diy: Linen Table Tops

I found this striped, rustic linen while buying fabric for projects that don't exist at Gray Line Linen in New York City. It's got a wide weave, it sheds a little like burlap and how can I deny the goldenrod, stripe. When can I ever deny goldenrod? I decided to make a table top/placemat sort of thing to feel better about having bought it and it's been sitting out, staring at me: you bought me, now do something! After I made these I started on another project, what was to be a fantastic small floral tie belt - then I sat up at my little sewing table - apparently not having backed up enough and flipped the table which threw the sewing machine to the floor breaking important plastic parts and misaligning the entire body. Look for a post on buying a sewing machine.

diy: Braided Bead Necklace

I couldn't have predicted so many jewelry posts. What can I say? I get on kicks. I saw a necklace like this in a store but it was shorter and the braid contained different kinds of beads. I wanted it longer with one type of bead. Tada, the braided bead necklace.

diy: painting kitchen tile

Our kitchen was the last room on our to-do list for the house. (The last room. The siding is still burn-your-retinas-blue, and the prefab aluminum sunroom - The Abomination - haunts my dreams.) The kitchen is small, but it works - I've made two wedding cakes in it - so it's not really the functionality that bothers me. Mostly, it's the rainbow-colored backsplash tile. Rainbow-colored backsplash tile.

Behold the hellscape that is Ronald McDonald's kitchen:

Todd Farm Antiques

Glory be, it's flea market season in New England!

recipe: Stuffed eggplant

I'm a terrible cook, so you can be sure that any recipe I post here will be easy. This recipe is hard to mess up, you can add or subtract any ingredients you like, and it's healthy and cheap. It's also pretty enough to serve to guests, and can be made vegetarian without really losing flavor or substance. Win-win for the aubergine!

I love quatrefoils

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I have a soft spot for quatrefoils, although I've never really used them in decorating or dressing myself. I do believe that's about to change.

recipe: cranberry-almond biscotti

This recipe is easy, delicious, and not so bad for you. It's great with a cup of coffee or tea, or to bribe a neighbor to keep your ridiculous dog for the weekend.

Crochet: For Your Lapel

Inspired by the adorned lapels directly above (from the Sartorialist and Emersonmade) I created my own (most above). Hopefully one doesn't have to be a dashing man to pull it off. Instructions follow.