on a daily-ish schedule with permission to skip days and prompts as needed). I’ve enjoyed the breadth and flexibility of the prompts and felt inspired by the art other participants have been sharing on social media. Watercolors and colored pencils are my go-to media, but I started experimenting with gouache for the first time during this challenge and love working with it.

What do your creative and/or self-care practices look like during the winter months? What’s been inspiring and supporting you lately?

classes

snake stuffies

I try to offer new sewing classes for kids each month at Modern Domestic. This month, we celebrated Lunar New Year by sewing a Year of the Snake stuffie! The kiddos learned how to sew curves on a sewing machine, add stuffing, and finish their snakes with a bit of hand sewing. Here are some of my favorites:

new resources

I adapted the handouts I provide in my sewing classes into two series of blog posts. The Sewing Basics Series consists of in-depth introductions to basic sewing topics for beginner sewists, including preparing and cutting fabric; needles, thread, and stitch types; zipper components and types; and a glossary of common sewing terms. The Klum House Bag Lab Resources include project-specific advice about selecting a pattern, choosing fabric and notions, and inserting zippers. Overviews of tools and hardware, leather, and bag care are coming soon.

highlights

• D and I went to the Oregon Symphony to see Wu Man, considered the world’s premier pipa virtuoso. The pipa is a four-stringed lute-like instrument that originated over two thousand years ago in Persia and spread to East Asia via the Silk Road. It’s since become a central instrument in Chinese traditional music.
• This is the last weekend to see teeny tiny art in the Microdose 5 show at Nucleus Portland. Some favorites: acrylic gouache landscapes by Lizzy Gass, handcut paper collage stamps by Laura K. Sayers, and stoneware figurines by Perro y Arena.
• After many months on the waiting list, I finally got to see a (competent and compassionate) cardiologist and received an official POTS diagnosis. It’s a relief to finally have a label that validates my experiences (and a treatment plan).
• We had lots of good laughs seeing our dear friend Kaz perform with the new improv group No Pockets at Curious Comedy Theater. I am forever in awe of the courage and creativity of improv performers!
• February brought that classic Portland gray, an atmospheric river downpour, snow days, and warm sunshine. After so many years living in Phoenix where the weather was either blazingly hot or slightly less hot, D and I are still amazed by the variability in the PNW.

little pleasures

• In an attempt to further divest from Amazon, I switched from my beloved Kindle to a Kobo Libra Colour and I am OBSESSED. I read 13 books during the month of February!!! Some favorites: Rouge, Starter Villain, I Who Have Never Known Men, Babel-17, and The Flicker. Can you tell I have been Very Influenced by the Parallel Worlds and Always Here bookclubs?
• I treated myself to a new sketchbook for the challenge and think I may have finally found my Goldilocks pick for multimedia.
• Girl Scout cookie season: Tagalongs forever. I ordered from a local kiddo that I found on this list of trans and nonbinary Girl Scouts. Even if you can’t donate money, it’s worth reading the list for a dose of queer joy.

looking forward to

• Next week is Rose City Yarn Crawl! I definitely don’t need any more yarn but I can’t resist collecting the passport stamps and lil shop buttons.
• I’m taking a film development and darkroom printing refresher at Franklin FOTO. I’m excited to revisit film after a year away and grateful to finally have an accessible community darkroom in Portland.
• I finally signed up for a risograph class at Outlet PDX that I’ve been wanting to take for literal years—hopefully some zines and prints will be coming soon!
• As part of my requirements for the Oregon Naturalist certification, I have to complete 40 volunteer hours annually. This month I’m training to become a volunteer nature guide at Bird Alliance Oregon and a tour guide at Hoyt Arboretum. I’m also participating in a community science project called BudBurst that collects nationwide data about plant lifecycles to understand how the timing of leafing, flowering, fruiting, etc. is shifting due to climate change.

upcoming classes

kid & teen sewing (8+ years)

• Spring Break Drawstring Backpack (Mar 24)
• Spring Break Needlebook & Pin Cushion (Mar 25–26)
• PPS No-School Day Artist Pencil Roll (Apr 7)
• Mini Quilted Tote (May 24): registration coming soon

adult sewing (15+ years)

• Pottery & Workwear Apron (Apr 11–25)
• Noodlehead Bag Lab (May 8–29): registration coming soon

keep in touch

Thanks very much for reading! If you’d like in-person support and instruction, please sign up for my classes at Modern Domestic or reach out to schedule a private lesson. If you have any questions, feedback, or corrections regarding this post, please don’t hesitate to contact me!

further reading

january recap: your week will be filled with pancakes

january recap: your week will be filled with pancakes

February 1, 2025

substack