Reversible Tote Bag

I made a(nother) bag. Since I didn’t post the first one I completed, you could be forgiven for wondering what I’m blathering about, but this is actually the second bag that I’ve sewn and finished. The first one is a cute little patchwork drawstring bag. And is also reversible. I think it’s pretty smart to keep making two bags at a time. In between, I started another bag, but I haven’t been able to find the perfect fabric for the other side of it, and so it remains unfinished.

Please forgive the weird cell phone photos that I took. They somehow introduced an icky-looking shadow that does not really exist on my bag (thank goodness)! I know that it would look better if I’d pressed it, but I was short on time, and as soon as I finished it, I had to dash out of my house for a knitting bar crawl. I know, I know. I lead a tough life.

I made the bag according to this very awesome tutorial. The only thing that had me scratching my head was when I tried to figure out how to pinch the corners, but eventually, I understood what she meant.

Edited to add better photos.

Missoni! For Target!!

I’ve been a fan of Missoni’s look for several years now. I’d never heard of this design company prior to seeing Amber Tablyn in this dress:

So interesting! So expensive!

but after that, I just knew that Missoni and I were destined for one another. Unfortunately, that dress cost more than the balance on some of my student loans, so I resigned myself to admiring Missoni from afar. Fast forward several years to the present, wherein Missoni are producing a line for Target. Hallelujah! Alas,  I have to admit, I don’t love everything.

This patio set looks un!comfortable!

I am, however, a fan of the following:

Assuming that I don’t get mowed down by other Missoni fans when I go to Target to get something, starting on September 13, I will be able to realize my dream of having something by Missoni in my closet. Yippee!

Sweet

Suspecting just how unclean my job really is (how is it possible that the cleaners can finish going over this entire building in 20 minutes?), I’d never be able to do this, but it seems like a great idea and I wish the happy couple all the best.

I need this in my life

I don’t care what you’re doing today, it’s probably not awesome as what these kids are doing. The Christian Science Monitor always has the best pictures (and stories, but I’m sleepy today, so I need something interesting to look at).

Too much awesomeness

Last week was a good one in the Nonsensical family. My nephew, Satanski, turned six, and Porkchop, his little sister, made a surprise appearance three weeks early. She’s like a tiny doll (at not quite five pounds, she doesn’t even feel real), and is way too easy to knit/shop for. Other people’s kids are the bomb.

All I Want for Christmas

Do you know what today is? I’m not talking about Black Friday, the mere thought of which fills me with dread. I am referring to the first official day of the holiday shopping season. No matter what those yahoo merchants tried to make you believe up until now, this is the real beginning of good deals and increasingly-ridiculous sales. In deference to this new season, I’ve decided to make it easier for people to buy things for me. I know, I know, I’m so thoughtful.

So, secret admirer/dear friend/deranged stalker/unknown benefactor, here follows my Christmas list, so that you don’t have to resort to reading my email or going through my trash (or, horrors, actually asking me) to find out what I want.

1. Some knitting workshops so I can spend even more time and money not finishing things. I’m particularly interested in the classes at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio and Purl Soho.
2. Yarn!! I have so much yarn stashed that I no longer allow myself to buy yarn if it’s not for a specific project. That is responsible, but very boring. Enable me! Please note that yarn made primarily of any natural fiber will do just splendidly. The yarn’s weight doesn’t matter, as I can always find something to knit with whatever I’m given.
3. Lots and lots of books, so that I have a semi-intelligent way to procrastinate when I should be knitting. I’ll read just about any type of fiction and most cookbooks and biographies, but if you’re not sure, you can do the safe thing and purchase something from my Amazon wishlist.
4. No clothes.
5. Unless they’re fancy fancy dresses. One can never have too many fancy dresses.
6. Jewelry. I love earrings, and I’ve been wearing yellow gold lately,  but I still have a decent amount of white gold, too, so knock yourself out and get whatever you like the best.
7. Music. I like pretty much anything, and I haven’t bought many albums that came out after 2008, so it’s safe to assume that I do not own anything you’d think of getting me. iTunes/Amazon music gift cards are also appreciated.
8. Fragrances! I love subtle perfumes. My go-to scent is Chanel’s Chance Eau Fraiche, but I also like other scents, such as Calvin Klein’s Crave (I think it’s unisex, but if it’s not, the one intended for men).
9. I know that I actually thought I hated gift cards, but having endured a few birthdays and holidays without them has shown me the error of my ways. If you don’t know what to get me, and none of the other options appeal, a gift card is the way to go. I will appreciate it greatly, and won’t read anything into your refusal to make one decision and then stand behind it (promise!).

For everybody else: should my boyfriend/brother/dad/mom ask you what he/she should get me, pick a number that seems appropriate, and run with it.

Note: I reserve the right to amend and/or update this list at any time.

Jennie Stencel is my new hero

I’d never heard of Jennie Stencel until this Metafilter post, but now I’m cracking myself up watching youtube videos of her.

Standing up to hatred

If the zombie apocalypse comes (note: do not watch that show right before bedtime), the college students I’d want saved first would be these kids from Minnesota State University, Mankato : http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/11/01/mankato

If I were a famous singer, I’d do this all the time

Good on Funny or Die for coming up with this video, which was pretty entertaining. Jewel, disguised as frumpy, mild-mannered Karen, absolutely kills at karaoke doing songs by…Jewel. Love it!

Good food for a good cause

I hope you’re hungry, North Jersey. Today, Wednesday July 14, 2010, Blue Moon Mexican Cafe of Englewood is hosting a fundraiser for the Englewood Public Library. In order for the library to benefit from your excellent taste in restaurants, you must present the following flyer. It’s good for the entire day, and for eat-in, delivery, or carryout orders. Help the library!

Here’s a link to the flyer by itself, without any text from this post.

Update: Future Husband Isaiah Mustafa, AKA the Old Spice Guy, says a few words about libraries: