MouseHouse

Pause

2009-04-28T10:22:00.000-07:00

Need a break, will be back soon.
Too much life stuff now, blogging is supposed to be fun so I'm going to wait for some of these other things to clear out. Then I will return!
You can catch me on Twitter if you feel so inclined.

Apartment Therapy Spring Cure 2

2009-04-07T11:44:00.000-07:00

Too much cleaning makes me a crazy lady. I end up trucking things from one room to another, or putting them into boxes to "sort later". Hahah.
What do you do with odds and ends that you can't throw away. Or things that need to be fixed? But you don't feel like stopping to fix now, because then you'll never ever be done with sorting this junk drawer that is now laying in a massive heap all over the living room floor?? And then crazy cat comes over to "help"...and lies down on all the papers you are in the middle of sorting... Its all pretty funny actually.
Anyway, I took last week off. Now I have to do the entry way AND the living room this weekend. Blargh.
At least the weather will go back to typical 50s and grey skies so I will f o c u s!!!

Blissful Images

2009-04-07T11:02:00.000-07:00

OOOooo...

I found this photographer I love! She also lives in Portland, and I am totally in love with her soft and bright photographs of flowers, fruit, trees, and houses.

Buy her prints at blissful images too. Or at her Etsy shop.

Homage to patterns

2009-03-23T19:36:00.000-07:00

Just a hello.
Two things.
Some people love yarn, have a major stash, etc. While it is true that my close friend (and pack rat in her own right) told me I have too much yarn, I do not think that my problem is yarn.

Instead I have a problem with patterns. I think I am alone in this one. Many blogs talk about "yummy" yarn, a yarn obsession, an over flowing stash. It's true, I have a lot of yarn. But my obsession, my passion, with knitting is the patterns! What is it? The potential? The thrill of making it my own? Its the idea that here is all I need to create this beautiful clothing. This piece of paper, these letters, can be transformed, translated, with yarn and time, into a wearable object. A clothing item - -but a work of art, in a way. Or maybe just a way of passing the time - a physical representation for the time I spent watching Dollhouse, BSG, Dexter, or any other inanely nerdy show. I show it in knits. Maybe that's why, when I finish a pattern - no matter how many are in my binder - I hunt for more...what's next? A cami? A tee? A slouchy hat? In that moment between casting off and casting on that is where possibility lies! I cannot wait to cast on again - but part of the trilll is finding the best pattern to suit my skill, my time, my available yarn ( use up the stash baby! ). Seeing the potential, the garmetns I can make...That is the most thirilling.
I think I may be alone in this obsession. I know lots of knitters thrilled with yarn. To me the potential of yarn is in the pattern. Perhaps this is because I haven't delved into making my own patterns. Instead I look to patterns to dictate what I will knit. I don't see a problem with that tho. It makes me so excited and thrilled to look at patterns.
What's your take?

Happy Spring

2009-03-21T09:18:00.000-07:00

Photo Source

Winter is over!

Book Shelf

2009-03-17T15:58:00.000-07:00

Originally published at my other blog, I thought it was more mousehouse style to have a book review section. Since books take up so much room in my house, it seems natural that they should have a home here on my blog too.

I am the type of person that reads at least 5 books at once! Blame it on an inability to focus, a need for variety, or a passion for learning new things, but I actually enjoy reading a number of books at once. Usually I read one or two main books, often a novel, and have other usually non-fiction books that I rotate through in the background. I wrote this entry a while ago, and have since finished this book, but thought I would share my thoughts regardless.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer.
This is currently my main book, a novel. It is written from three different perspectives, and different time periods. It also includes first person narratives and letters which are also first person narrative obviously.

