Going Home

My apartment in a truckA few days ago I loaded all my possessions into a rental truck and made the seven hour drive back to Maine... with my cat. Thankfully my pal Sarah came a long for the ride and kept Louis (the cat) from jumping in my face. He chilled on the dashboard mostly while I admired the leaves and made small talk, unable to comprehend all I was leaving behind.

The time to move from Brooklyn hit me like a ton of bricks. Really? Leave the coolest place? (it is right?) Why? I have everything I'll ever need here. It's hip, happening and there's so much to do! Right. There's so much to do. At any given moment you could be doing something else much cooler, with much cooler people, wearing much cooler clothes or shoes. My friends are pretty rad, so I tended to focus on the shoes part and since I was almost always broke, buying such things was usually out of the question. Oh NY, how you inflated my insecurities!

My Marks family send off. They all came to wave goodbye, heart wrenching, but much appreciated!But I don't want to dwell on the darkness, because the city is a fabulous place, I'm sure in time I'll even be able to lift my "I heart NY" mug high, but it just wasn't working out.

Of course I have HUGE plans of doing everything I ever wanted in life in this new magical land of opportunity, but for now...I'm content to collect my thoughts, breathe fresh air, talk to people I haven't seen in years, invest in some new projects and find my smile.

Things I will miss:

  • My pals and their kids
  • The flea and these pickles
  • The slate sidewalks covered in leaves and a little rain
  • The Brooklyn Bridge
  • Brooklyn being part of my addressThe Marks brought me a parting gift and as I opened it 2 year old Clarissa said "Happy Bithday Gimmie!" which just killed me!
  • Bike riding in all seasons (ok, I didn't really do that, but at least I could!)
  • Brooklyn Family Thanksgivings
  • Being able to get almost anything at anytime
  • Being able to drink as much as you want and still get home safely (hello subway/car service!)
  • Things being open past 9pm!
  • The skyline
  • Parties on my roof

Things I won't miss

  • Traffic
  • Being underground
  • Cockroaches
  • The anger... in every line, street corner, subway car, driver...
  • Carrying my bike up four flights!

Halloween Pairs

This post at from Aburn & Ivory helped me remember two things... one, it's almost Halloween and two, I really like group/pair costumes. It's much more fun to be in a coordinated group I think, rather than a solo act. I like staying in character too, which adds a little fun since the candy just doesn't quite cut it anymore!!

One year my friends and I were zom-bees, in our cute little bee outfits all deadfaced. Were were also a group of "Thriller" loving regular zombies once who strutted our stuff in the huge Halloween parade in the West Village. We practiced a lot and did our best Thriller dance, which was pretty great, but I did have to alter it a bit to suit the parade format. We did this several years ago and I'm pretty sure it was before the now famous dancing prisioners video. The night was unforgettable! Everyone goes nuts on Halloween in New York, but turn on Thriller and look out. Bust out in coordinated dance moves and thousands of people will cheer you on...Seriously. I don't think I'll ever experience an audience response like that again in my life!!

Other favorites I've seen around town: The kids from "Goonies," and a large posse of "Eliots" from ET with red hoodies on bikes.

I'm holding out to one day be Olive Oyl with my Popeye! Or maybe the Morton's Salt girl with the Gortons Fisherman... right??

 

 

Dear Lucky, are you kidding me?

Since Domino magazine folded several months ago... thank you economy and other stupid heads... they've been sending me LUCKY as a replacement. While I appreciate the gesture, let it be known that LUCKY is NO replacement for DOMINO. It just isn't.

Domino was the "Lucky" for the home. It was the perfect blend of inspiration & products both fancy and affordable. I could find great lamp ideas, sheets, wallpapers... I mean it was my dream magazine, next to Blueprint which also folded. I just LOVE looking at other peoples homes, don't you? So many home magazines are either too designy, modern or country for my taste. Domino just seemed like my people, you know? We had a great relationship and I miss it.

