Let There Be Light

After 1 and 1/2 years I am finally settling into my new, smaller apartment and after culling, culling and more culling finally at the point where decorating involves more than trying to decide where to put what and what to get rid of.  Of course with the cooler weather comes my tendency to nest so the first place needing attention is my bedroom. 

While at the Christmas Tree Shop (Have you heard of http://www.christmastreeshops.com/  ?) with my mother and sister I found all I needed to make some really amazing hanging lamps that would bring both style and mood to The bedroom space.  For a mere $30 I purchased 2 x 12" metal candle lanterns and 2 x white electrical light kits usually used with paper lanterns. I already had metal snipers and the fine metal wire from the 99cent store that would make converting them into hanging lamps simple and easy. 

After removing the candle glass holder it was quick and simple to center the bulk holder between the 3 hanger prongs by looping 3 wire twists around the bulb holder and twist tying each one to a corresponding hanger prong. Luckily the leaf pattern on the lantern allowed for a few simple snipes to make an opening to run the  chord and plug head through

All Images © Simone Rene 2013

After adding a 60 watt bulb to each of the lamps

Voila! There was Light!

All Images © Simone Rene 2013

Now I have to find some interesting wall hooks to hang them from...sigh

ReCycle, RePurpose, ReInvent

All Images © Simone Rene 2013

All Images © Simone Rene 2012

 All Images © Simone Rene 2013

My sister Tamarah teaches a recycled art class. The projects she shares are pretty amazing. The art that is made truly makes one consider how much we waste, even when we believe we are being considerate of  how things are grown and made. A long time proponent of buying and living with previously used and worn items being privy to her process and the results of her students has made me begin to see what most of us consider trash and throw away in a new light. Last week I took pictures of things I know could be used to make new and wonderful things. Sigh...I really need a car and a warehouse..

Obsessed....

I took this picture months ago but I keep returning to it-

A store on the Lower East Side (LES) was in transition and the tenant found a brilliant and curious way to shield the work being done from nosey eyes like mine. Newspapering windows isn't a new thing, especially on the LES, but when it is done in such a planned and intentional way it becomes art...wonder if I can replace my apartment window treatments.....

Custom Made Bettie Page...

Earlier this week I posted about the newly opened Bettie Page clothing store at the Bowery.

This morning I received an email from Vogue Patterns advising of a 2 day sale on all Vintage Sewing Patterns. 

So if you prefer your vintage style home-made and tailored to your needs have a look at

http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/48-hour-deal-vintage-vogue-pages-4432.php?utm_source=V20130109DD48&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=V20130109DD48_VintageVogue&utm_source=V20130109DD48&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=V20130109DD48

 

Cover Up

100 years ago I found a chair, I dragged it home, cleaned and quickly covered it with some linen from my fabric stash- see below - because I was a little intimidated by the thought of refinishing it in a major way.

Fast forward to this weekend when I decided to take a drastic step and paint and recover it so that it fits in better with the recent redecorating. 

So off came the fabric and muslin and out came the drop cloth, black paint and sponge paint rollers and brush, batting, staple gun, scissors, hammer, tacks and the large piece of hot pink leather I found on the give away pile at work.

I'm going cover a small back pillow with a piece of the fabric I recovered the headboard with.

When I first found the chair I had this fear that if I attempted a major makeover that I would ruin it. I loved its shape and after living with it and using it almost daily I knew I wanted to keep it but in order to do so it would have to be tied in with the new decor. That meant I would have to push pass that fear and just go for it. It wasn't easy. I toyed with just buying a new chair in a color and fabric that was ready to fit in but as I was worked on the chair I had, the chair I loved, I realized that even if I "ruined" it that it would be ok because I had made the choice to try.

Got You Covered...

I needed a small area rug to place underneath the small coffee table in my small living room area. After months of hunting for something larger than 2' x 4' but smaller than a 3' x 5' and neutral but with flair I was about to give up when inspired by the new trend of painted oil-cloth floor throws I decided to turn to my fabric stash and custom make something instead.

The Photo above doesn't doesn't do my little homemade beauty justice.

The fabric is a piece of heavy weight rubber backed upholstery fabric in a neutral oatmeal color that I have had for years. I cut it to the desired size, sewed navy blue bias tape to all for sized, used hem tape to
iron it down into place, hand mitered the corners and finished it off with a blue top stitch.

It was quick and easy to make and when I grow bored with it I can turn it into something else. I am already thinking about stenciling it....

click on title for no swearing bias tape lesson

(Please ignore the 2 plain beige chairs. I am currently recovering them with some more fabric from my fabric stash - which is large enough to dress a small Brooklyn neighborhood for a month..)

Punked

Back in my College days I wore a lot of shirts, skirts and dresses that looked like this Balmain top. The ones I wore were usually accompanied by a motorcycle jacket and a pair of  steele toed combat boots that I still mourn, the steele "cage" was on the outsides of the boots but I digress.

Usually my shirts and dresses started out like this - an oversized long sleeved black t-shirt. (Sometimes if the shirt was large enough I cut the bottom off to make a quick mini-skirt and top.)

