DIY Maven
(Featured Writer)Self-proclaimed Maven of DIY, I'm up for anything from gonzo rehab to dressing a room. Check out my website diymaven.com for all my original how-to's.
Although I'm a writer by education and profession (MFA Hamline University, BA University of Minnesota), I have a not-so-secret DIY addiction. I love perusing the latest catalogs (PB, C&B, etc.) and art fairs, where I try to find items I can recreate for a fraction of the cost. The three R's--Reusing, Repurposing & Recycling--make me a little giddy.
When I'm not writing how-to's, I write fiction under the name J. Michlitsch. For examples of such, check out the Sept/Oct 06 issue of Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine and the June 07 issue of Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. You might want to check out my blog on Uncooped, and Wee Baby Stuff, both siblings of Curbly.
Blog
Gravity Defying Chair
By DIY Maven
Is it magic? Is it an optical illusion? A little of both, actually. The Shadow Chair comes from British designer Chris Duffy, and although it looks like it's balancing on two front legs, it's not. » READ MORE
America's Favorite Architecture
By DIY Maven
America's Favorite Architecture comes from an AIA and Harris Interactive poll. In all 1,800 Americans participated in the poll which resulted in the list of 150 structures. The ones pictured here are in my backyard, as it were.
My recent comments
On: Students of Architecture See Marvelous in the Mundane (Post)
On: Bold Kitchen Makeover on a Budget (Post)
On: 36 Easy Handmade Christmas Card Ideas (Post)
On: Two-Story Prefab (Post)
On: Sled Coffee Table and Snow Track Rug. (Post)
Photo Comments
Your kitchen is fabs! The colors and finishes, divine. Would...
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Nice phone....if you need it restored you know who to...
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I'm assuming this is a mirror. It almost looks like...
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jamievogel
Oh, I forgot to tell you how much it made my day for you to include my button project in your newsletter. It prompted a very "look what I can do!" forward to any- and everyone I know. You are a master!
DestinybyDefinition
I'm with Mod about the views on your blog. I saw a post of yours with 200 n some THOUSAND hits. Aye! Must be the fan base you've generated (call me the newest fan) ;)
bruno
Hey Maven, any thoughts on this one: http://www.curbly.com/forums/2-get-advice/topics/111?
lowquacity
I love your DIY projects... i live in Indonesia and we dont have that many selections of craft supplies and ready made materials... but i get by with what we've got.
megrockstar
maven!
Love ya! I need help. please read my thread (haha) on duvet covers. I really dont want to be opening seams on a $$$$ cover. (as you know)
Help!
Whered you go on this site:(
It seems its changed for only the A+ crafty ppl
lrmrgrt
heya, is Curbly going to Maker Faire in Austin? if you guys have booth stuff or whatever and need someone to man it, lemme know... i'm sooo excited to make and faire and yay!
http://makerfaire.com/austin/2008/entry
berryberr
ModHomeEcTeacher
Maven,
I sent an upholstery project to another blog which posted it last evening. Is there a time lapse that I should adhere to before I post it here or send it on?
Runeshai
Chrisjob
Thanks for your thoughts. Janomes is apparently a Japanese company (Ja-NO-me means "eye of the snake" which kinda creeps me out). I have no idea where they're made...but I'll ask when I test drive them. There are 4 Janome dealers that are within 15 miles of my house, so I'll make a visit when the next mail from Bruno comes.
I never visited a sewing shop...I bought my first one at Jo-Ann's. Is as stressful as car shopping? Bermina's scare me, plus when I went to the Bermina shop near me (like 4 blocks away) to ask a few questions, they were really mean and condescending because I didn't already have them.
I'm not worried about spending $1000, but I'm currently messing with 3 machines, and all the different bobbins are driving me crazy, and I just want one machine that works and that I won't outgrow. I'm not gonna use it everyday, but when I do, I want it to work. I'm sure I don't need Porter-Cable tools, because I only run them a few hours a month, but when I use them, they work perfectly. Same idea...I'm sure you understand.
I'm still digging on the Decor Excel model: I like that it comes with all the feet for overcasting and overstretching (should I be impressed by that?). I read somewhere that a walking foot is really helpful for home decor projects and thicker fabric: the manual doesn't use that language...I guess I don't really know what that is. I did figure out was feed dogs were...kinda like bench dogs, right? Kinda...
Best,
Chris
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