This is me snagging an extra button pin from the bag of them that Etsy had brought along.
I had a wonderful time at the Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs this past weekend. I met people in person whom I've known online for years, I learned a lot (outsourcing is every bit as difficult as I suspected!), I was recorded (live, onstage, eep) for a podcast (I'll let you know when it's available to listen to), and it all felt more like a gathering than a series of classes. Bravo to the organizers. Rumor is that CCE will be in San Francisco next year and if you're somebody who has or wants a small business in the arts/crafts realm I can highly recommend attending. Also, the sponsors for the conference were particularly well matched, I learned about a bunch of services and resources I'll be using. (I don't mean to sound like a shill, it's all true, and I also really want CCE to succeed and grow. So if you have a product you'd like artists and crafters with websites and Twitter accounts to know about, look into being a CCE sponsor next year.)
· comments [5] · 08-18-2010 · categories:events ·
On of the things that happened at BlogHer this year (I didn't go either, we should go next year!) was a celebration of the Voices of the Year and people (one of those was me) were asked to contribute a photograph that corresponded a nominated post, the images were curated by Kirtsy. They photographs displayed at BlogHer and now they are being auctioned off to raise money for The Nature Conservancy for Gulf cleanup.
The auctions are being released by group (Aug. 16-26: Life, Aug. 24-Sept. 3: Humor, Sept. 1-10: Op-Ed, Sept. 7-17: Geek/Nerdy) and the first one are up right now. Beautiful photos, great cause, art for your house.
· comments [0] · 08-18-2010 · categories:misc ·
· comments [7] · 08-17-2010 · categories:food · links ·
You Grow Girl™ - » Yes Virginia, There is a Blue Tomato. It's beautiful!
The Secret to Successfully Painting IKEA Shelves Reader Intelligence Report | Apartment Therapy Chicago.
Serious Entertaining: How to Turn Office Supplies Into Dinner Party Accessories | Serious Eats. I heart Helen Jane.
Off-the-shelf door replacement - easy? | Ask MetaFilter.
I'm looking for a home owner's manual. By that I mean a book, website, etc. (the type of media doesn't matter) that is structured like a car manual's scheduled service interval section. | Ask MetaFilter.
Outstanding online furniture stores for medium to high end furnishings? | Ask MetaFilter. Includes a lot of Seattle recommendations.
Making it Lovely | Transforming the so-so. » DIY Painting Tips, Tricks, and a Step-By-Step Guide. Scott and I painted most of this house together, but as we start painting the bathrooms it's always good to have a look over the basics and this guide to painting a room at Making It Lovely is a good one.
I'd like to buy a cool, large map to hang on my wall. | Ask MetaFilter.
Serious Entertaining: Three Quick and Easy Napkin Folds | Serious Eats.
Design*Sponge » diy project: portable sun shade.
Trompe-l’oeil Door Wallpaper | Design Milk. I like these, thanks go Maggi for sending me this link!
Design*Sponge » diy project: drawer knob finials. I have to be honest, my own curtain rods have stood finial-less for over a year. I bought them at Target and none of the finials looked good to me. I wonder if door knobs like these would fit into the rods I have?
Just Something I Made: FUN WITH DECALS PART 1: In the Kitchen Free PDF Images. Downloadable decals for your kitchen, via Craftzine.
Marimekko Upholstery Fabrics | Bold Designer Fabrics by Marimekko Finland. I didn't realize some Marimekko fabrics were upholstry weight, thanks Laura for the tip!
Door Sixteen » Attack of the 16-foot planter!. Instructions for some huge, and pretty, planters. Thanks Anna!
· comments [5] · 08-16-2010 · categories:links · the home ·
You're coming to the Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs? Hooray! They've picked a really good neighborhood. Here is a list of places I know and love, all within about six blocks of the Century Ballroom (Friday's conference location). I've included an address and a link to a Google map for each below in the hopes that those reading this on a mobile device (hi there!) find it easy enough to use. Please note, there are more places mentioned on the bottom of this page of the CCE's website, as well as their Where To Eat series: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Do know that the conference will be providing breakfast and lunch.
