Fabric Knobs {A Tutorial}

Particularly in the light chill of early autumn, that desirable sense of warmth and home seems to emanate from the cozier, comforting niceties - patchwork quilts, patterned table cloths, skeins of yarns - in short, the ever-inviting texture of textile. So why not take this coziness a step further by trading in traditional hardware for something a little softer. After making a set of fabric covered drawer pulls for the "thirties dresser" (see previous post) I compiled a little self-illustrated how-to. Happy crafting!
Some notes on supplies: Pictured above are all the materials you'll need to make these. I used 1.5" inch, unfinished wooden knobs, purchased for about 50 cents each at the local hardware store. For knobs of this size you'll need approximately a 5" square piece of lightweight cotton fabric for each knob. {Cue industrious creativity! There are as many possibilities for knobs as there are fabrics - I used a re-purposed hand-me-down skirt making this project extra thrifty.} As far as glue, I recommend using Aleene's Tacky Glue, thinned out as needed with standard Elmer's white school glue. And finally, the clear spray is optional, but I find it makes for a more durable, cleanable surface, not to mention a nice glossy finish.

The Thirties Dresser: Part Two

Remember the circa 1937 dresser uncovered at a yard sale? (If not, you can see Part One here). It's finished at last! It's been painted a warm white and given a clear glossy finish. It now sits in the living room of our little antiquated California college flat, cozily lit by the glow of a modern floor lamp. It's a convenient spot to hold dvds, paperwork and craft supplies, and has a clean, succinct look without it's vanity mirror (which is being safely stored away).

I had very much wanted to replace the dull black knobs it came with (which seemed to be recent additions anyway, certainly not as old as the dresser). I considered the ubiquitous brushed nickel options and the eclectic, lovely selection at Anthropologie, but none seemed just right (aesthetically or fiscally). Finally I turned to creating some myself, purchasing a few plain wooden knobs to experiment with. To a disastrous end, I tried covering them in paper, and soon turned to using fabric instead. The results were much more agreeable and to my surpise, I'm quite content with them for the time being. It was a simple little project, remarkably affordable and especially well-suited to the cottage look. For the DIY-inclined, I couldn't resist making an illustrated tutorial on "How to Make Fabric Covered Knobs". I'll be posting that later on this weekend, so stay tuned and enjoy your early autumn Saturday!

Notes on materials: Paint is "Fragrant Jasmine" by Behr in satin finish, topcoated with semi-gloss water-based polyurethane.

If You're Going to San Francisco {Trip Part I}

As promised some snapshots from the trip - in image and text.Chapter One: The Cable Car
At the bell's shrill clamor, passengers grasped for the worn leather handles that swung from the railings above. Car No. 20 lurched fitfully upward toward the height of Powell Street, the heavy air of late summer swirling through open hatched widows and mustard yellow door frames. Reaching the brink of the hill it paused before it's descent, and in that moment's hesitation a rather giddy young woman contemplated the steeply graded thoroughfare that extended before her wretchedly antiquated conveyance. Uninhibited, No. 20 rumbled downward, past strings of bay windows and pastel facades. Periodically, it halted to the great din of steel, wood and asphalt harmonizing in friction's concerto.

Chapter Two: The Bridge
A late August swelter had uncharacteristically settled over the city, but out among the whitecaps and the gulls she found a welcomed relief in the chill of the wind that whipped around the bow. Leaning over the starboard railing she struggled to look westward, intermittently casting trailing glances back toward a skyline that grew evermore distant. Then, against the cold blue-green of northern salt water, and the diminished hues of hazy midday skies she spied that iconic shot of crimson.

Season's End

I returned from a lovely week of exploring the Bay Area and have since been feverishly trying to get ready for the move back to school. Late summer days are waning, rushed and uncherished due to the flurry of activity. So, lest the delights of the season be forgotten, I'm reflecting on them here (as depicted through a few of my favorite snapshots).{1} Ahoy, thrifty! Early summer brought a series of Saturday morning treasure hunts. It was quite fun to see what we'd find out yard "sailing", despite my complete hatred of witnessing dawn from anywhere but under a cozy layer of goose down. I suppose the booty was worth it - a set of old wooden spools of thread (pictured), a circa 1960 cigar tin (pictured), a collection of old pens and nibs (a few are pictured), a schoolroom globe for charting future voyages, an Italy tour book (so I can dream about putting those two semesters to good use) and a porcelain robin... not to mention a few other finds I've posted about previously.
{2} Green Acres Away at school I always miss the backyard. Such lovely expanses aren't quite at home in the city. Earlier this summer I spent a warm afternoon hanging laundry on the clothesline, marveling at the interplay of pattern and color, the flutter of fabric consumed in breeze-coaxed movement and the serenity of leaf filtered light pouring through the trees. I abandoned such silly reverie long enough to pick a pocket full of sweet peas, informal and unpretentious, with an unexpectedly pretty fragrance. As my afternoon would suggest it is simplicity and modesty wherein beauty lies - quite true of most things.
{3} Dog's Best Friend He's getting on in years, our little Jack Russell Terrier. Slower than he used to be, but still prone to rambunctious bouts of energetic bouncing, leaping and tail-wagging. He was my companion this summer during hours spent on outdoor projects, and I'll quite miss being greeted daily by this fuzzy, inquisitive little fellow. I like to think he'll miss me too, after all I'm the one who sneaks him his unconventional treats - he's got a penchant for pears and won't hesitate to devour a ripe, juicy one in it's entirety.
{4} By the Sea, By the Sea At the height of summer, when the Friday afternoon forecast is just right, Mom and I head to the beach. Under the shade of an umbrella it's sublime to look out on a glittering sea and unpack a basket of treats - brown paper-wrapped brownies, sketchbook and watercolors, magazines to lazily peruse. An entire afternoon with nothing to do but talk as mothers and daughters do, tire of idle amusements and dive under cool waves as they roll toward the shore.
{5} Hometown Girls In August, Alice and I set out to explore our hometown. From the antique store on Main Street across from the '40s playhouse, to the history laden interiors of the old 19th century rancho adobe. We stopped for the quintessential soft serve cone from the corner stand on our way home, and ended the day gardening and picking some irresistibly lovely hydrangeas.