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Idle Hands DC

Washington, DC

I love to embroider, knit, make and grow beautiful things in my house of dreams in Capitol Hill. I grew up inspired by the women in my family, whose hands are never idle.

Interests: gardening, embroidery, knitting, crochet, sewing, craft, design

Recent Activity

Sheep and Wool Festival 2013

My fourth annual trip to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival was a little bittersweet without my two yarn-loving companions -- my mom and the award-winning Lisa Marie -- but the festival was so awesome that I was quickly giddy with excitement. This ain't my first time at the rodeo,... Continue reading

Posted 5 days ago at Idle Hands

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I was planning on going in to the office yesterday, but the peonies were just too pretty. It didn't seem right to be inside working with all of this calling me outside. I may regret this decision Monday, but it won't be long before the beans are growing tall, and... Continue reading

Posted May 5, 2013 at Idle Hands

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This week in the garden: Spring

Impossible not to feel grateful for so much loveliness. Do you have a favorite spring poem? Language seems inadequate for the sweetness of this time of year. Continue reading

Posted Apr 29, 2013 at Idle Hands

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This week in the garden: Ready to burst

It's the return of "This Week in the Garden"! The daffodils have come and gone, the beans and lettuce are planted, and the dogwood is in bloom. Spring has officially sprung. I have been eagerly watching as some of my favorites get ready to bloom. Everything is ready to burst! Continue reading

Posted Apr 22, 2013 at Idle Hands

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Math sweatshirt

Sorry for the lengthy absence. It has been a particularly exhausting couple of weeks, but I'm still here! In the midst of a busy week at work, I had a quick trip to Chicago, which also happens to be where my brother lives. I wanted to take something fun to... Continue reading

Posted Apr 14, 2013 at Idle Hands

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Spring has sprung, and so have the daffodils. I am not the only crafty one in this house! Tonight at Easter dinner, we'll be celebrating Nick's success in the 2013 Washington Post Peeps Contest...because nothing says spring like an eerily realistic peeps diorama. Continue reading

Posted Mar 31, 2013 at Idle Hands

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Ravelry roundup: My current obsessions

The darling sweater is coming along nicely. But sometimes you see a pattern that just makes you want to drop everything and start a new project. Here are a few of my recent favorites: Cuffed hand warmers by purl soho -- they just look so soft and smushy: via purl... Continue reading

Posted Mar 25, 2013 at Idle Hands

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After the success of the recycled sweater wreath, we started a new policy in our house: no sweater left behind. If a sweater is worn thin, pilly, stained, shrunk, or otherwise unwearable, it will be given new life through felting. We just throw old sweaters in with the wash until... Continue reading

Posted Mar 17, 2013 at Idle Hands

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Baby's Book of Names and Faces

My friend Janelle introduced me to this genius idea, courtesy of Pinhole Press: the Baby Names and Faces Book. I live just over 700 miles from my niece, Evelyn. As a long-distance Auntie, I do lots of things to try to stay in touch. But despite visits and gifts, it's... Continue reading

Posted Mar 10, 2013 at Idle Hands

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Update: Prints are up!

I wanted to share some updates now that I have finally hung the Starshaped Press print I wrote about a couple of weeks ago. Ta da! This print of Robert Frost's "The Master Speed" has a different feel from most of Starshaped Press's designs -- less bold in terms of... Continue reading

Posted Mar 3, 2013 at Idle Hands

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Field trip: American Craft Council Baltimore

Last weekend, I ventured up the 295 to the Baltimore Convention Center for a craft extravaganza: the American Craft Council show in Baltimore. An American Craft Council show is no ordinary craft fair -- it's a curated collection of artisans. ACC shows also cater to a more upscale, conservative clientele... Continue reading

Posted Feb 26, 2013 at Idle Hands

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Darling in progress

I've started a sweet little sweater called "Darling" from Marie Grace designs. It is one of those agreeable projects that knits up quickly and provides the pleasant gratification that comes from watching raglan sleeves take shape. The perfect sweater to work on over an afternoon of conversation with a dear... Continue reading

Posted Feb 18, 2013 at Idle Hands

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Finished Project: Mortar cowl

