Some women fill their closet with shoes, however, I fill the valuable closet real estate of my Brooklyn apartment with three (by next week four) gallons of homebrew. It maybe weird but I like to watch them bubble…

And then I use the left over or spent grains from [...]]]> Been brewing beer and making bread…

Some women fill their closet with shoes, however, I fill the valuable closet real estate of my Brooklyn apartment with three (by next week four) gallons of homebrew. It maybe weird but I like to watch them bubble…

And then I use the left over or spent grains from my beer brewing to make bread. I finally picked up some bread pans and made a simple no knead wholewheat/multigrain recipe this morning. Deliciously nutritious.

I’ll be making some modifications to the recipe and will post it here soon.

Yeast according to Wikipedia, “The yeast species Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used in baking and fermenting alcoholic beverages for thousands of years.^[5] It is also extremely important as a model organism in modern cell biology research, and is one of the most thoroughly researched eukaryotic microorganisms. Researchers have used it to gather information about the biology of the eukaryotic cell and ultimately human biology.[6]“

Yeast is an amazing organism and makes yummy by products from its digestion. I think this has inspired me to make a yeast lovers t-shirt design.

My studio is an Ikea, Craigslist, found art, handmade, collage space.

All the furniture is from Ikea, the Swedish mammoth of all things ready for a hammer and some cursing. The table is the Norden Gateleg Dining [...]]]> I cleaned. I organized. And now I need to get down to some alterations and knitting new designs. 

My studio is an Ikea, Craigslist, found art, handmade, collage space.

All the furniture is from Ikea, the Swedish mammoth of all things ready for a hammer and some cursing. The table is the Norden Gateleg Dining Table, it is a great studio desk since it has small drawers and can fold out into a reasonably large workspace. And then shrink down to a reasonable size when not in use, perfect for my New York City bedroom.

Above my workspace are two Fira Minichests sitting on top of I don’t remember which shelf from Ikea.  I think I made a mash up of drawers from a 3-drawer Fira and a 5-drawer Fira. I painted the fronts of the drawers with chalkboard paint and then labeled with chalk what tools and supplies are in each drawer. One day I will draw symbols instead… My library of craft and sewing books and magazines rest on top of the minichests with my sketchbooks wedged in between. The colorful drawers are painted with acrylic paints in a spectrum of basic colors to color code my sewing thread and ribbons. 

And last but not least I have a few personal items, a window and gifted artwork for inspiration, more commonly known as distraction.

New Shamdoogle Handmade Knits! Top Left: Fishnet Cowl in Orange Recycled Cotton Top Right: Ridges Hand Dyed Merino Cowl in Coffee Bottom Left and Right: Undercurrent Organic Cotton Cowl in Bark. Ceramic buttons are handmade by Muddy Muse on Etsy!

I’ve also been working on two [...]]]> I’ve been making cowls and a lot of them at that.

New Shamdoogle Handmade Knits!
Top Left: Fishnet Cowl in Orange Recycled Cotton
Top Right: Ridges Hand Dyed Merino Cowl in Coffee
Bottom Left and Right: Undercurrent Organic Cotton Cowl in Bark. Ceramic buttons are handmade by Muddy Muse on Etsy!

I’ve also been working on two Ripple Effect hats in organic undyed cotton. And I just finished another Undercurrent Cowl in grey with handmade ceramic buttons by Muddy Muse. The other week I was fortunate enough to be Muddy Muse’s 1000th customer and recieve some nice swag and discounts. I love their buttons so I’m sure I’ll be taking advantage of the discounts soon.

I spent most of the weekend dyeing yarn, knitting, and sewing to prepare for Spoke the Hub’s Dance Benefit and Holiday Craft Market this next Saturday.  Which, is sort of what the scowl is about, while dyeing Sunday I got vinegar in a few cuts. And Jasper (my roommate’s cat) decided to add to the pain by scratching me too… He also tried to tear a ball of yarn to shreds and attack a print on my wall. He’s been in a fowl mood and I’m thinking I need to make him some Kitten Mittons.

I’ll have images of more new designs and the dyeing experiments up tomorrow… Consider this a sneak peak of the goods I’ll have for sale this weekend at the market!

I made this patchwork bag from denim and wool suiting scraps from previous projects (the trouser to [...]]]> I’ve been trying to use up as much scrap fabric as I possibly can and I also needed a large bag to take with me to Olympia for a week. This is what I came up with.

