ABOUT ME

Hi, my name is Christine. Thanks for stopping by.

I write about homecooked meals, DIY projects, handcrafted goods and my efforts to create meaningful traditions and experiences. I update several times a week with carefully chosen photos and words in hopes of conveying my sense of gratitude, excitement and curiosity about the world.

From nine-to-five, I work in the world of affordable housing and community development, having recently transitioned from a long-time board member and volunteer to staff member with my local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. I also serve on several community boards and advisory committees. My degrees in political science and public policy allow me the privilege of applying that knowledge to advocate on behalf of disadvantaged and underserved populations and neighborhoods.

I am passionate about the need to build and revitalize strong, vibrant communities. Communities with a variety of safe, decent and affordable housing options. Communities with access to quality education, health care, transportation, supportive services, jobs, healthy food, open space and the arts.  Communities with engaged, healthy and happy residents who form meaningful and helpful relationships with each other. Diverse communities in which people of all incomes, ages, gender, races, religions, ethnicity, sexual orientation and abilities feel safe and protected and free. This space offers me a platform to strengthen connections between my personal and professional interests, and to create a link between the revival of the handmade, homegrown movement and my commitment to progressive social justice.

I like to imagine a life filled with freshly baked bread, bicycles, fresh fruits and vegetables, autumn morning runs, microbrews, tea luncheons, gardens, mountains, lakes, ice cream, books, 1970s kitchenware, dinner parties & good music.

I am a contributor and managing editor for From Scratch Club, a blog by "a small group of women who are passionately connected to the food they and their families consume". FSC hosts food swaps, potlucks, skill-sharing parties and other food events. They are an incredible and inspiring group of women and I'm thrilled to be a part of a great local food movement.

I was a featured blogger for WholeLiving.com during the 28-Day Challenge Action Plan in January 2011 and was highlighted in the March 2011 issue of Whole Living magazine by Martha Stewart Publications. In July 2011, I was featured in The Kitchn's Small Cool Kitchens 2011 contest. I am a regular contributor for ShopRite's Potluck blog panel, where I share recipes and menus that help link people of all incomes and backgrounds to healthier food choices.

I am also the designer behind the small-scale, home-based studio by the same name, Unspeakable Visions. For more information, visit the official website or browse my shop at Etsy.

Products from my design line have been featured on All Over Albany, in numerous Etsy Treasuries, in the papernstitch gallery, at Saratoga Arts Gallery Shop (Saratoga Springs, NY), the TightKnit Indie Craft Market at the Troy Farmers Market (Troy, NY), Winter WonderLark (Albany, NY) and various festivals throughout the Capital Region. My Simple Lunch Bag pattern was published in the book Lunch Bags! 25 Sacks & Wraps to Sew Today by C&T Publishing.

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Now that you are here and know a bit about me, please join in! Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments, follow my blog (click "Follow" in the sidebar) and continue the discussion over on Facebook and Twitter. Get in touch with me anytime at christine [at] unspeakablevisions [dot] com.