The Reluctance.

I started this prototype kid's tie one year ago. It didn't work quite right so I set it aside and basically forgot about it. In the meantime, I did manage to crank out one, count 'em, kid's tie for a custom order during this past year. Yesterday I was bumbling around in the studio and came across this fun neon thing that I started. So I tinkered with it. It's still not perfect and honestly, it's a little long for O but he's wearing it with pride. "Papa pulls on it like this," he said when he put it on.

This sourpuss face is the most accurate of shots that I got. He agreed to take pictures but was pretty annoyed that it was "taking soooooo long." It was five minutes tops. 

But once it was over he took the wearing of his new tie (or tight, as he says) pretty seriously. He wore it to Home Depot and wanted to put it back on after his bath. And this morning he requested to wear it again when it was time to get dressed. So he'll be the most formal one at his sitter's house today I'm sure. Happy Tuesday, hope you're looking your best!

Snow Day Crafts

The day started off a little shaky. The mounds of snow determined to keep us indoors made me worry about what we'd do today. Through clenched teeth and spilled milk (literally everywhere), I scrubbed the stove top in protest of another day inside. It's winter, I thought to myself, get inspired. Deep breaths and a cup of coffee while O played trains and I had a simple idea. Let's make something kiddo. 

Our craft shelves are overflowing with things to do, I just have to actually do them. I have to come up with the ideas, this kid would happily just watch T.V. on a day like this but I didn't want to start that up.  We gathered up the X and O stamp, some nice craft paper, a glue stick, and scissors and made Valentine's Day cards together.

I helped with the cutting and the tape, and stopped my inner control freak from intervening beyond that. They look great and he was really proud of himself and listed off the names of friends and family that he'll be giving these to. Plus we easily spent a good hour on them.

 

"Don't worry, mama, the ink will wash away." It's tough sometimes to find an activity that we both want to do, I can only play train chase for so long before I'm bored…so  crafts are always a great alternative. Now I just need to stay motivated for the rest of winter. When't it over…April? Happy Friday!

Last Minute Market.

There is just something special about a handmade gift. And if you don't have the time to make it yourself finish up your shopping this Saturday, December 21st at Last Minute Market in Lakewood! 13000 Athens Ave, Lakewood, 44107. It is a huge show and so much fun every year. This will be my third time participating and I look forward to seeing familiar faces and also getting a few last minute gifts! Check out their website for more details about all the vendors that will be there.

I have lots of great new things for all of the dashing gentlemen in your life, including those of the canine type.

I'll have neckties, bow ties, tie clips, and more! Come by and say hello!

For Wreaths.

Thanks to my Instagram feed I have become aware of so many amazing artists and artisans out there in the world. One of which is a floral designer from California, Moon Canyon. I don't know too much about them other than their amazing and beautiful floral arrangements that they post. I was inspired by a wreath that I saw and I knew I had to make my own version.

Materials:

Grapevine Wreath from Michael's

Trimmings from the bottom of our Christmas Tree

Branches from the tree in the backyard, with berries

Thin gauge wire

Wire cutters

I was out in the falling snow cutting down low hanging branches feeling very merry. I was happy to know that other than the wreath, we had all of the required materials in the house.

I swept the Christmas tree branches along the bottom and secured it with the wire. Then wove the berry branches into the wreath and on top of the greenery. I wanted the branches swept to the side and kind of loose and falling to add to the dramatic look. The lion on our front door was happy to have some company and it only took me about twenty minutes total. Did you make a wreath this year? I'd love to see if you did! 

Happy birthday Dad!!

The Doberman.

I am the proud aunt of not one but three dogs. And when one of these said pups was in need of something special for the holidays, I went ahead and made it for him. See, Huckleberry Finn's owners are two very fashionable Clevelanders and he needed to hold his own. That's where I came in. 

I have in the past made two dog bow ties for wedding parties but it was done on the sly. I wasn't sure if it was something that I wanted to open myself up to. But once I found the proper gear it turned out to be a pretty fun thing to make! Just look at the handsome face of his! I can't wait to see their holiday card! Way to get in the spirit Huck! If you know I pup in need I have a few extra!

Get Made.

It's that time of year again! Time for holiday shopping and parties! Come out and see me and tons of other fabulous Cleveland artists at the MADE in the 216 Holiday shop! The kick off party is this Friday and here's the scoop from the one and only Jennie Doran, shop owner extraordinaire!

It's MADE's 6th Birthday!!

Join us this holiday season as we celebrate great design and the Cleveland artisans that make it happen at R/S's annual MADE IN THE 216 HOLIDAY SHOPPE!! There is tons to do in our fabulous Ohio City neighborhood, and MADE is right in the thick of it!

We've got THE gifts for everyone on that list, and we are open 7 days a week, 11-6!! Located inside Room Service at 2078 W. 25th St.

(Extended evening hours beginning 12/8)

Do be sure to join us for our OPENING NIGHT PARTY shenanigans on "Black Friday" NOVEMBER 29th at 4pm. 

Our favorite DJ Peter Pleasurecruise is on the tunes, and we'll have very own MADE brew on tap, wine and hot toddy's! Scrumptious treats provided by the fabulous Becca Ritterspach of the newly launched Save Room!!

