Doggie hats

Yes, it's been a while since I last posted. Super busy at work. But during thanksgiving, I made these hats for my brother (his dogs, that is) and he finally got around to taking a picture. They were a huge pain to size (try holding a hyper boston terrier still), but once I got the pattern down, the second hat took very little time. I used a washable acrylic yarn.

Project: Office Windows

The old, leaky, southwest-facing office windows. And by leaky I don't mean just air, but also water! The paint job by the previous owner was seriously suffering and one of the panes was cracked from a too-vigorous fly-swatting incident. In a pinch, we caulked like crazy to ride out the winter and vowed that these would be the next to get replaced. Even the siding beneath the windows was cracking from all the sun and rain. When we took out the window we found incredibly shoddy carpentry beneath. We had to properly rebuild the rough opening, frame out the window, build the sashes, waterproof, put up new siding, trim, and paint, paint, paint.

Time to completion: about 4 full weeks spread out over several months.

The High Line

I'd like my backyard to look like this.

Tissue paper pom-poms

Recently, I've been seeing these really cute tissue paper pom- poms EVERYWHERE. They were originally featured in Martha Stewart Living 2006 (online instructions here), but 3 years later, I still want to make a bunch for no purpose at all.

Anthropologie felt pendant lamp

When I saw this felt pendant lamp in the latest Anthropologie catalog I was super excited and seriously bummed at the same time. Don't you hate it when an idea that you've been toying with in the back of your mind materializes (in a mainstream catalog no less!) before you even have a chance to gather the rough materials? I'll probably go ahead and make my version of it anyway, since the $398 price tag is just too painful.

I want: Honeycomb Brackets

I recently bought some jeans on sale at UO and while surfing their website, I ran into the honeycomb bracket in the apartment section. Love it! The problem? Well, I would need two for a shelf (that's $36, ouch!) AND they are on back order until 9/30! Hmm...

Project: Headboard

Total cost: $15 of thick batting (stapled down double layer of the thickest batting from Joann's). Reused old plywood from the garage. Free coffee sacks from my local shop. T built the headboard more or less to my specifications. Actually, he made it 5 inches shorter because he just wouldn't believe that a 60" tall headboard would look good. As opposed to our many other projects, this was up and ready in no time. A year later, it's getting a bit dusty, but I still love, love, love it.

Project: The Master Bedroom

(Vintage dresser, Past Perfect; White vases, J. Mendocino; vintage Yugoslavian alarm clock from trip to Bosnia; Jewelry box from Morocco; Duvet cover and pillow cases, DwellStudio; Elephant cushion, childhood craft project)

Before...

What we actually did:
Removed painted-over and torn wallpaper.
Fixed and patched plaster walls.
Re-aligned tilted chair rail.
Added missing sections of picture rail.
New paint on ceiling, walls, bead board, trim, doors, everything!
Removed paint from all hinges and rosettes.
Window enlarged and moved 10 inches to the left.
New double-hung, double-paned window built from scratch. Except for the glass, of course. (Click here for story)
Exterior wall insulated and water-proofed.
Ceiling chandelier added.
Curtain rod and curtains.
Lined closets with cedar and added new rods and shelves. (Click here for story)
Made headboard for bed.

All the serious carpentry done by T (he can fix ANYTHING!) Dad helped with the chandelier, and best friend J helped early on with the wallpaper removal. All the plaster work, paint removal, and new painting (of everything) by yours truly.

Total time: one year to complete.

After...

(Felt rug, The Gardener; Wool/Rayon curtains, Bed Bath and Beyond; Art Deco bedside lamp, X21)

Project: Hawaiian Quilt

Sometime during the year 2001, I decided to make a Queen sized quilt in the Hawaiian tradition. (For a step-by-step introduction to the beautiful art of Hawaiian quilting, check out this site and click on the individual pictures.) I only made it as far as purchasing the top fabric and cutting the large central applique before I put it away back in 2001. I've finally decided to resurrect this project (it's a now or never kind of thing) and since it'll likely take me years to finish, I'm writing about it now, way in advance of project completion. Right now, I'm sewing the large applique piece and only have about 1/4 done. It sure seems like it'll take forever... Does anybody like to sew?

Project: Boxwood Control

OK, so this was an easy and not particularly glamorous project, but one that I was rather afraid of. Our boxwood was so overgrown it took over half the sidewalk. It required pretty severe pruning, about 18 inches off the front. What if it didn't grow back? You can see the different color of the concrete to get an idea of how far out the bush extended. This is what the bush looked like after the first attack with the pruners. To my relief, the boxwood managed to do quite well. Here it is again a year and a half later... It still has some filling to do, but it's almost fully recovered!

Project: Lion Sweater

100% merino wool. Made for my cute little nephew last year. Unfortunately he outgrew it after just two weeks!

Rocky Mountain Elk

From our recent road trip. It was amazing. We were standing just a few feet from these beautiful animals.

Letterpressed Invitations

Endless gorgeous possibilities.

Let's have cake!

So many possibilities for wedding cakes! Here is a sampling of some great designs that keep things simple, modern, and still special.

Someday... Retro Knit Dress

Now that we're entering summer, it's time to make sweaters in San Francisco. The foggy weather is perfect for cozy knitting. I'd like to make this gorgeous dress from the Vogue Knitting 25th anniversary (Fall 2007), but it requires so much yarn ($$), I probably won't get around to it till 2012!

Latest find: Vintage Portable Corona

Manual Corona. Fully functional and complete with case, extra ribbon, oil dispenser, and type brush.

I want... Imprintables

Super cute! Get them online here

Project: Tomato Hat

Rowan Aran Tweed

New wool... ah, the possibilities...

First Aid Box

Last Sunday, we did a little browsing, strolling, pie-eating, and of course, latte-sipping. I picked this up at The Curiosity Shoppe on Valencia. Steel construction, and red! Opening this box will be a little treat every time I cut myself (which, with all the remodeling and various projects, is quite often).

Flea market find

Vintage globe circa 1953.

Simplicity in safety pins

I wish I could remember where I found these...

The best food storage container EVER

Glass, stainless steel lid, silicone perimeter seal under lid and air valve. No yucky plastic that gets all scratched up or that leaks God-knows-what-chemicals into your food... I have two of these but wish I had more. Originally from Williams-Sonoma but alas! they discontinued them a while back. I guess we'll have to go to Germany!

I want.... Eva Zeisel Classic Century Footed Bowl and Sauce Boat

I would totally add these (and the matching place settings) to my wedding registry if I had one. Will have to wait till Christmas. Hopefully the line will still be available.

Project: The Bedroom Window

We disagreed on almost everything about the window. The original sashes were pretty rotten and he wouldn't let me epoxy/sand/paint them. Instead, he built me a whole new window from scratch (I made him stay as historically accurate as possible), and moved the whole thing to the left by 10 inches to allow for better house siding installation and water-proofing. We bought fancy new pulleys and window hardware from houseofantiquehardware.
(Drumroll........)
TA-DAH!!

(Before the final picture rail trim and the extensive painting that took place)
Total time: 1 year. Yes, 1 year with a gaping hole in the wall...