{scissor variations}

organization: string stand

 

 

 

When Whitney re-introduced basic red and white twine to all of us several years ago in a myriad of colors we all went crazy for it (even Martha took notice).

 

There are times when I would have a crafty get together and I would want to break out all of my special supplies to share, including my twine stash.

 

black + white diagonal stripe bags from Whisker Graphics

 

The cones were getting a bit sticky from glue spillage, a bit dirty in spots if one rolled away on us and onto the floor and sometimes they got buried under the piles of paper and other supplies as the evening would progress and we would get a little messy.

 

I needed a quick, cheap solution, specifically for these nights when we were sharing craft projects and ideas. But a solution that still displayed the twine so we could appreciate the colors (what would a craft night be without visual texture?).

 

i find myself attracted to an industrial metal "look" when it comes to shelving + storage so these suit my tastes perfectly.

 

To make some "string stands" for yourself you will need to go to the hardware store and ask for "double rod chairs"--that is what the wire form is called. If you shop at Lowe's it is in the same section as the steel mesh (for concrete stabilization). On the shelf they are usually stacked one on top of the other (see above photo). There are usually 2 sizes available. The ones I use are the smaller size.

 

Brace yourself for the price. Approximately 49 cents.

 

You will also need a heavy duty pair of wire cutters as the "chairs" are made of steel.

 

Place one of the "chairs" on a flat surface. Snip the top wire in the center. The above photo shows where I have snipped all of the "chairs".

 

Slide on your roll of twine. And you're done.

 

These are very light weight and easy to carry around, they are easy to "see" when you are working on a table filled with craft supplies because they elevate the twine and they keep the twine clean.

 

I hang these on my pegboard hooks for storing and easy access when it is not craft night.

 

...and don't forget about your Japanese washi tape. For washi tape I snip the "chairs" along the side instead of the middle and thread the rolls on that way--if you have a lot of washi tape rolls and like to "see them" on display, these forms are a great inexpensive way to display them-especially if you do put the "chairs" up on your pegboard or wall display area.

 

these double rod chairs caught my eye at the hardware store and i remember exclaiming to my husband "i love these!" although i had no clue as to what they were or what their intended use was. i purchased a small stack of them because i felt certain i could turm them into something??!!

+ 49 cents, i mean come on, right?

 right?

spiral goodness

 

 

i was watching tv one day and came across Anna Olson making these scones. i immediately printed out the recipe and put it in my "to try soon" pile.

i might need to rename that pile of recipes "not soon enough". the scones were absolutely delicious.

she gives a few filling options with the recipe. for my filling i chose crumbled goat cheese, then i drizzled honey over top and finished it off with some freshly ground black pepper. after they were rolled, sliced + brushed with milk, i sprinkled black sesame seeds on top.

the next filling i am going to try is roasted red pepper, grated parmesan and fresh basil. i will report back of course.

ode to knack studios

i love Mondays because that is the day that Barb has a new piece of furniture to introduce to blog readers over at Knack Studios. and who doesn't love a before and after?

 

the day Miss Verla was introduced i was breathless when her photo popped up on my screen.

but alas distance prevailed and Miss Verla shacked up with someone else.

but i still think about her from time to time.

bowerbird box

little boxes + drawers. boxes within drawers. i have many. tucked away in various locations. collections of smalls--clothing tags, loose buttons, clips, imported soda bottle caps, a monogram. little messy piles of pure delight.

 

i had an uncle call me a "packrat". i was 7 years old. 

i had a small purse filled to the brim with treasures. i was sitting by a thicket of raspberry bushes on a small quilt and was carefully removing everything from the purse and arranging my collection on the quilt. that was the first time i heard a person described as a packrat. although only 7 i was able to discern that it was not meant as a compliment.

Sibella Court's new book "Bowerbird" releases October 9th --oh how i wish i had that beautiful word in my vocabulary at 7 years old, so i could have proudly proclaimed that "i was a bowerbird".

 

peek at some of the gorgeous pages from the book here on Sibella's blog.

 

no.60 interlude

tomatoes + thyme

i have been roasting cases of tomatoes as fast as i can to make this luscious homemade soup. i have been freezing it (omitting the cream, which i will add a little bit of before serving in the winter months).

