Cooler than thou

Last weekend we went to a recently reopened cafe and discovered it had been totally reinvented. Ownership had changed and that wasn't the only thing; food, decor, clientele, music, wait staff, etc. were also totally different.

The first five minutes were fun; we were admiring the hip new decor, the new floor plan, and the different cakes out on display. As we stood waiting for a table to open up I started getting that feeling, the one that says, "You do not belong". I ignored it, but as we sat down at a table I noticed the glances coming from our neighbors. I recognized those glances because they were the same ones I used to see in middle school. The glances and expressions said, "You're not cool enough".

My first reaction was to think "Seriously? Are you seriously looking at me like that?!" and then, shamefully, "Ugh, they are so right. Look at what I slopped into here wearing; the only good thing about this outfit is the purse (ahem, handbag). And I'm so overdue for a hair cut (aka, visit to the stylist)." As I sipped my overpriced hot chocolate and nibbled at the mediocre cake I watched customer after customer go by in the perfect skinny jeans, boho cardigans and oversized Buddy Holly-esque nerd glasses. I sighed.

But I gradually started noticing other things. The girl who was trying too hard, the boyfriend not paying attention, the texting table companion, the child ignored by its parent, the insecure adjusting of scarves.

Then I looked at the people sitting at my table. People smiling and discussing and laughing and loving each other. People who I knew really and truly didn't care about looking cool or being hip. And I thought how I really liked my table. I really liked being me, especially being me with these people in my life.

via Pinterest (no original cited)

It's easy to lose perspective. I don't want to keep up with the Jones' or the cooler bloggers or the better dressers, etc. I don't want to be the best science editor ever but have no time for my family and friends. I'm so glad I have people around me to remind me of the important things in life. I hope you do, too.

Pillow progress: nerdy pattern diagrams

So I've got it all mapped out. Like when I made my tablecloth, I got all nerdy and had to diagram every little detail. Unfortunately, I will be spending the greater majority of this week painting my mother-in-law's living room, so I'm not sure how much further I'm going to get with my pillows. Sigh.

Also: Did you ever ask somebody how to spell a word and they told you to look it up? That always annoyed me because how can you look it up in the dictionary if you can't spell it? I'm just asking.

This was my problem when I realized I had 2 corner seams in my pattern design that were going to be messy. I knew there had to be some quilting/patchwork term for these seams, but I couldn't search Google or YouTube for help because I had no term to search for; 'corner seam' was not helping.

Thank goodness for Photoshop, email, and my mom's friend who's pretty much a patchwork pro. I drafted an image of the pattern and used the green stars to illustrate my worry-points. She promptly wrote back to tell me they were called "Y Seams" and they could be difficult. She also included links to not one, but two YouTube videos illustrating a how-to....in English. Woot! Thanks Paula!

So now I feel all empowered to get this project finished. Oh my goodness this project is dragging out so much longer than intended....but that's life, right? Do you have any projects that have been dragging on for an eternity?

8 Affordable (or free) DIY projects

I thought I'd share some cute and affordable DIYs I've spotted recently. I could actually do every single one of these projects with things I already have at home, with the exception of #4 and #6. Hmmm....

1) Repurpose an old oven rack

2) Sania Pell makes fabric wrapped vases

3) printer paper + pens = summer lanterns from Sinnenrausch (see? we all love candle wraps, heh)

4) Ikea planter-turned-pendant light (reminds me of our own jam jar lights)

5) Twisted wire candle holder from Sinnenrausch -simple and fast!

6) An easy and affordable DIY screen from the Ikea blog (4 hinges and 3 Ivar shelf ends)

7) Lots of good ideas from this photo from a Norwegian blogger's home: ombre drawers, simply hanging a sheet of wallpaper, the pillow applique, the twig mobile, styling a tabletop, etc.

8) Map picture frames from Martha Stewart

I think the map project is my favorite, but probably because I already have been working on some old map ideas of my own, ha! Seriously though, #7 really makes me want to buy a roll of pretty wallpaper. What about you? Anything here strike your fancy?

Cute Movie Alert: 'Marcello Marcello'

Summer's a slow season for blogging, especially when your computer's on the blink. However, I had to squeeze in a post about a lovely little Italian movie we watched this week, 'Marcello Marcello'. In this movie, even when you think you know what's going to happen, you're still not quite sure how it will happen!

Both the husband and I loved it, and the music is pretty fab as well. But you really can't compete with a great storyline set on a little Italian island in the 1950's. Honestly, the 1950's in Italy always looks so picturesque!

Aside from the gorgeous scenery (the blue of that water!) and cute set design, the story of a poor fisherman's son trying to win a date with the mayor's daughter is totally endearing. The threads of redemption and reconciliation that are woven into the love story beef it up and make the movie more than a cliche.

If you're looking for something fun to watch that's a little different from the norm, check out 'Marcello Marcello'. What about you? What movies have you been loving lately?

