Top Fives of 2020

We humans are weirdly resilient.

"Dirty P" art by John Carrillo. — “Dirty P” art by John Carrillo.

A few years ago, I wrote (through tears), “Life can be such an off-balance mix of highs and lows, beautiful moments and heartbreaking ones all scrambled together.”

It remains true at the close of this tumultuous, challenging, disorienting – and, yes, often heartbreaking – year. There are points of light, even in dark times.

Dog — Quijote hanging out with me before polling place setup in November.

I asked a few friends to think of some good moments they experienced in 2020 and share them in the form of a top five list of things they did or simply enjoyed.

Their lovely responses (and fun photos!) are below.

Handmade clothes and quilts — Craft projects by Kelli.

Kelli Donley Williams: Top 5 Things I Made

These are my top five favorite makes of 2020 – a year that provided ample time for me to be creative.

1. Cornflower Yoke Cardigan from Vintage Baby Knits for my niece, Maxine Eleanor. She was born August 1.

2. No. 1 shirt from designer Sonya Philip. I learned how to sew basic garments this year. I made several of these and lived in them all summer!

3. I participated in Denyse Schmidt’s Proverbial Quilt Along. The quilt reads, “The Darkest Nights Make the Brightest Stars.” I gave it to my eldest niece Alexis, who headed off to college in August and was having a hard time with everything she’d been forced to miss due to the pandemic.

4. My best friend Meghann turned 40 in August and asked for a quilt in her colors. This is the most ambitious quilting project I’ve ever completed. My mom quilted the top with her longarm, to make it extra special. The pattern is an Ohio star.

5. I completed Morning Sky sweater in cornflower blue and have enjoyed wearing it. I really like the scalloped edge and the fit. I made it from inexpensive yarn, and it has held up nicely!

Healthy meals — Serious meal prep by Christin!

Christin Underwood: Top 5 Ways I Stayed Healthy during 2020

1. Meal prepped weekly to stay on my nutrition

2. Made sure to do at least 3 home workouts a week

3. Made sure to hike weekly for Vitamin D

4. FaceTime and Zoom called my family once a week

5. Journaled and did meditation for mental health

Lucrecer Braxton portrait — Lucrecer with some of her many plants, who she plays music and dances with.

Lucrecer Braxton: Top 5 Songs I’ve Been Listening to This Year

1. Diana Gordon, “Woman”

2. Almondmilkhunni feat. Evander Griiim, “Grapefruit”

3. Yung Baby Tate, “That Girl”

4. Maxine Ashley, “Lobster”

5. Koffee, “Toast”

Sangeeta and Shanauk got the beet. — 2018 photo that I dug up on Sangeeta’s Facebook.

Sangeeta Agarawal: Top Ways I Learnt To Do R+R This Year

1. Call and Zoom friends

2. Walks in nature and meditation retreats

3. Cook fun recipes

4. Clean and decorate house

5. Coloring and calligraphy

6. Reading spiritual books

7. Being in pajamas

8. A little bit of gardening

Dog in a tent — Laurel says her dog, Honeybear, is an excellent camper!

Top 5 Things I Enjoyed in Spite of 2020…

• from Laurel Shane:

1. Camping trips

2. Cuddling with my dog

3. Reading Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh

4. DIY projects like sewing masks and making home improvements

5. Rewatching The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

• from Vesna Taneva-Miller:

1. I went on my first meditation retreat in Stockbridge, MA a week before everything shut down because of COVID. This was on my 2020 list before 2020 arrived.

2. I went on an epic hike in Yosemite and hiked Half Dome. I was sooo lucky to be invited on this hike as going all the way to the top requires a permit that is given through a lottery system.

Stamps — Two of Vesna’s hand carved stamps.

3. I was able to stay home for 6 weeks when COVID first hit. We did a lot of walks in local parks. I also learned how to edit videos and filmed 3 classes for Skillshare.

4. I planted two fruit trees in my backyard: a fig and a pomegranate. I will always remember that they were planted during COVID year (haha)!

5. I am joining Carve December, and I am determined to carve a stamp a day during this month.

Happy campers — Lori camping with family.

• from Lori Meisner Cleland:

1. Socially distanced camping trips with my brother and his family

2. Discovering new (to me) music, like Gregory Porter

3. A slower pace

4. Increased support of and appreciation of small businesses

5. Seeing all the amazing creativity going on as people work to navigate this crazy year together

Food and beverages — Photos from some of the local restaurants Lori supported this year.

