haasome!

Please vote!

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:40:00 +0000

Even if you think your vote won't make a difference (you shouldn't--don't take it for granted), let's set a new precedent for voting!

Artists & Fleas, Dec. 6 & 7

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:56:00 +0000

Just a quick announcement, since I need to get up super early to VOTE and should therefore be in bed already.

I'll be vending at Artists & Fleas in Williamsburg BK Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7. I've got new stuff up my sleeve, mostly involving paper. Plus more pouches and a fresh batch of wallets, which I haven't made in a while.

So swing by, say hi, have a cup of coffee with me, do some holiday shopping (at my or anyone else's station). I'm pretty excited to take part in A&F again with all the super-talented vendors there.

Check out artistsandfleas.com for info and directions.

Happy voting!

Crafting for your budget: pack a lunch

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:19:00 +0000

It's always a good idea to think about what you can make instead of buy and to make things that help your budget. Even more so in a time like this with the economy crashing and burning and prices necessarily rising. If you can be 'green' while you're at it, better yet. (The green movement is one trend I hope sticks around; it's about time, right?)

I'm going to try to post about something economy- and eco-friendly on a regular basis. Hopefully I'll remind myself and others to not only craft for a hobby but also for frugality's sake. We could learn something from other countries that don't view spending as a sport. </soapbox>

Pack a lunch!
Going out and taking out for lunch is expensive, and it's only going to get even more expensive. Thinking about how much money you've saved always feels good and is especially reassuring now; not to mention that you'll feel super responsible and less wasteful. Lunch near where I work averages about $10 a day. That's $50 a week and $2600 a year. Gah! Here's some idears:

Plan your meals for the coming week on Sundays. Think of key, in-season ingredients that are common to several dishes. I try to think of 2 or 3 proteins and vegetables that I'll use for lunch and dinner throughout the week. For example: tomatoes, potatoes and chicken. That can get you pasta; stuffed tomatoes; roasted potatoes; chicken parm; potato, corn and chicken chowder, etc. And yes, I live alone so I'm cooking for one -gasp!- Just make two servings of your recipes and have one for dinner and one for lunch the next day or so.

Some of my favorites recipe sites are Five Mushrooms, Allrecipes, and Apartment Therapy's The Kitchn.

To plan meals, I use my "What to Eat" pad from knockknock. This pad is also helpful to keep track of what you need at the store so you can make a meal at a moment's notice. But guess what, you don't really need a fancy pad. Just keep notepad near your fridge.
Make a lunch tote. It looks like all you need is a small amount of fabric, some batting and a closure like Velcro or snaps for a square-bottomed bag, with or without a handle. One of these will be a new project of mine:

http://www.simplicity.com/index.cfm?page=section/classroom/sewprojects/lunchtote/lunchsack.html

http://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/aa072100a.htm

http://tumblingblocks.net/blog/index.cfm/2007/7/31/oilcloth-lunch-bag

Happy lunching!

Image from tumblingblocks.net

A different kind of aggregator

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:39:00 +0000

1. Many of you reading this are probably familiar with feed readers that track subscriptions to blogs or news topics. I use Google Reader to track several blogs myself. A bunch of those blogs are craft/DIY-related. Aggregators are great--once you are aware of an RSS feed you want to track in the first place. That's the catch.

2. You might also be familiar with popurls.com, which gleans content from the most popular websites. It's basically a cross-section of the hive mind that is the Internet. Also great; it keeps you current and aware of trends and popular topics. But boy, it is potentially a huge undertaking and I have shied away from it. (But not for long now the the mobile version is now fully featured, ahem cough.)

3. Behold, popurl's new sister site, epsonality.popurls.com.

It gleans content from the most popular creative sites, subdivided by topic. And every topic is relevant to modern crafters: Crafts (duh), Small Business, Entrepreneurship, Photography, Design...oh man. It''s pretty nice not being held back to the feeds of a select few crafty blogs. Also have to love the previews available on mouse roll-over. I wonder if they'll add more categories; I think breaking out sewing and knitting/crocheting from the Crafts pack might be beneficial. Then again, that's what interests me.

Happy browsing the other creative fish in the internet sea!

Simplicity "Project Runway" patterns on sale

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:43:00 +0000

Happy Monday, fair sewers. While I'm not the first to post about the Project Runway-inspired patterns offered by Simplicity, I finally got around to buying some and they were on sale! $9.99 instead of $14.95+.

