tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73833752024-03-05T16:31:54.417-07:00last night's leftoversscattered thoughts on life, on design, and on {beatrice + the bird}lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522901988337126890noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-83608039998696014722012-02-03T20:33:00.003-08:002012-02-03T20:33:56.065-08:00a little last-minute valentine<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91QJCRoANmeFpxDkilWMccu5jzWOeJQ1n58Ri64n9lDqJLv_gVG5-Mfe-5Z6H6DX4tVlD4hZSf32-VmY_k7ynNZlxe5n1ENTmCxIP6PgPdafNUUnn4Xh1lX6ImvRkSvTuRnGD2Q/s1600/Valentines+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91QJCRoANmeFpxDkilWMccu5jzWOeJQ1n58Ri64n9lDqJLv_gVG5-Mfe-5Z6H6DX4tVlD4hZSf32-VmY_k7ynNZlxe5n1ENTmCxIP6PgPdafNUUnn4Xh1lX6ImvRkSvTuRnGD2Q/s320/Valentines+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these torchy little numbers - hey, it IS an Olympic year! - are a cinch <br />to make and easily reproduced for a crowd</td></tr>
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my little boy and i were playing around the other day with colored cardstock and tissue paper, using it to make paper lanterns in honor of chinese new year, when i started thinking about Valentine's Day. <div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifU94sDsXg4x1moSaM5tM0U0zJJE_r7PF7vsJxag_NtLbgwxe1fkQvFWztcml0RDJ6LYaSDyleSFTNqShuBthO_Pga3HJFWdM-O6RY_lRv_zWxH1S33a9xBCAoBuqnfIPxAYz1w/s1600/Valentines+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifU94sDsXg4x1moSaM5tM0U0zJJE_r7PF7vsJxag_NtLbgwxe1fkQvFWztcml0RDJ6LYaSDyleSFTNqShuBthO_Pga3HJFWdM-O6RY_lRv_zWxH1S33a9xBCAoBuqnfIPxAYz1w/s320/Valentines+003.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lantern-making. and, no, those are not child-safe scissors.<br />we need to invest in some.</td></tr>
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h isn't in school, yet, so we're not at the point where he needs to make valentines for all his classmates, but he does have some special friends and family it would be fun to celebrate this year. i got the idea to make treat cones out of the cardstock, with a tissue "flame." a home-printed tag completes the torch. the best part: all you need is a few supplies you're likely to have lying around.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49oZmnfu88idhvLqtxyyxRBEjE-jmVhyphenhyphenpcPx0_2ait3ASmBleOmTSTvO22QIIal33e3klbeAmBDlPOKJOaRzBMNLBVvELBw1G08e0EqQPs912gd1bS6oRRthuS-d5UEexIsZ1Rw/s1600/Valentines+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49oZmnfu88idhvLqtxyyxRBEjE-jmVhyphenhyphenpcPx0_2ait3ASmBleOmTSTvO22QIIal33e3klbeAmBDlPOKJOaRzBMNLBVvELBw1G08e0EqQPs912gd1bS6oRRthuS-d5UEexIsZ1Rw/s320/Valentines+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">supplies: heavyweight paper such as cardstock or leftover holiday cards, tissue paper squares <br />(approximately 6" x 6"), scissors, clear tape or glue, ribbon, hole punch, candy</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
to make the cones, cut the paper into rectangles - an 8.5" x 11" sheet cut into equal quadrants makes a perfect little cone, but 4" x 6" photos or 4" x 8" holiday cards work well, too. form each rectangle into a cone and secure with tape or strong glue, and decorate as you see fit - my kiddo went wild with the markers. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQf_dkvQZWek-v7BlGqOCY2Jw_c4pv8hhqHPuFqoMAXuClAvnMKPs9g8fdfePEldc2HQEQj0lJ0n-oqjpKMZ0dqeXJnFADmygN5DH9IIRcMiNChJWoFdrDeHjw2gJ1ldhSjd8smw/s1600/Valentines+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQf_dkvQZWek-v7BlGqOCY2Jw_c4pv8hhqHPuFqoMAXuClAvnMKPs9g8fdfePEldc2HQEQj0lJ0n-oqjpKMZ0dqeXJnFADmygN5DH9IIRcMiNChJWoFdrDeHjw2gJ1ldhSjd8smw/s320/Valentines+008.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is a great way to repurpose your child's drawings</td></tr>
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print and crop the tags, then punch a hole in the top corner of each. (<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bz5QOnEePHEzZWFjNWUwMTEtNGVmYy00MzE2LWJmYWEtMjI0MGZhMzFjNjU2" target="_blank">click here to download and print your own "i hold a torch for you!" tags</a>). tape a length of ribbon to the middle back of the cone and attach a tag. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtyB5pfQF_L4jLMi_RfkHoWdWWP35L41958x5xwWVP3jIxjk6Oy7pkMHbXnOJkezIDoj-d10n2R3iO5Tk_xnmyArH0tMDXZ3WrWcaFQQF_7GdXK7Ljx5MdpRkVRgq07GfVmhwmg/s1600/Valentines+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtyB5pfQF_L4jLMi_RfkHoWdWWP35L41958x5xwWVP3jIxjk6Oy7pkMHbXnOJkezIDoj-d10n2R3iO5Tk_xnmyArH0tMDXZ3WrWcaFQQF_7GdXK7Ljx5MdpRkVRgq07GfVmhwmg/s320/Valentines+019.JPG" width="259" /></a></div>
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finally, fill with candy or other treats and top with the tissue paper square. (for these photos, i used hershey's kisses santa had brought us, but will invest in fair trade goodies for those we give away. <a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/AugMHh/www.good.is/post/child-slaves-made-your-halloween-candy-stop-buying-it/" target="_blank">click here to find out why.</a>)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYddBvekRNuUK69pVAZnwTfoznVGqc6UDxc7relo8n0BZqSzcnemvMlTqWKvQqD6me8JxEu0mg4-v-RWh1XYp222E6fYx0yCHJTCqQ3gvv82VR2-25Ut8z2ZLvk5OqmX-7wEp2A/s1600/Valentines+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYddBvekRNuUK69pVAZnwTfoznVGqc6UDxc7relo8n0BZqSzcnemvMlTqWKvQqD6me8JxEu0mg4-v-RWh1XYp222E6fYx0yCHJTCqQ3gvv82VR2-25Ut8z2ZLvk5OqmX-7wEp2A/s320/Valentines+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you can also use this technique to make easy little ornaments <br />out of last year's holiday cards to hang on this year's tree!</td></tr>
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happy valentine's day!</div>
</div>lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522901988337126890noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-37031825618183443862012-01-20T12:16:00.002-08:002012-01-20T12:23:14.240-08:00answer to a maiden's prayers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.projectfoodie.com/templates/pf/images/Header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="48" src="http://www.projectfoodie.com/templates/pf/images/Header.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">this blog has seen several iterations, from travel journal to home reno blog to a small business-centered space, but at its inception, it was all about the meals i was making as a newly married person. i don't blog much about food anymore, though as a full-time parent, i cook more now than ever. as 2012 dawned, bringing with it a new addition to our family (Virginia Frances, born on January 6), i realized i had to get more organized about the way i plan, shop for, and make our meals. my biggest challenge: dealing with all the recipes i've clipped from magazines over the years. i'm a nearly lifelong magazine junkie (seriously, i can remember hoarding my <i>Highlights </i> magazines as a child) and have always struggled with what to do with issues i've already read but with which i'm not quite ready to part. enter technology: <a href="http://pinterest.com/beatricethebird/">pinterest </a>has now helped replace the shelter and design mags that used to fill boxes and boxes in my basement (okay, they still do, but i have big plans to divest myself of those this spring). but i was still holding on to years and years of <i>Martha Stewart Living</i>, among others, just for the recipes. a couple of years ago i started tearing out recipes and putting them in paper folders, but that was getting terribly unwieldy in my tiny kitchen. i thought pinterest might be my salvation again, but my <a href="http://pinterest.com/beatricethebird/recipes-to-try/">"recipes to try"</a> board there was starting to look like a <i>Better Homes and Gardens</i><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>recipe archive, and while i'm not embarrassed to admit to subscribing to the same magazines my grandmother reads, i didn't really need to recreate <a href="http://bhg.com/">bhg.com</a> elsewhere. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">then this week i just stumbled upon a site i have to share, since it's already revolutionized the way i think of and file my recipe clippings. <a href="http://www.projectfoodie.com/">project foodie</a> shares (and lets you save and share) recipes from the most recent issues of <span style="background-color: white;"><i>Bon Appétit, Cooking Light, Cook's Illustrated, Martha Stewart Living, Everyday Food, Fine Cooking, Food & Wine, Gourmet, Saveur, Southern Living, Sunset, </i>and of course, <i>Better Homes and Gardens. </i>and it's FREE. i feel like a huge organizational burden has been lifted from me. all this new digitizing </span>is so divine, i fear it can't last - will project foodie go the way of my dearly departed-then-reconfigured bloglines, and will pinterest end up as the next myspace? let's hope not, since i'm off to save scores of recipes and images to both. first, i'll share a recent fave here, for old time's sake, from <i>Sunset</i> via <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/mushroom-squash-bread-pudding-50400000117168/">myrecipes.com</a>:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><o:p><b><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 19px;">Wild Mushroom and Butternut Squash Bread Pudding</span> </b></o:p></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 16.8pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 16.8pt; text-align: justify;">3 cups cubed
butternut squash, cut into ¾” chunks</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 6.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.75pt; text-align: justify;">
1 tablespoon
extra-virgin olive oil<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 6.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.75pt; text-align: justify;">
1 1/2 teaspoons
kosher salt, divided<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 6.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.75pt; text-align: justify;">
1 teaspoon pepper,
divided<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 6.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.75pt; text-align: justify;">
About 4 tbsp.
unsalted butter, divided<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 6.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.75pt; text-align: justify;">
3 leeks, white and
light green parts only, thinly sliced and rinsed well<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 6.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.75pt; text-align: justify;">
2 garlic cloves,
minced<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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3/4 pound mixed wild
mushrooms, sliced<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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1 tablespoon fresh
thyme leaves<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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6 cups cubed rustic
white bread, cut into 1-in. cubes, lightly toasted<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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3 cups half-and-half<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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4 large eggs<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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1 tablespoon flour<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 6.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.75pt; text-align: justify;">
1/4 cup shredded
parmesan cheese<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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1 cup shredded
gruyère cheese<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify;">
<b>Preparation</b><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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1.
