🌾 “Prairie dogs are ecosystem engineers. As they go about their lives, they change their surroundings in ways that provide shelter, food and even nurseries for other species. On the grasslands of Montana, prairie dog colonies are islands of biodiversity. . . . 🌾 “Their burrows provide homes for many animals, including burrowing owls, badgers, swift fox, tiger salamanders, gopher snakes and black-footed ferrets, to name a few. The closely-cropped grass lawns they keep around their colonies are

These paper-mache pilgrim primitives that I recently made and sold are the first Thanksgiving-themed items I have made since I used to do bulletin boards for my school teachers over forty years ago! I plan to get an earlier start in 2026 and make more. | Mississippi Writer Laurie Parker

Ever thought about making your own paper from scratch? For my newest Tune in Tuesday, I spent an afternoon experimenting with recycled paper, paint, and alcohol inks…and the results were wildly satisfying. Every sheet came out different - speckled, marbled, textured - and totally unique to my palette. It’s an easy, eco-friendly way to create collage papers that feel personal and one-of-a-kind. All you need are a few simple tools (most you already have at home!) and a willingness to experiment. I