Hire Me Martha

DIY Inspiration: Vintage Handkercheif Aprons

2010-04-19T06:30:00.000-07:00

Wine Corks Into Cork Board

2010-03-31T14:43:00.000-07:00

A while back, I decided that it would be a great idea to make a cork board using a bunch of discarded wine corks. I asked all my friends to save their wine corks for me. For the past few weeks, they have been sitting around, waiting for me to find the right frame and the right motivation to put them together.

And then I saw this cool wine cork bath mat and felt inspired.

Here's the how-to.

Gather your corks, a really sharp, non-serrated knife and a self-healing cutting mat.

Be very careful not to cut yourself while cutting your corks in half, lengthwise.

Arrange them however you like on the back board of your photo frame.

You can be way more simple than I was, but I wanted something more than straight up and down or side to side lines, personally. Of course, this required me to cut the corks into a lot of different sizes...

After they're laid out, use your glue gun to glue them firmly in place, one and a time.

I found it easiest to work my way around the edges and then press the middle ones tightly into place.

DIY Inspiration: Books As Planters

2010-03-24T08:53:00.000-07:00

Italy's Gartenkulter has turned old books into the most amazing up-cycled planters!

Via Inhabit:

With the recent rise in popularity of electronic readers, thoughts of “book extinction” have really seeped their way into design conversations. Italy-based Gartenkulter pays tribute to the tree with these beautiful planters made from old and disused books. By removing the heart of the book’s cover and pages and then creating a seal, the book becomes a home for a living and growing tree. “As each seed becomes a plant or tree, the book becomes a pot or cradle.”

I absolutely love these!

Now, who wants to hollow out some old books for me so I can get started?

Amy Sedaris Was A Girl Scout

2010-03-17T16:48:00.000-07:00

It's no surprise that Martha Stewart was a Girl Scout.
As was Amy Sedaris.
As was I.

It's no wonder we're all so crafty.

Here's a fun clip from last week where Martha and Amy make Girl Scout inspired Merit Badges in honor of the 89th anniversary of the founding of the Girl Scouts.

image via The Martha Stewart Show webpage

Design: Patterns, Motifs and Turning Squares

2010-03-11T11:46:00.000-08:00

©Briana Campbell, 2010

DIY Inspiration: Terrariums

2010-03-03T13:29:00.000-08:00

I feel like everyone's been talking about terrariums lately. My friend Dan made this really cute one, filled with succulents and little rocks and posted this photo (filched from his Facebook page), left, of it in progress.

While I haven't gotten around to making my own yet, I have been giving them a lot of thought.

Should I make an open one, like Dan's and the ones I have seen selling for a pretty penny at Sprout Home?

Or do I want to do something more enclosed and traditional - the whole self-sustaining system?

While I figure out what I'm going to do next here is some DIY inspiration to get you started on your own terrariums.

A really simple how-to on Design*Sponge.

Cute mason and jam jar terrariums on CRAFT.

A thorough how-to on About.com.

And, of course, the Fairyland Terrarium that Martha and Julie Andrews made on the Martha Stewart show the day I shadowed the art department.

Upcycled Undies

2010-03-01T11:46:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago I posted a link to Colette Patterns cute mini-bloomers pattern with the promise of posting my own, once they were finished.

Over the weekend, I had a bit of spare time to complete the project and added a cute little bra-top to match. Obviously these aren't really undergarments - more for lounging around the apartment with your hunny, drinking hot coffee and watching the rain (or, you know, feet of snow) fall. His cardigan or button-down from last night would be a great robe-replacement over this sweet set.

For my bloomers and bra, I up-cycled an old Dwell duvet cover my friend Sarah had given me - I love Dwell's modern designs and color palette and was definitely inspired to make this set when I saw the fabric folded up in my large piece stash!

The finished mini-bloomers with elastic waist and navy grosgrain at the legs.

I finished the seams on the inside of the bloomers with a Hong Kong Seam.

There is a super tutorial on seam finishes over at Craft Stylish.

The bra top obviously offers no support, but it's a cute compliment to the bloomers.

I made a pattern for a triangle top and finished with an elasticized ruffle, as opposed to making a string bikini/halter.

I finished the back seam of the top with a flat-fell seam (like you see on the side of your jeans).

The top just slips over your head.

Design: Chairs

2010-02-24T10:06:00.000-08:00

©Briana Campbell, 2010

Dinner For Two: Spicy Chocolate Tart

2010-02-19T11:24:00.000-08:00

A few nights ago I made dinner for a special gentleman friend. I wanted to make something delicious and romantic and kind of sexy. I wanted it to taste yummy and, more importantly, I wanted my friend to really like it.

By the way, I like to wear a cute apron, like the one I made a while back, when cooking for others. While it does protect your cute date-night outfit, it's also an important addition to it.

The meal started with a mushroom risotto and an endive/watercress salad with a really simple vinaigrette. I think risotto is a great date-night meal - it's not too complicated, has a lot of flavor and you can do so much with it. Done right, it's impressive and thoughtful. Though you need to constantly stir, you can sip a glass of wine and chat while you're tending to the meal. And having your hunny in the kitchen with you is always sexy.

What topped off the meal, though, was dessert. Knowing my friend is a chocolate lover, I wanted to challenge myself to make a creative and amazing dessert that we would both really enjoy. Okay. Okay. I wanted to make something that he would love.

While at the Greenpoint Food Market this weekend, we came across a really interesting jam - a collaboration of two awesome indie food-makers - and it was that find that was the inspiration for my chocolate tart.

Brooklyn's Anarchy in a Jar and Mama O's Kimchee were selling a little something they call Anarchy Mama, a sweet a spicy grapefruit jam infused with kimchee spice. It might sound a little strange to some, but it is totally amazing. And, as Kheedim of Mama O's had promised that it would "totally get [me] to second base," it seemed only appropriate to somehow add it to my romantic dinner menu.

