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.

Hot Off the Press

I just finished the last session of my Wood Type Letterpress class. I'm psyched to come away with a set of "egg" and "pomme" note cards. I didn't really plan on any particular word before coming to class, but rather looked into the box, chose the letters that I thought were most interesting and played a little game of Scrabble. It just so happens that the egg card is very timely with Easter & Spring and I can imagine the two framed as a pair in my kitchen.

Thoroughly Impressed

I'm taking another class at Intima Press, this time integrating both metal and wood type. The wooden letters are so appealing even on their own: the worn edges, the subtle ink-stained colors, the nicks and scratches that reveal years of use. I'm really in love with them.

When I signed up for the class I had my head set on making something poster size, but the lack of duplicate letters in some of the alphabets forced me to be a little less ambitious and more minimal with the text. I'm really happy with the results!

Here Comes the Sun

Sunny springtime yellows were the theme for Kari's shower which ironically fell on a blustery, stormy day. Despite the incessant rain and drenched boots, everyone was glowing, especially the bride-to-be.

Feeling Folksy

I'm still in the midst of baby-centric projects, with a focus on cold-weather hats at the moment. By next winter Baby Janus will be 6 months and ready for snow, and this Aunt is going make sure he/she stays warm!

I found this charming print at Purl in the Anna Maria Horner Folksy Flannel collection. I used the same fabric for both the interior and exterior, so the hat has a double layer of warmth, and finished it off with twill tape ties.

I'm thrilled how this folksy print when paired up with the Lotta Jansdotter baby bonnet pattern, creates a vintagey Scandinavian look.