Under $5 Thrift Finds: Golden Hands

I was lucky enough to score two whole binders of Golden Hands periodicals (for $2.50 each)! They are definitely an inspiration to flip through plus the projects go in-depth on explaining technique of various crafts. Some of the projects are a little too out there for me, but I'm keeping them all nonetheless.

 

Under $5 Thrift Finds: Knit Magic

This little machine made my most recent thrift excursion a success! Totally planning to have this gem on display when I move to my new apartment.

maybe print is not dead

Print Is Not Dead from Anthology Magazine on Vimeo.

Beautiful video advertising the new Anthology Magazine.

Under $5 Thrift Finds

A mysterious grab bag for $1.99 doesn't look too exciting at first glance.



But the contents are amazing. Metallic rick rack, pretty pink grosgrain ribbon, sailboat ribbon and some lace trim!

Happy fall ya'll

I used to say spring was my favorite season but I am really digging fall in DC right now.

This may be very bad for my purse

I can only imagine the wonderful treasures I will covet...

My Dayjob Workspace

With a little handmade flair my new cubicle is quite cozy.

hello deer

Today I went to meet my old college roommate for brunch in Adams Morgan. From my underground lair I assumed it was a chilly fall day. But no, it was warm and wonderful. Thus the reason why I went to visit my friend Daisy after eating to find a suitable outfit to wear. I scooped up this gorgeous Betsey Johnson dress. Yes those are deer in the pattern. I love this dress. Also I apologize for somewhat crappy cell phone picture we took of it.

Maganda Design at Crafty Bastards

Crafty Bastards was an absolute blast this year. I got to share a booth with my friends and fellow Hello Craft ladies Kim and Liz. We were right next to the Etsy booth and right by the spectacular Make Something Awesome Area at the Hello Craft booth.

Here are a few photos from the day I stole from flickr. My booth with lots of shoppers:

Me obviously thinking super hard as I explain something to a customer:

And here are my famous "explanin' hands" in action:

Things I Love: Sept. 4 Edition

I started my new job so I moved to a new desk at work. Before I was in a really large room without any private space. Now that I have a little cubicle I feel more apt to try and make the space my own.

Thus I've been stalking Ebay and Etsy for the perfect desk lamp for the past week. And I've finally found one. I can't wait until it arrives in the mail:

I also needed a new mousepad and found an Etsy seller that creates them with licensed images. This one with featuring a lovely panda from Berkley Illustration fit the bill perfectly for my new desk:

And if I had enough spare cash + wasn't worried my work neighbors would be bothered by the clanking sound I'd totally buy this USB typewriter:

Something else I am coveting and will probably end up purchasing since I need all the organization help I can get [from See Jane Work]:

Also behind me is a terrible blank white wall with the paint peeling. I've already decided the best way to cover this up without leaving any permanent marks in the walls is to go the embroidery hoop with pretty fabric way. I already do this in my apartment and it's great. Here's an example from Apartment Therapy of what I'm thinking:

Things I Love: Aug. 29 Edition

If I shelled out a bunch of money this fall for new clothes I would gladly choose solely from the Dear Creatures fall lookbook. And since I am getting a sweet raise due to my new job I think this will surely happen.

This really cracks me up, as we've all had conversations using the same type of babble:
http://whatthefuckismysocialmediastrategy.com/

Everytime I go to the farmers market I end up spending all my money on fresh produce. Fall is just around the corner and the fresh veggies I have been eating all summer will soon be no more. Thus it's on my list to plan a time for canning. This tutorial from Modish rules as does the book on canning my Hello Craft pals gifted to me for my birthday.

And delighting my ears recently has been the new EP from Sufjan Stevens. Titled "All Delighted People" it is streaming here. I've been listening obsessively to it.

weekend work in progress: green open lace

I've been working on an open lace pattern this weekend. Beautiful emerald merino wool gifted to me from a co-worker. She purchased it at the newly opened Looped Yarn Works.