The following designs are going to keep me very busy:

#2922

#2942

#2951

#3507

There are a LOT of options, but I think I picked the best [wink].

It's been so long since I've sewn from a pattern; I think I'll have to spend some time reading tips on BurdaStyle. I know, I know...why was I so crazy as to pay for patterns rather than download some open source patterns? I'm usually so pro-open source. It was a combination of having my eye on these patterns for quite some time + not seeing anything I thought I'd look good in. Though, this doesn't mean I won't keep checking back for new patterns. And maybe something on Burda will grow on me.

Images from Simplicity.com

Site redesign is launched

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 20:02:00 +0000

Hooray--the new look for my site is fully launched. I've even got some content up. Now I just need to fill up the shop and write my FAQ and policies pages.

Take a look at the new site!

Now on to the difficult task of marketing oneself...

Felted Bumble Bee by Era

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:43:00 +0000

I have a bunch of new, longish posts in the works but this is something I just have to share now.

work & photo by Era

It even has bendable wings! I love felted objects of all kinds and have yet to try felting myself, though I like using sheets of felt in projects. I hope this supercuteness leaves you inspired. Much can be taken from the staging of the photo, too. I know that's one thing I have to work on, personally.

Link

"History Hackers"

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:13:00 +0000

Woot! DIY superstar Bre Pettis (of MAKE & Etsy) is starring in a pilot for what I hope becomes a series, History Hackers on the History Channel.

From Bre's blog:

"My TV show pilot called “History Hacker” airs this upcoming Friday at 8PM and Midnight on the History Channel. I’m the host of the show and I check out inventors in history and take a hands-on look at their inventions. I need your help to make the show go from a pilot to a real TV show.

"The pilot is all about Nikola Tesla and the war of the currents between Tesla and Edison. In the show I learn how to blow a neon tube, explore wireless electricity and build an AC generator from a bike. I also go to Boston to visit an MIT space lab to see how the principles that Tesla pioneered are being applied to space propulsion."

I'm so excited someone from my "little" DIY bubble-world is getting the spotlight. Spread the link below, spread the crafter/maker culture!

Help Turn the History Hacker pilot into a TV show!

On: Being My Best

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:47:00 +0000

Hello out there, if anyone is reading anymore. I've taken such a long break from working on my site and writing in this blog. Call it creative fatigue.

But oh, I am back! I've finished redesigning my blog, and am almost done with my site as a whole. I've got new ideas (making stationery! lunch totes!) and was about to write here today, when I read the following Skelliewag post in my feed reader:

Be the Best, Be Discovered

Here's a snippet:

"If you create something that is as completely awesome as you can make it, other people will see that awesomeness...

...I want to suggest that a truly successful blogger will mainly concern themselves with churning out as much incredible content as they can, day in, day out. And you should do it even if you’re pretty certain the only people reading your blog are your mother and your boss."

I hope someone finds this helpful, and that you subscribe to or choose to follow Skellie. You'll be much more fulfilled if you do.

What perfect timing. I know what I've been doing wrong, and why I fell away from blogging for such a long time. I need to stop thinking about what I should write, and think about what I would like to find in a blog that makes me go, "Ooh! Great post." So simple & obvious, maybe too obvious and that's why I missed it?

Craft Fairrrr in Brooklyn: May 4!

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:13:00 +0000

Just a quick post to tell you about a lovely, roughly semi-annual craft fair in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The Hearts & Crafts Affair takes place this Sunday, May 4 from noon to 6pm in the back of Cafe Grumpy. The coffee's amazing, by the way, so come for the joe and stay for the crafts. I've got new tool belts, aprons and wrist cuffs in the mix so come get 'em (or send a friend) because this stuff sold out at the last Hearts & Crafts Affair last December.

Map

Happy May Day, all.

April cometh...

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 23:31:00 +0000

Well, it happened. I found a new apartment--in Manhattan, no less! And I'm moving on April 1 (no joke). All I can think about is packing, what to bring, what not to bring, more packing, who is going to buy my futon, and packing. I'm set up with a moving company, have keys to the new place and should be dropping some light stuff off this weekend before the big day.

In April, I look forward to cooking, crafting, making art, setting up my new apartment, enjoying Spring weather and happily dodging the rain on the east side of the island. And I freaking deserve it.

Anyway, I see an empty cardboard box out of the corner of my eye and I MUST GO FILL IT. Hope you all are well and creating fun stuff in my absence.