Photos that go with the lists are from the respective listmakers.

P.S. Dinah Liebold’s list of gift ideas that was so detailed and timely that it got its own post last week, so be sure to check that out if you haven’t already!

December 11, 2020July 22, 2023

Dinah’s Delicious Holiday Gift Ideas for 2020

[My sister-in-law Dinah always gives such fun gifts and beautiful handmade cards. I’m excited that today she’s sharing some of her ideas here with you! –S]

I enjoy giving presents under normal circumstances, but during 2020, I felt it was more important than ever to send fun surprises in the mail for my friends and family – for birthdays or just because – since I wasn’t able to see them as often (or at all).

"You take the cupcake" card — A birthday card made by Dinah.

Craft Beverages + Food

I try to seek out local companies here in Arizona or, at least, small businesses.

Derek Sips coffee

Derek is a teacher and a father of 5, who lives in Tempe, Arizona. He loves coffee and decided to start roasting beans himself as a side business. We shipped out bags of his coffee to several family members this year (and also to ourselves)!

StoneGrindz Chocolate

For my chocolate-loving friends, I discovered this company located in Scottsdale. They specialize in small batch, single-origin craft chocolate that’s beautifully packaged. I love how they come up with new flavors regularly.

Cartel Coffee menu — Menu at Cartel Coffee Lab in Tempe.

Cartel Coffee Lab

The original Cartel Coffee Lab location is in Tempe. I was pleased to see that they offered this “Stay at Home” blend, which was perfect for my friend Robin, who is coffee-obsessed and works from home. Plus, 10% of the profits go to a Navajo Nation COVID-19 relief fund.

Queen Creek Olive Mill

This company is located in Queen Creek, Arizona. I purchased some bottles of flavored olive oil for my brother’s and sister’s birthdays this year. It was a useful gift for them, as they like to cook, and it lasted awhile. I enjoyed hearing which foods they paired the olive oils with!

In addition to standard olive oil offerings, Queen Creek Olive Mill has unique flavors like vanilla bean and dark chocolate. There’s even a set called “Quarantine Essentials!”

Saratoga Peanut Butter Company

My husband Daniel did part of his Navy training near Saratoga Springs, New York, where this company is located. They offer a holiday pack of different kinds of peanut butter. I can’t wait to try more of their flavors in 2021!

A box of green because you're dope. — “A box of green” by Dinah.

DIY Inspiration

Color themed gifts — Color-themed goodies. Photos by Dinah.

Color-Themed Gift Boxes

For several birthdays this year, I put together boxes full of goodies of the same hue.

I sent my brother a “box o’ sunshine” with yellow items, since his birthday falls right after Christmas, the dreariest time in Montana’s winter. My sister-in-law’s birthday is right before St. Paddy’s Day, so she received all green gifts. And a few people received some “Out of the Blue” birthday boxes.

Hopefully, I can try it out with some other colors this coming year!

Dalgona Coffee (recipe)

We received a lovely gift in our mailbox of pre-measured mix to make Dalgona coffee drinks from a friend. We loved the idea so much that we copied it, making our own Dalgona coffee mixes send to other friends and family.

Once you have the dry mix, all you have to do is add boiling water and beat in the mixer until it turns into coffee-flavored whipped cream! Drink it with ice and your milk of preference.

This was a great way to make a “fancy” coffeehouse-style drink, while staying safe at home.

November 30, 2020December 1, 2020

Honeycomb Color Story

Lately, I can’t seem to ignore this charming yellow hue that’s a bit more orangey than mustard and more opaque than just plain honey. I’m calling it “honeycomb.”

You can find this sweet shade on artisan goods, as well as things you can make, wear, or eat.

1. Honeycomb with fresh nectar reflecting the tree canopy. Photo by Max Westby, a beekeeper and honey producer in Burgundy, France. (CCL)

2. Dreamweaver lampshade made-to-order by Pop + Scott, $980. / Similar DIY project: rope-wrapped hanging lamp.

3. Nipomo picnic blanket, rolled up and ready to go, with leather carrying straps, $86. (Shown unfolded in the top/featured image.)

4. Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech, Morocco. Photo by Kelly Graham, taken during a trip in 2013.

