Fool's Gold Throw Pillows

A few weeks ago while rummaging through the remnants section of JoAnn Fabrics, I found a beautiful length of chocolate brown and metallic gold with red accents. The pattern was like a '60s mod version of the Eye of Sauron. I was sold.

As fate would have it, this weekend I found two matching pillow forms buried in the As-Is section of Ikea. One was looking pretty junky covered in fuzz, but for five shiny quarters each I could learn to get past the weird look. "I will slipcover this in my awesome fabric!" Once again, I was sold.

The problem — my yard long section was not quite wide enough to cover both sides of the 18 inch pillow forms. I was pouting; then I took advantage of my secret weapon. Having a seamstress as a mom means having a guest room converted to a fabric and vintage clothes storage room. It took about five minutes to find a matching chocolate brown corduroy with alternating thick and thin railing. It had just a hint of sheen.

Now, for construction! Cutting the 19 inch square was super easy. I did almost pin the pieces together backwards. Pillows must always have right sides facing each other! However, no amount of pinning will prevent corduroy from "walking." It sort of squishes under the foot of the sewing machine and loses the perfect symmetry you worked for. Solution? Tiny tucks as you go along will account for the walking. When you see a bubble, press down on both sides as it approaches the foot so that it makes a little fold.

Here's a little more unsolicited advice for throw pillow construction. At the corners, make two or three stitches on a diagonal before continuing along to the other side. Also, never underestimate the needed size for stuffing your pillow into the case. I did and ended up ripping up the seams. This proved that the whole backstitch over your starting stitches around the opening thing is pretty useless. As long as you are a decent hand stitcher after the fact, you'll be totally fine. Here's your proof.

Doesn't it work to perfection with my headboard?

Am I Green Thumb or All Thumbs?

Guard your gardens, world. I'm preparing to document my pitiful attempt at cultivating life. Yesterday I bought my first seed packages and today I planted my babies in their starter pots. I chose the plants I consider most useful to the kitchen: red currant tomatoes and basil genovese.

Since the first hours yield nothing more to photograph than dirt, I've decided to only post pictures pending my success next week. Until then, I leave you with this little factoid — basil is actually a member of the mint family. See? Already a more knowledgeable gardener.

The Fool's Gold Headboard

Looked through a furniture catalogue lately? As you daydream about how much better your life would be with an overstuffed armchair or the perfect coffee table to accent your area rug, you catch the price tag at the end of the caption. You would end up a very comfortable homeless person.

I decided to end the madness. I followed through on a threat I've been invoking for months, perhaps you can relate, and I made it myself.

That gorgeous tufted headboard cost less than $100 in materials and required about 16 hours of labor- not including time spent shopping.

Yes, the suede back colored like red wine with copper flower buttons and a scrolling camel back top is actually cheap plywood, some warped 1x4s and sale foam padding. Lucky for me, my parents have a mini workshop set up in the garage. Every tool I required was at the ready. I got to use the circular saw, compound miter saw, skil saw, power drill, staple gun and even an electric knife from the '70s usually meant to carve turkey.

If you're looking to create your own luxurious bedroom furniture, please take my advice and wait until there's a sale at your local craft store. Unless you have eight feet of high density foam just lying around, it will be the most expensive purchase of your shopping list. Seriously, I got it for half off and it still cost $53. I had to wait at Joann's for an hour to get my piece cut on sale day, but it was worth it to stay on budget.

The real trick is to assess what you have and what you want to accomplish and create a sensible compromise. I wanted my headboard to be huge. However, I'm no skilled woodworker and plywood sheets are sold in 4' x 8' sheets. On top of that, foam is only 2' x 8' so somehow my high school geometry had to help me figure out how to maximize size. I chose to trim both sheets to six feet long. I discarded the plywood remnant, but used the remainder of the foam to build on the existing sheet to make it appear more dramatic. The arch in the center is only a foot high, but with the scrolling edges I made from foam scraps it appears larger.

Upholstery totally threw me for a loop on this project. I've never actually constructed furniture beyond woodshop in seventh grade. Lucky for me again, my mom has a degree in textiles and knows how to upholster. She had the right thread, a big bunting needle and technique that I can't rightly describe.

Now this girl's blog does an excellent job of breaking down upholstery so check out Centsational girl if you're seriously considering finally making the damn thing yourself.

I went to the Drag Show

The third annual Drag Show presented by QTIP at San Jose State's Morris Daily auditorium might have been one of the greatest school events I've ever seen.

First of all, the crowd was great. It filled the seats of the large auditorium easily with, well, everyone. There was a $2 discount to admission for anyone who defied gender roles and showed up as the opposite sex. So girls and boys and boys looking like girls and girls looking like boys took over SJSU's oldest building. I did my best to earn my discount, but apparently failed. I was forced to draw a mustache if I wanted to keep my extra dollars.

The lobby was packed with chatty performers, admiring guests, tables of free condoms from the health center and a few uncomfortable San Jose policemen. They must have been unsure of their role there, since no protesters were to be found and most attendees overall were just happy to support the cause, not cause a scene.

For anyone who hasn't witnessed a drag performance for themselves or seen it on TV, it's all about the costume, the dancing and the lip sync. That meant a lot of Beyonce and Lady Gaga wanna-bes whipping their wig around stage. Also, a little Broadway thrown in there for good measure.

The stars of the show were saved for the second half after intermission. That's where the kimono with fluttering six-foot long satin wings and the cart wheels into splits came out. But no matter the performer, good or bad (and believe me, there was bad. White girls and afros don't mix) the crowd was screaming for them. They were clapping and cheering them on.

This drag show wasn't just about the drag. It definitely wasn't about race cars either, as my friend attempted to convince her poor boyfriend. It was about being comfortable with your body and expressing yourself beyond the binary gender system. It was fun. It was empowering. And as Rupaul said "If you can't love yourself, how the f*** are you gonna love somebody else?"

The No 'Poo Experiment

In my adventures across the internet, I've come across some crazy organic ideas. Sometimes the hassle and cost of adding organic elements to my college student life is too much to muster. However, the idea of never buying shampoo again is something I can get on board with.

According to my research, shampoo contains chemicals that strip hair of natural oils. These oils are necessary for healthy hair, so your coiffe begins to overcompensate. You probably begin to use harsher shampoos to combat the oil and the whole cycle continues.

Apparently there is a two week interim period for your hair to regulate oil levels. That's a bit too long for me to function in public without up to snuff hair. I got the head of hair that makes the stylists on prom night go "You want curls? Um, can I get some help over here?" So I found a baking soda shampoo substitute to help me out.

My first use came last night, right after I buzzed off my boyfriend's hair in a fitting symmetry that virtually negates his need for shampoo as well. The baking soda recipe was watery and hard to control. Luckily, it won't burn your eyes like regular shampoo. It does taste rather salty though.

Morning one, my hair seems tolerable. I'll pass judgment after I try to style this thing.

Copy Edit the World

The lead sentence of this article on DoubleX misspells "twentysomethings" as "twnetysomethings."
It's one the featured articles too!

Fair Share for Fair Tuition at SJSU

Fair was the key word as students and faculty gathered to raise awareness about budget cuts in the California State Education system Monday afternoon at the University Room.

The Faculty Association sponsored the meet and greet with the later rally as part of Democratic majority leader Senator Alberto Torrico’s campaign to pass Assembly Bill 656, also known as Fair Share for Fair Tuition.

The bill would put a 9.9% tax oil companies who draw from California’s oil, raising $1 billion dedicated to education.

California is the only state not taxing oil companies.

University of Texas system has been funded by oil companies for years and Alaska has a 25% tax in place.

San Jose State University has a $44 million budget deficit this year that is expected to get worse next year.

Student fees increased 30% this fall and faculty took a 10% pay cut by way of furlough days, where classes are cancelled and teachers are forbidden from touching their work.

“I’m getting paid 10% less to teach you the same curriculum in less time,” said Edward Collins, a part-time geography lecturer.

Torrico spoke shortly about creating grassroots support to help the bill succeed through the Fair Share for Fair Tuition Facebook page and by sending cards to Governor Schwarzenegger.

He also visited California State University East Bay earlier that morning and would be visiting six more schools by the end of the week to spread the word of his bill.

“California is spending more money on prisons that education.” Torrico said. “This has got to change.”