knitsquirrel

so busy

2011-05-19T06:34:00.000-05:00

only have time for pretty pictures; they're over here

summer shoes...

2011-04-11T06:16:00.001-05:00

...of my dreams. These don't really go with Karin's stockings (or do they? no, not really), but I wish I had these on my feet this morning.

Prada brogues seen on Beautiful Shopping blog.

get back to work

2011-02-14T08:08:00.000-06:00

A very nice March issue of UK Elle Decoration includes these desks ~

Alfonso Vallès & Verginie Denny's home, photo by Petra Bindel

Juan Gatti's home, photo by Richard Powers

so excited...

2011-02-07T22:48:00.001-06:00

...to see this!

it's monday ~ back to work!

2011-02-07T06:50:00.001-06:00

Look at this! ~ A whole blog, by Kate Donnelly, featuring desks of creative folks, from the desk of..., with Q&A about the work habits of the featured desk owners. Some of my favorites...

Jessica Hische
Hmm, I may have posted her desk before...that's okay, it's a good one.

The Heads of State
Sunlight! I like it! I think I may borrow this wall of clipboards idea. Love those vintage-y drafting stools, reminds me of Real Work. I can still feel that metal under my shoulder blades reminding me to sit up straight.

Milton Glaser
Look, no computer. Even if he had only one clipboard and a knee to balance it on, he'd still be a genius.

Have a great Monday!

If you'd like me to feature your workspace here on Back to Work Monday, send me an email/photo at knitsquirrel@yahoo.com.

obsessed

2011-02-04T08:29:00.000-06:00

I could happily spend the rest of my life trying to recreate the feeling I get from this space.

Architect and owner: Diana Kellogg
Photograph: David Giles for Elle Decoration UK, February 2011

Another view...

More, found on Desire to Inspire...

...and a couple years ago in New York Magazine

snow day

2011-02-02T13:49:00.000-06:00

old workwear buttons

2011-02-01T06:36:00.000-06:00

via Mr. Mort

richard pearse

2011-01-29T23:33:00.001-06:00

via

add a pair of these

2011-01-24T12:22:00.000-06:00

Prada woven shoes to the outfit below. Better.

last night

2011-01-23T09:09:00.000-06:00

I drank some wine and made a minimalist spring Polyvore set. I'm outta control.

(Does anyone know what happened to Andrea Brueckner bags?)

thrift (& gift) report

2011-01-22T15:08:00.000-06:00

Thrifted this art book, wooden platter and rock today.

Yes, they charged me for the rock. WTH?

Anyway, when I was a kid, I used to walk uptown and visit the Benjamin Moore paint store (it wasn't an art supply store, but a paint store that also sold art supplies) and stare with longing at the How to Draw and Paint books, so I have a soft spot for them. I will try to dig up the others I have collected soon to show you how cool they are.

My new friend Karin, artist, blogger and all around sweet and funny person (and my coworker) surprised me yesterday with this bag that features one of her lovely illustrations. So nice!

help me choose

2011-01-04T06:08:00.000-06:00

I know I'm a little late, but at least it's still January, right? I'm having a tough time deciding between these three typographic beauties...

The Stendig Calendar by Massimo Vignelli, designed in 1966...

My usual choice, the 365 Typography Calendar, also known as the Pentagram calendar...

Or how about this one, the Classic Wall Calendar from Japan's MUCU?

And, this little guy is also being considered ... so nice & simple.

I'm leaning toward the MUCU, I think I love that canvas binding. What do you think?

back to work!

2011-01-03T06:52:00.000-06:00

Dreaming of summer, and a desk near an open window

Maybe even something a bit less rustic.

1, 2, 3

happy new year

2010-12-31T14:19:00.000-06:00

1, 2, 3, 4

xoxo
&
thanks for sticking with me!

happy

2010-12-23T09:46:00.000-06:00

Himmeli

2010-12-21T08:34:00.000-06:00

From artist Jeana Sohn's superb Closet Visit series, a visit with desigher Momo Suzuki.

I was very taken by her simple yet luxurious and creative style of dressing and living, and particularly the Himmeli which, according to one commentor, is "a traditional Finnish decoration at Christmas time (and) looks very modern and fresh in such a beautiful enviroment like Momo's." I would have to agree!