I'm the dog that ate your birthday cake

Today is a Sparklehorse type of day.

fancy knitting ladies

from my Mon Tricot, KNIT & CROCHET Special "The Knitters' Basic Book". Printed in France.

The Granny Square Project: Day 35

orange & gold and gold & orange.

a dozen roses

dress: thrifted, $5

belt: estate sale, $2

shoes: Urban Outfitters

Look at the floral print. I LOVE this floral print. I want to wear this dress everyday.

The Granny Square Project: Day 34

after a longer hiatus that I would have liked, The Granny Square Project is back :)

just a little break

With my upcoming trip to Portland for the Summit of Awesome I'm taking a little break from here. I'll be with Hello Craft helping produce this amazing event as well as speaking on two panels and leading one workshop. I also plan on buying plenty of skeins of yarn and other amazing handcraft goodies at the Show of Awesome. I must remember to take plenty of pictures. This is my first trip to the West Coast and I'm super excited for this trip.

Before I go to straighten out last minute details before we leave next Monday, I want to share two very important pieces of information with one picture:

Yes I got a super cute haircut. And yes I finally found the perfect chambray shirt in my thrift travels.

The Granny Square Project: Day 33

A handful of fabric scraps leftover from a skirt I made helps to create a lovely granny.

The Granny Square Project: Day 32

The Granny Square Project: Day 31

The Granny Square Project: Day 30

The Granny Square Project: Day 29

Made with newly purchased yarn from Woolarina at last Sunday's Handmade Mart.

The Granny Square Project: Day 28

This granny is brought to you by late-morning coffee and the new album by The Black Keys. Especially this song.

The Granny Square Project: Day 27

Another tiny granny, this one in pale blue embroidery floss.

The Granny Square Project: Day 26

The Granny Square Project: Day 25

Such a handsome mini granny made with emerald embroidery floss.

The Granny Square Project: Day 24

Just like yesterday's granny only smaller, more pink and made with embroidery floss.

The Granny Square Project: Day 23

 

Mini pink granny in the garden.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN

I know, I know I've been virtually missing for a week. No updates and perhaps most sadly no new grannies to share with you. But the good news is I'm back and so are my granny squares!

And I probably owe an explanation of where I've been and the answer is just insanely busy. Extremely busy for happily all good reasons.

Last week (where my posting took a halt) I went up to New York City for training at Google. Yes that Google. First of all, their offices rule and I pretty much never wanted to leave. Secondly, I had to wake up before the crack of dawn to make my 4:30 a.m. train which has since really messed up my sleep schedule.

I also got to stay at the Algonquin Hotel. Anyone who knows me personally most likely knows my deep affection for Dorothy Parker so this was a real treat for me.

While in New York I slipped out and ran down to the fashion district got some cheap fabric from Paron Fabrics and some a few pretty notions from my favorite little New York shop M&J Trimmings. Then I made this amazing skirt with my new sewing machine.

Oh yeah I probably forgot to mention it was my birthday last week! A quarter of a century old. And my parents were kind enough to listen to my request and get me exactly what I wanted this kickass sewing machine.

I came back from New York and was surprised by a dozen roses and a beautiful vintage cast-iron patio set on my patio (which I type from you now) from my boyfriend. For my birthday, which also happened to be Mother's Day, we went to Shenandoah National Park to take a drive on the stunningly beautiful Skyline Drive.

We took only one short hike but were rewarded by a beautiful waterfall.

 And sadly the only animal I really got to see was a deer licking the middle of the road for some weird reason.

 Since all the birthday activities and my big New York trip I've been playing catch up with work at my day job and with my fun job. We've just announced the schedule for our Summit of Awesome in June and the event and the planning that goes into it is probably why I haven't lost my sanity yet.

The Granny Square Project: Day 22

The Granny Square Project: Day 21

It's a dreary, gray day here in D.C. just like this little granny.

The Granny Square Project: Day 20

The Granny Square Project: Day 19

The Granny Square Project: Day 18