Pink of Perfection

Photos: 1. Nordic trees linen napkins, 2. cabin in the snow, 3. soup, 4. fireplace in the bedroom, 5. how to do a self-portrait, 6. candles, 7. birch logs, 8. felt coffee cozies, 9. tea

Words have felt like quite a lot of bother lately, but pictures–pictures feel good. I’ve fallen deeply and quietly into the land of Pinterest and Etsy looking for winter images that feel how I want to in the deep of January: calm, cozy, quiet, creative. On the heels of a weekend like this one, where I woke up to a covering of snow on the wet gray streets and begrudgingly pulled myself out of bed and out of the house, it feels good to be quiet. Monday, the snow melted, and I walked in the rain to get the crossword (a new favorite winter-quiet activity!). Things are good, and even, but I want the muffled quiet that comes with more snow. And so, for a change, I’m making collages instead of droning on and on. You know how it is, I know you do.

• One of my projects for the new year is to give my cubicle a makeover. If I can’t manage to get together all the ingredients myself, I’m loving these terrarium kits on Etsy.

• Have you tried whole parsley leaves in your salads (as in this kale salad)? In winter salads, its fresh grassiness is a revelation. Pictured above (from left to right): fennel, red onion, and parsley salad; winter salad with lemon-yogurt dressing

• Have you ever taken an e-course? Have you wanted to? I’m taking Susannah Conway’s Unravelling course and loving it, and my mind’s been percolating away at what a Pink of Perfection e-course would look like. Would you be interested? What would you want to see covered? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.

• I’ve been searching for a Cathrineholm teapot, and this might be a perfect stand-in until I find the perfect one. (How much do you love that the name of this Etsy store is During Quiet Time?)

• Do you know of a charity that helps provide low-income girls and young women with access to tutors, mentors, college scholarship money, and other resources that help level the educational playing field? Please tell me–Pink of Perfection wants to give them money!

I’m a sucker for these Built by Wendy sewing books because I am a sucker for Built by Wendy. Not only are her clothes cool, pretty, and effortless, but Wendy Mullin is like the WordPress of designers: with these sewing books, she’s open-source. I’m giving away one copy of her newest book on coats and jackets. FYI: This is probably best suited for intermediate sewers. To enter to win, leave a comment about sewing––your first project, your favorite thing to run up, or your worst disaster––by midnight EST, Friday, May 6. One winner will be chosen at random. Good luck!
Update 5/9 And the winner is Linda! Thanks so much to everyone for entering, and happy sewing.

One of the greatest impediments to my sewing is the hauling-out-and-threading-of-the-sewing machine. Each time, I have to read the directions and take it one slow step at a time. Sewn by Hand is the very beautiful antidote to that. Another antidote: the author herself. In this Q&A, Susan Wasinger reminds me that the effort of creation is an offering back to the world. I hope she inspires you to create beauty in your own corner of the world in whatever way feels right for you. Enter to win the giveaway by leaving a comment with an answer of your own to any of the giveaway questions (whichever one strikes your fancy) by midnight EST Friday April, 15. One winner will be chosen at random. Good luck, and happy beauty-making!

What most inspires you to create, to write, to live well?

I have been given many lucky things in my life. I’ve had a great family, incredible friends, and I’ve been lucky enough to live in some of the most beautiful places on the planet. I feel like the way to honor all of that good fortune is by working hard, and taking on creative challenges, and spreading around the things others have taught me. When I get cranky about how full my inbox is or all the impending deadlines, I remind myself how often the fortunes have smiled on me, how often jewels have been laid at my feet. It would be unthinkable not to pick up those boons and blessings and hand them on to others.

What’s some of the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

Well my daughter picked this up in her travels through the world and I think it is very good advice: “It will all turn out okay in the end, and if it’s not okay, then it’s not the end.” The other good advice is that you have to show up. You have to stand up, go out, and meet your life. It is no good sitting around thinking about things you want to do, places you want to go, the person you want to be when you grow up. You have to make that effort, and take that first step, even if sometimes that first step is a real leap.

Continue reading “Giveaway: Sewn by Hand” »

I fell in love with these Valentine’s Day garlands made from old copies of Pride and Prejudice when I saw them on A Rambling Fancy and vowed to craft my own. But then I realized I’d need a cool hole punch and to haul out the sewing machine, and suddenly I just knew this wasn’t going to happen by the 14th. Why not just feature them and the marvelously crafty Christine and then just tell you where––if you’re feeling a little lazy like me––you can buy them?

