Henry and I picked up these little starched doily baskets a few months ago at
Daiso:




The minute we arrived at home with them I decided I wanted to make some (go figure!). I finally got around to it today, and this is how they turned out:





I machine stitched the random bits of lace and fabric on first, then soaked the doilies in papier mache paste (the standard version: 5 cups boiling water + 1 cup cold water mixed with 1/4 cup flour) and molded them onto bowls covered in foil. Next (because I like instant gratification) I put them in the oven at 200 degrees for a few hours to dry. They are stiff enough to hold lightweight items (hair rubberbands next to the bed and receipts on my desk) but would not be able support too much weight.
Looking for alternative methods I searched "doily bowl project" and the first one on the list was from design*sponge and suggested a product called Paverpol. This method looks far superior to mine and I would like to try it, as well as liquid starch. Has anyone tried either of these?

Just added to the shop!

Lamps made of random dishes seem to be popping up everywhere these days...

Anthropologie


Country Living Magazine
Of course, I had to try one, too! This was not as easy as I had originally thought it would be, and there are parts of the lamp, with which I am not happy. I will definitely try another one, though. Josh thought it was pretty neat and we agree that a lamp (even if it's all wonky!) is a better use for all of my random cups and saucers than sitting in a the cupboard collecting dust.



Next up? Turning this hideous "before" into an "after":

Inspired by this pretty project featured on design*sponge last week, I decorated a plain pine nightstand (no before photo--sorry!!) with some bits of trim, new knobs and a fresh coat of paint. This nightstand has been here forever and for some reason it really irritated me. Now I love it!

p.s. this was super easy. I started and finished it last night. I will admit to taking some shortcuts--I wanted to get it done before josh (who does custom millwork) got home from his corned beef and cabbage dinner and laughed at me busting out the handsaw!

p.p.s the trim pieces I used were from Michael's; the knobs were from a Victorian apartment building my dad owned a million years ago; and the paint was leftover from another project.

I am sure you have seen this by now, but I am posting it, anyway. These two are the cutest.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

After falling in love with the Barquentine skirt (via Fieldguided) I decided to try to make something similar to wear this spring. I modified a pattern by Jenny Gordy for Stitch Magazine. This is what I ended up with:








P.S. Henry was my photographer.
He must have said something really funny right here:

Good job, Buddy!

P.P.S.
Curious about the fabric I used? THIS!!:

my desk

this poor coffee table has been sitting in the garage for six months waiting to be finished. originally belonging to my mom, it has been in this house for at least 30 years, and had been painted four times (that i can remember). i started (and then stopped) stripping it six months ago, but was too lazy to finish. until yesterday.

although i am still not in love with it, it is WAY better than it was, and looks at home in the family room.


no more balancing coffee mugs on the arms of the sofa!

Sunday Laundry Shirt Dress GIVEAWAY!!!!

Sunday Laundry Shirt Dress GIVEAWAY!!!!

Kathleen, the very talented seamstress at Grosgrain is giving away this beautiful dress, made by her own two hands. For more information and to enter, please click on the link above. Good luck! I know my fingers are crossed...

p.s. there has been a request for me to add "keep josh's sock drawer full" to this list. i'll get right on that. :)

lucky finds at the goodwill shop...

four handmade cotton dishcloths

plaid wool throw

brand new, never been worn keds (i know you will appreciate these, sarah and amy!)

and, not actually from the goodwill shop, but a lucky find, nonetheless...






Mike Perry is **SO** talented! i can't wait to start applying these!

a peek of spring!

we are starting our garden from seed this year (as opposed to buying starters from the lady at the farmer's market) and our first baby buds are starting to pop through!
there has been a lot going on lately, and some big projects are being wrapped up. sometimes i need a break from all of the inspiration on the internet to sort my thoughts and do some creating of my own. with all of the lovely images and ideas to absorb, it is easy for me to suffer from information overload!
as such, please excuse sparse posting during the past few weeks. i am looking forward to photographing and sharing with you what we have been up to!