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5 Seriously Good Productivity Tips that Aren't Just About Getting More Stuff Done

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I'm not a multitasker. At least, I shouldn't be. And when I am, I'm not at my best. I won't go into a whole thing about the distractions of the internet and multiple browser tabs and social media and our whole plugged-in life; you've read those articles, and you believe them, or you don't. 

These aren't ideas to get more stuff done. They're ideas to get good stuff done, and get it done more quickly and with less stress. If that frees up time for you to try more things, that's great. If it only helps you meet your goals without feeling insane, that's good enough.   

1. Stop Treating Your Inbox Like Your To-Do List: Your email inbox should not be a list of the things that you're currently dealing with. It should be one of the things that you deal with at some point in the day.

See, when the server pushes through and we get a new set of emails and immediately respond, our brain gets tricked into thinking we're being productive. Dealing with those unread mails might feel like you're actually removing things from your to-do list, Pavlov's dogs-style, but the truth is, once it's dealt with, you're still in the exact same position that you were before the emails arrived in the first place. 

So, instead: keep a separate to-do list with whatever system you like, and have "deal with inbox" be an item on that list. Try checking your email twice a day, or only after you've done one other creative problem-solving bit of work. 

Note how it changes your anxiety levels. We're betting it's for the better. 

2. Drown out the noise with more noise: This is for those who work in a crowded office, or regularly from the coffee shop, co-working habitat, or other public space. Most people can't write while listening to music with words or talk radio/podcasts - the narratives combat themselves and just leave us confused. Instrumental music works, but can also confuse things.

So, fill your ears with something else. This is especially helpful if your favorite coffee shop plays that Latin jazz internet radio station just a little too loud. (I love you, Ugly Mug, but turn that cumbia down). Just grab some ear buds or whole-ear headphones, and listen to some, well, noise.  (By the way, these are the earphones you want)

I have two favorite long-format YouTube videos that work wonders. One is just ten hours of white noise, and the other is a pulsing set of oscillator waves that suppose to increase productivity. Whether the latter actually does or not is up for discussion, but what they both definitely achieve is a heavy bed of ear-filling background noise that prevents other stuff from entering. It's a little jarring at first, but within three or four minutes, you'll have completely forgotten it's there cause you'll be too busy getting s**t done. 

Here are the two I use regularly:

3. Don't start your day with the thing you want to do least. This could just as easily say "Don't check your email first thing in the morning" but, the effect is bigger than that. When we get up early just to get ready for work to then make the commute for work to then just start working, you've reduced your self, your brain, and your soul/heart/whatever it is that makes you you into a robot, something that gets booted only to do work and then feel better after it's done.

So, maybe you'll have to get up a little earlier, but start your day with something you care about that's not just getting the not-fun stuff out of the way. Don't begin by getting yourself organized; begin by getting yourself inspired. Read something in a paper book or newspaper, make a killer breakfast or cup of coffee, doodle a bit, call someone you love. 

Just think of it this way: if you made a list of everything you did every day, what would be the first thing you'd want to see? Starting your day with something that helps you behave like the best version of yourself allows you to enter into that one thing you don't want to do as that best version. It's true. It works. Make time for it. 

4. Interact with people you like. I'm sorry if you have one of those jobs where you can't deal with personal stuff on company time. You'll have to be secretive about this, or commit to simply interacting with the people you like within the office. But — you're a human being, whose life is full of relationships and feelings and memories and commitments to maintain. So, talk to someone. Not all day, or else it becomes a distraction. But tell someone hello; text your mom and ask how her weekend was; tell your partner you love them; praise someone because they did a good job on that last project; interact with your kids. Use an exclamation point in that email! Who cares if its non-professional?! The workday could use some goodness and energy!  I have zero problem with receiving the very same "Psst... I love you." message from my wife every day. That bothers no one, and if it's someone you'll be seeing later, it'll probably improve your evening.

Be in the habit of recognizing everyone wants to hear something positive. You will know when and that they received your message, and you'll feel better, because you'll be reminded why you're working so hard in the first place.

It only has to take 30 seconds to a couple of minutes. But it'll improve your Wednesday. 

5. Move. Work is all about the interaction of your brain and your body. Whatever it is that you do, whichever of those two that it prioritizes. When you work with your body (mowing the lawn, sanding your latest woodworking project, waiting tables, doing hard labor) we use our brain to balance it, either by getting some good thinking done, or by zoning out and giving our minds a chance to process all the little bits in recovery mode.

The flipside is true as well. So, when you're engaged in creative problem solving with your mind, move around. Talk a walk. Go to the bathroom. Pace. Do some pushups or situps. Nothing kills productivity like sitting still. Look at this graphic. You're not just concentrating; you're dulling your mental processes. This is why lightbulb moments happen in the shower. This is especially important when you're feeling dull and grumpy.

Set yourself up to let those moments happen. Get up. Stand up. Walk around. Move. 

Oh, and while you're at it - drink less coffee and more water. You don't need to be any more stimulated. 

 

 

Edited from a ManMade post originally published in October 2015

 

 


How to: Calculate the True Costs of Driving vs. Flying

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Finally, an online calculator that allows you to enter all of your conditional factors into one super-calculation to help you decide the most efficient way to travel to wherever you want to go. It’s called TravelMath, and it includes factors like current gas prices, car rental prices, airfare, the price it’ll take to get you to the airport, and one more vital component…    

Time. TravelMath also allows you to factor in how much more time taking off work to drive will set you back financially. Its default setting is assuming you make $10 per hour but you can easily adjust it to reflect your income status. I tried just a basic search for what would be the best way for a friend and I to fly from Los Angeles to Minneapolis and these were the results:

Perhaps it’s obvious (although it wasn’t to me at the time) that the price for two people to drive was slightly cheaper than flying since we’d split the cost of gas instead of doubling the price to fly. I also saw that it accounts for quantities such as speed, distance, and the value of your time, and from there gives you its recommendation. However you can still deconstruct their final calculation to determine what is most valuable to you. For example, it’s faster and shorter for me to fly to Minneapolis from LA, but it’s ultimately cheaper to drive. And for what it’s worth, Drew Barrymore loves it.


Check out the TravelMath calculator hereand let us know if it helps you.

A New Twist on the DIY Standing Desk - How to Build a Wall-Mounted Work Station

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I've gone on record countless times about my love of the standing desk, the research I've seen on the perils of sitting all day, and my own personal solution for long days on the laptop: the 5-second standing desk (on which I'm currently working.)    All that said, I'm super impressed with this take on the standing desk by Emma and Trey of A Beautiful Mess. It's essentially an affordable wall-mounted bar. I love that the default, err...only height is at standing level, and in order to sit down, you have to specifically choose to, in those cool rustic bar stools. (Anyone know where they got those?)

Their version is constructed from super inexpensive softwood panels and extra large shelf brackets, and mitered in the corner for a wrap around design. But you could switch up the materials and mounting technique to customize the look.

There's no storage, and of course, you've have to be staring at the wall all day, but I'm seriously considering something like this for my next office space. (You can see my current one here, if you'd like.) 

Get the full how-to: Building a Standing Desk [A Beautiful Mess] 

 

 

 

 

Breaking In Our New Office Space with DIY Projects, Good Times ... and Tequila

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Party decor idea: simple masking tape wall art

Food for thought: there's an actual small business behind everything you see here on ManMadeDIY (yeah, crazy, I know). And we're pretty little; just three of us: Chris (Portland), Alicia and me (Minneapolis), plus some great regular contributors, David (Redding, CA), and Justin (Los Angeles). And this summer, we passed a really big milestone: we moved into an honest-to-goodness, grown-up office space here in Minneapolis. It's not the Googleplex, by any stretch of the imagination, but to us, it's pretty amazing. 