But no rush, there will be time after Christmas to learn how to put together something like this.

Here's you can use Elsie Marley's tutorial on the geometric Finnish straw ornaments.

You can also learn more about them over here.

back to work ~ short week!

2010-12-20T06:04:00.000-06:00

Designer/illustrator/typographer Jessica Hische's office, above.

100 years ago...
Government Printing Office, Typesetting, Washington circa 1910. (click on the photo for a much, much better view)
Via Shorpy.

Flashback Friday ~ Zona Home, Holiday, 1996

2010-12-17T20:50:00.003-06:00

I think Zona Home was the very first decor book that I purchased retail; it was $50, and in 1996 that was A. LOT of money for this squirrel.

Looking back now, Louis Sagar's vision of the home was really forward-looking for that time. I think his book was the one thing that dragged me (gently) out of the 80s and into a love of the kind of beautiful space where it's okay to bring in sticks and pods and bird's nests and God knows what else from outside to live with for awhile, and then to put back into nature when you're "done". Because of this, my husband would probably happily pummel Mr. Sagar.

When people talk about design in the 90s, they usually point to the monastic, minimalist thing that went on in fashion, but look at these photos! They are so packed with stuff, I can hardly tell what's going on in there. I spent hours reading this book, staring at the photos trying to figure out Sagar's "recipe".

The book includes a lot of thoughtful writing, as well as photos, and needs to be read over time to discover that what Sagar was really talking about back then (Sagar sold Zona Home which, by 1998, had expanded to 9 stores, to a private investment group) was trying to be more attuned to your environment, the seasons, the function of space in your home, ritual, the hand of the artist, and the true meaning of home.

Here's Zona Home's vision for the holidays, circa 1996. Happy weekend, everyone!

(click photos for larger, readable viewing)

back to work

2010-12-13T07:38:00.000-06:00

Ugh, I really don't want to go out there. It might be easier if I worked in one of these spaces...

1, 2

Flashback Friday ~ The Art of Dressing Up

2010-12-10T21:31:00.002-06:00

New Ingenue, December, 1973

simple + festive

2010-12-07T07:59:00.000-06:00

1, 2, 3, 4

back to work

2010-12-06T05:50:00.001-06:00

via pinterest & factory 20

Flashback Friday ~ Printing Circa 1943

2010-12-03T19:39:00.000-06:00

From a sweet little book entitled Arts and Crafts by Marguerite Ickis

2010-11-24T22:21:00.001-06:00

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you,"

that would suffice.

~ Meister Eckhart

lately...

2010-11-24T05:56:00.000-06:00

I'm usually attracted to rooms in varying shades of white and rustic wood, with black accents, and maybe a little rustic wood and black or white to break up the monotony. Yeah. With these two shots, however, again from Rue, of the home of jewelry designer Phoebe Stephens, plus three others recently plucked from Elle Decoration UK, I'm feeling drawn to these muted vegetal colors.

This last one, especially, just feels fresh.

new rue, issue two

2010-11-22T21:02:00.051-06:00

See how I did that there? The Nov/Dec 2010 issue of Rue is up ~
I am really loving the online magazines, I always know where they are, and they take up no space in the recycling. This issue is huge, nearly 300 pages, and really has something for everyone.
My favorites ~

A feature on Hello Handmade, the beautiful collaboration of Shanna Murray and Betsy Dunlap.

Designer Jessie Zinke's Chelsea loft.

Hinge Design Studio curator Angela Stone's Wicker Park (Chicago) home.

I guess I'm in a nesting kind of mood this week. More tomorrow...

short week monday

2010-11-22T06:41:00.003-06:00

Today I'm giving thanks for Thanksgiving and the three day work week. Can I get an amen?

Here are a few back-to-work workspaces I found on this gorgeous, inspiring and addictive tumbler blog called Convoy, which should really be renamed "Stuff Carlene Like." Cameras, bikes, plaid, menswear & shoes, lamps, black and white and modern rustic. Go there, you'll like it.

geek joy here

2010-11-15T13:29:00.000-06:00

You guys, I am geeking out. This has got my heart pounding in a manner usually reserved for shoes or chairs (which right there is already saying something, but whatever).