What inspires you to create, to write, to live well?

Creativity has always been a part of my life and I can’t imagine living any other way. Surrounding myself (both offline and on) with an eclectic group of artists and creative friends is my greatest source of inspiration. They help me think differently and approach ideas in a new way. My brother constantly challenges to me to “just do it”. So often I think we creative types can get hung up on the process or we have so many ideas rolling around in our head it can be hard to focus on one project and follow through with it to the end (well, at least that’s how it is for me). Sometimes we need to “Nike it up”—who cares if it’s been done before or if it won’t come out perfect. Whether it involves taking a piece of fabric and fashioning it into a piece of clothing that suits me just right, recycling old and abused books into wall decor that brightens my day every time I look at it or finding the right words to communicate an idea or story I hope others will connect with, it’s important to just do it.

Continue reading “Pride and Prejudice Valentine Garland” »

I’m not saying they’re pretty. In fact, they look more like a play-doh experiment gone wrong than a delightful tea time snack. But I will proudly assert that these taste shockingly like the genuine article.

I made my own because I fear I will never be able to afford a house, snowshoes, or that amazing pair of ass-kicking boots I’ve been coveting if I continue to buy these babies. That’s the trouble with trying to do right by your health: sometimes it costs more.

Unless––huzzah!––you endeavor to make your own. If you can dress yourself, you can make these. Your food processor grinds the nuts into magic, heart-healthy fairy dust and turns crisp banana chips and dates into a sticky dough. Knead the two together, roll out flat (or between your palms into balls), and you’ve got a terrific on-the-go snack, on the cheap. Ingenuity: 1. Store-bought snacks: 0.

Continue reading “Homemade Banana Bread Larabars” »

One loving husband I know calls his wife his “Pioneer Girl.” I am not-so-secretly jealous of this nickname. If there’s one thing I love, it’s that quality that causes me to buy Girl Scout Handbooks from the 1930s in junk stores––an unflappable can-do spirit. This is why I loved Erin Bried’s last book, How to Sew a Button, and why I am as equally excited about her new book, How to Build a Fire: And Other Handy Things Your Grandfather Knew. It’s not only filled with practical bits like how to change a flat tire and make toast. It’s got good life advice about leaving work at work and bouncing back after bad news, all delivered with good humor and good cheer. What better way to start the new year than with an I-can-do-anything surge of self-reliance? To enter to win, leave a comment by midnight EST, Friday January 7 about a skill you’re proud to know. One winner will be chosen at random.

Update 1/9: You are won amazingly competent group of ladies! I loved reading about everyone’s talents. Paige C was the winner, and thanks to all of you for entering!

The first thing I do every morning these days, before I brush my teeth or even put the coffee on, is to plug in the lights on our Christmas tree. I just think it is the cheeriest sight to set our fir twinkling straight away. Between my Elvis Christmas album and my Ella Fitzgerald holiday station on Pandora, I just hope I’m not driving the neighbors batty with my tireless holiday spirit.

Today I engaged in my absolute favorite Christmas tradition: my annual viewing of Anne of Green Gables coupled with some craft time. I like easy, cheap crafts that won’t end up in the junk pile in three months. So I fell hard for all the simple felt projects that have been cropping up in magazines for the holidays. The easiest looking of all was a felt garland that required nothing more than felt, twine and glue. I could put down the scissors and watch with rapt attention when Anne walks into the barn to thank Matthew for her first puff sleeve dress. She has tears in her eyes. “Don’t you like it?” he asks, unsure. “Like it? It’s more exquisite than any dress I could ever imagine.” Then they hug in the hay-filled warmth of the barn, and I bawl. It’s a great tradition. Watch with me:

And this is just the most charming garland, is it not? Just find a circle around the house––I used the bottom of a teacup––and trace it on to the felt. Fold the piece of felt in half so you can cut out two circle at a time. Sandwich twine between two circles and glue. Leave an inch of twine between circles and repeat.

It turns out it’s not as easy as it looks to cut round circles. But don’t let that deter you. What happens is what I like to think of as the Destiny’s Child effect––no one will be zeroing in on each circle when the effect of the ensemble is so smashing.