When first starting this book it was a little confusing who was speaking and what time period we were in. But as I read on and realized what the separate threads were, I started to get into the book and read more and more in one sitting which always helps to increase reading comprehension. ;)

The story mostly told from the perspective of an unusual boy whose dad died in the world trade center on 9/11. It's also about his family, his grandparents voices are in there heavily. Comparisons are drawn between 9/11 and ww2, and also the personal tradgedy that is life and living. "We spent our whole lives making a living." Things like that, quesitons about the way life ends up. How did we get here from there? What the hell happens in each day that is so small that leads to something that you are living in the present that is nothing like what you thought you would be doing. It has a very poignant feeling, I want to say bittersweet, but that's not quite right.

It is actually quite well written, there are particular phrases that absolutely glow. My favorite chapter so far has been the one about the Dresden bombing. The way it was written was intense, fast-paced, and punctuated with red circles like someone had edited the page, which at first I thought was distracting, but then thought it added to the velocity and fierceness. Somehow red marks all over the page really fits with a chapter where the narrator sees horses on fire galloping down the street swirling with smoke and screams.

Pros: Pictures, unique book layout, includes blank pages, colored pages, etc...immersive, a few excellent passages that really show off some great writing.
Cons: The narration can take on a conceited & irritating tone sometimes. Sometimes the way its structured makes me wonder how "real" it is (if that makes sense), like he was trying too hard to be clever or innovative.

Beautious!

2009-03-14T18:18:00.000-07:00

Check out these gorgeeeeousss DIY flower fairy lights! You make them with vellum paper so they hold up outside!!! Follow the link at the bottom for the tut.

This needs to be done to my balcony immediately!!!!!!

From Apartment Therapy via Craftzine

Knit Update

2009-03-14T12:01:00.000-07:00

I'm almost done with the simple knitted bodice. (Only been at it for about a year...lol!). I have two more rows on one sleeve, and the the second sleeve, then the neckline. I hope to finish the sleeves today. Is that too ambitious? Maybe, but I have a whole season of Dexter to watch, and I am hopeful. Nevermind the fact that I also have to finish an entire website for a final project, and adjust some photos for a friend. When the end is in sight, it makes me want to crank it out.

Other news, I broke down and actually bought the Apartment Therapy book. I'd checked it out from the library before, but I think its a book you should own.

I went to Target yesterday and spent a gift card on kitty litter, aluminum foil, and some cute ballet flats that are 1/2 size too big. My friend just gave me some amazing green Doc Martins that are 1/2 size too small. Can these two shoes get together and exchange their half size wrong-ness...please? I'm going to check out a cobbler next week I think to get some boots re-soled and see if they can stretch the Docs.

Apartment Therapy Spring Cure

2009-03-12T11:54:00.000-07:00

I am in severe need of taking part in this "cure". My poor little mousehouse has become more like a mousecave over the winter. There's stacks of clutter everywhere and I am so overwhelmed by it I don't know where to begin. I know I'll be taking part in the spring cure. What about you? This month is Kitchen and bathroom month too, so here's a couple inspiring pics from AT. I like the colors in all of these!!

Kitchen:

via Apartment Therapy

Bathroom:

via Apartment Therapy
via Apartment Therapy

6 Things about Container Gardens

2009-03-10T11:36:00.000-07:00

Crocuses, daffodils, a pink aura on the trees...I don't care that its currently snowing like a snow globe outside - spring is almost here!! That means I am worried about having to start wearing spring clothes - damn my pale fat winter self!! - But it also means I am starting to think about what to plant in my porch garden. This is the perfect time to start seeds indoors. I'm also plotting how to make my urban apartment balcony into a beautiful summer space for sipping greyhounds and knitting.

6 things to think about when setting up a container garden:

--How much light does it get? My balcony gets blazing full sun in the morning until around 2pm in the summer. I need to take into account plants that are going to like that such as lavender, poppies, daisys, beans, tomatoes. Another option would be to create a little shade for them with some kind of cloth canopy to shield certain plants from frying in the sun.

--Water. How often can you water it? Are you never home? Maybe you could set up some kind of self-watering system. I've heard its best to water them at night after the heat of the day is gone so they can soak up all night. I also think it is a good idea to give them a little water in the morning too before the sun bakes the dirt completely dry. Keep in mind tho, that over-watering is one of the most common mistakes gardeners make, especially with container gardens. This is not as big of a problem in the dry heat of the summer as it is when it is humid.

