Birds of a Feather

In a quest to find the perfect knitted stuffed animal pattern to make for a friend's newborn baby, I settled on the owl, the most endearing design of the litter. Yet, I soon discovered the animal is so much more! The owl was Athena's emblem, Greek goddess of wisdom, war, and the liberal arts (pretty much the coolest gal ever) and that symbolism has carried all the way to today where we still like to get just a little bit closer to nature. While some cultures considered them to be evil omens, the modern depiction is anything but - plus, have you seen baby owls?! Dignified and instantly recognizable, owls are popping up across the design spectrum. It can be hard to get right however. I find the necklace trend of late to be too kitschy. I prefer a less obvious, more graphic design, something that has been done so successfully in home decor. How gladly I would paper my walls in those motifs! Below is also my knitted owl which turned out just dandy. I followed the pattern kindly provided here but chose to use felt for the eyes for a cleaner look. With luck she'll bring the baby a lifetime of wit and wisdom!

 

PS: An honorable mention goes to owls in architecture - Amsterdam's Art Nouveau style owl facade (as if I needed another reason to talk about Art Nouveau!) and the Rotulos Roura Company building in Barcelona.

1) calendar, wall paper
2)wind chime 
3) wall paper, lamp
4) ceramic, wall paper
5) building, tower

Wall Flowers

As much as I love the four seasons that New England does so well, I often dream of residing out west where I could have a true outdoor living room. The go-to place for relaxing, reading, napping, eating, drinking, or just sunning. A place with plush cushions, plants, pretty decorations, lanterns and maybe even a chaise lounge or two. Porch, patio, deck, I am not picky. Just a private little retreat where I can get some fresh air! Some day. I inadvertently collect objects that would fit oh-so-nicely in such a space. These hanging wall vases I just finished are a step in the right direction for sure. The glazes are reminiscent of marble or stone and the highly texturized rope makes it hard to deny that these guys belong closer to nature. This project had been in arts n' crafts purgatory for quite some time. The last firing was complete back in late summer but I finally had the chance yesterday to dig through some dusty storage bins to find the rope. It's Japanese garden twine that my dear mother had stockpiled from our time living abroad. And boy am I happy she did. Durable, rich in color and elegantly rustic, I am sure to be incorporating this into many future endeavors!

Spray Paint and Sparkles

Oh boy! Very Vanilla is now back from her (admittedly too long) break. Between the travels and the simultaneous influx of friends and family, things were a little hectic around here. But that doesn't mean I haven't had bloggie ideas swirling around in my head! To get back in the swing of things, here are my holiday cards that I have been dying to share. I held off for obvious reasons being that the recipients happen to be some of my most loyal readers - thanks Mom, Step-Mom, and Dad! I made tags to glam up presents and sent the cards to persons I would not get the chance to see in the near future.


I fell in love with spray paint the second I started on my beloved candelabra, one of my first DIY projects which I completed a few years ago. It's oh-so-satisfying, being even, opaque, and quick drying, unlike some other forms of paint I know. Perfect for impatient folks like myself. Besides the slight inconvenience of having to spray outdoors, I take this route whenever possible, really, I take it always because you can spray paint anything! If you buy your paint at the hardware store, your horizons are even broader, it's so inexpensive. One of my fav uses so far has been on paper. Less mess, no wrinkles, and a new found ability to embellish not-so-exciting store-bought scrapbook paper. It can be a little tricky to exercise control over the paint stream so do some practice rounds first. This also will help determine which color combos look best. As mentioned in the past, I am not much for traditional holiday colors so metallic and white hues were perfect for staying festive plus the white dots look like falling snow! For some added interest, stencils are great but I usually search beyond the designated aisle at the craft store since most are meant for wall designs. Doilies on the other hand are perfect. Yes, those bizarre cloth or paper thingies whose actual purpose alludes me. I stuck gold (no pun intended) when I came across these shiny beauties at the grocery store. Check out this doily project as well, which is pretty rad.


Hope everyone had a great holiday! Happy 2012!

 

 

Oh Christmas Tree!

Coming from a Jewish-ish, semi-Greek orthodox family, it's no wonder my clan has always been a tad ambivalent about the holidays. The main strategy thoughout the years has been to pluck out the fun parts of each celebration to make one super-fabulous month. Hanukkah involves fried potato goodness that is latkes and Christmas is a great excuse for ugly sweaters, cookie swaps and general feasting.  It also helps that all four of us in the nuclear family have birthdays within a month,  December 20-January 20 exactly. 