So, we wanted to we throw a big party to inaugurate our new studio. Our purpose was twofold; we wanted to share the new space with friends and family, and we wanted to stretch out the hurrah of the final days of summer with a festive party centered around good food and drink.

We partnered with Olmeca Altos Tequila to create the very best summery party cocktail of the all - the margarita. We crafted them by the batch, so everyone could serve themselves. Our recipe was simple, and it was perfect. We had the party catered by a Mexican restaurant and complimented the flavors by crafting our own margaritas using the simplest ingredients. To top it all off and make it really special, we created a special accent wall featuring a map of the Twin Cities, made out of painter's tape!

Take a look at our favorite classic margarita recipe below, and check out how we created a stunning visual focal point for the party (and how you can do the same for your next party!).

Altos Tequila

 


Before we get to the recipes, here’s a glimpse into the space.

We are smack dab in the center of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and we wanted to create some kind of visual homage to our beloved cities. We created a huge map on one of our walls using a Google Maps, a projector, and several rolls of black painter’s tape. The wall was a hit - making a huge visual impact and being a bit of a party game.

 

Check out our previous tequila-liscous (shut up, spell-check) posts: a spring cocktail + popcorn snacksCinco de Mayo (a Moscow Burro, we called it), a margarita smackdownrules for a weekend getaway, and salsa-party hosting tips.

Good news is, this is super simple to create, and totally non-permanent, so you can throw one up anywhere. Here's how to do it. 

  • Use Google Maps to choose your design. Play with the zoom in/out features to come up with something nice and square (that fills the space), but highlights the neighborhoods that matter most to you. I really like using a tool called Snazzy Maps; it lets you customize what's shown on the map, so you can hide all the little details you don't want in there. Example:
     
    Get your own city in this style here
  • Project the image on the wall. You can use a digital projector hooked up to your computer (we like this one), a smartphone projector, or an old-school overhead and transparency. 
  • Use 2" tape to block off the main streets, rivers, and other predominant features. Scissoring the angle just a bit goes a long way in creating detail.
  • Add smaller streets an in 1" tape to develop the grid. This is kind of a 'what-looks-good' judgment call. We decided we didn't want any large, blank areas, so we made sure each one had at least one smaller road going through it.

Later, a friend of ours came up with the idea of giving the guests little sticky notes and markers to place well-known landmarks, their own houses, and other notable spots for a little neighborhood pride. 

When it came to the actual party, we wanted to create a celebration that captured a little bit of summer and encapsulated its fleeting last moments. It had to be an environment that felt warm and easy, but also felt like a treat for guests. The Spanish word I'm thinking of is "disfrutar".

 

 

 

To keep things simple,we had the party catered by a local Mexican restaurant. It made all the food prep unbelievable easy. We simply had to put the serving platters out, light the sternos, and tell people to go eat. Then there was an abundance of warm, delicious, comfort food all night. We filled in with gummy bears, chocolate almonds, licorice, and the like to make snacking informal and easy.

Gummy bears keep things festive and fun

Three Simple Party Tricks
  • Bowls of snacks (and candy!) on tables give people something to do while chatting.
  • Get the lighting right: too bright is worse than too dim.
  • Make signs for everything. Wayfinding to the bathroom, WiFi password ... don't make people ask. 

We knew margaritas would be the perfect compliment to our Mexican meal, and set out to create the perfect batch of pitcher margaritas for the party. Using bags of fresh limes, we juiced about 80 limes to create our base. Good times!

To that we added homemade simple syrup (equal parts water and sugar). Making your own simple syrup is easy and inexpensive. We prefer our margaritas just a little bit sweet. Adding your preferred amount to your lime base is far better than a pre-made margarita mix because it allows you to make your drink just right. We added Grand Marnier, and a healthy dose of Olmeca Altos tequila.

Here’s the recipe we followed (amounts are per pitcher):

 

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh lime juice

  • 2 cups Olmeca Altos 100% Agave Tequila

  • 1 cup Grand Marnier

  • 1 cup homemade simple syrup, 1:1 sugar and water (plus more to taste)

Directions

  1. Make simple syrup. Bring equal parts water and sugar to a boil in a saucepan (we mixed 2 cups water with 2 cups sugar). Simmer, and stir continuously until all sugar is dissolved. Remove mixture from heat and let cool. Refrigerate until you’re ready to use it.

  2. Squeeze limes using a juicer. We used about 80 limes for our base - creating 4 pitchers.

  3. In a large pitcher combine 2 cups fresh lime juice with 2 cups Olmeca Altos tequila. Then add 1 cup Grand Marnier, and 1-2 cups of chilled simple syrup (depending on how sweet you want your margaritas to be). Stir to combine. Place in the fridge til party time to let the flavors mingle. 

  4. Place ice cubes in glass (we used jelly jars) and pour mixture over. Garnish with a fresh lime wedge.

  5. If you like salt on your glass, coat the rims of all the glasses with salt by dipping them in lime juice, then coarse salt, before filling glasses with ice. We skipped this add-on, because they were so tasty and there was plenty of salty balance in the food we served.

Here's what we learned from this party: 

  • The best get-togethers don't require that much planning. You don't have to scrub every surface and cook for days ahead of time. Parties are made by the quality of the interaction, not the complexity of the food or the cleanliness of your coffee table
  • If you want it to feel like a celebration, decorate. We plan to employ the painter's tape art whenever we get a chance, but a few strings of Christmas lights can also go a long way towards atmosphere
  • Hosting = not cooking, or serving. Either make everything ahead of time, or order out. Catering is a blessed, blessed thing, and everyone gets to eat what they want. 
  • Pitcher cocktails. No mixers, no bottles. Just glasses, ice, and something for everyone to sip on. No matter the time of year, we think the margarita still holds the crown for the ultimate party cocktails. Everyone likes them, and if they don't, they can drink water. (But they do. Seriously, who doesn't like a margarita?) 
  • Also, coasters. Twice as many as you think you'll need. 
Olmeca Altos Tequila is grown and harvested in the heart of Los Altos, the highlands region 7,000 feet above sea level in the western part of Jalisco.  

created at: 06/24/2016

It is one of the few producers still using the 500-year-old traditional Tahona method as part of the process, where the cooked agave are crushed with ancient, and very, very heavy, stone wheel.



 

 

We knew we'd hosted a good one when my friend Dominic asked if we could turn our office into our regular hang-out spot (who wants to go to a noisy bar when you get together in a sweet studio space instead?).  And that's what getting together and carrying on the summer vibe is all about. 

 

 

This post is sponsored by Altos Tequila, but all opinions are mine alone. Thanks for supporting the brands that support ManMade.

5 Table Saw Jigs Every Woodworker Should Have

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taper Cutting jig

I spend quite a bit of time setting up for projects on the tools. It’s amazing how much time it takes to make a few simple yet complex cuts. For the type of cuts that happen often, it makes sense to make a few go-to jigs to help with those annoying set-ups.   One of my favorite places to find jigs and other ideas is homemadetools.net. This massive encyclopedia is a great place to browse for ideas or search for specific items that you may find a need for. Here are three jigs for the table saw that will likely get used the second they’re done:

1. First, if you don't have an awesome crosscut sled, you'll want to start there. This one is a great beginner project.circle cutting jig
2. Circle Cutting Jig– The circle cutting jig is something that you don’t know you need until it’s done. From clocks to tables to wheels for toys, the wooden circle is very useful just about everywhere in the shop. The table saw is the most accurate way to cut a large wooden circle, and while it takes a bit of time and can get very dusty, it is a great jig to have hanging at the ready.

