The English major in me loves the concept of a front porch. The humble front porch serves as a threshold between one’s public and private lives: it mitigates the cold world outside and preserves the intimacy of a personal space. (English majors love fruitless discussions that pull together little bits of brilliance to coin a … Continue reading Cead Mile Failte
Summer always hands me many of my year’s favorite moments. Watering my garden at dusk (and actually enjoying the flowers!), baseball games, garage sales, watching the kids bike up and down the sidewalk: summers are so idyllic. And one of my all-time favorite summer events is a laid-back happy hour with homemade Margaritas and great … Continue reading La Fiesta de Santa Margarita
The always-eloquent Ke$ha (no she’s not, I was being facetious) talks about a boy’s love-drug as “a sick obsession” – (she’s seeing it in her dreams!). I’m a little more grown up than Ke$ha and I’m happy to be done with adolescent crazycrushes. Now that I’ve grown past those fixations, I find myself with a little bit … Continue reading I ♥ Lanterns
Sometimes when people learn that I make things, I get the question: “Oh! Do you scrapbook?” And then I have to dash the perfect image they have of me and say, “No. Actually that’s one of the few things I don’t do.” The converstaion usually ends shortly after. “But I love paper!” I shout after … Continue reading Pleated Paper Medallion Tutorial
Our family took a short trip to Wisconsin this weekend: visited with family and had some nice downtime. It’s funny how refreshing it is to spend a day without the option of throwing a quick load of laundry in the dryer or picking up crap as I walk from room to room. I went to a very cool … Continue reading A Weekend in the Country
In an 18-hour day trip with my girl Nicole, I hit the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee yesterday. After looking forward to it for months, I have to say: it was pretty wonderful. Bead shopping weakness: aqua blue and carnelian red. I have a certain aesthetic. I think Nicole called it, “boring.” Best vendors: while I … Continue reading Bead Show 2010
I know it may seem silly to some, but sometimes little shots of style can transcend a daily task for me. Of all the little chores I do in a day, it’s a resheshing break to encounter beauty. This is a simple and pretty idea that elevates my linen closet into a space I don’t mind … Continue reading Soap Jar
This project is a great way to turn the illustrated pages of a cool book into a fabulously unique decoration. Great for children’s books, field guides (“Shells of the Florida Keys”), and vintage travel guides. Materials: cookbook or illustrated book, cord, sewing machine, thread, exact-o knife, cutting mat, quilting ruler. 1. After deciding on … Continue reading Chinese Cookbook Garland Tutorial
In my town, we have a large and diverse international community thanks to a major university just down the street. So for a smallish city in east central Illinois, we have tons of great restaurants, grocery stores, import shops and the sweetest garage sales ever. I love finding a foreign grad student’s garage sale where they’re … Continue reading Great Finds
Welcome to my blog, Handmade by Anne Potter! I have a passion for making all things wonderful out of recycled and interesting materials. I love to knit, quilt, sew and make jewelry, but I’m always excited to try new techniques. Here I’ll share great projects, updates and cool ideas. Thanks for dropping in. Continue reading Welcome!
Handmade by Anne Potter 