The New Home Ec
Last week I finished my second needlepoint (needle… work?) project, a counted cross stitch alphabet sampler. Nerd alert: it was the most fun I’ve had on a project since the last needlepoint project I picked up.
When I was just almost finished, I found myself strolling through SoHo on a sunny afternoon and happening upon the Purl Soho shop. I’ve long followed Purl’s sewing and crafts blog, The Purl Bee, and was so excited to have accidentally stumbled upon the actual location, until I got to the back of the store, whereupon I done died dead. Because did you know Purl has the most insanely good collection of needlepoint kits and patterns in the back of their store? Even recalling it now and I get goosebumps. It was a mecca of nerdy craftiness. Because there isn’t a craft much nerdier than needlepoint and embroidery and counted cross stitch and crewel work, is there? And it is SO HARD to find tasteful needlepoint projects that you’d actually want to display in your home once finished these days.
Luckily for me, and you, and all other inhabitants of planet Earth, you can purchase these patterns and kits online. And I just thought I’d be the bearer of good news and tell you all about it. If you’re like me and needing your next needlework hit? Well, you’re welcome, nerds!
My favorite kits and patterns available at Purl Soho, now that I’ve seen them in the flesh and can verify their awesomeness, after the jump!
I live in an apartment, but all my life I dreamed then when I grew up, I’d grow a perfect little cutting garden. I’d want a few flowers for clipping and popping in bud vases, a few herbs for snipping for the final garnish to my homemade meals (and, okay, sometimes to our take out, too), and possibly a few butterfly attracting greens to keep our windowsill feeling happy and well-loved. I’d like for it not to take up too much space–just what little space I have there on the terrace (okay, fire escape) out the living room window. And I really need for it to be easy. Easy to purchase, easy to pot up, easy to water, easy to care for, easy to harvest.
My grandpa has a gorgeous little garden to the side of his home in southern Oregon where he grows everything from squash to artichokes, but let’s not get carried away here. I’d be happy with a little chive plant.
After the jump, some inspiring windowsill gardens to get you ready for the growing season, and a few helpful hints as well!
It’s bad news at our house when we run out of Q-Tips. Just yesterday, as I used the last in my stash, I realized how freakishly dependent I’ve become on the little guys. I use them for everything, from cleaning and beauty supplies to, in a pinch, arts and crafts supplies.
So I figured I’d share a few of my favorite Q-Tip tricks with you after the jump, including a few genius ideas you might not have thought of!
It is always fun to decorate your home in honor of upcoming holidays, and all that green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day (plus all the fun you can have planting practical jokes courtesy of those mischievous “leprechauns”) is probably the most fun you can have!
But I started to wonder about what a traditionally Irish home would look like, for those of us who might maybe take our holiday decorating a little too seriously. And what I found was absolutely gorgeous and inspiring and now I am chomping at the bit to take a soggy, foggy vacation to the home of the leprechauns. Yes? You with me?
After the jump, some seriously lovely Irish homes, and a few products to help you achieve that romantic, windswept look in your own home! I hope you enjoy!
I was so excited to receive an invite from Darcy Miller to attend a live taping of the Martha Stewart Show this week, all about her daughter’s third birthday party, a party entirely dedicated to the color purple.
Darcy highlighted a few of the inexpensive, fun ideas she came up with for celebrating her youngest little person with style, and it had me so excited for all the possibilities of color-themed parties. Color-themed! I mean, talk about a simple idea you could embellish to the ends of the earth! Every kid has a favorite color!
After the jump, a few of Darcy’s best ideas for a color-themed birthday party, complete with how-to links!
‘Tis the season for over-the-top romantic movies. And hallelujah! There is nothing more satisfying than sitting on the couch with the one you love and a fresh bowl of popcorn. Except maybe for the joy of swooning over the set design and pausing the movie to say to yourself, “OH MY GOSH WHERE CAN I FIND THAT SOFA!?”
After the jump, my favorite rooms inspired by my favorite romantic movies, and sources for those key pieces to recreate those rooms in your own home! This was so fun to put together. I hope you enjoy it!
I was asked earlier by the girls at the Martha Stewart Living blog to come up with a Valentine’s craft you could send off with your kids to give to their classmates.
Obviously, I figured this craft needed to be 1. quick, 2. inexpensive, and 3. not candy-oriented. (Seriously, enough candy! Candy up to my ears!)
After the jump, see what I came up with! A fun, easy craft you can do with your kids (promise!) and display on your fridge for Valentine’s Day and beyond!
Cyd Converse 
Heather Sokol 
Susan Peterson 
Marie LeBaron 
Jennifer Hadfield 
Amy Anderson 
Natalie Holbrook 
Ashley Hackshaw 
Jacinda Boneau 
Melanie Blodgett 
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