West Coast Crafty » Uncategorized

tea towel curtains — now even easier!

Susan — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:23:01 +0000

I made a quick little set of embellished kitchen curtains when we lived in LA a couple of years ago — two floral-print tea towels with buttons sewn to the center of each flower. It’s a fun, easy project, but today I came up with an even simpler version for the other set of windows in our kitchen… so the button-flowers can live over the sink while these new ones hang out at the end of the room, replacing a heavy beige home-dec fabric set that came with the house that really wasn’t us at all. It’s just a few pieces of fabric switched out, but it feels like a whole new room — light, bright and open. I’m so happy with them!

I found these Oregon state map tea towels at New Seasons here in Portland and got the idea to embellish a couple of my favorite places on them, like my gocco-quilt square project last year. Between ironing, stitching on little ornaments, and adding clip-on cafe curtain rings (found at Fred Meyer for $1.99), this was a 45-minute project at most. I started by choosing a few buttons, sparkles, and charms I like:

I picked the blue star for Portland and the amber-colored sparkle for my favorite place to visit, Mt. Hood (west slope).

Then I added a few fun bits to the Oregon state seal at the top of the design, too.

I did each of the four panels the same way and I want to add some more embellishments in other places I like when I have more time… but for now I just wanted the old ones gone and the new ones up, so a few twists of a screwdriver later, success!

I’m a lover of maps, but any fun, vibrant pattern would do nicely. Add any types of embellishment you like — besides the buttons, sparkles and charms I picked, rick-rack, beads, lace, or ribbon stripes could be fun. Or just clip the towels up as-is and call it good!

Speaking of maps, I gocco-printed two rounds of cards — silver Oregons and red USAs — for the Obama postcard party tomorrow, and Pearl permitting, I’m hoping to print two more in new colorways tonight. Thanks to Sarah of The Obama Craft Project for writing up the party today, and snapping this photo!

If you’re in Portland and have time to swing by Tandem and write a few cards, that would be great! We’ll be there from 11-2. I’ll be the one with the dark-haired baby girl, the Gocco printer and the frequently refilled cup of coffee. Hope to see you!

make your own earrings at Crafty Wonderland this Sunday

Susan — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:37:08 +0000

Hey, it’s been awhile! Pearl and I made a quick trip to North Carolina for a whirlwind week of grandmama visiting, hurricane ducking, hushpuppies, Locopops, and a side trip to Richmond for good measure — her fifth state in four months. And now we’re back, just in time for me to teach a free Bead Simple solo earring-making workshop at the Crafty Wonderland DIY table this Sunday!

I’m bringing along my vintage beads and findings,

plus some chain for making longer, swingier earrings if you want to get a bit more adventurous.

Just stop by, grab some pliers and pick out your favorite beads, and make yourself something pretty to wear home. I’ll have books for sale if you happen to need one, and I’d love to sign one if you already have it!

Meanwhile, there will be fantastic handmade things from 40 crafters to browse… one of my favorite artists, Jill Bliss, will be there with her work, and you can check out the complete list of vendors here. Hope to see you!

Bead Simple earring-making @ Crafty Wonderland
Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E. Burnside St. in Portland
Sunday, September 14 from 11-4

and in other exciting news…

Martha sale, Urban Fauna Studio, and my favorite place

Susan — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:28:32 +0000

I just got an email that a bunch of stuff from the Martha Stewart line is on sale at Michaels this weekend. Cool!

And speaking of lovely crafty shopping, if you are in the Bay Area, Jamie Marie Chan is hosting an awesome grand opening party for her new Urban Fauna Studio. I wrote more about it over at CraftStylish today and all the details are on the store site — congratulations, Jamie!

photo by C. Jeong

We are staying low-key for the three-day weekend… Andrew just got back from the DNC in Denver and we have a babysitter tonight (!), two birthday parties to go to, and our first-ever block party tomorrow, too, so staying in Portland sounds like fun. But I thought while it’s still August, and still summer, I would post a photo from our third-wedding-anniversary trip to Mt. Hood a few weeks ago — our favorite place. We went around Trillium Lake with Pearl, who was a little champ on her first-ever hike, and it was the most gorgeous day to be up there… the perfect summer vacation compressed into four days.

Hoping

Susan — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 19:34:54 +0000

I have hesitated to write about this, since I don’t know the Kim family myself, but they have been in my thoughts so much this week since their disappearance in Southern Oregon last week. I was so happy to see that Kati, Penelope and Sabine were rescued yesterday. I have made the drive from Portland to San Francisco so many times, and I love that part of Oregon so much. I’m so grateful that the three of them are safe and healthy after such a harrowing ordeal.

After reading Lisa Congdon‘s moving and thoughtful entries about them, I’ve been burning a candle for the family every day. Now I am hoping with all my heart that James is found safe and sound, and soon — and that he has found shelter and food. My best and warmest thoughts are with him, the hundred people searching for him, and with the family and friends who wait for news. I hope we have a wonderful update soon.

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Wednesday, December 6: I’m crushed to hear the news that James Kim was finally found but that he didn’t make it. My heart goes out to his family, friends and loved ones — I am so sorry for your loss, and I’m wishing you peace during this awful time.

Friends of the Kim family have set up an online guestbook if anyone would like to add a note of sympathy. The site is also offering the chance to donate to the family.

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Thursday, December 7: Thanks to Moiety for mentioning that the guestbook has been closed and that now you can e-mail friendsandfamily at jamesandkati dot com with your messages.

Also, I wanted to add that Susie of boygirlparty will be collecting handmade gifts for Kati, Penelope, and Sabine Kim and mailing them to the family on December 14 if you would like to contribute. Lisa Congdon, Stephanie Barnes and Gerrie Congdon are organizing an art + craft fundraiser in James Kim’s honor and they’ll be posting more details as they organize it over the next week or two.

This touching tribute to James Kim was posted on CNET today as well.