5. Peanut Butter Creamed Honey made and bottled (and occasionally overfilled) by True Love Honey, Tucson, Arizona, $30 for 3 jars. / HT Freight Train Coffee (their 4th Ave. neighbor!)

6. Sweet Bee + Floral Wreath: Embroidery Pattern by Emillie Ferris. Digital download and tutorial available on Etsy, $17.

7. Ampersand design by Priscyla Falkenburger for Letterpress Brasil.

8. Aimilios dress by Mara Hoffman, modeled by Adeng. $395. / HT SPREAD LOVE + SHINE LIGHT auction for aid to the Navajo Reservation.

9. Honeybee tassel earrings handmade in Murrieta, California by Letter and Thread Co, $10.

10. Coffee Bear, part of San Francisco street artist fnnch’s series of Honey Bear paintings.

11. How to add a pocket to an art journal by Craftnomicon.

12. “Books are a uniquely portable magic.” Stephen King quote on stickers (and t-shirts) by Bookshelf Tees.

13. Tips for choosing the best dog chews.

14. Pipit Loungewear Set digital sewing pattern by Common Stitch, $15.

15. “Cozy Up” art by Ash Elizabeth. Digital download, $3.

Photos link to their sources. All images via their respective artists / vendors / creators.

October 30, 2020

How to Make Reverse Trick-or-Treat Bags

I’m thinking this would be a good year for some reverse trick-or-treating.

While I’m not really into Halloween, I do like it as an excuse to indulge in some of the junk candy that I don’t buy the rest of the year, and I’ll pick up a bag or two “just in case.”

I even did this when we lived in a third-floor apartment. Since I didn’t expect anyone to come up, I made a few little candy bags and brought them to my neighbors instead. Reverse trick-or-treat!

In the 2020 version, I’d mask up and leave the treats outside neighbors’ doors.

Materials + Tips

Here’s what I used, plus alternatives in case you want to make the project simpler or fancier or to use materials you happen to have already…

Treat bags – These are great to buy when they’re on sale after the holiday – unlike candy, they’ll keep! I got a pack of clear ones on clearance at Target several years ago, and I’ve used them for a variety of things since then, including sleeves for pressed flowers. Alt: regular sandwich baggies, small paper bags, gift bags

Crinkle paper – Upcycled from some other packaging (maybe it came from these costume mask kits-?) Alt: tissue paper, shredded paper, confetti, or skip it (It’s mostly there for color.)

Cord (for the bow) – I used what I had on hand from an envelope journal workshop. Alt: ribbon, raffia, yarn, bakers’ twine, nothing (Again, it’s just a festive touch.)

Shipping tag – I wrote our names on the back with a reminder who we were (i.e. “From: Phillip and Stephanie from upstairs”), since I suspected some of our neighbors might recognize our faces but not our names. To be honest, I wasn’t sure about some of theirs, which is why there was no “To:” – just a “Happy Halloween” on the front. Alt: label, card, or make your own gift tags

Ultra fine tipped marker

Washi tape to keep the bag closed

Candy – make sure it’s individually wrapped!

Kids need a project?

If you are looking for something to occupy your kids or teens (hello, parents working from home!), here are a few ways they can help with these…

Color, stamp, and/or add stickers to bags.
Make Halloween cards or tags.
Cut construction paper into pieces to use instead of crinkle paper. (Or use a hole puncher / leaf-shaped paper punch to make confetti.)
Fill the bags – if they can be trusted around all that candy! (I barely can.)

On the tag or card, include the age(s) of any contributing young artists (i.e. “From Velma, Fred, and Daphne, age 3”), because that somehow makes it even cuter.

If you make candy bags, I’d love to see them! Tag @travelcraftjournal or #TCJreco on Instagram. Have fun!

October 20, 2020October 20, 2020

Treats (no tricks!): Fall 2020

In these tricky times, here’s a virtual goodie bag full of classes, films, performances, and tours you can enjoy from home, as well as artisan wares you can shop from anywhere!

For good stuff and in between these seasonal roundups, watch our Instagram stories!

Stay well and be safe, friends! Keep supporting artists, makers, local businesses, and causes when you can. Nourish your soul.

tropical plants — Denver Botanic Gardens tropical conservatory, 2013.