Preheat oven to 375°. Heap squash on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with oil
and 1/2 tsp. each salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Bake, stirring
occasionally, until tender and golden brown, about 35 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify;">
2. Melt 2
tbsp. butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add leeks with 1/4 tsp.
salt; cook until softened. Add garlic, cook 2 minutes, and add mixture to
squash.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify;">
3. Melt
remaining 2 tbsp. butter in same pan over medium heat. Add mushrooms and 1/4
tsp. each salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring,
until mushrooms have released their liquid and are beginning to brown, about 6
minutes. Remove from heat and stir in thyme.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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4. Add
mushrooms to squash-leek mixture. Stir in bread; scoop into a buttered 9- by
13-in. baking dish.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify;">
5. Whisk
together half-and-half, eggs, remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper, the
flour, and parmesan in a medium bowl. Pour custard over bread mixture and let
stand 10 minutes. Top with gruyère, then bake, uncovered, until cheese is
melted and beginning to brown and custard is just set (poke with a knife to
check), 30 to 35 minutes.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify;">
Make
ahead: Through step 4, 1 day ahead, covered and chilled; or finish bread
pudding 1 day ahead, chill, and reheat at 375° for 30 minutes.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify;">
Serves
8-10<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="directions" style="background-color: white; float: right; margin-bottom: 20px; width: 330px;">
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</div>lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522901988337126890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-51946364047650946882011-12-23T07:34:00.000-08:002012-02-03T20:36:29.548-08:00Guest posting on baltimore etsy street team: My three things: Gifts for Boys to Inspire Craftin...<a href="http://baltimore-etsy.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-three-things-gifts-for-boys-to.html?spref=bl">baltimore etsy street team: My three things: Gifts for Boys to Inspire Craftin...</a>: I was reading one of two-year-old son’s favorite winter books, the truly lovely Shall I Knit You a Hat , by Kate Klise and M. Sarah Klise, t...lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522901988337126890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-26085090356041258482011-10-31T09:59:00.003-07:002011-10-31T10:21:56.322-07:00don't quit your day job(s)<span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6060/6299473456_144c036b7e_m.jpg" width="131" height="240" alt="Marigan bag 007" /> o<span class="Apple-style-span">ne of the things about being a crafter is that you're often so busy making your stuff that you can't take time to learn new techniques. because i'm not doing any major holiday craft shows this year, t</span><span class="Apple-style-span">hanks in part to the impending arrival of a new little one in january, i've been taking some time to hone my craft. </span><span class="Apple-style-span">i've started <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/Sew-Retro-Perfect-Fit-Bombshell-Dress/29">gretchen hirsch's craftsy course</a> as a dressmaking refresher. i'm working with fabrics i haven't used since high school, to get reacquainted with sewing on satin and taffeta. and i made a pleated satchel at the request of my dear friend <a href="http://www.mompphotography.com/">marigan</a>, who has been so generous with her insane photography skills for my family.</span></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66931774@N08/6299473386/" title="Marigan bag 005 by beatriceandthebird, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6096/6299473386_5b9e5b62b5_m.jpg" width="126" height="240" alt="Marigan bag 005" /></a> making a bag tested all sorts of sewing limits for me, especially since i (a) didn't want to use a pattern, and (b) wanted it to be both functional and attractive. i based the look and functionality on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/tanneicasey?section_id=5930150">tannei casey's pleated hobos</a>, using the same IKEA fabric that she used in one i bought from her last year. marigan wanted slightly different detailing - a long strap and two shorter ones, instead of one long adjustable strap - so i tweaked my design to include those. the bag is faced and lined and includes a gusseted bottom, interior pockets, interior key hook, and a snap closure. my sewing machine wasn't quite up to sewing through many layers of heavy fabric, so the straps involve some serging that i wouldn't have otherwise chosen, but all in all i'm very happy and thrilled to have learned how to do things like gusseting. that said, i'm not going to be providing competition for tannei casey or my lovely <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeepsPeeps?section_id=7702717">beeps' peeps</a> anytime soon - i'm happy sticking with non-handbag accessories and apparel in my little shop.</span></div></div>lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522901988337126890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-25421881447430500042011-09-23T16:41:00.004-07:002011-09-23T16:55:32.979-07:00last minute excitement and a guest post<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWHZAnGp_rIhYaDwW7QXRRsqRB-Hn3rujL2_qkLi_PJgl7xOfcTIUJiX6XZnrTLee7PbQ3DilaQtvKk9hbMWBOy-klzeZxQh1MXo9npyc95x6RM3bnzYTQiNkl7SlTQ76MK7HAA/s1600/crafty_badge.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWHZAnGp_rIhYaDwW7QXRRsqRB-Hn3rujL2_qkLi_PJgl7xOfcTIUJiX6XZnrTLee7PbQ3DilaQtvKk9hbMWBOy-klzeZxQh1MXo9npyc95x6RM3bnzYTQiNkl7SlTQ76MK7HAA/s400/crafty_badge.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655706799270122178" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">this just in: <a href="http://beepspeeps.etsy.com/">brita of beeps' peeps</a> and i will be showing our stuff at the sublime, and astoundingly huge, <a href="http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/craftybastards/">Crafty Bastards</a> show in dc next week. if you're anywhere near the district on october 1, stop by to see some of the nation's most talented craftspeople, and us, of course. we'll be at booth 101.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">in other news, i had a guest post on the baltimore etsy street team's blog last week that i missed because we were in chattanooga celebrating my little one's second birthday. it's all about the podcasts i listen to while sewing, though since i wrote it, i've stumbled on so many more that i need to do a companion piece over here. anyway, check it out at </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://baltimore-etsy.blogspot.com/2011/09/in-studio-with-beatrice-bird.html">http://baltimore-etsy.blogspot.com/2011/09/in-studio-with-beatrice-bird.html</a>. (something is going on with BEST's blog coding, so it looks a little wonky, with apologies.)</span></div>lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522901988337126890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-26297414178838807442011-09-02T13:38:00.006-07:002011-09-02T13:55:11.398-07:00BEST for Breasts<span class="Apple-style-span">i recently joined the baltimore etsy street team, aka <a href="http://www.baltimorecraft.com/">BEST</a>, and am already learning a lot about the business of crafting, both on etsy and locally. this month, BEST launched a new shop to benefit breast cancer patients. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/best4breasts">BEST for Breasts: A Titillating Fundraiser</a> features pasties made by BEST members from a host of interesting materials, including ceramics, metals, and of course fabric. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">err, what's a pasty, you say? nope, we're not talking edible treats here - some of the photos in the shop are NSFW. i had way too much fun making my contribution, even without trying them on. i used some of my favorite remnant fabric, stiff fusible interfacing, and tassels i made from embroidery floss:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66931774@N08/6104863964/" title="BEST pasties 003 by beatriceandthebird, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6104863964_a592fb712c.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="BEST pasties 003" /></a>
<br />
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span">all proceeds collected from the sale will be donated to the Red Devils, a maryland organization that funds services to improve the quality of life for breast cancer patients and their families. </span>the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/best4breasts">BEST for Breasts shop</a> is still being stocked, so check back often!</span></div><div>
<br /></div>lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522901988337126890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-14557506094650778022011-09-01T18:52:00.003-07:002011-09-01T18:55:56.467-07:00new stuff in the shop!<span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.268032563.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 570px; height: 1042px;" src="http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.268032563.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>
<br />the post title basically says it all. with the cancellation of <a href="http://www.fentonstreetmarket.com/">fenton street market</a> this past weekend, thanks to miss irene, i have quite a bit of new inventory and more to come as soon as i can photograph it. check it out at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/beatriceandthebird">beatriceandthebird.etsy.com</a></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >
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<br /></div>lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522901988337126890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-18027245593252782982011-08-07T12:13:00.003-07:002011-08-07T12:24:30.391-07:00at least i made brunch<a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/photos/breakfast-bake.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="http://simplyrecipes.com/photos/breakfast-bake.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" >we don't entertain nearly as much as we once did or would like to. our little house, two crazy dogs, and no backyard space to speak of don't really lend themselves to big parties, especially with kids. but once in a while we have a few friends to dinner or, as was the case this morning, brunch. i always look at these occasions as a chance to try out new recipes, a practice that d has rightly pointed out has a high probability of back-firing. fortunately, today's tester recipe was a big hit with our guests, my godmother and her husband. i adapted it from <a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/as-you-like-it_breakfast_casserole/">this recipe from Simply Recipes</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" >, using 8 eggs, crusty french bread, farmer's market tomatoes (two colors!), zucchini, fresh basil, and Dubliner Irish cheddar, and baking it in an oval dish rather than a 9x13 casserole. INSANELY good and highly recommended. (image from<a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/as-you-like-it_breakfast_casserole/"> Simply Recipes</a>, because it didn't occur to me to photograph mine until after we'd eaten half of it.)</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div></div>lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522901988337126890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-42306216845961016242011-08-06T11:15:00.000-07:002011-08-07T12:26:46.801-07:00what's the opposite of type a?<span class="Apple-style-span">type z? whatever it's called, i'm it. of the very many personal flaws i have, my disorganization and procrastination are the most discouraging - and of course, counter-productive. i never met a deadline i didn't want to shirk, a schedule i didn't want to get behind on, a drawer i didn't want to stuff ephemera in before going back to read, surf the web, watch craptastic cable, eat peanut butter straight from the jar.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">i'm feeling like i need to publicly acknowledge this because it's held me back most of my life, and i'm so ready to move on, but i don't really know how. anything i've accomplished has certainly been in spite of my work ethic, not because of it. it's a marvel that i have a master's degree. as it is, i graduated with less-than-highest honors from my undergraduate writing program simply because i couldn't get my act together enough to show up to workshops with any material to workshop. i'm certain i'll never be an etsy super-seller or a blogging star for the same reason - i can't motivate myself to put in the very hard work needed to accomplish these things (talent and product are other matters entirely). the next fenton street market date for <a href="http://beatriceandthebird.etsy.com/">{beatrice + the bird}</a> is twenty days away and i have almost no inventory, per usual. i'll have a lot for the show, but not without the undue anxiety that waiting so long to get started necessitates. i HAVE been dabbling with a kicky, tiered half-apron out of my old standbys, thrift-store sheeting and alexander henry's farmdale fabrics. here's the first pass:</span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvkgRMqUBts2Vh9b40PgOBhId_RkRzAaD7MtNOcW8HVCR6a-FWySWvn9ZzCPHMXowvG8IQxibqX_3s3cT4BtKBILUfnOygh0dW91ApZcmgAFKimBIEyBgqcHE_OT_4wKLtj3CVA/s200/half+apron+farmdale+crossing+004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638193082582410722" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /><div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">lately i've been listening to the <a href="http://homefries.com/2011/05/the-simple-mom-podcast-episode-1-jamie-martin/">simple mom podcasts</a>, and i've been struck by a recurring theme among the moms interviewed on these smart and thought-provoking podcasts: all say "getting it all done" takes a huge amount of work, that they are passionate about the work, and they make compromises in order to get it done. i think a lot of my procrastination results from a perverse perfectionism: i'd rather not do something than do it and have it not meet my standards - or, heaven forbid, anyone else's. if it had been up to me, i certainly wouldn't have started making and selling stuff on etsy; a partner had to convince me the work was good enough to sell. there are many, many days when i'm still not sure about that. one of the things i struggle with when blogging about my work and my life is my lack of blithe confidence in the material - other bloggers maintain such an overwhelmingly positive outlook about what their posting: "i made this! it's great! i found this on the internet! it's fabulous!" i'm not saying that's misplaced hubris; it just shows an assertive spirit that i don't inherently have. and the sense that i really do have to do it all, without compromise, is absolutely paralyzing.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">i am trying to take small steps. for lent, i gave up what i called "mean-spirited reality tv," which i can only define along the same lines as the supreme court's definition of obscenity - you know it when you see it. first to be axed: anything 'real housewives.' i've kept up with it since easter, and the effect has been revelatory. not only do i feel like a more decent, less imbecilic person without those programs in my life, it means that sometimes i turn on the tv and there's literally nothing i'm "allowed" to watch, which means i HAVE TO TURN OFF THE TELEVISION AND DO SOMETHING BETTER WITH MY TIME. like read with my little one. or floss. i also cancelled most of my magazine subscriptions so i wouldn't be tempted to sit down and read <u>martha stewart living</u> when i should be doing my own living. i definitely have less recycling to deal with as a result, and fewer "someday" projects and recipes in my mental and physical files. i need more of these techniques, though - easy, relatively painless ways to channel my time in a more positive and productive way. anyone have any ideas? </span></div></div>lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522901988337126890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-82933424995532195312011-07-08T08:41:00.014-07:002011-07-08T09:04:13.079-07:00r + d<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvG78eULYIw__sLeZOfUWjQs1Vn3HokdWMEyfnyPMeBGM_rVkJAX4CjqUjsUZUOfCY5TYlSY9nceGaROQxr6_a2OSylgtNUsFmM01aa4OqrsoCA9brb7935Jw4qiYBgzrlx3ejQ/s200/Early+Summer+2011+278.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 146px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627008503269020722" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTT35Ds4cQS6uSsTHTggMBE-tt-3_uDcZn8BtDm26b-_36RkfOANs8IzVTduf8m8gWNxG4mXdl4FzJr6DSbrNExVcxvhW6kYcJPyQqzOHwcVVttgdvvHWb2HpVzYrDziwykj79w/s200/Early+Summer+2011+253.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 96px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627009099719452242" /><span class="Apple-style-span">my crafting friends and i spend a lot of time discussing the joys of the research and development phase of things, versus the enervation caused by being in pure production mode. in other words, it's loads more fun to experiment with new designs than it is to make a bunch of things from a pattern you've already perfected. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">before last mon</span><span class="Apple-style-span">th's date with the <a href="http://www.fentonstreetmarket.com/">fenton street market</a>, i noodled around with a design for a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76831866/poppy-sash-waist-wrap-skirt-size-small">sash-waist </a></span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76831866/poppy-sash-waist-wrap-skirt-size-small">wrap skirt</a>. my noodling around yielded interesting results, but not much in the way of sellable items. the first, at top left, featured two asymmetrical pockets and would only <span class="Apple-style-span">fit the tin</span>iest of women. for the second, top right and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76831866/poppy-sash-waist-wrap-skirt-size-small">on etsy</a>, i abandoned the pockets (i'll return to them when i have more time - nothing beats a hidden pocket, does it?). it was also size tiny but getting closer to what i wanted in terms of fit and function. the last one, below, hit all the style points i was looking for - and i decided to trade it with my sister in law for one of her lovely <a href="http://www.motherandbebe.com/Prod-26-1-100-29/ANKA_HALF_TAI_-_Cream_Floral_Explosion.htm">mei tai baby carriers</a>.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwO36Bu6qqbcBc4mmLihxCUugrhpoHW2NDva2ECyGb1vamApjIjkL2wtfxXMy0piRmdalGnnz-JXaq98JtmsyFSEskpEk3K1ax5Pu4Aa5FWjg-iF941PPX5JwOKZYAgZNiFT5KDQ/s200/Early+Summer+2011+265.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627012498900444786" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">so the good folks at fenton</span> street didn't have much in the way of skirts to consider from me this time around, but i've just loaded up on gorgeous skirt fabrics and come august 27th, look out, silver spring! total skirtapalooza.</div>lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522901988337126890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-60458706104902844292011-06-27T14:13:00.011-07:002011-06-28T08:47:31.283-07:00sharing the love: eat your p's and q's on shoes glorious shoesit's once again radio silence around these parts, with the onset of the summer craft and travel seasons.<br /><br />my partner in <a href="http://www.fentonstreetmarket.com/">Fenton Street Market</a> crime this weekend nonetheless found time to post about a wonderful etsy seller who, get this, sells patterns allowing you to sew your own shoes. beyond cool. to wit: "<a href="http://eatyourpsandqs.blogspot.com/2011/06/shoes-glorious-shoes.html">There is a certain type of sublime retail experience where you stumble upon something you didn't know you needed until the moment you behold it...</a>"<br /><br />that's certainly the case with <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/shoeology">Shoeology</a>. check out brita's <a href="http://eatyourpsandqs.blogspot.com/2011/06/shoes-glorious-shoes.html">blog post</a>, and then hie yourself to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/shoeology">etsy</a> to check out these sweet kicks and other Shoeology patterns:<br /><br /><a href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.195850203.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 570px; height: 392px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.195850203.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522901988337126890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-18148094514541711362011-05-07T12:32:00.005-07:002011-05-07T13:07:48.656-07:00mama's day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6MUWZuQmT9Sjmhkkt98b7P5b5mJf9TMkrjH1dl7SJEnDjC17rckIhK5O2y8YQDXeK6V_jbwrH05RMZwMzi_hsTNTwt24CxgZsMJ_bN_n9xNFs7MGDKY7NHW0tpLsqWi-wFZeWg/s1600/il_fullxfull.241280942.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 125px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6MUWZuQmT9Sjmhkkt98b7P5b5mJf9TMkrjH1dl7SJEnDjC17rckIhK5O2y8YQDXeK6V_jbwrH05RMZwMzi_hsTNTwt24CxgZsMJ_bN_n9xNFs7MGDKY7NHW0tpLsqWi-wFZeWg/s200/il_fullxfull.241280942.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604065947905724754" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">having the best kind of mother's day weekend: a date-night dinner at <a href="http://www.dogwoodbaltimore.com/">dogwood</a></span><a href="http://www.dogwoodbaltimore.com/"><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.dogwoodbaltimore.com/"> </a></span> <span style="font-size:85%;">(though we've previously had mixed results on ordering there, last night's was peerless); farmer's market, cooking, and gardening today; another dinner out tonight (this one <span style="font-style: italic;">en famille</span>); and the delicious expectation of breakfast in bed tomorrow. hope everyone else is enjoying a similarly perfect-for-them weekend.