Bird House Key Rack

I've been looking for a key rack ever since I moved into my house and haven't found one that's "perfect" yet. What I'm thinking of now still might not be the "perfect" one but it's getting me quite excited right now.

I was inspired by the picture to the right. It's actually a key holder, as in a key chain, but in my excitement I thought it was a key rack.

I think it would be neat to take a cool bird house like the one below, mount it to the wall, attach some hooks at the front end, and hang keys from there. We could even stick little notes to each other inside the bird house. Little love notes, or reminders.

This would be a bit of a DIY project but I think it could be fun and rewarding.

Yellow bird key holder

Red heart bird house

Woven Basket for Toys, etc

If you're a parent you can probably relate to the amount of clutter (ah hem, toys) we have found ourselves surrounded by. I've bought bins to put the toys away in, and there's bookshelves for the books, but we still find ourselves in a house filled with books and toys all over the floor. 

Sure we could put stuff away after the baby's gone to sleep but we don't risk waking her. Oh no. Never wake a sleeping baby! We could practice putting things away, true... but she's just not quite at that stage yet. Right up to the point where she falls asleep, she's pulling books off the shelf and asking us to read them to her. 

So if we don't put stuff away, why would I bother with storage solutions? Well, maybe because I like the illusion of being organized? I DO put things away when I get the chance!! Well that, and for when we have visitors over. 

I like this woven basket because it's got a look that can work for kids' toys, or for things like throw blankets down the road. It looks grown up, would look cool as a living room decor, and yet it's functional even for life with a kid. Oh and this particular basket comes from Israel and is made from weeds from the Sea of Galilee. Cool.

Etsy Source

Felted Octopus Purse

I like objects of art and I'd consider this to be one. It reminds me of some really neat felted fish I saw at a local art studio last year. It's really neat what people can do with hand-felting. My only experience with felting was when I accidentally threw a 100% wool sweater in the washer. It shrunk into a tiny, thick felt sweater not even an infant would fit into. So I have appreciation for people that can take wool, add water, friction, and turn it into something really neat to look at.

What I like about this felted octopus is that it's also a purse. Even though I'd never buy this, I like the fact that it's multi-functional because IF I were to buy it, this would make it easier to justify the cost. Two things in one, it's a bargain! That's the way my brain works.

Imagine pulling this octopus coin purse out of your bag at the check-out counter. Can you imagine the look on the sales person's face? I'd know I have a like-minded friend when the person gives me a genuine smile or a genuine comment of appreciation. But unfortunately for me, too many people would just think I'm super weird. And a purse like this would be quite impractical anyways. Then again it's art and it's not meant to be mainstream or practical.

I won't be carrying a purse like this, but I do hope to see someone carrying a purse like this some day. And I'd think that person was so cool. In my mind, we'd be instant buddies.

Link to Etsy page for this purse

Drunktard

Drunktard: Known to say some stupid stuff after a few beers.

Oh haven't we all been there? 

I say some stupid stuff even without a drop of alcohol so I have to be extra careful once I start drinking. 

So given that, I'm not sure if having a beer stein like this would be a cautious reminder to me or a drunk pass, encouraging me to just say whatever.

This might be a fun beer stein to have around for parties. I think a clear glass version would be neater though, since there's something about being able to see the beer through the glass that I really like. But that would make it harder to read the words. Oh, so a T-shirt would probably make the most sense. There we go. Way to show up at a party announcing you're gonna get drunk and make a fool out of yourself. Haha. 

Link to Etsy page for this stein

Gumball Beta Bowl

As much as I don't like clutter, I LOOOOVE knick-knacks. And as much as I love my house, I just wish there were more places to display knick-knacks. Because I'd love to be able to have things like this gumball machine transformed into a beta bowl!

I'm assuming the gumball machine has been modified so that the beta can be fed from above. And obviously you'd have to seal the bottom so that the water wouldn't leak. I saw a comment on this picture that said marbles should have been used so that it looks more like a gumball machine. I agree! 

