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schenley plaza

knit graffiti. so fun! i don't know why there hasn't already been a book about this (or maybe there has and it slipped past my radar - not hard to do). regardless, some really awesome, clever ladies in vancouver are working on a book called yarn bombing: the art of knit graffiti.so great. 

also great: i'm going to be in it! which is nothing short of miraculous because i sent in a design that looked like a five year old might have done it. i can't draw to save my life. somehow this was overlooked and i get to be a part of something that i think is seriously neat.

i don't know what other people's feelings are on this. i think knit graffiti is nice because it's all the rush of a tag but i think without so much risk. that's a good thing because no one likes getting arrested. also if someone doesn't like what you did (although they probably should), they can just take it down. it's kind of win-win in my opinion. also sometimes graffiti pieces are the best way to get rid of scrap yarn that's left over from bigger projects. 

blah blah blah. all i'm saying is hi, i get to be in this super fun book. check out their website, i think this is a cool project. i can't believe there are humans out there who can overlook my seriously challenged drawing skills. this will be coming out in fall of 2009 i think. i should be getting yarn in the mail soon to get started on my piece. i'm not telling you what it is though. it's not like what's in the picture above, that's something i did a long time ago. this project will be a surprise. you can see it in a year i guess!  

i don't know why life is so fun, it just is.

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http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13561843

heres a new item.

I know i said i would slow down but i really have a lot of stuff still sitting around.

Untitled-21

I don't have much to say.

I have been listening to The Microphones though

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Namine

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Ok posted just recently, an image of wave 2 of the CPK (Cell Phones Kill) series of DIY resin figures.  They look pretty good to me, but the coolest part is they mention something about another surprise coming... hmmmm... also it looks like if you submit your designs, they'll start posting em on the blog!  Who knows what else is coming...!?

Argonaut_cpk_w2

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LOOK

i haven't done that in a while.

I mean this

New shirt

New Shirt

Me and my answering machine are gonna record some dope shit

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シルバーと銅の組み合わせイヤリングです。

先日のより大きめですね。

シルバーと銅のワイヤーは叩いています。銅だけいぶしにして軽く磨いているので、テクスチャーが分かりやすいですね。

シルバーは、サンドフィニッシュ、エッジはヘラがけをして光らせています。

右側の作品のみEtsyに出しています。

Hammered copper and sterling silver wire and silver balls earrings.

Only copper wire is oxidized and partially polished to define the texture.

Check my Etsy shop!

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you made it back!  yea!

as a reward (ha!), today i'm posting a project done a few weeks ago but just edited now.  i'm sure you'll be very nice and bare with me on my first (simple!) tutorial.  i've read what Bella has to say, so i hope this idea sparks your creative juices!

These napkin rings are made from jute chair webbing, a very inexpensive and possibly even (if you find an old chair) up-cycled material.  but cool - it is very cool!  one of those functional but fascinating materials.  this particular webbing is from the popular upholstery company Waverly via Joann's Fabrics, but i'd venture to say that any fabric store that carries home decor fabrics will have a roll.

Supplies

-3 3/4" wide Jute Chair Webbing: enough yardage for the number of rings you want, each ring needing approx. 6 1/2 inches of length.

-20 lb. Hemp Cord:  approx. 6 inches per ring

-1 large sewing needle: very thick with a large eye for the hemp cord to pass through

-optional: decorative elements (see end of tutorial and above photo for suggestions)



Step 1: Cut lengths of 6 1/2" from the webbing, one length for each finished ring you want.  (Alternately, wrap the webbing around the folded napkins you intend to use, add about 1 1/2" for ease and sewing, and cut there.)  This does not have to be an exact science.  I usually measure the first and use it to hold against the webbing to cut more.  Once they are cut, use your needle to pick out the first three or so rows of the weave.  This is to make a fringe edge for the ring.  Once you've pulled out enough of the rows that the fringe is a length you like, trim the hanging jute near the webbing's edge.  I suggest not pulling out too much jute, though, as this will ultimately reduce the size of the finished ring.