I thought I could ride out this whole LUCKY business, after all, I'm strong and I like clothes...maybe I might find something or learn something... right??

But then I turned the page one day and saw this... please excuse my high school-esque notes!

 

 I mean, what more do I have to say?? Animal prints, black nylons, tight rolled pants (which I think could be cute on tighter, darker pants maybe) moccasins, fringe?????

The top two outfits, while not horrible, are certainly not what I'd call fashion forward or inspirational.  if I want to see normal outfits I'd like, got outside or something!

And I don't care if it's "IN".... If my "Interior Designer" (top right) showed up wearing two plaids, I don't think I could trust her!

 

What I made today

Ok, so to be honest,it's what I made today and yesterday. Mostly yesterday, I just ran out of light to photograph.

I was inspired by this post by Wren Handmade, guest blogging on Design*Sponge, to make fabric yo-yos. I actually made a bunch for a recent sweater design which I can't show yet, but here are some that I grouped together for a necklace. The pink fabric is from a vintage slip and the striped is a yummy silk taffeta. I like adding tiny buttons, especially in groups of three, to spice things up. I pulled out all the stops here, using buttons and fabric I've been hanging onto for a long time, but I'm glad, because it makes the new pieces feel like little treasure chests.

This post by Love Forever, along with the latest Anthropologie catalog showing(see necklaces below) inspired me to make my own version of a collar necklace.

Bit's of lace, many buttons, knit coral, chain, a locket, beads, yo-yo, embroidery... so again, a treasure trove of things I had lying around just waiting for a home.... all atop a piece of wool felt tied with vintage, silk seam binding.

 

 

 

Check out the awesome sloppy seems on the curtain I made! SO obvious with the sun behind them. I'm just not a perfectionist when it comes to sewing. I get started and blaze on through like a tornado. It's a little silly, but usually if you see me sewing, I'm procrastinating. Any "tiny sewing project" quickly turns into a major undertaking, so I just want to "Get er done!"

 

Also, here's a little buddy who'll be joining me at the flea market tomorrow. I found his unfinished form when moving into my studio, so I decided to finish him... or her? Her legs are quite long. Perfect for hopping!

 

 

Life...

In my new studio...

 

Clipboard inspiration boards. I think I'll hang three more, since you just have the clip on the top, it limits how much you can hang on each without covering up what you want to see. I kind of like that though, because I tend to veer from the minimalist pursuasion and it's nice here to have less.

Figs, goat cheese and honey for lunch 

It's nice to have time for frothed milk in my iced coffee...

 

 

New Office, New Job

Well sort of. It's more like the same "job" I''ve had all along, just more of it!

This month I've decided to take myself a bit more seriously. That is, what I make, sell, design, build, think... etc. The great thing is that I now have a beautiful room to do it in! Finally!! The biggest challenge is to do the administrative, computery things that actually make the dollars. Like, I need to make a new business card, I need to find new stores to carry my work, I need to post more on ETSY, but I also need to think of new things to make!

As a maker or more speciffically, a seller of handmade things, I often get stuck in a rut. It's important to clarify because I find there's no shortage of creativity for home/personal projects, perhaps because they are a wonderful source of procrastination, but it's different thinking about things to sell. I want everything to be special and one of a kind because I feel it's important, yet, I also don't want to slave away on each item so I can sell it for a reasonable price. (Note to buyers of handmade things: please don't haggle! We crafters already WAY undersell and while we'll probably agree, that two or three dollars you save directly translates to one can of beans we then can't afford to buy. It's not like we have 401k or anything here!) While I want each item to be unique, I also want them to be similar enough to fit into my overall aesthetic or brand. And then there are the things that just always sell well not matter what... but I get tired of making them!

I didn't go to business school. I don't know the "rules" for making major dollars (obviously) but I do know this: my best selling days occur when I am actually inspired. When I've had a great week of making and bring to the table, literally, new and never before seen products that excite me. Sometimes I halfheartedly make and think, "Oh, there's totally a girl who would buy this." And maybe she does. But the best is when I finish something and love it so much that I almost don't want to sell it. Then I get the customer who paces by the table three times, has obvious exclamation points at the end of their sentences and look SO giddy tucking their new thing into their bag. The whole day of selling can be just about that.