Freebies

Badge Bomb:

Fun stay-at-home-themed coloring pages, activity sheets, and stickers. Download a PDF or request a free printed sheet with any order.
Free shipping on US orders over $50 + international orders over $75.

Black Lives Matter poster printable: PDF you can download from Dropbox, print, and hang up. Artwork by Stephen Powers. (Preview)

Denver Botanic Gardens virtual Día de los Muertos celebration: Coloring pages, classes, short film competition, and online mercado.

In Denver: Glow at the Gardens, Oct. 20-25. Reimagined for 2020, an evening of luminous displays and live performers. Advance purchase of timed tickets required. $17-21

Monterey Bay Aquarium:

Museum of Craft and Design: MCD@Home has partnered with artists and community collaborators to create at-home projects based on museum’s signature programs and exhibitions.

Where to Go + When: Free ebook by longtime travel blogger Sherry Ott of Ottsworld. Email address required to receive the download link.

Why I Love Where I Live:

Notes of Gratitude. Free.
Coloring pages by Southwestern artists. Free.
Backgrounds for your phone or Zoom meetings by Tucson-based Saywells Design. Free.
Free shipping on orders over $15 with code 2020IG.
Buy a mask and they’ll donate one to a local organization!

Classes

Debbie Allen Dance Academy: Founded by Debbie Allen of Fame fame, DADA is a non-profit organization with programs to expand young people’s access to dance + theater.

$5 virtual dance classes.
Free Instagram Live classes on Wednesdays.

Hanna Naegle yoga:

“Crooked Yoga” classes on YouTube. (Optional donations: Venmo @hanna-naegle.)
In Tucson: YogaOasis Central parking lot: Mondays 6:45pm, $6. / Crooked Tooth Brewery patio: last Sunday of every month at 6:30p, $12 for yoga + pint of Crooked Tooth beer.

MyIntent:

Free classes in yoga, meditation, journaling, etc.
A big list of free self-care resources.

San Francisco School of Needlework + Design:

Online classes on embroidery and other stitching techniques. Fees vary.
Virtual Stitch-ins: Weekly Zoom meetups where you can craft along with fellow fans of fiber arts. No RSVP required. Free.

Olney gallery in Phoenix — Olney Gallery, a Phoenix First Friday and Art Detour venue.

Virtual Tours

Artnet: Roundup of virtual art world events.

Fort Wayne Museum of Art: Take a virtual tour from home.

Mission San Juan Capistrano:

Digital Resource Center. Free. (Donations accepted.)
Shop online.
Digital art exhibits.

NYC virtual guide:

Central Park tour.

Phoenix-area virtual attractions:

Fabric at Not Just Quiltz, designed by Donna Abbots.

Shop Art + Craft

L.A. County Yarn Crawl Shops:

Gather DTLA – Now offering custom curated packages.
Jennifer Knits – Free patterns for tops, scarves, and hats.
Knitting Tree – Sale on discontinued and overstocked items.
Wildflower Studio – Free digital pattern for M.1 scarf by Shelli Anderson with purchase of 4 skeins.

Not Just Quiltz: We met this vendor at the Quilt, Craft, and Sewing Festival!

25% off the Bolt of the Week.
All bolt BATIKS and precut bundles 15% off (half-yard minimum).
Closeout fabrics $8/yard, while supplies last.
WE CARE Paradise Fire Relief.

Orenda Tribe SPREAD LOVE + SHINE LIGHT Shop: Sale of art and artisan goods with 100% of proceeds going to critical aid on the Diné / Navajo reservation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quilt-Craft-Sew Mall: Shop vendors from Quilt, Craft + Sewing Festivals online, since so many of 2020’s events had to be canceled.

Riders of the Purple Sage program — Waiting for the premiere of Riders of the Purple Sage!

Watch

Arizona Opera’s Reimagined 2020/21 Season:

Musical Storytime: New musical story online every two weeks through December.
“Arizona Opera OnDemand” channel.

The Loft Cinema:

Streaming movie rentals. (Price varies.)
In Tucson: Open air screenings in distanced seating outside the theater. Tickets $15/person.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts concerts: Many upcoming Scottsdale Arts shows are either all virtual or in-person with a virtual option. Live stream tickets vary by show ($20-39).

SXSW Short Films: A collection of shorts that were selected for SXSW 2020, but couldn’t be screened when the festival had to be canceled last-minute, due to the pandemic. You can now watch them from home! Free.