And a box of safety pins purchased from the 24 hour drug store near my apartment

And a razor blade I brought from the same drug store

and my sewing scissors

In the end the whole outfit (sans jacket and boots) usually cost me well under $10, unlike the $1,600 Balmain Cotton Top with Safety Pins I've shown as reference.



Do Over

Way back when I posted an entry about making a headboard using a Martha Stewart shower curtain, some stretcher bars from Utrecht Art Supply, batting and a staple gun - see below. The bold graphics paired with the hot pink worked but I found it too graphic for me...

This weekend I spent all of 20 minutes recovering the headboard - see below.

I found the fabric ($3.50/yd) at one of my favorite haunts, Fulton Fabrics, 398 Bridge Street. I've posted about them before. They are the last remaining fabric store off the Fulton Street Mall. They carry a lot of upholstery fabrics and some interesting rayon print, perfect for 1940 style dresses, but all of their fabrics are ends, the left overs from previous seasons. To be honest it's either hit or miss but that's part of the fun.

(Ignore the home-made printer's box side table - it's a work in progress - I am still deciding if I should paint it black or antique silver )

DIY Gaming Gift

Have an old wooden Backgammon game hanging around

Inspired by Geoffrey Parker's Backgammon Games to paint it

http://geoffreyparker.com/bespoke/backgammon/index.html

Purification...

I know I shouldn't type this but with the recession in full swing the Yoga craze seems to be dying down and now it's safe to come out of the yoga closet. People are still doing yoga but I seem to be meeting people who are truly commited to their practices not the trend.

I yoga at home and have paired down practice to a mat, a blanket and an occasional cd of music that calms me. I also make a meditative spray that I use to clean the mat. I found the "recipe" and gladly share it with you -

3/4 cup water

1/4 cup rubbing alcohol

1/4 teaspooon jojoba oil

6 drops of sweet orange essential oil*

3 drops of jasmine essential oil*

3 drops of sandalwood essential oul*

3 drops of sweet basil essential oil*

3 drops of tea tree essential oil*

Combine all in a spray bottle and shake. Spritz over mat and wipe clean with a soft cloth

Namaste!

*essential oils - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_oil

Mirroring Creativity

Inspired by this 1950s French Mirror off to Home Depot I went

Mirror Options ran from $29.99 - over $100.00.

I found a circular one at 36" diameter for about $30.

A piece of masonit or plywood could to create a 2nd layer

In the nail aisle there were railroad spikes in various sizes ranging form $0.17 -0.70 each
In the same aisle were rods and corner bars that might be an interesting addition
Costs varied depending on width and length.

Sorry I didn't take pictures of the epoxy and wood glues or the bronze spray paint and the powdered graphite or spray sealant that are also needed to finish off the mirror. The entire project, besides being totally unique, would cost me under $75, much less than the requested $2,200 for the 10" diameter French mirror. Unfortunately the project is holding until I decide which wall I would put it on.

Coasting Along...

I have a really bad habit of sitting my cups, glasses and mugs all over the place sans coasters. Luckily none of my furniture is precious and its value does not go beyond sentimental.

My sister is big on coasters and will slip one down before my hovering cup hits the table's surface. The other day while I was in Home Depot I came across plant coasters available in various sizes. One side of the coaster was cork and the other was plain masonite, the same surface that as an art student I gessoed, sanded and painted on..hmmmmmmmmmm think of the possiblities ........

Screening Ideas..

Now that the wall o'shoes is up I want a screen to cover it and quiet that area down. I haven't seen any that strike my fancy so with the idea of using 2 sets of folding doors to create the screen off to Home Depot I went. I was not prepared for all the options but happy to know that once I finally make a decision I can have a one of a kind customized folding screen for as little as $50 plus the labor and effort.

The panel screens excite me because I can work within the panels and upholster or wall paper, studd or use moulding to enhance them.

These plain ones also have so many possiblities! I can use moulding to create odd graphic patterns or customize them with paint and stencils or ebony stain them and glue on color matching picture frames that allow me to switch up images..decisions, decisions, decision...

Worth Turning The Oven On In This Heat

I made this recipe the other nigh. It simple and quick, it takes about 1/2 hour to put together.

Feel free to experiment and substitute the veggies! I made one with spinach and potatoes instead of squash and it was amazing!

The recipe makes 2 tortes - Freeze one!

1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

2lbs Yukon potatoes & 12 ounces yellow squash,

cut 1/8-inch-thick rounds

6 teaspoons olive oil

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Butter two 8-inch-diameter cake pans. (I used square ceramic pans)

Set aside 1/4 cup sliced green onions.

Toss remaining green onions, cheese, flour, thyme, salt and pepper in medium bowl to blend.

Create 1 Layer potatoes in concentric circles in bottom of 1 prepared pan, overlapping slightly.
Drizzle with 1 teaspoon oil.

Sprinkle with 1/6 of cheese mixture.

Repeat procedure remaining potatoes, squash, oil, and cheese mixture.
Cover pans with foil.
Bake until potatoes are almost tender, about 40 minutes.

Remove foil; bake uncovered until tortes begin to brown and potatoes are tender, about 25 minutes longer.Cut each torte into wedges.