---How to tell when to water or not. Just use common sense, look at the dirt and touch it. Is it dark black and slightly moist? Then the plant is fine, don't water it. Are the leaves of the plant wilt-y and droopy looking with the soil lighter in color and dry to the touch? Water it! Soak it if it is at that stage! If the leaves start turning yellow that is a sign you may be over watering.

--How much space do you have? Do you want a lot of little pots? Or one or two larger ones? Would it look better to have a large circular one in the corner flanked by little round ones? Or would you prefer long narrow rectangular window boxes on the ground in a border around your space?

--Think about how you want it to be arranged. I think it looks best to have a mixture of sizes, nothing too uniform. Keep the big ones in the back. Think of the principles of foreground, middleground, and background. The delicate little stuff in front, the mid range stuff in the middle, and the big show-case stuff in the back.

--Think vertical. I have bars on my balcony, so I really try to think of climbing plants to cover them in an explosion of flowers and green. Tomatoes, morning glories, sweet peas, beans...etc. When ground space is limited, think UP.
I am thinking about using this idea, but I'm not sure how my property mgmt would feel about me drilling holes into the brick.

photo credit

See how amazing it looks to have the green cascading down! I love it. I think this is a beautiful way to use up otherwise blank space. Painting the cans a vibrant color really adds to the interest. I think its a good idea to think of what color would look really good with bright greens and brick red. Blue is a great idea, it turns the cans themselves into something fun to look at. Imagine if they were black...(which I am a big fan of btw)...but that would look so misplaced. Like you were trying to hide the cans.

--What kind of plants do you want? Do you want a lot of flowers? Or are you trying to have a little veggie garden on your porch (which is do-able!)? Are you thinking about making an herb garden only? Or do you want a little mix of everything? Think about what kinds of plants you want before you go to the store! If you are anything like me, it is easy to get swept away in all the beauty and potential of the seedlings, and buy more than you have space for, or get overwhelmed and walk away with nothing. Its good to plan a little before hand.

Coming up :::
--Types of plants for your container garden
--Porch decoration ideas
--Cocktails to drink on your porch (or in your living room)

Owls Sweater

2009-03-09T14:04:00.000-07:00

Wow, this is so cute. I don't even like sweaters with that neck decoration, (what is it called?), but owls are such a little cute friend of mine. Plus button eyes!!! I love it!

Would I personally actually wear it? I don't know.
Should I make it? Maybe for someone else. This totally falls in that category of knits I think are so cool/cute but questionable to wear - ie not really my style. Maybe I will steal the owl cable pattern and create something a little more subtle. Probably in black...what a surprise :)

via CraftGossip

Un Knitting Lace

2009-02-17T14:07:00.000-08:00

Well, apparently this can be done. I have absolutely no idea how to do it, and to me it seems a lot more complicated then just frogging and re-doing it.

It is hard to frog back size 3 stitches! I am having a hard time. Not with the frogging part of it, but with getting the needle in place in the row that I want to start from. I'm going to follow some advice I learned on Ravelry and put in an "after-the-fact" life line using thin embroidery floss and a needle.

Also, am I the world's slowest knitter or what? I started this project in July! Maybe it would help if I just focused on knitting instead of trying to watch TV at the same time. I'm going to do some research and let you know my tips for knitting faster...stay tuned.

Don't do drunk knitting!

2009-02-13T13:27:00.000-08:00

Rarrr frustration.

I am finally on the sleeves of the Simple Knitted Bodice by Stephanie Japel, working on the lace part. I am being forced to used double pointed needles, because my size 3 circular is too long. Anyway, I was knitting and watching Battlestar Galactica last night (yes, its true), and drinking a little wine, I made a mistake of what row I was on. I tried to "un-knit" but guess what, you can't un-knit lace, or at least I can't.