U&lc back issue downloads!!

I know some of you are going, okaaaay, but the rest of you are going, no freaking way!

Have I ever mentioned to you how much I love the internet?

flashback friday ~ winter boots

2010-11-12T19:33:00.004-06:00

I thought we'd take a look at another page from my beloved New Ingenue magazine collection, this time from November 1974. This winter boot feature was included in a collection of articles entitled "How to Get the Most For Your $". I've got to say, they knew what they were talking about. Style-wise, these have all really held up; I would be ecstatically happy to wear every pair shown. How about you?

I really love this illustration style, too, all crisp and neatly rendered

in profile.

Here's the magazine's where-to-buy...

Oh sigh.

Just for fun, I thought I'd go online shopping to try to find today's versions of those 70s styles, and recreate the layout for 2010. As far as where-to-buy, I've got that covered, too. I'm just sorry I couldn't match the 1974 prices for you.

I don't think I can adequately express how much fun this was for me. I need to try this again soon...

Enjoy, et bon weekend a tous!

1. Rubber Duck Snowjoggers; 2. J. Crew McAllister Wedge Boots;
3. Red Wing 6" Classic Moc; 4. Airwalk Desert Boot; 5. Sperry Figawi; 6. Danner Mountain Light II; 7. Frye Campus Boot 14L; 8. Hunter Original Wellington; 9. Marc Jacobs Tall Boot w/ Stud; 10. Fly London Mitz; 11. Rachel Comey Londerry Boot; 12. Clarks Desert Boot.

at auction in chicago

2010-11-11T18:36:00.001-06:00

Oh, hi!

* * *

A collection of sixty 60s Scandinavian peppermills. (I had speech therapy as a child, so I can say this.)

A collection of six Kay Bojesen animals.

A pretty handwoven wool carpet from the 50s (just one).

And a bunch of the most beautiful furniture and lighting on the planet. All Scandinavian Design, all on the block Nov. 18 at Wright. I may need to visit these things (just to look!)

oops, one more

2009-12-30T07:00:00.003-06:00

From totokaelo, love this outfit (I'm basically wearing a poor man's version of it as I type this), and the model is sort of a model-ized version of me, always a good thing to find on the internet.

Happy New Year, everyone!

not mine ~ still cute

2009-12-25T14:01:00.002-06:00

(I swiped these two from someone's facebook photos, they are so cute!)

Happy Holidays to all! I'll be back posting in the new year (2010! ~ it's the future already, where is my flying car??!!)

In the meantime, I'm going to try to freshen up this place, it's getting a little stale...maybe some dusting, a new coat of paint...

xoxo

knitting for dollars

2009-12-21T20:22:00.003-06:00

This (and things like this) are the reason no one I know gets a handknit gift from me at the holidays.

I'm always on a deadline! This one went to its recipient on Sunday. A customer at my local yarn store wanted a hat like this one from LL Bean, but with matching mittens. I used this pattern for the hat, then used this vintage pattern for the mittens (both are excellent patterns, by the way), copying the snowflake chart from the hat.

happy little frog linocut

2009-12-07T19:06:00.003-06:00

...in Tony's brand new etsy shop!

well, does it?

2009-11-24T19:11:00.003-06:00

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! (or a Happy Thursday, if you are outside the U.S.)

nau

2009-10-21T10:38:00.004-05:00

I have never looked at their accessories. Have they always had accessories?

I like this.

and this.

I also like that the men's and women's accessories are pretty much all the same items.

this happens in my office all the time

2009-10-19T18:30:00.001-05:00

Flashback Friday ~ Elsa Klensch

2009-10-15T18:59:00.006-05:00

I lived for this show.

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

pretty baby

2009-10-13T19:15:00.003-05:00

I just had to post a photo of the prettiest baby sweater, no, the prettiest sweater period, I've seen in a long time, from knotty bits. (Great blog name, too!) I am inspired.

back to work ~ monday's desk & walls

2009-10-12T06:15:00.004-05:00

Happy Monday. I say that with not a little sarcasm today. We're having some good sleeping weather in Chicago.

Maybe you've seen these spaces before, they've been around... I still like 'em.

Serene little space behind a wall from Martha Stewart.