Yet while I used to enjoy helping the fam string up our glittery pine cone lights in the trees, it's been a while since I have felt like decking the halls to any extent of the imagination. This all changed however when a little bright green tree caught my eye at the grocery store. A lemon cypress variety, this guy does not shed and it's leaves emit a citrusy scent when rubbed. Suddenly the thought of decorating a tree did not seem as daunting, especially after I found pretty pink/gold/silver ornaments and mini bells at the craft store.  I don't do stuffy - this tree is free form and at ease with just the right amount of adornments to complement its neon hue.  For the base, I decorated some paper to wrap around the plastic planter and broke out one of my beloved glass dishes to catch the water in. Oh and why store the left over fixings when they can be displayed all pretty-like in a matching bowl? And yes, I have managed to incorporate purple into holiday decorations. Queue the merriment!

A Tale of Two Thanksgivings

I don't know about you, but Thanksgiving wins the number one spot in my heart (and stomach), as far as holidays are concerned. So it begs the question - why not have two? A prequel if you will, with good friends and special treats. In its fourth incarnation, the event has become quite the tradition in my circle and this is why you will love it too!


1) Friends: As much as I love to gather 'round the family table for some turkey and stuffing, having a pre-thanksgiving feast is the perfect excuse to gather everyone for some festive food and drink before the year slips away. Those friends from college who have been promising to visit for forever? Consider them there.


2)Decorations: Outdoor cookouts are lovely but I rather prefer the intimacy of sitting down at the table together. Plus, it's a great excuse to play hostess. I broke out my up-cycled candelabra - ugly brass + leaves + gold paint = magic, and even pulled together some real centerpieces, of fall's bounty. A classy version of the cornucopia, if you will, which also featured thirfted items turned fantastic with gold paint. 


3)Food: No need to follow the traditional Thanksgiving cuisine, there are plenty of feast favorites to choose from! Jules, the boyfriend, smoked a 16-pound ham to juicy perfection. I was on dessert duty, and a few oven temperature scares later, successfully made a chocolate coconut pecan pie, a pumpkin pie with fresh pumpkin puree, and a smoked peach clafoutis. I know, I know, there is no use in trying to choose. One slice of each please! 
Note: Clafoutis is a French custard-like creation which is as foolproof to make as it is delish. I followed Flour Bakery's version and subbed in the peaches, most fruits will do.


4) Collaboration: Let's face it, not even your BFF would dream of arriving empty handed so face these facts from the beginning and enlist the help of your guests. I gave everyone the menu beforehand and the results were out of this world. My friend, Cassandra saw what I didn't - what is a dinner of ham, brussels sprouts and roast veggies without a side of mac & cheese?! Speaking of cheese, our Vermont friends brought down the best dairy creations the state has to offer. Throw some mulled wine into the mix (aka: autumn-in-a-glass), courtesy of Sabrina, a you have yourself a party!

Variations on a Theme

Oh boy, Very Vanilla took an impromptu vacation this past week. Bad blogging behavior indeed but the end of summer needs to be savored! I spilt my long weekend with time on the Cape, for a last bit of beachy fun, and time at home, for a much needed burst of productivity. To round out the weekend, I crossed another item off my to-do list, making cards to accompany my batch of wedding gifts. This has been a long process. Said presents have been lingering in my dining room for weeks, just waiting for the finishing touches. Since I had several cards to make, a series was a great way to stick to a theme yet let each card maintain its individuality. This year's are the Love is Everything edition. Here's to getting in touch with my romantic side! I generally favor greeting cards without the greeting, rather, where the personal message inside is the only text, but the phrase had popped into my mind and so aptly described my feelings that I think it was meant to be. 


As you can see, I have continued to find uses for my beloved paper punch but I now also have a newfound appreciation for stamping. After years of frustration towards rubber stamps which always seem to have finite possibilities for hefty price tags, I have found middle ground. This set is perfect, even if you do not end up using each one. The look of the ink drew me in just as much. Turns out a lot has changed since my kindergarten days. Much more suitable for crafts than dye ink, pigment ink yields a very pure color that sits on top of the paper rather than soaking into it (hooray for less mess!). For a general stamping/inking overview, head over to this tutorial. I also can't wait to play around with these pastel pads that I just ordered from Inkadinkado. Now to find the perfect alphabet stamp set...

 

 

 

Tables by Number

Now for some more fun with wedding crafts! Living far away from the bride allowed me little chance to help  plan the big day, so I felt good about my big job of making all the table markers.  My friend is a traditional type of gal so we opted for good old fashioned numbers instead of taking the more sentimental route (street names, song titles, etc.). I was a little nervous, my only knowledge of what the table set up was going to look like being given to me in words alone, but everything came together in the most perfect way. I am normally one for contrasting colors, but to my surprise and delight, the blue and green theme was anything gorgeous and perfect for the summer season - a calm, cool compliment to the 90+ degree heat!

I must say, for as much wedding inspiration that exists on the world wide web, table number ideas are few and far between it seems. Perhaps they are the forgotten piece to the wedding day puzzle and end up being more of an after thought? Luckily, I pressed onward and a little tinkering went a long way. I even furthered my mission to start using up the oh so many craft items I already own. Turns out it is much easier to buy supplies than it is to use them! I had a pack of blue and green paper in complementary patterns so this was a good jumping off point. The patterns were getting busy however and so I decorated some paper of my own with stencils, skewers and a dash of spray paint. I would love to learn calligraphy and maybe even do place cards too!

Images via: Me

Love and French Macarons

One of my closest girlfriends is getting hitched this weekend so I wanted to bring something special, since the formal wedding present is not quite ready yet. Enter French macarons with raspberry jam and chocolate ganache fillings! There is a reason entire books are devoted to  this cookie (some say pastry) of mythical proportions - they are unmistakably chic and are a joy to make. After reading some strong warnings about the potential pitfalls of baking them, I nearly lost hope.  However, don't believe the hype or those persnickety fans out there, macarons should be celebrated by all! I followed this annotated Martha Stewart recipe and while it was virtually fool proof, scroll down for some additional tips. 
Oh and the stars were aligned tonight since I had also just gotten the new Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX lens which works wonders in low light and in portrait settings. I could still use a better lamp however as it was difficult to get the light pink to show through. Lastly, because the macarons are so stylish, I needed packaging to match. I found an inexpensive hat box and mitigated its terrible girlie printed design with a few coats of spray paint. Then, I threw on a band of craft paper, a cute tag, and a ribbon. Next time I would love to make more in different pastel colors.  

Images via: Me

I used this recipe which is an annotated Martha Stewart original. Giver'slog had some very helpful hints but here are a few more words of wisdom. See Martha's version for the filling suggestions.


-Yes, Almond Flour is a tad pricy but each recipe uses such a small amount that it's a worthy investment. Store the sack in the freezer or fridge to prolong the shelf life.
-Use a food scale. This was the first time I used one, since the recipe lists the ingredients in ounces in addition to standard cooking measurements. I would not consider myself Miss Precise but baking is a science so the scale will save one much trouble and guesswork. You would be surprised how much the weight varies using just the cup measurements!
-The recipe calls for piping 3/4" rounds. I found 1" or 1 1/2" rounds to be much easier to create consistently plus tiny rounds make for tall, narrow specimens which tend to topple over once assembled.
-1 teaspoon of filling is recommended for each cookie but I found this to be a little too much as it obscures the macarons' delicate flavor plus you do not want filling to spill out.
-Ideally, macarons are consumed the day of baking, which is why some call them pastries. I had to make mine a few days ahead of time so I baked the shells and refrigerated which worked great. Just try to fill them no earlier than the day before you want to eat or give.
-Whatever you do, do not over bake! Ovens are crafty and just one minute too long can hurt. Be careful with the pastels as the pretty hue will lose its brightness and acquire an unsightly tinge of brown if left in the over too long. The chocolate ones were much more forgiving thanks to their already dark color.
-Be gentle!  The cookies are super delicate and will crack easily. Be careful especially when spreading the filling as to not indent the inside surface.

