Makers Guide | Quarantine Edition

Quarantine, Shelter-in-Place, Coronacation… no matter what you’re calling it, the fact is we’re all staying home. For some, staying at home may be easy peasy. But for me, it can be tough. Luckily, I still have work to do for the day job so that keeps me pretty busy. But there’s still a lot of down time and sometimes I just don’t want to work on another house project. Anyone else?

If you’re also wanting something fresh to do, here are some fun items that may get you through the slump!

ONE | I know that I personally need to get back into my yoga routine, for both flexibility and to check in and realign with my body. I really need a new mat and this might be just the time to snag one. I’m eyeing the beautiful designs offered by Yeti Yoga — especially loving The Alder Yoga Mat.

TWO | Maybe you’re bored with your usual recipes, maybe you’re always looking for something new, or maybe it’s time to get really creative with what you have left in the pantry — enter Christina Tosi’s cookbook, Milk Bar Life. It’s been out for a few years now, but it’s full of comfort food recipes (like Chicken & Dumplings or Beef Roast), off-the-wall recipes (like the Spaghettios Sammy or Cornbread Ice Cream), and fun stories to boot! Bonus — it’s currently on sale on Amazon.

THREE | In cleaning out our storage room, I was reminded that my friends and I used to elaborately decorate envelopes and mail letters to each other… and yes, we had texting, email, and AIM (HAHA), but there’s something so fun about getting funky envelopes in your mailbox! Get some glue sticks, some envelopes, some stamps, and some of these assorted scrap packs from Yarisi & Co. and go to town!

FOUR | It’s so easy to get caught up in the scariness, loneliness, and negative emotions that come with a pandemic and quarantine, but there are also so many things each of us should be grateful for. Grab a Gratitude Journal from Promptly Journals and begin jotting down those things that bring you comfort and light during these trying times and life in general.

FIVE | This Leafy Wreath embroidery template by Florals and Floss will keep your hands busy and will double as a positive reminder! It’s just a digital download, so you’ll need to get hoops, a needle, and fabric. I get my fabric and needles from JOANN, which is still fulfilling online orders. I use these hoops from Amazon and transfer my fabric to a frame afterward, but you can also use these bamboo hoops if you’re planning to hang the hoop as is.

SIX | And finally, some days it’s all we can do to cope with everything going on. If you’re teaching kids, working in the hospitals, working remotely, bored out of your mind, on your last roll of toilet paper, or simply having a rougher day than you’d like — give yourself an award for simply making it through the day. This Coping Okay Today enamel pin by Clara and Macy sums up my day sometimes and that’s okay.

See you all on the other side of quarantine, because this too shall pass! Sending you wishes for good health!

xo (from a 6-foot distance),
K