My new year’s resolution is to finish decorating my apartment, and I’m pleased to report that four days in to the new year, I’m still going strong with my goals. I feel like a winner! This is a much, much more enjoyable resolution than, say, vowing to work out more or be more organized. Anyway, my first official apartment project of 2012 is this: I finally finished making over my vintage credenza. Woo!

Here’s how this piece started out. Good lines, solid wood, but a tired 60s/70s finish that was just dated and uninspiring. I picked this credenza up at a vintage furniture store somewhere in Westchester, after searching endlessly for months. I was looking for a very long piece for the long wall in my dining room, and honestly this one wasn’t quite as long as I wanted, but given my total credenza shopping exhaustion and desperation to unpack the last of my boxes, I decided it was close enough. The real selling point was the fact that the base is actually two separate pieces (with one solid top), meaning it would be waaaay easier to move into my three-story walk-up apartment than a long one-piece unit. Also it was pretty cheap.

So, I jammed it into the back of my mini-SUV-style Zipcar–it barely fit, reached all the way up to the ceiling of the car and was practically resting against my head (fun fact, this chair was also jammed into the front seat of the car, pretty much cutting off my ability to move the gear shifter)–and proceeded to drive home through NYC rush hour traffic in the rain with no rearview visibility whatsoever and only limited mobility of my right arm. That was thrilling. But my treasures and I made it home alive and up my stairs (thanks to my neighbor Christina, you’re the best!), and the credenza finally took up its rightful place in my dining room. At which point I stripped it of its dignity as well as its doors and hardware, and told it to get ready for some changes. I painted it with an oil-based primer, then two (or three, I can’t remember) coats of acrylic paint, then at least two coats of poly, with more coats on the top piece where I knew it would get most wear and tear. I don’t have a lot of experience painting furniture so I cobbled together some research and basically just winged it.

Here’s a process shot, after the primer coat. I’m not gonna lie, this kind of project sort of sucks if you live in an apartment. I think I could really enjoy refinishing furniture if I had a proper workshop, but a large-scale messy project like this in your dining room is a bit of a drag. As you can see, I spread drop cloths on the floors, and used my unpainted dining chairs (which were destined to be painted soon, so I didn’t care if they got messed up) as a place to rest some of the pieces. I was super neurotic about allowing everything to dry really thoroughly between coats so this process took a while – I think my dining room looked like this for well over a week. Then there was the time I spilled a whole can of poly down the wall. Let’s just say I was glad when the painting was over!

But finally I did finish, and all that annoying painting-in-cramped-quarters is but a distant memory now. My paint job definitely isn’t flawless, but it’s not too bad, and I’m working on being less of a perfectionist anyway. After everything dried, I reattached all the doors and whatnot, using all the original hardware.

I sewed new curtain panels for the doors in a neon green dupioni silk. I’m not sure how long I’ll keep this color, but for now it’s a fun pop. And I love that these little curtain panels give me the opportunity to change the look of this piece without having to repaint. (Goodness knows I’d happily sew ten new sets of curtains before I’d repaint this sucker!)

I may eventually replace the door pulls and maybe even paint in some of the details on the woodwork. We’ll see.

For now I’m liking it simple solid grey. I’ve got a lot of other colors and patterns going on in this room, so I think the simple, solid color is the way to go for now.

It’s done! It’s done! And I really do like it. Would you think I’m crazy if I told you this whole cabinet is chock-full of Jello molds and cake plates?

It’s a new Jello mold! I made this one for my friend Dan’s bbq — the first bbq of the season, which was a delight and called for a special summery creation. I decided to try my hand at an adult jello mold, meaning one that could get you tipsy. I wasn’t sure how the alcohol would affect the integrity of the jello, so this was an experiment for me.

I also decided to try inventing a coconut gelatin for a true pina colada experience, and I’m happy to report that it turned out really well. The coconut layer had a rich, creamy texture which was truly nice with the jello layers and really elevated the whole taste experience.

In other news, there was no fridge space at Dan’s so the jello sat (on its cake plate) at room temperature on a warm night for a few hours. I poured myself a drink and forgot all about it — until I thought to check on it, and saw that the Jello had transformed into a creepy, oozing blob! However, it still tasted great and the drunk people were more than happy to gobble it up. So, you know, don’t worry about it. It’s all good.