That was a first! : Baby Blanket Complete

Once again with the reviving of old timey mainstays, let me present to you my first crochet project! And let me tell you, granny squares never looked better. When I heard my good friend was expecting, I knew a baby blanket was in order. It turned out to be a super opportunity to teach myself the craft while on my European adventure earlier this year. Sixteen squares later (plus one late, late night), a blanket emerges!  I put in most of the time on various trains during my trip. Turns out handicrafts and quaint old world scenery go hand in hand. It was great to be working on individual pieces which made the things much more portable plus I got to try out four different designs. I adapted a bigger blanket pattern to make the piece more child-size. Gift wrapping this item proved to be a challenge but my friend Cassidy had a nifty idea - lose the paper entirely and just fold up with a big bow. It's hard to appreciate it now since the temps in New England are more on the tropical spectrum right now, but come winter this little one is going to stay warm!

Images via: Me (turns out my iphone camera isn't half bad!)

It had been interesting to compare crochet with knitting. To me, they are horses of different colors and each have different purposes. You can't beat knitted apparel but crochet generally has more possibilities since it holds it's shape better.  For example, this adorable apron may be my next project. Can't wait!

A Crop of Pots

As one of my favorite pastimes, I have been meaning to do a little rambling on about pottery. I had dabbled in clay for quite some time but I made a commitment to myself about a year ago to stick with pottery and ceramics for good!  Being lucky enough to find a lovely, supportive environment for doing so has certainly helped. It is so refreshing to work with one's hands after a day at the office, it really helps me unwind and clear my head - you would be surprised how quickly 3+ hours pass in the studio! Clay is just the most wonderful of mediums.  It is plentiful, generally forgiving to my clumsy hands, and most cool of all - recyclable up until the point of firing. Above all, this craft has taught me that patience is paramount - I have a lifetime of learning ahead of me. Alone, this is not a bad thing but completing one piece takes hours of dedication, with a little good luck sprinkled in - count yourself fortunate if your work does not crack and the glaze looks good! So far I have been met with numerous challenges but it's all part of the learning process, no one can fully teach you how to do it, it's a trial and error sort of endeavor. In several ways, I have hit my stride, most important is that I now feel comfortable sharing my work! I am even submitting some work for my company's employee art show (wish me luck!). 


It's funny, as I selected the photos for the below pieces, I realized that there was undoubtedly some subliminal bias towards certain colors. My love for all things coral and turquoise really shines through here! Those are my favorite materials for jewelry and plus I even managed to incorporate my favorite color of all time (purple!). I am especially proud of the jar.  The knob is a drawer pull I found on sale at Anthrophogie. It is a little oversized but I could not resist the color combo. I love mixed media and intend to explore this concept further. 

The Modern Wreath

Nothing is more satisfying to me than reinventing a classic. And the traditional wreath sure deserves a makeover. This door adornment is tried and true but has certainly been misinterpreted at times - I have seen many a poor wreath smattered with gaudy faux flowers, glittery pine cones, an obnoxious bow or worse yet, all of the above. Call it the anti-wreath if you like, but I simply set out to create something more, er, timeless. I wrapped the base in some extra yarn I was hoping to use up and pinned cutout felt with fabric germanium petals and jewel tone beads. I was never too patient with bows so I cheated a little here - the grosgrain ribbon is cut and glue gunned instead of tied. The color scheme also happens to match my door which I can assure you is a mere coincidence!  Not bad for a first go around, right? There will be more of these in my future.

Images via: Me

A Labor of Love: Knitting Project Complete!

I will not even disclose how long I have been working on this.  The point is, my lovely shawl is finished and ready to enjoy! I should be clear - the pattern was for a shawl but I went up a needle size to make more of a throw. Let's call it a wear-around-the-house shawl. I came across this gorgeous (and free) vintage pattern which was a perfect project as I wanted to try my hand at open work. A funny story - since my genius self decided to switch up the needle size, I proceeded to forget this detail when I started the second half. I'll never forget this first experience of having to unravel hours of hard work! According to Mom, knitting veteran, it probably won't be the last time. At least now the 6 row pattern is forever ingrained in my mind... Well, the final product is just stunning if I say so myself. I was skeptical about using a rainbow hued yarn on such an already intricate design however, it turns out to showcase the color scheme of rich browns, blues, greens, grays and purples very nicely. The yarn was spun in a non-traditional style - woven into a mini tube rather than just two strands wound together - which made it extra study. My result and the modified/simplified pattern are below. 
Also making its debut below is my prized rocking chair. My parents purchased it in Italy when I was a baby to rock me in. How did they know my style?! The piece is exquisite with clean, modern lines and a wonderful upholstery.  Each dot of the fabric is actually woven, not printed so the texture and colors really pop. And talk about functional, it actually comes apart for easy storage. Maybe that's how Mom and Dad managed to keep it 11+ moves later across several states and continents. 

