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I have a small closet in my bedroom. And I have to share it with my boyfriend. This has been a point of contention between us since we moved in together, 1 1/2 years ago. We’re both only-children, so sharing space isn’t a strong point for either of us. He thinks that he should get half the closet since it’s half his home. I think he should just get rid of the clothes he doesn’t wear and then there would be plenty of space for me to take over the closet. We had to agree to disagree for the sake of our relationship. Ooh! Show me more!
My first ever crochet project. It’s Fractal doily pattern by Essi Varis, available on Ravelry. Being my first project, I decided to go for a larger hook than the pattern calls for so that I would easily be able to see the stitches. So, instead of petite doily, I ended up with a tablecloth. I’m happy with it, regardless!
In our hallway wall we have these odd little inset shelves. They’re only a couple of inches deep. I’m not sure what the shelves are supposed to be for, but I’ve filled them a collection of little tchotchkes.
I gave this little vintage plastic couple to my boyfriend when we moved into our apartment together.
A dear friend gave me this crystal on an epic camping trip. We named it my pocket rock.
This crystal was given to me by Seattle personality Dee Dee Rainbow when I was a little girl.
The porcelain figurines were given to me by a family that I stayed with in Japan while on tour with my choir in high school.
My mom gave me this stone when I started college.
This necklace belonged to a Masai warrior in Tanzania. I traded him my watch for his necklace.
I bought this Ganesh figurine when I bought a car at the age of 16 because he cares for travelers.
My mom embroidered this cat for me for Christmas this year.
How do you display your tchotchkes? And does anybody have any idea what the shelves are meant to hold? If it helps, our house was built in 1880.
I love chandeliers. I’ve pinned several that I would love to have some day. But, right now we live in an apartment. Fortunately, the apartment we live in has interesting antique chandeliers (not what I would pick myself, but I’m quite content to live with them.) I’ve spiced them up a tiny bit by adding my own touch to the center of the chandeliers.
This chandelier hangs our dining room. I attached a glass feather that my mom bought from a local artist for me and Adam to celebrate our moving in together. I like that it’s a very subtle way to add a pop of color to the chandelier.
This chandelier is in our living room. I hung a crocheted jellyfish from it. The jellyfish was crocheted for me by my godbrother’s girlfriend, Amanda. It was so much fun receiving it from her because she crocheted it from a pattern written by my dear friend Jessica. Amanda told me that she learned to crochet so that she could crochet Jessica’s patterns and was elated to learn that she and I are good friends. So, the crocheted jellyfish represents (to me) friendship, and family, and inspiration, and creativity, and excitement. And, it’s a little bit silly to have a crocheted jellyfish hanging from the chandelier in your living room, and I like that.
I tried to make a craft out of re-potting baby spider plants, but it didn’t work. I bought a set of teacups and saucers from the thrift store. I planned on drilling through the bottom of the teacups so that they worked well as little pots. I bought a drill bit intended for drilling ceramic and glass. And I spent 15 minutes of hard pressure, drilling intently into the bottom of cup, only to find that I had barely made a dent. So I gave up.
I went to a DIY message board for some advice. I was told that it really would take forever to drill through the ceramic and that I should be patient. I was told I should have gotten a diamond tipped drill bit. I was told my life would be made significantly easier by using a drill press. I decided to forgo holes and pot the plants in the teacups anyway.
The spider plant was originally my great-grandmother’s. My mom gave it to me. I have no idea why or how, but it is thriving in my apartment. I have it in the bathroom so it gets plenty of light through the bathroom window. I water it when I remember to water it, which is every once-in-a-while when I look at it while brushing my teeth. I can look at it plenty of other times while in the bathroom, but I only think to water it while brushing my teeth. I can’t explain that one. Anyway, it’s thriving. It keeps sending off shoots with lots of little babies on them. A month ago, I cut off a bunch of the babies and put them in a shallow dish of water to sprout. It’s those sprouts that I planted in the teacup.
I brought a spider plant to each of the group of ladies I meet regularly with the history of the plant and instructions to water them lightly but regularly since the teacups don’t drain. I also gave them permission not to feel guilty if the plant died, because there are plenty more spider plant babies to be had. One of the gals was excited to have a variegated spider plant to go with her beloved non-variegated one. That made me glad.
I kept one teacup for myself.
If anyone in The City wants a baby spider plant, just let me know and I’ll sprout you one!
I’m having a delightful time decorating my new(ish) apartment for Christmas. I thought I had a lot of decorations, but it seems when they are spread out over a liveable size flat instead of a studio apartment, they really don’t cover that much space. However, rather than rushing out to buy All The (Christmas) Things, I’ve made a few small purchases and have made myself focus on how much room for growth there is over the years.
I did find this cute little Santa at the thrift store for $2. He’s currently guarding our fruit bowls.
Tig seems to love hanging out on a little snowman latch rug that I’ve had since I was a kid.
I made a centerpiece for our coffee table out of vintage Christmas ornaments (pink!) that were my grandmother’s and a water glass full of candy canes.
I made a centerpiece for the dining table out of pine branches, candles, and another stuffed reindeer I’ve had since childhood.
And, I got to decorate a full-size Christmas tree!!