I love the look of this vintage/aged gumball machine and I love how it's been re-purposed in such an unexpected way. It would be so much fun to do this some day. 

Radiometers

I love radiometers. They're such a simple yet beautiful object. 

I first learned of them in my high school physics class and vowed I'll own some of my own. I even pictured having a room in a house one day that gets lots of light, full of different looking radiometers.

I liked them so much I was mesmerized. I got caught in the hypnotic spin of the radiometer. Somehow one radiometer made its way from the science room into another classroom and I just stared at the radiometer all during class. See, I can't even remember what class I took in that room since I only paid attention to the radiometer. 

Unlike some childhood dreams that never came true, my dream of owning radiometers has come true. 

:-D

This was the first radiometer I bought. I can still clearly remember finding it. It was at the Somerset Mall in Michigan that I went to while I was visiting my aunt during a college holiday break. And I knew it was meant to be, because it was on sale! This radiometer sat proudly in my college dorm, spinning and spinning and it has travelled with me from abode to abode ever since. 

My husband has added to my (now our) collection since, and while I won't post every single one we have, here's one of my favorites, a hanging 3 parter. 

But there's one radiometer I really want that I can't even find a picture off the internet to post here. It is a double-radiometer. It's a standing radiometer like the first one, and it has two bulbs one right on top of the other. And the vanes in the bulbs spin in opposite directions. One of these days I'll find it, and it will be mine!!!!

PS. If I remember my physics class correctly, scientist aren't 100% sure what makes radiometers spin! There's various theories, but nothing proven. Pretty cool if you ask me!

Morse Code Knitting

On a recent drive up into Michigan I was scanning the radio stations and caught what I thought was NPR. It had that intellectual sound of NPR so of course I assumed it was Michigan Radio, Michigan's branch of NPR. Well, after doing some research online I came to find out it was Canada's Spark radio. So, surprise surprise, I Was listening to Canadian radio stations. I guess that makes sense since we have some Canadian TV stations through our cable network even where we live.

What I caught on this station was a really neat story about binary code, morse code, and knitting. They were interviewing female academic/scientist, who does morse code knitting. I didn't catch the entire story since I caught the story mid-way, then drove out of range, and caught it again on another frequency a few minutes later, so I'm a little vague on the details. They were talking about how binary's everywhere in our lives, and that even though most of us only think of binary in terms of computers, it's been a part of human history for ages. There was one particular story that stood out about how an 18th century Jesuit missionary to China had used the I-Ching's binary nature to explain to the Chinese Emperor how God had created the universe out of nothing. This was his master plan for converting the Emperor to Christianity. This didn't work, but how neat that he came up with this idea.

And for this lady, Kristen Haring is her name, knitting in morse code was a way of taking something like binary that is so intangible and turning it into something warm and fuzzy, literally. She said that it was actually really easy for her to learn morse code, that it was designed in such a way that it was easy for people to learn, and that she didn't have to think about it when she knitted. Morse code has the dashes and the dots, and she assigned a different stitch to each one, and she would knit a morse code message using these stitches.

If I haven't lost your interest already, I'd be impressed, and I'd urge you to listen to the interview. It's long, but it's really cool!! Here's the link: Link to Spark's Audio for "The Beauty of Binary"

Anyways, this got me wondering what morse code knitting would look life. Of course, they couldn't show that over the radio so I had to do some Google searching and this is what I found:

I think I like the gloves the best. The site says that each mitten clearly identifies which hand it should go on, and the thumb says, "thumb". This knitter used the fair isle knitting style and adapted the morse code to it. The blue one is a cowl neck and it says, "I wool always love you." The hat says, "I'm not wearing underwear today." Classy.

There were actually quite a few websites that talked about morse code knitting so it seems to be a lot more popular than I thought. The next time I see a unique looking knit item I'll be checking it out to see if it's got a hidden morse code message in it. 