Spice and chocolate are a no-brainer and this simple tart is delicious, with layers of flavor that hit the sweet, salty and spicy parts of your tongue. If your date is a chocolate lover, I guarantee that this dessert will get you at least to third!

my inspiration

The recipe is based on a recipe for a chocolate-citrus tart with jasmine infused whipped cream I found on Epicurious. I substituted three heaping tablespoons of Anarchy Mama for the citrus zest the recipe calls for and some Mighty Leaf Orange Dulce Tea for the Jasmine tea called for in the recipe.

the tea for infusing the cream, as this is a really good tea, I only used two bags, as opposed to the two the recipe called for

The recipe from Epicurious.com:

Tart

Ingredients
Crust
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
* 1/4 cup sugar
* 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup all purpose flour

Filling
* 8 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
* 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 5 pieces
* 1/2 teaspoon (lightly packed) finely grated blood orange peel or orange peel
* 1/2 teaspoon (lightly packed) finely grated pink grapefruit peel

* 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
* 1/4 cup boiling water

Preperation

For crust:
Combine first 4 ingredients in bowl. Add flour and stir just until blended; let stand 5 minutes. Press dough onto bottom and up sides of 9- to 91/2-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Chill 30 minutes.

Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 350°F. Bake crust until deep golden, pressing down with back of spoon if bubbles form, about 25 minutes. Cool crust in pan on rack.

For filling:
Combine chocolate, butter, and both peels in medium metal bowl. Place bowl in skillet of barely simmering water set over low heat. Stir just until chocolate and butter are melted and smooth. Remove bowl from water. Place fine strainer over bowl with melted chocolate. Keep skillet with water set over low heat.

Whisk egg yolk in small metal bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in 1/4 cup boiling water. Place bowl in skillet of hot water; stir constantly with heatproof rubber spatula, scraping bottom of bowl to prevent egg from cooking, until instant-read thermometer inserted into egg mixture registers 160°F, about 3 minutes. Immediately pour egg mixture into strainer set over bowl of chocolate. Stir just until egg is incorporated into chocolate and mixture is smooth.

Pour chocolate filling into crust; tilt slightly to spread evenly (crust will not be completely filled). Cover and chill overnight or up to 2 days. Before serving, let tart soften slightly at room temperature.

Remove pan sides. Place tart on platter. Using pastry bag fitted with star tip, pipe whipped cream rosettes around edge of tart. Garnish with candied peel.

a close up of the delectable cream

Whipped Cream

Ingredients
* 1 cup chilled heavy whipping cream
* 1 tablespoon good-quality loose-leaf jasmine tea or 3 jasmine tea bags

* 1 tablespoon sugar

Preparation
Combine chilled cream and tea in bowl. Cover; chill overnight or up to 2 days.

Strain cream-tea mixture through fine strainer into mixing bowl; discard solids. Add sugar; beat until peaks form.

yummy dessert!

We both really enjoyed this. The slight tea flavor (and big tea smell) go wonderfully with the sweetness of the chocolate and the kimchee jam I used in lieu of the citrus peel in the recipe above provided a subtle, spicy finish to the tart. I used all semi-sweet chocolate this time, and, while my gentleman friend really enjoyed it, I think next time I will use a mixture of semi and bittersweet chocolate or a really dark chocolate to cut some of the sweetness from the dish.

All in all, dinner was a great success.

Blog DIY Inspiration: Colette Patterns

2010-02-17T07:30:00.000-08:00

I recently discovered Colette Patterns and am so inspired by her patterns, and her site in general. Designer Sarai Mitnick has lots of fun patterns and links to books and fabric and other craft sites. She also has a section called Make It Work, all about starting one's own business.

I'm really looking forward to making these cute mini-bloomers from this great website!

Download the free pattern here.

Let me know if you make your own! I'd love to see them!
Send pics to unemployedbrooklyn [at] gmail.com and I'll put them up on the blog when I post my own.

Papercraft

2010-02-15T12:36:00.000-08:00

I wanted to make some really special "thank you" cards to send to the creative team of The Martha Stewart Show - to show them my appreciation for the day spent with them, but also to show them what I can do with some paper and an Exacto knife!

I decided to print out some designs I had drawn last semester for my textile design class at FIT and use them as background for a slim silhouette of a wintry tree. I found a jpeg of a tree online and, using Photoshop, turned it into a silhouette that I would be able to cut with an Exacto and cutting board. I chose an orange Ginko leaf on a blue background and pink butterflies sitting on pale pink and yellow cherry blossoms for the ground of my cards and cut the trees from traditional black paper.

the template for the tree silhouette (in pink) and the cut out tree on black card stock

the cut out and folded card with the Ginko leaf designed paper

(if you can't make your own designed paper, a pretty wrapping paper or piece of scrapbooking paper would work well)

a close up of the completed card, with the butterfly/cherry blossom design

Be Mine

2010-02-12T09:35:00.000-08:00

Ah, gentle readers, it's that time of year again, St. Valentine's Day. A day we either delight in or despise. Me? I'm of two minds about it, but you can't deny that there are loads of cute, cool and crafty things one can do with a heart-shaped theme.

I had originally planned to post some of my personal V-day crafts on here - but, as my computer has been sitting at Tek Serve for the past week, my blogging has been... let's just say I am well behind in all things blog/computer/e-mail related. So, instead of a something of my own creation, here are a few Valentine's Day to-dos that I have come across in my internet wanderings:

An adorable mini-megaphone from Design*Sponge

Lacy paper Valentines from Craftzine

Jojo's Brownie Bites via Craftster

A Jar of Hearts

A love-themed succulent garden from Ready-Made

A delicious prosecco based cocktail from Martha

Also, for those of you in the New York area, be sure to check out the Greenpoint Food Market this Saturday for a Valentine's Day themed experience - loads of great food vendors, a secret food-mirer wall and a kissing/photo booth should prove fun for everyone - attached or not!

image courtesy The Black Apple (check out her site and Etsy shop for loads of other cool work)

Umbrella Tote Bag

2010-01-27T07:27:00.000-08:00

Everyone has one. A broken umbrella they don't know what to do with. In New York, it's hard to walk down the street on a cold, windy, rainy day and not see one or two laying on the sidewalk or in a garbage bin. And, if you get caught in the rain, you inevitably have bought one of those $3 jobs from the vendors who seem to come out of nowhere at the first drop of rain. We all know that those things never last.

