Gay Adventures in Domesticity

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THE DOMESTIGAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE IS HERE!

The gifting season is here!  The holidays are drawing in upon us and you may be asking yourself what is the perfect gift for the domestigay on your list.  No fear! I am here to provide you with creative domestic, gay, and domestigay gift ideas for any budget!

If you decide you want to buy any of these gifts for the domestigay in your life, the link the title will take you to the appropriate website to purchase the item!  You can also click on the “guide” to make it bigger if you want to see the items in more detail.

1. Sassy Gay Metal (fill-in-the-blank) Case from SweetHeartSinner Creations ($9.99)

I’ll admit I’m jonesing for one of these.  This is the all-around awesome domestic, gay, and domestigay gift.  It is a cigarette case. It’s an id holder. It’s a cash and credit card holder. It’s a business card holder. It’s a case to hold a domestigay’s embroidery scissors, a skein of floss, and some needles.  It is a domestigay embroidery-on-the-go dream. This really is the perfect gift for anyone because it is so versatile, like many gay men!  But wait, should you have a lesbian in your life, there are also tons of lesbian styles of this.  Just browse around SweetHeartSinner’s store.

2. “Homo Sweet Homo” XStitch from Subversive Cross Stitch (Basic Kit -$12.00 / Deluxe Kit $20.00 / Downloadable .pdf Pattern $5.00)

Do you have someone on your list that wants to learn cross stitch?  Then the deluxe kit from Subversive Cross Stitch is perfect!  It comes with easy instructions and everything one needs to complete the project.  You can even change the colors of the hearts on the cross stitch if you want.  Do you know someone who just needs the pattern?  You could buy them the .pdf of the pattern and let them make their own.  Or, you could download the pattern for yourself and make this quick project for a last-minute gift for the gay on your list. This was one of the first cross stitch projects I did!

3. Steve Petrow’s Complete Gay and Lesbian Manners: The Definitive Guide to LGBT Life ($12.21)

I recently purchased this book for a multitude of reasons and it has been invaluable.  Not only is it perfect for any gay or lesbian in your life, it is also perfect for a heterosexual. It covers everything you could ever want to know about GLBT manners.  Topics include: coming out, dating, sex etiquette, moving in together, popping the question and weddings, parenting, bullying & homophobia, entertaining, workplace issues, travel, and much more.  Also, if you are looking to make “get engaged” a New Year’s resolution for 2012, I suggest placing a loving bookmark on the page about popping the question and giving it to your future fiance for the holidays!

4. Beefcake Beach Embroidery by Sublime Stitching (iron-on transfer $5.00 / .pdf pattern $3.00)

It is no surprise to anyone that reads this blog regularly that I LOVE SUBLIME STITCHING.  This is perfect for the gay embroiderer on your list.  Who doesn’t want to embroider sexy beefcakes on their shirts, bags, towels, and gym rags?  This pattern is the one that I embroidered on my beefcake shirt!  And let’s not forget our lesbian embroiderers, they might like the Pin-Up Grrls I made, which also came from Sublime Stitching or these beach babes.  Again, this is a project you can do for the gays in your life, or you could purchase the pattern and kit to introduce embroidery to the domestigays in your life.  I also recommend this embroidery kit (where you can get the beefcakes and pin-ups included) if you want to give the gift of embroidery this holiday season.  This is how I first taught myself embroidery.

5. “I’m so gay I qualify as a housewife” Magnet by PicardCreative ($5.25)

I saw this and immediately thought it is the perfect magnet to grace any domestigay’s fridge, filing cabinet, or other metal space.  This quotation is also like a domestigay mantra, the gayer we get the closer to housewife status we get.  If this one doesn’t fit your fancy (or it is sold), look at the other equally funny and lovely magnets from PicardCreative.

6. Gay Accent Breath Spray from BlueQ ($4.99)

I adore BlueQ.  They have subversive vintage-inspired items that will make anyone with wit laugh.  I put this on the holiday list because if you are questioning if someone is gay or not this holiday season, then buy them something off this list and this breath spray.  They will like your gift no matter what, because they will soon be speaking with a “sizzle” in their s’s.  This item may be the ultimate stocking stuffer this holiday season.

