A New Brew

Just about a month ago I fortuitously met Sufi, the owner of MyWayCup Coffee, on 23rd and Park. He and his partner Halo were perusing through Fishs Eddy, selecting vintage cups when the hand-painted Alice in Wonderland sign caught Sufi's eye. He asked how much it was but was promptly informed by a sales associate that "it's not for sale." In attempts to keep this customer happy, when I returned from lunch I was summoned over and introduced to Sufi & Halo as "the girl who painted the sign." Within moments they were describing their cafe to me and the creative visions they had for the bare walls.

After a few late nights and numerous cups of cappuccino, the cafe is now open but decidely incomplete. (There is talk of me coming back to paint a few more graphics) MyWayCup is a place that certainly brings a bit of charm to the otherwise commercial 23rd street and the coffee is so good that it's actually worth going out of MyWay to get it.

(Not So) Teenie Beanie

I just finished knitting this beanie hat for Baby Janus and was a little nervous about the size in the end. I followed a pattern for a 6-12 month year old, but since I can practically fit it on my own head I thought something must be off. Seeing the hat on Ellis reassured me that it's just the right size, and that in reality, babies just have pretty big heads.

To-Go Bag

In between making baby gifts I've been making a few parent gifts as well. I adapted this simple tote design from a Lotta Jansdotter pattern by adding a cotton lining with additional pockets for stowing baby essentials. While it doesn't hold enough to function as an everyday diaper bag, I think it's a perfect bag to hang on the back of the stroller for short outings. My mom had scrounged up this playful wooden button for me from her button stash. I love it, it looks like it fell out of a Miró painting.

The changing pad is a total parental necessity and will come in handy on Rachel & Fab's many outings. I coordinated the pad with the tote and used a steely gray grosgrain ribbon to finish it off. This was my first experience with quilting and I must say I got a little thrill as each square puffed up to provide just the right amount of cushioning.