I have, or should I say had, an adorable little pink and white striped umbrella that I picked up at H&M one rainy Saturday, caught in SOHO and not expecting rain to fall. It lasted a while, but let's be honest, an umbrella can only flip inside out in the wind so many times before becoming obsolete. So what? It doesn't work as an umbrella anymore, but what about that fabric? I could no longer use the umbrella to shield me from the rain, but there must be something, being a resourceful gal, that I could do with the fabric.

So, I made a tote bag. It's simple, it's light, it's handy. It took about an hour to make- start to finish.

Start by removing the fabric from the skeleton of the umbrella.

It should look something like this:

Fold the umbrella in half, along the center seam

Then fold it in half again. Using a straight-edge and a blade, cut your umbrella into a rectangle

Stitch the open edges

I used the scraps from the side to make long handles for my bag.

Sew them together into a long even tube, right sides facing and open at the ends.

Turn them inside out and press with a cool iron.

I left the tab on so the bag could be neatly rolled and carried in the bottom of my regular handbag.

Here's the finished product, all rolled up and ready to go

Very handy for grabbing groceries or a trip to the store. Just remember to toss it into the bottom of your handbag before leaving the house!

My Day At Martha Stewart

2010-01-25T07:19:00.000-08:00

When I was on The Martha Stewart Show last week, the result of this little blog, they surprised me with an offer to spend the day working in the art department of the television show. No, it wasn't an offer of a full time position (as many of you have been e-mailing me and asking), but it was an amazing opportunity to get in there and meet some people and learn about the day-to-day activities that go on behind the scenes of the show.

I'd like to thank Anduin Havens, the art director, and her whole team (Hosanna, Robert, et al) for allowing me to spend the day shadowing them. Everyone was extremely friendly and very helpful and kept asking if I was having fun. And I was. I was there to work and I hope that I was at least somewhat helpful. Behind the scenes of a TV show is an ever changing environment, with lots of movement and last minute changes.

The whole place was, to no surprise, extremely organized, with all the drawers and bins and cabinets labeled with a P-Touch as to what was inside them. Ribbons organized by colors, dinner napkins apart from lunch napkins and everywhere that could be used for practical storage was.

The day I was there the team was finishing up a long week of shooting but, though tired, were moving at full steam. They start at about 7AM and go till the work is done - the day I was there, this was at 6PM. At the end of the day the team was to change the set over from it's January theme to Valentine's Day, so there was a lot of hustle and bustle - moving clear jars to fill with pink and red and white candies, arranging jeweled crystals in little glass containers so they looked just perfect, separating colored stones - all this on top of keeping the show moving and looking just right. While I didn't get to see too much of the creative process, the development and pitching of ideas (simply because of the type of day I went in on), I did see a bit of it - and got to spend some time wandering through the aisles in the art department. Think the most organized craft supply store you have ever been in. I also was able to see the team working on some ideas to pitch to Martha for Valentine's shows.

There is so much that goes on there, and it is so varied from day to day, that one day was not really enough to see the entire creative process. And, after spending the day there, in such a bustling and creative place, I am even more determined to find that kind of work environment.

Image of Martha Stewart Living crafts room from The Martha Stewart Website

Baking: Chocolate-Orange Sugar Cookies

2010-01-20T09:07:00.000-08:00

For over a year I have been tinkering with a recipe for chocolate orange sugar cookies, inspired by the amazing chocolate tangerine cookies from Dancing Deer Bakery. I did some research on the web and came across a list of the ingredients, but no actual recipe. I've tried a few different sugar cookie recipes, tinkering with the proportions of flour and cocoa powder. I've tried adding orange zest and melted chocolate. Nothing has been quite right.

Last winter, I found this recipe, based on this recipe from a NH inn:

* 2/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
* 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
* 2 large egg whites
* 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/3 cup plus 1-1/2 tablespoons sugar
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 3/4 cup Dutch cocoa powder, sifted
* Pinch of salt

Preparation:
In an electric mixer, combine brown sugar, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, butter, and vanilla, and mix on medium-high speed until well combined. Add egg whites, and mix until combined. In a small bowl, whisk together cocoa, flour, and salt. Add to sugar and butter mixture, and mix on medium until flour is completely incorporated. Turn this mixture out onto a piece of parchment or waxed paper, and roll into a 3/4 by 8-1/2 inch log. Chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Remove paper, and slice log crosswise into 1/4-inch thick pieces. Place remaining 1-1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar in a small bowl, and dip each piece of dough in sugar, coating all sides; transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets, placing cookies 1 inch apart. Bake about 14 minutes for chewy cookies; for crisp cookies, bake 2 to 3 minutes longer. Slide the paper and cookies onto a wire rack to cool.

The cookies I made with this recipe were definitely tasty, but, to be very honest, they were pretty ugly. I took a few pics at the time, but there is no way I am posting them here.

After the success of the piparkakut that I baked for the holidays, I thought it might be fun to take the flavors of the chewy Dancing Deer cookies that I love and add the crunch of a cookie rolled incredibly thin.

So, I souped up a basic sugar cookie recipe, froze the dough, rolled it very, very, very thin and used my very cool skull&crossbones cookie cutter. I'm really pleased with the way they turned out, though perhaps next time I will make them a little fatter and see If I can get a texture a little closer to those that inspired this project in the first place.

Easy Apron

2010-01-18T09:20:00.000-08:00

This summer, dear ones, I cam across this cute fabric - pale pink polka dots and dark chocolate birds on a creamy yellow background. I bought it without knowing what I could make of it - perhaps a cute summer top? I searched for the right top inspiration, but never found it. So, I folded the fabric away, still keeping an eye out for that perfect pattern to make a summer top (for that far away day when summer returns).

When baking bread the other day, I decided I needed a new apron. I was wearing a very cute, yet utilitarian apron from Anthropologie. I like the apron I have already, but it's just kind of... blah. It's an unbleached linen with orange embroidery and trim, cute, but fairly plain. And, to be honest, sometimes a girl just wants a little flounce when she's whipping up cupcakes for a birthday or hors d'oeuvres for a dinner party or, you know, re-heating leftovers.