You need to eat:
Oddfellows Cafe - This restaurant is in the same building as the Century Ballroom, the entrance is just around the corner. It's charming and has a good menu, open all day long and late into the night. (Breakfast? Yes!)
1525 10th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 325-0807
Via Tribunali - Serving some seriously good Neapolitan pizza. The pizza come unsliced so if you're sharing ask the server to bring some kitchen shears that they have for this purpose. Seriously, it's the easiest way to cut pizza and you'll ditch your pizza cutter shortly after you return home. (Breakfast? No.)
913 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98122-3816
[map]
(206) 322-9234
Boom Noodle - Yummy noodles, well designed interior. (Breakfast? No.)
1121 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 701-9130
Vermillion - They serve a small menu, usually a soup, a cheese plate and a few other things, but they are cozy and charming and have a good wine list. Walk through the art gallery to the cafe space in the back. (Note: Vermillion is where we held the first year or so of Grassroots Business Association meetings, we *heart* Vermillion.) (Breakfast? No.)
1508 11th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 709-9797
Cafe Presse - Located across an annoyingly busy street but so worth the trek for amazing and unpretentious French food. A Stumptown coffee is next door. (Breakfast? Yes!)
1117 12th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 709-7674
You need to eat some sugar:
Cupcake Royale - One of the original cupcake places in Seattle. My favorite cupcake is still the ballerina (vanilla with pink vanilla frosting). They also have good espresso here.
1111 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 328-6544
Molly Moon's Ice Cream - Amazing ice cream in amazing flavors. Expect to stand in a long line of impressively dressed people. This is about five inches from the Century Ballroom entrance so I expect you'll be having ice cream before you leave Seattle.
917 East Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 708-7947
Old School Frozen Custard - Amazing custard with your choice of things to add. Expect to stand in a long line of impressively dressed people.
1316 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 324-2586
You need to eat because you're happydrunk and it's 1 a.m.:
Big Mario's Pizza - Seattle's newly opened New York style pizza by the slice place has your back, open until 4 am.
1009 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 922-3875
Po Dogs - Ever tried a Seattle hot dog with cream cheese on it? Now is the perfect time. This place has an impressive menu and vegetarian options.
1009 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
206-325-6055
It's the morning and you need coffee and a pastry before you see anybody:
See above: Oddfellows Cafe (right downstairs from the Century Ballroom) and Cupcake Royale (cupcakes for breakfast!).
Cafe Vita - This one is closest to the conference locations, and another of their shops is my own local coffee place so I double love them.
1005 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 709-4440
Stumptown - Two locations, one is near Cafe Presse, both a few blocks away. Excellent coffee.
1115 12th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 860-2937
616 East Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 329-0115
[map]
Victrola - This one is a few blocks away, but it's close to the Cakespy shop. Excellent coffee.
310 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98122-3610
[map]
(206) 462-6259
Take a shopping break:
Cakespy Shop - So worth the short walk down, it's filled with stuff you'll love. (Also the owner, Jessie, is speaking at the conference!)
415 East Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98122-2311
[map]
Elliott Bay Book Company - Right next door to the Century Ballroom, this historic independent Seattle bookstore recently relocated from it's (beloved, sniff) original location in Pioneer Square.
1521 10th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 624-6600
Stitches - Fabric, yarn, needles, ribbon, felt, findings. All your therapeutic crafting needs (or adhesive needs) have been curated here for you. They even have sewing machines that you can rent. And Japanese fabric. And needle felting supplies should you feel the need to stab somebody something. Honestly, when I need something I come here first, they have some of the best fabric offerings in the city.
711 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98122-3719
[map]
(206) 709-0707
Value Village - Thrifting! This is across the street from Vermillion.