Jody Levine's and

Hannah Milman's creative spaces from a feature on MSL staffers.

So, how do you get yourselves going in the morning? I'm usually a "morning person," but when it starts getting darker and colder, I just want to hibernate.

Flashback Friday ~ An Interview

2009-10-09T06:13:00.004-05:00

Click for larger, readable images.

From a gorgeous, amusing and still available used on Amazon (for widely varying prices) book by photographer Francesco Scavullo, Scavullo on Beauty, 1976.

Irving Penn 1917~2009

2009-10-07T19:46:00.002-05:00

RIP, Mr. Penn.

fashion week ~ ny ~ s/s 10

2009-09-17T22:17:00.003-05:00

Two of my favorite looks from fashion week. Apparently, I am all about the droopy, putty colored v-necks for spring.

Left, Calvin Klein; Right, Vera Wang

Style.com

guardian of the balcony

2009-09-10T06:03:00.005-05:00

near Fulton St., Chicago

goat giveaway

2009-09-08T06:14:00.007-05:00

Yes, you read that correctly. No, the goats are not mine. Yet. Just reporting.

Photo (and actual goats) courtesy of Martha's Vineyard / Hudson Valley Fiber Farm

A Raveler named Masange writes "...a careful perusal of my condo association’s CC&R’s finds there are no explicit rules forbidding the keeping of a small flock of angora goats in our patio enclosure." I do not recall seeing anything in our lease, either.

flashback friday ~ modern embroidery

2009-09-03T19:55:00.005-05:00

Today we're going back in time to 1972 for more embroidery, this time from Ike Rosen's Modern Embroidery. I didn't actually own this book in 1972 (most of my favorite books back then were owned by the Lansing (Illinois) Public Library), but just found it a couple years ago at a used book sale. While some of the styling/accessorizing hasn't really held up all that well (I Photoshopped a decorative box of cigarettes out of one of these shots), I think a lot of the designs still look pretty great.

There are charts and directions for all the projects, and there are quite a few.

I just checked Amazon, you can buy this book used there for a penny!

Have a great weekend, everyone! I'm off to Champaign-Urbana for a flashback of my own.

genius knock-off

2009-09-03T05:54:00.002-05:00

via Jak and Jil

tuesday's inspiration

2009-09-01T19:04:00.005-05:00

I've got a long, long way to get to a wardrobe that's anything like Camille's.

back to work ~ monday's desk

2009-08-31T06:03:00.005-05:00

Another screened-in-porch desk. From July/August 2009 Inside Out. Such a great idea, the way it's suspended like a shelf across the whole width of the room (such as it is).

some stuff

2009-07-30T06:27:00.008-05:00

to go with my cuff, from the fall/winter collection from Cotélac, a shop I've never been too (but I'm going this season, I swear).

because I'm right handed

2009-07-29T20:55:00.002-05:00

Charcoal Bone Cuff in ruthenium over copper, for left wrist. By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany.

back to work ~ monday's desk

2009-07-26T21:05:00.007-05:00

Hi readers! Here's your Monday's desk. This was so my style about 15 years ago. It still kind of might be, moreso if I had a summer vacation residence. I think this setup would work well on my imaginary screened porch, the one that faces the imaginary lake.

When I pulled this desk out of my files (it's from Martha), that lamp reminded me of this little sketch I did, also about 15 years ago. I was lying on my couch, and did a quick little still life of my side table.

Have a great Monday!

flashback friday ~ time travel

2009-07-25T21:09:00.006-05:00

I think the pages shown here are so cool I can barely stand myself. This article (from New Ingenue, of course) illustrates, literally, exactly what a young woman should pack for a summer trip to Europe circa 1974. All from the 1974 Spring/Summer Sears Catalog (page numbers and prices included!), which I'm sure I could track down on eBay eventually, but I'll bet they wouldn't take my order.

Look, the Kork-Ease Sandals (or a Sears knock-off, which would suit me fine) were $8.99.

It would not surprise me in the least if this entire collection showed up at APC next spring. (Side note: APC link leads to the new Fall collection, so don't forget to come back here.)

Seriously, just allow me one pair of black leggings, and I think I could totally survive in Europe for quite some time with this exact wardrobe, especially if I could substitute bifocals for that puff-sleeve tube-top.

flashback friday...

