Handmade Happiness: Finding Meaning in the Art of Making

35 What a Quilt Show Taught Me About Community, Creativity & Passing Down Skills

This past weekend, Jessica was a vendor at the Ozark Piecemakers Quilt Guild Show in Springfield, Missouri, and came away encouraged by the conversations, connections, and shared love of handmade skills. In this episode of Handmade Happiness, Thomas and Jessica reflect on what makes quilt shows so special, from meeting longtime customers and hearing stories about finished quilts to introducing new makers to the art of quilting and sewing. The conversation explores the importance of passing down traditional skills, the role of community in keeping handmade arts alive, and why creating things with our hands still matters in a world increasingly focused on convenience and technology. In this episode, we discuss: 🧵 Highlights from the Ozark Piecemakers Quilt Show 🧵 The friendships and connections built through quilting 🧵 Conversations with customers and fellow makers 🧵 The joy of seeing finished quilts made from our patterns 🧵 Why quilt guilds and local creative communities matter 🧵 Teaching the next generation to sew, quilt, and create 🧵 The value of handmade skills in today's world 🧵 Creativity, craftsmanship, and preserving traditional arts Whether you're a quilter, maker, homeschool parent, or simply someone who appreciates creativity and community, this episode is a reminder that handmade skills connect us to one another in meaningful ways. Learn more about quilting classes, patterns, fabrics, and resources at The Lark Life. Subscribe for more conversations about quilting, homesteading, handmade skills, homeschooling, and intentional living. #quilting #homeschool #homesteading #intentionalliving #TheLarkLife ✨ Thanks for tuning in to Handmade Happiness! ✨ If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations about slowing down, creating with your hands, and living more intentionally. 💌 Stay connected: * Visit me at TheLarkLife.com * Follow along on Instagram: @The_Lark_Life * Click to join my email list [http://eepurl.com/jhPIq2] for updates, resources, and encouragement 🧵 Share the love:  If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to leave a review or share it with a friend? It truly helps others discover the show. You can also support the show by making a donation at www.thelarklife.com/podcast Until next time, may you find joy in the simple things and beauty in the work of your hands.

34 Why Making Friends as Adults Is So Hard | Building Community, Finding Your People & Overcoming Loneliness

Why does making friends seem so much harder as an adult? In this episode of Handmade Happiness, Jessica and Thomas have an honest conversation about friendship, loneliness, community, and the challenges of building meaningful relationships in adulthood. After moving to Missouri and starting over in a new place, we've experienced firsthand how difficult and rewarding it can be to find your people and create community from scratch. We discuss why friendship often came naturally as children but feels much more complicated as adults, the importance of shared interests and "third places," and what we've learned about building genuine connections through homesteading, homeschooling, church, farmers markets, quilting, and everyday life. Whether you've recently moved, are struggling to find community, or simply want deeper friendships, this episode is an encouraging reminder that you're not alone and that meaningful relationships are worth the effort. Find more resources, stories, and encouragement at The Lark Life. Subscribe for more conversations about homesteading, family life, homemaking, handmade skills, homeschooling, and intentional living. ✨ Thanks for tuning in to Handmade Happiness! ✨ If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations about slowing down, creating with your hands, and living more intentionally. 💌 Stay connected: * Visit me at TheLarkLife.com * Follow along on Instagram: @The_Lark_Life * Click to join my email list [http://eepurl.com/jhPIq2] for updates, resources, and encouragement 🧵 Share the love:  If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to leave a review or share it with a friend? It truly helps others discover the show. You can also support the show by making a donation at www.thelarklife.com/podcast Until next time, may you find joy in the simple things and beauty in the work of your hands.