Unplanned hiatus

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:23:00 +0000

Yes, this blog still exists! And I plan on writing here more often and finishing my shop this spring. I've had the busiest few months here in Haasomeland and have taken a bit of an internet break. Not that I haven't continued to read blogs, but I've greatly cut down on them and have used the time to focus on other areas of my life and to help me reconsider the kind of crafty person I want to be.

And that person is: more organized and focused; more disciplined; more selective and refined; and more vocal and expressive. Haasome's gonna be bigger and badder.

First, that requires moving into a new apartment later this month. Rebudgeting. Rethinking how and with whom I spend my time. Then I get a nice kick start by participating in another Hearts & Crafts Affair in Greenpoint in May. Nothing gets me going like a deadline and with my refound sensibility, I think I'll come out of April with a lot of great new stuff.

I've hesitated so much coming back here to write, fearing I'd look like an unproductive slacker who keeps promising she'll do things. Then I remembered that I wanted this blog to be about just that: misadventures and imperfection and addressing the more-common-than-normally-talked-about time when the creative well dries out or you lose the bucket or you just don't have the time because you don't have the luxury of making crafting anything other than a glorified hobby. All while still celebrating awesome craftyness and the part of me that will never ever go away.

Plus I keep thinking about a couple crafty tattoos but DAMN my fear of needles...

Stay tuned; I promise I'll be back!

When it rains...

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 21:37:00 +0000

...it pours with projects!

Doing the Hearts & Crafts Affair was the best (and funnest and most champagne-drenched) thing I could've done lately to get myself busy with crafting again. While I only made a few new things for the fair, those new things sold well and have jump-started me in a nicely focused direction.

Wrist cuffs did very well, as did the utility/craft belts. So well that I was left with just one cuff and an order for a duplicate cuff. I plan on making a bigger batch of both soon. That's part one of my projects list.

Part two is another swap, for which I'm stumped on what to do for the person.

Part three is participation in an art collaboration project.

Part four is a stencil project.

Part five is 2 pairs of wristwarmers for a coworker's mom.

Part six is finishing the site.

All this is happening nearly simultaneously this month. AND I go away to Portland for work next week. What timing! Oh and I heard somewhere it's holiday season. Pa rum pa pum pum.

As for personal projects, they are on hold again. Those projects being skirts and a dress or two. And I would also like to tackle an inspiration board to hang near my desk or above my table. Because I'm a dork like that. Also, having a new addition to the household in the form of Josie the Cat is an excuse to try my hand at a little plushie toy.

All this while holding a pretty consuming day job. How do you people DO it? All in all, I do realize this busyness is a blessing--the most important thing to remember.

The Hearts & Crafts Affair

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 17:16:00 +0000

In between travel, catching up and welcoming a new cat into my life, I've managed to get myself into a holiday craft fair. Huzzah!

What's so great about this one is that it's at a cafe with known-to-be-amazing coffee. So it's indoors, and tables are provided. I love indoor fairs. Rather, I hate carrying and setting up tents. This isn't the first Hearts & Crafts Affair at the cafe either, so I assume it's gone well in the past. How can it not, in a nice cozy atmosphere like that?

Okay, enough blabbing. Here are the deets:

193 Meserole Ave, (at Diamond Street--that's 2 blocks east of McGuinness)

Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Map with nearby subway stops

I've got new stuff in the works. Come see what I've got up my sleeve!

Read more on Kira's blog

In case you were wondering...

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 04:33:00 +0000

...what to get me for my birthday and you have $50+ lying around, here are a couple little tidbits:

1. I love Tim Burton.

2. Tim Burton will be at Lincoln Center on November 14.

What a self-centered post. But I guess that what blogs are all about. Time for another piece of Quebecois chocolate!

Oh yes, I've decided what I'm doing for the bookmark swap. I think. Or I at least have some neat new materials to use for paper-related projects. That's all I can say for now. In case you haven't noticed, I'm not one for writing about my trips til a while after they've happened. Expect more crafty Montreal stuff in about a week or so! If I come back. Hahah...ha.

Montreal day 4

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 03:29:00 +0000

I'll totally fill you in on what I've been up to in Montreal, but I'd rather just work on my website in this here cafe and take care of a little technorati BS.

I think I broke my claimed blogs. Merde.