2009-07-24T06:01:00.001-05:00

...will resume on saturday. And, no, we won't be flashing back to friday, smarty pants.

if i were shopping

2009-07-21T06:15:00.005-05:00

I think I'd get this

from here

to wear with jeans and

these.

(I am at home sick today. Very sore throat. Ugh Maybe someone will get me some of this?)

ETA: even better~!

back to work ~ monday's desk

2009-07-19T20:25:00.010-05:00

Is it just me, or has Elle Decoration UK become pretty much the best interiors magazine available? For a while there they went all Verner Panton/Wallpaper magazine/Lenny Kravitz on me (not bad in moderation but, for me, a little soulless as a steady diet ~ sorry Lenny). Lately I've been finding something to love in every issue. Like this week's desk~

It's from an editorial from the July 2009 issue featuring the NYC apartment of photographer Ditte Isager, who, if you Google her name, is somewhat of a blogger favorite. If you haven't heard of her, chances are you've seen her photos in Martha or one of the zillions of other publications where her work has been published. Of course, she photographed her own home for this issue, and I can't resist showing you a bit more than a just a desk today, because it is pretty amazing.

Flashback Friday ~ Decorating Denim

2009-07-16T19:36:00.020-05:00

I don't remember a time when I wasn't doing some sort of craft, but the 70s were, often, all about embroidery. My fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Burt, had every kid in class (I cannot vouch that every kid in class actually did this, but it was a long time ago) design and sew an original embroidery project. How great is that? And she totally was not a hippie (I don't think). My design was a couple of (groovy) purple and orange flowers in a vase next to some books. Pretty conservative subject matter for a fifth-grader with carte blanche, but apparently I was a pretty conservative fifth-grader. At any rate, it was deemed good enough to earn a place of pride on my mother's living room wall, where it still hangs to this day. I know, no picture! Next time I visit mom...

Thanks to Mrs. Burt, I became a little bit obsessed with embroidery, and started taking books out of the library about crewelwork. In October, 1974, the aforementioned New Ingenue magazine published a cover article featuring the winners of the "Decorate Your Denim" contest.

I died.

After that, I was hooked. Out went the traditional crewelwork. In serious rotation from the library after that were American Denim: A New Folk Art by Peter Beagle

And Native Funk & Flash: An Emerging Folk Art by Alexandra Jacopetti. Both of which I now own, yay!

As you can probably tell from the majority of the examples I have decided to show you, I was a huge fan, and still am, of the hippie-rainbow-colored satin stitch, the more densely and compulsively sewn the better.

Back in those days, I was in band, played the guitar, I think I was crocheting, I may have been in some type of chorus, I attended school on a regular basis, studied and had pretty good grades, read a lot, chased boys and hung out with friends. When did I find time to embroider acres of satin stitch? Did I sleep? I still can remember how tough it was to get that needle and 3 strands of DMC through tough denim.

Sadly, I don't have a lot to show for all my work from this era, because a good portion of my embroidery was done for a friend's mother, who would pay me to embroider animals (I remember a leopard) and album covers (Cat Stevens!) on her jean jackets. But I did dig up a couple samples of my youthful handiwork to show you.

Replica of this album, the first album I ever bought with my own money. Vinyl. Oh, yes it was. With money I earned giving flute lessons to younger kids. This jacket? For a boyfriend, long gone.

This is a semi-replica of this album, from way back, back before Elton was gay. And stuff. This one started out life as a pocket, obviously, and spent a considerable amount of time sewn to the knee of my jeans, until the 80s came.

this made me laugh out loud

2009-07-16T19:21:00.003-05:00

From here, plus a little digital superhero enhancement from Tony V.

back to work ~ monday's desk

2009-07-12T16:49:00.005-05:00

Hi, readers! I hope everyone had a great weekend. Way too short.

Monday's desk is from the home office of architect Jeremy Levine, featured in the July/August issue of Dwell magazine. I love the birch veneer plywood and threaded steel rod construction of his desk/shelves. See a slide show of the rest of Jeremy and his wife Robin's amazing home, designed and built by Jeremy in L.A., right here.