<br /><br />i don't expect much in the way of mother's day gifts, but i do like to give them. for my darling mama, i made a quick sash out of vintage madras and silver silk. it turned out so beautifully that i decided to offer it in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/73433572/emily-silk-reversible-obi-style-sash">the shop.</a> thinking it will be terrific over a plain white t-shirt, or a simple cocktail shift.<br /><br />for </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL0lA98YGoNQZpworTLTPWZrobMSLhlAfpwT5cFEAlxK4wQlrZoz0LxOscLDgQbq6e-xPBKuUd4guU7O1Ij-dB5mUwibmJbUTU3qoX4cFwxCUqVaoLy2fW54ZxKYIUjPas1-XSg/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL0lA98YGoNQZpworTLTPWZrobMSLhlAfpwT5cFEAlxK4wQlrZoz0LxOscLDgQbq6e-xPBKuUd4guU7O1Ij-dB5mUwibmJbUTU3qoX4cFwxCUqVaoLy2fW54ZxKYIUjPas1-XSg/s200/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604068149430537010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">my mother-in-law, who is a true gift to all of us in her family, i made a funky little apron that was inspired by one she'd seen and loved of my sister-in-law's. this was a combined easter and mother's day present, hence the spring theme. now that i have a serger, i might actually think about making this again - hemming all those ruffles, while fun, was a bit on the time-intensive side.<br /><br />happy mama's day!<br /></span>lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522901988337126890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-9277958168394964742011-05-04T07:42:00.006-07:002011-05-04T08:26:17.752-07:00taking this act on the road<span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://eatyourpsandqs.blogspot.com/">Beeps Peeps</a>, <a href="http://www.alittleparty.blogspot.com/">a little party</a>, and <a href="http://beatriceandthebird.etsy.com/">i</a> will all be heading to silver spring, md, this summer for fenton street market, an increasingly exciting artisan market held every saturday into november. look for us there on june 25 and august 27, and be sure to check out the other vendors each week by clicking on the "vendors" link at <a href="http://fentonstreetmarket.com/">www.fentonstreetmarket.com</a>.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.fentonstreetmarket.com/wp-content/uploads/FSMPoster_8.5x11_web96-hi.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 433px; height: 558px;" src="http://www.fentonstreetmarket.com/wp-content/uploads/FSMPoster_8.5x11_web96-hi.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522901988337126890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-70065649654790444832011-04-08T12:03:00.006-07:002011-04-08T12:45:00.296-07:00had i but world enough, and time<span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOGNvTJabm_GoTcdhXamrDydz9kc5vLebP4HPbClkwtSUMjNJh0MaIAU7Iij4P9cNxxrDkGDiSjAZ5FcDjMWGR5sSJT-7s0Z3YY-Kzx6ygGo8I9JMaELi8RU-T9uP2UTIxZZPFg/s1600/IMG_1917.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOGNvTJabm_GoTcdhXamrDydz9kc5vLebP4HPbClkwtSUMjNJh0MaIAU7Iij4P9cNxxrDkGDiSjAZ5FcDjMWGR5sSJT-7s0Z3YY-Kzx6ygGo8I9JMaELi8RU-T9uP2UTIxZZPFg/s200/IMG_1917.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593294819335849106" /></a><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span">i fear i jumped the gun. i launched <a href="http://beatriceandthebird.etsy.com/">{beatrice + the bird}</a> this week with a respectable, if not voluminous, six items. three <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/beatriceandthebird?section_id=7995792">dresses</a>; three <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/beatriceandthebird?section_id=7994798">aprons</a>. obviously, i needed more inventory, but i was just so <i>excited. </i>and i have so many <i>plans</i>. and so much <i>fabric </i>(see left for some of the yummy stuff i'm looking forward to using)<i>.</i> my shop would be to full capacity in <i>no time</i>. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">right. apparently i forgot about how often life interferes with sewing. and about sales. those tend to deplete </span>one's inventory, happily. so the shop is looking a bit sparse, but i'm frantically sewing to catch up. a sewing date with <a href="http://alittleparty.blogspot.com/">a little party</a> yielded the little number below, which is almost complete. the photo doesn't do it justice - that fabric, Robert Kauffman's Carolina Evening chambray, is the most spectacular marine blue. it's so pretty, i'm thinking i might have to offer this dress with a bonus removable fabric corsage, and it will be the perfect dress to wear to a summer evening wedding.</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTRAyVWr1P0AJoe3sQJFX612fU3W8TcZWmZ_ZP1JmQePyM2r9wBysjvlfeI6d-bXX5FR7-u9wmvStAGQJBOONh5_v_eubPCdQIYuHFOtak4uN60yDhJShld1IX1oAy3HTCxM-ag/s200/IMG_1919.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593295812966577970" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">next on the list: a long-overdue order for my dear godmother, and then i'm going to play around with a couple of accessory ideas and see what sticks. yep, the shop is gonna be full in no time. i just need to stop sleeping.</span></div>lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522901988337126890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-48318474561561600402011-03-31T06:17:00.005-07:002011-04-04T18:00:48.251-07:00introducing...<span class="Apple-style-span">if there's been radio silence around <a href="http://butimeanwell.blogspot.com/">last night's leftovers</a> lately, it's because i've been sewing my fingers off to launch a new collection on etsy, <a href="http://beatriceandthebird.etsy.com/">{beatrice + the bird}</a>. i'm excited and daunted to be going off on my own after coralilie folded. the collection focuses on a wraps-style tea dress in midweight cotton and upcycled jersey (read: ebay t-shirts), plus funky aprons with an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obi_(sash)">obi</a>-inspired sash. i might also make simple sashes for sale at craft shows - if i ever get my act together and apply for some of the juried shows around town. here's a sneak peak...</span><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nlT_x2LIkWv5zCXoX8-XtOh01hRFpFwWJSJ8BF981XncmUMSJpHUDUqIO2e_HN3tnC7UgbE5Yt3qQfHrWd7C5u-QlTjVi0buj_zdE1cjtjqyc30aHKkbX5a-jI2EGB18MhcAhw/s320/IMG_1437.business.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590233363761842274" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmNCNS3nGTIWrqP_aKYezqjFZIlrD7pbXTxMIp45U5bH_1do_-Me_tU1Ekk7LX_EJ9WUFjefUBIFlYlTkL8uFmWSOEqZgdmMQ70DOpvQyrJvmUs1SI3V8c0ns0W3grErqlw3Mgw/s1600/IMG_1693.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmNCNS3nGTIWrqP_aKYezqjFZIlrD7pbXTxMIp45U5bH_1do_-Me_tU1Ekk7LX_EJ9WUFjefUBIFlYlTkL8uFmWSOEqZgdmMQ70DOpvQyrJvmUs1SI3V8c0ns0W3grErqlw3Mgw/s320/IMG_1693.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590233374673182834" /></a><br /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BvM3nJVJpiPgFkeGnqcY5OauRJqmG5RvF0GUV9Idd-Xq-3-gdAymlXVpiGMKCMg4DscApRZw1bFaFn5egaA3fe4jJbhM0XaopPGF4vaVPIkh0ISlZLSUkESK_tHKdJe95XLvoQ/s320/IMG_1713_compressed.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590233358071229602" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8ni7MwZT-c-QL17GE-_-BAvdgqDihifn1tpC0EQZOwdbt1qoJ7_6gistV-8NbAuFAAfNakA9lzCyJOR8kNKJfh4Llb1_PQvMJIR12bkp9u3tIhHjBZYh2fy3PtWbDW_D1ozBmg/s320/IMG_1627.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590233368415624306" />lilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522901988337126890noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-64792788032576664792011-03-03T10:32:00.000-08:002011-03-03T10:32:39.171-08:00happiness is a finished bathroomwell, it's one step closer to happiness. february may have been a bear of a month, with everyone in our entire, extended family getting fantastically sick, but at least one major thing was accomplished - the end of our bathroom renovation. as with the vast majority of "quick" renovations, this one was much longer and more costly than we'd ever imagined, especially since we didn't do it ourselves this time around. because it's our only bathroom, we decamped to d's parents' house for several weeks (but not before spending three fun-filled days and exciting nights camping out in a house with no bathroom right before Thanksgiving) while our contractor hurried to get the room in some kind of working order before Christmas and the arrival of houseguests.<br />
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when i look at the before and after, i sometimes wonder what all the fuss was about, as they aren't dramatically different - if you exclude the peeling plaster, bulging moisture-ridden walls, cracked tile, exposed lathing, and jury-rigged garden-spigot-as-shower of the original 1925 bathroom:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/5370147623/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1171 by na_praha, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1171" height="320" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1404/5370147623_51412a3388.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but oh, i loved that deep wonderful cast iron tub</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">after living with this arrangement on and off for 30 years, it was time for a change. we basically kept the period style (read: subway tile and mosaic floors) with a few marine-inspired touches, like shiplap-style wainscotting and a salvaged overhead light. we also incorporated storage where ever we could, which sadly meant doing away with the pedestal sink. we have very few, very small closets, so anywhere we can add storage, we do.</div><div><br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDnJRF9NIiDehARtBHeemP8l-jpgfNB4agGDBgaybmwO2zfwmHYDSLOBb72tyiN-YVnLNFOdCG2fxq1_sk0rLBYN3ycL9tyuTg664ldFug8eWShHjJry73h7gltkkK27CNJ7iMw/s1600/IMG_1485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDnJRF9NIiDehARtBHeemP8l-jpgfNB4agGDBgaybmwO2zfwmHYDSLOBb72tyiN-YVnLNFOdCG2fxq1_sk0rLBYN3ycL9tyuTg664ldFug8eWShHjJry73h7gltkkK27CNJ7iMw/s320/IMG_1485.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80180988">vanity </a><a href="http://www.target.com/Harbor-Mini-Pendant-Brushed-Finish/dp/B001P3R4D2/ref=br_1_14?ie=UTF8&id=Harbor%20Mini%20Pendant%20Brushed%20Finish&node=194898011&searchSize=150&searchView=grid5&searchPage=1&sr=1-14&qid=1288710980&rh=&searchBinNameList=target_com_primary_color-bin,material_type,price,target_com_brand-bin&searchRank=salesrank&frombrowse=1">pendants </a>hang at the same height, </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">even if that doesn't appear to be the case</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxQk7yIKo0xP7f8Dmami6V-dLh3lda7sRRjAKdM2qG2iJPWETfUA20ZxPKc_GkT2T_tusd-0K0or-1heFJXvLV_HBszHij84IaJkJY_MT__9a7OiiN_B_s7RGCk3ndo2ig8ZmCw/s1600/IMG_1488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxQk7yIKo0xP7f8Dmami6V-dLh3lda7sRRjAKdM2qG2iJPWETfUA20ZxPKc_GkT2T_tusd-0K0or-1heFJXvLV_HBszHij84IaJkJY_MT__9a7OiiN_B_s7RGCk3ndo2ig8ZmCw/s320/IMG_1488.