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In high school, I took a home economics type class. I made a lop-sided duffle bag and a deformed chocolate chip cookie pillow. I had a such a terrible time making both projects that I didn’t sew again. I’ve always been envious of my friends who can sew.

All the craft shows that I’ve been to in the past year have inspired me. I decided that I wanted to learn/relearn is how to sew with a sewing machine. I want to do basic things like make decorative pillows, maybe some pajamas.

I used trusty Yelp.com to find sewing classes. My search led me to Sew L.A. It’s this hip sewing studio in Silver Lake. It’s definitely not like your grandma’s sewing shop. They teach classes and have a small shop. They carry some great specialty and import fabrics.

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Dottie models her new scarf - photo by Author

Thank goodness for small victories! I have a little progress with my new hobby.  I’ve found crocheting to be a very therapeutic hobby. I can’t explain it, but it’s nice to do something that doesn’t involve my computer or electronics. I finally finished my 1st crochet project. I know it’s silly that I made Dottie a scarf, but there is a method to my madness. A dog scarf would be significantly smaller than a “people scarf” and Dottie wouldn’t care if my stitches were uneven or imperfect. Making the scarf was fast and easy. It was the initial learning process that was difficult.

photo by Author

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photo by Zvone Lavric, Slovenia

I’ve been on the hunt for social calling cards. Before you say that I can buy them at my local corner store, I’m not looking for those kind of cards. I’m looking for what is also known as a visiting card. In Victorian times, they were were used when making introductions and home visits. They had their own set of rules and etiquette. It’s actually quite fascinating.  You can read about them here and here.

Essentially, social calling cards are just like business cards except they don’t “state your business”. They simply have your name and contact information. I am interested in them because frankly I’m tired of scribbling my name and personal email address for people. I could use my business cards, but there are instances where I’d like to give people my personal contact information and keep my business separate. Social calling cards are also useful while traveling. You can meet some wonderful people during your journeys and they make it very easy to exchange personal information. For Newlyweds, they are a great way to share your new name (if you went that route) and/or your new address. Because there are no rules for today’s social calling cards, they are great avenues of self-expression. These can be less serious than your business card.

Most calling cards have some, but not all of the following information:

• Name
• Phone Number
• Address
• Email address
• Blog or website address
• Twitter username
• Facebook or Myspace name (if it’s different than the one on the card)
• Instant message name
• Blackberry PIN

Here are some examples of social calling cards.

from Etsy Seller Armato Design

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kawaii amigurumi *___*, originally uploaded by ::sämyii::. on Flickr

I’ve seen Amigurumi, the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures, at many of the craft fairs I’ve attended.  They are ridiculously adorable. If I could, I would populate my house with them. Well, maybe, I won’t go THAT far.  EAD writer, Tiffany has made quite a few of these cuties.{I first spotted them on her blog.} Patterns and ready-made amigurumi are available on our favorite site, Etsy. I am determined to relearn crocheting to make a few of my own little cuties. I am in desperate need of a hobby that does not require batteries or electricity {or so says my husband}. My grandma taught me how to crochet as a child, but since patterns back then consisted of afghans and doilies I lost interest.

{From Author’s personal collection}

I’ve signed up for a crochet class with a knitting and crochet shop in my area. This should be interesting to say the least.  Tiffany has a few Amigurumi tips on her personal blog. If any EAD readers have any additional crochet tips or book recommendations, I would greatly appreciate it.  Wish me luck!

I am addicted to the new generation of craft fairs that have been springing up. First, I wanted to inform Chicago EAD readers that the Chicago Renegade Craft Fair is coming up.

2009 Renegade Craft Fair in CHICAGO!

September 12 + 13 from 11am – 7pm, on Division St. between Damen + Paulina.

For the last couple of years, they have been hosting shows in Brooklyn, Chicago, and San Francisco. They were having their first show in L.A. I was ecstatic. It is very similar to Unique L.A., but is a little more established. They have a greater variety of vendors.

I sent an email to my craft afficionada friends inviting them to join me. Two of them decided to join me. It was the first day of the show. From what we could tell, the show seemed to have a great turnout.

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Dottie tries to stowaway {from Author’s Personal Collection}

We are the owners of a large dog. Dottie is 70lbs to be exact. There are many restrictions for flying with large dogs, such as they are only flown when the outside temperatures are between 45 degrees and 85 degrees. When they are flown, they are placed in the cargo hold with the luggage. It’s a special section of the cargo hold, but it’s the cargo hold nonetheless. The thought of her being handled like luggage doesn’t sit well with us. So, we have been kenneling her or leaving her with friends while we are away.  It’s not our favorite solution. Whenever I see people toting their little dogs in carriers at airport terminals, I am envious.

