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A few bits of DIY, projects and ideas. Some funny stuff too.
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Crafting Bridal Shower
My friend Grasie of Style Me Grasie is getting married in June, and her bridal shower was last weekend. When she asked me to help with a group craft project for her shower, I said, “OF COURSE!”
The lovely hostess Naomi wanted everyone to make things for the bride and groom, so I brainstormed and decided on 2 projects: Stamping wooden coasters and tea towels. I made the coasters out of the same wood I am using to make Grasie’s wedding table numbers, some lovely sugar pine. I planed the wood down to 3/8″, cut the pieces to 4″x4″ and rounded the corners.
For the tea towels, I got some flour sack towels from amazon.
I got some kitchen-themed stamps from Michaels, and also from a wonderful shop on etsy called Talk to the Sun. I got 3 sets, some flowers, glasses, and houses. I wanted to buy his whole shop, the stamps are all so amazing! Great quality handmade rubber stamps, all thick enough that they need no backing!
I got a whole bunch of Martha Stewart acrylic paint and fabric medium, some paintbrushes and foam brushes, and off I went to the shower! Everyone got really into it and had a great time. It was a great way for people who didn’t know each other to interact, and we were left with some great momentos of the day for Grasie and her fiance, Damien.
Taking the plunge.
Crafts and cocktails!
Grasie and me. Photo by Naomi.
Read the tutorial after the jump!
DIY Bird Feeder Round-Up
The cats and I have been noticing a few birds in the garden lately, which made me think about building a birdhouse or a birdfeeder out there. Here are a few that appealed to my modern or minimalist aesthetic:
1. Mid Century Modern Birdhouse from Curbly
2. Modern birdhouse with minimal tools needed from Curbly
3. $10 Bird Feeder from Teal & Lime
4. Minimal Bird Feeder from Life on the Balcony
5. Tall Birdhouse Trio from Lowe’s Creative Ideas
Webseries is a wrap.
I just realized that we shot the webseries exactly 2 months after my Kickstarter ended. How funny! Yesterday was a blast, we had a great crew and very funny guests. Jack was there the whole time to make sure I got everything right (and I did!) We shot 4 different videos and covered the band saw, planer, vertical belt sander, drill press, table saw, and the lathe. I think some people on the crew became converts; the make-up artist turned her own pen on the lathe before she left! I think these videos are going to do what I wanted them to do, which is take the mystery out of the woodshop and show people than anyone can do it, and it’s fun!
Here are some behind the scenes photos:
Condiments Workshop
Yesterday I talked about making my own stocks, pastas, etc. I forgot to mention that I’m going to be making my own condiments now as well! One of my favorite stores in LA, Poketo, is hosting a condiments workshop by this guy, Zach Negin.
We’ll be making our own Whole Grain Mustard, Lacto-fermented Ketchup, and a Vegan Worcestershire Sauce and SRIRACHA!! Read more about it here. I can’t wait!
Patience is a virtue
All winter long, I watered my blueberry bush. I fed it each month. A few weeks ago it started blooming, and now check it out! The first blueberry of the season. Look at that fat lil’ guy!
Gardening has taught me to plan ahead, and to have patience. I had no idea when I built my garden beds and planters last summer that I would be so into it. That I would be that lady at the (plant, not baby) nursery talking to other gardeners, sharing tips and tricks. Knowing what is in season has changed the way I select and cook food. I dry my own herbs, put up my own pickles, and this summer, plan on canning a bunch of tomatoes. I have started making my own stocks, my own granola, my own pasta. The only thing I still buy that is processed are those 12 grain crackers from Trader Joe’s (because they are delicious and making my own crackers seems like a giant pain in the ass) and cheese. Maybe I’ll take a cheese making course. I never would have guessed I would be this person. But I like it.
Wood Kitchen
Obsessed. This is what I want, and I could so build it.
More wood kitchens at the style file.
Updated side table
I bought this table at a flea market when I first moved to LA, over 10 years ago. I liked its mid-century lines then and still do now, but it’s showing some wear and tear.
