My Beauty and Hairstyles Tips

keeping out the draft

I had big crafting plans for today, but a few draft snakes* had to take precedence at the sewing machine. When I rearranged our living room earlier this fall, I failed to take into account just how chilly it would be to sit on the sofa under the trio of (charming, but not weather-proofed) casement windows. I'm going to make some for Jack's office too (another historic drafty building) and those need to be four feet, eight inches long. Quite a snake.

It was snowy this morning, and this afternoon, it's clear and cold - my favorite weather. While having coffee with the kind and funny Melissa this morning, I kept looking out the window and seeing these fat snowflakes floating about, and it made me really happy. It's a relatively unusual sight around here. Melissa sent me home with one of her fabric boxes; it's really lovely and simple and just my style (and a good place to store M&M's paper-chain-in-progress). Thanks Melissa! 

* I made my draft snakes by sewing a tube that is as long as the window is wide (I used some wool, but any fabric would work). I turned it right side out and filled it with rice (I think people usually use sand, but I didn't have any) and sewed the opening closed.

I had big crafting plans for today, but a few draft snakes* had to take precedence at the sewing machine. When I rearranged our living room earlier this fall, I failed to take into account just how chilly it would be to sit on the sofa under the trio of (charming, but not weather-proofed) casement windows. I'm going to make some for Jack's office too (another historic drafty building) and those need to be four feet, eight inches long. Quite a snake.

It was snowy this morning, and this afternoon, it's clear and cold - my favorite weather. While having coffee with the kind and funny Melissa this morning, I kept looking out the window and seeing these fat snowflakes floating about, and it made me really happy. It's a relatively unusual sight around here. Melissa sent me home with one of her fabric boxes; it's really lovely and simple and just my style (and a good place to store M&M's paper-chain-in-progress). Thanks Melissa! 

* I made my draft snakes by sewing a tube that is as long as the window is wide (I used some wool, but any fabric would work). I turned it right side out and filled it with rice (I think people usually use sand, but I didn't have any) and sewed the opening closed.

seeing the forest for the trees

Things have been a bit crazy for me, and I've been doing a lot of hit-and-run posting around here. I think the less I say, the more open to interpretation it is which can, at times, be unfortunate. When I posted my mugs the other day and mentioned the ones at Anthropologie, I meant nothing other than to share my love of them, show that they could now be bought new, and let people know they could also be found for a bargain price. If, however, you count the hours and hours of picking through kitchen cabinets at estate sales and sticky shelves at the thrift, $10 may start to sound like the bargain.

I linked to the photo of the trees at Anthropologie because I knew people were getting excited about making soft trees and I thought theirs looked really great grouped together. I was just excited about soft trees! I did not mean to imply that Anthropologie was copying me. I mean, they are just fabric cones. It's not rocket science. I regret that people thought that that was my implication. I'm sorry that I was not able to clarify until now, but I've been a little caught up in barf and bands of pirates and assembling Playmobil castles.

Anyway, I think that Alex, who had a very talented hand in creating the stunning displays of soft trees at Anthropologie, felt a bit hurt by the Anthropologie-bashing in the comments. You can read her response here. She gives some good insight into how Anthropologie lines and store displays are generated, and gives some food for thought in regards to the sharing of ideas.

As for my version of soft trees, I really do think I've worked out my technical difficulties and will have a pattern to share tomorrow. Do with it what you wish!

Things have been a bit crazy for me, and I've been doing a lot of hit-and-run posting around here. I think the less I say, the more open to interpretation it is which can, at times, be unfortunate. When I posted my mugs the other day and mentioned the ones at Anthropologie, I meant nothing other than to share my love of them, show that they could now be bought new, and let people know they could also be found for a bargain price. If, however, you count the hours and hours of picking through kitchen cabinets at estate sales and sticky shelves at the thrift, $10 may start to sound like the bargain.

I linked to the photo of the trees at Anthropologie because I knew people were getting excited about making soft trees and I thought theirs looked really great grouped together. I was just excited about soft trees! I did not mean to imply that Anthropologie was copying me. I mean, they are just fabric cones. It's not rocket science. I regret that people thought that that was my implication. I'm sorry that I was not able to clarify until now, but I've been a little caught up in barf and bands of pirates and assembling Playmobil castles.

Anyway, I think that Alex, who had a very talented hand in creating the stunning displays of soft trees at Anthropologie, felt a bit hurt by the Anthropologie-bashing in the comments. You can read her response here. She gives some good insight into how Anthropologie lines and store displays are generated, and gives some food for thought in regards to the sharing of ideas.

As for my version of soft trees, I really do think I've worked out my technical difficulties and will have a pattern to share tomorrow. Do with it what you wish!

the (goodie) bags are packed...

... and as long as no one else gets the stomach flu Mia was up with all last night (miraculous recovery today as usual) or the cold/fever I've had the last few days, then we're in good shape for tomorrow's party...

... and as long as no one else gets the stomach flu Mia was up with all last night (miraculous recovery today as usual) or the cold/fever I've had the last few days, then we're in good shape for tomorrow's party...

my college major was anthropologie

My collection of vintage cups from Japan. My kids drink out of these. They're hard to topple and easy to hold with the two-finger grip. I was noticing that Anthropologie is featuring a new version of these. Really cool designs, but I've never paid more than 69 cents for any of mine, so...

Reader lisa sp was also pointing out to me yesterday that Anthropologie is featuring soft trees on their home page. I'll have a tree pattern for you sometime over the weekend.

My collection of vintage cups from Japan. My kids drink out of these. They're hard to topple and easy to hold with the two-finger grip. I was noticing that Anthropologie is featuring a new version of these. Really cool designs, but I've never paid more than 69 cents for any of mine, so...

Reader lisa sp was also pointing out to me yesterday that Anthropologie is featuring soft trees on their home page. I'll have a tree pattern for you sometime over the weekend.

spotted

A quick freezer paper stencil on a linen cover I made for one of those long body pillows. It was meant to be a little grouping of pebbles, but looks a bit like leopard spots, no?

A quick freezer paper stencil on a linen cover I made for one of those long body pillows. It was meant to be a little grouping of pebbles, but looks a bit like leopard spots, no?