I made this patchwork bag from denim and wool suiting scraps from previous projects (the trouser to skirt refashion) and my summer cut off shorts. The patchwork designs were improvised based on the size of scraps that I had lying around. I wanted the design to have some solids and then some more abstracted horizontal and vertical stripes in other areas.

The bag is lined with a screen printed Robert Kaufman design cotton I bought on sale from Purl Patchwork, it was the last of it they had at the time. The floral print was great but so busy I couldn’t really use it for anything but lining.
I used the Everything Tote Pattern from Heather Ross’ Weekend Sewing. This pattern was super simple and gives you a large tote in which you literally can carry everthing. The bag is so deep and wide that I’m using it to pack for a week long trip and I’ll probably take it on large grocery trips and overnights when I get back.

So I’m off to Olympia, to see the family and friends. I’ll be knitting commissioned winter wear while I’m gone and updating when I get back.

Also, I joined Twitter so you can find me @shamdoogle. I’ll be updating there until next week when I’ll be back to blogging and re-opening my Etsy shop!

Also, Shamdoogle is featured not once but TWICE in Burdastyle’s Best of Fall! Please vote for your favorite fall fashion, I hope you love the Priority Clutch or the Brella Clutch!

Super Simple Pickle Recipe

Supplies 1 [...]]]> I made pickles, which I love. I made specifically pickled beets and carrots. The beets are yummy, the carrots are not so yummy to me but Allan likes them.

And I did it all without the arduous process of bell jars, boiling jars/lids, and those odd shaped tongs. All thanks to ReadyMade.

Super Simple Pickle Recipe

Supplies
1 clean pint jar with clean lid
1.5 cups veggies cut into slices or chunks
1 cup vinegar (I used rice vinegar and loved how it turned out with the beets, I don’t recommend apple cider vinegar)
1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
Herbs (any type you think will taste good, dill is usually a standard but not necessary, a couple teaspoons chopped or a few sprigs)
Spices (some options: garlic, peppercorns, mustard seed, turmeric, curry powder, dried chilies or fresh ones)

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water for an ice bath.
Add veggies to boiling water and blanch for 1 to 3 minutes. Blanch for less time (~1 min) thinly sliced veggies like cucumbers, jalapenos, tomatoes. Blanch for ~3 min thicker veggies like beets, carrot, radishes.
Remove from boiling water and submerge the veggies in the ice bath. As soon as they are cool remove and drain well.
Place blanched veggies in the jar with vinegar, salt, herbs and spices.
Cover tightly and refrigerate. Consume joyously within a week (this wasn’t much of a challenge).

And finally I have sent out some card designs to be printed by Moo Cards. Now I won’t have to deal with the awkward silence that comes during a conversation such as:
“Cool purse.”
“Thanks, I make them.”
(cricket, cricket) Or more appropriately for New York (cicada, cicada).
Finally I’ll be able to say, “Here’s my card. Email me and I’ll make a custom design for you.”

To make this amazing skirt.

Otherwise, I finally bought a walking foot for my machine to sew knits so I’ll be making a hoodie soon. And I’m nearly finished with that funky plaid full skirt, just need to sew in the fabric pick ups.

Also, [...]]]> Bert gave me these great trousers, but I tore them up…

To make this amazing skirt.

Otherwise, I finally bought a walking foot for my machine to sew knits so I’ll be making a hoodie soon. And I’m nearly finished with that funky plaid full skirt, just need to sew in the fabric pick ups.

Also, I went to Philly with Allan this past weekend and loved it, again. I want to move there.

This Brella Upcycled Clutch is for sale on Etsy!

I made this clutch with scrap Joel Dewberry Ginseng print cotton fabric and by ripping apart a discarded umbrella and then using the nylon for an upcycled [...]]]> I’ve been obsessively making clutch purses since buying some frames from Bits and Purses a couple of weeks ago.

This Brella Upcycled Clutch is for sale on Etsy!

I made this clutch with scrap Joel Dewberry Ginseng print cotton fabric and by ripping apart a discarded umbrella and then using the nylon for an upcycled clutch purse.

I also made this cute adapted Priority Clutch for Anna. I lined the clutch with a bright orange cotton since I’m running low on tyvek.

