Slipcover for child's sofa chair

I made this slipcover last year for the P'kolino Little Reader chair.  Very wrinkly from a year of toddler abuse but overall in decent shape still.

Trying to perfect a Blythe doll bonnet and a new bookshelf

First one came out too large, maybe for a baby human?  All the other attempts fit fairly well, I just need to add some button closures.

Here is the latest addition to my home office. I actually ordered a white lacquered bookshelf, but I was sent this "espresso" one. I decided to keep it because it sort of matched my desk/computer/printer. I think the white would have been nice though, it would have disappeared into the background more.  : /

Reupholstered Ikea Skruvsta Chair

I took apart the chair and removed the fabric, carefully unstitched it and then used the pieces as a template. A combo of clear tacky glue and fiberfill was used to fill up the hole in the foam. When this fabric wears down I will try making a slipcover instead of taking the whole thing apart again (gazillion staples, achy fingertips).  No more gaping foam holes, yay! Next office chair will definitely be armless.

Tops

All my tops squished together. For Autumn I'm looking for a pair of warm medium brown leggings or slim cut pants and a couple of sweater tunics to try to even out my pear shape. 

kitchen ledge

A new addition to my kitchen provided by my dad, papa P. Unforch a little too shallow (1.25") to fit anything other than trays inside, but beggars can't be choosers right? I needed a sturdy surface for the white bottle opener on the far left so he made me this. I'm still able to lean the spice jars on it okay though.

These would be great if they were a tiny bit smaller. So now I'm on the lookout for 1.25" rectangular glass spice jars. I think it is time to take a glass blowing class :)

Here is a close-up of my grandfather's canteen from the Italian army. The tin lid above it reads, "The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it." Chinese Proverb

Around the homestead

I just realized after taking this picture that all my pillows are woodland themed, (l-r) hedgehogs, bear, log, and mushrooms!

lemon scrub

A used lemon half and baking soda makes a great smelling surface scrubber.

Bamboo wipes

I came across Method's wood surface wipes made out of 100% bamboo fibers at Target yesterday. Method is doing such a great job cleaning up the home cleaning industry from harsh chemicals. I was originally looking for the wood floor cleaner but Target was all sold out! I am using these wipes to clean up some parts of my floor. I do not recommend doing this though unless you want to slip, fly up in the air, and break your bum.

update: I found the proper floor cleaner at my local grocery store. It was $2 more than Target but I bought it anyway because I want to help support the local businesses and let them know there is a market for natural goods in my 'hood. The floor cleaner brought back some of the shine and took away some of the slipperiness from the wipes. Order on the floor has been restored. I'm a happy girl.

Happy New Year!

Many thanks to everyone who has kept me company on the interwebs in 2008! I am continually grateful for everyone's support. I can't believe another year went by so fast. Is it just me or is time flying by these last few years?? It is creeping me out actually. I need one of those time freezer machines.

Here are just a few pics of what remains from the New Year's Eve party at my place.


Sal had a great idea to have the guests write down their resolutions on my chalk board. I love the way it turned out! My favorite is "think happy thoughts". You will also notice some unsavory resolutions which made it even funnier. I don't want to erase this board now!


One of the guests combined 2 of my tchotchkes together and it looked awesome! Way better than the way I had it.


~gotta make sure everyone recycles! The craptacular recycle symbol is the best. The thousands and thousands of dollars my parents paid for art school have really paid off.

linear orange

I am always fascinated when two seemingly dissimilar objects end up next to each other in my apartment and they reveal similar traits that I never noticed.

Speaking of linear, my pictures are starting to show up with lines all over it and/or a black shadowy bar showing up at the top and that makes me want to cry,cry,cry. Has anyone heard of this phenomenon, have I worn my poor little camera to death?

shoe cabinet in action

Here is the shoe cabinet I've been waiting to get. It is heavily guarded by Grandfather Owl up on top. He is on the lookout for potential shoe thieves. You know who (who) you are.

Warning for potential shoe cabinet purchasers:
High top sneakers, boots, etc. will not fit in here. Seek alternative methods of shoe organization.

{gasp} I used my fancy plate

chair search winner

...for now.

Thanks to the kind commenters on Decor8 I found a new office chair. The Skruvsta at Ikea. I was originally going for the plain white one, but the Ikea I went to was out of stock/oversold of 90% of their office chairs including the white Skruvsta and this patterned one was the LAST ONE in stock! I think I am better off with the patterned fabric anyway in case the dye in my jeans rubs off it won't be as obvious. An unexpected plus was when I brought it home it matched up perfectly with my orangey-red inspiration wall. YAY for coordination. Now I just have to test it out to see if it can withstand 8-10 hours of computer work/ internetting every day. My back was seriously killing me after working while sitting on a folding chair! I guess that just shows how important it is to have a good back-supporting chair.

Thanks again for the tips! I ♥ the internet!

MOMA/Muji loot

1. metal bookend / pen holder. YAY for multi-functional.
2. notebook with a removable zip pouch plastic cover. It is reusable, me gusta.
3. rod magnets
4. notebook set. This was the best deal- 5 notebooks for $6. Nice.
5. magnet hooks
6. zip bag w/ handle. Got damaged on the way home from the hooks :( $8 bucks down the drain. Well, I guess it is still functional but it looks bad.

I can't wait till Muji opens its own store in Manhattan. It should be happening within the next few months.

stainglass house

My dad salvaged this piece of stainglass from a window my aunt and uncle were throwing away. He soldered a wire to it to make an instant piece of art! Very crafty, Mr. P.

Perfect item for the House Party group on Flickr!

kitchen corner

kitchen corner, originally uploaded by m patrizio.

I ♥ kitchen stuff! I don't really like cooking but I love the accoutrements!

Complete

I found a little red metal pan at a toy shop this past weekend to go with my crumb brush. Veeerrrry exciting folks!

March of the Ten-tens

My size 10's eagerly awaiting THIS shoe cabinet from Ikea. I'm also eagerly awaiting the arrival of Ikea in Brooklyn! I think it will make my life at least 3.5 - 4% better. Its arrival (spring 2008?) is definitely causing a lot of controversy in Red Hook though!