I've gone back and forth on this project. It is a thank you gift for someone who likes bright colors, including citron and turquoise. In the yarn store, the citron really popped against a navy background, which is how we ended up here: Truth be told, this has always been... Continue reading

Posted Feb 10, 2013 at Idle Hands

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I ♥ Starshaped Press

I first encountered Starshaped Press on the (now sadly defunct) Felt and Wire Shop. Happily, you can still order fantastic letterpress from this Chicago print shop and design studio through their etsy store. When most of us think of letterpress, we probably think of cards, and Starshaped Press does have... Continue reading

Posted Feb 3, 2013 at Idle Hands

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Finished Project: Moss and ferns

It's taken a while (a long while), but I am happy to say that moss and ferns is finished. The textures are lovely together, and I think the recipient will like it (okay, I'm praying the recipient will like it...fingers crossed). P.S. She liked it! And doesn't she look adorable? Continue reading

Posted Jan 27, 2013 at Idle Hands

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Thank you, Canada!

We got to watch the inauguration yesterday from the Canadian Embassy. It was awesome. Not only did we have a great view of the parade, we had hot cocoa, poutine, and beaver tails (the Canadian version of an elephant ear)! As if that weren't enough, they were also handing out... Continue reading

Posted Jan 22, 2013 at Idle Hands

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Birch stamped canvas

Some background here: My husband is an amazing gift-giver. Not only does he manage to find the perfect thing, but he is also incredibly creative, and he makes the whole occassion special. Every year, his Christmas gift has a theme. One memorable year, I had expressed that my heart's desire... Continue reading

Posted Jan 20, 2013 at Idle Hands

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A begrudging admission

I used my knitting time over the holidays to regain momentum on the beleaguered moss and ferns cowl. Despite making good progress, I am increasingly convinced that lace knitting is not for me. And then, just as I had resolved to never again embark on a project using anything smaller... Continue reading

Posted Jan 12, 2013 at Idle Hands

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Personalized calendar: a sweet way to start the New Year

I recently received one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever encountered: a personalized calendar from my friend Caitie. I opened up the envelope to find one page for each month of 2013, all under the flattering cover sheet "another smashing year of Dawn." Each month starts with a... Continue reading

Posted Jan 2, 2013 at Idle Hands

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Merry Christmas

Hope your night is full of joy and peace. Continue reading

Posted Dec 25, 2012 at Idle Hands

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Felt winter garland

My taste in Christmas decorations runs toward the childlike -- all felt and paper snowflakes. Luckily, my mother-in-law knows. Last Christmas, she gave me some awesome felt ornaments made by Roost. They come pre-cut in a little bundle of flat felt squares, which you punch out, like so. Then you... Continue reading

Posted Dec 24, 2012 at Idle Hands

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Awedeous returns

My friend Lisa Marie coined the term "awedeous" to describe projects that somehow manage to be both hideous and awesome. This almost inevitably involves crazy color combinations, like the mishmash of 70s shades that first inspired the term. Though it couldn't be more different, one of my current projects is... Continue reading

Posted Dec 18, 2012 at Idle Hands

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Seed pod wreath

Every fall, the hibiscus produces hundreds of seed pods. I try to pull most of them off -- otherwise the plant spreads in a weedlike, unstoppable way -- but it always feels like a shame to get rid of them. They are beautiful in themselves, with a wonderful star-like shape.... Continue reading

Posted Dec 7, 2012 at Idle Hands

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DC at the holidays: The U.S. Botanic Garden

The Botanic Garden is a great spot to visit any time of year, but never more so than at the holidays. Children flock there for the seasonal train display, which is truly delightful, but my personal favorite is the miniatures. The Botanic Garden renders DC landmarks from more than 70... Continue reading

Posted Dec 2, 2012 at Idle Hands

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Holiday gift list 2012

It's that time of year again -- time to show your love for all the crafters in your life! Here are a few ideas about what to put under the tree... For knitters: A MilliaMia Christmas stocking kit (or four!) via MillaMia Hint: If you're in the DC area, you... Continue reading

Posted Nov 26, 2012 at Idle Hands

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