Taper Cutting Jig
3. Taper Cutting Jig– While tapers aren’t used that often, this jig will likely make it a much more common embellishment on pieces coming out of the shop. A simple taper lends just a bit of class to a piece, and this simple jig makes cutting one as easy as setting an angle and getting right into the cut.Box Joint jig
4. Kerfmaker Style Box Joint Jig– The box joint adds strength and style to boxes and drawers, and requires no special bits or tools. The key to solid joints is set-up and without an accurate and repeatable cutting jig it just doesn’t fit tight enough to be effective or beautiful. If you’re staring down a number of drawers on your project list, this jig is exactly what you should be building before tackling them.

5. A thin rip jig is an awesome way to create thin strips of stock for small parts, wood laminations, or square doweling. The finished piece is the offcut (the part that falls to the outside of the blade, not the fence side), which keeps the strips the same width, no matter where the fence is set. 

Do you have any favorite jigs that you use on the table saw, or other tools in the shop that you consider an essential to woodworking? We’d love to hear it!

What's the Single Best Meal You Can Cook on a Camping Trip?

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Fall means many things: the return of wearing layers, trees a-changin', and that tenuous day when you have to make the decision to finally turn the furnace back on. But for me, it's not fall unless I'm getting away to spend weekends in the woods.

Not the ultra-light, no-other-human-around treks of summer, but some honest to goodness, old fashioned camping trip. I'm talking cast iron skillets, flannel shirts and wool blankets, ice-filled Coleman coolers, and all-night campfires.

And while I love the day hikes and card games and guitar-strumming, my no doubt favorite part of car camping is:  the food. The eat-as-much-as-you-want, roasted-on-sticks, how-are-we-gonna-wash-the-dishes meals that make the whole thing worth it. Whether cooked over an open fire or on that classic green propane stove makes no difference. It's a scientifically-proven fact that food tastes best when prepared and eaten outside. 

I have some staples - I make a killer batch of dutch oven biscuits in the fire pit, and have been perfecting my kitchen sink camp spaghetti recipe since the early 00s. But I want to know what you like to cook among the trees? What are your go-tos? How to you pack them? Do you use a stove or the fire coals to heat them? What's your preferred method for your morning coffee? And, since I brought it up, how do you wash the all those dishes?

If pushed to pick a favorite, I think I'd have to stick with a classic: bacon and eggs in a cast iron skillet, cooked over the fire. If camping were nothing but slow mornings and wearing every layer you have and talking about what animals you heard inside your tent last night over bacon and eggs around the fire, I'd say that's a weekend well spent. 

What's yours?

 

 

How To: Make Tree Branch Magnets

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created at: 05/11/2011

Last summer, in the midst of the August showers, a neighboring building lost a beautiful maple tree in a major thunderstorm. It was quickly disassembled by the electric company, presumably so it wouldn't fall onto the power lines. And there it sat. For weeks.

Then, a month or so later, I heard a loud grind out of my open windows (horray for open window weather!), and spied a big truck with a wood chipper in their yard.

"Surely," I thought, "they're just gonna grind up the small stuff and use the trunk for something." But, they just kept throwing in big, beautiful chunks of pure hardwood, turning it into mulch. I immediately rushed out and asked if I could have what hadn't been chopped.

The guy was very hesitant (apparently no one had ever proposed such a crazy thing), but allowed me to escape with an armful straight limbs and branches (sadly, no trunk segments) as long as I promised not to tell anyone. So, don't repeat that.

My branches have been seasoning and drying all fall and winter, and are now ready to be turned into all kinds of fun "bring the outdoors in" projects. First up, these playful tree branch magnets which cost a mere $1.00 and some glue to make, and can be whipped up in less than 30 minutes.  

created at: 05/11/2011

Materials and Tools:

  • Fallen tree branch, 1-2" in diameter
  • Strong magnets: Mine were 8mm x 3mm, 2000 gauss [6 for $1.00!]
  • Electric drill and bits
  • Saw: pull saw, hacksaw, miter box; anything will work
  • Two-part epoxy, like JB Weld, or super strong glue

created at: 05/11/2011

1. Use the saw to cut off 1 - 1 1/2" medallions from your branch. If necessary, use a bit of sandpaper to clean things up.

created at: 05/11/2011

2. Use a drill to clear a little hole for your magnets to sit. If using the 8x3mm that I have, use a 5/16" (or 13/32" if you have one) to drill a hole 1/8" into the branch. Use a piece of painters tape to mark your depth. Note: Obviously you'll want to hold your wood still when drilling. I needed a hand to snap the photo!

created at: 05/11/2011

3. Then, just mix up the epoxy and glue them in. You might be able to use a strong glue like E6000, but my go-to for metal to wood applications is JBWeld. You'll need a glue strong enough to stand up to the magnetic force. I doubt hot glue would work, but you could try it if using weaker, ceramic magnets.

Be sure you check the polarity of your magnets before gluing them in. It's nice when they all sit the same way, so that your branches will stack and not repel each other.

created at: 05/11/2011

4. Simply allow the epoxy to dry for at least 6 hours or overnight, and stick them up!

 

Bring the Outdoors In with this Woodsy, Smokey Cocktail Recipe

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ripsaw cocktail glass on a table

Need another drink to warm you up like you're sitting by a campfire, but you're actually stuck inside cause it's freaking freezing out? Check out ManMade's very own rosemary and smoke infused cocktail!

Make this: rosemary and smoke Cocktail

This simple recipe does a fantastic job of blending the smokey charred flavor you get from a good bourbon's charred-oak barrel and the natural essence of a wooded forest. It's like camp trip in a glass. Set aside your axe and get to work on this easy recipe.

Since we've spent all week talking about chain saws and cast iron recipes inspired by the Swedish flame, we're calling the drink just that. 

What you'll need:

THE SWEDISH FLAME

 

First, pour your measure of simple syrup onto your glass of ice.

glass of simple syrup on ice

Next, pour in 2 ounces of bourbon over the syrup and ice. Take your fresh rosemary sprig and use it like a spoon and stir your drink to mix the syrup and bourbon. Once you've mixed generously, you can leave the sprig in the drink. 

 

stirring your drink with a rosemary sprig

Make this: Ripsaw Cocktail

That's it! Sit back by the fire with a good book and sip the smooth, smokey, earthy tones from this simple glass.

 

For more on Bryson's chain saw and Swedish flame series, head here. Also - of course alcohol and chain saws don't mix. This one is for after the day's work is done. 


How to: Make a Swedish Flame

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created at: 01/21/2016

What's a Swedish flame? Something you can buy at IKEA? No sir.

If you haven't seen one of these Swedish Flame logs lately, they definitely need to be the star of your next outdoor fire. Its genius design allows the fire to burn from the inside out which means little to no tending from you! 

buring swedish flame log

What you'll need

  • A 2-2.5 foot tall seasoned log
  • a chainsaw
  • kindling
  • matches or lighter
  • chainsaw safety equipment: eye protector, dust mask, hearing protection

This is a quick setup that takes a bit of time to get going, but once it starts burning hot, it maintains its flame for several hours without any tending! 

Need a chain saw to get started? Here are several we recommend.

Step 1

Set your log upright in a fire-safe place. I set it up in the middle of my existing fire pit. Make sure it sits level on the top. This makes the log  a fantastic cooking surface for a cast iron skillet. You'll want it to sit level if you plan on cooking over it.

Warm Up With a Swedish Fire Pit

Step 2

Don your safety gear and fire up your saw. Going from top to bottom cut 3-4 slices into the log 3/4 of the way down the log. Please use extra care when using a chain saw. Don't do it without safety gear and MAKE SURE the log is secure in its place, you don't want it to tip over as you're cutting into it.

