Welcome to the first chapter of a brand new series where I’ll be sharing slow living ideas and a peek into my handmade life. I’m pulling back the curtain on the cozy, the crafty, and the curious—basically, everything that’s been keeping me inspired. From the things I’m weaving, to the book that’s got my attention, to the little decor changes that are making my space feel extra cozy, I’m giving you an inside look at what’s been fueling my creativity. So, grab a drink and join me in Slow Living Stories – Spring Edition: What I’m Weaving, Reading, Decorating & More.
MY YEAR OF LIVING SLOW(ER)
Earlier this year, I wrote about diving into ‘slow(er) living’—slowing down, cutting distractions, and carving out more time for hobbies.
The goal? Slow down to focus on QUALITY, not QUANTITY.
Easier said than done, right?
But hey, I’m pushing forward and figured I’d share the ride here on the blog—the highs, the lows, and everything I’m picking up along the way.
It’s not exactly a groundbreaking idea—plenty of others have jumped on the slow living bandwagon—but it’s a fresh twist for this blog.
It’s also where I’ll drop those little behind-the-scenes tidbits that don’t always make it into the usual posts. A little more personal. A little more candid. And yes, A BIT MORE OF ME (for better or worse 😉 ).
This series is for anyone looking for ideas to create a handmade home at a pace that’s not just slower, but enjoyable and realistic.
So if that’s your kinda thing, step into this week’s Slow Living Stories – Spring Edition.
MY SLOW LIVING STORIES – Spring Edition🌷
What I’m Decorating as Spring Kicks Off (Spoiler: Less Is More)
It’s the first week of spring as I write this, and while most of the snow has finally melted (slower than a snail on vacation, but still), I’m just happy to see some bare ground again.
Now, I’m not about to go full throttle with spring decor, but I do like to sneak in a few little touches to signal the season. I took my own advice—yes, the advice I just recently dished out on this blog—and grabbed a couple of grocery store bouquets to breathe a little life into the house.
Sure, these flowers may only last a couple of weeks (and not just ’cause our cat is a little too fascinated by them), but they brighten up our home in the meantime, and that’s what really counts.
Once they start to wilt, I’ll swap them out for my trusty faux florals (of which there are realistic ones out there if you dig a little), keeping our great room feeling fresh and spring-like all season long and without any of the messy bits.
And, of course, I swapped out my winter wreath on the front door (yes, finally) for this spring DIY lemon wreath.
I’m still completely obsessed with this lush lemon wreath—it’s packed with colour and vibrance, and those lemons? They’re the perfect quirky touch to give our front door some personality.
It’s like every time I walk up to the house, I’m getting a little springtime hug. And hey, if lemons don’t scream spring, I don’t know what does.
What I’m Weaving: Two Projects, One Tangled Adventure
I finally dusted off my largest diy loom and diy loom stand (two diy’s I will share on the blog – I promise!) and dove into some scarf experimentation (a gift for a very special lady).
It’s been a bit of a wild ride—samplers stacked up in every direction, fibers coming together (or not), and me trying to figure out how they all need to feel, ‘felt’ and bind together once everything’s been ‘wet finished’ and dried.
Along the way, I’ve had to become more familiar with terms typically associated with those who weave garments on a rigid heddle loom – something I don’t have at present – and it’s been quite the learning curve.
It’s definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m rolling with it for now.
One day, I’ll splurge on a rigid heddle loom, but for the time being, I’m making do with what I’ve got—and trying to enjoy the mess along the way!
(For the curious, I’ve experienced good results with merino wool and merino wool blends as they seem to be decent choices for beginners – like me. Not only are they soft on your skin but they will ‘felt’ or bind a bit better after you have ‘wet finished’ your piece.)
As I experiment with making a scarf, I’ve had to put my nature weaving tapestry on pause, and honestly, I’m getting a bit antsy to get back to it now that spring’s finally creeping in.