I want to make a rug

I really need to learn how to sew. There's an old sewing machine in the basement that came with the house. I should check it out and see it if works. But would it be easier to learn how to sew on a newer sewing machine? I've used sewing machines a couple times in my life and they don't seem too difficult. I think the most difficult part would be threading the bobbins (?) and making a straight line.

See I need to learn to sew because there's so many things I want to make. One of them right now being a rug. I could buy one, but the crafty side of me wants to make one. I think it would be neat to make a rag rug out of old t-shirts from Goodwill, or old bed sheets. We try not to hold on to unused things so I have to either raid my in-laws' closets or go to Goodwill for these things.

How neat it would be to make a rug like that. I've found a version that doesn't require sewing though. And I think I might like this version better. I wonder how hard it would be to make a big one of these. Like, 6 x 4. 

I also think a shag rug would look cute in my baby's room. I'd make this out of old t-shirts too, with all sorts of random colors throughout the rug. 

I'll have to decide what I want to do and do it. When (or if) I get around to making one I'll post the progress here.

Front Desk Bell

There's something very charming about the "Ding!" of a front desk bell. I suppose to some people it would be annoying. It could be taken as a, "Hey, come here!" But to me (maybe because I'm the one pushing it?) it has a very pleasant feel. I think there's a spring in there somewhere to dampen the button so it doesn't make a loud and harsh "Ding!", and instead makes a tender call. It says, "hi!" like a very charming person would. If I had to work at a job where I was summoned by this bell, I think the sound of the bell would always help put a smile on my face for whoever was calling for me. Then again I'm probably being too optimistic because I'm so in love with the sound of the bell. In actuality I'd probably get sick of the sound after dealing with one too many obnoxious customers. I wouldn't want that to ever happen, to fall out of love with this sound. So I couldn't work such a job.

Finding this picture made me think of all the possible uses in my life. I could have it at my desk at work for fun. I could have it in the kitchen to ding when food's ready. I could ding it to let my child know it's time to pay attention or come to me or something. I'll need to figure out the child part when she gets a little bigger.

Link to Picture Source

Living Room Decoration

I have been trying to find some art for our living room for a while now.
And I just found something that would work so well.
Well... for reasons I'll explain below.
I was actually looking for something bigger, something more grandiose, but this fits right in.
In art class we learned about connecting a theme throughout the work to guide the viewer's eyes through the work. Well, what I found would have this effect in our living room.

So, to introduce the key aspect of the living that the art would fit into:
Here are a couple pictures of our living room ceiling. I'm not sure what the technical term is for this finish, but my hubby and I think it looks like fish scales or waves. This was one of the many things we really liked about this house.

And the art I found (of course, on Etsy):

See how the waves match the ceiling???
I just love how they match!
And here I thought that if I wanted something to go with the waves on the ceiling I'd have to go with a Japanese woodblock print!
Nothing wrong with Japanese woodblock prints, I  LOVE them, but they can be a little cliché and I think this more Western looking print would fit in better.
And it comes with matching cushions too!!!
If I could make one criticism it would be that it has a boat instead of a fish.
Then again I think the boat is a nice symbol to have, signifying a journey. The journey of home ownership, of raising our child here and growing older.

Link to Artist's Store on Etsy

So I've waxed on and on about how I love this print and the matching pillows. Will we actually get it for our place? I don't know yet. I think the concept is good, but maybe it would be a little too much in practice.

Not Just Some Words

I have often mentioned in my blog posts that I must be crazy talking about the things I talk about and liking the things I do. I'm joking, but sometimes I'm half serious. Then again I began this blog with the purpose of having an outlet for my insane obsessions. For example, some fun fashions I'd like to try out but don't have the money or courage to actually do it. Like those harem pants. 

Anyways, I found this quote from Alice in Wonderland and thought it was something I should keep close to my heart. 

Speaking of which, I DID really like the fashion in the recent Alice in Wonderland movie!

