Author Archives: mariko

a butt warmer to welcome 2009

Posted on December 31, 2008 by mariko

Hiya! Hope everyone’s holidays have been going well. I’ve kind of been on vacation, but I have been home (and wishing I were at a tropical resort), and it seems like I am getting just as little done as always. … Continue reading →

Posted in sewing | 25 Comments

caramel delight

Posted on December 23, 2008 by mariko

I made this caramel last week or so, planning to give away jars of it for the holidays, but nearly all of the jars are still sitting in my fridge, because I am TRAPPED by the snow! It’s okay, though, … Continue reading →

Posted in candy/chocolate | 10 Comments

snowmageddon 2008

Posted on December 20, 2008 by mariko

We are having a major “weather event” here in the Pacific NW, which has been pretty exciting (it’s probably nothing compared to what the rest of the nation usually experiences, but we Oregonians are an enthusiastic bunch). Right now it … Continue reading →

Posted in baking | 11 Comments

it’s holiday cookie season

Posted on December 16, 2008 by mariko

I am a huge fan of the holiday cookie exchange. Some year I’d like to host a citywide cookie exchange. Wouldn’t that be fun? Or not. Anyway, I usually experiment with new recipes for the cookie exchanges. I don’t know … Continue reading →

Posted in baking | 15 Comments

copycat top

Posted on December 14, 2008 by mariko

Melissa and I took a patternmaking class at Portland Community College this semester, and one of the assignments was to find a top in a magazine and try to copy it by manipulating the darts on the bodice sloper. I … Continue reading →

Posted in sewing | 17 Comments

didn’t this used to be a mostly knitting blog?

Posted on December 11, 2008 by mariko

I don’t even want to say how long it took me to knit this dang sweater. I think I started it a year and a half ago or something ridiculous like that. I just lost my knitting mojo for a … Continue reading →

Posted in knitting | 22 Comments

we have a winner

Posted on December 7, 2008 by mariko

Hey everyone! We have a winner! The winner is Shelley, and she will receive the Ecojot 100% Recycled, Post Consumer Waste Insanely Adorable Notebook Set from the kind and generous folks at delight.com! Thanks to everyone for playing, and I … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 6 Comments

Contest Time!

Posted on December 1, 2008 by mariko

I am a total sucker for contests. I always enter contests and sweepstakes and raffles and what have you. Some of my friends may laugh, but hello, you must play to win, and in the past I have won some … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 243 Comments

kaffee klatsch

Posted on November 21, 2008 by mariko

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we take our coffee quite seriously. People really, really like their coffee. I myself am very fond of coffee. I wouldn’t say I am fanatical or super snotty about it, but I do view non-coffee … Continue reading →

Posted in food | 23 Comments

japanese pens from … japan!

Posted on November 19, 2008 by mariko

My brother got back from Japan a couple weeks ago, and he brought me a bunch of pens! Now, I did send him off with a rather detailed list of pens, but I supplied him with the list because I … Continue reading →

Posted in office supplies | 18 Comments