notice of eviction

I've moved! I would love to have you over at www.shirinhandmade.com/blog

giving the finger...

something pretty to wear.

Diamonds may be forever, but I'm liking these rings a lot right now.
1. Vampire Ring, VeraMeat
2. Yogi Ring,VeraMeat ('...that perfect moment before two fingers touch')
3. Assorted, photo from Fashion Toast
4. Ribbon Ring, Emily Miranda Studios (she also makes the most incredible cakes)
5. Grotto Ring, Emily Miranda Studios
6. Framework Series, Colleen Baran
7. Layered Two-Finger Ring, Colleen Baran
8. Rabid Fox master ring, Fleathers by Linda Smith

My Funny Valentine

Although I'm finding it pretty hard to wrap my head around the idea that January is almost over, the fact is cupid lurks just around the corner, ready to pounce.

While I love a from-the-heart sparkles and doily card, or a sweet pastry surprise in the morning, I've never been one to go over the top for this particular holiday. Since it's also my brother's birthday, Valentine's day has never been my focus come February 14th. I've always really appreciated my brother for having chosen this particular day to check-in; no reason to sulk alone through a box of chocolates the years I've been single on this media hyped Couples Day. There was a birthday to celebrate here!

Having said that, I think these cheeky little handmade trinkets would be just thing to make that special someone blush.








































1. Have a Heart Bust Pendant, by Margeaux Lange (she uses barbie parts!)
2. Faux Bois Log, by somethingshidinginhere

Crunch Time

We made some impossibly large batches of granola, working assembly-line style, to give away as Christmas gifts this year. Yet somehow we were only left over with a one day's supply for ourselves. Is that an indicator of how much we had left, or how fast we consumed it? Let's not dwell on that one..

I love having fresh, homemade granola at home. Certainly, it excites me to scoff at the 9$ bags grocery stores somehow get away with selling. But more so, I love being able to customize the crunchy goodness to my exact tastes, and to know for sure it contains no ingredients I can't pronounce, and none of the dreaded high-fructose corn syrup. Plus, it's so easy and cheap, and in my opinion makes the loveliest gift. Admittedly, I'm beating around the bush. There is that one other reason I love making granola.. You see, the following picture captures one of my favorite smells in the world. I have an inkling that melting the butter is not exactly essential to the process - surely using butter soft enough to simply allow the ingredients to be combined would do the trick - but why pass up on an opportunity to paint my house in the full, almost nutty caress that is the smell of melting butter? Ah... I just put a fresh batch in the oven, and now wait for a warm treat I can douse in cold creamy milk and decorate with a graceful plopping of thick yogurt, knowing that now my mornings are once again crunchy and delicious.

To me, making granola is all about getting creative, experimenting, and of course using up those banana chips that would otherwise go stale. I'm keen to try using peanut butter, pecans,dried kiwis and other fruits, sunflower seeds and maybe pumpkin seeds. Probably not all together tough...
I'd also love to try making a savory version, using olive oil, cayenne and sun-dried tomatoes maybe? I imagine it would be a tasty thing to have around, to throw on a salad or coat a chicken in before roasting.


The method:

Preheat oven to 375 F.

For every three cups rolled oats, mix in 3 tablespoons melted butter, and somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 a cup honey or maple syrup, or some combination of both.

Add more butter if you'd like more crispy clusters of goodness, and less if you're a less butter is better kind of person. (Really?)

Then add about 1/2 cup each of the dried fruits or nuts you're using. A whole cup if it's something you particularly like. (My classic go-to combo: almonds, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, banana chips, shredded coconut and flax seeds.)

Spread it on a baking sheet and bake until your kitchen and surrounding area smell magical, and the granola is nice and brown. Should take around 40 minutes.

It keeps in an airtight container for up to a few months, but is unlikely to stick around that long. It tastes best when warm out of the oven, though.

Whistle while you work

Four of us went up to Whistler this past weekend to relax, cook extravagantly, dance our hearts out, thrift shop, walk around a frozen lake, and remember why it is that our license plates read 'Beautiful British Columbia. I came home feeling refreshed and inspired.

Excited to be back at the sewing machine, I made my first pair of jeans! Ever! My first pair of pants, really, unless you count ones with elastic waistbands made from repurposed Sesame Street bedsheets, which are the kind of pants that cannot really pretend to me approprate for things that do not involve a bed, or tv watching, or chocolate chip cookie baking, etc. etc.

The pant options in my closet these days seem to be limited to skinnies, so I'm excited to have a pair with a different fit- they have sort of a slouchy, relaxed fit, but more girly and tailored (pleats!) than the now ubiquitous 'boyfriend' fit. They look really cute cuffed to show just a bit of ankle.

I haven't made up my mind about what kind of button to use.

Any suggestions?

An Ode to Pendleton

For the past month or so, a friend and I have been discussing our plans to redo the interior of her Subaru in a Pendleton inspired theme. The textures, colors and prints of their beautiful blankets and sturdy bags are so inspiring - if their goods weren't so pricey I would love to re-upholster everything I own -furniture and otherwise- with their woolly glory. I can only imagine the road trips which would be had in a Pendleton-esque blue Legacy...

Given my love for all things Pendleton, I was more than a little thrilled when I stumbled upon an 'alternative outdoor store' in Portland, and found it contained a rainbow of Pendleton apparel (alongside a fine selection of leather belts, cowboy hats, beautifully crafted rubber boots, and an entire equestrian section! - I long to go on the outdoor adventure that requires one to be outfitted with such American wonders).

I came home with Pendleton in my thoughts, and thus on the tip of my googlefingers, the times being as they are. And so I web-stumbled upon the Pendleton x Opening Ceremony lookbook for Spring (which by the way seems to have already arrived in this here part of the world), at which point I let out a little yelp of appreciation. I think they did a wonderful job combining the already wonderful classic prints with the ever-trendy plaids. Plus the sunglasses look just like a pair I lost last summer. Which, I dunno, makes me sad. But still. The clothes are great.

from www.highsnobiety.com

Lace Bloomers

Inspired by this beautiful black lace I found, I've been designing a few more pieces for around the house, or under your clothes. I'm also making a little top, and a romper/onesie from this same black lace.

I love how these little 'knickers' turned out. They are cheeky, feminine and quite saucy. But best of all, they are super comfortable.

The edges are all finished with a serger, the waistband is made out of a really soft jersey knit fabric, and the elastic around the legs creates a really flattering and girlie shape.

Check out my Etsy shop for more info!