Fancy Slippers

We recently moved into a house with wooden floors and wow what a difference it makes on your feet. The floors actually feel cooler and it makes you want to wear slippers. 

Good thing for me I already had a few to wear, but it got me thinking about slippers. 

Of course, you want something practical, but why stop there. 

Recently in life I've decided that if I buy something, it should be fun, something I LOVE. 

I want to fill my life with things that bring joy to my life.

So I've gotten a little of course, but these slippers have got the right idea.

Now, I wouldn't get these slippers as they're pictured. Let's get that clear. I don't like the colors. 

BUT, I love the shape.

Why save all your pointy toed flats for the outside? 

Why not wear cute pointy toed flats at home, and keep your feet warm? 

Oh that is so fun. 

I can picture getting home, kicking off my shoes, and putting slippers like these on with my jeans or comfy pants. 

I'd feel like I was going out, but I would be all cozy and my feet nice and warm. 

Link to Slippers Picture Source

DIY Picture Frame

I've recently become hooked to Pinterest in addition to Etsy. 

And what a coincidence, I found this on both sites.

You can buy this already made on Etsy, but it looks like something that would be so easy to make on your own. Look for a nice old wood frame at your local antique store, push some nails in on the sides, pull a cord across the nails, and use clothes pins to hang pictures.

I think this would be a good way to display kids' artwork. You could do some frames where you hang just one picture, and others where you hang multiples. 

I can't wait to go antique-malling and look for some nice picture frames I can do this with!

Link to Picture Source

Throwback to Old Times

The juxtaposition of old and new. There's something so neat about it.

Here's this waxed canvas brown leather case that is a throwback to the inter-office mail envelopes of days gone by. Who uses them anymore? And this is designed to hold an iPad, the state of the art gadget that everyone wants. 

What a combo. 

I love mail and envelopes and packages so the fact that this looks like those envelops with the loops and the strings tickles my interests. And then the simplicity of this bag works with the simplicity of the iPad. 

Nicely done.

Waxed Canvas iPad Case

I also found this from the same seller on Etsy. Not that I'm an American history expert by any means but I imagine it looks like an old mail carry bag. I like that it's so simple, and that it has a big blanket pin for the closure. 

Not exactly sure what kind of environment I can see this being used in though. Maybe a clutch for certain outdoorsy fashions? Or for holding your little things when you go camping? Oh, maybe it can be used for holding art supplies, or different tools of the trade. 

Waxed Canvas Utility Envelope

Harem Pants - Yay or Nay?

It all began innocently, as these things usually go. 

It started as a joke. 

I sent this picture to my sister, telling her she should teach yoga in this outfit. 

Yoga Onesie Link

But then it turned into a weird obsession. What is it with these harem pants?? 

They were big on the runways what was it, a year ago? I never saw anyone, I repeat, ANYONE in real life wearing them. But here I saw them on Etsy and somehow they started to grow on me. 

They look so comfortable!! 

I sent this pair to my sister as well, saying, "No, seriously, you should wear these for teaching!"

Nomad Harem Pants

Yet subconsciously something was saying, "No, seriously, YOU (that's me) should wear these!"

Nomad Harem Pants, same as previous pic

Look, they even change looks, you can push the bottoms of the pants up and turn them into a fake skirt! Two looks in one. And this second one is so much more feminine, right? (I'm trying too hard.)

I found myself thinking, "It would be cozy at home while I'm chasing after a toddler, and when I run outside with her I can make it look like a skirt and it'll look ok." 

Uh huh... Why do I keep forgetting where I live? I'm starting to think there's an inner hippie in me that would do better SOMEWHERE NOT HERE in terms of my inner hippie fashion. (But maybe I could start a new trend here. Yeah right!)

Say what you may about harem pants... there's one thing I'll insist on. It is that harem pants are STINKIN' CUTE on toddlers!!!!!!                       

 

Toddler Harem Pants Link