1525 11th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122-3903
[map]
(206) 322-7789
You need to sit on some grass and do some people watching:
Cal Anderson Park - The side of the park closest to the conference location (right across the street) is all soccer fields, but walk deeper into the park and you'll find an impressive fountain and lots of places to stroll or sit for a while.
1635 11th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
Other vital needs:
Drugstore: Walgreens - Just a block away from the Century Ballroom, no need to bring your own band aids.
1531 Broadway, Seattle, WA
[map]
(206) 204-0599
Grocery store: QFC - Just a couple blocks away, for all your special snowflake food needs.
1401 Broadway, Seattle, WA
[map]
(206) 860-3818
Post Office - Because the TSA won't let you carry on the new fabric scissors that you bought at Stitches.
101 Broadway East, Seattle, WA
[map]
(206) 324-5474
You need to borrow a computer - Some nearby internet cafes (yes they still exist) because you, like me, never bring your laptop along but always find a near emergency situation where you're handheld thingy just won't do and you need a computer NowNowNow and cannot wait until you get back to your hotel.
Uncle Elizabeth's Internet Cafe
1123 Pike Street
Seattle, WA 98101-1923
[map]
(206) 381-1600
Online Coffee Company
1404 East Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98122
[map]
(206) 323-7798
· comments [8] · 08-12-2010 · categories:events · seattle ·
· comments [0] · 08-11-2010 · categories:links · technology ·
Over breakfast last week Scott and I found ourselves wondering about the origins of Melba Toast. Why Melba Toast? I have no idea, I think we were eating pancakes at the time. Turns out Melba Toast has a very romantic origin, romance! fame! scandal! all play a part, at least from it's originators. Wikipedia take it away:
It is named after Dame Nellie Melba, the stage name of Australian opera singer Helen Porter Mitchell. Its name is thought to date from 1897, when the singer was very ill and it became a staple of her diet. The toast was created for her by chef and fan Auguste Escoffier, who also created the Peach Melba dessert for her. The hotel proprietor César Ritz supposedly named it in a conversation with Escoffier.
This part of history isn't something I studied so I was delighted to read about these huge personalities. Dame Nellie Melba was a soprano and a major diva and gained a lot of scorn from her friends and colleges with her acerbic personality. She toured the world to sing, she made recordings and was on the radio in the very early days when almost nobody had a radio to listen to, she had affairs, caught a fever in Egypt, had a facelift (I did not know they existed in the 20s), gave farewell tours for nearly a decade and her face is on the Australian 100 dollar bill. What a lady.
Escoffier and Ritz have fascinating stories too, well, more fascinating than I suspected. They worked together at the Savoy until they were implicated in the disappearance of £3400 worth of wine and spirits. They then opened the Ritz hotels in Paris and London and attracted all the rich and famous as clientele, they went on to open hotels and cook for royalty and, it appears, generally lead fabulous lives. Escoffier established the system by which all our restaurant kitchens run. I love this anecdote from The Times, found on Wikipedia: "Colour meant so much to Escoffier, and a memory arises of a feast at the Carlton for which the table decorations were white and pink roses, with silvery leaves – the background for a dinner all white and pink, Borscht striking the deepest note, Filets de poulet à la Paprika coming next, and the Agneau de lait forming the high note."
Alright, history lesson concluded.
· comments [6] · 08-10-2010 · categories:food · things I think are neat ·
Since our Move To Seattle anniversary cake we seem to have started a new Friday night dinner tradition in our house, which is cake. This past week I made Smitten Kitchen's Everyday Chocolate Cake. It was so easy, just the mixer bowl, my underused kitchen scale and a cake pan, wha-la! I didn't have a loaf pan so I used my angle food cake pan. It turned out great, like a big chocolate donut.