So I have to frog back to the purl rows. At least I hadn't gotten that far into the lace, I am just annoyed with myself.

I wish:
*Un-knitting lace was possible
*Putting in a "life line" was super fast and easy - I am too lazy to do it.
*Denise interchangable needles came in smaller sizes! They stop at size 5...why? Probably has to do with the size of the cable. Well, they should make a mini size kit, like size 4 down to zero. I would buy it! Hello Denise, are you listening??

Amazing Octopus!

2009-02-13T12:18:00.000-08:00

Ok while this doesn't actually fit in with the theme of this blog, this was just too cool not to share. And, hey, this blog is named after a mouse, why not mention some cool animals...?

I love shape shifting animals! (Although this isn't so much shape-shifting, as color-changing). I once read that cephalopods skin cells are all individually controlled, much like pixels, and that they can therefore change each cell to match the surrounding area! Think of the implications!
I'll find out more research about these amazing creatures, and bring you the full deets about these guys.

via Dark Roasted Blend

Cool Blinds

2009-02-12T11:28:00.000-08:00

Wow, I've seen a similar concept before, using blinds on a blank wall to give the illusion of a window such as this. Which is of course really cool in and of itself. Especially in those random dark areas of the mouse house.

But today I just saw mini blinds that actually have solar panels on the outside! That way they soak up the sun all day and give you a soft light at night. Pretty cool!

via Inhabitat
I bet it would work best on a window up high, or one that people can't really look into since you essentially have the thing open a lot of the time. I think it could be cool on a sky light, or maybe around a porch. Perhaps re-invented to look less traditional generic office mini-blinds. Wouldn't that be beautiful if they looked more like a bamboo curtain, and you had them around a porch!

I imagine sitting outside, drinking mojitos or michaladas, enjoying the summer breeze with a soft light to read by. Something about it reminds me of firefly light or moonlight, reflected sunlight. Pretty.

PS Enjoy the full moon. It was so bright last night!

Mushroom City

2009-02-10T10:10:00.000-08:00

Amazing, and kind of ugly, Tropicool@KL envisions a city of self-reliant, symbiotic buildings. The shape is designed to resemble the rainforest - where large trees form a canopy shielding the ground below, while still allowing sun's light to reach the floor.

It is an interesting response to the question of urban development, how we respond to increasing growth given a limited amount of land. The top is lined with solar panels and also serves as a solar canopy, cooling the city and branches below. the branches cradle urban dwellings, and the trunk of the system funnels energy derived from the solar panels. Also, the structures contain centralized sewer and sanitation within each mushroom, which is recycled and converted to bio-mass energy, powering the building. Rainwater is also collected to use for a portion of the water needs within each building. Each building is designed to be fully self- sufficient. In addition, these structures and designed to have large communal areas between the dwellings to foster and strengthen community. The designer envisions the ground to be largely a green urban park, with most transportation taking place in subways.

Wow. It looks pretty bizarre, and in my addled and jaded mind the "mushroom in the sky" connotation brings strong images of nuclear blasts. Though, that may be appropriate, maybe this is the post-nuclear city.

Furthermore, although this city is supposed to be a haven of community and ecological spirit, I can't help but wonder what will happen to the city below. Sure, there's going to be all kinds of parks and gardens on the ground level, and in theory it sounds fantastic. But it seems like only the rich will be able to afford to live in these things. Won't it create an obvious segregation in the city? Not that cities aren't already segregated of course, I just feel like this is an instance of "looking down from the high horse". Additionally I imagine the lower levels to be dark, rank, humid, just by the very fact of mimicking a rainforest. Except in an actual rainforest the scent is of earth, plants, dampness. In a city, I can only imagine what that aroma might be!!

Or, on the other hand, maybe it could truly work, and people will flow between the upper levels and the ground level, working on community based gardens. I suppose in a lot of ways it's no different than regular skyscrapers of today.

What do you think?

via Inhabitat

Happy New Year!

