knit, purl

Since public shame worked so well getting me to clean out my basement studio, I thought I'd try it again.  

See that pile of knitted things?  That's all the baby sweaters I knitted for friends' babies and never sewed together.  (I love knitting, hate assembling sweaters.  I really should just make baby blankets as presents.)  

There is some comfort in knowing that I am not alone.  Where we used to live the yarn shop would assemble your sweaters for you for free if you bought the yarn there because 'assembly aversion' was such a common problem.  (It was like heaven.)  But now I am on my own and before I start anything new I am going to sew up the dang things!  

wish me luck.

Ugh.  

a room of one's own

We have successfully cleaned out my basement studio, put in a cork floor and plan on turning it into a home for my new sewing machine and other crafty stuff.  (we still have to put in a baseboard but I hope to get that done this afternoon.)

As a part of my spring cleaning I have also been opening boxes that never got opened when we moved in 3 1/2 years ago (it's a little embarrassing to admit there are such boxes, but there are only a few, I swear!).  It's been a bit like Christmas! 

I found a box of antique beads, lace and trims that I collected about 10 years ago and forgot about as the box sat in storage while I moved around 9 times (I think) before we settled here.  I also found a bag full of embroidery thread and ribbons so as soon as I get it all organized, I'm going on a crafting binge.

I am in love with Laura Normandin's studio that I saw awhile back on Oh Happy Day. I wish I had a set up just like it, but I think I'll have to do a lot more sewing etc, before I deserve something so nice.  

I just love the thought of having a place where I can go and easily find the right sized needles for a knitting project, sew some curtains, or whip up a stuffed pig from an old sweater for my niece. 

milk bottle lamp for sale

I am not sure if this is a weird thing to post, but here it is: I'm selling a Droog design Milk bottle lamp on Ebay.  We bought four of them at the Droog Design store when we were living in the Netherlands for a few months a few years ago.  I had planned on hanging them in our sunroom, but changed my mind.  

I have finally accepted that we just don't have another place in the house for them and as a part of my spring cleaning have decided to let them go.  :( 

If you're interested, I listed one on ebay to see how it goes, and will list the others if it goes well.  

spring cleaning, part 1

I can't believe I am posting this photo, (Mom, don't look!) but I am thinking that public shame will be good motivation for cleaning.  

For a year or so, I shared a great big studio in Detroit with a few friends, but since the weather and roads were often bad and Detroit is 40 miles away I also set up a space in the basement.

Since moving into our studio here in Ann Arbor last year (only 1 mile away:) ), the basement studio has become the place where stuff we don't know what to do with goes to die.   

Today I am cleaning it out.  wish me luck!