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">our contractor, d's cousin, custom built </div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">and finished the shelving</div></div><div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaBil2m68Xh6hDNz76w-A9V7cFc05V4euZXwapi8pVw5-MPR9dArGwM3CLFSV_V5_hGVibpD1F-edGGm9X7a8GKAER130wSDbeh-rXDVH5SACbdYF5j-3Qt4D3N6zH8_rZqylyw/s1600/IMG_1490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaBil2m68Xh6hDNz76w-A9V7cFc05V4euZXwapi8pVw5-MPR9dArGwM3CLFSV_V5_hGVibpD1F-edGGm9X7a8GKAER130wSDbeh-rXDVH5SACbdYF5j-3Qt4D3N6zH8_rZqylyw/s320/IMG_1490.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trim tile from ebay</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9P1NlQTEdpheNzw_sARwoZw4fdHnn7vFtDtVcu_cdfztr-l_HdEq3cD9sGrpgAGHBUqlvbGTnjaa1cvzyO4lRaLivawmx_Bm8fyChUEdALAlukfgtnhbD3Nb25n94yzc0AXDkg/s1600/IMG_1491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9P1NlQTEdpheNzw_sARwoZw4fdHnn7vFtDtVcu_cdfztr-l_HdEq3cD9sGrpgAGHBUqlvbGTnjaa1cvzyO4lRaLivawmx_Bm8fyChUEdALAlukfgtnhbD3Nb25n94yzc0AXDkg/s320/IMG_1491.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">home depot marble 12X12 tile</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">cut down to 6X12 subways</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrA7rHEAOGHHV6dkHOOQqxLOn0eC1Gifs0if8V0iXuneSd6s6OBrZWC1o0FNxTZoJFANe795iUpYRKJiSiwyUWjLRbYIxbLzfaC2rx4z6pw6437_hWf4NEh4rINVNuFA4o4TMHXA/s1600/IMG_1495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrA7rHEAOGHHV6dkHOOQqxLOn0eC1Gifs0if8V0iXuneSd6s6OBrZWC1o0FNxTZoJFANe795iUpYRKJiSiwyUWjLRbYIxbLzfaC2rx4z6pw6437_hWf4NEh4rINVNuFA4o4TMHXA/s320/IMG_1495.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">light fixture salvaged from <a href="http://www.secondchanceinc.org/">second chance</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
while the budget for this bathroom was necessarily higher than that for <a href="http://butimeanwell.blogspot.com/2009/09/as-promised.html">our portland bathrooms</a> because we had to hire a contractor, we tried to keep costs in check by bargain shopping. yes, this meant lots of made-in-china, big box purchases. sigh. home depot and ikea have me in their pockets.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_1cZS4sIrkW8UMXJBCYHvQZ36hAu9CZocivVhpEYYepRDY2CEkKBt7i1erLF4E8Wa7uvWDEtlAvbP9FxZd9mzZkc24hKVkFwS9gRL_ATfyLOg13tgZ6rIwIAGZJ9ouh40W10nQ/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_1cZS4sIrkW8UMXJBCYHvQZ36hAu9CZocivVhpEYYepRDY2CEkKBt7i1erLF4E8Wa7uvWDEtlAvbP9FxZd9mzZkc24hKVkFwS9gRL_ATfyLOg13tgZ6rIwIAGZJ9ouh40W10nQ/s320/IMG_1506.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rainshower head not shown, because nobody <br />
needs to see our heinous shampoo caddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvuP7WJG9kbBBg9HFQnFt0mpoWfk4E3Sd072WkS5kiSU_rVQwN0DT0BSwfovbCj7xx_BQlPm-XMWnn7Z-MchECStjHKNAIbpeQCN02X7NrZ0USRje_MXKrWiZPvBnSRpCaPr4SA/s1600/IMG_1319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvuP7WJG9kbBBg9HFQnFt0mpoWfk4E3Sd072WkS5kiSU_rVQwN0DT0BSwfovbCj7xx_BQlPm-XMWnn7Z-MchECStjHKNAIbpeQCN02X7NrZ0USRje_MXKrWiZPvBnSRpCaPr4SA/s320/IMG_1319.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">home depot mosaic and subway tile. <br />
stock - who knew?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbtej-CEFuILiICHA5wQutIbXG38nrnBvNd0OZ1Vcus72R3-4FxqG-0QiBOuCE41zXLAbwtr_WTOMRirgBwQv8j7wxr9wNlVWlBaj1ornCZ-nfoT7TL2pr7ZF6MFhyJiHHtM20A/s1600/IMG_1344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbtej-CEFuILiICHA5wQutIbXG38nrnBvNd0OZ1Vcus72R3-4FxqG-0QiBOuCE41zXLAbwtr_WTOMRirgBwQv8j7wxr9wNlVWlBaj1ornCZ-nfoT7TL2pr7ZF6MFhyJiHHtM20A/s320/IMG_1344.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">h checking out the craftmanship</td></tr>
</tbody></table>now, on to a DIY update of our 1960s kitchen, on a $1500 budget. this should be interesting...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-3108518743676087182011-01-30T11:56:00.001-08:002011-02-02T05:24:19.483-08:00under constructionwork continues on our bathroom, as well as this blog - thanks again to <a href="http://Eatyourpsandqs.blogspot.com">beeps peeps</a> for my lovely new banner. our hope is that our lovely new medicine cabinet will be installed this week, finally finishing off the bathroom.* meantime, here's a preview, taken with my increasingly troubled, and therefore blurry, camera. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/5401695636/" title="IMG_1379 by na_praha, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5401695636_c446fe30d0.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_1379" /></a><br />
<br />
*nope. not gonna happen. we <i>still</i> don't have the hardware to install the cabinet. meanwhile, drew's beard continues to flourish without benefit of a mirror by which to shave. he might need to take up the mandolin and start a neo-folk band at this rate.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-9334782579279654472011-01-25T12:44:00.004-08:002012-02-03T20:35:42.877-08:00small things that make me absurdly happy (a tutorial)i guess i should be pleased that little things can bring me such unabashed pleasure. like our faucet-mounted water filter. every time i don't have to reach into the fridge for the (usually empty) brita pitcher, i am happy all over again that i bit that bullet. the cushion covers that i made for our kitchen stools are another source of absurd delight. once again, cheap ikea cushions, recycled target curtains, and leftover sewing supplies provided the source materials. this was easily a fifteen-minute project.<br />
<br />
<b>Materials for one cushion cover</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/5370135333/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="supplies by na_praha, on Flickr"><img alt="supplies" height="150" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5370135333_d09f347f86.jpg" width="200" /></a>cushions or pillow inserts (mine were a dollar find at ikea)<br />
four 18-24" lengths of ribbon, depending on stool<br />
four buttons<br />
two squares of fabric, each measuring 2" wider and longer than your cushion<br />
scissors, thread, etc.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 1</b><br />
measure your cushion, adding 2" into the width and length. cut your fabric accordingly.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/5370742508/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="two squares by na_praha, on Flickr"><img alt="two squares" height="150" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5210/5370742508_cf1bdd28f0.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 1 - measure and cut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>Step 2</b><br />
pin right sides together and sew along three sides. in this case, i used the existing hem on my recycled curtains for the fourth side. if your fabric is not already hemmed, you'll want to press the fourth side over by about a quarter inch.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 3</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/5370742566/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="finished edge by na_praha, on Flickr"><img alt="finished edge" height="200" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5370742566_f4aa295007.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 3 - sew fourth seam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
turn right side out, insert cushion into cover, and machine sew as close to the finished edge as possible. <br />
<br />
<b></b><br />
<b><b><br />
</b></b><br />
<b><b><br />
</b></b><br />
<b><b><br />
</b></b><br />
<b><b><br />
</b></b><br />
<b><b></b>Steps 4 and 5</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/5370135357/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="sewing ties by na_praha, on Flickr"><img alt="sewing ties" height="150" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5370135357_81eda2e748.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 4 - add ties</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/5370135401/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="tufting by na_praha, on Flickr"><img alt="tufting" height="150" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5203/5370135401_2e5446f6da.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 5 - add buttons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
fold each length of ribbon in half, and attach to each corner with a machine stitch, as shown. add buttons, being careful to center and space them appropriately.<br />
<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Step 6</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/5370135293/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="finished cushion by na_praha, on Flickr"><img alt="finished cushion" height="320" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5286/5370135293_5d6159b670.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a little more country, a lot more comfortable</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
tie cushions to your bracingly uncomfortable, industrial-chic kitchen stools. resume normal use.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/5370135265/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="stool in question by na_praha, on Flickr"><img alt="stool in question" height="200" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5370135265_6f4aab29e5.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cool but crazy uncomfortable</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-70477359888308637942011-01-23T11:25:00.003-08:002011-01-25T12:52:30.023-08:00a love that dare not speak its name. or, the look for less.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfas4bXMsqzE3tu2EBoWb-wKn35xOOQOunkdXHq1VvOcAIpQbNOdAVjOh8cES8OcOngeq3cTRnCaYuYkF0vJtn5GJUCPh1SBKD6I3-ppL4_3XGWNkx1e-IAIawsGBsSKnhKW2WUg/s1600/IMG_1389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfas4bXMsqzE3tu2EBoWb-wKn35xOOQOunkdXHq1VvOcAIpQbNOdAVjOh8cES8OcOngeq3cTRnCaYuYkF0vJtn5GJUCPh1SBKD6I3-ppL4_3XGWNkx1e-IAIawsGBsSKnhKW2WUg/s200/IMG_1389.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>i shouldn't be allowed to have throw pillows in my house. i clearly don't have what it takes to keep them looking presentable. see the picture at left for exhibit A. shortly after h was born, i pieced that pillow together from a bit of <a href="http://www.duralee.com/fabrics/product.php?pattern_id=16548">thomas paul</a> fabric i had on hand, recycling some old roman shades from target for the welting and the back panel. it's been little more than a year, and it already looks like its been put through the wringer, including Unidentifiable Yellow Stains, courtesy of our dogs. i shudder to think.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.anthropologie.com/is/image/Anthropologie/083098_008_b?$redesign-product-zoom$" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://images.anthropologie.com/is/image/Anthropologie/083098_008_b?$redesign-product-zoom$" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">anthro's briefly available reindeer pillow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>the problem is, pillows are sort of great. they're like little art pieces for your furniture, and i can't stop myself from wanting to acquire more of them. when i saw <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=083098">anthropologie's blooming reindeer pillow</a> in their winter catalog, i started salivating. so great, right? and both seasonally appropriate and non-holiday-specific. then, as is so often the case with anthro, i looked at the price tag and my mouth went dry. actually, $88 is pretty reasonable for them, but no doubt this piece was made by small children in malaysia, or some other reindeer-unfriendly locale. and i'm not really allowed to have throw pillows.<br />