Technorati Profile

Ants in my pants

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 02:33:00 +0000

I think you'd be scared if you could see my Remember the Milk list for the site. Lots of nitpicky things, a lot of them brought on by reading a supergreat comprehensive article on Skelliewag.org about 50 tips to unclutter your blog, via Unclutterer (I know, I'm blogging about blogging about a blog). I think I'll be adding Skelliewag to my feed reader now, just looking at the latest posts--wow. Tips galore.

So by the time I come back from vacation--the reason I have ants in my pants--I will have my new cards and will have an idea for the Bookmark Swap I'm participating in. (Sign up by November 1!) A swap is the best thing ever. You:

Get to make someone else's day
Automatically get something new that you obviously have a passion for
Contribute to the big picture, the craft community at large by reinforcing the bond among us (Yes, then we take over the world)

The perfect balance of some healthy selfishness and giving. Anymore reasons? I'm sure I'm missing some. This is perfect timing, due to my unhealthy book appetite as of late and need for new projects.

On my vacation, I plan to bring along my sketchbook and come up with designs for lino prints. And to keep my phone off for most of the time.

4 1/2 days!!

By the way, if you came here because I'm linking to your site: thank you, because you've been an inspiration in one way or another. And I just want to spread the word of your awesomeness.

Moving on up

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 23:02:00 +0000

Do you remember your first business card purchase? Well, I just made mine--finally. I'd rather call it my craft card, though. "Business" sounds so corporate. Although I can't say I actually made them.

While I've heard from a reliable source that her cards came out not exactly centered, I still went with VistaPrint for the price and ease of customization. The starting price is $9.99 if you use one of their stock background images; an extra $4.99 gets you a background of your own and another $3.99 gets you a blank back side (a back with VistaPrint advertising is free). Add shipping and it's over $20, but still cheaper and easier to use than other options I researched.

What do you think? Please tell me there isn't a typo.

This is just a crappy screenshot. Many thanks to the awesome Chris (who should write more in that blog) for the polka dot pattern I'm now using throughout the site and now in my promotions. He smartly based it off the fabric I've used in several items in my shop.

Speaking of my site: it's nearing completion, as is the correct CSS for this here blog. In fact, I think my next post will be in the new format. Once everything is launched, I hardly know what I"ll do with myself. Promoting the site and making new things will be the next step, I suppose. I'm thinking: apply to consign with Cut & Paste, submit my stuff to blogs and link exchanges. I'm interested in other suggestions, too.

Off I go!

Sanity: I hear it's nice

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 04:06:00 +0000

So guys? Building a website is kind of difficult. Especially when you're learning as-you-go. Sure, you might have working knowledge of HTML and what makes a good website, but there's a whole lot more out there. W0wzer!

In case it's not clear, the above describes what I'm up to right now. Thankfully, Mellow Being comes to my rescue often. I'm not sure anyone is reading this right now, as my feed got borked and it took forever to figure out that it was the crappy old template I reverted back to upon first publishing via FTP.

To do: make sure Technorati stuff is updated; add subscription buttons back to sidebar

So all my webby energy has been spent in trying to make things work and look presentable. And in getting mad when things don't work and then giving poor Blog the old silent treatment just because of its association with the main site. It's not fair, I know. I've missed you, Blog. You look good, Blog. How are things? Do you still have that CD I lent you, blog?

Oh, ahem. Anyway.

This is all in addition to some major changes and new responsibilities at work, which are certainly affecting my energy and productivity levels after 5pm. Hell, it even made me turn down a happy hour yesterday. In the end, I'm sure most changes will end up as positives, as I'm dealing with them as they come. But what I should say is, this is another contributing factor to what seems like inactivity in haasomeville.

Well, www.haasome.com is sort of "up" in construction mode. Mainly because I was tired of it not being up, and with haasome.com/blog being live, well you never know who might check out the main address.

Any similarities between this post and Julie Powell's writing is not intentional. Her style is just infectious--mostly a much cooler version of mine. Hi, Julie. I aspire to live like you. I finally read her book, and she said something (originally in her blog and quoted in the book) that really hits home. Not just for me, but for most people, I'd imagine. Anyone feeling...all down-trodden upon? (Oh, I love myself when I quote W/IFS). To paraphrase, she describes Julia Child's effect on her life like that of someone who has saved her from drowning. Not that I'm drowning, but don't we all live for those moments/people/things that make us go, "Yes, this is exactly what I should be doing with my life! I am totally here." Something about self-actualization. Or something.

Maybe I'll start with a cat and a dress pattern.