3 Easy Summer Treats

Yum and yum again. Give these a try: a watermelon frosty, frozen fruit pops, and pear/walnut/ricotta crostini.

I'm not sure which one I'm most excited about, but I know I'll be scoping out the watermelons at the market this week for sure! Any of these sound appealing to you?

In my Postfach: Craft it Forward 2011 fun!

Whenever I see mail with the return address showing 'Stillwater Designs' I get excited. It's like these packages should have a sticker on them saying "Open me fast: Pretty things inside!" because how lovely is this soft scarf?

Do you know what's so cool about this scarf (aside from it being a Craft it Forward gift)? Allison used fabric from Joel Dewberry's 'Deer Valley' line, the same line I'm using to make my patchwork pillows for my living room!

Btw- I spent 4 hours this weekend finalizing the patterns, figuring out which fabrics will go where, and measuring out the pieces. Sewing starts this week -so exciting!!

Allison started the Craft it Forward 2011 blog movement, so it was appropriate that her craft was the first to arrive. I guess I better nail down my ideas and get cranking! I haven't sent anything out yet -have you??

Love this: Kate Thomas for Little Things Studio

I know Design*Sponge recently posted about this Etsy shop, but I just loved Little Things Studio so much that I had to share about them here, too. I actually wanted to interview her for a Living Colors post, but she is clearly swamped after that Design*Sponge coverage. Good for her though! Maybe I should've waited to post on this and tried though...well, I'll kick myself later, this was just too good to sit on!

Kate Thomas has a diverse portfolio ranging from abstract art, advertising campaigns, and even a magazine spread for Patty Griffin (love her!). She also writes a nice blog you should check out -lots of great links to her talented friends from far and wide. I'm so curious to see where she goes in the future!

I really love her pattern designs. Look at the colors and shapes! They really remind me of a lot of things I like: feedsack prints from the 20's and 30's, Bauhaus lines, Art Nouveau themes, and rootsy, folksy designs. They also remind me of the paper that lined the insides of the old books on my grandparents' shelves -and yet they're decidedly fresh and modern looking!

It's hard for me to imagine a quote I'd actually hang on my walls now that I no longer live in a dorm room, but I have to say that Kate definitely classes things up a bit not only with her designs, but also her choice of quotes. Quotes from A.A. Milne (Winnie-the-Pooh) paired with her designs make for a sophisticated print in a child's room or something unexpected in your hallway.

But the quotes I love best are lines from traditional hymns. I know it may seem kind of throw-back to like hymns, but I do. My mom used to sing them to me when I was little and I just have so many positive associations with the classic hymns, from my childhood through my adulthood. 

When I read their lyrics I see great theology, when I sing them I feel like I'm singing the same things others who share that theology have sung through the ages and around the world. There is a depth to them. See? I love hymns!

I think I'm going to have to buy this last print. I love the design, but I love the song even more. It's one we chose to sing at our wedding. Love that.

If you like what you're seeing, check out Kate Thomas' Little Things Studio Etsy shop, website/blog and portfolio.

What about you? Are you a fan of prints with quotes? Does a little go a long way? Or do you just have them everywhere for inspiration? Any other hymn lovers out there?

Easy candle wrap DIY (part 2 with handmade paper)

Inspired by these pretty papered tea lights that keep popping up all over Pinterest, I figured I could create something similar on my own -and I did! So I thought you might want to try this yourself.

Similar to my other candle wrap project, this involves a rather short list of things you may already have at home.

You'll need:
- glass votive holder (or a short drinking glass w/straight sides)
- tape (clear double sided is best)
- decorative paper that's not too thick (I used origami paper and handmade paper)
- scissors
- measuring tape

*Be sure to check and see if your paper is too thick. The papers I initially planned on using were simply too thick to let any light come through. Sad because they were my faves, but I still had some pretty (thinner) papers to use.

Use measuring tape to help you cut paper to size of votive's circumference; wrap paper around votive and adhere with tape.

If your votive features a flared shape as opposed to one with straight sides, just put your votive on it's side, mark your starting point, and roll it across the paper -tracing as you go- until your reach your starting point again. You should end up with a curved rainbow shape, similar to this cupcake wrapper tutorial from Snow & Graham.

I used origami paper and some handmade paper I had on hand, but I think you could do this with most wrapping paper as well. This is easy to change up for different occasions, so have fun with it!

*Caution: open flames + paper = could be scary! Use good judgement!

My favorite tea house

We're back from our trip and one of our serendipitous discoveries was the Tee Schale (lit. 'tea bowl'). I could just move into this little tea house and call it home, it was that cozy!

They had every kind of tea known to mankind, a huge selection of fun specialty drinks, wines and light dishes like antipasti plates and baked cheeses. We spent so much time here sipping, munching, and reading that you would've thought this was our hotel or something, ha!

If you ever find yourself on Germany's Darß peninsula, check out the Tee Schale!