<br />
but i know a couple of lovelies who are, and i decided to make them my own version of the pillow as christmas gifts. using jason yenter's floragraphix iv fabric, left over from one of our <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63230675/love-and-rockets-dress">love and rockets dresses</a>, a $3.99 <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63230675/love-and-rockets-dress">granat cushion from ikea</a>, and a reindeer silhouette adapted from a google image search, i went to town.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JtNA9auix5udrinyyY-3FDnmPkNgtKTyO67CUhIMGCj84TfQ2EkPY8BHKi_fPgDiS6tPdInN5ywAxlanN6v8TRVR6d0_eIRq80Vz8D2Gs_fMD7PN6SWBfM0zKilImqDhtYqN3w/s1600/IMG_1395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JtNA9auix5udrinyyY-3FDnmPkNgtKTyO67CUhIMGCj84TfQ2EkPY8BHKi_fPgDiS6tPdInN5ywAxlanN6v8TRVR6d0_eIRq80Vz8D2Gs_fMD7PN6SWBfM0zKilImqDhtYqN3w/s400/IMG_1395.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAtPcs_sze1ds6nqDD3yu7_t-wPpphm7d5e-qrcE06bhzXBHr6QTJYVROYWrqZ_Dl32uuspf4FF_6DtP9SKKW5EjqLZ2gXsMoqbTO-vW0gS0jHgIYmM89oxhdIk93ExF04gJm_g/s1600/IMG_1391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAtPcs_sze1ds6nqDD3yu7_t-wPpphm7d5e-qrcE06bhzXBHr6QTJYVROYWrqZ_Dl32uuspf4FF_6DtP9SKKW5EjqLZ2gXsMoqbTO-vW0gS0jHgIYmM89oxhdIk93ExF04gJm_g/s200/IMG_1391.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
this was my first experiment with hand appliqué; it's a little rustic, which was intentional, and i'm pretty happy with the results. looking forward to visiting my blooming reindeer in their new cribs next holiday season.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-25133535305697063022011-01-19T13:13:00.001-08:002011-01-25T12:53:55.203-08:00bring itall right, i'll just go ahead and point out the obvious: my last post here was almost a year ago. yesterday, in between a couple of the fourteen (14) loads of laundry i've figured out i do weekly (or need to do), i idly sent a text to <a href="http://eatyourpsandqs.blogspot.com/">brita</a>: "i wish i could give up wanting to have a blog." <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/5370742388/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="anxiety bouquet by na_praha, on Flickr"><img alt="anxiety bouquet" height="150" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/5370742388_c51bd7837b.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">anxiety bouquet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>there's a lot i wish i could give up wanting. last week, trying to ward off a full-blown panic attack, i made a list of things that are causing me such angst these days. (i've been such a basketcase that d was compelled to bring me flowers one night last week - highly recommended supportive-spouse behavior, by the way.) i stopped adding to the list when it got to 29 items, mostly because i ran out of room on the piece of scrap paper, but also because so many were things i <i>wanted</i> to be different, but had almost no ability to change. for instance, i wanted my nose to stop running. and our dogs to be less excitable at the end of the day. and not to have to do fourteen loads of laundry a week. i wanted not to have bought a white couch. or to worry about trace pharmaceuticals in our drinking water, pesticides in our fruit, lead in our dust, composting, recycling, Haiti, Sudan, Baltimore, peak oil, my inability to cancel our cable tv service. <br />
<br />
"actually," brita said, "i'd like to read about you canceling your cable." <br />
<br />
"i wanted to cancel our cable," i responded, "but it turns out it's more expensive just to have internet service than to have both. file under 'best intentions.'"<br />
<br />
"so write about that," she said. <br />
<br />
at that point, i was reminded of the "but i mean well" in <a href="http://butimeanwell.blogspot.com/">last night's leftovers' web address. </a>i guess in a way i always intended this to be a space to air my wants, my mistaken intentions, with the hope of making them...less. just less. that's probably not all that interesting to anyone else, but it's cathartic to me. so i'm declaring 2011 my year of less wanting. we'll see how it goes. in the meantime, i've got a few house and craft projects<strike> i want</strike> to share here. stay tuned.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-28962424849555778892010-02-02T19:15:00.004-08:002010-02-02T19:21:16.619-08:00where we spend our days<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRzWe4J5HM2NkoCYkjb4rRSAQPA6gBX33VnKByXtAxEyNEAKrCF6t68miHkYZcFxSL6QjcuUzDdHYBvVRlFyra4gATH6Y9LDTk2PNhHTx4rYevXvQpWnEkXoGieJfJEZNV2-uzQ/s1600-h/IMG_8569.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRzWe4J5HM2NkoCYkjb4rRSAQPA6gBX33VnKByXtAxEyNEAKrCF6t68miHkYZcFxSL6QjcuUzDdHYBvVRlFyra4gATH6Y9LDTk2PNhHTx4rYevXvQpWnEkXoGieJfJEZNV2-uzQ/s200/IMG_8569.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433851955231720914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDkeBwvpCQUut0mE8CpmNQWp-q6PGxGKVEeBJT3MWDG9GlQd-CcTYBwqgz18kGzlJGeICIMVzPZ0nLrHZC3TtbyY2GKo26wiNuGeqNjfK7EPNbq99ONVQlDxwhOiewgbePFF5FQ/s1600-h/IMG_8563.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDkeBwvpCQUut0mE8CpmNQWp-q6PGxGKVEeBJT3MWDG9GlQd-CcTYBwqgz18kGzlJGeICIMVzPZ0nLrHZC3TtbyY2GKo26wiNuGeqNjfK7EPNbq99ONVQlDxwhOiewgbePFF5FQ/s200/IMG_8563.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433851781982669746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sPz_n8LqmXFaFfkMEdRP9XUNUzAY15_PrfFx7c8A2IwSQCBHpAgr26Wc5v_eROJIs4PH6AQqrok_kZlAfrBFxklSvHB95BAo-H-KnmWQUxB6hZ_jkmosbRNbgjWgrsuw2fWcQg/s1600-h/IMG_8573.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sPz_n8LqmXFaFfkMEdRP9XUNUzAY15_PrfFx7c8A2IwSQCBHpAgr26Wc5v_eROJIs4PH6AQqrok_kZlAfrBFxklSvHB95BAo-H-KnmWQUxB6hZ_jkmosbRNbgjWgrsuw2fWcQg/s200/IMG_8573.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433851777044931154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSzOcp9pJzhdeU2OZCUJYdwtmFtpOxwsWlRQ0F-1rZeX_aLI61cX4ZxMF2GODZxR98576CFMjC5egZf_N05cg7Hk7G-Y4au7yN1YwT92s5iPrBEMZLcDeopjnUg4JaFSaGgkvLA/s1600-h/IMG_8572.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSzOcp9pJzhdeU2OZCUJYdwtmFtpOxwsWlRQ0F-1rZeX_aLI61cX4ZxMF2GODZxR98576CFMjC5egZf_N05cg7Hk7G-Y4au7yN1YwT92s5iPrBEMZLcDeopjnUg4JaFSaGgkvLA/s200/IMG_8572.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433851592414305858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCg9esZORRjBxkdNTraVazsPfv5fAVgpjLa78o2txgxX_arUznf5n7qsW32-HUDXQHHoxEPStKbmuTJnwjz6a1seMolz0bN8-jCihH82PSTUeiVI3HCmyK7TxOzdzPFmaf_29yLQ/s1600-h/IMG_8560.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCg9esZORRjBxkdNTraVazsPfv5fAVgpjLa78o2txgxX_arUznf5n7qsW32-HUDXQHHoxEPStKbmuTJnwjz6a1seMolz0bN8-jCihH82PSTUeiVI3HCmyK7TxOzdzPFmaf_29yLQ/s200/IMG_8560.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433851588370079378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEfo5y91ko7YsIerDBhTjYq677uyEZcGmPPc2cGEbBQKCwCbfExzRj5vDe2tluQUqegijy889S3wnvsXl9RV1Ue9a5cmVMBIEmC2urUDeVje210PdfmwPhh7_kEzOUw-MT-joYA/s1600-h/IMG_8568.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEfo5y91ko7YsIerDBhTjYq677uyEZcGmPPc2cGEbBQKCwCbfExzRj5vDe2tluQUqegijy889S3wnvsXl9RV1Ue9a5cmVMBIEmC2urUDeVje210PdfmwPhh7_kEzOUw-MT-joYA/s200/IMG_8568.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433851582450802882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGgjl1kR9osZvk-2K4ax77pyimc2IP8ejWY1HK16vr-rw2TMHsjNCEnxhUUS8ls7Le8PPqvcQ72E4Ksb566RrEh-cBotnIN9Jdlso2oKDD4GmsxVt8Rqru-czpkuAfVirbD8qxQ/s1600-h/IMG_8562.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGgjl1kR9osZvk-2K4ax77pyimc2IP8ejWY1HK16vr-rw2TMHsjNCEnxhUUS8ls7Le8PPqvcQ72E4Ksb566RrEh-cBotnIN9Jdlso2oKDD4GmsxVt8Rqru-czpkuAfVirbD8qxQ/s200/IMG_8562.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433851575874330834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EGpozJEhEBiqmsg-_G2VXBbNZVEA_BtC2SrItLK37ThvAM9mH9VDroCQUJEyxgkvWdwgQYd_EupIieEAwhnfFqVbMefpFmaRDP-OUyPx0pX9bWuZHjBdhlMLvDGi_l0q_PIp0g/s1600-h/IMG_8566.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EGpozJEhEBiqmsg-_G2VXBbNZVEA_BtC2SrItLK37ThvAM9mH9VDroCQUJEyxgkvWdwgQYd_EupIieEAwhnfFqVbMefpFmaRDP-OUyPx0pX9bWuZHjBdhlMLvDGi_l0q_PIp0g/s200/IMG_8566.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433851571537841554" /></a><br />just a few scenes from the place where hal and i spend most of our time these days, contemplating the future of this blog and other heady topics.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-55878485668844754532010-02-02T12:11:00.005-08:002010-02-02T19:15:43.603-08:00a blog in search of a niche<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">when i first started this blog, i was interested mainly in blogging as a creative outlet, and so my posts were all over the place, with only the slightest whiff of a theme (cooking and crafting) to keep them together. when we moved to portland and began the mother of all craft projects, our house renovation, it made sense to blog about that, especially since so many of our friends and family were 3000 miles away and not able to keep up on the day to day (or even month to month or year to year) changes to our little bungalow. so butimeanwell.blogspot.com became a house blog. and happily so.<br /><br />now i find myself once again in search of a creative outlet. craft projects have necessarily taken a back seat to this little project. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5t8pPOAoNJseo40TvLC-mvHWmOUS8fpQGBMw3flOdl0TY7jPmuf501plNro6h2lNjYBA9SJaFCZ_truJD4zYmhY0ULUwxWUSqZ2KxafPeug6wdXHkZ3wRJmYb-eZvzYYKyEfUA/s1600-h/IMG_8575.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5t8pPOAoNJseo40TvLC-mvHWmOUS8fpQGBMw3flOdl0TY7jPmuf501plNro6h2lNjYBA9SJaFCZ_truJD4zYmhY0ULUwxWUSqZ2KxafPeug6wdXHkZ3wRJmYb-eZvzYYKyEfUA/s200/IMG_8575.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433742894188523474" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> (and frankly, i'm realizing that i'm much less talented at executing projects than i am at conceiving a need and then googling instructions for them. which isn't to say i'll stop making things, but the world probably does not need to see the set of </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqNeJwb3baqrxGdv0e-QEs6flQdBjNVYZ8MWFsqbP-L-Y1Lq4LE3djDYUPb7uOCtTT9APxyS_XJkqduFExiwQUTKIkc-gDZYVDwJlsucHl6w9D-t0vAC23cITD1blzMwhSHtF/s1600-h/12730.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">onesie extenders</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> i made last week.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">so i'm ruminating about what to do with the space. link to various stories about humanitarian <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/opinion/31kristof.