Design by Night

Getting my mail I had a pleasant surprise yesterday. In the past I had ordered a bi-annual magazine called Green Craft, well I didn't order the latest copy but lo and behold I open my mail box yesterday and there was. In the words of Bob Ross, I believed a "happy accident" had occurred and somehow I got a free copy of the magazine. So I took off my shoes, put the dogs outside and sat down for a few minutes of unwinding from my day with the magazine.

Almost at the end, I finally realized why I was sent this free copy...one of my crafts was featured!!! A tutorial that I sent to the magazine over a year ago and that I featured on my blog in November 2009 was on page 131!

I love old cookbooks. I often find myself picking them up at yard sales and thrift shops even though I own dozens. Do I love cooking? Not really, what I really like are the old photos and kitschy illustrations that often appear in vintage cookbooks.

So you can imagine my pleasure upon finding the Cutco Meat and Poultry Cookbook. It was published in 1956 by the Wear-Ever Aluminum, Inc. company and was probably a freebie given out to Cutco cutlery customers. A few illustrations were just too good to keep to myself so I decided to share them with you (all 20 of ya)!


In today's world where most smoking is band from public places, it is hard to imagine a smoking pig appearing in a cookbook. I supposed smoking livestock was a bit more accepted in the 1950's (unless he was a communist I suppose).


As a graphic designer I often cringe when clients want a literal interpretation but I have to admit that the illustrator to this horseradish sauce is a genius in my book.

Tomorrow is the 17th Annual Hamilton Street Festival so I decided to give everyone a little taste of some the yummy craft vendors that festival goers can visit.

Mmmm...who doesn't love a Spaghetti Kiss especially with a little calamari. The designers at Spaghetti Kiss have outdone themselves with this hot Skullopus men's tee.

I don't care how stuffed you might be, you will always have room in your accessory drawer for an item from The Littlest Bean! These dainty barrettes in berry is sure to please any palate.

Have a sweet tooth? Well you might enjoy this piece of eye candy from Jill Popowich Designs. This Drop of Honey Necklace would be a lovely little morsel on anyone's neck.

Come visit me in my hood this Saturday at the 17th Annual Hamilton Street Festival. The festival and classic car show features two stages with all -day music, dance and martial arts performances, cars, craft and food vendors.

Saturday July 31st
11:00 a.m. to 8: p.m.
Harford Road at Hamilton Ave

I decided that it would be fun to wear an over the top hair piece when I work at craft shows. Something a little extra so people remember me, I like crazy so why not? Little did I know what impression I would make!

Recently I was contacted by a customer from Pile of Craft. "I bought one of your pieces at the Pile of Craft Artshow to wear at my birthday party. But I can't stop thinking about the doll leg crown that you were wearing…Any way, how would you like to fashion me a wild and wonderful birthday crown! Something like what you were wearing at the show. My dress is pink and the theme if anything is southern, as I am from Lousiana. "

Make something completely wild and crazy...well twist my arm! Knowing that she is from Lousiana but now lives in Baltimore I gave here headband a bit of Big Easy meets Bmore flair! See for yourselves:

Come visit me at the Charm City Craft Mafia's 4th annual Pile Of Craft!

A one-of-a-kind craft fair for Baltimore, featuring 40+ of the country's best
handmade crafters selling their own housewares, stationary,
screenprinted & sewn apparel, jewelry, handbags, hats, knit items,
woven scarves, plush toys, ceramics, comic books, prints, paintings
and more! Support handmade and local artists and meet them in person!
In addition to having the area's most unique shopping, Pile Of Craft
will also feature DIY printmaking demonstrations from Baltimore's
brand new community printmaking facility, Baltimore Print Studios; a
raffle basket FULL of donated items from Craft Mafia vendors to
benefit local non-profit library/learning resource/all-round-gem:
Village Learning Place; and tasty snacks and coffee from local earth-
friendly coffee shop & bookstore Red Emma's!

Pile of Craft is absolutely free to attend and open to all ages.
June 26th 10-5pm
2640 St. Paul Street
Baltimore, MD 21218

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…or in my case lots of daisies!Inspired by some recent trips to the flower mart, I decided to cultivate some new fabric flowers in my crafts. Daisies are one of my favorite flowers, especially gerber daisies with their bright colors. So after a little experimentation and some research, up popped some daisies.
A trip to my favorite thrift store provided some great re-purposed fabric in colorful stripes, polka-dots and other patterns. Others were sewn out of recycled fabric sample swatches. Not only did I get to play with patterns but I made my first fabric covered button (which was remarkably easy).These playful flowers feature duel backs so they can be used as a brooch or a hair clip.