7. “TOP GAY” Apron from LGBabyT ($20.00)

I will take one of these in black, please.  For the baking gay in your life (or just the top gay in your life), I present to you this amazing domestigay-approved apron with wordplay from the hit television show Top Chef (or arguably from one of the gayest not-gay films, Top Gun).  I recently wore an apron to cook Thanksgiving.  At $20.00 an apron, how can you pass up this great kitchen wear for the gay in your life?  I’m just curious though, what happens if one is a “bottom gay” or a “versatile gay”?  This will work perfect for barbeques, entertaining, baking, cooking, or just hanging out in the house.  If I had one of these, I’d totally wear it all the time, even when I wasn’t baking!

8. Men-Up Calendar by Rion Sabean ($15.00)

I already bought one three of these.  I got one for me, one for my boyfriend (which he got at Thanksgiving), and one for a friend.  Rion Sabean took men and “typical” men activities and photographed them in pin-up girl poses.  You must get this for the gay guy or straight woman in your life for 2012.  It is a perfect holiday gift since one week after the holidays, a new year means a new calendar!  I’m in love with this calendar and already have mine hung up to January.  And guess what, too!  These come signed by the photographer.  So not only are they amazing calendars, but they are also autographed on the cover.  I’ve already explained to Mr. Sabean on Twitter that he should watch out for my 2012 campaign to be a model in the 2013 calendar.  His response, “You never know it could happen.”  My response, “Let’s change that could to will.”

9. Swish and Gay Haiku by Joel Derfner ($12.29 / $11.99 for Kindle)

I read Gay Haiku back when I first started dating my boyfriend.  He had it on his shelf, recommended it to me, and then, one day while he was out doing his big gay theatre thing, I read it.  It is hysterical.  Anyone who has a love of gay culture, poetry, and haiku will love this book.  It is perfect for the reading gay on your list.  Unfortunately, it is only available “new” on Kindle, but you can get it used from $1.92.

Derfner’s second book, Swish, is subtitled, “My Quest to Become the Gayest Person Ever and What Ended Up Happening Instead.” I’m currently reading this a little each night before bed.  This is put on the list for the domestigay knitters in your life.  The first chapter, “On Knitting” is a lovely look at knitting and how it came to provide insight for Derfner into the tense relationships gay men sometimes have with their mothers.  So far so good.  A must read for all domestigays.  Should I start a domestigay reading list?  If so, this is toward the top.

10. A Thank You Note to Your Domestigay by You (Free)

Holidays are a time of goodwill, gratitude, and love.  Sometimes the best gifts are the most simple ones. That’s why I’m ending the 2011 Domestigay Gift Guide with a handwritten note thanking the domestigay in your life for being who s/he is and being a part of your life.  Queer people need to be told that they are appreciated and loved—often more than their straight counterparts.  With families disowning gay people, tons of homophobia in the world, bullying directed at homosexuals, and all the ways the lgbt community is ostracized in the world, just telling a queer person that you love him/er, are grateful s/he is in your life can be more powerful than any of the other gifts on this list.  And, since times are tough, it is also the cheapest, most meaningful, and best gift any domestigay could ask for.

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Well, that’s it folks.  Now, I must ask you, what are YOU getting the domestigays in your life this holiday season?

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A Domestigay Thanksgiving

Dearest Domestigays,

It has been awhile.  I have been quite busy with many domestigay projects—including the Midwest Men’s Knitting Retreat! (expect post on this soon)

So let’s work our ways back to the post on the knitting retreat.  Let’s begin with this past week and the first domestigay adventures in the kitchen.  Yes, that’s right.  I made Thanksgiving dinner—Turkey and all.

So what was on the menu?  I’m glad you asked!

  • Lil’ Smokey Cheeseball (cause everyone needs a cheeseball)
  • Turkey
  • Turkey Gravy
  • Stuffing (not cooked in the turkey)
  • Homemade Mashed Potatoes 
  • Cranberry Relish
  • Green Beans (fried and with bacon)
  • Pumpkin Pie

Because I actually had a few extra hands from my boyfriend (who got to spend an entire week with me!) There are actually pictures of domestigay baking in progress!
There’s also a picture of him chopping apples for the cranberry relish!
Yup, that’s right, domestigays, I had a great Thanksgiving and gave thanks for a lot!  Some of the things I am grateful are:
  • You! My loyal domestigay reader. 
  • My family
  • My boyfriend 
  • My friends near and far
  • My ability to craft and cook
  • My community (in the various forms it takes)
  • My health
  • My Thanksgiving
Your turn.  What were you thankful for this Thanksgiving?
I was thankful for my ability to take my shirt off while cooking too.  It’s amazing how much heat comes from such a small kitchen.  Speaking of heat… did you notice the moustache in these pictures? That’s right, MOvember is well underway.  My stache is there.  Have you occupied my face, yet?  If not, there is still time!  Go to http://mobro.co/jvanfosson and donate!  You can also share this YouTube video I made here.  
More posts to come, very soon, too!  