We are in the midst of planning a trip to visit family on the East Coast and are entertaining the idea of bringing Dottie with us. She’s a member of our family and we really hate leaving for long periods of time. Since we prefer not to fly with her in cargo, our only option would be to drive to our destination. Driving cross-country is not always as fun nor as exciting as it sounds. The biggest downside to driving cross-country is the amount of time it requires. We would spend most of our vacation on the road and have limited time to spend with our family.

Recently, I was told about Pet Airways. I’m looking into it as a possible solution to our dilemma.

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I’m back from my blogging hiatus. Sorry for the disappearance. To make up for it, I have a product review. As with all my other reviews, I offer the standard disclaimer. I am not being paid by or am affiliated with the product being reviewed, etc. etc.  So, on with the program. I have a review of the Flip Ultra Video Camera.

In the last couple of months, Flip Video cameras have been mentioned in several magazines and blogs such as USA Today, Time, and Team Sugar. All the talk really piqued my interest. Its biggest selling points are that it is affordable, compact and easy to use. I take a multitude of still photos, but am clueless about video. I frequently use the video function on my point-and-shoot camera, but I wanted something that offered better quality videos.  My grandma blowing out her candles on her 100th birthday. The silly way my dog chases her tail. My three-year-old niece singing “Do-Re-Mi” from Sound of Music. These are moments that are better captured on video not just as stills.  As someone who has no experience with video, a Flip Video camera sounded right up my alley.

{photo from Author’s Personal Collection}

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Self-portrait in a Hammock {From Author’s Personal Collection}

It’s Summer Time! Many are going on vacation or are simply having “staycations”. For me, this means my leisure reading increases.  To keep up with my literary needs, I’ve tried two different websites. I’ve been using both for the last couple of months. I thought I would share my finds with EAD readers.

{Disclaimer: I am in not affiliated with either of these sites and I am not receiving any reimbursement for endorsement of either of these sites.}

Paper Back Swap - www.paperbackswap.com

Books I’ve received through Paperback Swap
{From Author’s Personal Collection}

From their website:

How the Club Works
* You have books in good condition that you do not want to keep.
* After you have Posted the first 10 books to your bookshelf, you get 2 “startup” credits from PBS to get you started swapping.  After that, you earn credits by sending out books to others. Only the first account for a household receives startup credits.
* You may order any available book for 1 credit each (paperback/hardcover). audio books cost 2 credits each.
* If you want a book that is not currently available, you can place it on your Wish List and we will notify you by email when it is available for you to order.  You can even have it sent to you automatically when it becomes available, with no email necessary.
* When a book is requested from you, we notify you by email, provide the address for you to send it out, and even provide a wrapper!
* wrap and mail your book.
* When the requestor receives it, you earn 1 credit (2 if it is an audio book). Yes, you pay the postage to send out your books, but when you request a book, the sender ships it to you free of charge!
* The books you receive from PBS are yours. We hope that you will repost them to share with other members when you have read them, but you can certainly keep them, or give them away. Similarly, the books you send out to others belong to their new owners.

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Watching a movie & Picnicking at Hollywood Forever Cemetery {From Author’s Personal Collection}

Memorial Day Weekend is upon us. Aside from a time for us to remember those who have died for our country, it is the unofficial start of summer in many locales. Summer for us means opportunities to dine alfresco. We picnic in the park, attend outdoor concerts, go camping, etc, etc. If there’s an opportunity to eat outdoors, we take it.

Rob and I picnicking at the Hollywood Bowl {From Author’s Personal Collection}

Rob prepares a spread {From Author’s Personal Collection}

When we dine alfresco, there are two things you can count on. The first is that it that we always have company. If we are going “out to eat”, we invite everyone we know. The other thing is that we always have a spread. No dry sandwiches here. Rob, the catering chef, feels compelled to offer a tantalizing array of food.

An example of Rob’s picnic spread {From Author’s Personal Collection}

With all this outdoor dining, we’re starting to find that using random plastic containers and throwing them in a bag is no longer working for us. Cheap containers leak and the food doesn’t arrive in the best condition. I’ve been searching for items to enhance our dining experience.  I’ve found some interesting items that I wanted to share.

Baskets

For the minimalist, there’s this basket.

{from Crate & Barrel}

Here’s a basket that is stylish and useful. This basket that has been showing up on blogs since last Spring.

{From the Container Store}

For those who want to escape to the outdoors during their lunch break, there’s this Metro Uno Picnic basket.

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This past Sunday I went to the Unique L.A. Independent Design and Gift Sale that I mentioned on my previous post.  There was quite a few more vendors than the last event.  The variety was astounding- Art, Apparel, Toys, Housewares, Jewelry and Stationery. You name it, they had it. It was great to buy items and meet the artists behind the items. I thought I’d share some of my faves.

The Poster List

Great, inexpensive posters for those with a sarcastic sense of humor and graphic style

Saucy Wear (310) 903 9155

They had great aprons for adults and kids.

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