Locale Lovelies: Alabama

You've likely seen Alabama Chanin's {DIY Cotton Jersey Flowers} featured all over this week. They're beautiful, and I'm so pleased to have designer Natalie Chanin and team member Jessica Turner as my very first contributors to Locale Lovelies!

{Locale Lovelies is a new series offering local ideas for welcome baskets, such as the sort you might create for out-of-town guests or new neighbors.}

Alabama Chanin works with regional artisans to offer "grown-to-sewn" lifestyle goods. Natalie returned to Florence (AL) after 22 years of traveling away from home, and is dedicated to preserving American craft and local traditions through her company. If you haven't yet seen her shop, blog, or book, I think you could become lost for quite awhile enjoying Alabama style: homespun quality, with pretty details.

{Photo credits by row: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7}

Without further ado, here is the pick list for a wonderful welcome to

{Mook's Cheese Straws}, an original Southern snack food and available in sizes to fit any budget, from $2.40 per 2 oz. bag to $8.50 for a 12 oz. bag.

{Lizzie's Tea Cakes}, baked from a family recipe passed down for years. Cookies arrive one dozen per $8.50 bag. The cookies also can be ordered double-dipped in caramel and chopped pecans for $1.25 each. Perfect not only for a welcome basket, but also for wedding favors!

{Higher Ground Coffee} from Leeds, Alabama is 100 percent fair trade and organic. The best part? Its dark blends are named for and benefit one of four charities: Access Fund, Appalachian Trail, Freshwater Land Trust, and Mercy Corps.

The profits from each locally hand-stitched, organic cotton {Alabama T-Shirt} benefit Gulf Coast restoration efforts. At $75 each, these would be wonderful wedding party gifts or perfect for a luxury basket.

Since first seeing the {Alabama Stitch Book}, I've known that this is a must-have for my little craft library. Offering patterns and how-tos for hand-sewn styles {including those Cotton Jersey Flowers!}, this is a  beautiful and useful $35 gift.

Alabama-shaped {Gems Hard Candies}, sold in two-ounce packages and six flavors for $2.50. These would also be adorable favors or fun for a children's table at a wedding, especially presented in cute packaging!

Natalie & Jessica also recommend sharing:

• A gift certificate to Dale's Steakhouse Restaurant in Florence, which is one of the last standing. This family developed the famous steak seasoning first bottled in Birmingham.
• Brochures for the Frank Lloyd Wright Musesum in Florence; the Helen Keller Birth Museum in Tuscumbia; and FAME Studios, birthplace of Southern Rock.
• A list of favorite local restaurants handwritten on a {DIY Postcard}, such as the Sweet Basil Café; Rosie’s Cantina at 302 N Court St. in Florence {256-767-5599}; and Ricatoni’s Italian Grill.
  

Do you have your own special Alabama suggestions? Please share them in the comments!

I'll be back a bit later today with two more posts {freebies and food!} for this first installment of Locale Lovelies.
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A little more, from the contributors: Alabama Chanin is a lifestyle company, run by designer Natalie Chanin, that focuses on creating an array of products through focusing on slow design and sustainability.

We craft limited-edition products for the individual and the home. Our products are made-by-hand using a combination of new, organic and recycled materials. Each piece is constructed with care by talented artisans who live and work in communities in and around Florence, Alabama.

Comments

[Sherry Campbell]

What a great blog. Thank you so much.

[meg]

I"m such a huge fan of Alabama Chanin and love this feature!

[Leigh]

i love it! I used to live in Alabama : )

[Maryann]

This is a really amazing site.

Please share it with the wonderful moms in the bizymoms Florence community. They would love it.