In 2005 Tracey and Henry started Turn a New Leaf as an outlet for their handiwork and a resource for families who wanted to lead simpler lives, leaving less of a footprint on the natural world - just as they wanted for their own family. Having a family-run business can take its toll on the simple life (I know!), and they continued to pursue their goal of a cozy off-grid home with a livelihood sustained by their handiwork and surroundings, which often meant stepping back, making intentional decisions to downsize, and, in their case, moving a few times. Here's Tracey, in her own words:

We re-evaluated our situation and on a drive home [from Oma and Opa's farm] came to the decision to close down [our retail space] to prepare to move across Canada. Arriving in Cape Breton in August 2010 with a fresh perspective on how we wanted to live and what we wanted Turn A New Leaf to be, we slowly re-established our client base.

Now with clear focus and even more grounded on simplicity we have finally fulfilled this part of our dream. Our products are made exclusively in our home studios with distribution online, providing important focus on our family life. This Easter we finally have our own dream acreage of woods and the natural off grid home begins. Our experience has taught us …… less is truly more!

Read more about their family at their blog.

Comments are now closed - congratulations to Rachel from At the Butterfly Ball who won the giveaway package!

Turn a New Leaf is generously offering the following giveaway package to a Sew Liberated reader. Please leave a comment to enter - a winner will be drawn and announced on Monday, April 30th. Also, Henry's shop, Highland Wood, which offers beautiful Montessori-style floor bed frames and other lovely wooden furniture for children, is offering a 10% discount on everything in the shop through May. Enter coupon code MAYTANL.

The giveaway package

A wool felted puddle pad: Perfect for co-sleeping families and ECers, our thick and thirsty wool pads are perfectly suited to protecting your mattress. Wool is inherently antibacterial and can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture before beginning to feel wet. A natural alternative to plastic or vinyl pads - makes a great change pad!

Wool wash soap -Cold Press natural Lanolin soap: The perfect wool wash bar loaded with lanolin. This soap is not to lanolize but will add lanolin to your wool diaper covers. Makes just enough bubbles and feels silky soft.This lanolin soap can also be used as a body wash. Moistens dry skin and cracked hands. Made with olive oil, coconut oil, lanolin, water, lye. Non scented. 

A certified organic Hemp fitted diaper, one size fits all.

Thank you for your generosity, Tracey and Henry! Leave your comment to enter to win!