Welcome to the first edition of “Tierra Y Sol.” Each month as a subscriber you will receive a blog post filled with stories, experiences and resources for living more intentionally through the earth’s natural rhythm.
I am Karla, a mama, wife and forest school educator/mentor. I embarked on a journey 2 1/2 years ago to the world of “nature connection” and ancestral skills. This time has been full of highs and lows and so much has been learned and experienced through nurturing my relationship with nature. Today I am at the end of my “thanksgiving break” and fully dreaming up the beginning of new ideas, creativity and space here on this corner of the internet. Here’s what today’s blog post will include;
A little on Forest Schools.
Winter Solstice Black Walnut Offering hosted by Black Thumb Farm in Panorama, CA.
Bundle Dye Kits a fundraising collaboration with Black Thumb Farm.
The first 2024 workshop announcement.
What is Forest School Education?
Our school program meets everyday in the Santa Monica Mountains. The sky is our ceiling, the trees are our walls, and the floor is the living Earth. Our students learn to identify local flora and fauna, recognize patterns in nature, build physical prowess, agility, and confidence, and develop a solid foundation for lifelong learning. We go foraging with our students, learn how to recognize plants that can heal or harm us, we track and observe animals, and observe changes on the land. We paint, create and craft everyday on the land using wild harvested material. We harvest wild materials in our play and this helps us to experience our interdependence through all of our senses. Essentially what we are cultivating is a deep relationship with the more than human world and creating awareness on how connected we are truly are. This is the essence of Forest Education. Each day we have a routine and rhythm that honors the earth with deep gratitude and offerings of curiosity and play. Mentors are encouraged to engage in handwork and play as we are modeling the development of this relationship for young children. We take daily sit spots where we do nothing but observe and admire. We go on wanders and allow the earth to guide our way through our senses, and curiosities. At the end of each day we pay gratitude to the land and find ways to be in reciprocity with her. I am deeply grateful for this life.
Winter Solstice and Black Thumb Farm
Join me on December 16th at Black Thumb Farm as we gather to welcome and celebrate the Winter Solstice. I will be sharing a Community Black Walnut (native plant dye) dye bath. Bring one cotton fiber item to place inside the pot and support our local urban farm. RSVP here: Winter Solstice at Black Thumb Farm
Bundle Dyes
Bundle Dye Kits are HERE! We are collaboration with Black Thumb Farm and have created our first Bundle Dye Kit with flowers grown at the farm. Each kit includes: a silk scarf pre treated and ready for steaming. 40% of all purchases are being donated back to Black Thumb Farm and our youth programming. Get yours here: Bundle Dye Kits
January Workshop
Join me January 13th for a natural dye workshop all about food scrap dyes! Join us at Black Thumb Farm as we dive into the world of kitchen colors! Learn how to detect, brew and color fabrics using food waste and herbs. Join me for a food scrap dye workshop and explore the science, beauty and methods on using food waste to create natural dyes. We will be using two main ingredients found right here at the farm as well as two sources often found in your very own kitchen. we will be learning from; Rosemary, Pomegranate Skins, Onion skins and Avocado Pits. Each participant will dye one silk scarf using an array of dye baths created from the materials shared. You will also receive knowledge on how to replicate this process at home. Hosted at our favorite place Black Thumb Farm in Panorama City on Saturday January 13th from 1:00 - 3:00pm. Sign up here: Kitchen Dyes at Black Thumb Farm
Thank you for supporting my work and offerings. We would love to hear from you! Please feel free to email us and share our offerings with your community.
With Gratitude,
Karla