I went searching online and came across this 1951 pattern that was exactly what I was looking for.

one square = one inch

First, transfer the pattern. I pretty much always use pages from the Sunday New York Times when I make patterns - it's a great way to recycle - and for something I am going to make over and over and over again, it's fairly durable.

Using a ruler, make a grid pattern based on the above diagram.

Then transfer the pattern. It's really easy - that's what the grid is for! If you haven't done it before, just take a deep breath and go slow, one square at a time. This, by the way, is the most time consuming part of the whole project.

After you cut out your pattern, lay it on the fabric, something like this:

Make pleats according to the pattern - lining up circles and triangles - and baste along the top edge.

I decided to use this hot pink grosgrain around the edges. Measure about 5" up from the bottom and mark lightly with a pencil or a disappearing sewing pen and pin the ribbon (or whatever trim you decide to use) and top stitch.

Once you have the trim on, it time to pin and sew the waistband pieces. It should look something like this:

The original pattern called for a pocket, but I didn't love the way it looked when I pinned it on. It would be great to have a pocket on this cute apron, but I am really happy with the way it looks without!

The Martha Stewart Blog Show

2010-01-15T09:44:00.000-08:00

Ah, gentle readers, yesterday was a whirlwind of activity and excitement for me, culminating in my appearance on The Martha Stewart Blog Show!

It all started on Wednesday of last week when I received an e-mail from a producer of The Martha Stewart Show, saying that they had come across this little blog and wanted to speak to me about it. I'm not going to lie, just the fact that someone at Martha Stewart had come across this blog was really exciting. Since, putting it up in November, I have gotten some hits and some followers and some good words, but I didn't expect that someone from MSLO would discover it so quickly. Nor did I think that I would be asked by the producers of the television show to make an appearance- I was just happy to be in the audience!

It was just yesterday morning, but feels like a lifetime ago, so much happened!

I showed up in the morning at The Martha Stewart Show studios in Chelsea, NYC and, instead of waiting in line with the rest of the eager bloggers, I went through the glass doors on the side, where there was a name tag waiting and Allie led me through the corridors to a dressing room to wait.

I tried to be calm and collected (and think I pulled it off OK), taking a few deep yoga breaths and checking my e-mail and my Google Reader like it was just any morning, not like I was sitting in a dressing room at The Martha Stewart Show about to be on national television.

The morning went by in a flash, from speaking with the producer (big thanks to Barbara for helping me to feel together and prepared) to getting miked to being seated in the audience (in the front row), amongst other excited bloggers to the actual show itself. I was on at the very end (watch it here) and the other segments went by like they were mere seconds long.

When it was my time on camera, they showed images from my blog of cooking and sewing and crafting projects that I have done and Martha asked me questions about all of it - from the pork loin roast that my sister and I made for Christmas dinner (my first time frenching a cut of meat made it on national television!) to my little grey bag (of recycled materials) to the octopus that I made for little Maxotn (she really seemed to like that one!). She asked me why I started the blog and if I had applied for a position at the company.

I brought Martha a gift of a stuffed elephant from my Etsy shop, Les Enfants Terribles, and was super excited that she really seemed to like it. I made it for her with re-purposed (a grey wool skirt with one little moth hole, chosen because of Martha's Bedford grey house) and new (a very cool orange and cream cotton) fabric.

And, at the very end of the segment, Martha invited me to come and spend a day working with the art department of her television show!

I couldn't believe it!

I was so happy to be a part of the audience, filled with all sorts of innovative and interesting bloggers. I was beyond excited when I was told that they wanted to speak with me on camera (seriously, I screamed and jumped up and down, frightening the cat and startling my roommate). But, to be invited to spend a day working in the art department of the TV show! Oh my!

I cannot wait to go and spend a day with the art director, Anduin, and her amazing team!

I'll keep you posted!

Martha answering blogger questions after the taping

Martha's very sexy and very tall shoes

Bake For A Cause

2010-01-13T13:32:00.000-08:00

In case you hadn't figured it out by some of my previous posts, I like to bake. A lot. There's just something about the precision of measuring flower and fat and a leavening, adding just the right amount of sweetness to savory that I find extremely satisfying.

There's the added bonus that you can share the treats you made with others. Their enjoyment is even more gratifying.

Below are a couple of ways that you can bake and help out some pretty cool Brooklyn causes.

On January 23rd, enter a pie (or pay $5 admission to show up and eat) in the Third Annual Pie Contest to Benefit BK Farmyards at K&M Bar in Willamsburg. The pies will be judged by chefs Diane DiMeo (Red Box Bistro, Chopped), Seamus Mullen (Boqueria, The Next Iron Chef) and Cody Utzman (Papacitos, Brooklyn Standard, Chopped) and I will be competing. Come and vote for my tasty pecan-bourbon pie (as of today, that's what I think I'm entering) or enter one of your own!

Every Wednesday in Greenpoint, the ever-changing group of volunteers in Craig's Kitchen bakes dessert for those who are eating dinner at the Greenpoint Soup Kitchen. I've done this myself several times and am signed up for a couple of Wednesdays in February. It's a great chance to bake a yummy dessert for people who will really appreciate it!

Know of any other great ways to bake for a cause? Leave it in the comments section!

Dress Up

2010-01-12T13:35:00.000-08:00

I was given some really fun cream and pink toile by a friend who no longer had any use for it. She had originally bought it for a large project, so I came home with yards and yards of the stuff.

I had been thinking about doing some painting on printed fabric at the time and the yards of pink toile provided the perfect opportunity to experiment and see what I could make of it.

Since the toile had a fun design of children and sheep frolicking in the countryside, I went with a graphic, geometric design - to contrast with the sweetness of the color and fabric.

While I have no images of the fabric before I put it to use, here are a couple of a slim and simple pencil skirt I made from it.

The Vanity Fair Proust Questionnaire

2010-01-12T07:55:00.000-08:00

I found this Proust Questionnaire in Vanity Fair, from November of last year.

I think my favorite line is the last: When you are through changing, you are through.

Martha Stewart
The domestic-goddess-cum-business-guru has spent decades building her multi-million-dollar company while advising audiences on how to flambé the perfect Baked Alaska. Here, the author of this month’s Martha Stewart’s Dinner at Home dwells on indecision, García Márquez, and family.

Illustration by Risko
November 2009

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A verdant landscape filled with beautiful animals of all kinds, harp music, cumulus clouds in a bright-blue sky, and happy people conversing pleasantly, sipping cold sake from homemade bamboo cups.What is your greatest fear?I’m a very fearless person.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Any type of indecision.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Indecision and wishy-washiness.
Which living person do you most admire?
I know too many really good people to choose just one person—and that is not indecision.
What is your greatest extravagance?
A car and driver.
What is your current state of mind?
Mildly optimistic.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
High intelligence mixed with graciousness.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Outspoken creativity.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
I try not to overuse any words or phrases.
When and where were you happiest?
Right now, in the present. I have a short memory.
Who are your favorite writers?
I have too many.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Gabriel García Márquez’s original use of language.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
I have so many heroes in real life.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Seeing the success of others whom I’ve worked with or mentored.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Being a teacher to millions of people.
Where would you like to live?
Where I live now (Bedford, New York).
What is your most treasured possession?
I don’t have any inanimate possessions that I couldn’t live without.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
I do not focus on misery unless it has to do with unkind and unfair treatment of humans, animals, or the environment by others.
What do you most value in your friends?
Genuine concern.
What are your favorite names?
Luke, Rufus, Ethan, and Alexis.
What is it that you most dislike?
Neglect, slovenliness, and cruelty in any form.
What is your greatest regret?
Not having a dozen offspring.
How would you like to die?
Painlessly.
What is your motto?
“When you are through changing, you are through.”

Cupcakes

2010-01-11T18:25:00.000-08:00

photo of my cremesicle cupcakes from the Brooklyn Kitchen Cupcake challenge by Cathy Erway, Not Eating Out In New York

One of my favorite things to bake is cupcakes. Everyone loves cupcakes and, seriously, they are perfect for nearly every occasion.

For the past few years I have been making cupcakes based on Amy Sedaris' recipe in I Like You - with a few of my own special additions.

Here is her recipe for pretty basic, always tasty, vanilla cupcakes:

1 ½ sticks of unsalted butter
1 ¾ cups of sugar

Beat well, then add:

Add 2 large eggs
2 Teaspoons of pure vanilla
½ teaspoon of salt
2 ½ teaspoons of baking powder
2 ½ cups of flour
1 ¼ cups of milk

Beat well, fill cups, and bake at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes. You should get 24. I get 18, 'cause I'm doing something wrong.

I love this for a basic recipe - I've added orange oil in addition to the vanilla to make a Cremesicle taste, I've added cocoa powder to make them chocolaty. I almost always make them mini - I have found that a gal who "couldn't possibly" eat a regular size cupcake will often eat three or four of the small ones. Calories count less in small doses, I suppose? The possibilities are really endless.

You can read her recipe a for butter cream frosting here. Me? I make a frosting with Mascarpone cheese, a little heavy cream and a couple of secret ingredients.

I know cupcakes are totally hip and trendy these days - there are bakeries dedicated solely to them and Martha did a show (OK, a whole week!) all about them. But why spend $4 and up on one little cupcake when you can have the fun and satisfaction of making your own - any way you want?

Fun With Photoshop

2010-01-02T15:34:00.000-08:00

Photos taken with Vignette software for Google MyTouch, on Wintry setting, while walking through a snowstorm in NH, Christmas, 2009.

Handmade Holiday

2009-12-28T20:08:00.000-08:00

The past few weeks have been a hectic whirlwind of holiday preparations and parties and the holidays themselves. This year, I wanted to approach the holidays with the mantra, local and handmade. Some things I made myself, some things were made by others and still more things were purchased locally. My family - really the only people I purchase Christmas gifts for these days - are pretty easy and most of their gifts came from great North Brooklyn shops like Word, Catbird and Houndstooth.

The rest of my holiday was handmade. A few images:

glitter covered snowflakes for holiday cards

piparkakut in the oven

piparkakut cut out and waiting to be sprinkled with sugar and put in the oven -

pigs and squirrels (I also made seahorses and skull&crossbones)

Swarovski crystal and felt bib necklace

stuffed pork loin roast for Christmas dinner

(I know it could've been prettier, but I had never frenched a roast before)

a row of Les Enfants Terribles elephants to fill holiday orders

Craft-acular

2009-12-03T09:22:00.000-08:00

This Saturday, dear ones, Martha Stewart is hosting her holiday craft fair in NYC. I'm remiss that I will have to miss it, as I already have too many plans for that afternoon - but I recommend that you go and check out the crafts (many of them by people who work for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia) - and hey, if you happen to be chatting with them, tell them about my little blog!

I love the idea of craft fairs before the holidays - it seems to me, however, that most of the craft fairs around these days are chock-full of silk-screened T-shirts and tote bags. Now, don't get me wrong, I like a good graphic and a girl needs a lot of fun Ts and totes, but there is so much more to crafting!

As I have been unemployed for a year (or so) now, I am trying to figure out the best way to keep my holiday spending at a minimum. I know that no one is expecting anything expensive or fancy from me this year, but I love the art of giving - picking out a gift for someone that is thoughtful and all about them. Something that they might not think to get themselves or something they really admire. I am lucky to have friends and family who also love the art of the gift - some of the nicest presents I have ever received were found objects from flea markets or old framed photos of us together. These things need not cost a lot, but they mean so much. The gift really is in the thought (the actual thought) that goes into it.

So, this year, I will be taking a cue from Martha and making as many gifts as possible. I will be making my Christmas cards (I send them out every year). Also, to raise a little cash for the Holidays, I have been taking orders for my little stuffed animals - you can look and buy on my Etsy shop - or, if you're in the 'hood, message me directly. Today is a gorgeous and unseasonably warm day here in Brooklyn, so I'm going to take a walk to the little Greenpoint yarn store and see what they have and get a little inspiration for my holiday crafting.

