My sister and I finally finished her purse!
It turned out really well. It’s so cute! We followed the instructions for the “Charming Handbag” from Amy Karol’s Bend-the-Rules Sewing
'F' for Fabric, Crafty (& Handy), My Life • 22 Comments • January 30, 2008
I’ve ordered a sample of that wallpaper, which is my new favorite. Not too feminine, not too masculine, dark but not overwhelming, no flocking or foil, graphic but timeless… it may just be perfect.
I have, of course, created a mockup.
It looks even better when you look at the larger version.
It looks great, doesn’t it? I’m just hoping it will work with the color of the wood trim. If not, then I may just have to comfort myself with the pillow.
'D' for Decorating, 'R' for Rugs, Dining Room • 29 Comments • January 28, 2008
“Squeee!!”
That is the approximate sound I made when I found out that Archer is now available.
The font was created for Martha Stewart Living, but their exclusive license has now expired. It’s a versatile and beautiful font. Pricey, but worth it.
I’ve already purchased my copy.
I’ve finished my second purse! It was much more complex than my first, and there was a lot of hand stitching involved.
(I’m lovin’ those Deco Remix shoes.)
I used Indygo Junction’s “Metropolitan” pattern, from purlsoho.com (scroll down a bit – it’s halfway down the page).
It may not be perfect, but I’m really pleased with the finished project!
'F' for Fabric, Crafty (& Handy), Style • 46 Comments • January 22, 2008
I alluded to our new table earlier this month, and my patterned vase was photographed on it, but I hadn’t taken any proper pictures until this morning.
Brandon and I had a number of gift cards to west elm and Pottery Barn from Christmas, so we decided to combine them for a more spendy item. Not so fun fact: I knew that the gift cards were interchangeable because I actually worked at west elm briefly when they first opened their Chicagoland store.
We looked around and finally settled on the parsons expandable dining table. Oh, and we were recognized by a girl shopping at the store! She saw Brandon first, and we later realized that it was probably because of the Christmas card! Tee hee.
Notice the absence of my pretty white rug in the living room, and the rumpled replacement jute rug from the basement. Eh. Not bad, but not very good either.
Moving on.
I love that three chairs can fit on each side now. The legs on our old table were inset from the edges and it was a little awkward with even two chairs on each side. Now if we really needed to squish, we can fit 10 people at the table when the leaf is in!
I realized when I was taking photos that I had forgotten to follow up on the Tao console table I was considering from Room and Board. In fact, it’s been so long that Room and Board has since discontinued it. I did end up purchasing it for the dining room though! I hung my Amy Ruppel painting above it, and there’s a magazine butler for sorting mail (and keeping it neat).
Now we get to the truth, which is that I think the dining room is a bit boring. Blah. Ho hum. It’s nice, but I’m not happy with just nice. You all probably know that I’ve wanted wallpaper from day one, and I’ve also been waffling and indecisive since day one.
Here’s what the vintage wallpaper that I bought on eBay looks like:
I think something darker would might look better. I want a little drama in the dining room, and I’m afraid that vintage floral may just give off ‘crazy’. I really should just make a decision already. Or slap some paint on the walls. Something.
I do know that I would loooove to have these chairs:
They’re Eames chairs without the official “Eames” name. They’re made by Modernica on the original presses though, and with the original fiberglass construction, so in my mind they’re more authentic than the polypropylene Herman Miller licensed chairs. They’re available at Velocity Art & Design in 16 yummy colors. I’m partial to mustard.
I’m debating whether I should try to paint the chairs we have now. I don’t really mind the shape of them, I just don’t like the light wood in our house.
So there you have the current state of our dining room. Suggestions are welcome, but I can’t promise I’ll commit to anything. After all, I haven’t done well with that in this room so far… ;)
