My new Amy Butler obsession

I bought some awesome Amy Butler fabric for my tunic class on Monday at The Quilting Loft. Fabrics are 20-percent off until March 3. Gorgeous, yes? Mac Daddy is pretty cute too.

Project Funway

The gals over at Mason-Dixon Knitting are sponsoring a kooky contest inspired by Project Runway. Knitters have created couture garments for all sorts of critters, from stuffed animals to taxidermy and models include rats, sloths, cats, dogs, and even armadillos. Who knew Godzilla liked a good Cosby sweater or that Kermit goes gaga for entrelac?

Check out the entries at flickr and vote by Thursday!

Craft-y apron contest

Craft magazine's awesome online site sponsored an apron contest for The Prairie Girl's Guide to Life a while back and I was thrilled to see that the current issue features a page with the winning aprons. Good job, ladies!

Sew excited

I finally settled on a sewing machine. I ordered the Brother 6000 from Overstock.com ($139.99, can you believe?), based on a recommendation from Julie McCullough Kim, the owner of Make Shop and Studio in Dallas. She left me a comment on this blog and we started e-mailing fast and furiously. I love cyber-networking and cyber-friendships, don't you?

She and I did a bit of trade as well. While I was fresh out of surgery (breast reduction—yay!), I received a package filled with the most amazing hobo bag and laptop case from her EnJu line. The laptop case (see photo) is divine and is the unique but functional bag I've been searching for. Why are most laptop bags still so boring? If you are looking for something different, check out Julie's other bags at the EnJu link above (she's also got a store on etsy.com).

I can't wait for my sewing machine to arrive so I can get cookin' myself. I signed up for a class at The Quilting Loft here in Seattle. I'm going to be making an Amy Butler tunic pattern. Photos will be forthcoming if it turns out! I can't wait to make a top to fit my new shape.

I Could Never Be Your Woman: Rent It Now!

Amy Heckerling (of Fast Times and Clueless fame) directed this charming rom-com about a successful, hip, divorced TV producer whose life is full, despite a lack of a man. Michelle Pfeiffer just glows as this forty-something mom but Amy Heckerling, sly thing that she is, makes this a statement on the challenges women face as they age. Heck, even the opening credits show all stages of plastic surgery, lipo, chemical peels, and Botox. To drive the point home, Tracey Ullman plays Mother Nature and shows up throughout to comment on women, aging, and primal instincts.

But the highlight of the film is Paul Rudd as Pfeiffer's twenty-something goofball beau. Paul Rudd has been on my "list" (you know what I mean) for many years and he moved into the number-one position during a prolonged dance sequence where he sampled country-western dancing as well as a bit of Michigan J. Frog's moves. His goofiness unleashes Pfeiffer's wild child; who says growing older has to mean giving up silly string and jumping on the bed?

As a gal in her late thirties who's fallen for a much, much younger man, I found this to be the comedy I've been waiting for since I was offended by the "human tampon" scene in Superbad. Give me more films with a female sensibility.

They (don't) call me a space cowboy

I've got some mighty talented friends. The latest thing to knock my socks off is this video for which my friend Ben Marra (a graphic novelist, illustrator, graphic designer with mad skills) provided voicework. I watched it and thought, "Dang, that sounds exactly the way Ben talks." Come to find out, he sat in a studio and just talked about the script in his own words. The result is hilarious. Check it out. Aw yeah.

The power of persuasion

Sigh. I just saw the Book-It Repertory Theater's adaption of Jane Austen's Persuasion and it was downright dreamy. Book-It adapts the novel for the stage, so you get actors reciting a character's inner turmoil or non-dialogue-driven details. It was yum, a bon-bon of a production. The humor, heartache, and longing came through loud and clear. If you are in Seattle, check it out. It runs through March 2.

In other news, I have lost my mind. I am apparently more anxious about the surgery I'm having Monday that I had thought. I left the house today and was several blocks away before I noticed I had on two different shoes. Luckily, I had another pair with me that I was taking to the Shoe Nazi in Ballard for some resole action. That is the first time in my life that I've ever done that. How gauche!

Darling Nikki

I've become sort of obsessed with the papercut art of Nikki McClure. Her X-acto-cut images are so simple but thought-provoking, such as a bird collecting sticks for a nest next to the word, "Invest." In Seattle, I've discovered that her books, prints, and cards are available at Eat Local on Queen Anne (all of their packaging features her art, and the shop–which features prepared foods from Washington farmers—is lined with framed prints). Her book, Collect Raindrops, features a gorgeous selection of her work and would be a lovely shower gift or coffee table book. You can also purchase her artwork at buyolympia.com. Check her out!