And if you are in the area, next weekend is the Greenpoint Hearts and Crafts Affair at Cafe Grumpy. It's been going strong since 2006 and I coan only imagine that it will be better than ever this year. Stop on by and check it out and by some unique presents for the people on your shopping list!

Kitchen

2009-11-27T09:34:00.000-08:00

Once again this year, Tina, Sarah and I cooked a Thanksgiving feast. Last year we cooked for 16 people (!). This year was smaller - just four good friends, with beautiful food and wine - but no less fun. Tina did the turkey and a delicious British sausage stuffing, yummy Brussel sprouts (with bacon) and the pan gravy (and was a gracious hostess). Sarah brought the all-American nostalgia with a classic green bean casserole and an apple-blackberry pie made by a friend of hers. And, gentle readers, I was charged with cranberry sauce, rolls and a pecan-bourbon pie. I had made some cookies earlier in the week and took some of the remaining to share (and for my friends to take home with them for later in the week).

cheddar-herb poppers (recipe via the November issue of Bon Appetite) baking in the oven on Wednesday night

red wine, sugar and pomegranate syrup reducing for the cranberry sauce

a close-up of the pecan-bourbon pie, straight out of the oven

the brussel sprouts washed and waiting to be blanched and then a quick saute with bacon

bacon food porn

stuffing, brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes by Mark and cranberry-pomegranate sauce with a red wine reduction (I made that!)

slices of delicious turkey and a mug full of gravy

a close up of the top crust of the yummy blackberry-apple pie made by Sarah's friend, beautiful and yummy!

and, of course, lots of Cote de Rhone was our beverage of choice

I hope all of you had as beautiful and enjoyable a Thanksgiving feast and day as I did this year.

Stitches/Craft

2009-11-24T10:39:00.000-08:00

I made this little octopus (it's yet to be mailed) for my dear friends Jen & Tony's newborn son, Maxton. On my Etsy site, you can see a different octopus I had made - I think it's cute, but it didn't come out exactly how I was imagining. For Maxton's new friend, I enlarged the pattern a bit and made the tentacles a bit fatter. I also decided on closed eyes - I think it's a softer, perfect for a newborn.

Design

2009-11-23T14:27:00.000-08:00

©Briana Campbell, 2009

For a recent project in my textile design class at FIT we had to make a croquis (a tossed design), keeping in mind the fabric's use. I drew, using Photoshop, these vintage-inspired bicycles and scattered them over the page, on a soft green background. I envision this pattern being used on a mini-dress (think something like this from APC).

The next assignment, due tomorrow!, is to index the colors and re-color the pattern two different ways from a previously determined color palette. I love the idea of getting an entirely different feel from a pattern using only a subtle change of color.

Hire Me Martha

2009-11-23T09:56:00.000-08:00

Gentle readers, your MatchGirl has been alerted to the job she must have at Martha Stewart Omnimedia. Associate Designer, Crafts. How very amazing would that be for a crafty girl like myself? To make crafts, to come up with ideas, to organize the intense library that already exists at MSO... That is something that I would love doing every day. Absolutely love! It was posted a month ago, so the likelihood of me getting this job is pretty slim, I'm sure (and I'm not sure any of the other jobs listed on the Martha Stewart website are quite right for me at this precise moment). But, let's take a look at the description and I'll let you all know why I would be an amazing fit for this job.

Associate Designer, Crafts
Posting Date: 10/15/2009
Type: Full-Time
Description: Assist in the development of thematic concepts, color palettes, style guides, create original artwork, and generate applicable product suggestions utilizing our design resources, archives, market research, editorial, and television content.

Assist in the development of Crafts / Weddings / Celebrations / Stationary products. Design select artwork, products, and create initial samples.

I can totally do this. As readers of my blog know, your MatchGirl is quite the crafty girl. In addition to my Etsy shop, I have a degree in Fine Arts and am currently taking classes in textile design at FIT. I've been making things my whole life. I've woven baskets, sewn everything from doll clothes to my clothes to stuffed animals. I'm a whiz with a paintbrush and pencil, I've silk screened, made paper, bound books and made masks for a black and white ball.

Manage the artwork library and leverage it for different product types and businesses.

Organize all design components to hand off to partners. Assist in the communication regarding product specifications with partners up to the final sample approval. Keep designers, merchants, and product mangers updated in all communications. Create and maintain formalized record of designs, design revisions, correspondence, and approvals. Maintain product communication consistent with current department standards.

Research trade shows, antique shows, and retail stores for inspiration and to keep abreast of craft trends and competitive landscape. Purchase market samples as reference.

Collaborate with brand management in the development of packaging and collateral. Confirm all details of the products and projects are accurate.

Maintain library of all MSO publications, artwork, and inspiration tear sheets.

Develop a strong sense of Martha Stewart design aesthetic throughout the design of all merchandise. Stay informed of the latest editorial and television content through appropriate channels. Use inspiration to create viable product suggestions where appropriate. Research and develop new ideas that will in turn inspire editorial and television.

In my last position, as the operations manager for a start-up cosmetics company/photo studio/event space (Think on the Smashbox model), I wore the mantle of manager of several businesses, all running under one roof. I believe that my former employer would say that I handled this with an enormous sense of organization, style and grace under pressure. When one is in a management position at a start-up, gentle readers, the ability to know where everything is, how everything works and what everyone else is supposed to be doing (and whether they are doing it or not!) is a great asset.

In my apartment, the books on the shelf are divided in categories (fiction, art books, cooking books, etc...) and in alphabetical and chronological order by author. The same for the CDs on my CD shelf. The clothes in my drawers are neatly folded, with everything at my fingertips and my closet is hung by category. Lest you think I'm a little OCD, I'm not. I'm not going to have a melt down if something is out of place. I'm simply organized. And, I've found that it's a lot easier to get things done quickly and well if you're organized to start.

