The Vortex

Once upon a time I had a chest for my sewing projects. It was a white chest with a cushion on top. I used it as a bench, and to hold my projects.

Then,

I added a desk. This desk had deep drawers. The chest became "fabric for specific projects" and the desk drawers were used for projects "in progress."

Then,

I got a couple of storage containers. One container held the pieces for a future quilt, the other held placemats that needed the trim completed. One was full (too full) of scraps for my rag rug. The drawers started to contain "things that should be used for specific purposes" and the chest started to contain "pretty fabrics I don't know what to do with."

Then, I moved.

I have a craft room, now, which is also my office. It has become "the room of things which must get done." Into the room travel torn clothing, things missing buttons, unfinished letters, my diary, the novel I'm reading (!), an unfinished crossword.... bills, things that need ironing, the bra I took off in the middle of a workday, notes for work projects, countless vintage sewing patters, a lamp missing a shade....

This room has become a place I avoid when the work is done.

It has become a vortex of unfinished things. I told Brad he isn't allowed to put projects in here anymore, because they get sucked into the vortex. He put something needing a 10 minute repair in my craft area once, and it was there for a year.



Beware the vortex.

Paint

Here's a quick one:

Will and I went to the bins and found a canvas sometime in August or September or something. Now it is a painting also painted by both Will and I that lives in our dining room:

The colors are a bit off (that wall is much closer to white) but there it is. If you want to see it in its proper shades, come over for dinner!

fortmaking

In a lot of ways, I live my life as if a child. I collect and arrange pretty rocks, talk to my pets, have dreams of epic tea parties, and delight in all things whimsical (if they're old). 

Today is no exception. After buying an item that came in a very large box, I have decided to do what any sensible person would, and make a cardboard castle.

However, my version of making a castle, in this case, simply consisted of getting inside the box. Since I am a princess, it must now be a castle. Overall I think it went pretty well.

Dining.

We now have, much to my joy, a set of dining room chairs.

Brad and I found this set of four at House of Vintage on Hawthorne for $80.

Canning and Kittens

This weekend I went up to my dad's house in Washington for a visit. Brad made an attempt at fishing, which was ultimately unsuccessful, BUT! in consolation, my dad sent us home with the fish he caught the day before.

This fish.

Was huge.

So, we did what any sensible folk would do, and canned it.

Yum! The recipe is pretty simple, but requires a pressure cooker. It was pretty much just fish, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a little salt. I'd look up the canning directions, though, since thats what counts. We did 10lbs for over 100 minutes I believe. Brad is the canner, for real, though.

My dad also gave us the biggest plant ever, and we had to go to Ikea to get a big pot for it.

Vashti was pretty happy about everything that happened this weekend, especially the giant fish getting blood all over the counter but finally resulting in tastiness:

That is her favorite chair.

I hope everyone (I guess just Kristyn?) made it through the Oregon heat okay. I am a big wimp and Saturday was CRAZY. Basically I've been inside for the whole thing. I'm pretty excited for fall coming around, though. Time to break out all my socks, sweaters, and tea!

House Tour

So that was a silly idea, starting a blog in the middle of moving. Regardless. I am moved.

Things are --- nearly---- in place.

Our new home is a thing of joy. There's space for ALL of our creative endeavors.

 

Here's the whole living room basically as it looks from the couch -- still need to hang up the pictures, but I'm pretty freaking happy with it. Note: fireplace, vintage nat geos, and my dear plants.