love forever

Lulu de Kwiatkowski

Lulu de Kwiatkowski is famous for her whimsical textile designs but I didn't know about her collages! Made from old family photos, letters and pages from her journals, these collages are full of fun surprises, a colorfully surreal world that I would totally love to be a part of. Sadly her show in NY just ended but here are a few images to enjoy regardless...

 

And the Winner is...

photo by Josh Goleman

Whoops! Sorry for the delay. I'm writing this from the road, on my way over to the west coast!

The winner of Modern Log Cabin Quilting by Susan Beal is...Agnes! Lucky you! I'll be sending you an email shortly to get your address.

Love it: The Flower Girl

Architectural orchids, perky tulips, pretty peonies and shrinking violets...florals can be modern, feminine, ditzy or grand. I love them all...

photo by Sandra Friej


Bella Foster paintings



Liberty Nikes, which sadly sold out in a mili-second.


Marc Jacobs/ photo via Faking Fashion/ Vogue US Feb. 2011/ shot by Mario Testino

Stella McCartney Resort 11


print by Peggy Wolf

 
Erdem Spring Summer 11


photo by Mav


photo by Amira Fritz




two photos by Chloe Aftel


photo via Fashion Copious/ Vogue Turkey March 11/ shot by Hans Feurer

Book Review and Giveaway: Modern Log Cabin Quilting

It's not very often that I get a craft book in the mail and immediately get to work on not one, but two of the projects inside, but that's exactly what happened with Modern Log Cabin Quilting (Potter Craft) by Susan Beal. Full disclosure: Susan is a good friend of mine, so I'm not totally unbiased but still, I absolutely love this book- Susan is an amazing crafter and an awesome teacher. You will have tons of fun with this book.





I've always been a little bit of a renegade quilter, I've never followed a pattern and just sort of patch things together at random. The world of quilt patterns has always mystified and fascinated me but I wrote off patterns as something that a person with much better math skills than I should tackle. This book makes it totally easy to understand and get right into and log cabin is such a cool quilt style with a million variations.

Speaking of variations, it really is amazing how many there are in log cabin quilting, from the very traditional to the totally modern. In all her projects, Susan shows such skill with balancing color and pattern too- quilts are so personal so it's cool to see that just a shift in color or print makes for a quilt that is totally your own.



My first stab at the log cabin was this Everything-in-One-Place Zip Bag (original above, my version below!). I love any project that puts my giant tubs of fabric scraps to good use- I could make these bags a million times and never have two that look alike, that's how much fabric I have. And actually I might- they make great gifts!

My second project needs to remain a secret at the moment- it's a present for a very special mom of mine and can only be revealed at a later date!





There are some larger projects in Modern Log Cabin Quilting too- several seriously gorgeous quilts that I would love to make when I set aside the time. I think the Anniversary quilt is my favorite- what an amazingly thoughtful gift this would be! Oh, but I also love the Vintage Linens quilt- so bright and happy.

So now for the giveaway part! I'm giving away one copy of this book to a lucky reader. All you have to do is leave a comment below telling me and Susan about you and quilting: are you an expert? a total novice? Does quilting run in your family? Whatever you want, I'd love to hear it! Then I'll pick a winner and send that person the book! Easy right?

Comments close on Monday April 11th at 5 pm EST.

 

 

Bedroom Progress Part 2

Before:Just your standard Malm bedframe

After: Headboard covered in vintage wallpaper

After After: Cut paper flowers decoupaged over the wallpaper




Several months ago I covered our Malm headboard with come vintage wallpaper. It was pretty cute but it needed a little something more. One person commented that they would want to paint all the flowers crazy colors and it sparked something. I decided to cut flowers out of colored paper and decoupage them scattered over the wallpaper. It was super easy- I used Neutral PH Adhesive PVA (basically your average white glue but acid free) and a small paint brush to adhere them. A super-easy, cheap and fun DIY!

And the Winner is...

Congrats Shannon! You won Beasties: How to Make 22 Mischevious Monsters that Go Bump in the Night!
I'll be sending you an email shortly...