Brooklyn State of Mind

Almost everyday I take the train into Manhattan. Right before the train goes over the bridge there is this lovely bit of animation. After some searching I found that it is in a station no longer in use and has recently been restored. It took a bit of hunting to discover the story but here it is.

In the mean time I thought you might like to see it. It makes me smile every time.

Ding Dong the Couch is Dead

I am up and running in full holiday mood, otherwise known as Mahka’s little sweatshop. Our living room has experienced a bit of a craft explosion, fortunately my guy is tolerating it so far. I still can’t show off my latest work but I thought I would share our big news, no I am not pregnant. I have however, managed to shed a large blob in my life. For those of you who haven’t been following the couch saga let me fill you in: two years ago my guy and I moved into this apartment and we needed a couch. At the time I had the world most annoying coworker (no really she is worse then anyone you worked with!) she liked to stand for hours (really hours) on end rambling on and on. Usually I kept one earpod in and listened to music while she went on about whatever thing it was that had got her panties in a bunch, mostly how overworked she was even though as far as I could tell her main job was to stand at my desk and complain. Anyway, it turns out if you stand and talk at me non stop for days I will agree to take large pieces of furniture to get you to go away.
Enter the world’s ugliest couches. Yes there were two; a couch and a loveseat. They were originally yellow and then covered in a green flower print. The couch was in bad shape and it smelled. Yes, that’s what I said it smelled. I spent a lot of time and energy trying to turn these couches into something we could live with. I bought many slipcovers, batting, filling and countless rolls of duct tape. I spent hours contemplating the odd shape of the couch that defied slip covers. Finally a friend convinced me that our lives would be far better without the bad ju ju and so we got a new lovely couch and sent the old ugly bad ju ju smelly couch to the dump.
What I haven’t told you all is the story of the ugly stepchild loveseat which we had shoved into a corner of our bedroom. In all fairness it was in far better shape then the couch and it didn’t smell too bad. We felt wrong about tossing it so we tried to give it away. It turns out it is harder to give away furniture then you might think. We posted it on craigslist and had several people say they were coming to get it only to not show up. But last weekend we did it! We reclaimed our bedroom and got rid of the loveseat. Now we are trying to figure out what to do with the big space left behind. Bad ju ju be gone!

More Bag Fun

There are so many little holiday projects in the works it is hard to keep track! Of course I can’t tell you about many of them at this point for fear that the recipients will see all. My guy and I made a deal to only exchange gifts that we have made. This sent me into a craft overload as I tried to come up with the perfect gift. I think I have it figured out but any suggestions will be gladly accepted.

In the mean time I thought I would show off a belated birthday gift for my sister. She has a tendency to carry way too much so I made this tote a little small to help keep things under control. I had a bit of over eager fabric paint so it is far from perfect but I like the color combination.

Fused Pins

I have been in a bit of a crafting funk. I have plenty of ideas but I seem to be lacking some motivation. I blame this silly sinus thing that seems to be lingering on and on and on…
But last night I managed to break through the haze. I had some good alone time cause my guy was out playing with an old friend. I had several strips of fused plastic left over from the MAD DIY salon. I could make a ton of bracelets but really how many does a girl need?
So instead I made these lovely pins. I cut up the strips and sewed them together and in a recycling moment of inspiration the center in from an old metro card. I think they are the bee’s knees. They make me want to wear hats or something. Or at least wish I was going to a British wedding again.

Caps for Sale!

Okay they aren’t for sale but it is hard for me not to give homage to one of my favorite childhood books.

I have been making hats, a ton of them. As I may have mentioned earlier every year the subway eats a few of my hats. I am not really sure how or when it happens; I just know I am a few hats down as the year goes by. I think it has something to do with the subway being really hot and the outdoor subway platform I wait on being really cold. Or trolls. Or maybe it’s the pigeons. Regardless the thief the problem is the same, I loose hats. So I got on a bit of a roll and made five hats. I went through my stash and pulled out any yarn that was just enough to make a hat. It has been very hypnotic and a good use of couch time. In fact I am a little sad not to be making hats anymore. But I am sure the next addiction will catch up soon enough.

I’m Mad for MAD Museum

I am a bit delayed in telling you all what a wonderful time I had at MAD last week. Church of Craft along with MAD museum did a DIY salon that was all about recycling, repurposing and remaking things.
I had the great honor of showing folks how to make a bracelet out of fused plastic bags and buttons. I spent a couple of insane days fusing bags in preparation and was glad to be able to open some widows.
I was amazed at how creative and talented everyone was. I have been working with these materials for over a year and it blew me away how differently each person approached this project. Here are a few samples of the great work. Above is the lovely Rev. Callie showing off the a sample cuff. Unfortunately I did not manage to get the names of all these creative folk but I would love to give them credit so if you see your work or a friends please e-mail me so I can give credit where credit is do!














And last but not least the lovely Amanda showing off her cuff.


I would also like to thank my fabulous Church of Craft volunteer, Mary, without whom not nearly as many bracelets would have been made.

Get Out and Vote!

I am a true democrat, I believe in voting early and often.

I didn’t really celebrate Halloween this year but I still made a little costume. The great fortune cookie says that Obama will be our next president. Let’s hope the fortune is right!