Going BROWN?

On Friday after work and after I had run a bunch of preschool/post office/bank errands, something told me to turn down Lankershim Ave. and check out this thrift store I rarely visit. I just had a gut feeling there was something there for me. Erik says at least it's a good thing that I don't hear these voices compelling me to places like Nordstroms or Macy's. We'd be in real trouble then. Anyway. Here's what I found:


It has lots of the elements I love in a likable thing - birds, branches, flowers, and leaves, not to mention the fact that it was less than a dollar. It's a nice size too.

Speaking of birds. . .

This pendant was actually a pair of earrings that were wayyy too lobe-stretchingly heavy for anyone in her right mind to wear. In the same jewelry case I saw a bag of 6 wire necklaces for $2.50, so I got those as well and came home and combined them to make this necklace, and another that I'm selling on ebay.

After updating my shop yesterday I noticed a lot of my recent creations have been very brown as well. Case in point:


A pillow made from a 1974 calander linen I got on ebay. It's typical 1970's kitchen colors - brown, mustard yellow, olive green, and burnt orange. It's like they were inspired by condiment trays or something back then. Nowadays it's all about the sleek and shiny.

I've even been brown-bagging it lately. See?


The leopard one was inspired by/designed around a needlepoint piece I picked up at a yard sale a few months ago and the other one is made from this vintage velvet upholstery I picked up at a designer's estate sale in Burbank last fall.

I guess I should be thinking about my "Spring Line" and making stuff that's bright and cheery. Or I could just wait for the winter and do it then. Heck, what do I care? I never know what I'm going to make from one week to the next. It all depends on the material that happens to jump out at me at any given moment.

Okay, so far in this post I've talked about thrift stores talking to me and fabric jumping out at me. Before I make myself look any crazier, I'll stop typing. But first, a couple more photos of things that are brown:

Sage and his pet "Snaily."


Malibu, Sunday afternoon.

It's pretty easy bein' green

You'd think that since I love fabric and all, I wouldn't feel dread at the sight of a pile like this, right?


Ugh. Laundry sucks it.

On a happier note, I've discovered that yard sales around here are a great source for acquiring kickass plants, often in kickass pots. I guess it's because people are always moving and needing to lighten their load. Not me! Since our backyard was pretty barren when we moved in, I'm more than happy to give their leafy babies a new home. Check out some recent scores:


Night blooming jasmine, agave, geranium, spider plant and jade.
Total cost = $10


Jade. . . and some other plants I can't identify (but check out their pots!)
Total cost = $21

Score! Happy Earth Day!

This weekend, no sewing. Snowing!

It's hard to believe that two hours away from sunny L.A. there's snow, but there is. See?


This Saturday we loaded up the car and drove up, up, up the San Bernardino Mountains to Big Bear, CA. We stayed at the Grey Squirrel Cabins, a little cabin community we found by accident/luck two years ago on our last visit.


Sunday morning we woke up to snow! While it pales in comparison to the amount of snow Erik and I grew up with in West Virginia winters when we were kids, Sage and Kali enjoyed it nonetheless.



After a hearty breakfast at Boo Bear's Den and some stops at a few shops for things like mittens and scarves, we hiked up (and down, and up, and down) the Woodland Trail.


And in less than 24 hours from the time we left North Hollywood, we were back home.

Happy Easter!

Spring Break 2007

It's spring break and I have the whole week off. Plus, Sage is in preschool so I can do things like clean a whole room and have it stay that way for more than a few hours. Yeah, I know, staying home and cleaning isn't most people's idea of a rockin' spring break, but I'm enjoying the alone time. So far I've straightened up the screened in back porch (and cleared away a few months worth of dust and dog hair accumulation), performed vacuum surgery, vacuumed the house, done a ton of laundry (and even put most of it away), dusted, organized a closet, and put many a random thing back where it belongs.

Trouble is, I'm a bit ADD when it comes to cleaning, I'll start with some big ambition to tackle a large area, but then spend a ridiculous amount of time on a particular detail, like, say, setting up a tiny world with our vintage Little People. . .




I don't know if this nostalgic installation is more for Sage or us, but it's fun to watch him play with the toys we once found so fascinating. I can't stand the new-fangled Little People with their unchokable chubby bodies and noisy plastic accessories. Also, would modern day Little People have their own liquor cabinet?


I think not.