Step 2:  Once you have your fringe edge, make a tube out of the webbing by overlapping the two cut edges with your fringed edge on top.  Overlap about 1 1/4" (including fringe) and pin to hold in place.  Using the hemp cord, thread the needle.  Begin to sew a few rows of jute in from the fringe (so the stitched won't fray out of place) with long running stitches beginning with your needle pushing through from the inside of the tube to the outside and ending with the needle pushing from the outside to the inside. Both ends of the cord will be hanging from the inside of the tube.  *Do not cut a piece of cord from the hemp roll, thread the needle directly from it.  This way, you are sure to have enough cord for sewing and not much is wasted.  Do not make a knot in the cord, simply pull the stitches through leaving long tails of cord on both ends.*

Step 3: Once you've stitched the two sides together, hold both ends of the cord and gently tug to remove any slack from the stitches.  Form a knot in the cord, snugging it up to the inside of the napkin ring (both ends of the cord should be hanging from the inside of the tube, to hide your knots).  Trim any excess cord.



Step 4: Using your thumbs, fluff the fringe to separate the fibers a bit giving the edge a softer look.  You can do this as much or as little as you like.

Step 5:  Inspect your work to make sure the stitches are secure and the fringe is fluffy enough!  At this point you can add embellishments.  I like to use this with the fringe edge up but you can also attach decoration to the other side of the ring.  Consider making your decoration removable - maybe specific to your event.  With a small piece of cord you can tie on one or more buttons with a simple knot or a bow.  I love the idea of collecting inexpensive letter pins and 'monogramming' the rings for your guests (the pins can be removed for your next gathering).  Tissue paper flowers can get the kids involved and can be attached with a bit of floral wire pushed through the webbing and twist tied.  What are your ideas?

Step 6: Insert an napkin and enjoy!

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originally posted at gloamingdesigns.typepad.com

well, hello!
let's not even think about how much time has passed since my last post, shall we?




it's summer, and as others have so eloquently pointed out, time speeds up.  we've been here, there, and next weekend, everywhere.  so many goings on that i know that none of us can possibly post every minute of it.  so, in a nut shell, there have been friends, food, bikes, swimming, rain, sun, traveling, staying, movies (oh so many movies), and planning.  because in just a few weeks, a new phase starts to, well, begin for us.  more on that later and hopefully a scattering of short 'summer life' stories.  oh, and i must tell you about all the wonderful movies we've seen...one thing at a time.




the most overdue report is on the newest set of gloaming designs tea towels.  the Vacances Series epitomizes summer memories with three gorgeous black and white images printed on natural linen - which i guess makes them black and natural, not black and white!  Woodland, Snapshot, and Bounty are all available in the shop.  head on over!

i feel better already.  i promise to do my best to keep this ball rolling.  so, see you tomorrow?  great.

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So, tonight was one of my first times using a gas stove top, and the pan caught on fire! Seriously! The flame was so high, it was scary! Luckily I was totally okay, except sort of scared and embarrassed.

But then once the fire alarm shut off and I was feeling less shaky about the whole thing, I went at it again and here's what I made:

Stir fry Tofu and Veggies with Avocado

Ingredients:
Favorite teriyaki or other stir fry sauce (I use Seven Paths Sesame Ginger Sir Fry Sauce, which I add ginger, cumin, and black pepper to)
Tofu (I used 1/3 of a firm tofu block)
Carrots thinly sliced
Green peppers chopped into pieces (I chopped them about an 1- 1 1/2 in wide)
1 avocado scooped out and sliced into bite-sized pieces

Drain the tofu for a half hour or more, while the tofu is draining chop the veggies and the avocado (is avocado a veggie or a fruit?). Put a pot with some water on the stove top and wait for it to start boiling, then put the veggies in the water till they soften. When the tofu is drained to satisfaction, chop it into semi-thin (just thick enough not to fall apart) rectangles, more like thin, small  slaps than cubes. Put the tofu in a bowl with the sauce, making sure that each block is coated, and let it sit and marinate for a half hour to an hour.

When the tofu is ready (the veggies should definitely be softened enough by now, by the way), heat oil in a pan on the stovetop (now if you're me and working with a gas oven, you should be extra-careful to not burn your face off at this juncture) and put the tofu in the pan, and cook till lightly browned. Then put the veggies (with either more marinade, or other spices) in with the tofu. Cook till tofu is as brown as you want it to be. Drain the oily-ness on paper towels, and add the avocado slices!

Delicious!

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