I have to remind myself, constantly, about this. To stick to my guns and invest in myself. To sit and really think about what I would like and then make it, because that is what people buy. Not that I have some amazing product that the world couldn't live without. Not that I'm some authority on fashion or anything and I think people should listen to me. I just think our minds have certain tendencies for a reason. Crafting and making comes so naturally to me that I forget other people are not as inclined or capable. I don't want to sound proud or braggy, I just think there's a time in your life where you have to claim your expertise and roll with it. I'm tired of being caught in my own personal inner limbo between wanting a much easier, "real" job and what I know to be true of myself... that I can do this.

Bureau before

Bureau After

Wall before

Getting organized is a little messy!

Elfa Shelves!!

A whole box just for sticky stuff!

Louis helps

City Escape

Thank goodness for friends who invite you to their cabin for the weekend! Leaving New York City is always amazing, regardless of the extra time you spend in traffic.

Having just broke up with my boyfriend the day before, I'm sure I was not the most effervescent guest... but still, they entertained me and made me smile. We took walks in the woods, swam in the pond and sipped wine late into the evening. At night I got to disappear into my own private room in the tree house.

The best part was watching my six year old pal Luke do all this big kid stuff. Excellent cannon balls into the pond, wiggling his first loose tooth and spying his first shooting star! So cool.

I was able to snap a few photos with my newly repaired camera (hallelujah!) but honestly, sitting around doing nothing was my primary activity. Much, much needed and enjoyed.

Oden couldn't wait to wake me up in the morning. It was so sweet to see him looking up at me, tail wagging, from the bottom of the tree house stairs.

 

Spud & Chloë patterns

For those of you who don't know, Blue Sky Alpacas just launched a new yarn brand called Spud & Chloë. I did two patterns for their starting line up and am currently knitting up another for their next batch. I just love working for them and can't praise them enough!! Their yarns are amazing! Great quality, beautiful colors and the new Spud & Chloë yarns are all washable, what? Designing is always a collaboration, because every project has to fit a certain look or color story. Blue Sky has always offered me a lot of artistic freedom and trust, which certainly makes for a satisfying work day! Did I mention that they're also uber nice??

Spud and Chloë patterns come in envelopes, like a sewing pattern. Inside, the pattern is printed on large, creamy paper with big schematics and room for notes. When I got mine in the mail the other day I totally squealed with delight. The look, feel and even smell (I love office supply/paper smells!) of each pattern is so pleasing! I like that you can also store little scraps and notes in your envelope too, if you wanted. Each pattern feels like a special, thoughtful, present- more so than the usual sheet-of-paper-in-a-plastic-sleeve that is every other single knitting pattern out there.

My patterns are below. Click photos for more info.

Uptown Downtown CoatBumble Up Scarf

Vintage Card Games

When I was little I played a lot of cards with my Grandmother and Mom. The best one to play, probably my favorite, was Old Maid. The two of them always got me with this trick:

I'd grab whatever card was sticking up highest without fail!! It probably took me longer than you'd expect to catch on, but mostly because there's something really fun about handing the Old Maid back and forth so much and the giggles that erupt when you get it (and get rid of it!) that I just didn't notice they were tricking me.

As you can see by the vintage set I picked up recently at the flea market, this game tends not to be that PC. I think now they use something other than an"Old Maid" so as not to further agitate those disgruntled old ladies or something. I think I might just have to frame these, the images are so lovely!! The colors are perfect... Hey Kids, can you spot who's in there twice??

