What's Happenin', Hot Stuff?

This is just a small, prettily arranged pile of what is actually taking over my life right now. I'm basically just floating in a sea of crafty flotsam and jetsam. Really though, I've stabbed myself more times than I can count, and I'm pretty sure I have a permanent hunch in my back from leaning over my desk. BUT! New things are coming soon. :)

What are you guys up to this weekend? I've been busy working on a few side projects lately, one of which was to shoot family portraits for some folks, and I'm trying to finish up editing today. I have much respect for people who do this all the time because going through and editing hundreds or thousands of photos takes sooooo much time, at least if you're going to do it right. That's one of the many reasons why photography is better as a side gig for me.

Actually, now that I think about it, every project I take on is very time consuming, like see-you-in-a-few-months kind of time consuming. One of these days, I'll figure out how to be one of those people who does things quick and easy. Are you one of those people? Share your secrets, please. :)

We are also going to Glenstone tomorrow, which I'm really excited about. It's actually not great timing with everything else we have going on this weekend, but I made the reservation months ago, and I'm not giving up our spots! Glenstone is a modern art museum in Potomac, Md. that's only open Wed. to Sat., and they only allow a certain number of people in at a time. Reservations are required, and you can probably imagine that weekends fill up fast, which is the reason we've never been before. Photography isn't allowed inside, but I'll probably post about it anyway if the show is good.

What are you guys up to this weekend? Oh also, if anyone has any good suggestions for shows to stream while I'm sewing I'd greatly appreciate it! I've been re-watching old shows like Buffy for the millionth, possibly billionth, time. And I'm not saying there can ever be too much Buffy, but you know, I'd love to get into a new show also. I feel like it helps me get into a rhythm when I'm working, and I can challenge myself to try and finish one ornament in the time it takes to watch one episode. For the record, that has never happened, everything I make takes too long, but it's something to shoot for.

Hope everyone has a cozy and crafty weekend! xo, Mary

National Museum of Women in the Arts

I found a folder full of photos I'd taken at the National Museum of Women in the Arts from last summer that I never posted. I'm actually not sure if I've ever posted about NMWA on this blog, which is just nuts. This museum is the only one of it's kind in the world, and it really is a special place to me.

Did I mention that the building is beautiful? I'm a bit obsessed with the gorgeous chandeliers, the intricate trimwork and moldings, and those dreamy arched windows.
The late-afternoon light in the great hall and mezzanine is heavenly.

But the art is really what matters here, and the truth is I would visit this collection if it were housed in a garage. There's a good mix of historical and contemporary artworks from women all over the world, and I'm always discovering new work I've never seen before. I particularly like to see portraits of women by women, and self-portraits of women artists in this collection. I did a huge research project almost 20 years ago (yikes!) on women as subjects of art versus women as objects of art in paintings in particular throughout history, and that project was heavy on my mind during this most recent visit.

I sometimes wonder if I should use this space to write more intellectually about art and design rather than "ooh pretty picture!" But then I think that anyone reading this right now who is interested in the cultural significance of how we depict ourselves and how others depict us has probably already studied and researched and discussed such topics at length, as I have. And maybe that's not why people read blogs anyway? I know I often turn to blogs for entertainment or escapism or inspiration or even just pretty pictures, and there's nothing wrong with that.

I guess I've been feeling a bit torn in general with what to post in this space lately, but that's a topic for another day. (I definitely mean to start showing my own work more regularly though, not just photography.)


**The paintings (top to bottom): Lady Reading by Lamplight by Minerva J. Chapman, 1898; Self-Portrait Dedicated to Leon Trotsky by Frida Kahlo, 1937; and Self-Portrait When Seventeen by Jane Fortescue Seymour Coleridge, 1842.

Today's Finds

Handmade mug with spot pattern from Wakako Senda

I love everything in this Japanese shop; it was hard to pick a favorite. :)

Hand-knitted dog sweater from Camelotia

How beautiful is this dog sweater? I kind of want a sweater in the same colors for myself! (I would also love the dog too, but alas, now is not the time. Sigh.)

Anna Karina print from watersounds

Can I just say that 13-year-old me would've died for this print?! I was majorly into black and white decor for some reason. I insisted on painting my walls white (they had been pink), and changing my bedding and some of the art on my walls to black and white. I had also just taken an intro to French class, and I discovered Anna Karina about the same time too...so yeah, I would've gone nuts for this print. I should buy it to make my inner, angst-ridden tween happy. I still really like it now, obviously, so I guess my tastes haven't really changed all that much. :)

Vitra Kast Storage from Design Public

You know, in case you have an extra $11k lying around, this shelving system is the dreamiest.

Leather clutch from Mocha Bags

I love the simple shape of this clutch, and it comes in pastel pink too!