Pina Colada Jello Mold

1 box cherry Jello
1 box lime Jello
2 boxes pineapple Jello
1 packet Knox gelatin
1 can coconut milk
rum of choice (I used Bacardi – just the basic flavor)

*note: check the cup capacity of your mold; you may need more Jello to fill it up. If so, I’d recommend a thick layer of extra pineapple Jello to fill it out.

1. Mix each flavor of Jello in small bowl with 1 1/4 cups boiling water and stir till dissolved. Allow each mixture to sit at room temperature and cool to room temp. Stir about 1/8 cup of rum into each flavor, if desired.

2. Pour the can of coconut milk into a small saucepan and sprinkle the packet of Knox gelatin into the milk. Allow to sit (without the heat turned on) for a few minutes till dissolved. Put the pan on the stove and bring the mixture to boil, stirring well. Once it reaches the boiling point, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature.

3. Pour the first layer of jello into your mold and put the mold into the fridge. Allow it to chill for about 20 minutes, until the jello is just slightly firm but not totally solid. Carefully spoon the next layer over the first, then allow it to cool for 20 minutes.

4. Repeat till all layers are assembled, then cool overnight.

5. Party down.

I’m woefully behind in posting about my Sewing 101 tutorials over at design*sponge — but I’ve been hard at work designing, sewing, writing and photographing, and creating lots of good how-to posts over there for your stitchy pleasure. (They’re specially made for beginning sewists, so newbies, don’t be shy!) Click on over to design*sponge to check out my columns:

How to sew a pouf. Download a free template to make this chunky pouf, and learn everything you’ll need to know to assemble it and create the tufting. It’s easy, I promise! This pouf is looking cute in my living room right now. I love it against the gray — I’m all about poppy colors on gray these days.

How to make your own roller blinds. Use cheap purchased roller blinds as a starting point, and add your own fabric panel. Not to toot my own horn but I gotta say, I LOVE these blinds! The one pictured here is hanging in my apartment, and I purchased enough fabric to make matching blinds for all my windows, which I am going to do, just as soon as I find a free afternoon!

Sew a custom hamper liner. Start with a folding frame for a hamper, and make your own fabric liner bag. Dirty laundry was never so cute! I’m loving this hamper too — I’ve been living with it for a few weeks now, and even though it’s stashed out of sight in my closet, I feel a tiny bit happy every time I toss something into it. It’s nice to have those little details to brighten up random parts of the day, don’t you think?

Make a wine bottle cozy. This super-quick project is great for a sweet hostess gift, or a cute way to spruce up your home bar for a party. (The cozy also catches drips as you pour the wine, which is a handy bonus!) I have fantasies of setting a big, long table for a dinner party, with all the wine bottles wearing one of these. Not that I actually have a big, long table — but a girl can dream.

Sew a tissue box cover. One of my random pet peeves is the ugliness of tissue boxes. Why must they be so ugly?! Why?? I hope Kleenex gets on the ball with their designs, but until then, just cover it up with a cute cozy you can make yourself.

Make your own patchwork shower curtain. This is great for using up random fabrics and adding some major pop to an otherwise ho-hum bathroom. I had 1-2 yards of several fabrics which I loved but didn’t have any plans for using — so I was really happy to be able to put them to good use in this project!

And here’s the link to where all of my design*sponge Sewing 101 columns live, so check ‘em out for free patterns and easy sewing how-to’s!

My latest Sewing 101 column is up over at design*sponge – today I’m showing you how to make a slip cover for an ottoman!

It’s a good basic tutorial on making a custom-fit cover for any ottoman, with special tips on getting nice, neat corners.

This project is SUPER easy — I’d say you can complete it in less than two hours, no problem. And of course, this is another great way to incorporate cute fabrics into your decor without a big investment of time or money.

If you’re at all hesitant about the construction, I suggest practicing first on a mini version with scrap fabric. You’ll get the hang of it in no time, I promise!

I hope you’ll check it out! (I now have a new fantasy of making four of these cubes and placing them in a mini grid to make a large coffee table. Wouldn’t that be great for homes with kids – no sharp corners, and very washable. Um, cats would love it too.)

PS: I picked up the cube ottoman shown here on sale for only 20 bucks at Bed, Bath & Beyond online.

I’m very excited to announce that starting today I’ll be contributing guest posts over at design*sponge on learning to sew home decor! If you’re one of the many people who want to get into sewing but doesn’t quite know where to start, this is for you. I’ll be leading you step-by-step through the process of making home decor basics like curtains, throw pillows, duvets and more.

