I'm mad for mid-century modern

Inspired by the new season of Mad Men, I just purchased a couple of prints from FourCrowArt on etsy. Isn't the art mad cool?

Needlepoint is so manly

I'm sitting in Remedy Teas on Capitol Hill watching a hunky man needlepoint a large work of some sort. That's hot. I want to take a photo but that would be intrusive. I'll just keep staring instead.

The Pajama Game

I got together today with Michaela Murphy (CraftStylish.com's awesome editor) for a crafternoon. With Michaela's help, I sort of cobbled together a pajama pattern, using this adorable cherry fabric (with rickrack at the hems!), while Michaela whipped out seven pillows with complete nonchalance.

I can't wait for our next get-together, so I can be inspired by Michaela and her home, a wonderful blend of vintage, kitsch, and exquisite taste. It was just what I needed to get creatively rejuiced.

Build an Inspiration Station

My latest article has posted on CraftStylish. Check it out if you're interested in creating an inspiration board, or if you just want to hear about my obsession with pinecones.

LHOTP: The Musical

Here's a New York Times piece on The Little House on the Prairie musical. Gosh, I wish I could go. I mean, Melissa Gilbert playing Ma? Come on. Seriously.

My newest obsession

Lavender ice cream topped with loganberries. ’Nuff said.

A little Journey to make your day

Check it out:

Y'all know how much I love that song. After all, I'm just a small-town girl, livin' in a lonely world…

Foot note

Who needs a carp pedicure to nibble off the dead skin when there's good old sandpaper? Thanks to my friend Richard, I bought a sheet at the hardware store yesterday and scrubbed the soles of my feet last night. I slathered on a thick foot cream and voilà, soft as a baby's bum (or at least softer than they were).

Craft meltdown

I've been in a self-imposed lockdown writing my next book, which is going to be chock-full of inventive crafts. My apartment has been decimated by a craft bomb and I think I'm crafted out for the day. Projects today involved spray paint, fabric paint, nails, nuts and washers, shrink plastic, sand, brown rice, and a variety of top-secret ingredients.

All will be revealed in time. Meanwhile, I'm going to end the day by sanding the soles of my feet with 100-grade sandpaper, and taking a tub with homemade bath fizzies.

Who would've thought that a Dremel tool would ever be on my wish list?

CraftStylish roundup

My article on all things prairie posted today on Craftstylish. Check it out.

A whole new world

Okay, my world has been rocked by the wonderful generosity of my friend Jared. I came home the other night to find a box with a Canon PowerShot digital camera in it, a 40th birthday gift from my lovely pal in Philadelphia.

Now, as you may recall, I had a time trying to photograph my new shrink plastic rings. I could not get a close-up shot for anything. Well, check this out. Gorgeous, in-focus photo of my work, don't you think?

Thank you, Starfish. This is the gift that will keep on giving. If only we could go back to Rehoboth for another photo shoot...

Shrink plastic procrastination

While developing projects for my upcoming book of outdoor crafts, I've been derailed by playing with shrink plastic (you know, Shrinky Dinks™. The only things I liked better as a kid were Colorforms). Here's my latest experiment making rings. Not bad for a first attempt, eh?

I know, I know. My camera is sucking it.

CraftStylish roundup

CraftStylish is running a great contest through the end of the month. The Tote-ally Crafty Bag Challenge invites crafters to submit their most creative tote bag. There are a few categories:

• Play Ball: This category celebrates the most inspired use of yarn.
  
• All That Glitters: They are looking for the most spellbinding use of embellishment. Now is the time to break out the glitter and sequins.
  
• Eco-Chic: Make a tote bag out of the brilliant use of recycled or unconventional materials.
• The Omni-Crafter Special: This category challenges you to make artful use of as many DIY talents you can get into the making of one awesome tote.

There are some great prizes (including a copy of The Prairie Girl's Guide to Life) so get your craft on!

My article on hope chests—a topic close to my prairie girl heart—also posted today. Check it out and let me know what you'd put in your hope chest, what you'd like to see in your future.

Taking flight

I spent Saturday at Marymoor Park at the Sub Pop 20th anniversary music festival. I enjoyed Fleet Foxes, The Vaselines, and Iron and Wine, but I was really there to see Flight of the Conchords. They were hilarious but sadly only played for 40 minutes (I think the park requires the music to end at 10pm). Jemaine and Bret wrapped things up with "Business Time" but I might have liked the "Boom" song best. Who doesn't like a Casio?

Hurt book sale alert

Just saw this post on CraftyPod and thought I'd share. Interweave Press, publisher of my own Getting Started Knitting, has a hurt book sale going on all sorts of crafty titles. Check it out.

How to Write a Book Proposal

If you are interested in writing a nonfiction book, check out my article on craftstylish.com to see how to put together a book proposal. This is the format I follow every time I have a new book idea. My 50-page proposal for The Prairie Primer was the blueprint for what was to become The Prairie Girl's Guide to Life.

SDPB interview online

I recorded an interview with South Dakota Public Broadcasting that aired on the Fourth of July. Talking about The Prairie Girl's Guide to Life, I think I sound very public radio!

Hand cream for crafter's tired mitts

Craftstylish has posted a new blog post of mine on how to make your own luxury cream for tired hands, with only a few ingredients. Check it out here. It's totes yummy, as evidenced by my friends' blissful sighs when they slather it on.

My birthday's for the birds

I am having a lovely time in Philadelphia, spending quality time with old friends. I've also spent quality time with gin and tonics, spicy sausage, and baked beans. My former neighbors hosted a cookout last night in the courtyard I used to share with them. It was a lovely and joyous occasion, filled with laughter, intrigue, and a whole lotta food and drink.

Melissa brought me the most amazing birthday gift. When we were in Spool last week, I happened to ooh and ah over the window display. She's making me this bird mobile. She had about six birds done and I cannot wait to hang the finished mobile in my home. I'm trying to determine the best place to showcase this lovely work of art.