Flashback Friday (100% Irony-Free)

2009-07-09T18:29:00.007-05:00

After spending quite a bit of time sifting through old books and magazines at estate sales, eventually it became clear to me that I was gravitating toward the same types of things, over and over -- publications from the early- to mid-seventies, mostly about crafts, decorating and fashion. I think I am a little bit older than most bloggers. Just a little. So I wanted to share a little bit of my formative years with those of you who didn't live through those times.

Starting this week, I'll be featuring a little something from my collection of books, magazines and posters on what I'm calling Flashback Friday. I say 100% irony-free because I love and sentimentalize the early- to mid-70s in a way that only someone who was a pre-teen/young teen during those times could, unaware as I was of any political or economic goings-on. Even though I admit there was a lot to, uh, disrespect about the 70s, I'm not going there. Well, not on Flashback Friday, anyway.

First is a crafting article from the July, 1973 issue of New Ingenue, which I think was my favorite magazine of all time. I think it was only published for two years or so, but it hit at just the time when I was forming my own aesthetic (as it is), and just looking through them gives me such inspiration, even still. There was such a sort of handmade vibe going at the time, and the very few color photos, actual human-made illustrations and handwriting, actually kind of helped fuel my imagination.

the rest of the story

2009-07-09T17:59:00.005-05:00

Because I know the suspense is killing you.

thrift report

2009-07-08T21:02:00.007-05:00

This is a really great find from an estate sale a couple weeks back, a type geek, vintage collector and dog lover's dream come true.

Linotype's Handy Digest of Today's Most Popular Body Faces. More tomorrow...

some models

2009-07-06T20:12:00.005-05:00

could still look great wearing a paper bag.

summer ties from Alexander Olch for Opening Ceremony.

back to work ~ monday's desk

2009-07-05T20:01:00.007-05:00

As some of you may already know, I love photos of other people's desks. Here's a serene little corner of a bedroom, from Met Home July/August 2009.

p.s. The Chef-An-Ette went for $78.90! See, I knew I couldn't buy it.

her mom thinks she's swell

2009-07-01T20:35:00.010-05:00

I found Brittany's blog after stalking and eventually purchasing a beautiful turquoise bracelet from her etsy shop, willowfibers, where she sells her handmade jewelry and textile crafts. (She also has another etsy shop for her vintage finds.) On My Mom Thinks I'm Swell (feels goofy to type that, although I'm sure my own mom does in fact think I'm swell), Brittany shares her crafty studies and adventures, flea market finds, recipes, garden, home and life as a student in the Midwest.

Brittany had a photo in her blog header of a beautiful shibori piece she had done, and I asked her if she would take a commission for a scarf. After much anticipation, it arrived yesterday, and I cannot get over how beautiful it is.

(I stole this photo from Brittany's blog) Follow this link to her photo-post on the process of making this gorgeous piece. Thank you so much, Brittany!

Hey, it's July already. What the heck?

2009-06-30T19:19:00.008-05:00

Yesterday I got a Glamour magazine in the mail. I had to check the address to see if it was indeed my Glamour magazine and yes, it was. Apparently the ~~geniuses~~ nice folks at Condé Nast decided that because I had been a loyal Domino subscriber, I would of course enjoy a subscription to Glamour magazine in its place.

Not so much. I don't think I'm their target market. At all. Some of the choice articles in the August issue include "Men Answer: What Kills the Mood for You?", "7 Sexy Things That Aren't", and "Couple Time: Ashton Kutcher Gives You Love Advice" (I could not make that up). I will admit it's been a few years since I've picked one up (a Glamour magazine, not a man, although now that you mention it...). Apparently Glamour ain't all that glamorous any more.

Honestly, I looked for something, anything redeeming in there that I could show you, but there was nothing, people. If you are interested in reading any of the above articles, just drop me a line and I'll scan them for you or, even better, send me your address and I'll fish that Glamour magazine right out of the recycling and send it off to you.

* * *

I did, however, find a couple really great, colorful, my-kind-of-spaces in the May 2009 issue of Elle Decoration UK. Enjoy.

no, I cannot buy this

2009-06-29T18:56:00.008-05:00

Even though I really, really want to.

I told you I'd show you one of my favorite things I've currently listed. Here it is... The Chef-An-Ette! A vintage metal recipe file. Green & white, recipes included! So cute.

