and still...I have a soft spot for red squirrels

any mischievous creature really.

Nearly two years ago, I bought this vintage, 1964 Apache Eagle camper.  

Well, camper is a strong term.  Really, it’s a canvas tent that you hook over a metal frame after you slide out the two full-size beds on a trailer.  I found it in Wisconsin. 

I loaded up my wee fella, a few months after becoming single and set off with dreams of little family road trips to grand places, remote work in the shade of the screened windows and so much freedom. 

The tent/camper had its original canvas in near pristine condition and worked smoothly like the day she was made. 

I settled everything in just right.  Found the perfect wool rug, replaced the mattresses with clouds, added a comfortable bench that folded up for transport and gave us space to hunker in all cozy with a board game and tiny heater in cool, rainy weather, and built what just might be, in my humble opinion, the perfect outdoor camping kitchen. 

Ready to go.  

And then. 

I evicted a wiley little red squirrel from my wee house…he’d wormed his way up through a tiny opening around the tub drain and scurried about leaving hundreds and hundreds of walnuts in my knitting baskets.   

I closed that hole up when I was sure he was outside and for days and days, he would sit on my outdoor chairs and chatter with what must have been choice words at the window of the house. 

Until he discovered the camper…and its pristine canvas folded up neatly and its cloud-like mattresses all tucked in for winter, awaiting its first true adventures with us. 

He made a new home out of the stuffing from the mattresses, chewed to just the right size, and hauled down gnawed tunnels to a snug nest, smack dab in the middle of that canvas.

Sadly that camper has been sitting in a state of disrepair and sorrow ever since.  Until one day last February when I stumbled upon this lovely little company, also in Wisconsin, that replaces the canvas on pop-up campers. 

Actually, no...not simply replaces but honors those sweet little campers with artisanship, skill and so much love.  The reviews from their customers were like a song to my heart and the wait list was 14 months long. 

Well,  guess what?  My time is finally here, and just a few weeks ago, I sent that holey canvas in to get remade.  

They don’t have a pattern for the canvas top, instead they’ll use my old canvas and create a new, stronger version from it.  One that will allow this dream of road trip freedom in my wee camper to bloom.  Two years after it was planted.

That’s the way of life, isn’t it?  You make plans, you get derailed, and you begin again and if the dream is still there, you continue on.  Over and over and over.    


Speaking of remaking things you love…

I’m thrilled to announce that I’m ready to have you in my sweet maker’s studio!

On April 6th, join me for a live virtual workshop on my new bit of ground and in the shade of the giant blue spruce.  

You know that favorite piece of clothing, the one you hope never wears out, and that you tried to find again so that you can stock up on them, but they’re gone.  The one that fits you just right, your body and your joy?  

I know.  I have these tall leather boots that I keep a perpetual search going for on eBay.  

Years ago Teva made a real leather boot that fits me perfectly, is comfortable enough to hike Ireland’s Dingle peninsula with an 8-month-old strapped to my chest and sheep around every turn, and makes me feel like a bonafide superhero.  (paired with a hand-knit capelet/cowl and some fingerless mitts…watch out!)  

I’ve been wearing them for 15 years or more, every single day that is not a sandals day.  

Sadly, not the same ones, they wear out after all, but second-hand versions I find on eBay.  

I have two pairs right this minute waiting their turn in my closet.   And if another pops up, I’ll snatch it up.    (exactly how many boots will I need for the rest of my life?!?) 

What can I say, I know what I love and at this point, it changes very little.  

You know what I’m talking about, when you find a thing to wear on your body that is magic.  Fits, is super comfortable and allows you to forget it’s even there, while allowing your inner self to shine…you hang on to it.

So, to begin my live virtual workshops for 2024, I’m starting with Cloning Clothes You LOVE!

(and while we won’t be recreating tall leather boots, we will show homage to what we love) 

This is one of my most often asked-for workshops…creating a sewing pattern from clothes you already own and love.  

Have no fear, no harm will come to that beloved hoody.    But you know what’s extra cool?  Once you get the pattern down, you can shift a thing or two.  

I know, I know, you love that piece of clothing already, but let’s be honest, you probably always wished the sleeves were a wee bit longer and that it had a deeper hood…we can fix that.  We’re superheroes after all!

In three weeks, on Saturday, April 6th, join me for a 3-hour workshop (from 9 am EST to noon) on creating sewing patterns from clothing you already have. 

It will be recorded, but if you can make it live, you have the opportunity to ask questions and show me the garment you wish to recreate and get my thoughts on it! 

As a student of mine, you can also share your progress and ask your questions in the days and weeks after the class, I want you to have ease and so much success!

And If you’ve been thinking about joining us for the spring retreat on Mackinac Island on April 28th…you have just a wee bit of time to do so.  Registration closes on March 27th. 

Wait what?  Don’t know about the retreat?  Get all the details below, but in a nutshell, we’ll be going deep into pattern drafting for knit garments and allowing ourselves space and time to experiment, get the fit right and simply be!

Sewing retreats on Mackinac Island (Michigan) - 6 days, 5 nights
Spring - April 28 through May 3rd
Fall - October 13th through 18th


In Kinship,
Tina

Hello!  I'm Tina and I'm honored to be in your inbox. I'm vulnerably, creating a vibrant life in Northern Lower Michigan.  A life full of joy.  And I'm thrilled to share that with you. 

I have amazing and deep conversations with makers on my podcast In Kinship and I teach women to sew clothes they love so that they feel beautiful, empowered and connected.  

You can find the podcast, workshops and retreats and my blog on the website.