The Complete Cocktails

I finished (some time ago) the last of the cocktail napkins.  Today, I got them photographed and ready to unveil the whole set.

The last one that I had to stitch up was a delicious strawberry daiquiri (that at first I thought could be a watermelon daiquiri).  See?

Strawberry - not Watermelon

 

Now, I have a complete set of alcoholic cocktail napkins.  I have at least one drink that will appeal to you should you want/need a cocktail napkin when visiting.

Cocktail napkin?

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It is MOvember!

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It is MOvember 4th and the moustache is coming along!  I think I could pass as French, or an artist.  Not a French artist though.   Have you taken a look at my video on YouTube?  Have you shared my video on YouTube?  Have you donated to my stashe and MOvember?  NO?!?!

Well first you should watch and share this video.  Then, you should go to http://mobro.co/jvanfosson and donate!

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My video is almost up to 400 views! (396 at this writing!)  Thank you to everyone who shared this video and have already showed your support by donating to my face.  I am so grateful for all you do!

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Happy Halloween, Domestigays!

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Happy Halloween!

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Hi, there!  Today is Halloween!  I hope that you have a fabulous, safe, and sane Halloween day!  Now tell me, dear domestigay reader, what are you dressing up as this year?  Send me pictures of your wonderful costumes and your celebrations!

Here at domestigay headquarters we are both tricking and treating! So we’ll start with the treat.

Now for the trick.  If you turn out the lights, this piece glows in the dark!  But it only says…

One cross stitch, two messages!

*note: because glow-in-the-dark thread does not photograph, I took this while it was a wip so you can “see” the trick!

 


Gayzpacho

Hey, there, domestigayers!  It’s time for the first-ever domestigay recipe.

Meet Dana.  Dana is a graduate student in Texas.  Graduate students have a special place in my domestigay heart.  Dana made this delicious-looking gazpacho soup, or as I like to call it, gayzpacho soup!

Doesn’t it just look deeeelicious?  Guess what!  Dana from Texas also shared the recipe so you, too, can have gayzpacho soup!  You domestigayers in the warmer climates will need to try this cold soup.

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GAYZPACHO SOUP

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Chop: 

     1 onion

     2 bell peppers  (Dana did one green pepper and one yellow pepper)

      1 fennel bulb and stems

      3 cucumbers (peeled and seeded)

      2 avocados mixed with the juice of 3 limtes

      Basil & Mint to taste

Combine in a food processor and chop until smooth. 

Add red wine vinegar to taste.  Add water if needed. 

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 Why haven’t YOU submitted your craft, cooking, knitting, cross stitch, embroidery, needlework, jewelry making, bedazzling, crochet, stitching, baking to domestigay yet?  You can do it on Facebook, on twitter (@domestigay), or by e-mailing domestigay@gmail.com.


FUNKIN PUMPKIN SKULL

Oh, hi, there.  You scared me.  I’ve been so busy I forgot that I forgot that I had a blog to update, stitching to do, knitting circles to attend, and people who are anxiously awaiting for the next domestigay installment.  Okay, so maybe that last one is a stretch, but you get the idea.  So welcome back to domestigay-goodness.

It is October!  Halloween is only a week away!  So what is a domestigay to do when Halloween is a week a way?  Stitch a pumpkin, of course.  Okay, so I didn’t stitch a pumpkin, but I did stitch a funkin (a fake pumpkin).  I used a free and spooky pattern from Sublime Stitching.  Okay, so take a look.

Step 1: Transfer pattern to pumpkin using thumbtacks

Step 2: Using the pre-made holes from step one, embroider pumpkin

Step 3: DO NOT PUT FLAME IN PUMPKIN, and then sit back and enjoy your embroidered pumpkin.