Today's Finds

Filomena muffin pan from Anthropologie

Tomato poster from Fine Little Day

Retro kitchen timers from World Market

Apple cutting board from Mix & Mash

Vintage flower storage bowls from Fishs Eddy


I recently started cooking again after (mostly) avoiding the kitchen for several years. To be honest, there are so many ways I'd rather spend my time, but as I get older, I'm trying to be more conscious of my diet and eating healthier, and it's hard to really eat healthy if you don't cook.

It's a challenge to make yourself do something you don't enjoy, so I'm thinking maybe some new cute kitchen things might be a good motivator for me. I'm a sucker for retro patterns and sweet silhouettes...am I ever! I know myself well enough to proceed with caution though. It's a fine line between "that's so cute sitting on my counter," and "that looks too pretty to use...I'll just leave it there."

I think I would use all of these things, though, and they might make cooking a little more fun. :)

The Kreeger Museum (Pt. 2)

Here's a peek at some of the art inside. The collection is small with a focus on mostly paintings and sculptures from 1850 to the present. I didn't know what they'd have on display, and I was pleasantly surprised to see some paintings by favorites like Frank Stella, Joan Miró, and Clyfford Still on the lower level. We also saw an exhibit on Flemish Expressionism, and I discovered a couple of painters I really liked: Jean Brusselmans and Albert Saverys.

I liked that it was small and intimate, and it wasn't crowded at all. I never had to do that shuffle thing you do in museums when several people are trying to look at a painting and read the title plaque all at once. It can be distracting when you just want to focus on the art. There was a security guard who seemed hypervigilant and kept pacing around us in one room, which was a little strange. But for the most part, we were able to hang out and take our time looking at art, and there's pretty much no better way to spend an afternoon if you ask me.

The Kreeger Museum

A few pics from last weekend at The Kreeger. It was sunny and perfect and blazingly bright. We spent as much time walking around the sculpture garden and grounds as we did looking at paintings indoors...that's kind of rare for me because paintings/drawings/prints are usually what hold most of my attention. (I do have some photos from inside that I'll share later.)

If you're a fan of Philip Johnson, or mid-century modern architecture in general, it's definitely worth a visit. Buildings in this style are sort of rare in D.C. It's crazy to think this was a private residence before it was converted into an art museum in 1994. Wouldn't that be great...to spend a few decades collecting art for your home and then letting everyone else enjoy it too? Remind me to put that on my to do list. ;)

Today's Finds

"Lucky Fisherman" print from Sandra Eterovic

Set of vintage enamel mugs from The White Pepper

Vintage metal spice box from Retro Krama

Striped vintage afghan from Charlie's Nest

White candle holders from Convivial Production

Today's Finds

Phantom hand collar from Fila Arcana

"Under this Moon" personalized ring from gemagenta

Tiny slip cast gem bowls from Bean & Bailey

1940s suede shoes from Vera Vague

Landscape print from Alice Potter

Today's Finds

"North Adams, Winter" large oil painting from Wickstrom Studio

Vintage photograph collection from Smile Mercantile

Vintage trinket box from Cake Number 9

1960s classic wool coat from Adelaide Homesewn

Convertible crochet mittens from Mitreva

I've probably professed my dislike of winter many times here on the blog, but it's here now and there's nothing to be done about it. So we might as well look cute and be warm and decorate our walls with pretty snowy scenes. And looking at those vintage photographs of fat, smiling babies and adults tossing snowballs around makes it all seem like lighthearted fun, right?

As I typed that I was actually thinking of Michael Scott saying "No, I hate it! I hate it! ...I don't hate it, I just don't like it at all. And it's terrible." Haha. But it's a new year, and we have to at least try to embrace the positive. So even though the wind is brutal today and we're supposed to see some snowflakes tonight, I'm going to focus on cute snowmen, and warm coffee shops, and cozy sweaters and socks, and cute pompom hats, and all the other things that are nice about winter...at least for a little while. :)

Today's Finds + Black Friday Sales

This post is full of the usual Etsy goodness, only all of these shops are having Black Friday sales! :)

"Oh You" print by Ashley Goldberg
(Save 25% with the Promo Code "HOLIDAY14" 11/24 - 12/1)

Lulu and Juniper - small cushion set from Sleepy King
(Save 20% off all orders with code "HOLIDAYSPARKLE" + free domestic shipping + Buy 3 animals, get a FREE Liam the fox!)

Custom wooden initial necklace from Havok Designs
(Save 25% with coupon code "BFCM25" - Ends Dec. 4th)

Rain embroidered pillow from Aeropagita
(Save 30% on home decor items with code "BFS2014" from now until Nov 30)

Leather pouch from Leah Lerner
(Buy any 2 items, Get 15% OFF, Coupon: "15SALE" - Buy any 3 items, Get 20% OFF, Coupon: "20SALE")

All of these shops have lots of things that would make great gifts. :)

P.S. I am also having a sale! Save 20% on everything in my Etsy shop with coupon code "FOODCOMA" (now thru Friday 11/28). xo, Mary