So, even though the job was posted about a month ago, dear ones, your MatchGirl is going to give it a go - use her networking and her resources and see if she can't get herself this job (or one a lot like it)! Wish me luck!

I Like You

2009-11-21T10:33:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite clips from the Martha Stewart Show. New York's domestic diva and funny woman Amy Sedaris (another of my favorite ladies) shows Martha how to make a cake from her very amazing and, quite frankly, indispensable, book on hostessing, I Like You.

Hire Me Martha

2009-11-16T10:35:00.000-08:00

Ah, gentle readers, as many of you know, your MatchGirl adores Martha Stewart. I've written about it here before. And last week, thanks to one of our fellow unemployeds (yay, Tony!), your MatchGirl had the opportunity to attend the taping of Martha's Brooklyn show (which you can watch here, if you missed it!).

The studio was totally big and beautiful, with a huge kitchen area, crafting area and humongous "greenhouse" looking section where she films her outdoor and gardening segments. Thanks to, I dunno, sheer luck, we were seated in the front row and had a prime view of Martha and her guests (and, of course, Joey, her warm-up guy). Martha was everything I had hoped she would be - please no jokes about insider trading or that you know she's difficult - she was totally self-deprecating and professional (and, once or twice, funny).

It was an amazing day. Who cares that I had to get up when it was still dark outside! It was so worth it! Beyond worth it.

As many of you know, I want to work for Martha.

So, dear ones, I have decided that I am going to launch a campaign, via this little blog, to get hired by Martha Stewart. Once a week I will write a post about how much I want to work for Martha and the reasons that she should hire me. Maybe someone who works for her will see it. Maybe not. But when I think about my job hunt - and where the past year has taken me, and the kind of job that I'd like to do on a regular basis - every day - I want to be doing things that I enjoy. I want to be able to work in a creative environment and get to be creative and to be surrounded by creative people. I want to work somewhere where creativity and a passion for all things creative (crafts, arts, sewing, baking cooking, gardening) is the status quo. And that's hard to find, even in New York.

Many of you have messaged me or e-mailed me to attempt to get me a connection at her company, and I really appreciate it. Many of you have said that she is a bitch, but the simple fact of the matter is that I've worked for a bunch of real tough people, and taken a lot of crap, and not one of them was as successful (or had really any excuse for being so rude, except that power had gone to their heads) as Martha Stewart. And, a few of you have said that she has a hiring freeze (which is probably very true - so many places do!), but that can't last forever, can it?

I'm a great manager and would happily take an administrative position somewhere in her company. Anything. A foot in the door is all I am asking for - it's the hardest thing, of course - but it's all I need. Once I'm in... Martha will see how much of an asset I can be to Martha Stewart Omnimedia. Seriously. Just leave it to me.

So, hire me Martha!

Dream Job?

2009-10-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

Ah, my lovelies, your MatchGirl has been looking for a job for a long time now. Your MatchGirl is frustrated. Your MatchGirl has felt all over the place. Especially as the year of unemployment looms and I feel as though I should just take anything that comes my way.

But here's the thing, gentle readers, I don't want to have to take just anything that comes my way. I want something that I am good at and that I am interested in and that I'll want to do for a while. At the end of the day, I want to work for Martha Stewart.

There. I said it. I want to work for Martha. She does all the things that I enjoy - baking, crafting, sewing. She gardens - I hardly ever kill the plants in my apartment. I think it could be amazing.

I started my classes at FIT because I'd like to go into Textile Design, and, while I am learning a lot, I'm not really sure the next step in this journey. I love what I have learned so far. I think I am pretty good at it and with a little practice I will be a lot better at it (but isn't that how everything works?). I suppose I should figure out how to get something entry level, but I am not sure where to begin.

When I think about working for Martha, I think about how diverse her creativity is - how many types of crafts and sewing and baking and cooking projects that she offers to her readers and her viewers. And I think about how great it would be, how fun, to spend your day not only perfecting projects, but coming up with new ones or tweaking old ones so they are modern. How great would it be to break a project down to it's barest parts and then teach it to someone - someone who thinks they're no good at stitching or baking or papier-mâché - and have them do it almost as good as Martha? (I mean, let's face it, no one is as good as Martha).

So. There it is. I want to work for Martha.
Who's going to hook me up with an interview?

FUNemployment

2009-09-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

As you know, my gentle readers, your MatchGirl has been trying to hone her skills while unemployed. A career change is the long term goal, but more skills for my current one is an added benefit.

In the class I am currently taking at FIT, we are learning some pretty basic Photoshop with CS4. Our current assignment, due tonight, was simply to free-hand some abstract designs, which is kind of fun and also reminds me of the stuff that my sister and I used to do on McDraw and MacPaint on our first family computer (a little Macintosh SE) back in the mid 80s.

Here's one I did based on some fabric I had hand-painted to make a bag from:

And here's the fabric I hand-painted that inspired it:

And here's a photo of my LA friend J and me, by my dear friend Violet Shuraka, after a rehearsal dinner in Boston on 11 September, with the cute bag tucked under my arm:

FUNemployment

2009-07-13T15:28:00.000-07:00

Above are a couple of little stuffed elephants I have made for some babies I know. After the first one was a big hit, and some interest was shown, I've decided to try my hand at selling them on Etsy.

Keep an eye on LesEnfantsTerribles.etsy.com for a whole slew of crafty prezzies for the kids in your life ... and probably some grown up stuff, too!

xo

Cupcake Cookoff Images and Links

2009-05-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

As promised, here are some photos from Monday night's cookoff at Union Pool.

cupcakes near mine - the s'mores won honorable mention in the decoration part of the competition

more competition

my entry in the foreground

pre-competition in my kitchen

And a link from Not Eating Out In New York with her recipe and some photos of cakes she found appealing - the second one down is mine!

The winner's boyfriend donated $200 (bought 200 votes) to the Greenpoint Soup Kitchen - which, as stated previously is a really good cause! Good for him!

I would post the recipe if there was any interest, but perhaps I should keep it to myself and just keep wowing the crowds?

