DIY Plant bench

After selling our guest bed and rearranging some furniture, I was motivated to continue making an efficient use of our space and create a plant bench in our bedroom.  Thom's desk had taken up a large corner of the room but now that we moved his desk into the spare room, the space was left blank and ineffective.  Plus, most of our house plants stay huddled together in our living room area and I'd have to say that I've grown a small jungle.  It wasn't until Thom commented on the growing amount of foliage, that I really saw the plant-like clutter.  So I decided to create a cheap and DIY project for hosting our plants.

Half way through my Fall semester I was denounced by a professor for shooting still life on faux wood.  To solve the problem, I went to Ikea and bought a pack of two 47"x14" pine boards, some stain, brushes, and semi-gloss all totaling around $25.  I went out to the back area of my apartment complex with heavy tools, hammers and chains and beat the hell out of the boards.  Then I put a few coats of stain and gloss on them.  You might remember these boards from some of my later still life work here:

After using the boards for a few more shoots, I would just store them away in a closet.  Now that the semester is over, I find that they are just taking up space.  Turning them into plant benches was a no-brainer since they were the perfect dimensions.

The first thing I did was make a trip to Home Depot and purchase some classic white spray paint, (8) 16" table legs and (8) flat plate holders.

Next, I went outside in a well ventilated area (away from cars!) and spray painted the legs in a classic white.  I let the paint dry for 24 hours.

Next I measured where to put the plates on the back of the boards.  I measured in 2"x2".  Then I took my power drill  and screwed in the plates.  (Each Waddell package comes with at least 5 1/2" screws.  I only used three screws for each plate and saved the extras.  Make sure to check the width of your board so that you do not pierce through.  These Ikea boards measured 5/8" thick.)

 Flat plates are so easy and convenient.  After screwing in the plates, I simply twisted in the legs.  Instant table!

I'm so happy that my plants have a new home.  Waking up and seeing the plants is nice and having them in the bedroom will keep the air clean.  I added a few decorative touches, an extra blanket for cold nights, and a few small storage bins underneath to keep umbrellas, scarves and miscellaneous out of the way.  Connor(the cat) also seems to approve of the new furniture and I'll find him sun bathing or bird watching from his new perch.

As for the total cost and time?  Here's my breakdown:

Inital wooden board cost and materials:
-(2) 47"x14" Boards:  $12
-Stain, gloss and brushes:  $13

Bench Supplies and materials:
-(8) Waddell 16" Bench Legs:  $40
-(8) Waddell flat plates:  $20
-Rustoleum Classic White Spray Paint:  $4

Total cost:  $89 for two benches and only two days worth of time and effort.  Since I'm satisfied and happy with the outcome, I would have to say that this was a successful DIY project.

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Quilting and Binding: Part VI

 

After basting the quilt together, I was ready to begin quilting.  I kept a 1/2" border inside the t-shirt and quilted each block.  Working with a large piece like this involved me having to roll the piece underneath the sewing arm constantly.  It is definitely a tedious task and it took me over the course of three days to finish quilting.

But it was worth seeing the end result and I'm satisfied to know that I had accomplished quilting such a large piece with my little Brother machine!  Once I had finished quilting each block, I trimmed the outer edges and snipped away any loose threads.

Next I needed to address the top of the quilt.  K had asked me to include a way to hang the piece on her wall at home.  After much thought and online research, I came to the conclusion of adding loops to the top of the piece for her to easily slip a curtain rod through.

 To begin with, I cut out eleven 4"x12" rectangles in the bordering fabric.

 Next I ironed each rectangle in half, right sides together.

I then sewed a 1/4" seam on the open end.

Using a large knitting needle, I turned the loop inside out.

And ta-da!  An instant hanging loop!

I then spaced out the loops to the backside of the quilt and pinned them in place.

Next I turned the quilt over to the front and began sewing the binding on.  You can find a detailed tutorial on how to make biased tape here.

Now that the binding has been sewed all the way in the round from the front, I can now begin to hand-sew the back of the binding onto the quilt. 

I will try and stay diligent on the binding but as many quilters know, this is the most impatient and time consuming part of making the quilt!  I hope you can all bare with me as I finish this last step of the whole process.  All most there!

Update:  Check out more this quilt's progress!

Before this post:

New month, new project
T-Shirt Quilt:  Part II, Before the Cut
T-Shirt Quilt:  Part III
T-Shirt Quilt:  Part IV and updates
T-Shirt Quilt:  Part V

After this post:
Beginning, Ending, Starting, Losing

Grapefruit and Mint Bourbon Cocktail

I cannot claim much knowledge on the art of mixing, but I do occasionally make a cocktail or two.  Thom and I can together a strong old fashioned or Manhattan, but we rarely venture past old standby's.  Typically I find most cocktails to be a bit too flashy, too complex, too sugary, and too expensive.  When I see those high fructose corn syrup infused rums, or sugary sweet mystery alcoholic concoctions, I cringe.  Conclude that drink with a bar tab equivalent to a weekday lunch bill, and you've found that the modern alcoholic mixed drink has gone mad!

I also carry too much of that Type B personality and refuse skip exact measurements.  This is a must for the perfect mixed drink.

So when I came to find that I wanted something refreshing, bubbly and alcoholic, I looked to see what I had on hand in my refrigerator and fruit bowl...

Grapefruit!

Seasonal.

Fresh.

Citrus-y. 

Perfect.

I added a few sprigs of mint to counter the citrus and I basically followed the same recipe for an old fashioned with a few variations.

