I have been devouring this book, Make Your Place— Affordable, Sustainable Nesting Skills, by Raleigh Briggs for the last week or so. It's so flipping good. It's got recipes for all kinds of homemade goodness; cleaning products, bath and personal care items, general gardening info—just a ton of great stuff. She also includes bits about working with herbs and has another zine that's about assembling a herbal first aid kit, which I also love. I know I saw this book on a blog somewhere, but I don't remember where right now. It was a few months ago and only just recently remembered it.
The whole book is hand lettered and hand drawn.There is about 100 levels of cool here. As someone who makes her own deodorant and underwear, I feel an urge to stalk this woman.
I got my copy, along with some other rad zines, over at Microcosm Publishing here in town. But in a fit of extreme lameness, I actually ordered it online rather than going to the shop, because dang with the 3 kids and nap times and all that, it just wasn't happening. You know how it goes. I actually was able to browse more and take my time online than I would have with the 3 lovelies in tow. So, I still need to actually go there, but the mail service was mighty fast anyway. You can also get a copy at buy olympia.
mildly related (herbs and stuff):
We are headed out to one or two of the farms taking part in the Oregon Lavender Festival this weekend. There are so many farms to choose from—any of you Portland peeps have recommendations? I am so excited.
totally unrelated:
I am super excited to have a Designer Profile over here the British site, Crafts Beautiful and have been featured (in very good company) over here in an AOL article about sewing.
