Dizzy Swallows

Little Bits for a Monday – Christmas Crafts Edition

December 10th, 2012

The Christmas spirit has officially ensconced us in its twinkling, pine-scented warmth. I’ve strung lights, hung my first real mistletoe (love!), and last night I knitted up one of these fairisle globe ornaments.

So today I hope you’ll forgive me if I share a few Bits for the season. I understand, however, that if you’re anything like my sister, you won’t appreciate Christmas carols just yet (or maybe ever) so the video I’m sharing is an old, un-holiday favorite: the timeless Mrs. Eartha Kitt crooning “C’est Ci Bon”.

Once I’ve gotten out my knitting, it’s difficult for me to stop. I think my next single evening project will be these adorable miniature stocking ornaments. They, and the globes previously mentioned, are a great way to use up yarn scraps!


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Remember this idea for craft store animals? Well here’s another fun project, courtesy of Martha, for making your … Continue reading

Little Bits for a Monday

November 12th, 2012

This grey morning I feel in desperate need of a pick-me-up. Enter The Lumineers, an East Coast by way of Colorado trio, playing “an amalgam of heart-swelling stomp-and-clap acoustic rock, classic pop, and front-porch folk.” This track, “Ho Hey” is probably they’re most famous, off their eponymous, self-recorded 2011 EP. I dare you to hold still:

This weekend, Jacob and I hit up our local craft store for the first round of wedding supplies (more on that anon). I am now kicking myself that I didn’t get the supplies to make one of these genius DIY magnets. All you have to do is buy the plastic animal of your choice, saw it in half, spray-paint if desired, and attach a magnet to the back! Next time…


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Speaking of weddings, we have the nuptials of a dear friend fast approaching, and I’ve been searching about for an appropriate … Continue reading

Little Bits for a Monday

October 22nd, 2012

Hello darlings! This morning I’d like to share a lovely tune from the wonderful band, The Barr Brothers. The video is pretty great as well. I do hope you enjoy it!

I’ve been loving the return of rich, dark colors this fall, none more so than this pair of gorgeous burgundy matador pants.

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The season also has me diving headfirst into baking. This weekend it was everything pumpkin, including a pie and a scrumptious loaf cake. Perhaps with the season of colds and flus descending on us, I shall switch to ginger next. I’d love to try my hand at this delicious sounding gingerbread and cranberry bundt cake from Always With Butter. Surely it has some medicinal qualities, be they psychological or otherwise.

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This weekend we picked up several vintage frames at our local Goodwill, and I’ve begun to adorn the many walls of … Continue reading

Little Bits for a Monday

September 24th, 2012

There are rare and happy times when a musical cover takes the original to new and, at times, seemingly impossible heights. I’m thinking Jimi Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower“, or Johnny Cash’s “Hurt“. Perhaps even Ben Gibbard’s “Complicated“. Over the weekend I discovered another prime example of such. In the capable hands of Ben Howard, Carly Rae Jepsen’s pop ditty, “Call Me Maybe” (remember this?), becomes an entirely new song, proving again it’s the artist, not the material that makes greatness. Bonus that he’s smiling his way through the recording.

Fall is officially upon us, though here in Seattle we’ve enjoyed absolutely gorgeous weather of late – crisp and sunny. Still, the days of tights and leggings aren’t far off. Here are a couple beauties I wouldn’t mind stepping into:

Silent Smoke Leggings from Lovely Sally:

Trademark tights by … Continue reading

Little Bits for a Monday

August 20th, 2012

Good morning my dears. I trust we all had a lovely weekend? Here in Seattle we’ve enjoyed a gorgeously sunny August. A good thing too, as we have considerable work to do on the old homestead before the autumnal rains are upon us.

Today I wanted to share a fun little ditty, from two bands I was recently introduced to. The song is called “I Don’t Know What I Can Save You From” by the Norwegian duo, Kings of Convenience. This particular track is remixed by fellow Norwegians, Röyksopp. I highly recommend checking out both groups, Kings for their airy, Elliott Smith-like vocal and unassuming guitar, Röyksopp for their sheer prowess in what is referred to as “warm” electronica.

All this talk of Norway has my traveling feet itching. How I would love to float through sunlit mists at the Geiranger Fjord. Speaking of Norway, remember this… Continue reading