Grapefruit and Mint Bourbon Cocktail

Serves 1

-2 oz. Bourbon 

-2 Dashes of Angostura Bitters

-1 tsp simple syrup

-Juice from 1 Pink Grapefruit quarter

-a few leaves of mint

-Ice

-Club Soda

Wash and dry off the mint.  Chiffonade mint and place in glass.  Add bourbon, bitter and simple syrup.  Squeeze grapefruit quarter into glass.  Mix.  Add a handful of ice.  Top off the drink with club soda.  Chin, chin!

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Small changes

 

This past weekend I got my act together and took the time for a few loose side projects.  I dusted off my juicer and began that familiar New Year's resolution to eat better and get in shape thing.  We've been so fortunate here since the weather has been a lovely 65 degrees with bright sun each day.  Needless to say, many walks and sun bathing have been enjoyed thoroughly by human and cat alike.

Over Christmas break, I was casually gifted a small french press from my parents (somehow they had two!), and I am learning to savor a strong brewed coffee.  While in New York the temperatures had dropped to single digits.  I decided to teach myself to knit with double pointed needles and am making a pair of gloves.  I'm following this tutorial here and seem to have gotten over the initial intimidation of working with four needles.

If you follow me on Twitter, you'd have known of my current interest in letterpress.  After much research and way too much time on Etsy, I finally settled on one.  I just received my 2012 letterpress calendar from 1canoe2 and I absolutely love it!  The design, craftsmanship and of course, the little tree stump to place my months in surely won me over.  :D  (And yes, that is a rather large and gifted graphic novel compendium of the Walking Dead on my coffee table right by Grace Bonney's Design *Sponge.  What can I say?  I love zombie apocalypse stories...)

Finally, our guest room was turning into a "gather-all-dust" room and so we decided to sell the bed.  Now our second room is rightfully a functional workspace.  (Though, mostly for me...sorry Thom!)  I rearranged the desk and brought out my keyboard.  I went through A LOT of past photo work and decided to tape them on the wall as a visual affirmation.  I just couldn't see throwing away all those images when collectively they brought me much inspiration.  I made a clear defined area for working on photography and prints, and another area for sewing.  It's funny how you can rearrange furniture and see the room in a completely new way.

In all, I feel a lot more balanced and satisfied to have begun and finish those small projects.

T-Shirt Quilt: Part V

More progress on K's T-Shirt quilt.  This week I was able to piece the three layers of the quilt together; the bottom piece, batting and top piece.  This process involves a whole heck of a lot of ironing, space and basting pins.  K had sent me all the needed materials a while back, so I had to re-iron all the needed pieces again.

After ironing, I laid out the bottom piece, right side down on a clean surface and began measuring.  I usually take the dimensions of the top piece and add one foot to the length and width.  My top piece measured out roughly to 60"x80".  I then cut my bottom piece and batting to 72"x92".

After measuring and cutting out the bottom piece, I laid it out on a flat clean surface and taped it in place, nice and taunt.  (Don't stretch!)  I then placed the batting over the bottom piece and finally the top piece on that to create the quilt layers.

Once I was satisfied with the layers, I began to baste the quilt.  Basting is just a temporary way of holding the layers together.  This makes it easier to handle and quilt the piece before binding.  As you see, the last time I had used my basting pins, I carelessly threw them back into their container...so they were all jumbled together.

Starting from the middle of the quilt and working my way out, I began basting all the layers together using the safety pins.  I smoothed out any bumps and kept the fabric taunt.


Once the quilt was basted, I rolled all the edges inwards and held them in place with additional safety pins.  (This was done more out of ease for quilting on my sewing machine.)

With this part of the piecing and basting completed, now all I need to do is sew the layers together aka, quilting!  It's funny to think that this is the true definition of quilting.  But when we mention the general act of making a quilt, people tend to think, "Oh, she's quilting!"

UPDATE:  Check out all this quilt's progress!

Before this post:
New month, new project
T-Shirt Quilt:  Part II, Before the Cut
 T-Shirt Quilt:  Part III
T-Shirt Quilt:  Part IV and updates

After this post:
Quilting and Binding:  Part VI
Beginning, Ending, Starting, Losing

2011 Recap

Many important things occurred during the year of 2011 and I thought that a look back is well deserved.  I realize that we are nearly a week into the new year but I really wanted to take the time and look hard at what 2011 brought me.  There were many exciting and new adventures, self-realizations and self-motivation. 

It's hard to find something more exciting to say about 2012 since I had really took the time to develop my passions in 2011.  Perhaps my only resolution this year is to appreciate more and stress less over all the little things. 

But oh my!  How time does fly...

January:  I first moved out West to San Francisco and was welcomed to a new life and culture.  Here is the annual Christmas tree burning at Ocean Beach.

February:  I started to create new projects and expand my sewing capabilities into quilting.

March:  March was the month of trying new things all the time!  From buying a juicer, to learning how to knit and to cooking fish, I tried to get my hands on all kinds of projects.

April:  I traveled.  I went and visited Muir Woods and new museums.  I began creating tutorials.

May:  I fell in love all over again with making dresses and was featured on BurdaStyle.  I created a fantastical photo series.

June:  I went home.  I savored the summer and time with family.  I finished my quilt.

July:  I ate a lot of new foods and tried my hand in the culinary world.

August:  I flew back to New York to shoot a wedding.  I made a profound self-realization and enjoyed the simple pleasures in life.

September:  I started my thesis.  I grew more in love with photography and created new and simple sewing projects.

October:  I continued to work on a friend's project.  School became more stressful.

November:  I began combining my two favorite passions: Photography and Sewing.

December:  I finished the semester, turned 24 and flew home to spend much needed time with friends and family.