So far, I’ve added a strip of birch bark, a little twig, and some beautifully soft natural wool yarn to complement the earthy tones of the bark. The mix of textures and colours is already giving my tapestry a rich, organic feel—exactly what I was hoping for.
If you’ve never tried weaving with nature’s little treasures, let me tell you, it’s way easier than it seems—and honestly, a lot more fun than you’d expect. You don’t need to be a seasoned pro to get started. Check out my nature weaving for beginners, where I walk you through the process step-by-step, and who knows—you might find yourself collecting a few twigs and found bark for your next project!
What I’m Trying Not To Kill (A Tale of Trial and Triumph…Sort of)
Last fall, I purchased a prayer plant—the first living plant we’ve had in a long, LONG time.
As someone with a proven track record of plant killing, I wouldn’t trust me with most plants. But that’s just my opinion 😉
And then there’s the pair of very curious cats who occupy the same space and sometimes mistake a plant as a personal snack. But I digress.
Although I wasn’t fully committed to being a plant lady yet, I figured one plant could liven up our home and add something a little more quirky – if plants could be called ‘quirky.’
And as a known plant killer, naturally I went for one of the most delicate, finicky, and hard-to-keep-alive plants out there. Sheesh! I didn’t realize that at the time, of course.
After nearly killing it several times (and honestly, I still couldn’t figure out why as I tried everything suggested online), it’s just now starting to look… okay—a true victory! (If you’ve ever had a prayer plant, you’ll know exactly what I mean).
The leaves even look semi-healthy with new shoots growing!
And why is it called a prayer plant, you ask? These plants naturally ‘droop’ during the day and raise their stems and leaves upwards at night, much like hands raised in prayer. It’s really quite remarkable to see.
In the weeks and months since bringing home this delicate plant, I’ve been learning to be observant, responsive, and patient with my plant (and myself).
And now I’m getting ready to repot it again and to even try propagating it for the first time thanks to some expert advice from these YouTube ladies (The Jungle Lady and PlantsByMelissa)—seriously, they know their stuff. I’m hoping their wisdom rubs off on me. So far, I’ve learned a ton, and I can see my prayer plant is coming back to life again.
Here’s hoping I don’t kill it… fingers (or leaves?) crossed!
What I’m Reading (At a Pace That Feels Right)
I’ve started reading Slow Productivity by Cal Newport, the New York Times bestseller that seems to have really struck a nerve with me. He had me in the first chapter. It was like a much-needed pause button in a world that seems to run on caffeine and chaos.
In Slow Productivity, Newport draws on the wisdom of history’s most creative thinkers—from Galileo and Isaac Newton to Jane Austen (LOVE her works) and Georgia O’Keeffe—and explores how they managed to produce valuable work with lasting impact without getting caught in the modern whirlwind of endless tasks.
Sound familiar?
Newport makes a strong case for a slower, more sustainable approach to productivity—where quality trumps speed. He talks about managing workloads, introducing seasonal rhythms (which I am so on board with!), and focusing on long-term results. Slow Productivity offers a roadmap to avoid burnout and actually get meaningful, lasting work done. It’s like the productivity revolution we didn’t know we were missing.
But, of course, in the midst of getting some incredible pearls of wisdom…I got distracted not long after completing the first chapter (sigh).
My attention span seems to have taken a nosedive in recent years, and it’s honestly a bit frustrating. Still, I’m determined to finish it because what I’ve read so far is packed with insight and inspiration that feels like a game changer.
Final Thoughts
So, this has been my Slow Living Stories, Spring Edition—a sneak peek into my slow(er) living life lately: cozy rituals, weaving adventures, and a little extra time spent doing… well, not much. At least from the rest of the world’s perspective. But hey, that’s the point, right?
These moments are just the start. I’m diving even deeper into the art of slow(er) living, so stay tuned for the next chapter!
If the thought of embracing a slower pace excites you (or you just like spring things!), you won’t want to miss these other posts from the blog:
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