Sprinkle wedges with 1/4 cup green onions; serve.

(Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cool. Cover with foil and chill. Rewarm, covered with foil, in 350°F oven until heated through, about 30 minutes.)

Remember

When you see these

(Roberta Freymann)

or this

(Banana Republic)

Remember My Earlier Post About This
http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M5943.htm?tab=list/whats_new&page=all

SooooBlueberrymuffined

If you haven't noticed by now - I have a thing for muffins and I prefer to make them because I can decide how large or small and chocked full of goodness they are. A few days ago I bought the biggest juicest blueberries and decided to make some muffins to enjoy for the rest of the week (see above).

Following is the very easy recipe - ENJOY!

1-1/2 c flour (50/50 Wheat/White)
3/4 c Sugar
1/2 t salt
2 t baking powder
1/3c vegetable oil
1 large egg
1/2 c milk
1 cup fresh blueberries

Topping -
1/2 c sugar
1/3 c white flour
1/4 c soften butter
1-1/2 t cinnamon

Preheat over 400F degrees
Prepare muffin tins - line/cooking spray/grease with butter-dust with flour

Combine flour, sugar, salt & baking powder in main bowlIn smaller bowl crack and mix egg, add oil + milkMix liquid into dry mix in main bowl.
Fold in fresh blueberriesFill muffin tin 2/3's wayPlace 1-1/2 t *topping atop each, use back of spoon to spread even.Bake for 20-25 minutes -to test use poke toothpick into center.
It should be dry when pulled back

*to make topping mix sugar, flour and
cinnamon and add in butter, mixing with flour until it is paste like.

BUTTERICK PATTERNS' CLEARANCE SALE

If you sew or collect sewing patterns today starts Buttericks Clearance Sale!

Patterns are $3.00.

http://www.butterick.com/list/clearance/page-1

A Biased Opinion

When Madeleine Vionnet by Betty Kirke was published by Chronicle in 1998 I was one of the lucky ones that received a copy from the 1st printing. I confess I begged for that book and I was not disappointed when it was placed in my hot little hands. It is filled not only with images and information about M. Vionnet's life and work but also has patterns that can be scaled up to re create some of her classic dresses.

Vionnet was known for dresses that looked simple but were truly architectural wonders that combined bias cut fabric pieces to create flow and form against a woman's body.

Originally $100 you can purchase the book from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Madeleine-Vionnet-Betty-Kirke/dp/0811819973 for $63 plus shipping, but before you do check out the article http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/14/fashion/14iht-fvion.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=vionnet&st=cse and the accompanying slide show http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/07/13/style/global/20090714-vion-slideshow_index.html on the New York Times site.

Brooklyn Bits and Baubles

If you live in Brooklyn and make your own crafts and luxury items a visit to Union Max is essential.

Union Max, located at 110 Union St Brooklyn, NY 11231 - (718) 222-1785 , offers all manner of vintage item including clothing, bric-brac, jewelry findings, bits and baubles and tons more that make it worth the trip. Call for hours.

Feeling Mallow....

I swiped this recipe from Diary of a Foodie recipe files because it is so worth the effort of making.
I thought I would share in my "borrowing"! Enjoy

TOASTED-COCONUT MARSHMALLOW SQUARES

DIARY OF A FOODIE: SEASON TWO: THE WORLD OF SWEET

MAKESABOUT 4 DOZEN CANDIES

• ACTIVE TIME:1 HR
• START TO FINISH:3 1/4 HR (INCLUDES SETTING TIME)
c

2c unsweetened dried coconut
3 (1/4-oz) envelopes unflavored gelatin
1 c water, divided
1 1/2 c sugar
1 c light corn syrup
1/4 t salt
2 t pure vanilla extract
1/2 t coconut extract

• EQUIPMENT:

  a 9-inch square metal baking pan; a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment; a candy thermometer
• Toast coconut in a shallow baking pan in oven until golden, 7 to 10 minutes. Oil 9-inch baking pan, then sprinkle

bottom with 1/2c toasted coconut.

Sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 c water in bowl of mixer.

Let soften while making syrup.
Heat sugar, corn syrup, salt, and remaining 1/2c water in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved.

Bring to a boil over medium heat, without stirring, washing any sugar crystals down side of pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water.

Put thermometer into syrup and continue boiling, without stirring, until it registers 240°F (soft-ball stage).
Remove from heat and let stand until bubbles dissipate.
With mixer at low speed, pour hot syrup into gelatin in a thin stream down side of bowl. Increase speed to high and beat until very thick, about 15 minutes.
Add vanilla and coconut extracts and beat 1 minute more.
Spoon marshmallow over toasted coconut in baking pan and press evenly with dampened fingertips to smooth top

(it will be very sticky), then evenly sprinkle top with 1/2 cup toasted coconut.
Let stand, uncovered, at room temperature until firm, about 2 hours.
Run a sharp knife around edge of marshmallow and invert onto a cutting board.

Cut into 3/4-inch-wide strips then cut each strip into 3/4-inch squares.
Put remaining coconut into bowl and dredge marshmallows to completely coat

• Layer on parchment in air tight container. Stays Fresh for 1 month.