recent pins

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floral wallpaper

Inspired by this pin, I used my leftover halloween costume to make floral(ish) wallpaper. It didn't come out nearly as good as my book wallpaper, but it adds an interesting element to my otherwise bland and random office.

Sorry for the crap photos! There's no window in this room which makes shooting anything look terrible.

recent pins

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Don't forget to enter the 1000th post giveaway! More info here.

diy: rope necklace

Recently, I pinned this leather rope necklace I found here. I loved the look of the piece but not its $496 price tag. After visiting the incredible creations at the Museum at FIT, I was feeling especially inspired (it also doesn't hurt that the museum is walking distance to my favorite trim store). Instead of leather, I used a thread-based rope, which produced a fairly similar look:

All in, I think the materials cost me around $8 including the hardware (I already had pliers and E6000 at home). Jeff thinks its weird to wear a rope around your neck, but as with his usual fashion suggestions (matching is so overrated) I choose to ignore him. It's cute, right?

tis the season

New York apartments are notoriously small and mine is no exception. There might be room for two bikes and our booze collection, but sadly, there isn't room for a Christmas tree. No matter! A little tape and a couple holiday cards, and voila! My very own space saving Christmas tree. You'll notice I've only received three holiday cards this year - I guess that's what happens when you move twice in two years. If you send me a card, I'll add it to my tree!

the brooklyn christmas tree

Your eyes do not deceive you - this is indeed a christmas tree made from PBR cans, metro cards and tennis shoes.

Photos by me.

bracelets

Tracey made me a couple bracelets.
Thanks TC!!

halloween fail

I was really looking forward to my first New York Halloween - we had a party to go to, I had a costume that I actually liked, things were happening. But the party turned out to be a different night than we thought and there was that freak snowstorm. Then last night rolled around and I just wasn't feeling it - no where to go, allergies ablaze and no motivation. So, here is the costume I would have worn had the pieces fallen into place: Rose Garden, complete with tissue paper flowers (above) and a bird bath hat (below).

a hat for sam

How cute is baby Sam in his mouse hat?! I'm kvelling.
Thanks to Sara for the pic!

in progress

Some projects I'm working on....

pom pom flowers

Thinking of making some pom pom flowers this weekend.....also thinking about sleeping in and over-eating.....decisions, decisions...

pot heads

On the way back to Albuquerque from the Jemez Mountains, we stopped by Weasel & Fitz gallery in Madrid. These pieces from S.D. Meadows made me laugh. Maybe I'll try to make my own!

cuff

The above is meant to be worn as a bracelet, but I'm thinking of making a larger version to use as a wreath.
Via Hannah.

yarn wreath

Using some of the yarn Eunice sent me, and this embroidery hoop bought a few years ago at Scrap, I fashioned this simple wreath for my front door...it doesn't exactly fit, but I still think it looks cute.

book wallpaper, part two

My book wallpaper isn't doing so hot (a couple 100º+ days are to blame) but since I've recently decided that it's a temporary installation, its become less disappointing. What should I make with the pages? This garland is cute, and with the holidays coming, a wreath might be nice.

Along the same lines, a couple of starbursts might be interesting....

or a leaf inspired garland...?

a bevy of baby gifts

With all the babies being born lately, I have become a one-woman-baby-gift-making-machine. Baby girl Dorrance received a matching booties and bonnet set (above and below).

Owen got this hat for those harsh Chicago winters:

Jack got a pair of green booties:

And baby O'Neill got this gender neutral hat:

 

People! Stop procreating! I can't keep up! 

knitted lampshade

Knitted lampshades! Cool......
via Swiss Miss

shiny and sparkly

I don't know about you, but living in this glittery alcove looks pretty sweet to me.

book clutches

Speaking of books, these book clutches from Kate Spade are pretty darn cute....since I can't afford the $325 price tag, I wonder if its possible to make my own....?

Via Jordan.

book wallpaper diy

Here are the steps I used to make book wallpaper without actually gluing it to the wall:
1. Find a book you are willing to part with. In my case, The Dead Father's Club was mysterious left on the windshield of my car back when I still lived in San Francisco. It was meant to be!
2. Remove pages from the book by removing the outer cover OR leave said book in the back of your car for the next few months. Make sure to park car in bright sunlight. The spine will come off all on its own!

3. Collect loose pages and discard any that are torn, crinkled or repeat the word "condom" all over the page (unless you want THAT kind of wallpaper).

4. Measure your wall and determine how many pages you'll need width-wise. Do the same for the height.
5. Using packing tape, carefully tape the pages together. This is kinda tedious. Put the TV on, or listen to NPR while doing this. If working by an open window, use books or cooking magazines to hold down the taped pages while you work.

6. Once you have taped enough pages together to meet your desired height and width, CAREFULLY transport your wallpaper to its intended home. Having a friend to help is good.
7. Thumbtack or pushpin wallpaper to wall. Tack all four corners as needed.

That's it! When you are ready to take it down, simply remove the pushpins and recycle!