Warm Up With a Swedish Fire Pit

Warm Up With a Swedish Fire Pit

Step 3

This part takes a little long to get going. Start a small fire on top of the log with kindling and continue to stoke it until the coals and kindling start to descend into the log. You may need to use a spare stick to shove it down into the center as it burns.

Warm Up With a Swedish Fire Pit

Warm Up With a Swedish Fire Pit

Step 4

Continue to throw kindling down the center of the log until the fire gets hot enough to burn the log on its own. How dry the log is will determine how long it will take for the fire to catch.

Warm Up With a Swedish Fire Pit

And that's it! The log I did for this post has been burning for about 4 hours on its own! Try it yourself next time you're in need of a good fire pit. 

 

Interested in cooking on top of your Swedish Fire log? Check out this post on how to make some crispy sea salt and vinegar potatoes with a fire log. And here's a cocktail to toast to a day of work well done. We call it, of course, the Swedish Flame!

 

This post was written and photographed by ManMade contributor Bryson Leach. Read all of his posts here. 

How to: DIY Large-Scale Graphic Wall Art for Under $25!

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Party decor idea: simple masking tape wall art

Food for thought: there's an actual small business behind everything you see here on ManMadeDIY (yeah, crazy, I know). And we're pretty little; just three of us: Chris (Portland), Alicia and me (Minneapolis), plus some great regular contributors, David (Redding, CA), and Justin (Los Angeles). And this summer, we passed a really big milestone: we moved into an honest-to-goodness, grown-up office space here in Minneapolis. It's not the Googleplex, by any stretch of the imagination, but to us, it's pretty amazing. 

So, we wanted to we throw a big party to inaugurate our new studio. Our purpose was twofold; we wanted to share the new space with friends and family, and we wanted to stretch out the hurrah of the final days of summer with a festive party centered around good food and drink.

We partnered with Olmeca Altos Tequila to create the very best summery party cocktail of the all - the margarita. We crafted them by the batch, so everyone could serve themselves. Our recipe was simple, and it was perfect. We had the party catered by a Mexican restaurant and complimented the flavors by crafting our own margaritas using the simplest ingredients. To top it all off and make it really special, we created a special accent wall featuring a map of the Twin Cities, made out of painter's tape!

Take a look at our favorite classic margarita recipe below, and check out how we created a stunning visual focal point for the party (and how you can do the same for your next party!).

Altos Tequila

 


Before we get to the recipes, here’s a glimpse into the space.

We are smack dab in the center of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and we wanted to create some kind of visual homage to our beloved cities. We created a huge map on one of our walls using a Google Maps, a projector, and several rolls of black painter’s tape. The wall was a hit - making a huge visual impact and being a bit of a party game.

 

Check out our previous tequila-liscous (shut up, spell-check) posts: a spring cocktail + popcorn snacksCinco de Mayo (a Moscow Burro, we called it), a margarita smackdownrules for a weekend getaway, and salsa-party hosting tips.

Good news is, this is super simple to create, and totally non-permanent, so you can throw one up anywhere. Here's how to do it. 

  • Use Google Maps to choose your design. Play with the zoom in/out features to come up with something nice and square (that fills the space), but highlights the neighborhoods that matter most to you. I really like using a tool called Snazzy Maps; it lets you customize what's shown on the map, so you can hide all the little details you don't want in there. Example:
     
    Get your own city in this style here
  • Project the image on the wall. You can use a digital projector hooked up to your computer (we like this one), a smartphone projector, or an old-school overhead and transparency. 
  • Use 2" tape to block off the main streets, rivers, and other predominant features. Scissoring the angle just a bit goes a long way in creating detail.
  • Add smaller streets an in 1" tape to develop the grid. This is kind of a 'what-looks-good' judgment call. We decided we didn't want any large, blank areas, so we made sure each one had at least one smaller road going through it.

Later, a friend of ours came up with the idea of giving the guests little sticky notes and markers to place well-known landmarks, their own houses, and other notable spots for a little neighborhood pride. 

When it came to the actual party, we wanted to create a celebration that captured a little bit of summer and encapsulated its fleeting last moments. It had to be an environment that felt warm and easy, but also felt like a treat for guests. The Spanish word I'm thinking of is "disfrutar".

 

 

 

To keep things simple,we had the party catered by a local Mexican restaurant. It made all the food prep unbelievable easy. We simply had to put the serving platters out, light the sternos, and tell people to go eat. Then there was an abundance of warm, delicious, comfort food all night. We filled in with gummy bears, chocolate almonds, licorice, and the like to make snacking informal and easy.

Gummy bears keep things festive and fun

Three Simple Party Tricks
  • Bowls of snacks (and candy!) on tables give people something to do while chatting.
  • Get the lighting right: too bright is worse than too dim.
  • Make signs for everything. Wayfinding to the bathroom, WiFi password ... don't make people ask. 

We knew margaritas would be the perfect compliment to our Mexican meal, and set out to create the perfect batch of pitcher margaritas for the party. Using bags of fresh limes, we juiced about 80 limes to create our base. Good times!

To that we added homemade simple syrup (equal parts water and sugar). Making your own simple syrup is easy and inexpensive. We prefer our margaritas just a little bit sweet. Adding your preferred amount to your lime base is far better than a pre-made margarita mix because it allows you to make your drink just right. We added Grand Marnier, and a healthy dose of Olmeca Altos tequila.

Here’s the recipe we followed (amounts are per pitcher):

 

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh lime juice

  • 2 cups Olmeca Altos 100% Agave Tequila

  • 1 cup Grand Marnier

  • 1 cup homemade simple syrup, 1:1 sugar and water (plus more to taste)

Directions

  1. Make simple syrup. Bring equal parts water and sugar to a boil in a saucepan (we mixed 2 cups water with 2 cups sugar). Simmer, and stir continuously until all sugar is dissolved. Remove mixture from heat and let cool. Refrigerate until you’re ready to use it.

  2. Squeeze limes using a juicer. We used about 80 limes for our base - creating 4 pitchers.

  3. In a large pitcher combine 2 cups fresh lime juice with 2 cups Olmeca Altos tequila. Then add 1 cup Grand Marnier, and 1-2 cups of chilled simple syrup (depending on how sweet you want your margaritas to be). Stir to combine. Place in the fridge til party time to let the flavors mingle. 

  4. Place ice cubes in glass (we used jelly jars) and pour mixture over. Garnish with a fresh lime wedge.

  5. If you like salt on your glass, coat the rims of all the glasses with salt by dipping them in lime juice, then coarse salt, before filling glasses with ice. We skipped this add-on, because they were so tasty and there was plenty of salty balance in the food we served.

Here's what we learned from this party: 

  • The best get-togethers don't require that much planning. You don't have to scrub every surface and cook for days ahead of time. Parties are made by the quality of the interaction, not the complexity of the food or the cleanliness of your coffee table
  • If you want it to feel like a celebration, decorate. We plan to employ the painter's tape art whenever we get a chance, but a few strings of Christmas lights can also go a long way towards atmosphere
  • Hosting = not cooking, or serving. Either make everything ahead of time, or order out. Catering is a blessed, blessed thing, and everyone gets to eat what they want. 
  • Pitcher cocktails. No mixers, no bottles. Just glasses, ice, and something for everyone to sip on. No matter the time of year, we think the margarita still holds the crown for the ultimate party cocktails. Everyone likes them, and if they don't, they can drink water. (But they do. Seriously, who doesn't like a margarita?) 
  • Also, coasters. Twice as many as you think you'll need. 
Olmeca Altos Tequila is grown and harvested in the heart of Los Altos, the highlands region 7,000 feet above sea level in the western part of Jalisco.  

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It is one of the few producers still using the 500-year-old traditional Tahona method as part of the process, where the cooked agave are crushed with ancient, and very, very heavy, stone wheel.