Here's a little sneak peak of one of the recipes~

I haven't tried this one, but come on now, Alice Olson's Swedish Meatballs?

Oh, hey, hi!

2009-06-28T14:17:00.010-05:00

Wow, I haven't posted in over a month! I have been so busy, a new job, then there's my other job, (more about that later). Between that and somehow killing my second hard drive in a year, I kind of lost my momentum.

But I've missed blogging; I really need to find more time, because I'm always finding stuff I want to show you. So hopefully I'll at least be posting a few times a week.

Like this...

pair of linen and applique tea towels I found at an estate sale this weekend.

Here's the blue one again, this time with a

gorgeous wooden vase! I work for an antiques liquidator, helping to post things on eBay (see link, above), and I posted this inlaid wooden vase, but then I fell in love with it and had to bid.

There is another really cute item I'm going to list for him, which should be up later this week. I'll show you then.

See you soon!

a couple things...

2009-05-05T11:17:00.008-05:00

...are growing around here. Inside...

oregano

basil

Outside...

apples

pears

Let's see if I can keep most of these guys alive this summer.

bench monday again

2009-05-04T15:04:00.002-05:00

(except that's a chair)

hey, knitting is making a comeback!

2009-05-02T12:19:00.003-05:00

So says Harper's Bazaar UK in their May 2009 issue. Shows you how out of touch I am; I was completely unaware it ever went away!

Anyway, in celebration of knitting's resurgence in the face of the "state of the economy" (maybe my most-hated turn of phrase), designer Paul Smith has "created a summer hand-knit exclusively for Bazaar readers, which you can download right over here.

I love this

2009-04-29T09:22:00.002-05:00

found on Decorno.

bryan nash gill

2009-04-16T11:06:00.003-05:00

made this stunning print. More here.

bench monday

2009-04-13T11:15:00.002-05:00

for the bench monday flickr group. that's chicago back there.

very small thrift report

2009-04-06T08:44:00.002-05:00

Pottery spoon rest. Love the little flowers.

Teak warthog (?). Because everyone needs one. His tail is broken, but I think he's okay.

april already

2009-04-01T23:05:00.007-05:00

I say "already" every month.

I saw these stunning little calendar pages, printed on individual sheets, by Keisuke Serizawa, in the window of J. Toguri Mercantile, and had to go right in and get it, even though I missed a few months.

(A little history of the calendar from Tortoise General Store)

Just after the end of WWII, Keisuke Serizawa's first calendar for 1946 appeared. It was stencil dyed in 12 sheets of a hand-made-Japanese paper. Under the occupation by the United States, this calendar became popular among high-class officer's wives in U.S. Forces and was devised as a Christmas gift for people in the U.S. Since then, he had kept producing new calendar for 40 years until he passed away, and still even now, this calendar has been produced with existed patterns. It is popular not only in Japan but also all around the world still now. This is printed version and the size is smaller than the original one to fit on a desk. This technique of dyeing a pattern with a stencil is original of Keisuke Serizawa, and in 1956 he was specified as a Living National Treasure according to his achievements of "stencil-dyeing".

enlighten up!

2009-03-19T21:51:00.001-05:00

I can't wait to see this:

finnish artist anu tuominen

2009-03-16T21:41:00.007-05:00

Slicing (Cheese)
2002, cheese slicer/crochet

Fleur de Sel
2002-06, salt pots/crochet

more here.
via all the mountains

happy monday

2009-03-09T08:54:00.001-05:00

Love this.

ooh, pretty

2009-03-06T14:34:00.005-06:00

I was picking up Tony from school today, when I noticed a shop I'd never seen before.

Cotélac

The internet told me that this is the first of French shop Cotélac's outposts in the U.S., and that "this brand's effortlessly chic women's line is known for its wash-and-wear capacity and breezy, European styling."

Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
1159 West Webster Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
773-281-2330

I really love these subtle, whimsical prints in soft, springy colors.

hey, it's march!

2009-03-02T19:49:00.004-06:00

Already. I guess I took a little unplanned break there. Here's a little something I've been working on during these cold, snowy days...

Grey cables. Lots of 'em. You'd think I might knit up something a little more cheery, wouldn't you? I still love the grey.