 

This next game is called "Animal Rummy." I just love the "Gay Dog"

L.L. Bean is in my blood

When you're from Maine, it's pretty much a given that you'll own at least one piece of clothing or tote bag from L.L. Bean in your lifetime. Most people have more than that, myself included. The clothes don't really fit my preferred 'look' but I'm proud to sport their boots, bags and long underwear.  With each year that passes in my life here in Brooklyn, I strangely feel more and more like a Mainer! I keep finding that I need more outdoor gear (especially when dealing with the elements at the Flea market) like rain coats & boots, toe warmers, snow boots and long underwear, so I've been checking in with good ol L.L. more than I ever used to.  

Sure, I could probably find some rainboots here in NY and a rain coat, but you know what? I don't trust them as much. (*disclaimer* I'm am aware that there are other reputable outdoor retailers besides L.L. Bean) Once I bought a cute pair of rainboots from Marc Jacobs, which were super, super cute, but only lasted a few weeks before getting holes! If that happened at Beans, you could march right back and get a brand new pair, or something else, no questions asked. They have great customer service, which I'd like to reward with my patronage and I really like being able to visit the store with my Mom  at all hours of the night! So, from now on I plan look there first and if I can work it into my 'look', I'm going for it!

I was quite surprised at how many things I found today! I just wanted some new rain boots!

 

Yes folks, there is a skort up there, I can't believe it!! And even though I'm not much of a camper, yet, I found all kinds of cute gear, mainly that rad orange stove! I didn't add this picnic tote bag because it looks so much like their well known canvas totes, but instead it's an insulated cooler! So great, since coolers are usually so uggers!

I love MAINE!

Knit Virus

A while ago I knit this "virus" for my friend, artist Caitlin Berrigan. She instructed me on the structure/geometry/math of a Hepatitus C virus (individual pentagons combine with triangle shaped 'flare ups' which make a geodesic dome...) and I took it from there. She wanted a wearable garment with a hood and I think the result is strangely futuristic and fashionable...

Thehepatitis C virus is externalized in this wearable garment knit into a pattern of the virus’s protein structure. (Hand knit silk & wool.

Visit Caitlin's website: www.membrana.us

Yarns used in this project: Alchemy Silk Purse 100 % silk & Alchemy Sancuary 30 % silk, 70% wool

Brooklyn Fleas: Cooler than most...

Hoorraaaaaaay!! It's flea market time again! Well, for me at least. The Brooklyn Flea has been going strong all winter in Dumbo, for a few weeks now in Fort Greene and is soon going to launch a new, under the Brooklyn Bridge location (umm, rad!) I was so busy rehearsing for a performance that I just couldn't get it together for the flea until now. I'm super excited to go back and see all my flea pals tomorrow and hopefully make some more!!

My plan is to go every other weekend, so I can hopefully last all summer! I start this Saturday!

Here are my dates:

May: 2, 16, 30

June: 13, 27

July: 11, 25

August: 8, 22

 

 

Keep your fingers crossed for no rain!!!

 

 

Grownup Easter Basket:

Easter was a day I looked forward to all year (even more than Christmas!) and I owe it all to my generous and brilliant "Easter Bunny." Oh the baskets that would appear! Cadbury Cream Eggs, art supplies, sparkle pens with feather tops, hair things, stickers, sour candy, a Barbie, Silly Putty, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, coloring books, regular books...all tucked into a basket with hot pink metallic Easter grass! (How did he know me so well!!!) And then there were the candy eggs hidden all around the house too! I was a very, very lucky child.

My plan is to continue this tradion of course, with my future little ones, If I should be so lucky!! In the meantime though, I think there's no harm in hoping the Easter Bunny might still drop by...

 

Moleskin Cahier Notebooks

 

French Latte Bowls!

 

This might not fit...

 

 

I love Fresh!

Cute Sheets

Of course!!

Rainy Day Obsession: Headboards

So it's a rainy day and I should really be resting because I've got a cold and need to get better fast but all I can think about is where I'd rather be resting and searching for headboards of my dreams... I mean... le *sigh

Grahm and Green

 

 

Little Purl of the Orient

Apartment Therapy

Part of me thinks I could totally rock this...

Ebay!!

 

As seen on decor8