I adore my apartment.  Without qualification.  But, with the new year, I’ve made a few changes.  Trashed the herbs and plants on the windowsill.  The, uh, natural elements are a bit much when it’s too cold to keep the window open. (♥: Bugs, eek!) Replaced them with jars of beads and other “girl, make something!” things.

Looking for a bit of inspiration and reference, I picked up a few books from the library.  Normally, Haven: Cozy Hideaways and Dream Retreats wouldn’t have made it home, but I was running behind and just grabbed the book from the hold shelf.  I know what I’m looking for and this book really wasn’t it.  The Beach Retreat had an image or two that I kinda found interesting.  This would have so been a quick flip through at the library if I had time.  If you have the opportunity, check it out.  Maybe it’s your speed.  Amazon has it used for freakishly cheap.

While I’m not sure I’d buy Penny Saving Household Helper, I am most definitely committing things to memory.  It might actually be cute in a hostess gift basket or new grad housewarming gift-bundle.  Because, really, it’s not an only gift thing, more like one of many.  I’m actually having problems finishing this because I can’t put it down.  No, really.  I stop typing and my left hand goes in.

I’m so glad I’m getting over myself.  While I noticed how “not my aesthetic” the artwork in  Creative Time and Space: Making Room for Making Art is, I’m allowing the information to be my guide.  Um, and Ricë Freeman-Zachery’s author photo is kinda badass.  Trying to judge less, so I can learn more.

The last year has been all about process and my obsession with it.  I didn’t know how to take pleasure in the doing part.  Loved starting.  Always knew how things would end.  Never really contemplated the work.  I think it was seeing Gorky at MOCA when I realized how intrigued I’d become with process, even more than outcome.  It was in the MOCA store that I first saw Inside The Painter’s Studio.  And this is my second time taking it out.  Joe Fig, you had me at the paint splattered on the cover and artist questionnaire.

I love that this takes longer to write because I keep stealing moments to read.  I really do want to just dive in.

N♥

I have a bracelet my mother made me when I was a little girl.  It was the mini to her many.  When I went off to college, I could still hear her walking up the stairs calling my name, arm full of trade bead bracelets jangling.  Even though she doesn’t wear them anymore, it’s still her.  Bracelets on the left, red pen in her right hand.  Mommy.

I have two bracelets, actually.  The one that belongs to elementary me and the one that I wore when I finally stopped caring if something looked “African” and I started looking different on purpose.  I haven’t worn it in ages.  A bead broke and there’s a link that comes undone.  I’ve been too, let’s call it distracted, to fix it.

I’ve been thinking about making jewelry, again.  It started a few months ago.  Thinking about things that would really work for me.  I’ve made stuff and worn it.  It’s all been fine, but I was never able to really get past the kinda *pursedlipsshrug* like to hardcore ♥.  I’ve been almost there, but never there there.

The thing is I hadn’t figured out what I wanted.  Um, done.  It’s like if Tom Binns hung out with Les Nubian in ’03, ate potato rotis in DC from West Indian carryouts and dreamed of Mississippi juke joints while cleaning houses in the Chicago suburbs in gear made by Rei, Yoji, Rick and the Belgians.  Oh, and with home movies and family photos taken by Andrew Dosunmu.

Yeah, that’s a lot.  And so am I.  I need to embrace it.

So, I’ve been playing with the idea of doing something with trade beads.  Just something simple.  When I was home last month, Mom offered some up.  A lot, really.  And they just came in the post. I’m so excited.  I want to make pieces that will build on what she gave me.  Build on my memories.

While I’m doing design research and sourcing materials for something new, I’m going to fix the link on my bracelet and probably replace that missing bead.

Starting somewhere.

N♥

I  got a little ahead of myself.

Months ago, I started thinking about chronicling what an amazing resource the Los Angeles Public Library is and hopefully, will continue to be.(♥: Shade to the Mayor and City Council, intended.)  It’s given me the opportunity to really spend time with books instead of being swayed by aesthetics and a discount at my old house of worship, Barnes and Noble.

