music to listen to

i've been craving folk. american rock. guitar & vocals. i've been loving blind pilot. two guys on bikes. from portland.

last.fm & amazon

craigslist finds

why don't you buy me this ($325 walnut drexel dresser) & we'll call it even?

in the kitchen

in an effort to try more recipes, i decided to make chicken & dumplings from smitten kitchen last night. i grew up on the salty doughy goodness of chicken & dumplings & have since learned to make them just like my mom. the problem is - i wanted a little more kick & i wanted to make the dumplings from scratch. thanks to the slog, i found the above recipe.

i wanted to rate all of the new recipes i try in 2009, but the first one will be hard as there is no base to start from. either way, here is the system.

difficulty: easy, intermediate, difficult
time: quick fix, some time, all evening
taste: blah, pretty pretty good, holy yumm

smitten kitchen's chicken & dumplings:
easy
some time (30 minute prep, 1.75 cook)
holy yum

etsy wednesday

i love love the clothing over at gaia conceptions; each item is made with either organic hemp or cotton. these look like the so comfy & flattering - the ideal item for casual day at home, in the city or on the beach.

little flowers on your head

kristin debuted my silky flowers on new years eve & i wanted to share. i'll be selling these at i heart rummage, february 1st & may throw some up on my etsy site after that.

add it to the blogroll

one pretty thing is a great resource for anyone with a crafty bone in their body. rachel gives us daily links to projects ideas & tutorials, as well as the best handmade goods to buy.

mention in print magazine

i'm so happy about a recent shout out in print magazine! in her letter from the editor, emily gordon quotes a post about my favorite bloggers' & my must read print magazines.

"On her blog, Still Dottie, graphics and marketing coordinator Ann DeOtte writes: 'I love seeing that stack of magazines next to my couch; I love flipping through them, running my hands over the pages, tagging them with Post-its & tearing out things I truly love. There is something about the glossy, the matte, the textured, the scented—the print.' Design for Mankind’s Erin Loechner agrees: 'There’s just something to be said for holding inspiration in your hands rather than online.'"

i'm happy as a clam. it's a woot woot kind of day.

found signage

this is how neon should be done. the anne bonny has an extensive collection of kitsch & vintage with a small gallery space upstairs; the place feels like your great aunt's attic. if you stop by the shop on olive way, don't forget to grab a coffee or sandwich at faire or a crepe at saley. i have to say, it makes me happy to see a once dead block turn into a small strip of fantastic.

image by lopolis.

2009 to do list

here we are, another year passed, another one under our feet. it's been an interesting one. i've seen many friends leave seattle & america, some indefinitely; i miss them all terribley but know that they are living out their dreams, taking next steps in their lives & seeking adventure. amongst departure, there have been several arrivals. i've made invaluable connections & friendships this past year; i owe big ups to elaine in dc for most of these (we pour some out for you). i've also made wonderful friendships through this very venue, finding endless inspiration & advice from other bloggers & artists. it'd be wrong not to give a shout out to another wonderful year with my man, a constant source of support, love & encouragment - love love. i feel blessed to have had a year filled with wonderful people & friendships, lots of design & craft projects, the discovery of good music, food & film, solid work & a new president-elect with a optimistic look on america. cheers to 2008 with hope & excitement for 2009!

a new year is a new moleskin planner, with lots of empty pages waiting to be filled with notes on life & things to do. after a wonderful 2008, i am proud to say that last year's list left only one item unchecked - a trip to europe (only to be added & crossed off in 2009); this year's list is a little shorter, but filled with ambition.

the standard lose 10lbs, tone up - i am slowly inching my way out of every pair of jeans i own, must stop now!

visit a new exhibit once a month, aiming for new galleries.

show at i heart rummage - cheater, i had set up for dec 21 but it got cancelled, i'm all ready & raring for this one.

organize & plan a diy night at faire gallery & cafe.

try a new recipe 2x a month.

discover more - visit other neighborhoods, towns, shops & restaurants. canon beach & the olympics a must.

up the frequency of freelancing work - identity, posters, postcards

visit europe - stockholm, copenhagen, germany & london.

start & finish one large, involved art project - maybe a short book or magazine, large wall hanging, series of posters/prints, notecard collection.

UPDATE:
learn how to use my lovely compact nikon, take a stab at styling.

still dottie tutorials of 2008

a round up of my 2008 tutorials. craft your way into the new year - i'll see you on friday.

fabric stitched notecards
high-waisted, button-front skirt
wine cork trivet & board
birch forest felt wall hanging
makeup brush carrier
feather & flower headband tutorial
flower cluster
holiday garland

here are some from 2007 but oh so popular:
smock apron

embroidered throw pillows
teapot cozie