Yup.  That’s it.  Enjoy this pumpkin, now.  I really am happy with the way it turned out.  Now, I am working on some amazing cross-stitch for Halloween.  I’ve determined that cross-stitch and embroidery will be the way to decorate my apartment since I am only here for five years.

Okay, now to the next cocktail napkin!  This time it is champagne!

Cheers!


There are only two more cocktail napkins to stitch up!  But I must do it after Halloween.

So, now you must tell me, loyal reader.  What are you craftin’ up these days?

Tomorrow, I will be bringing you a great new recipe from a Texan domestigay!! 

Happy Saturday!



Cocktail Napkin #2: Martini!

What is this? TWO domestigay posts in ONE day?  How can it be?  Procrastination is the key!

I love martinis.  I almost had a martini last night called “Sexy Bartender,” but decided a gin and tonic was in order.  Martinis are delicious.  They can be even more delicious when consumed with a hand-stitched cocktail napkin.  Check it out.

Can you tell I was stressed when I stitched the bottom half?  Look at how small those stitches are compared to the rest!  I used a split stitch for the olive.  I don’t like the split stitch very much because it never looks how I think it should look in my head.  This is much closer to how I think it should look though.

This pattern comes from the Sublime Stitching book.  I tell ya, that Jenny Hart makes cool stuff.

Cheers!


I Need a Drink

Is this week almost over?  This week has certainly been one of the most difficult, trying, stressful, and questionable weeks since the great migration to the Midwest.  It’s time for a drink!

So what does a good domestigay do when he has a stressful week?  Embroider, of course!

I am currently embroidering six cocktail napkins.  Each cocktail napkin features a different drink.  So, without further ado, I present the first of this series.

This is my vodka-on-the-rocks glass.  I call it this as opposed to an old-fashioned glass because the colors really remind me of the Absolut vodka bottle—silver, grey, blue.  I hope you like it—the vodka, not the embroidery.

The first picture in this post shows the napkin itself.  I got the napkins, of course, from Sublime Stitching.  You cannot get these napkins anymore.  BUT, there are a whole set of new cocktail napkins at Sublime Stitching you can get.  I want to get them in blue and black.  If you want to embroider your own cocktail napkins, you can order them here and get a free pattern for them from here.  Did I mention how much I love Jenny Hart?  I think she saved my life.  The pattern that I used for this comes from Jenny Hart’s first book, Sublime Stitching.  I like the simple patterns in it, but I prefer her second book (to come in a later cocktail post) for directives and projects.

On another note, I’m really excited about the coming week for domestigay!  Domestigay will be getting a great face-lift and I can’t wait to revamp the website.  That means that if you are reading this in a RSS feeder or in your e-mail, you MUST come visit when I say so.

In the meantime, tell me, what projects are you currently working on?  Submit some pictures! I’d love to hear from you!


Homo Sweet Homo (Pt. 2)

Welcome to Domestigay headquarters.  Shall I buzz you in?

C’mon in!

Want to see where the bakin’ happens?  Look to your right.

Note the trash can has since been replaced with an under-the-cabinet can, but Keri remains.

Take a look at the dining area!  I strongly believe that every dining table should have fresh flowers on it.  These are some neon chrysanthemums.

Why, yes, I really do like nautical things and Moby-Dick.  In fact, that ship there has whalebone for sails.  That art is an original piece of artwork from the 2009 Handmade Arcade in Pittsburgh, PA.  Here is where the magic really happens, though.

And here are two of my favorite possessions in my apartment.  I know they are dorky and not domestic.

That would be a 1930s typewriter and a facsimile reproduction of the 1828 edition of America’s first dictionary.  I like words.  My best friend bought this dictionary for me as a housewarming gift.  A gay word nerd couldn’t ask for more.  This bookcase (which is double-sided) serves as a room divider.  Let’s see the living room. 

This is my new couch, but it isn’t a 1930s couch.

Well, that’s all for now.  The bedroom is slowly coming along.  The bathroom just didn’t get photographed.  Although in a future post I hope to show you the real use of a linen closet for a bookworm.

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In other news, I have been waiting to post this because boyfriend left this morning.  I was attempting to squeeze every last minute I could in with him before he had to return to his home seven and a half hours away.  Many tears were (and still are being) shed, but it is another chapter.  Not better, not worse, but different.

Thanks for stopping by!