wise craft

modern bungalow

One of the most thoughtful gifts I received at Christmas was from Peter's dad. He precut all the pieces, ordered the window starts, and gave me the plans to build a mid-century bungalow dollhouse from a wonderful book Peter's mom has, The International Dolls House Book.

Right now it doesn't look like too much really, a stack of wood, some windows, trims, and random tiny things like doorknobs and hinges. This is a true barnraising from scratch. First I'll have to build and assemble it, then paint and decorate it. There are some plans in the book to make furniture too, I may actually play with that, we'll see how long the structure takes.

And all this will be with Emma's help of course, she's like the dollhouse fairy when it comes to the world of teeny tiny things. She has already said I should paint the tiny cuckoo clock I bought for it a bright green, like the one I did for holiday).

My sister-in-law Jen got the pieces for the Gypsy Caravan, so we rewatched some Carnivale over the holidays, purely for research. I love that series.

I've created a new category for Dollhouse here on the blog so you can follow the progress. Once I move into the basement and claim it as my studio, I'll have room to work on this and spread out a little, so I'll be posting some progress regularly. So excited!

<><><>

I wanted to thank ParentMap for featuring the tissue Valentines with Emma's classmates in their Valentine projects in their 15 Valentine's Day Crafts for 2011. They have compiled a list of wonderful projects, very doable with kids.

Thank you to Rhythm of the Home for featuring some of Emma and Ian's handmade Christmas gifts this year.

I am way behind on answering emails, if you are waiting on an answer from me, don't worry, it's coming!

Happy Monday!

B

 

stool cover

You may remember this little stitched stool from the holiday Value Village shoot I did late last year. I love the stitching on it, but over the weekend, I was teaching myself some traditional crocheted granny squares and I had an idea inspired by Ingrid's gorgeous stools.

I did several small, 2-round granny squares (the easiest instructions I've found for these are here). I tend to do things like this over and over, till it feels as if those movements are actually imprinted in my brain. Suddenly, I can suddenly crochet a granny square out of cooked spagetti without even trying.

Well, ok, actually, that would be a stretch.

My little project got the nod from Gracie. She liked the cream yarn I was adding around the finished squares (just a half double crochet stitch all the way around, doing 3 at each corner.) I attached them all together using this method, which has become my favorite. I just can't seem to do the sew-in method very well, at least not yet.

In a matter of an afternoon, I had myself a bonafide stool cover. Not nearly as lovely or well-made as Ingrid's, and it doesn't fit perfectly, but I'm still proud.

I think this may be going into my new basement studio (yes! we've found office space for Story Trading, so it will be moving off campus and the big switcharoo will begin sometime in February). I'm so excited to get down there and spread out.

details at home

or, its rightful title, Detaljer Hemma.

I treated myself to this book recently (most definitely a treat, its not cheap) and have been pouring through its cheery pages since it arrived on Saturday. This book is really a tribute to carefully considering what we have in our home already, instead of discarding it just because we may simply want something new. What attracted me most when I decided to buy it is how it shows page after page how random groups of meaningful items can be displayed to look great, out in the open, used, and enjoyed in daily life. I struggle constantly with displaying things around the house...how much is too much, should there be a theme, should I care so much. I have things I love, my whole family does, as we all do, and I want them around us. This book is inspiring me.

 

On a side note, I would pay cash money to see Emma's room this clean just once.

I love the way the rooms look curated with hand-me-downs, rather than all purchased and staged (or feeling that way at least).

Makes a home feel like it has a soul, don't you think?

Available here. Victoria has more images here.

<><><><>

Today is Peter's birthday! I really thank my lucky stars every day for this man, but especially today. Sushi and cupcakes later!

 

last week's thrift scores

I made the trip to my absolute Mecca of all Goodwill stores here in Seattle, the big one down on Dearborn Ave.

Folks, this store could quite possible take an entire day to go through.

At least three times the size of the one near me, which I thought was big.

People are really giving a lot of stuff away these days.

I really do try to not buy things simply because "'m there, and there it is, it's so cute, and oh why not?". Truth be told, I was so overwhelmed in that store, it was only my second time in there. I think I actually got a little dizzy. Its  H U G E.

I shouldn't be telling you all this, should I?

Anyway, I didn't get through the whole store, I had chocolate to deliver. I never even made it to the furniture! or the women's section! I did manage to find some lovely fabric, a set of wooden salt and pepper shakers that I really love, a crazy vase that I forgot to take a picture of that's now in our bedroom, and some "s" napkins (that's snapkins). From Banana Republic, with the original tags still on.

Small, yet satisfying scores.

<><><><>

Now everyone in Seattle will now have no recollection that I ever told you this as soon as you read this sentence.

Really, that store sucks.

hearty, heartish, hearts

If you are looking for a fun, quick, addictive project (because I'm sure you, like me, are always finding yourself with nothing to do, right?), these small crocheted hearts are so sweet! I sat yesterday while the kids were at their after school activities and did a bunch of them. I think I'll make them into a Valentine's garland of some sort. (Found via Maize Hutton.) I am mixing them with larger crocheted hearts (pattern found here) and maybe some miniature granny squares.

I always say I will use my stash for little projects like this. That's why these are in this pink, cream, charcoal heather and grey heather yarn, it's what I had on hand. But then, as usual, I start imagining other colors, that I don't have.

It never really is about busting the stash for me. Not entirely. There, I said it...