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss">outrages </a>and wonder, rather anemically, what i can do about them? post my favorite <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/crafthope">etsy </a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeartsforHaiti">shops</a>? crafts i'd make if i had but world enough and time (and talent)? <a href="http://www.refresheverything.com/Figment">cool projects</a> others are undertaking? the latest in <a href="http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2010/02/say-hello-to-germanys-newest-gorilla-baby.html">zoo baby preciousness</a>? marvel over hal's every milestone? or our discovery that <a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/momformation/2009/05/13/take-it-from-me-a-bumbo-seat-may-be-your-babys-bowels-best-friend/">this </a>is hilariously, riotously true? maybe a little bit of all of the above....last night's leftovers*, indeed.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*last night's leftovers were, in fact, really tasty. i adapted <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/smoky-fish-chowder-recipe-00000000027509/index.html">this recipe</a>, replacing the chorizo and fish with trader joe's seafood sausage, and adding corn and tomatoes with diced chiles for an extra kick. it's nice to cook again...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-88792078135320861992009-09-09T08:07:00.006-07:002011-01-26T08:28:23.977-08:00as promised...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">... the fairly complete before and after in photos. these span the period of march 2007, when we first put a contract on the house, to june 2009, when we left to return to baltimore. we did all of the design (with wonderful insight from designer friends), and drew did the majority of the work himself, with occasional assists from me, and terrific help from our parents, neighbors, and friends. where we sought out professional support: on the major structural stuff - the dormer additions to the second floor, reversal of the staircase, reconstruction of the front and back porches, and roof installation; window and furnace installation; and hardwood floor and wall refinishing on the first floor (the latter was mostly because we ran out of time). itemizing all that we did to the house would no doubt bore everyone to tears, but here's a laundry list of the most significant projects and their timing, as best as i can remember it and in no particular chronological order:</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">exterior front</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">installed new roof (fall 2008), new cedar shingled dormers (fall 2007), new front door (spring 2009), new porch floor, rails and stairs (spring 2009). removed vinyl siding and painted original wood siding (2007-2009). dug new front garden beds and planted trees and shrubs (summer 2007).</span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">before:<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/454751950/" title="7827 SE Carlton - front of house by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="7827 SE Carlton - front of house" height="180" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/454751950_ee8bb6b8ac_m.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
after:<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3883116856/" title="se carlton 001 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="se carlton 001" height="180" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2538/3883116856_f657114456.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3883116876/" title="se carlton 002 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="se carlton 002" height="180" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2598/3883116876_ba30448526.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">first floor</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">reversed direction and entry point of staircase so that it rose from the dining room to the second story rather than from the kitchen (fall 2007); installed new windows (summer 2007); installed new lighting and electrical (2007-2009); repaired, skim-coated and painted all walls, ceilings and trim (spring 2009); refinished floors (spring 2009); gutted bathroom, installing new marble hex flooring, subway tile shower surround, sink, medicine cabinet, lighting, hardware and fixtures (early 2009); gutted kitchen, sealing up one door, installing french doors to the back porch, and replacing all appliances, cabinets, countertops, flooring, sink, lighting, hardware and fixtures (spring 2009).</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">living room before:<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/685415919/" title="Anthropologie House 012 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="Anthropologie House 012" height="180" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1343/685415919_275c6bcbbc_m.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/686281084/" title="Anthropologie House 015 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="Anthropologie House 015" height="180" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1109/686281084_d4bcefae33_m.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
living room after:<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3882322929/" title="se carlton 006 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="se carlton 006" height="180" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/3882322929_b222fe3564.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3820666309/" title="IMG_7003 (1) by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="IMG_7003 (1)" height="240" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2464/3820666309_fce664d02d_m.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
dining room before:<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/686282034/" title="Anthropologie House 018 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="Anthropologie House 018" height="240" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1109/686282034_334bce258b_m.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/685417417/" title="Anthropologie House 017 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="Anthropologie House 017" height="240" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1279/685417417_eb29a603fb_m.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/686281430/" title="Anthropologie House 016 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="Anthropologie House 016" height="240" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1124/686281430_67f2be57a9_m.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
dining room after:<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3820666527/" title="IMG_7007 (1) by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="IMG_7007 (1)" height="180" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3820666527_25071100cc.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3883116944/" title="se carlton 005 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="se carlton 005" height="180" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2662/3883116944_bc54ce3fda.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
dining room ceiling before:<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/1339944396/" title="Dormer Installation Day 1 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="Dormer Installation Day 1" height="240" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1109/1339944396_9f380dabe5.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
dining room ceiling after:<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3882323153/" title="se carlton 014 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="se carlton 014" height="180" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2436/3882323153_c75ce03c2a.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
kitchen before (previous owner):<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/454766807/" title="7827 SE Carlton - kitchen by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="7827 SE Carlton - kitchen" height="180" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/228/454766807_9d3cf939cd.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/454766909/" title="7827 SE Carlton - kitchen3 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="7827 SE Carlton - kitchen3" height="180" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/242/454766909_97fa94bbf3.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
kitchen after:<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3882322951/" title="se carlton 008 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="se carlton 008" height="180" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2582/3882322951_e6cd8562de.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3882323169/" title="se carlton 015 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="se carlton 015" height="180" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3882323169_f1347f9fa7.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3821473722/" title="IMG_7020 (1) by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="IMG_7020 (1)" height="240" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/3821473722_ab282538dd.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3821473656/" title="IMG_7019 (1) by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="IMG_7019 (1)" height="240" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2616/3821473656_54bdf8bde4.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3821473606/" title="IMG_7018 (1) by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="IMG_7018 (1)" height="240" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2594/3821473606_624dff0d94.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
first floor bath before (previous owner):<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/454750856/" title="7827 SE Carlton - Bathroom2 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="7827 SE Carlton - Bathroom2" height="240" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/176/454750856_c45f023847_m.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