Artists & Fleas

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 05:08:00 +0000

Hey New Yorkers, if you find yourself in or around Williamsburg, Brooklyn this Labor Day Weekend, stop by Artists & Fleas on N. 6th Street. I'll be there both Saturday and Sunday from noon to 7pm selling my wares. Mellow Being and I are splitting a space, woo!

In case you didn't know, here's what Artists & Fleas is all about, in their own words:

Artists & Fleas was established as a weekly marketplace to bring artists, collectors, designers and anyone seeking a place to play show and sell together in a non-intimidating retail environment to network, sell and get feedback from shoppers and fellow creative folks...

Part community gathering spot, part hipster haven, Artists & Fleas has hosted almost 1,000 artists and vendors since opening its doors...

With new vendors every week, guest DJs spinning, an occasional guest appearance from a musician, visits from neighborhood characters and regulars, Artists & Fleas is as much a weekend destination for shopping and selling as it is for hanging out, checking out and chilling out.

It's my first A&F experience selling and I'm pretty excited. Come by and say, "Hi!"

Artists & Fleas is located at 129 N. 6th Street, between Bedford and Berry Streets.

Coveted

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 23:53:00 +0000

Before what I anticipate to be a larger post where I'm bound to ramble on about this summer's past craft fairs, some visual delights! A few things I covet for myself (even things I made for others, mwahaha...).

Once again, it's time to express my love for Repro Depot. Check out these Japanese beauties (all are just a bit out of my price range).

I love me some Japanese chrysanthemums.

Japanese fabrics and crafts are quite possibly my new obsession.

And, now, for another installment of "I wish I had made one of those for myself, too": some patches I embroidered for a swap, using Sublime Stitching patterns. Done in a little bit of a hurry, so as they were flattened out by the recipient's scanner, its imperfections are *ahem* highlighted.

Speaking of Sublime Stitching patterns...DO WANT:

Aside from some new bags I plan on making with purse handles purchased at Michaels during my weekend in Jersey, I'm actually going to make a couple bags for myself soon. And a dress. And skirt. However, if Mellow Being and I decide to apply for Handmade Arcade and get in, not all that stuff for myself will get done before November. If you've done or visited Handmade Arcade (in Pittsburgh), was it worth it? It's quite a trek from New York City.

In my next post I plan on showcasing new items and an Etsy update. As soon as I get back to Brooklyn, where my camera awaits. Lates!

[Temporary] New Look + Upcoming Website!

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 23:25:00 +0000

So I've been ramping up for my new upcoming website--hence the lack of posting and new, VERY PINK look. Also, you may have noticed that you've been redirected to www.haasome.com/blog. Yay! My very own domain.

I've been forced to use a less-than-desired "classic template" by Blogger until I finish my own CSS. I'm a bit of a CSS newb (I know, I know...), so it's taking me a bit longer than average to get it all straightened out. Once the site IS up, you'll be sure to hear about it. And I'll of course welcome comments on look and usability. The homepage will be my shop, with links to this blog and other hopefully useful pages.

I have what looks to be a busy autumn so far! You know I love lists--hold onto your hats:

This week: super secret awesome surprise for the lovely Judi.
Finish website, and apply for Handmade Arcade by Sept. 1.
Sept. 1 and/or 2: Mellow Being and I hope to be vendors at Artists & Fleas.
Make a few new, extra nice things and apply for consignment at Cut + Paste before the craziness of the second half of September.
Sept. 16-19: [Work] Conference in New Orleans.
End of Sept/Beginning of Oct: PARIS.
Nov. 11-12: How awesome would it be to participate in Handmade Arcade??
Nov. 17: Turn 25. Woo!

Feels good to be present again. I have a few new posts up my sleeves in the midst of this CSSful month. Stay tuned...

Time to be informative

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:17:00 +0000

Since I've been too preoccupied lately to write anything creative here, I thought I'd pass along a really helpful article referred to me by Mellow Being.

The details of copyright have always managed to escape me. While I know it's "totally not cool" to copy someone else's work and make profit off of it, or generally even copy and distribute, I never really felt like I understood just what the heck it is.

Like this article reminds us, bloggers and crafters (and craftybloggers) have a certain responsibility to respect each other and the content they come across. While I tend to agree that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, sometimes it goes too far. I have yet to reach the level of "ooh I should copy that girl's stuff" but I can't imagine how violated I would feel if I did. Not to mention it's just plain illegal. Ask Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching how much it sucks! If memory serves me correctly, a major discount department store sold clothing with her designs on them, sans permission.