I still ache a little when I think about all the books I sold when I packed up and moved west.  Okay, I ache a lot.  The cookbooks took the biggest hit because they’d cost the most to ship.  So, slowly, I’m re-building my collection, using LAPL for research.  Mindfully, looking at the books for more than just a recipe.

The Obvi and Superficial…

Ummm, The Good Stuff Cookbook.  Spike’s cute, I watch Top Chef and he kinda had me at Old Bay Mayonnaise.  There, I’ll admit that.  But, I’m probably a little more critical of the book because of it as well.  Eh, on cursory glance, the photographs don’t grab me at all.  I don’t know why the pictures of the salads and anything with corn annoy me, but they do.  Otherwise, it looks fun.  We’ll see.

Because I Can Can…

Took a bit of a canning/putting up break over the holidays.  Still building my canning library.  Spending time with Putting Food By, The Joy of Keeping a Root Cellar, Urban Pantry, Preserve It!, Canning for a New Generation.  It’s so different reading them for pleasure/information and not looking for Can Jam inspiration.

I Like The World At My Table…

I am so lucky that my mom introduced us to the world when we were kids, even if I HATED IT. (♥: Tofu and Bulgur, still not feeling you) The flavors that I loved make the global culinary adventure exciting and familiar.  I think this year is going to be a serious South Asian exploration.  I wish it weren’t all from books, though.  There was that guy who… Oh, you don’t know that story.  I might have to actually read Ginger and Ganesh.  It’s more a memoir with recipes.

Still trying to feel my way around Japanese cooking without much luck.  Simply Japanese went back to LAPL pretty quickly.

I’m working on an In Bed With | Momofuku.  I can’t remember if this is the second or third time it’s made it home.

On Your Recommendation…

For a minute there, I thought I was losing it.  I couldn’t remember why I wanted to check out Rose’s Heavenly Cakes.  Then, it hit me.  My favorite librarian thought I might like it and held it aside for me.  J’adore her.

I always check out the book section on the Anthro site and cross-reference with LAPL to see if I can’t get my hands on the curated goodness.  It tends to take a while after release, but I’ve become patient.  I first saw The Commonsense Kitchen and Sweety Pies there.

The Odd Man Out…

I’ve been taking out fewer doing books lately.  Sometimes, I like to give up on the illusion that I’m going to make something.  It’s easier that way.  And since I’ve always had a penchant for buying expensive yarn that tends to pill like crazy, I thought it was time to take a few steps back and learn more about it with The Knitter’s Book of Wool.

Time to dig it before this batch of books comes due.

N♥

Remember how I was going to start taking book breaks.  I was going to try to read things besides cook, crafty and showmehow books.  Things Fall Apart was top of the list with a nod to the diaspora.

So, how’s that going? Kinda, not?  I’m in recipe-ville.  I’m all about cooking and stuff.  I’ve watched a lot of telly, too.  (♥:Excuses.) Fine.  Seriously, I want/need a comfy reading chair.

Remember that denim and print tote bag.

So, how’s that going? Huh? Uhhh.  I know.  The Make:Stuff List is growing and I’ve yet to get beyond the ideas in my head.  Arrggghhh.

I’ve got to live by the writing on wall.

Nikki♥

Using the all-day tote pattern from Lotta Jansdotter’s Simple Sewing.

Everything is washed and waiting to be pressed. Trying to decide which print to use for the lining.  The tie-dyed piece is already spoken for, but I just want to use it for everything.  Really, I do.

I have to keep telling myself that I stopped sewing, crocheting and making as a kid to be excited by it now.  If it frustrated me for a minute, I was on to one of the many things that I found much easier to do.  I’m back to making and getting frustrated, but working through it.  If it’s not perfect the first time or ever…ummm, so.

Nikki♥