The week before this I made Best Birthday Cake, also from Smitten Kitchen. Well, I used a boxed yellow cake mix and made the icing. I used a mix because lately I've been noticing all these sites recreating yellow cake so that it tastes like the stuff they loved out of the box - Angry Chicken, and of course this Smitten Kitchen recipe. But, I had never had yellow cake from a box so I decided I needed to experience the real thing before moving on to making my own. (Also, it was easier.)
The chocolate icing from SK was so very easy, but a bit too both tangy and fudgy for my taste. I'll make it again and add more sweetener (the recipe allows for that) and use a different chocolate. See? An excuse to make more cake.
The best thing about Cake Fridays? They inspire us to make more of a big deal out of dinner. We try new cocktails, use the nice dishes to eat outside on the deck, we sit and talk about our week and linger for longer than we would otherwise because there is cake to be eaten a bit later. It's perfect. Having leftover cake for Saturday breakfast is a bonus.
· comments [20] · 08-9-2010 · categories:food ·
The Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs here in Seattle is coming up! If you already live here in Seattle there is an event at the conference that is free to attend:
Are you looking to connect with the art, craft and design community?
We are excited to announce a special special round table reception hosted by The Conference for Creative Entrepreneurs.
The event will feature small group discussions about running a small business, networking opportunities with members of the the art, craft and design community, craft and product demonstrations, special discounts on services and products from our sponsors, and sweet snacks too!
Free To Attend
Friday, August 13th from 4:15 - 6:00 PM
Century Ballroom, 915 East Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98122-3849 (map)
RSVP now at: Eventbrite.
As a SPECIAL THANK YOU to the first 50 people who register by August 11th, you get one FREE conference session of your choice on Saturday or Sunday! Session registration will take place on Friday when you check in for the round table event. RSVP today to ensure your space at this amazing event!
To see conference choice options on Saturday and Sunday check out our schedule.
Additional classes will be available for $25 per session - cash only - register day of at venue location.
Will I see you there?
· comments [0] · 08-6-2010 · categories:events · seattle ·
Scott and I have spent most of the summer with colds (he started it). As a result I've been reading a lot more than usual. I've come to really love reading on the iPhone, largely for the backlighting so I can read without disturbing Scott with a bedside light. But I also love being able to read while laying on my side and not struggling to keep a book open, and not having to fuss over pages that have too small a margin in the center and cause that wavy line effect, and not having to reach out my other arm to turn pages because, let's face it, I'm lazy. It's like watching tv in bed but it's reading and I should probably stop typing right now shouldn't I?
Apparently when I need to be soothed I read fiction that is about the end of the world as I know it, in one way or another:
Daemon (for Kindle). I originally bought this as a paperback to read on airplanes. I found it in a drugstore and with blurbs by Craig Newmark, Stewart Brand and William O'Brien (Former Director of Cybersecurity and Communications Policy for The White House) I couldn't not get it.
Freedom (TM) (for Kindle). Daemon comes to a sudden end, a downside of the Kindle for iPhone is that you have no idea how far you are into a book. So I used the upside of the Kindle and immediately downloaded the sequel and kept reading, all around 2 a.m. Now I cannot remember where one book ends and the next begins, which is bad since I keep accidentally giving Scott spoilers when we talk about Daemon.
The Passage (for Kindle). I kept coming across reviews of this book so I downloaded it next, and it's glorious length kept me company through many long nights of keeping myself awake coughing.
Going In Circles (for Kindle). This book by Pamela Ribon (whom you might know better as Pamie) is a story about a woman knocked over by a divorce, and picked back up by roller derby.
The Breach (for Kindle). This was a short book when compared to my earlier science fiction books, but I kept wishing I had a beach to sit on while I was reading it. It was fast paced and fun.
The Stand (for Kindle). Reviews of The Passage kept comparing it to this so I figured I might as well finally read it.
If you're looking for something to read I recommend heading over to What's In Rebecca's Pocket? and see all the lists of reading lists that she compiles in the summers. (Thank you Rebecca.)
· comments [14] · 08-4-2010 · categories:books · shopping ·
