Mebel' queue

There are certain milestones in the long process of growing up that make you stop and think, "Oh, shit, I don't think I'm ready to be a real grown-up."

Living outside your parents' house for the first time is certainly one of those things, as is looking for a real job that will pay those things called bills that are now addressed in your name; and I'm sure that buying your first house and having kids qualify in this category as well, although my experience there only extends to minor repairs in a rented apartment and being responsible for two kitties that can pretty much fend for themselves minus the food and litter box considerations.

But recently I have discovered that another one of those times you want to grab the oh shit bar in this vehicle called life is when you realize that you now have real, actual furniture. Now by real, actual furniture, I do not mean the suites set up at the end of the isle in Target (ladder bookcase, I still think you're ochen' spiffy; and folding bookshelves, there will never be a replacement for the brilliant ease with which you move apartments) or easy-up, flat-pack Ikea offerings (Ikea, darling, you know there will always be an s-shaped allen wrench sized spot in my heart for you). By real, actual furniture, I mean pieces that were not picked up just to fill an immediate need or use, but those which fill a spot in the more nebulous spheres of taste and want. Pieces that are worth love and upkeep. Pieces that you will never list in a craigslist moving sale or curb alert.

With our most recent move (the fourth in three years), the percentage of real, actual furniture we have in our home has increased. Not to a majority, but certainly to a significant minority. And this increase means that I must now really and actually start thinking about some serious refinishing and reupholstering projects.


First up is this lovely and simple little bookcase with minimal, but graceful design. Under the avocado paint, there's a layer of nice dark stain, which I'm not sure will survive the stripping process, but I guess we'll see. All the finish strippers at the hardware store carried a very prominent warning preceded by a skull and crossbones, so I'm planning on trying a non-toxic stripping method I found online. You make a paste of washing soda and water, slather it on, leave it for six hours or so, and then scrape it off. I found this piece in the alley after our last move and brought it in because it was a fraternal twin to another bookcase I'd picked up at a garage sale and also because who couldn't use another bookshelf?



Next up, although probably not next in the queue, is my number one alley find ever. It's a Danish modern egg chair by the Bramin furniture company, and it's super awesome aside from the fact that the stuffing has gone crunchy and the upholstery color can only truly be described as 70's puke. We used to keep a throw pillow on it that was made of construction-orange-dyed fake goat fur. My best friend gave me that pillow in memory of my first car, a '77 once-sparkly orange Buick LeSabre with fake fur steering wheel and headrest covers, 8-track deck and analog dash clock that never worked. The 70's also puked all over that. RIP, BOB the Big Orange Buick, RIP.



Speaking of decade vomit and goat fur, we found this awesome piece of bedroom furniture for really cheap at an estate sale, and when the DH went to pick it up, the seller threw in this, um, lovely rug for free. I need to fashion a new shelf for my half of the wardrobe slash credenza thingy. Guess the rug will be warm in the winter...



We also finally have a real desk with real drawers that happens to go very nicely with the silly desk lamp I bought when I went away to college. The chair does need some new upholstery, though, and it also needs some padding, period. The bottom half of the upholstery is much uglier in person, and we actually removed the matching slipcover from the back because the horribly tattered remnants of the last reupholster job were less unattractive. I'm thinking something ridiculously sumptuous and dark red held on with brass furniture tacks.



Lastly, but perhaps most excitingly, I am now also the proud owner of a real, actual dining suite with six chairs, a table with three leaves, and a buffet complete with flocked furniture drawer. This needs a few minor pieces replaced, some touch-up on the finish where it's worn off, and reupholstering. Now, there's nothing really wrong with the upholstery on these chairs, it's good quality and matches the woodwork nicely. It's just pink. Baby pink. And ecru. And I have no idea what color it should be, but I know it's not that. Any suggestions?

So, I have my work cut out for me for the next few months. I'll be posting some project photos, hopefully with a how-to element, as I tackle each item, so stay tuned.

in which my babies decide they loooove each other

Now if only they'd curl up like that on their matching kitty coasters...

Bea's rug

Okay, so I secretly love granny squares. I'm not much of a crocheter, and they're quick and easy and make hilarious slippers. And when I found this tutorial for making hexagonal granny squares, I knew I had to use them in something. When we brought home our planned kitty, Bea, and immediately realized that, small as she was, she was already too big for the bed I had knit her, I thought these would make a perfect little bed for her.


This is the first pattern I've written out in terms that are (hopefully) legible to others. I have also tried to write it for those with very limited experience with crochet, so if you're a maniac with the hook, you may get exasperated with all the instructions being written out. If you're really, really a beginner, I have tried to be very clear in the instructions, but if you're having trouble, I recommend you check out the hex granny square tutorial above as well as this magic loop tutorial.