I’ll be making more clutches with upcycled fabric but I only have two purse frames left so it’ll be time to get some more soon.

For more reading on the use of discarded umbrellas as fashion materials please check out Defiant Fashion. A great blog for the stylishly brave.

The following items are the cutest most ecologically sound products I’ve found on Etsy recently. Everything listed is either, organic, recycled, upcycled, or reconstructed from “trash.”

Also this weekend trillions of sellers are having their Labor Day Sales, get these lovely [...]]]> I’ll be trying my hand at curating weekly Etsy product favorites that come from eco-friendly sources.

The following items are the cutest most ecologically sound products I’ve found on Etsy recently. Everything listed is either, organic, recycled, upcycled, or reconstructed from “trash.”

Also this weekend trillions of sellers are having their Labor Day Sales, get these lovely items while they’re discounted! Some of these would make great gifts for friends and family.

From Top to Bottom, Left To Right:
Vintage Typewriter Key Pendant Necklace by Teresa Deleen - $16
Salvaged Door Corner Shelf by Post Road Vintage - $75 (10% off Labor Day Weekend)
Transparent Green Soda Bottle Bracelet by Artwork by KD - $11
Handmade Organic Soap for Sensitive Skin - Vegan by Jen San Candles - $5.25 (10% off Labor Day Weekend)
Cotylee Half Circle Sweater by Coty Lee - $55
Custom Gift Set 10 Spice Magnetic Spice Rack by Gneiss Spice - $40 (15% off Labor Day Weekend)
Handprinted Recycled Fabric Patches by Strand ReDesign - $8
Eco-Friendly Clutch by Babook - $17
Recycled T-Shirt Cotton Yarn by Mary Zoom - $8
Turquoise and Copper Recycled Glass Ceramic Bowl by Elm Studios - $32
F-G 102 Recycled Tarp Wallet by Alma 88 - $20
Young Coconut Summer 3009 Dress by Ruffeo Hearts ‘lil Snotty -$90

I’ve been doing some creative labors of my own….

Corks + Metal Frame = Cork Board!!! My co-worker and I found this awesome frame from [...]]]> It’s almost Labor Day weekend and I’m having a sale at my Etsy Shop. 15% OFF your ENTIRE ORDER! Summer’s nearing its end and it is time to prepare for fall.

I’ve been doing some creative labors of my own….

Corks + Metal Frame = Cork Board!!! My co-worker and I found this awesome frame from an old HP Frequency Meter in a drawer in the laboratory. And Mindy and I have been collecting these corks from various beverages we’ve consumed recently…






















I’ve also been working with this new technique for creating big fluffy skirts. I found this amazing funky blue/green plaid at the thrift store by my house.

I’m currently sewing the contrasting waistband facing on by hand since the gathering was thick at the waist making it difficult to machine sew straight stitches. Hand sewing is slow, tedious and creates “straighter” stitches but my stitches look like a child’s.

I’m also going over a few new ideas for more clutch purses. In particular, how to reduce the amount of super glue that ended up on my hands and not on the metal frame. Otherwise, I’ll be enjoying the sun that finally made it appearance in Brooklyn, and checking out some art festivals and BBQs that are happening around the city. 3 day weekend, free art, cheap food sounds like a plan.

This was my first time working with purse frames and while frustrating at points it wasn’t that [...]]]> Upcycled Tyvek priority mailing envelopes make great clutch purses! Tyvek the fabric of the future circa 1980…waterproof and durable! Devo had it right, Tyvek is fire. This is a great way to re-use shipping materials for stylish accessories.

This was my first time working with purse frames and while frustrating at points it wasn’t that bad in the end. I ended up with a few minor dents on the frame and a lot of super glue on my fingers but it holds together well . The Tyvek due to it’s stiffness was sometimes difficult to work with. Tyvek is not only stiff but also really thin so I had to stabilize it with fusible interfacing and cotton batting.

I really enjoyed this project because I used boring everyday items in new ways. And it is awesome that I can now transform any packaging materials I receive into funky little purses. I love reducing waste. I am such an eco-nerd.

I got the purse frame in a very quick shipment from Bits and Purses on Etsy! Great seller. Also, the instructions that I mashed up and used to create this project came from both U-handblog and Purl Bee.

Will be making more soon for sales on Etsy.