 

 

We knew we'd hosted a good one when my friend Dominic asked if we could turn our office into our regular hang-out spot (who wants to go to a noisy bar when you get together in a sweet studio space instead?).  And that's what getting together and carrying on the summer vibe is all about. 

 

 

This post is sponsored by Altos Tequila, but all opinions are mine alone. Thanks for supporting the brands that support ManMade.

Check Out These Three Gorgeous & Modern Farmhouse Cabins

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It’s time for some quality design inspiration ideas. Whether you’re looking for interior design, furniture ideas, or architectural inspiration here are three uniquely incredible spaces to get your creative juices flowing…    

First of all, I LOVE good libraries. Los Angeles has a fantastic and relatively unknown one that I keep on the DL and use as my part-time workspace. But I’ve always dreamt of the joy I’d have building a tiny one like this tiny library built in upstate New York by Jason Koxvold and titled the “Hemmelig Rom” or “secret room” in Norwegian. A building like this goes on my list of what I would have to consider sacred spaces.

Click here for more photos.
 

The Modern House

This modern farmhouse sits on the edge of Eye, a small town in Suffolk, England overlooking ten acres of peaceful water meadows. It was designed by Gary and Laura Rowland and is actually available for rent.

The Modern House

Click here for more photos.
 

Inside Hook

I do tend to write about treehouses every so often, but honestly I think they’re so cool and often are designed with great intentionality due to their natural constraints. This one was built by Guy Mallinson in Dorset about 215 miles south of Sherwood Forest. It’s also available to rent for those of you looking to get your glamp on in England...

Inside Hook


Click here for more photos.

The DIY Tailor: How to Sew on a Button

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created at: 08/08/2013

Hey ManMakers! We're spending this week in the workshop creating some new projects, and so, in addition to new content and cool inspiration, we'll be sharing some classics from ManMade's all-time greatest hits. 

There are two basic principles to the ManMade approach to style and dress: fit is everything, and buy high-quality, universal items that will last. In order to help you hold on to those investment items, and make sure they suit you as best they can, ManMade is happy to present our latest series: The DIY Tailor. This fall, professional tailor and alteration specialist Danni Trester will teach us some basic sewing principles and easy DIY repairs that every guy should know. First up: how to sew a button.   

Knowing how to sew on a button is one of most basic domestic tasks every person should know. It's easy to do, and easy to screw up if you just go at it like a needle-wielding crazy person. The steps apply to all kinds of buttons, fabrics, and threads.  Not only will you be able to fix your own duds, but you'll look totally cool when you can help out your ignorant friends in a pinch. 

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1) Get the supplies.  You'll need a needle, thread, the detached button (or a suitable replacement), and a scissors/cutting blade of some kind.  Depending on the garment, you may need a heavier weight thread, and thus a needle with a bigger eye that can accommodate thicker thread, or multiple strands of normal weight thread. 

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2) Cut a piece of thread about two feet in length and thread the needle.  Line up the cut ends and tie into a knot.  This means you'll be sewing with two strands of thread at the same time, saving time and adding strength.  If you're sewing a button on a jacket, or something heavier weight, you can put two cuts on at once to sew with four strands. 

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3) You'll be starting on the outside of the garment.  This way the knot isn't visible on the underside and is hidden by the button.  This can be important if you're sewing with a heavier thread where the knot is much bigger and you could potentially feel the bump, especially around a tight collar. Insert the needle into the fabric at the center point where the button will go. 

created at: 07/24/2013 Exit the needle after about 1/8" and pull the thread until the knot meets the fabric.

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4) Put the button on needle and let the button fall down the length of the thread until it hits the fabric.

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5) Insert the needle into an adjacent hole.  Check out how the other buttons on garment are sewn.  If you want an X pattern, put the needle into the diagonally opposite hole.  If you want the thread pattern to be a = or || pattern, then put the needle into the hole that's left/right, above/below.  This shirt has an X pattern so we're going to go diagonally. 

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6) Pull the needle and thread all the way on the backside. 

 

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7) Insert the needle back through to the front side, making sure you put the needle into a hole you haven't already put thread through. 

 

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8) Pull the thread all the way through and insert the needle back into the diagonal hole.

 

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9) Once you have thread in each set of holes, now's a good time to check that you're leaving enough thread for a shank.  A shank is a space holder between the button and the fabric so that when you button the garment, there's room for the layer that goes behind the button.  If you sew the button on too tight, it'll be difficult to button, and it won't lay as nice.  Depending on the button size, you'll want to leave between a little less than 1/8" to 1/4" space.  This is a typical men's shirt so we're going to put in a shank of a little less than 1/8". 

Repeat steps 4-8 until the thread thickness matches that of the other buttons on the garment.  For this shirt, three "X's" were made.  Meaning thread was passed three times through each set of holes.  Remember to leave a little excess for the shank!

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10) Once you've got enough thread sewn on the button, insert the needle from the back to the front.  But instead of going through one of the holes on the button, slip the needle past the backside of the button.  The thread should then be in between the button and the fabric.

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11) Wind the thread a few times around the excess thread to form the shank.  Four to five times should be sufficient.  You don't want to do it too much in that the buttonhole won't fit around the shank, but you want to do it enough times to give the shank stability. 

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12) After you're done winding, insert the needle into the middle of the shank.  Pull the thread through.

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13) Cut the thread with about 2-3 inches extra for tying off.

 

created at: 07/24/201314) Tie a double knot and snip the threads about 1/8" from the knot.

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You did it!

 

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Stay tuned for more posts in our DIY Tailoring series. Next up: How to Hem Your Jeans

 

Danni Trester is a textile designer that's been daylighting as a tailor for the last seven years.  In addition to alterations, she designs and produces accessories which she sells at indie craft shows across the Midwest. 
Etsy shop: www.innad.etsy.com

 

 

 

 

5 Ways to Wear and Layer Denim Jackets for Fall

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created at: 09/24/2013

If you only think of a denim jacket as something to throw over a t-shirt, we hope this post will change your mind. Just as blue jeans can be dressed up and down, denim jackets are actually quite versatile. Paired with basic black pants and trench coat, a denim jacket can feel casually sophisticated. Throw a denim jacket over a camo blazer to give a peek of on-trend pattern. And since they work perfectly for fall, here are five ways to pull it off during this most amazing of seasons. Check out these tips from Jason of Captain Dapper. 

 

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1. This is the perfect collection for all those fall weekends spent in pumpkin patches and hayrides.
Lived-in Skinny Khaki from Gap $59.95 | Slim Broken In Short Sleeve Henley from J.Crew $34.50 | Denim Jacket from J. Crew $130 | Down Field Jacket from Eddie Bauer $160

 

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2. I'm a big fan of mixing patterns. For the pattern shy, you'll only get a hint of the camo blazer under the trucker jacket.
Rodeo Trouser from Mr. Turk $288 (oops, that ones out of stock; how about the Gilded Age Plaid Pant from Nordstrom instead - $114) | Benjamin Blue Oxford Shirt from Ernest Alexander $135 | Green Camouflage Skinny Blazer $150 | Commuter Trucker Jacket $128

 

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3. With or without a tie, this is a great look for a chilly, rainy day of fall meetings.
Navy Work Day Wool Pants from Bonobos $165 | White Cotton Shirt from H&M $39.95 | American Made Denim Jacket $200 | Khaki Double Breasted Trench from Top Man

 

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4. This is a look that says, "I just rode my motorcycle through the desert. Now, get me a drink."
William Rast Davis Tapered Jeans from JC Penney $19.99 | Striped Long Sleeve Henley from American Eagle $29.95 | Icon Denim Jacket from Lucky Brand $129 | Natural Leather Moto Jacket from Todd Snyder $1,295

 

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5. A big bulky shawl neck sweater is a perfect top layer for this colorful casual look.
Slim-Fit Corduroy Trousers from Mr. Porter $335 | Short Sleeve Crew Neck T-Shirt from Sunspel $70 | 1969 Heritage Denim Jacket from Gap $79.95 | Structured Cable Cardigan from Scotch and Soda $259

This ManMade guest post was written by Jason Loper, the creator of Captain Dapper. Follow along with his adventures on Instagram. It was originally published in September 2013.