So, here goes.

Finished size: 15" diameter, for most cats and small dogs.
If you want a larger rug, use heavier yarn and a bigger hook, or add another round of hexagons before working edge instructions.

Materials: 100 yards each MC and CC dk weight yarn, plus another 75-100 yards CC for
optional fringe

Crochet hook, size US H-J, metric 5-6mm. I used an I/5.5mm, but use whatever you have handy.

Skills: Magic Loop, sl st, ch, dc, dc2tog, dc3tog, crocheting through the bars


Center Medallions
Round 1
Magic Loop 12 dc



Cross working end of yarn above tail, making sure to leave quite a bit of tail until you're comfortable with the technique. This is also the first step of making a slip knot.







Put your hook through the loop and pull up a loop from the working end of the yarn.




Ch3 for the first dc, then 11dc in magic loop. Don't worry if your stitches are loose or if it doesn't look like they'll join right now; we're going to fix all that in the next step where the loop works its magic.

When you have completed the 12dc (including the first ch3), pull the yarn tail until the center is as tight as you want it. Join with sl st to top of first ch3 and tie off.


Round 2
With MC, make a slip knot and pull to front of work through both bars of any dc in round 1. This entire round will be worked through both bars of the dc's. (Note to knitters: the bars are the loops on the outside of the stitches that look like a bind off row.)

First dc2tog: ch2, dc in same dc bars, ch1

Next 11 dc2tog: *set up for a dc (yo, put hook through both bars, yo and pull up one loop) yo and pull through 2 loops.* Repeat once more in same dc bars; yo and pull through remaining 3 loops on hook, ch1.
Repeat around and join with sl st to top of first ch2. Tie off.


Round 3
With CC, make a slip knot and pull to front of work through any ch1 space.
Ch3, 2dc in same space, ch1
*3dc in next space, ch1* around; join with sl st to top of first ch3. Tie off.

Make 7 of these center medallions. If you want to add another "row" of hexes, you will need to make 19.

Hexagon 1


Round 4: With MC, make a slip knot and pull to front of work through any ch1 space, sl st, ch3, *sl st in next ch1 space, ch3* around. Join with sl st to first sl st. Do not tie off.



Round 5: sl st under next ch3 space, ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc; 3dc in next ch3 space; *3dc, ch2, 3dc in next ch3 space; 3dc in next ch3 space* around. Join with sl st to top of first ch3. Tie off. This is the center hexagon. sl st to space between 3dc clusters on hexagon 1,


Hexagon 2 (one side connected to finished hexagon)
Round 4: same as for hexagon 1
Round 5: sl st under next ch3 space, ch3, 2dc, ch1, sl st to corner ch2 space of hexagon 1 by bringing up a loop from behind hexagon 1 and pulling through loop on hook, 3dc in same ch3 space.
Sl st to space between 3dc clusters of hexagon 1, 3dc in next ch3 space.
Sl st to space between 3dc clusters of hexagon 1, 3dc in next ch3 space, sl st to corner ch2 space of hexagon 1, ch1, 3dc in same ch3 space.
Continue around in pattern as in hexagon 1, alternating 3dc and 3dc, ch2, 3dc. Join with sl st to top of first ch3. Tie off. This is the first outer hexagon.


Hexagons 3, 4, 5, and 6 (two sides connected to finished hexagons)
Round 4: same as for hexagon 1
Round 5: sl st under next ch3 space, ch3, 2dc, ch1, sl st to corner ch2 space of previous outer hexagon, 3dc in same ch3 space.
sl st to space between 3dc clusters of outer hexagon, 3dc in next ch3 space.
sl st to space between clusters of outer hexagon, 3dc in next ch3 space, sl st to corner ch2 space of outer hexagon, sl st to corner ch2 space of hexagon 1, 3dc in same ch3 space.
sl st to space between clusters, 3dc in next ch3 space.
sl st to space between clusters, 3dc in next ch3 space, sl st to corner ch2 space of hexagon 1, ch1, 3dc in same ch3 space.

Continue around in pattern, alternating 3dc and 3dc, ch2, 3dc. Join with sl st to first ch3. Tie off.


Hexagon 7 (three sides connected to finished hexagons)
Round 4: same as for hexagon 1
Round 5: sl st under next ch3 space, ch3, 2dc, ch1, sl st to corner ch2 space of hexagon 6, 3dc in same ch3 space.
sl st to space between clusters, 3dc in next ch3 space.
sl st to space between clusters, 3dc in next ch3 space, sl st to corner ch2 space of hexagon 6, sl st to corner ch 2 space of hexagon 1, 3dc in same ch3 space.
sl st to space between clusters, 3dc in next ch3 space.
sl st to space between clusters, 3dc in next ch3 space, sl st to corner ch2 space of hexagon 1, sl st to corner ch2 space of hexagon 2, 3dc in same ch3 space.
sl st to space between clusters, 3dc in next ch3 space.
sl st to space between clusters, 3dc in next ch3 space, sl st to corner ch2 space of hexagon 2, ch1, 3dc in same ch3 space.