Afterparty goes down at The DUCK ISLAND CLUB, just a skip from R/S at 2102 Freeman Ave in Tremont. 

Don't miss it friends!!!   Love Local. Shop MADE.

Sunday Funday!

Another post about Sunday, you ask?! This time I'm inviting you to join me! This Sunday, August 11 from 12:00-5:00 I will be joining some really fun local artists, musicians, and entertainers for the 12th Annual Cedar- Fairmount Festival. Some of those people include Grey Cardigan, On the Lookout, and Three Little B's! Come and ride the rocket car and check out the fun in Cleveland Heights! I'd love to see you.

Made in the 216.

Hey friends! I'm excited to announce the return of Made in the 216 to Ohio City this weekend! I will be participating in this fun event again hosted by Room Service at a pop up location, 1810 W. 25th St from Friday-Sunday! There will be a whole lot of awesome local artists, bands, and food so please come and check it out! The bow ties are looking pretty fly in my humble opinion. See you there!

Before and After: Laundry Room

Happy Monday! JJ has been busy working on the house and yard so I wanted to share the most photogenic of the two completed projects. The other is a roof and it's not all the exciting to see. Behold, our shiny, new laundry room! One of the nicest features of the new house is the first floor laundry room! What a dream...I don't have to go in the basement and it makes things just a little bit easier.

When we moved in the room was fine but it had it's setbacks. Those white wire racks were falling out of the wall, the window in the back was covered in that protective plastic but had about one thousand bugs in it, and it just wasn't very inviting as the main entry to our home.

So JJ got to work painting and repairing the walls. We already our own washer and dryer so we gave the ones in the previous photo to my brother-in-law. The front loaders were just a little sleeker looking but didn't quite fit into the wooden braces that the previous owner had made.

We picked a brighter, cleaner blue for the walls and mounted hooks at our height and ones at O's height too. There is a cabinet with shelves for detergent and other laundry related things plus a bin that we use as a hamper. JJ built a shelf for the machines to sit on so I don't have to bend over and bump into the door behind me (gasp). Plus the cubby below is perfect for collecting our shoes! It's glorious. 

The only thing that we didn't replace is the floor, also known as JJ's arch enemy, but that will come. It's such a nice, functional room now. That husband of mine sure is handy!

Crib Sheet DIY.

Sometimes you just have that a-ha moment (for lack of a better term). But the obvious just becomes so clear. I've had my eye on some fancy new sheets for Little Man's bed but I cannot bring myself to pay some of the ridiculous prices out there. Friday I was just about at the point of breaking down and doing it, buying yet another new thing that we can live without, when it occurred to me that I could probably just make it. Enter this MADE tutorial. I cannot tell you how happy I am with the results!

All you need is 2 yards of fabric and 80 inches of 1/4 inch elastic and a long enough nap from the little one to get it done. Her tutorial is so simple and straight forward I don't really need to walk you through it but here are my step by step pictures anyway since I took them.

1. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise and widthwise with the outside edges lining up.

2. Cut out 8 x 8 inch squares from the folded corners.

3. Fold over and iron a pocket to thread the elastic through and pin.

4. Sew the four corners together to create the corner pockets that wrap around the mattress. She recommends a serged edge but I don't have a serger so I did this stretch stitch and then a straight stitch to ensure that it will stay secure. I looked at sheet we already have to figure that out. Make you you unfold the elastic pocket before you sew the corners in. Next you sew the elastic pocket seam closed with a straight stitch.

5. Use a safety pin to thread the elastic through, sew the elastic together then sew the pocket and put it on!

The woman at the cutting counter thought I was nuts to use this fabric for a crib sheet, she said "it will keep the baby awake!" I doubt it. Look how happy he is. If you make it let me know!

Summer Camp.

Back in April we took a very fun camping trip with some friends. Little Man was so obsessed with the tent when it got there that he basically refused to get out. For over an hour. It got me thinking about all of the cool play tents, teepees, etc. that I've been seeing everywhere. Buying one was my first instinct when we were still in the apartment but after thinking it through it seemed like it would be a lot more fun if we built something. Thus we have the pup tent. We based it on this model but changed it up, scaled it down, and made it collapsable. 

Friday night we took to the basement to build and the attic to sew. I really got out easy on this one since all I had to do was iron and sew two seams but we had fun listening to music and chatting while O snoozed.

Once we were finished we snuck into his room and set it up. In the morning we were awoken to screams of "Mama, what is that?! I need to get in there!" It was perfect. Happy Monday!

Dressed to Kill.

I've been busy over here thinking of spring...and to me it apparently means black, white and turquoise. 

One of these double sided beauties has already made an appearance out on the town and now there's one in the mix for that special man. Mix it up and get flashy with it.

And finally, here's a diamond point linen. I love it. I'm not trying to toot my own horn (any further than usual) I'm just excited! Tell me, what do you think? I hope you have a great weekend. I also hope it's a long one for all of you! We are headed to Chicago to see our friends and I am excited to adventure out of town for a bit, relax with friends, and enjoy the frenzy of four kids! Enjoy yourselves and I'll catch you next week.