<><><><>

Big excitement here at the wise craft house (because we're geeky and like to watch funny TV) - Portlandia premieres on IFC tonight (you can actually watch a full episode on their website). From the previews alone, its our new favorite show.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

 

xo,

Blair

storybook

There you have it, the one piece of evidence that I actually tried to scrapbook. Once.

Actually, I am so happy that I found this little story book I made for Emma for her 4th birthday. (Another reason to clean out the basement.) This little tale was in pretty heavy rotation at bedtime for a while, I put fancy beaded ballet-themed stickers all through it and she was in love with them. Tucked inside the front and back cover is the program and the ticket stubs from the performance day.

Look at that sweet little pixie face. 

haute couture

I am so happy to bring even a small smile to your faces with my thrifting antics. Some things for sale out there are just too good to let go unnoticed. And Sarah commented that she saw that tree thing at the same thrift store in someone's cart!

There goes the dream folks. I can never fully realize what that tree could have become.

Which leads me to this next little tidbit...

My friend EJ Armstrong has an amazing eye for affordable art and a knack for finding hidden gems on ebay. She regularly posts her favorite art picks on the Armstrong Studio blog. I love that she does the looking for us, and am always interested in her newest finds and reading about why she likes them. This lady knows her stuff. A few weeks ago, she posted the very affordable fashion illustration above, and I pounced. It is described as a "1960 Schiaparelli Fath Fashion drawing". Drawn by Serge Matta, a designer who worked under Elsa Schiaparelli. It feels authentic, definitely hand drawn and hand stamped. Schiaparelli was a designer I loved when I studied costume history in college. Even still, its just a sweet little dress. It feels very simple and elegant, and I love the slight touches of red. Once I frame it I will most likely hang it in our master bath with Peter's grandmother's illustrations, or maybe in our closet, that might be fun.

And admit it, all the touches of red in this little number make you think of that tree, right??

<><><>

Thank you to all who came out for the opening of the collaborative art show at Assemble last Friday. There were 1000 mile an hour winds that night, so some of the folks who came in were probably blown in by accident, but no matter, all were welcome! I put a few pictures up on the wise craft facebook page (and I chose not to share the picture Peter took of me because it is terrible). The show is up until February 8th.

how thrifting happens here

Last week, I mentioned to a friend that "I had a great day thrifting today." To which my friend, looking puzzled, asked, "Exactly what does that mean?"

Blerg.... Obviously, a novice.

Most likely, you know what I mean. Nothing mind-blowing was found, but it was just a pleasant day. Thrifting, listening to 80's music, coffee in hand, alone, it was bliss. This particular day yielded some great fabric (which is now in the wash) and some really simple, pretty white dishes. My latest obsession is finding white dishes. I just love them. Fun to look for, inexpensive, and go with everything.

I am not the sort of thrift shopper who often sees something huge, the perfect thing, and calls Peter, pleading to bring the bigger car. (I don't think he would even come, maybe I should try sometime.) In fact, he's always a little apprehensive of what I might bring home, since our mantra these days is "get rid of it if we don't use it".

But I do enjoy making him think I've completely lost my mind when I'm thrifting.

By sending him pictures of things I find that are ever so slightly wrong, but oh so right.

I love my Iphone for the sheer ability to send a little panic Peter's way while he's working.

Here's our exchange from the other day-

Me: "I just found the coolest lamp ever! Wooden, prob handmade, so confusing its perfect! Look!"

Peter: "Huh?...":

Me: "If it works?.. its mine!!!!"

Peter: "What for????"

Me: "Um, light! What do u mean? Are you looking at it? Its crazy!"

(few minutes later)

Me: "Sorry to disappoint, doesn't work. Damn!"

(later, next store)

Me: "Look, even better!"

Peter: "Do NOT bring that home!!"

 

I just wanted you guys to see what you have missed showing up here at the wise craft house.

Who would even need another decoration for Christmas when you've got that, that, that thing up there?? I ask you.

winter mode continued

Thank you for all the great comments and tricks you shared for your own winter survival mode yesterday. (I chimed into the comments, but typepad connect gets a little weird sometimes and I'm never sure if they notify you when I respond). If anyone out there has the winter blahs, be sure and read through the comments of the last post.

In fact, you guys got me thinking about a little DIY project that involves the sweaters pictured. I'll show you more next week. Totally inspired by yesterday's post.

More inspiration spotted around the net-

crocheted stool cover

lace shade

Forest Friends Slippers

Cardboard logs

Amina's crocheted pouf

winter mode

Some of you asked to see a picture of what how the candle cozies look when lit. Here's a picture of the one I kept. Looks kind of cozy, right? Candles are high on my list of things necessary for mentally surviving winter, even higher than fresh flowers. We hardly use them in the summer months, but when the house is closed up and dark in winter, I love them, they really lift my mood.

There are a few other things I find myself doing during the winter months, one of which is putting a few lamps around the house on timers. I really dislike looking up from a day's worth of work only to see that the whole house is suddenly dark. Somehow, a few lights popping on throughout the house just when its its getting dark is good for me mentally, I like it.

Also, as crazy as it sounds, I open each of the bedroom windows just an inch or two, for just a few minutes every morning. Psychologically, it feels like its letting more fresh air in than it probably is...but still. The thought of stale air makes me crazy.

What about you? I'd love to hear what things you do around the house specifically during the winter months. Do you have forced bulbs blooming around the house? Maybe you cook more? Make a point of getting outside and walking every day? What's your trick?