Continue around in pattern, alternating 3dc and 3dc, ch2, 3dc. Join with sl st to first ch3. Tie off.

Edge triangles
(these fill in the spaces between the hexes to make the rug circular-ish)


With MC, make a slip knot and pull to front through any outer corner ch2 space. Ch12 and sl st to outer corner ch2 space of the adjacent hexagon (13 foundation chains to work into), turn.

Row 1: ch2, dc2tog, slip loop off hook and bring forward through next space between clusters on hexagon, 8dc, dc3tog (*set up for dc, yo, pull through 2 loops* three times, yo, pull through remaining 4 loops on hook), slip loop off hook and bring forward through next space between clusters, turn.

Row 2: ch2, dc2tog, slip loop off hook and bring forward through next space between clusters, dc4, dc3tog, slip loop off hook and bring forward through next space between clusters, turn.

Row 3: ch2, dc2tog, slip loop off hook and bring forward through inner corner ch2 space, dc3tog, slip loop off hook and bring forward through adjacent inner corner ch2 space. Tie off.

Crochet in 5 more triangles, until all outer corners of hexagons are connected.


Edging

With CC, make a slip knot and pull to front through edge. Ch1, sc evenly around edge, join to first ch1.

Sc in back bar of each sc around, join. If you don't want the fringe, tie off and weave in ends.

Optional fringe: after joining, pull out loop until it's about 4" long. Rotate hook helicopter-style 10-14 times, or until the yarn loops back on itself when you give it some slack, sl st in same sc. *Sl st in next sc, pull loop, twist, sl st in same sc* around. Tie off and weave in ends. Tug on each fringe to even out the twist.

in which i become a cat lady

Oh, goodness. So my latest project is a doozy and, as it turned out today, an expensive hobby. My husband went to take the trash out to the alley on Saturday morning and he happened to look over and see this little guy in the corner of one of the stairwells--




--and made the decision (which I think he's regretting a little right now) to tell me about the poor baby.

We emailed Hyde Park Cats--a really great organization that coordinates management of feral cat colonies as well as fostering and adoption of friendly kitties that are homeless for one reason or another--for advice. (Check them out at www.hydeparkcats.blogspot.com )

Then we went to the Smart Museum of Art to check out the last day of the Heartland exhibit. The whole time we were both thinking, perhaps for slightly different reasons, "I hope we don't get home to find a dead cat in the courtyard."

We didn't. He was still there and looked like he was still alive, although it was kind of hard to tell since he wasn't moving or making any noise. So I went inside and put on my nana's elbow-high leather dress gloves in preparation for approaching this poor, half-dead, possibly injured little wretch.

He let me go right up to him, no problem, even though he was huddled in a corner and I couldn't help but block his escape route. After I petted him for a little while, he finally stood up and walked a little, not to get to water or food or a warm blanket, mind you, but because my other hand was too far away to pet him, and he wanted two hands worth of loving.

At this point, I think it's pretty clear where this story is going, so let's pretend there's an ellipsis and just say that this morning I waited at the clinic with him for two hours and put down $200 to have him fixed, tested, vaccinated and chipped.




And now I'm waiting to pick him up this afternoon so he can come home to his (freshly laundered) bed which is, at least for now, taking up about half of the usable floor space in my bathroom. But that face just says, "I love you so, so, so, so much." And how do you say no to kitty love?

in which i attempt to tie up loose ends

The husband and I had a nice five-day Thanksgiving weekend (with Monday for vet and dentist appointments) that was really more of an equally distributed two-day weekend with other commitments in between.

Thursday, of course, we were at the Wind 'n Oaks farm for dinner. As always, this included much confusion about exactly how many chairs and of which sort should be brought up from the basement and way too much food, rolls included.

Saturday, it was back to the farm for a luau-themed wedding reception at the church, complete with a yummy pig on a spit.

Monday, we took little Bea to the vet for the first time and I was surprised at how good she was about the whole experience, especially considering my previous cat was required to wear a muzzle and be physically restrained by at least one of her owners at all times while in the examining room. But I guess that's the difference between adopting a young, well-socialized kitty from a loving foster home and adopting an adult, part-siamese feral cat that wanders into your half-finished house and refuses to leave. Bea got a clean bill of health despite the constant build-up of various gunks in her eyes, ears and nose. The poor little booger did have to have the last stitch from when she was spayed removed because it didn't dissolve like it was supposed to and the skin had started to grow over it.