Designated Sippers: 6 Whiskeys You Should Drink This Fall

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created at: 09/30/2014

And it came to pass that the season for sandals and gin subsided, leaving in its place jackets and layers, autumnal aromas, and whiskey season. 

So, this is a collection not for the kind of guy who finds a label he likes and sticks with it. Cause, those sort of fellows already know what they're enjoying this season. Instead, these are the best-bang-for-your-buck bottles, those that have a great relationship between their price and their flavor.

And by that, we don't mean these are value whiskeys that are simply tolerable or "good for the price." Instead, they're solid, investment whiskeys; some of our favorites that will make you happy to spend a couple dollars more, and you'll look forward to enjoying the full 750 ml. They enjoy the happy medium and have a lot to offer for the price; bottles to enjoy again and again, or to give as gifts. 

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1. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon

There's a saying in Bourbon country - "the best bourbon is the one you like the best." And, of the options, the one most people to whom I've ever served bourbon seem to like best is Buffalo Trace's eponymous offering. It costs between $19-22.00, and is the same mash bill as beloved high-end brands like George T. Stagg and Eagle Rare. It's a low-rye, corn forward bourbon that's simple as versatile as it gets. While it's certainly not the only bourbon I love, or buy, it's the one I'm never bored by, and always chose this guy to take to a party. 

 

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2. Wheated Kentucky Bourbon: Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon

I don't care much for the most well-known wheated bourbon - the one where they dip the bottle in red wax - but I think Larceny is something special. And it's different enough from high corn + rye bourbons that it's worth keeping both on hand. This one goes for around $23-25 depending on where you live, but it's definitely a different take on bourbon that really delivers on flavor. Seek it out. 

 

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3. Rye Whiskey: Bulleit Rye Whiskey

Bulleit's become beloved by the cool kid, Instagram set, but for good reason - it's really delicious. Of course, the bottle looks awesome in pictures and makes your blog post look sharp (guilty as charged), but I actually really, really like both the bourbon and the rye. This one hovers right around $25, and is easier to find than the classic Sazerac, and, I think, more fun to drink neat. It's probably made in that giant factory in southern Indiana, but it's still my go-to. 

 

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4. Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Highland Park 12 Years Old

I'll come right out and say it: this is, by far, the most expensive whiskey on this list. It retails for around $45.00, no bones about it. 

But! It is, at least for me, the best deal in Scotch out there, and delivers incredible depth of flavor and complexity for under $50.00, which, for anyone that knows single malt, is an achievement. It's very lightly peated, for just a few hours, which gives it a richness that 1) makes it worth drinking neat, but 2) won't break your heart when your buddy adds a full glass of ice cubes to it. This is not a cult Scotch, and that is a good thing: you can find it nearly anywhere, and offers so much more nuance of flavor than anything else in its price range.

This is the Scotch to buy in between your adventurous bottles. It will never disappoint for the price. 

 

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5. Irish Whiskey: Kilbeggan Blended Irish Whiskey 

I much prefer this to the more well-known Jameson, and it usually comes in for at least $5.00 less at around $20-24. If you tend to like Irish whiskey, this one doesn't disappoint, and if you're new to the style, it makes a great introduction. It has a malt forward-flavor, like the best Irish beers, with just a bit of sweet to make it really elegant. 

If I hadn't just recommended a $45 bottle of Scotch, I'd have chosen the $40 Redbreast Irish Pot Still Whiskey, a 12-year-old that's simply really, really great for sipping. 

 

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6. Best Value Whisky: Canadian Club 1858 5/6 Year

Lastly - yes, Virigina, there is an awesome sub-$15.00 bottle of whisky - the 1858 from Canadian Club. This would absolutely be my first choice if i were going to make a basic highball and mix with cola or ginger ale. It's a really well-rounded whisky that tastes, well, like whisky should taste. Would be a great standby for the holiday season of guests, or to mix in a pitcher or punch. I don't know a ton about Canadian whiskys, but I know this guy is really solid for the price of a fast food dinner for two. So, skip the takeout, raid the fridge, and pick up a bottle of this instead.

 

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What are your favorite, always-worth-the-money whiskeys? Share your thought in comments below. 

The DIY Tailor: How to Hem Jeans Like a Pro

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created at: 08/19/2013

There are two basic principles to the ManMade approach to style and dress: fit is everything, and buy high-quality, universal items that will last. In order to help you hold on to those investment items, and make sure they suit you as best they can, ManMade is happy to present our latest series: The DIY Tailor. This summer and fall, professional tailor and alteration specialist Danni Trester will teach us some basic sewing principles and easy DIY repairs that every guy should know. 

It's pretty sucky when a pair of your favorite jeans gets ruined because they're too long and you're stepping all over them. So what? So, there's a fix. Not only does hemming your jeans prolong the life span of your clothes, but you look less like a college sophomore circa 1998.  

1) Supplies: you're going to need a couple of tools for this project.  Basic items include a ruler, scissors, tailor's chalk, and thread.  Some bigger things: iron, ironing board, and sewing machine.

created at: 08/01/2013

If you're wondering what tailor's chalk is, it's a marking tool used by all sorts of professions.  It's either a waxy or chalk rectangle that is used to temporarily mark on fabric.  The waxy kind disappears when you steam or iron the fabric, the chalky kind disappears if you rub it or wash the garment.  You can get it at fabric stores in the sewing or quilting notions area. 

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2) Once you've got all your supplies, you want to mark the jeans so you know where to shorten them.  It's easier to do this part if you have someone to help.  Try on your jeans and wear the shoes you would most likely wear with them.  If you wear a couple of different pairs of shoes, put on the lowest ones.

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3) Turn the excess fabric under until the pants are the length you'd like. 

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4) Mark on the back the leg using your tailor's chalk where you'd like the length. 

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5) Use your ruler and measure up from the floor where this mark is.

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6) Roll up the other leg and transfer this measurement.  This is called checking for a leg difference.  Most people have one leg longer than the other, based on how you stand, the way you're built, or if you've had any surgeries/breaks.  So if you measure the same distance from the floor for both legs, they'll hang the same. 

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Now both legs are marked!

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7) Line up the side seams and lay out your jeans on a table or flat surface.

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8) Make your chalk marks a little bigger/darker so they're easier to see.created at: 08/01/2013

9) Line up the marks and lay the legs one on top of the other.

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10) Lay your ruler so the chalk mark is on the ruler's right side.  created at: 08/01/2013

 

11) Hold the ruler firmly down and run the chalk along the ruler with your right hand making a solid line across the pant leg.

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12) Keep your left hand holding the ruler down, and use your right hand to flip over the top leg.  Run your chalk along the ruler marking the backside of the top leg, and the top side of the bottom leg.  created at: 08/01/2013

 

13) Again, keep hold with your left hand, and flip over the bottom leg to mark the back.created at: 08/01/2013

 

14) When you're done, you should have a solid line all around both legs.  created at: 08/01/2013

 

15) The solid line you just made is where your finished hem will be.  Now you need to mark extra fabric that you'll roll up to make the hem.  The second line will be a fold line, and the third line is where you'll cut the excess off.  Most jeans have a 1/2 inch rolled hem.  But if you like a deeper hem, you can make it up to an inch on a pair of jeans.  Men's jeans usually don't have anything wider than that, but if you're feeling fancy, go for it.  But for this example, we're doing the traditional 1/2 inch.created at: 08/01/2013

 

16) One you've measured for your other lines, mark 'em up!

