Confession Time

I don't like machine sewing.

I have a sewing machine.

I bought it because I just wanted one and this particular one had a photo of Martha Stewart on it.

I imagined myself as a natural sewist (I think that's what they're called, right?). Well, I'm not good at sewing with the machine. It turns out that I don't like ironing, measuring, pinning, or uh... sewing. At least, not yet. I hope to be better at this some day. Right now I mostly practice sewing just by taking up the hems on long vintage dresses.

Tonight I was reminded why I shouldn't sew while singing... and drinking...

The above photo illustrates what happened about six times.

Oh well, some day I'll be better.

Five Faves

Pip over at Meet Me at Mikes is suggesting that people share their five favorite things this week and I think that's a very nice idea so here goes!

1. Treehouse Brooklyn

This super cute Brooklyn shop carries a mix of vintage clothing and locally-made apparel, jewelry, and home goods. The shop also hosts craft classes and parties and has a big library of craft books old and new to peruse. I'm interning at the shop once a week right now and having so much fun! This is definitely one of my favorite things. Website is here. And if you live in the NYC area you should come and visit!

2. Carrot Cake

Norel and I made carrot cake (cupcakes!) recently and it was so good. It reminded me why I usually requested it for my birthday cake as a little kid. Unfortunately, I left some of it out on the kitchen counter overnight and a mouse decided to come taste some... Lesson learned. Recipe here!

3.The Backyard

I know I've mentioned my love for my backyard before but I don't care. I just love it. It's special and amazing and beautiful. Logan planted some new stuff this past weekend and I'm going to try to find a hammock this Friday. Hooray!

4. Kata Golda's Handstitched Felt

I bought Kata Golda's book last week because it is just way way too cute and I couldn't leave the shop without it. All of the projects are fairly simple but that's okay for me because I'm really not great at sewing and sometimes I need help figuring out how to construct even simple items. The first project I did from the book is the Glasses Case and I think it turned out perfectly. I think I might give these out as gifts in the future...

5. My New Craft Room!

I have a craft room in my new place and I'm so happy about it! I know it's a bit messy in this photo but I'm still figuring out where to put things. All the crafty things that were stuffed into the closet and under the bed at my old apartment are now out in the open for me to admire and use! It's funny when people come over and are surprised at the amount of yarn I have. I'm so used to it that I feel like it's a totally normal amount for one person to have. Oh well. I love my yarn. I really do. A lot.

That's all for now. I'm going to go back to knitting my ugly/pretty socks and watching The Simpsons (which is an all-time favorite thing).

One is Done

I love this weird sock. I think it strikes a perfect balance between being really quite ugly but also super pretty. I can't wait until the pair is complete!

Slow Club Saturday

I've been listening to tons of Slow Club on You Tube this week. I just feel

like it's really good summer music...

Sea Stuff

Helle Jorgensen is one of the artists in the Lost at Sea show. She cuts strips from plastic shopping bags and crochets them into beautiful

nature-inspired objects.

You can check out more of her work here (and you really should).

Also, if you're in NYC, Lost at Sea is going on until June 11th so you

have lots of time to go admire all of the amazing work.

Lost at Sea

Hey!

If you live in the New York area you should really consider going to the opening of the Lost at Sea show at Gallery Hanahou tonight. Tons of different fiber and plush artists have contributed to the show and I think it's going to be really inspiring and fun.

The opening reception is from 7-9 and if it's like the other openings I've been to at Hanahou, the work will be amazing and the free champagne will be flowing. See you there!

Springtime Bonfire

My new apartment has a backyard and a fire pit. It's really special.

I can sit and look up at the stars (the four or five that are visible) and pretend to be somewhere else.

I'd like to share photos of the inside of my new place soon but I never seem to remember to take photos when it's clean...