Speaking of Bea, on Friday my husband told me that it was really, seriously time to do something about my fantastic and fantastically failed attempt at building a cat tower for the little booger. It was going to be an absolutely wonderful kitty jungle gym with three posts of varied heights and two platforms. As you can guess, it didn't work out, and my abomination of a cat tower has been sitting crookedly and soundly ignored in the sun room for about a month.



This is the pile of leftovers from the original design, minus about ten pounds of nails. Before going on to the new, streamlined design (my husband's idea, by the way), let's review for future woodworking projects why this didn't work out.

*Cardboard mailing tubes do not make good construction materials.
*If you ignore this first failing and do use mailing tubes as a construction material,
nailing them to a small block of wood through the bottom is not enough to stabilize them.
*The plastic caps that come with the mailing tubes do not take well to nails.
*Electrical tape does not stick well to wood (or really to much of anything, for that matter).
*Thus, electrical tape should not be used to make sure the boards of your cat platform are really bound together.






Seriously, mom, what the hell were you thinking?






So here's the new and improved design, which requires absolutely no nails to keep the structure together. (I used both boxes we had in the hardware bag on the first attempt.)





It is much sturdier and more practical than the first design, but little Bea still pretty much ignores it. I think it has something to do with it being sanctioned as a plaything for her. She's the same way about all the little kitty toys I crochet for her. While I'm working on one, it's absolutely the most fascinating object in the entire world, but once it's finished, she couldn't care less about it.





On Sunday, I tried felting some of the gifts I've knit, but I think that's a story for another day.

poka!

in which there are thanksgiving rolls

Today's project was making some sort of bread product to supplement the corn muffins at thanksgiving dinner with the in-laws tomorrow. I decided I'd make some homemade dinner rolls.

For about a year now, I've been thinking it would be a good thing if I made all the bread we eat at home. At first, I really wanted it to be an entirely from scratch endeavor, so I got myself some wheat flour, a wide-mouth jar and a recipe for sourdough starter.

(I would like to take a moment here to point out my incredible restraint in not buying wheat berries and an auxiliary coffee grinder.)

Long story short, I gave that up after several VERY dense loaves and more than one smelly rescue of the little yeasties from the encroaching mold. I think what finally did me in was the day I opened it and a cloud of fruit flies swarmed my face. Skip forward several months to the produce store and a commercial-sized bag of instant yeast for the low-low price of $2.49. I figured if I only had to use the yeast rather than grow and maintain it, then I really would bake all our bread.

And I did.

For at least one whole month.

Anyway, it's been awhile and I've never tried dinner rolls specifically, so I was anxious to see how they turned out.



Here she is, all kneaded and pretty and ready for the first rising. I like to put the dough in the oven with just the pilot light on for at least the first rising. I don't know that it's any more conducive to the little yeasties than the kitchen table over the radiator, but it makes me feel good.




Here's the dough, doubled after the first rise and ready to be punched down and formed into rolls. What fascinated me most about the articles I read when I was trying to make bread from a starter was that when (if) the starter got going the way it was supposed to and you never got rid of any of it, the resulting blob would fill an olympic-sized swimming pool in something like three days.




And here are the rolls after the second rise. I egg-washed both pans and sprinkled one with sesame seeds (left over from when I was going to make granola bars for breakfast every week) and poppy seeds (left over from when I was going to make muffins for breakfast every week).




And here's the finished product! The last time I checked the rolls before I took them out of the oven, there were some faint popping noises coming from the pans. It was the sesame seeds. At least that's what I'm going with.

Anyway, they seem to have turned out just fine, although the pan with the seeds didn't brown nearly as nicely as the plain pan. I guess we'll find out tomorrow how they taste.

poka!

in which i begin

So, I'm not really sure how this whole blog thing works, but as I told erin from college, you must come to i.s. study group as you came to i.s.--naked and unprepared. And so here I am, not entirely literally, but certainly in spirit, naked and unprepared.

Today I met up with erin from high school on the magnificent mile. It's always like a little vacation when she comes to town because I get to do all those touristy-type things that I never did when I first got to chicago. I must say, though, that the mag mile was nice to see, but I think I've had enough of it for a lifetime. At least for a lifetime where I wouldn't want to spend the asking price even for things on clearance.

And now it's back to the one-person sweatshop that has become my life since I decided everyone was getting something hand-knitted/crocheted this christmas. It's not all bad, though; I get to watch a lot of bad television. Right now I'm watching the tyra banks show special on sex addiction. Secretly, I love tyra, especially america's next top model--my husband got me started on it.

Now I must get back to the whole crafting-on-a-deadline thing.
poka!