first floor bath after:<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3821474398/" title="IMG_7026 (1) by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="IMG_7026 (1)" height="240" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3431/3821474398_d7b0e75645.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3883117046/" title="se carlton 009 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="se carlton 009" height="180" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3516/3883117046_8c72eb0d37.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3345362117/" title="First Floor Bath 034 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="First Floor Bath 034" height="240" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/3345362117_f71ff48171.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">second floor </span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">120 SF dormer addition, including new windows and skylight (fall 2007); built new bathroom with all new insulation, plumbing and electrical service, new lighting, hardware and fixtures, marble floors, salvaged clawfoot tub and stained glass windows (June 2008); added combination walk-in closet and laundry room (fall 2008); finished staircase with oak treads and stained banisters (fall 2008); sanded and painted softwood floors (winter 2008).</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">before (previous owner):<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/454764971/" title="7827 SE Carlton - 2nd flr back rm3 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="7827 SE Carlton - 2nd flr back rm3" height="180" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/243/454764971_2f21bcdc02_m.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/454750244/" title="7827 SE Carlton - 2nd flr back rm2 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="7827 SE Carlton - 2nd flr back rm2" height="180" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/228/454750244_6b5df8e2cb_m.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/454750286/" title="7827 SE Carlton - 2nd flr back room facing front rm by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="7827 SE Carlton - 2nd flr back room facing front rm" height="180" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/200/454750286_ec6ce16856_m.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/454765029/" title="7827 SE Carlton - 2nd flr front rm by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="7827 SE Carlton - 2nd flr front rm" height="180" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/243/454765029_358f381bb2_m.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
second floor after:<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3117371152/" title="Master Bedroom 043 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="Master Bedroom 043" height="180" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/3117371152_faf27323ac_m.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3883117026/" title="se carlton 010 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="se carlton 010" height="180" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2652/3883117026_e62f2a12b0.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3882323095/" title="se carlton 011 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="se carlton 011" height="180" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2455/3882323095_3d3f3d9af1.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3882323127/" title="se carlton 012 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="se carlton 012" height="180" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3430/3882323127_f5941ecc6c.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/2801394971/" title="Bathroom 2008 002 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="Bathroom 2008 002" height="240" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3155/2801394971_2086430031_m.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">exterior rear</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">removed porch enclosure and added wide porch stairs (summer 2007); built new fence (summer 2007); planted trees (summer 2007) and added professionally tended vegetable garden (summer 2008); refinished porch floor and rebuilt porch rails and columns (spring 2009)</span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">backyard before (previous owner):<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/454751134/" title="7827 SE Carlton - Exterior Rear2 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="7827 SE Carlton - Exterior Rear2" height="180" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/198/454751134_1c2c4b9c00_m.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
backyard after:<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3882323215/" title="se carlton 017 by na_praha, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img alt="se carlton 017" height="180" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3438/3882323215_e3470f1e4f.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
i'm no doubt forgetting something major here, but you get the gist - big project, big fun. now we're off to an even bigger project, building a person rather than a house, but it seems unlikely that this our last major renovation, even if we'll be on hiatus for some time. after all, we have a gaping hole in our bathroom ceiling right now - we just can't seem to buy a "turnkey" house...</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-66146100212365885802009-09-02T18:08:00.008-07:002009-09-09T11:26:37.207-07:00i could list all my excuses for not blogging SINCE APRIL...<span style="font-size:85%;">but i think everyone can pretty much knows them. needless to say, it's been a while. but here's the good news: i've lots to share - much too much for one post - so you can count on at least a few in the next few days, with an accompanying two million photos. i'll start by answering the question on every dance fan's lips: how did the Portland house turn out?<br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/tags/7827finalshots/show/"><span style="font-size:85%;">well, click here for a slideshow</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> of shots taken our last few days in the house, and then by our realtor once it was, yes, professionally staged. (oh! and it sold - today was closing, though drew was in washington state and i was in maryland when it happened, so it was a bit anticlimactic.)<br /><br />a few highlights:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3883116876/" title="se carlton 002 by na_praha, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2598/3883116876_ba30448526.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="se carlton 002" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3820668107/" title="IMG_7029 (1) by na_praha, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3437/3820668107_85ce900893.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_7029 (1)" /></a><br />the exterior finally painted, with help from drew's parents, our neighbors the palmer-moyers, and eileen and paul andersen. apparently, it takes a village.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3882323169/" title="se carlton 015 by na_praha, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3882323169_f1347f9fa7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="se carlton 015" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3821473722/" title="IMG_7020 (1) by na_praha, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/3821473722_ab282538dd.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_7020 (1)" /></a><br />the kitchen, all dolled up<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3883116924/" title="se carlton 004 by na_praha, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/3883116924_a144544fee.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="se carlton 004" /></a><br />our lovely refinished floors, and repainted walls, courtesy of an amazing crew of friends/volunteer painters (and perhaps more importantly, tapers) </span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;">basically, it turned out pretty well, thanks to a ton of help before AND after we left for our big cross-country trip - where else but Portland would you find neighbors willing to do hard labor (literally cleaning the house, clearing trash, and painting the porch steps) in exchange for a few Adirondack chairs and a hearty thanks? speaking of before and after, stay tuned for one of the house. remember this?</span></p><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/454750816/" title="7827 SE Carlton - Bathroom1 by na_praha, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/195/454750816_470f90c571.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="7827 SE Carlton - Bathroom1" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7383375.post-6913655216420912272009-04-26T17:08:00.002-07:002009-04-26T17:30:49.767-07:00curb appeal<span style="font-size:85%;">so, we've got a few changes to report around here:<br /><br />we have no kitchen:<br /></span><a title="Kitchen 5 by na_praha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3474037799/"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img height="500" alt="Kitchen 5" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3474037799_fa9db6454a.jpg" width="375" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Drew and his dad pretty much gutted it, drew ran new plumbing, electric and lighting (recessed!), and then he and our wonderful friend stephany installed drywall. this week d finished painting the walls that won't be covered by cabinets (not a lot of square footage there). The paint is my favorite new dove gray, which is essentially the color of unpainted drywall, so it doesn't look like much of a change in the photos:<br /><br /></span><a title="Kitchen Paint 001 by na_praha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3474861490/"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img height="500" alt="Kitchen Paint 001" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3327/3474861490_07d6cd0b6f.jpg" width="375" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br />drew turned up the original 1915 linoleum when he pulled out the lower cabinets. unsalvageable, but a cool artifact nonetheless, to be revealed the next time the cabinets are pulled out:<br /></span><a title="Kitchen 6 by na_praha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3474843460/"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img height="375" alt="Kitchen 6" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3474843460_9775ea781b.jpg" width="500" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br />the kitchen isn't the only thing missing these days: for a while, we didn't have a front porch. our contractor Majo and his team are replacing the front porch and stairs, and cleaning up the back porch, to enhance the all-important curb appeal:<br /></span><a title="Porch reconstruction by na_praha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3474846886/"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img height="500" alt="Porch reconstruction" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3570/3474846886_8b77a68c34.jpg" width="375" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Since this photo was taken, they've replaced the porch floor, roughed in steps, and started rebuilding the columns. i know, i know - i should take pictures. i figure i guarantee another post, and soon, if I don't, however.<br /><br />My own personal front porch is looking a bit different now, as well:<br /></span><a title="Jailhouse Bump by na_praha, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10516738@N00/3474039515/"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img height="500" alt="Jailhouse Bump" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3474039515_8a6b38c074.jpg" width="375" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1