Reminds me of the latter half of an earlier post concerning Todd Goldman. Fun.

Anyway, fellow crafty bloggy types, read up and protect yourselves and others!

Link: Copyright Explained: I May Copy It, Right?

Upswing?

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 02:07:00 +0000

Apparently, I've gotten worse at updating this. The time between posts seems to have flown by! Jeez, what happened?

What have I been doing with my [crafty] life? Well I'll begin to tell you, starting with the most recent past.

This weekend I was a recluse--a happy one. I felt good on Sunday night as I went to bed, reflecting on the things I had accomplished or furthered along. Just me and my own company, some random TV, music and some text messages received throughout, reminding me of the outside world. This made me smile as I thought, "hoh hoh people, if you only knew what I was workin on!"

Since we all frigging love lists of accomplishments (and inevitable haasome-fashion mini pitfalls in parentheses), this weekend I:

- 85% completed a purse, only because I had to wait for fabric glue to dry. (Of course the glue sort of...made the spot on the felt where the glue was applied somewhat see-through. Maybe I'll glue more felt on top.)

- Cut out fabric for a new apron using with cute vintagey fabric scored from the Repro Depot booth at Renegade.

(Would've sewn more but I need more colors of thread. D'oh.)

- Turned my new Against Me! shirt into a girly fit tee, just taking in the sides a bit.

- Finally fixed a thrift store shirt to fit me, and already wore it today.

- Finished something for a swap. Probably shouldn't mention it here yet...

- Hung a print by The Black Apple, purchased at Renegade.

- Got some house stuff done. Installed new wall-mounted pot rack with some elbow grease and a regular screwdriver. Cleaned the dirtiest half of my bedroom floor and top of bookcases, made dusty by a superintendent mishap and never really thoroughly cleaned until now. Cleaned bathroom. I still have more to do but spurts are good.

Somewhere in there I jogged for a good while. Something tells me that starting to exercise again is helping. Now I have another busy couple of weeks coming up. I hope to accomplish some more stuff somehow, including cleaning the other half of my room & closet, buying more thread and finishing bags and aprons.

Up next (once I recharge my camera batteries), a post about the Brooklyn Renegade Craft Fair and the goodies I bought. Tally-ho.

How I spent my day off...

noreply@blogger.com (haasome) — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 20:44:00 +0000

Let's rewind to Memorial Day, shall we kids?

That Monday was a mix of successes and failures. Satisfaction tainted with a bit of "arghh". By the end of the day, I finished Jen's bag! But what a humid, arduous all-day affair it was. See, I like to take my time with new things, and I generally don't mind working on it throughout the day. Monday was just *special*.

+ I woke up at a reasonable hour and got to work after breakfast. Planned out the bag, cut the pieces, ironed, pinned, and got going.

- Machine kept going on the fritz, requiring multiple re-threading; then things went downhill from there. Seam-ripping the entire top of the bag and the newfound inability to thread a needle or load a bobbin ensued. Oh, and I effed up the lining measurements and had to re-cut that fabric.

+ Good lunch break. I can has Boca burger with bacon, cheddar cheese and dijon mustard? And my new love, chocolate Silk?

- More sweating and grumbling at sewing machine.

+ My super finally showed up to put my air conditioner back in my bedroom.

- Air conditioner is junk, thanks to what must have been a massive cloud of disintegrated brick dust that filled the room, and my air conditioner, when said super fixed my bedroom window frame. (Since then, I've gotten a new A/C and had it installed.)

+ Shortly thereafter, the bag was complete. Woot! It looks great, just like the inspiration bag. Thank goodness for Annie's mac & cheese in the cupboard. Coulda used a beer, though.

- The magnet snaps I used are REALLY STRONG. So, um, just a warning, Jen.

+ I took off the following Friday to go help my sister move to a new apartment, making it a 3-day week.

Behold, the fruits of my labor (with Mellow Being modeling her bag!):

There's more where that came from!

I had a realization at the end of the night. I recovered quickly from the intense disappointment of the A/C failure. It went a little something like, "Oh hey, Jess, it's not the end of the world. How can you fix it?" It rolled off my back quicker than usual. I hope this summer to be one of trying new things. Not getting overly upset and anxious being one of them. Knitting an intermediate pattern being another. Hey-o!