And the cables.

it's an accessory!

2009-02-16T11:57:00.002-06:00

And therefore not banned! (If you want to get technical, it's not even apparel, going by the photo.) It's yellow and spring-like (and also comes in a bunch of other colors)! It's affordable! It's so cool...

and it's available right over here.

Via Design*Sponge.

sometimes...

2009-02-14T21:29:00.000-06:00

...tradition is kind of perfect.

so cute it hurts

2009-02-13T18:18:00.001-06:00

Kingsford Goes to the Beach - The funniest bloopers are right here

vera wang?

2009-02-12T17:51:00.004-06:00

style.com

Wow. Vera's got my number for Fall 2009 (Lavender Label).

what I'd buy...

2009-02-09T22:24:00.002-06:00

...if I were shopping. And also loaded.

Rick Owens grey washed leather jacket at net-a-porter.com.

white forest pottery blog

2009-02-05T07:23:00.004-06:00

Did you know Nancy Bauch of White Forest Pottery has a blog? Here you'll find more photos of her gorgeous pieces, press sightings, like this one in the February issue of Food & Wine magazine, and special offers (bargains!), like this one for 25% off everyone's favorite hot cocoa mug (seen here housing a jade plant, and over here harboring soup) until Feb. 28 at the Food & Wine Magazine web site.

studio/office makeover

2009-02-04T08:11:00.006-06:00

Before:
After:

I slid the yarn shelf a little bit under the desk, on the right there. Just enough room for magazines between the shelf & desk. Unfinished projects are in the hanging bags.

Now I have a nice (relatively) clean space for my next project.

random

2009-02-03T08:30:00.005-06:00

Disco ball in the living room in the March issue of Elle Decor.

Lion Brand (!) makes really nice wool in some really nice colors. Who knew? (Yikes, I guess you need to visit these in person, because the swatches on their web site are not so pretty.)

If you don't have a problem with used shoes, you can find cute vintage boots on Etsy! (Not these though. These are SOLD!)

:)

felicity

2009-02-02T11:03:00.004-06:00

I used plain old Patons Classic Wool Merino in charcoal, less than one skein.

You can find the pattern, by Wanett Clyde, here. The pin is from Erica Weiner's etsy shop.

what I would buy

2009-02-01T22:39:00.009-06:00

this cotton/silk blouse from the Gap. On sale! ::sniffle::

And this

from J. Crew.

And I'd wear them together.

very special accessories...

2009-01-31T09:58:00.005-06:00

...are not included in the Clothing No-Buy of 2009. This cocktail pick pendant made my heart race a little.

from Erica Weiner via Refinery 29 blog.

what to wear...

2009-01-31T07:42:00.005-06:00

...with your beadazzled leather skirt.

seen at doubletakesblog, available here.

(Okay, I don't really think I'd wear this, because I actually have the utmost respect for our President (and it feels really good to say that), and don't like to see him satirized, but still.)

beadazzled?

2009-01-30T08:10:00.003-06:00

Look at this skirt! (from over at the Jak & Jil blog). I want to do this now. Wouldn't this treatment look great on the back of a leather jacket!? Oh man, do I need a beadazzler? <--edit: beadazzler video/commercial appears in this link without warning

(also really love the grey tights underneath, and the bag is not too shabby either)

domino magazine bites dust

2009-01-28T15:33:00.004-06:00

Wow. And I was speculating only yesterday.

Read more here.

And more here, avec comments.

another view

2009-01-28T09:23:00.002-06:00

I keep taking pictures of the same bookshelf. I guess it must be my favorite.

modern rustic

2009-01-27T09:48:00.005-06:00

from February Domino.

Still no official word as to whether Domino magazine will survive this economic downturn bidness.

had to post this one

2009-01-25T19:43:00.005-06:00

L.A. Times

grey scarf @ rick owens...

2009-01-25T13:16:00.005-06:00

...or it could be an afghan. I don't even care, I still love it. I think I need to get me a size 35 circular needle.

from the Sartorialist @ men.style.com

In other scarf news...

The February issue of ReadyMade has a feature on repurposed and hand-dyed scarves by one of my favorite bloggers, Martha McQuade. Just wanted to show you a peak; there's a complete how-to in the magazine.