FUNemployment

2009-04-09T18:40:00.000-07:00

A little bag, of re-purposed vinyl, I whipped up last Friday. A rainy day is great for projects!

The hot-pink cotton lining of the bag ...

FUNemployment

2009-03-29T10:33:00.000-07:00

I mentioned in a previous post that I was attempting to make good use of my days. That I would be doing some crafty projects and that I would be trying to take some classes.

I'm looking at the FIT class schedule for the summer and the class I really want to take is not being offered. There are a couple that look interesting, informative and might be useful in the long run, but not that give me the skills that I am looking for right now. If I had a job, and an income, I might think about taking one of these classes. They're not crazy expensive, but, every penny counts these days and I think I will wait for the fall semester to take another class - one that will help me build a portfolio and move on. In the meantime, perhaps I can find a copy of AI and try to hone my skills over the summer so that I'm the star if the class in the fall ...

Anyway - I've put up a few posts called "Walkabout", which are just photos I've taken while walking around. I'll keep doing those from time to time. And I will also keep posting these, "FUNemployment" (thanks to my friend Eric for the title), which will be pix of projects I've worked on and probably some rambling about them.

Below are a couple of photos of a jacket that I made. The pattern is a Built By Wendy for Simplicity pattern (there are loads and you can find them online here, at either of the Built By Wendy store in NY and probably where other patterns are sold). The fabric is a really dark denim with a sheer(ish) cotton lining. I'm psyched to have it finished in time for the spring weather.

Objective

2009-01-12T11:50:00.000-08:00

What is the purpose of Hire Me Martha?

The objective of Hire Me Martha is to get a job working at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Ultimately, I want to work in the crafts department, either on the television show or as part of her magazine. It would be a dream to go to work every day and research and devise crafts, tweaking them until they were perfect and then figuring out the best way to teach the technique to others.

Why a blog trying to get a job?

Many have asked why I started a blog as part of my quest for a job with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Why not just apply, like everybody else?

Because I am not like everybody else.

I have submitted my resume through the regular channels. I have applied through the career section of the Martha Stewart Website. I have given my resume to friends who have connections at MSLO to pass along. I have asked people if they know anyone or of anything. I've reached out through Twitter and Facebook. My resume is, simply put, with a lot of people.

A blog, though, with the dedicated purpose of working for Martha Stewart sets me apart. It's proactive. It shows the best of me and my skills and talents.

Links

2009-01-09T20:59:00.000-08:00

Inspirations, Ideas, Innovation

Live

Martha Stewart

Real Simple

Design*Sponge

Decor8

Sit and Read

Create

Etsy

ReadyMade

Burda Style

Colette Patterns

Repro Depot

Lotta Jansdotter

Spacecraft

Cut Out And Keep

Craftster

The Fixer Collective

Crafty Crafty

The Church of Craft

Eat

Food Curated

Greenpoint Food Market

The Sporkful

The Brooklyn Kitchen

The Brooklyn Standard

Not Eating Out In New York

Brooklyn EAT Your Heart Out

The Sunday Night Dinner

Thursday Night Smackdown

Bakespace

Bon Appétit

Epicurious

Mark Bittman

Anthony Bourdain

Michael Ruhlman

Les Enfants Terribles

2009-01-09T18:44:00.000-08:00

As seen on The Martha Stewart Show

My Etsy shop started with one little stuffed elephant, made for my friend Dash on his first birthday.

I've since added a mouse, an octupus and a shark, with plans for more additions to the menagerie in 2010 - a lion, a squirrel and a seahorse are all in the works.

I plan on adding some fun stuff for grown-ups - so keep an eye out for that as well!

Images of some of my creatures:

About Me

2009-01-09T16:45:00.000-08:00

After being laid off at the end of 2008, I started the blog Unemployed Brooklyn under the pseudonym of MatchGirl as a forum to write about my life as an unemployed and single girl in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

During my unemployment, I have spent a lot of time thinking about the kinds of jobs I have had and the kind of job I would like to have. I came to the realization that my supreme organizational skills, combined with a love of what was once labeled "homemaking", would make me a perfect addition to the team at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.

While I've made good use of all my extra "free" time, from organizing happy hours for her fellow unemployed in North Brooklyn - to create a sense of camaraderie and support to those in the same situation to taking classes at FIT, it is when sewing, baking and crafting and creating stuffed animal designs for my Etsy shop that I find myself the most fulfilled and accomplished.

Ultimately, I would love to work in the craft department of either the magazine or the television show - researching and developing crafts. Playing with fabric and glitter and paper every day to figure out the best and most interesting way to teach others how to make something would be the best job I could imagine.

That is how, and why, Hire Me Martha was born.

View resumé and read recommendations from former colleagues on LinkedIn.

Hire Me Martha

DIY Inspiration: Vintage Handkercheif Aprons

Wine Corks Into Cork Board

DIY Inspiration: Books As Planters

Amy Sedaris Was A Girl Scout

Design: Patterns, Motifs and Turning Squares

DIY Inspiration: Terrariums

Upcycled Undies

Design: Chairs

Dinner For Two: Spicy Chocolate Tart

Blog DIY Inspiration: Colette Patterns

Papercraft

Be Mine

Umbrella Tote Bag

My Day At Martha Stewart

Baking: Chocolate-Orange Sugar Cookies

Easy Apron

The Martha Stewart Blog Show

Bake For A Cause

Dress Up

The Vanity Fair Proust Questionnaire

Martha Stewart

The domestic-goddess-cum-business-guru has spent decades building her multi-million-dollar company while advising audiences on how to flambé the perfect Baked Alaska. Here, the author of this month’s Martha Stewart’s Dinner at Home dwells on indecision, García Márquez, and family.

Illustration by Risko November 2009

Cupcakes

Fun With Photoshop

Handmade Holiday

Craft-acular

Kitchen

Stitches/Craft

Design

Hire Me Martha

I Like You

Hire Me Martha

Dream Job?

FUNemployment

FUNemployment

Cupcake Cookoff Images and Links

FUNemployment

FUNemployment

Objective

Links

Les Enfants Terribles

About Me

Illustration by Risko
November 2009