My first installment is up today: curtains! There’s nothing easier to sew, and curtains have such a HUGE impact on the look of a room. Check it out for a step-by-step tutorial on making the curtain shown here!

This past weekend I was invited to my friend Vince’s for a dinner party.

When I asked myself what I should take the host of a classy soiree in an elegant apartment in New York City, there was only one answer. A Jello mold, of course!

Ten packs of Jello and twenty-four hours later, I stuffed my creation in a paper bag and hopped in a cab. (I was afraid to unmold the thing at my place for fear it would jiggle to its death in transit.)

Before unmolding, the Jello looked a big purple rotary saw blade! Quite sinister.

It helps to slide a knife around the top edge to loosen the Jello from the sides of the pan.

I flipped the mold and held my breath as I lifted the pan. There was a great sucking noise and then, voila! Everyone cheered, and I almost passed out from Jello Joy.

She really was a beauty! We all oohed and aahed at her gem-like qualities.

From the top it looked like a kaleidoscope! It even inspired Vince to pop a bottle of bubbly.

I decided right then and there that I would always match my outfits to my desserts.

Things only got better after the Jello was cut. The stripes were just mesmerizing, and the ribbony plates complemented it perfectly.

The remaining half-cut Jello cake was hilarious in its slumpiness. Halfway through dessert we heard a sort of flowing water sound and turned around to see that it had flopped over on its side like, well, like the big mass of jelly that it was.

Seriously, I don’t remember the last time a dessert brought such laughter and joy. I don’t say that to toot my own horn—no sir. I say it because I want you all to know how wonderful Jello is. Try it for your next party, you won’t be disappointed!

Also, it was delicious.

How to Make a Layered Jello Mold

9 3-ounce boxes Jello (I used: 2 peach, 4 grape, 3 raspberry; I recommend buying extra just in case)
small container sour cream
boiling water
10-cup bundt pan or Jello mold
cooking spray, optional

Important note: Do not follow the back-of-box directions for mixing the Jello; the resulting Jello won’t be firm enough for molding. You need a firmer Jello, which is accomplished by mixing each 3-ounce box with about 1 1/4 cups boiling water, and that’s it. Skip the cold water step that the box calls for.

Layer 1: Mix 1 packet peach Jello with 1 1/4 cups boiling water. Pour about half of the mixture into the Jello mold and reserve the other half.

Layer 2: Allow the remaining peach Jello to cool in the fridge till it’s no longer hot, but before it starts to harden. Whisk in about 2 tablespoons sour cream, stirring till smooth and consistent. Return it to the fridge and watch it closely; it usually firms up quickly after adding the cold sour cream – don’t let it get too firm or it won’t pour smoothly into an even layer.

Once the first layer is no longer liquid but before it’s fully firm, pour in the sour cream layer. Immediately mix the next batch of Jello and get it in the fridge to cool so that it will be ready to pour when this layer is set. You usually have to wait about 20 minutes before adding the next layer.

Layer 3: Mix 1 packet grape Jello with 1 1/4 cups boiling water. Allow to cool, then pour half of the mixture over layer 2.

Layer 4: Mix 2 tablespoons sour cream into remaining grape jello. Pour it over layer 3 once cool.

Layer 5-6: Mix 2 packets raspberry jello with 2 1/2 cups boiling water; once cool pour half of mixture over previous layer. Once cool, mix 2 tablespoons sour cream with remaining raspberry Jello and pour over layer 5.

Layer 7: Mix one packet peach jello with 1 1/4 cups boiling water. Once cool, pour over layer 6.

Layer 8-9: Mix 3 packets grape Jello with 3 3/4 cups boiling water. Once cool, pour half of mixture over layer 7. Mix 3 tablespoons sour cream with remaining grape Jello and pour over previous layer once cool.

Finishing + unmolding: Allow to cool overnight. To unmold, run a knife around the top edge to loosen the Jello from the sides of the pan. Dip the entire mold in a pot of warm (but not hot) water for 15 seconds, which will slightly melt the outer layer of Jello and allow it to slide out of the pan.

Invert a platter or plate over the top of the mold, then in one swift movement flip both the plate and mold so the mold is on top. Lift the mold away, and behold the Jello beauty. (If it sticks, gently thump the mold and plate on the counter a few times. If it still sticks, dip it in the warm water again.)

TIPS

I mix all of the Jello directly in a large Pyrex measuring cup which makes it easy to pour out half whenever necessary.