33 One Year Later... Was It Worth It?

One year ago, our family packed up our lives, left Texas, and moved to a small property in Missouri with a dream of building a slower, more intentional life. In this episode of Handmade Happiness, Jessica and Thomas reflect on their first year in Missouri—the challenges, surprises, lessons learned, and the many blessings that came from starting over in a new place. From expanding our garden and raising animals to building community, homeschooling, growing The Lark Life, and creating a home that reflects our values, we're sharing an honest look at what this first year has really been like. In this episode, we discuss: • Why we decided to move to Missouri  • The reality of starting over in a new state  • Building a homestead from the ground up  • Our biggest lessons from the first year  • Garden successes, animal projects, and property improvements  • Homeschooling and family life after the move  • Finding community and making new friends  • Growing The Lark Life and pursuing new opportunities  • Things that surprised us most about Missouri  • What we're looking forward to in year two Whether you're dreaming of a homestead, considering a big life change, or simply enjoy hearing real stories about building a meaningful life, we hope this conversation encourages you. Foundations in Quilting Course for Homeschoolers (save 20% with code LAUNCH20)  www.TheLarkLife.com/foundations-in-quilting Find more resources, courses, recipes, gardening inspiration, and handmade living at The Lark Life. Subscribe for more conversations about homesteading, gardening, handmade skills, homeschooling, and intentional living. #MissouriHomestead  #HomesteadLife  #IntentionalLiving  #SlowLiving  #FamilyHomestead ✨ Thanks for tuning in to Handmade Happiness! ✨ If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations about slowing down, creating with your hands, and living more intentionally. 💌 Stay connected: * Visit me at TheLarkLife.com * Follow along on Instagram: @The_Lark_Life * Click to join my email list [http://eepurl.com/jhPIq2] for updates, resources, and encouragement 🧵 Share the love:  If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to leave a review or share it with a friend? It truly helps others discover the show. You can also support the show by making a donation at www.thelarklife.com/podcast Until next time, may you find joy in the simple things and beauty in the work of your hands.

32 What’s Actually Saving Us Money Right Now: Simple Ways We’re Spending Less & Living More Intentionally

What’s actually helping us save money right now — in real everyday life? In this episode of Handmade Happiness, Jessica and Thomas share the simple changes and practical habits that are genuinely helping their family spend less while building a slower, more intentional lifestyle at home. From cooking from scratch and growing more of their own food to canceling subscriptions, hanging laundry outside, and finding free summer activities for the kids, this conversation is full of realistic ideas for lowering expenses without feeling deprived. In this episode, we talk about: This episode is not about extreme frugality or perfection; it’s about small changes that add up and help create a more sustainable way of life. Registration is now open for the Foundations in Quilting Course at The Lark Life. Use promo code launch20 for 20% off tuition plus instant access to Sewing Machine Basics 101 and Beginner Quilt Lab bonuses. Learn more and register at thelarklife.com/foundations-in-quilting ✨ Thanks for tuning in to Handmade Happiness! ✨ If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations about slowing down, creating with your hands, and living more intentionally. 💌 Stay connected: * Visit me at TheLarkLife.com * Follow along on Instagram: @The_Lark_Life * Click to join my email list [http://eepurl.com/jhPIq2] for updates, resources, and encouragement 🧵 Share the love:  If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to leave a review or share it with a friend? It truly helps others discover the show. You can also support the show by making a donation at www.thelarklife.com/podcast Until next time, may you find joy in the simple things and beauty in the work of your hands.

31 What’s Growing in Our Garden Right Now: Spring Homestead Garden Update

What’s happening in our garden right now? In this episode of Handmade Happiness, Jessica and Thomas share an early spring garden update from the homestead, including what they planted in early April, what’s going into the ground now, and the projects they’re working on as they expand their biggest garden yet. From cool weather crops and perennials to warm season vegetables and weed suppression strategies, this is a real-life look at what spring gardening actually looks like during a busy planting season. In this episode, we talk about: • Planting peas, brassicas, onions, shallots, garlic, and root crops in early spring • Perennial crops like asparagus and strawberries returning for the season • Planting summer squash, winter squash, corn, okra, and watermelons • Transplanting tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants after Mother’s Day • Expanding and establishing new in-ground garden beds • Using weed fabric and free mulch from a local tree service to suppress weeds and grass • Our favorite garden tools • Gardening as a family and learning as we grow Whether you’re planting your first garden or expanding your homestead growing space, this episode is full of encouragement, practical gardening conversation, and seasonal inspiration. Find more gardening, homesteading, quilting, and from-scratch living resources at The Lark Life. Subscribe for more conversations about intentional living, gardening, handmade skills, and raising capable kids. #SpringGardening #GardenUpdate #HomesteadLife #GrowYourOwnFood #VegetableGarden Foundations in Quilting Course https://thelarklife.com/foundations-in-quilting Link to Spring Garden Tour Video https://youtu.be/kGkE8Zrhp8Q ✨ Thanks for tuning in to Handmade Happiness! ✨ If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations about slowing down, creating with your hands, and living more intentionally. 💌 Stay connected: * Visit me at TheLarkLife.com * Follow along on Instagram: @The_Lark_Life * Click to join my email list [http://eepurl.com/jhPIq2] for updates, resources, and encouragement 🧵 Share the love:  If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to leave a review or share it with a friend? It truly helps others discover the show. You can also support the show by making a donation at www.thelarklife.com/podcast Until next time, may you find joy in the simple things and beauty in the work of your hands.