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When you're done, it should look like this:

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17) Cut off at the bottom line.

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If you look at the pants from the front, the lines should be straight across.

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18) Now you're ready to start sewing!  Set up your machine with thread.  For this demo, I'm using a heavy weight jean thread.  Depending on your machine, you might have to use a lighter weight.  If that's the case, just find a gold thread that's pretty close to the color thread that's on the rest of the pants.  Once you've got your thread set up, practice sewing on your scraps so you can get the thread tension and stitch length correct. 

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19) When you are ready to start on the real deal, start on the inseam.  Roll the fabric once to the fold line, and again to the hem line.  Place the fabric under the foot and sink your needle.  You may have to hand turn the wheel on the side of the machine a few stitches over this thickness. 

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20) Once you're over the hump, continue sewing and rolling, following your chalk marks.  Use the measurement marks on the sewing machine to help you keep a straight line.

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One thing you want to keep in mind as you're working is to line up your side seams.  While you're sewing, the fabric on top has a tendency to work towards you.  If you don't line it up, the hem can get twisted.  Some denim companies do this on purpose, like Raleigh denim.  But traditionally the seams should line up. 

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21) Keep going around, line up those seams!created at: 08/01/2013

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As you come around to where you started, sew over the same stitching to make a continuous line.  Again, you may have to turn the machine's wheel to slowly get over the thickness. 

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22) Once you've gone all the way around, snip your threads off and sew up the other leg!created at: 08/01/2013

 

23) Now it's time to press!  Set the iron to a steam setting, heat alone won't do as good of a job.  Press around the inside of the hem flattening the fabric.created at: 08/01/2013

Steam!created at: 08/01/2013

 

24) You can also press the outside a little if there is still chalk visible.created at: 08/01/2013

 

You did it! 

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Danni Trester is a textile designer that's been daylighting as a tailor for the last seven years.  In addition to alterations, she designs and produces accessories which she sells at indie craft shows across the Midwest. 
Etsy shop: www.innad.etsy.com

 


8 Seriously Tasty Reasons to Bust Out Your Slow Cooker This Week

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I did not grow up in a "crock pot" family. We had one, an old avocado green job my parents got from their wedding registry. And, though I'm sure it got used, it wasn't something that characterized the food in our house. My wife's parents, on the other hand, were both doctors working day shifts, and according to her, nearly every thing her mom cooked came from the slow cooker. And, says my wife, protein + a mix of canned foods = dinners, all which tasted basically the same... like "crock pot food."

So, our household is a relatively new convert to the slow cooker... but: these things are awesome. Not 'cause they allow you to mix together a bunch of processed foods and call it a day, but because they allow you to achieve a low and slow, braise-like technique that's so essential for winter-time foods. It's the season of soups and stews and slow cooked goodness, and, with a little proper technique, can safely create all-day cooked foods without having to watch the pot. So, these are not just grandma contraptions or the mainstay of busy moms, but a real piece of cooking equipment that every guy should keep around and learn to love.

1. Crockpot Caramelized Pork Ramen Noodle Soup with Curry Roasted Acorn Squash [pictured at top] - Um...I think the title kinda says it all on that enjoy. Go make some!

Get the recipe and more awesome photos from Tieghan at Half Baked Harvest

2. Crockpot Carne Asada Nachos - Flank steak braises in beer all day, then gets shredded to top the best plate of homemade nachos money can't buy.

Recipe and hilarious commentary from Jessica at How Sweet Eats

3. Mrs. Garcia's Cuban Black Bean Soup - Technically, this recipe doesn't called to be made in a slow cooker. But, it's super good, and the instructions read, "The soup was extremely easy and quick to prepare — it took me 5 minutes to refill the bean pot and add the vegetables. It cooked, long and slow, and covered with a lid so I didn't even have to worry about the water boiling off." So, sounds like slow cooker territory to me. If you must have an intended recipe, this one from Cook's Illustrated is nice.

Snag the recipe and review at The Kitchn: Mrs. Garcia's Black Bean Soup

4. Slow-Cooker Coconut Ginger Chicken & Vegetables - This one looks like a great starting point to try different flavor combos. If you read the comments, some readers suggest doubling the spices and other bold flavors to step it up a bit, but the idea of chicken thighs+coconut milk+crazy amounts of frozen veggies+spices is a good one. Add curry powder to tinge it a little more Indian, fish sauce and chiles to go Thai, etc. 

Full recipe and technique at Simple Bites

5. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken - This one is inspired by classic Chinese take-out dishes like orange chicken, General Tso's, Mongolian beef, etc, except its 1) not deep fried and 2) uses honey (and jam!) for sweetness instead of loads of sugar and corn syrup. Plus, it looks like it would freeze much more successfully, so its worth cooking up a whole crock to keep on hand. 

Find the recipe and details from Kelly at Just a Taste

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6. Slow Cooker Braised Short Ribs - This recipe from Bon Appetit shares the basic techniques for breaking down this tough but super flavorful cut of meat. Again, checking the comments reveals ways to boost the depth of flavor - browning the meat and aromatics, deglazing, etc.

Check out the reviews, then make a whole heap of these guys and enjoy.  The recipe is at Epicurious.

7. Jimmy Fallon's Crock Pot Chili - Apparently, Jimmy Fallon likes to make his chili in a crock pot with beer and habanero chile.

Check out the video to watch his process at MarthaStewart.com

8. Ultimate Cheater Pulled Pork - Lastly, apparently, you can make passable "barbecue" in your slow cooker with this curious recipe from The Splendid Table. The Kitchn's review says, "Really, we can't say enough good things here. We couldn't believe how good this was given that the meat never went near an actual barbecue or smoker!"

A true "dump and cook" method that creates low-and-slow like pulled pork flavors? Worth a shot.

Check out the step-by-step technique and review at The Kitchn. 

 

 

How to: Make this Acoustic Phone Amplifier

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Like many of our readers, I’m a huge audiobook and podcast guy. I actually have to set aside intentional space to just sit alone with my own thoughts and think, because if I’ve got any mundane tasks to do around the house and nobody else is home, I’m rocking some auditory learning…    

I often listen on headphones but when you do it as often as I do, you kinda get annoyed with earbuds in all the time. But on the flipside, I also don’t like to be tethered to an aux cable in a single room since I’m often having to walk around and would rather keep that phone with me. The two solutions, bluetooth (obviously) or a better system for amplifying audio.

Robin Lewis found his solution by handcrafting this Acoustic Phone Amplifier which solves the auditory problem, looks hip, and still keeps the phone easy to retrieve. Click here to view the full instructions or check out the video above.

 

The DIY Tailor: How to Hem Dress Pants Like a Pro

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created at: 09/03/2013

There are two basic principles to the ManMade approach to style and dress: fit is everything, and buy high-quality, universal items that will last. In order to help you hold on to those investment items, and make sure they suit you as best they can, ManMade is happy to present our latest series: The DIY Tailor. This summer and fall, professional tailor and alteration specialist Danni Trester will teach us some basic sewing principles and easy DIY repairs that every guy should know. 

One of the simplest things you can do to look a little more dapper is by hemming your dress pants when they're too long. As someone who does this for a living, it's the first thing I notice about people, especially in a professional setting.  You can always tell when pants are too long, either they're dragging on the floor, or the break (the fabric that pools on top of the foot on the pant front) is too big.  Here's a photo guide to making those pants look sharp. You might need a sewing machine, but this is likely a project that can be accomplished with just a needle and thread.

