The day before Felt Club, my printer died. I had already encountered a few snafus before that, and I was ready to throw in the towel. "Okay," I told myself, "maybe the universe is telling me I've done all I can do and it's time to see a movie." But I decided to suck it up and keep working. I bought a new printer, printed the cards I had been planning on selling, set everything up on my dining table to get a sense of how it would all go and, just a little after midnight, packed everything up and went to bed.

See my Felt Club photos

I have been selling my cards online and in select stores for almost two years now, but I was still terrified of going to Felt Club. I was scared that no one would stop by my table, I was scared that people might stop by my table and roll their eyes at my work, I was scared that I would not sell a darn thing. It turns out I had nothing to be afraid of, because the day went swimmingly.

It was so nice to witness firsthand people's reactions to my products. A laugh here, an "aww" there. I loved hearing why this card or that t-shirt was perfect for So-and-So. And it was such a treat to meet other like-minded arts-and-crafters.

Thanks to Rama, who helped set up (and close up) shop, who made sure I had something to eat and who reminded me to get up, walk around and see the sun before it went down. Thanks to my friends who took time out of their weekend to say hello. And thanks to everyone who came out to Felt Club and made my first time such a blast.

Practice makes pretty 24 March 2004

I spent Sunday afternoon re-learning how to use my sewing machine. I spent half of that afternoon trying to thread the needle. I started a new project, a mini project, on a whim. I had no pattern, no instructions and no earthly clue what I was doing. I just had an idea, and I thought it could be cute. My sloppy efforts were unsuccessful.

Tonight, I decided to try one last time, and, voila, it worked! Here is the tiny fruit of my labor: a mini billfold wallet in brown corduroy lined in pink felt.

It's the perfect size for an ID and a couple bucks, and it fits in very small handbags. In fact, I modeled it after my favorite going-out wallet, the one I take when I am going to a bar or a show or somewhere fancy and don't want to lug everything I normally lug around with me.

My next project? A mini tote bag, I think. I'll have to start it sooner than later, though, before I forget how to use my sewing machine again.

Craft Day 09 February 2004

Some of my favorite girls came over Saturday for some crafting, and it was a perfect way to spend the afternoon. We hijacked the dining room table and camped out on the living room floor, armed with all kinds of art and craft supplies. Two girls worked on a quilt, two more cut flowers out of felt, another put together wedding invitations, one worked on marble magnets and I made valentines.

I'm convinced the creativity buzzing in the house could have powered an entire town.

I forgot to take photos, which is probably a testament to the fun we had. I was too busy having a good time to document that good time.

After most of the girls had left, I heard a sing-song melody that I thought was somebody's cellphone ring. A second later, there were three knocks on the door. It was Rama, offering an armful of frozen treats from an ice cream truck.

We ate our choco tacos, chipwiches and strawberry crunch bars in the late afternoon light. I felt like a giddy schoolgirl on a Summer afternoon.

A stitch in time 20 January 2004

This weekend, Stella and I cleared the dining room table and sat on opposite sides without saying very much to each other. Sunlight crept in through the window, dreamy tunes filled the air, and, without paying any mind to the time, we sewed.

It was my second time to use my sewing machine and my first time to actually make something. I finished two throw pillows with light white polka-dotted cotton I'd bought that morning. They are simple and imperfect, but I made them myself. They're mine.

Click the thumbnails to see details of the pillows

I thought of my mother, who made curtains, pillows, costumes and clothes for the family throughout most of my life. My mother, the seamstress, was nothing like my mother, the chef. In the kitchen, I stood by her side, waiting patiently for my next instruction, to fetch this or stir that. In the sewing corner, though, Mom sat huddled over the machine in silence, only calling me when it was time to measure my waist or try something on.

I know she'll probably laugh when she sees the pillows, when she notices the side where my stitching turned crooked and the wrinkle across the pillow's belly, but I will smile anyway. Because I know once upon a time she was a beginner, too.

Stockings hung with care 09 December 2003

Last year, I made stockings kindergarten-style, adding sparkly red glitter and glue to cheap, red-and-white fur. They were cute and they did the job, but this year, I wanted to make something a tad more sophisticated. So, I used felt.

Okay, okay, I know felt doesn't exactly echo sophistication, but the results are starkingly more polished -- and personal -- than last year's. I bought pre-sewn stockings from Michaels and a stack of felt squares. I used buttons, embroidery floss, fabric glue and cord trim to add character to each. I made it up while I went, and I got lucky. I'm quite pleased with the results.

Now, let's just hope Santa fills 'em up to the brim.

The stockings for Rima and myself. (My name was too long to spell out.) A close-up shot of my felt and stitching work. The stockings for Rama and his brother Henry. Yes, that's Rudolph wearing a scarf. Giraffes are Rama's favorite animal, and the crown, well, the crown is 'cause he is my Prince Charming. Ha. Ha.

They never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games 10 February 2003

this is soupy, my sock dog. he's not really a dog. he's an orphan rabbit who's just pretending. shhh, don't tell him you know. he thinks he's fooled 'em all. (note: other sock dogs are hers, not mine.)

but can you blame him? the other pets -- sock dogs and kitties, alike -- have the good life. they just sit in the sun all day.

they even get fed well.

this little pup doesn't care what soupy is. "soupy," green says, "you can be a sock hog, for all i care. you're the bee's knees! the cat's meow! the dog's bark, even!"

if only we were all so lucky. love without bounds. best friends forever.

Beads, beads, beads 17 July 2002

it's a bit like knitting, i'd imagine. i can sit on the sofa with a handful of beads and wire and pliers, and the hours vanish into each other. loop, insert, loop, stretch. the repetition is relaxing, even soothing, and i forget i'm doing anything at all.

unlike painting with watercolors or tending a garden, i know exactly the way it will turn out because it's how i planned it. if i make a mistake, i just chomp through the wire and start again.

there's something beautiful and comforting about that.

this is my latest creation. i call it sherbet.

the polka-dotted bead is my favorite.

it's heavy around my neck, but i'm getting used to it.

Ladylike & crafty 02 February 2002

there were stacks of pretty paper, piles of markers and splashes of color and glitter. we used cutting boards and hole punchers and scissors with squiggly edges. we ate chocolate and guacamole and apple pie a la mode. and all i could think was: "this must be what heaven is like." everything you love within arms' length.

the ladies came over today for an afternoon of crafty fun. we transformed my house into a studio, with the dining table as our work bench and the sunshine's gleam as our lamp. think of it as a quilting bee without the needles or a bridge circle without the playing cards. we passed scissors and gluesticks, shared secrets and giggles, and created some beautiful art pieces. there were no boys allowed.

it was the first time i'd hosted such a thing and certainly not the last. it was wonderful for so many reasons, but mostly because i discovered i know so many festive and creative young women, and i realized the potential we have not just as individuals, but also as a group of artists and dreamers and people who can color the world every day. i just wish we could do this sort of thing more often, with more people and more glitter and more pie.