Images via: Me and Free Vintage Knitting (b&w image only)

Allegro Shawl

You need:

8-10 balls bulky yarn color of your choice

1 pr. wooden knitting needles No. 12

Gauge: I don't measure this usually :)

1st Section: Cast on 63 stitches (sts) and work in pattern as follows:

1st Row: Knit (K) 1, K 2 together (tog), * K 9, slip (sl) 1, K 2 tog, pass slip stitch over K st (p.s.s.o.), repeat from * 3 times, K 9, K 2 tog, K 1.

2nd Row: K 1, Purl (P) across row to within last st, K 1.

3rd Row: K 1, K 2 tog, * K 7, sl 1, K 2 tog, p.s.s.o., repeat from * 3 times, K 7, K 2 tog, K 1.

4th Row: Repeat 2nd row.

5th Row: K 1, K 2 tog, * yarn over (y o), K 1, repeat from * 4 times, y o, sl 1, K 2 tog, p.s.s.o., repeat from 1st * 3 times, (y o, K 1) 5 times, y o, K 2 tog, K 1.

6th Row: Repeat these 6 rows 23 more times. Place all these sts on a strand of yarn, cut yarn. Make another section in same manner but ending with 5th row of pattern, leave on needle, cut yarn. Place right side of both sections together and with free needle, * sl 1 st from 1st section, sl 1 st from 2nd section, repeat from * until all sts are on 1 needle. Bind off as follows: attach yarn at beginning of row, K 2 sts tog, K the next 2 sts tog, * pass the 1st st over the 2nd st, K the next 2 sts tog again having 2 sts on needle, repeat from * until one st remains. Cut yarn and draw through remaining loop.

FRINGE: Cut fringe in length of your choice. With the help of a crochet hook, attach two, doubled over stands at once, on every other stitch on each end of the piece. 

New England-y Excursions, Mother & Daughter Style: DAY 2

The New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival would like to remind you that rabbits, alpacas, goats, and lamas make fibers too! Lovely ones at that - there are angora rabbits, cashmere goats, and more. I even observed a woman spinning fiber directly from the rabbit that was passively hanging out on her lap! If there is such a thing a freshly spun wool, well then that is it. It was a nice little excursion, the rain kept away most folks but there was plenty to see. The dyed, unspun wool looked so beautiful but I am pretty sure I'd fail at spinning my own seeing as how I can barely even finish knitting something in less that a year. On that all-too-accurate note, as much as we wanted to, Ma and I bought no yarn. Talk about behaved! Wooly, wooly.

Images via: Me

New England-y Excursions, Mother & Daughter Style: DAY 1

Not being a high maintenance type of lady, my Ma was happy to put off the Mother's Day festivities a week, especially if it meant attending a flea market and a wool show! I could not have agreed more.

Saturday: Brimfield Antique Show
Considered to be Mecca by many circles of antiquing folks, this place is not to be missed. The event is 50+ years old and has grown to be a triannual extravaganza. They already announced their 2012 show dates, in case you were wondering. Ma was in attendance some odd years ago but not since the show got so big.  In other words, we were newbies. The really hardcore shoppers come with those Euro grocery carts because god forbid one runs out of arms to hold ones finds! Next year. If you are a professional collector, you may be willing to pay a pretty penny for that old school Coco-Cola vending machine or Lenox China set but if you are simply a casual gatherer of all things pretty (me), well, there are plenty of affordable items for you too. My haul included a long, sky blue hand knitted sweater,  two stunning cloisonne bangles (in blue and red), a marcasite/abalone ring, and a golf themed tie clip for the BF. As if it was possible to leave empty handed. My wish list included a set of jadeite dishes and the most amazing custom built kitchen island/butcher block I've ever seen (3rd and 4th pic groups below). When I have my dream home, I will be at Brimfield bright n' early opening day :)

More on the wool show mañana.

Images Via: Me