2009-01-27T09:56:00.000-08:00

Photo credit: SeetYing

Happy New Year to you beautiful! Yesterday was the Chinese New Year. Welcome to the year of the Ox! According to Chinese astrology, the year of the ox indicates a year of prosperity - yay! But it will not come easily this year, we must work hard, keep our nose to the grindstone, and continue dutifuly forward. It is a great year to sew the seeds for your future!

Take a moment to visualize your life as you truly want it. Think about what you really want to see yourself doing, where do you want to be, who is with you, what do you look like? According to Chinese astrology the new year is the most auspicious time of year, full of good luck. Harness that energy and send out a little dream for yourself and those you love. Then just let it go, knowing that the gears have been set in motion.

Put on something red (a lucky color), clean out your little house, open a window (if only for a brief January second!), air out old grudges, and start anew. Clear out the clutter of the past, to open up space in your life for what ever it is you truly want.

I'm working on cleaning out my old files, scrap papers, organizing old bills & tax information. I'm letting go of my massive collection of magazines that I was saving for collages. What are you doing? Where can you make space in your home? What kinds of clutter do you have? And why do you think you accumulate that type of clutter?

Pretty

2008-12-08T10:03:00.000-08:00

I just saw this posted on Craft via Apartment Therapy. I like the really organic, relaxed, easy look. I think it would look great over a dining room table, or a coffee table. It can be a holiday decoration or something long term. Or maybe it would compliment a summery porch or yard setting.

What do you think? Is it pretty or am I just way to fascinated by twigs and x-mas lights!...? Where would you hang it?

Thanksgiving

2008-12-04T10:26:00.000-08:00

Yes, this post is late, forgive me, I'm in the midst of finals.

I didn't take any pictures of my soup partly because I forgot until it was done, and partly because I didn't think it looked very pretty, although it taste great!

Here's the recipe, it's vegan, and good for South Beach Diet phase 1.

2 cups dry italian white beans
~8 cups water or veggie stock (I usually eyeball this)
3 bay leaves
1 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
1 medium onion
6 or more garlic cloves
2 tbsp olive oil

In a large pot heat the olive oil. Cut up the onion and garlic and saute until golden. Add the bay leaves, the rosemary and a little salt and pepper, and saute for about 1-2 minutes more. Then add the water or stock, and the beans. Stir around and bring to a low boil. Let it continue to simmer for about an hour or an hour and a half, until the beans are soft. Remove from heat and you can either mash the beans with a potato masher or you can remove about half the beans, puree them in a food processor then return them to the soup. I like the food processor option best, but I don't have one right now.
To serve drizzle the top of the soup with a little olive oil. Serve with a piece of crusty italian or rustic artisan bread.

Holiday Plans...a taste of what's to come

2008-11-26T11:42:00.000-08:00

This weekend, I am going to a potluck for Thanksgiving. I am going to make my Italian Bean soup, recipe to follow. It's cheap, easy, makes a lot, and most importantly tastes great. It's the perfect winter soup, hearty and soulful!
Other than eating, drinking, and being ridiculous, I am planning on doing some major cleaning and organizing in my little MouseHouse. One of the things on my list includes going paperless. I have a scanner that I have yet to use and a stack of magazines, random inspirations, old stories I've written..etc. That I would love to digitally archive and get rid of the clutter of the original.

Here's a mini to-do list:

Scan pictures
Organize bookmarks on computer
Organize craft closet
Put pictures up/decorate the walls, possibly using the flag design.
Knitting: Work on SKB, & cast on hooded scarf

Mountains

2008-11-26T10:53:00.000-08:00

Thumbtacks take over. Organic forms out of utilitarian objects...love. I tried to go to her website but it appears the bandwidth is overloaded! I can't wait to see the rest of her amazing work!

Via Craft

A Cute Sweater

2008-11-26T10:49:00.000-08:00

Look at this beautiful sweater. I love how casual it looks, I love the flowing drapey sleeves. I may have to make this!

Plus the pattern is available as a free PDF.

via Lime & Violet