1) Gather your supplies.  Depending on the method you choose, you'll need a needle, matching thread, scissors, tailor's chalk (as discussed in last week's demo), ruler, iron/board, and possibly a sewing machine that has a zig zag stitch. 

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2) Follow steps 2-6 from the jean hem lesson to mark up your pants.  Once you have the marks, lay the legs together on the table so the chalk marks are together. 

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3) Like the jean hems, run your chalk along the edge of the rule to mark and line across the pant legs.  Flip over the top leg to mark the inseams, and then the bottom leg to mark the back of the bottom leg. 

In the jean demo, we marked for a 1/2" hem.  In dress pants, the typical hem depth (the amount turned under) is an 1 1/2".  Measure this on the top leg and mark your lines. 

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4) There are a couple of ways to sew up your hems.  One way requires a serger (the stitching on the insides of clothing that secures raw edges), or a zig zag stitch.  If you don't have any sewing machines, you can secure the cut ends of the fabric by rolling it over, sort of like a large rolled hem.  If you'd like to do the rolled way, you'll need to mark an extra 1/2" on your pants so that it can be pressed and turned under, leaving a clean edge to sew.

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Extra 1/2" marked for a rolled edge:

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5) Once you've marked the proper lines, cut off the excess.  If you're doing a serged/zigzagged edge, you should have this:

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If you want to do the rolled version, your legs should look like this:

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6) Now you need to prepare your edges for sewing.  If you're rolling, you'll need to press that extra 1/2" so it lays flat as you're trying to sew it.  Roll the raw edge to the inside of the pant along your chalk line.  created at: 08/09/2013

7) Press along this line all the way around both legs.  Be careful not to go too far up the leg as you don't want to press out the line you marked at 1 1/2" where the hem will be.  If you do accidentally press the hem line out (waxy tailor's chalk can easily do that, the chalky kind won't), you can go back once you're done pressing and mark your line back on. 

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8) If you're zigzagging, set up your machine with matching thread.  Use your scraps to get the stitch length and width right.  You want a zig zag that's about a 1/4" wide, and a little less than 1/8" in between the stitches.  If you get it too big, the stitching won't do it's job, which is to encase the raw edges.  If you do it too small, you'll end up stretching the fabric which will just make more difficult when you're sewing up your hem. 

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Sew all the way around both legs, overlapping the stitching when you get back to where you started.  Once you're done, lightly press the fabric to flatten out any stretching that may have happened.  (Careful not to press out your hem line!)

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9) Now that your edges are prepared, you're ready to sew up your hem!  At this point, the process is the same for both the zigzag edge, and the rolled edge.  For ease of demonstration, I'm using the rolled method so it's easier to see the handsewing. 

Cut a piece of thread that's double the length to go around one leg.  Thread your needle and tie the cut ends together so that you're sewing with two strands (like in the button lesson).

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10) Start at the inseam and fold up the leg to the chalked hem line.

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11) Insert your needle into the seam allowance of the inside leg to start your thread.

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Pull through:

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12) Insert the needle in the back of the rolled edge and bring the needle out about 1/8" from the edge.

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Pull through:

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13) On the left of the rolled edge, pick up only a few threads of the fabric and slide your needle through.  It's really important to only pick up a few threads.  As you start sewing along, if you get too many threads on the needle, you'll see your handsewing stitches on the outside of the pants.  It may seem like a couple of strands won't be strong enough, but it's plenty strong.

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14) About 3/8" to 1/2" up from where you pulled the thread through, insert the needle in the back of the rolled edge and pull the needle out the front. 

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Pull through:

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15) Again, to the left side of the rolled edge, pick up only a few threads with the tip of your needle, and pull through.

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A closer look:

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And again, about 3/8" to 1/2" up from your last stitch, insert the needle into the back of the rolled edge and pull through the front. 

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At this point, you'll be repeating steps 13 and 14.  Once you've got a few stitches in, flip over the leg so you can see the outside. 

When you pick up threads to make a stitch, this is how much needle you should see on the outside of the pants.  You can use this as a gauge so you know you don't have too many threads on the needle (it's just a speck of silver):

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It's also important to keep consistent spacing in between your stitches.  Although you don't see the thread from the outside, you will see a slight impression.  If you have varying stitch lengths, it won't look as nice as evenly spaced ones. 

16) If your stitches are looking good, keep on going!

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17) After you've gone a fair amount, your hem should look something like this:

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The outside will look something like this:

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Can't see the stitches?  Good!  You shouldn't be able to.

Don't worry if you feel like this is taking a while.  Handsewing is time consuming.  Professionals use a hamming machine that can do this sort of stitching in a matter of seconds.  But don't be discouraged by how long it may take.  Put on some Netflix and settle in!

18) Once you get back to where you started, tack a couple of times where your first stitch is.

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Snip the thread, leaving enough to tie a knot.

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Tie a knot, and clip the extra thread.

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Now do the other leg and you'll be ready to press!

19) Just like in the jean demo, start pressing on the inside of the leg.  Go around the whole leg and use steam to set the hem and flatten out the fabric/stitches. 

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Now press the outside lightly to flatten the stitch impressions and re-crease the pants if they have creases on the front and back.

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Alright!  You did it!

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Danni Trester is a textile designer that's been daylighting as a tailor for the last seven years.  In addition to alterations, she designs and produces accessories which she sells at indie craft shows across the Midwest. 
Etsy shop: www.innad.etsy.com 

 

How to: Make This Bison Leather Briefcase

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Instructables.com

All of our technological innovations surprisingly have yet to render the briefcase or backpack obsolete. Even as an actor who ostensibly doesn’t need anything when I get to set, I end up carrying one with books and odds and ends and who knows what. In fact most men I know have decided for themselves where their allegiances lie: whether with the satchel/bookbag, the briefcase, or the backpack (pro tip: if you’re out of college and not distance bike-riding, try to avoid the backpack).    

Instructables.com

Gold Bark Leather of Instructables.com is all about connecting beginning leatherworkers to feasible projects that they’d actually like to own in the end, and this Bison Leather Briefcase looks very promising.

Instructables.com

I’ve spent a fair amount of time looking over DIY briefcases in my day and I’m pretty happy with this one. Although I’d love to know of other patterns/designs that you love that I ought to check out.  In the meantime, give this Instructable a whirl and let us know what you think!

How to: Make Your Own Hardwood Kitchen Utensils

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Photo: Dedricks (cc 2.0)

Whenever I do a magazine or book or blog interview, one of the most frequently asked questions, besides the standard "how did you get started?" is always along the lines of: what would you recommend to someone who's just beginning to develop their DIY skills?

My answer to both questions is more-or-less the same: find something you need in your life, and try to make it. Whether it's something that doesn't exist, or you can't afford, or needs some personalization, the beginnings of the handmade life always lie in finding the practical, everyday solutions you need in your life, and making them. The joy then comes from the inherent meaning of knowing your creating something with real value, and hopefully, the process itself becomes the goal.    

What's my point? If you're interested in developing your woodworking skills, and moving on from the homebuild-y like circular saw projects to something a little more refined, try these hardwood kitchen utensils.

The project comes from the new book The Woodworker's Kitchen: 24 Projects You Can Make by A.J. Hamler. I'm excited to check it out in full, but this week's Popular Woodworking newsletter contained a sample project I can't wait to try. 

It's some simple bandsaw, then shaping work. I love the combo of power and hand tools to get those organic shapes. This is truly a handmade item that could never be mass produced. And that's the point of making stuff.

Make Your Own Hardwood Kitchen Utensils [PopularWoodworking.com]

 

 

 

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