The trickiest part is timing things so that the next layer is ready to pour when the previous layer is perfectly set. I find that it takes about 20 minutes for each cycle, and if I mix the next batch of Jello just after pouring the previous layer, they’re usually ready at about the same time. If you need to speed up the cooling process, just pop the Jello into the freezer for 5 minutes or so. To slow it down, take it out of the fridge and leave it at room temperature.

Try to avoid letting the previous later fully harden before pouring the next layer. The layers will adhere to each other better if the previous layer is just partially set. (It should be no longer liquid, but not totally firm.)

Likewise, try to avoid letting the Jello start to harden before pouring it into the mold; if it does start to set before you pour it, you’ll get a bumpy layer rather than a smooth one.

Big thanks to my buddy Dan for all the great pics!

I finished these puppies a few months back but since I have insomnia tonite, I’m finally getting around to posting some pics.

I adapted these from my pal Doris Chan’s pattern. I stuck pretty close to the original, except that I narrowed the sole a bit and added the little crochet buttons on the top.

I actually made these, of all times, during my summer vacation at my parents’. They were an odd choice of project in the dead of summer, but they were fun. And now that winter is here (and the floor in my apartment is So! Cold!), they are serving me well. Toasty!

I finally finished my horse paint-by-number I’ve been working on.

…and I think she’s a real beauty, if I do say so myself!

I found this project to be one of the most satisfying and enjoyable crafts I’ve made in a long time, believe it or not. Very meditative to fill in all those teeeny tiny spaces. It has something to do with the complete removal of all thought and creativity, seems to be a good antidote to real life for me.

Now, where to find more good paint-by-number kits? There sure isn’t much out there on the market. Any tips? I’d really love a great collie to work on next, or another horse…

Ah, there’s nothing like tying up unfinished business. Crossing one more thing off the old Craft To-Do List feels mighty good!

I started crocheting this top, oh, two years ago. The pattern is from the July/August 2007 issue of Crochet Today, and was originally published with the option to crochet a whole dress or just the top (which can be worn alone as a crop top).

I always liked the idea of adding a fabric bodice to the crochet top, so that’s what I did! I used this pretty Liberty of London print which I picked up at B&J Fabrics in the garment district here in NYC. Liberty fabrics are big in ready-made fashion this year, and it was a good choice for this top because the material is light and flowy enough to have the airy drape I was aiming for. (A heavier fabric might have been a bit stiff, creating poofiness. And poofiness is not my friend, especially around the abdomen area, if you know what I mean.)

I made one modification to the pattern: when working the band at the bottom, I crocheted it back and forth (instead of in the round), leaving a space under the arm where I made a button closure:

Why do this? If the band were worked in the round and the fabric stitched directly to the crochet portion, the sewing thread would likely break when the top was pulled over the head. Since sewing thread doesn’t stretch the same way as yarn, the thread would just pop at the first sign of stretching. Then later on the thread would unravel and the shirt would fall off your body, most likely when you were off at a day-long event with lots of important people, and it would be a complete catastrophe. SO, the button closure gives more wiggle room for taking the top off and on, and it also creates a break in the sewing thread so that it won’t be pulled taught and snap. Disaster averted!

Special thanks to my mom who helped me rescue this top from Unfinished Projects Land – she was sick of witnessing my procrastination on this particular item, so on a recent visit to her house she sewed up the fabric bodice for me, and all I had to do was hand stitch it to the crochet top while lounging on her back porch. (Mom – you’re officially invited to my place for a month to help me finish everything else I have lying around!!)

I am now officially crafting in complete and utter disregard to the calendar, and I don’t care!

On that note, I’ve been hard at work on some more Ukrainian Easter eggs, and I finally have photos to share. (Coming soon: an alpaca sweater I’m finishing up just in time for summer. Next up, probably some Thanksgiving decorations or Valentines or something!)

Ok, usually I follow patterns to make really traditional designs, like these eggs my mom and I did in recent years.

But this year I played around with some non-traditional designs of my own, like this crochet-inspired doily egg.

This egg was a result of teamwork: Anthony drew the tattoo-inspired ship, and I waxed it up.

I played around with some simple line designs, too.

And Anthony got super calendar-rebellious with this one!

And back to a little more tradition. Playing around with my own designs rather than following patterns definitely gave me an appreciation for the amount of planning and design work that goes into the more elaborate eggs. But, I like the idea of taking an ancient technique like this and using it to make modern, reinvented designs. I hope to play around with some more looks over the coming months, but we’ll see where my fickle crafting ways lead me next!