handmade

there is a screening of the indie craft documentary handmade nation at blue house tonight 5/25 @ 6:30pm, as part of the Maker's Mark series. wanna go? see you there.

sometimes crap is lovely

it is lovely when you stitch it, or yell it when you're mad. it is lovely when written in pretty typeface.

sometimes when you're young, the word crap is a real swear word and you might get in trouble if you say it! (as was my case.) i still think stupid is a worse curse than crap, but what can i say.

the following are two notepads i've received as gifts, so apparently my crap lovin' ways are no secret!

and let's not forget about this handstitched buncha crap, or this handmade tough crap, made by yours truly. :)

-m

Coconut lime Curry Chickpea Stir-Fry

This recipes comes from Brendan Brazier's Thrive Fitness. Yes, I'm vegan, but no I'm not an athlete. There is a nice philosophy for a healthy life in his books though, and there are some tasty recipes! Here is one that I can't get enough of, and it's super quick to make. It is a great dish to put in your vegetarian recipes rolodex! Sometimes folks skimp on things in recipes. If you skimp here, don't skimp on the coconut milk or the cilantro. :)


Coconut lime Curry Chickpea Stir-Fry

• 1 tbsp coconut oil (I use olive oil)
• 1 tbsp grated or finely chopped fresh ginger (I've used powdered just fine)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ large red onion, cut lengthwise into thin strips
• 1-½ cups chopped cauliflower
• 1 cup chopped broccoli florets
• 1-cup bite-size torn spinach
• ½ tsp curry
• ½ tsp turmeric
• ¼ tsp ground cumin
• ¼ mild chili pepper, finely sliced (or substitute ½ tsp dried chili flakes)
• 1-cup chickpeas
• 1-cup coconut milk
• 1 tbsp limejuice
• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Heat frying pan to medium-high. Add coconut oil, ginger, and garlic. Lightly stir-fry. Turn heat to medium-low. Add vegetables, curry, turmeric, cumin, chili pepper, chickpeas, and coconut milk. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Add limejuice and cilantro. Serve with sprouted quinoa or buckwheat. Brown rice also works nicely. I recommend QUINOA!

Makes about 4 small servings.

gettin' crafty in the deuce

i know i've mentioned it before, but Blue House Ann Arbor has ALL sorts of fun things going on, and i have to mention it again. you can find all the details of all things Blue House on the BH website, but here are a few stand-outs worth pointing out:

workshops: there are a ton of classes and workshops being offered. i finally took a knitting class a few weeks ago, which was super fun. (thanks, nicole!) and i'll be teaching some sewing classes there as well. (one is this saturday!)

crafterlot: june 12, aug 14, sept 12, from 5-8pm, there will be a mini craft fair in BH's parking lot. owner siobhan says "We’ll take the first 30 handmade vendors for the June 12 event. You’ll set up with your own table ($10 table fee) in the parking lot of Blue House. A fun crafty bazaar teeming with all that makes great community." cool! and there will be live music at the crafterlot events. it's a laid back way to set up shop.

mitten made: july 23-24. a two day craft fair happening the weekend of ann arbor's big art fair. it's an outdoor event, and applications will go up soon!

handmade nation: as part of the maker's mark series, on tuesday, may 25 there will be a screening of the indie craft documentary handmade nation. i haven't seen it yet, so i'm excited! rsvp via the BH website.

and on and on and on.

see you around the house,
-m

shop update

we updated the dang shop with all sorts of new bags, wristlets, and wallets. have a peek. here is a sampling:

may day

may 1st was a busy day in michigan. for one, president obama spoke at U of M's commencement. most of the week ann arbor has been talking and preparing, helicopters flying overhead, and plenty of tweets about the event. like him or not, it's pretty awesome to have a sitting president speak at graduation, and come to town period. he was in and out in a flash.

the first day of may also marked day one of smoke free michigan! so no more smoking in bars and restaurants. i kind of want to go to 12 concerts soon just so i can wear my contacts and not have them stick to my eyeballs due to smokey, dry air.

i guess i had the option to go to the big house... but i spent the day in downtown flint at the spring craft market representing the dang and the argyle. it's fun getting to see my crafty peeps, and meet new ones, so it was a good day all in all.

later today i'll begin a BIG SHOP UPDATE! stay tuned.

p.s. marcy, i'll iron my table cloth now!
-m