 

roasted tomatoes, onions + garlic, what could be better than that?

 

i found the wonderful, simple recipe on the Naturally Ella blog- here. the original recipe is from The Sprouted Kitchen cookbook by Sara Forte.

 

i used thyme because i love thyme + tomatoes together. maybe you do too?

the best part about making this soup is enjoying a wee bowl hot out of the pot at the completion of every batch. there has to be some quality control during the process, right?

 

visual flutters

 

 

i love cardigans + intricate artwork. here is a perfect pairing of the 2.

 

more stitching of a different kind but just as mesmerizing.

 

the fall edition of Sweet Paul magazine is now available on line. it has a wonderful moody fall feel to it--i dare say, almost tactile inspite of the fact that it is digital.

 

i love this photo....where i am + at the same time where i long to be. if this were a print i'd buy it.

 

 

the latest issue of covet garden came out this past wednesday.  this is my favorite on-line magazine. i loved issue 17 which featured the home of intricate paper artist cybele young. i was lucky enough to see some of her work at a local gallery in the late spring. tiny little what-nots fashioned out of paper. pieces of clothing with paper zippers, the teeth of which were no wider than an eyelash. even though i viewed her work on her website i was not prepared for the complexity as i pressed my nose as close as was socially allowable once i was in the gallery. it was breathtaking, mesmerizing and magical.

 

another artist who sculpts beautiful paper items. browse through her blog as you will find all sorts of wonderful art. she also created a very clever look book video (for a clothing company). fun to watch.

 

gorgeous bark cloth (finally found some at the thrift store)---geeking out on school supplies---beautiful, to me,  small details

 

discontinued products = savings

Fall Folly Sale

and that means 50% off of current
in stock items that are on the website--while supplies last!

You must use the coupon code when checking out to receive
the savings.

 

Coupon Code: findings

Valid: September 6-30th

 

Discontinued Jewelry + Metal
Findings

We are discontinuing our Jewelry Findings + many of our metal
items to focus on our love of paper, millinery and limited
collections of whatever strikes our fancy!

 

Therefore we are offering 50% off of our current jewelry + metal stock,
while supplies last (actually everything is 50% off, but the jewelry + metal
items will be phased out and not re-stocked).

 

Our gorgeous vintage lockets will be especially missed by us as almost
all of our stock came from North American manufacturers who
made these in the 1960's--own a little piece of history and the quality that
went with it, base metal lockets are not made like this anymore.

 

If you are planning on creating jewelry pieces for holiday gift giving now
would be a perfect time to stock up on unique components. If you see
something you like we urge you not to hesitate as once it is gone it is gone.

 

If jewelry findings are not your thing well, we couldn't leave you out
because that just wouldn't be fair--everything is 50% off until September 30th!

 

We hope you enjoy the savings!

Shipping: Regular shipping charges
apply. Please allow 3-5 days processing
time before your order ships. This offer does not apply to previously placed
orders.

 

above photo from our feature in Issue No. 12 of UPPERCASE Magazine...paper has always been our one true collecting obsession

 

no.60 interlude

 

a safe but sometimes chilly way of recalling the past is to force open a crammed drawer.

if you are searching for anything in particular you don't find it, but something falls out at the back that is often more interesting.

            James M. Barrie, British playwright (1860-1837)

 

 

 

variations on scissors

 

an easy painting project is to color code your vintage metal scissor handles for specific use: fabric, paper, yarn, etc. since i am not much of a sewer and i have no personal attachment to these thrift store scissors i assign them to paper cutting and other such blasphemous craft tasks.

 

before i set about painting i usually take them in to be sharpened and tighten the center screw as they may have been sitting idle in someone's sewing basket for several years.

 

i prep them by washing them and drying them thorougly, then i tape off the entire lower blade portion. i use a spray paint suitable for stainless steel. allow to dry according to manufacturer's directions. then repeat on the other side.

 

i prefer the feel of metal handles over molded plastic, there is something so much more tactile about them, don't you think? and often you will find that the vintage metal scissors have been made by noted manufacturers in England, Germany and Switzerland---this is usually noted near the center screw, squinting may be helpful.

 

 

i have always meant to have this as my blog banner. september always feels like my official fresh start. so there it is. 4+ years later...