Amy Butler Christmas

I discovered the coolest fabric store in town yesterday called Crafty Planet. They have the best selection of unique fabrics that I have ever seen. They carry a lot of fabrics from various indie textile designers. They also carry the most adorable selection of fabric for children - very vintage and very Tokyo Pop. I wish I would have known about this place when I was putting together Parker's bedroom. I would have spent a bundle!

I went there particularly for Amy Butler fabric. She has such amazing fabric - a great combination of traditional and modern, which is exactly the look I am working towards in our home. But I did not go there for a decorating project. I went there for a Christmas project. I bought the Mary Engelbreit Home Companion magazine the other day. Normally, this magazine hasn't been my sort of thing, but it had Amy Butler's home for Christmas on the cover. Amy decorated her house for Christmas EXACTLY the way I want to. So, of course, I had to get it. Surprisingly enough, she had some projects shown that you can download for free! I bought the fabric to make the tree forest for a table display. For this free pattern and more, check out Amy Butler.com. At the bottom left, you will find "Free Patterns". Select ME Holiday for Christmas ideas, but check out all of the free patterns. You never know what you find!

(image from Amy Butler Design.com)

Have a Great Weekend!

(image from Anahata Katkin)

Just a little bit of eye candy from Anahata Katkin. Check out her beautiful work...great color usage!

Have a BEAUTIFUL weekend!

Love, Brandie

Memory Jar

(picture from Inchmark)

I swore to myself that when Parker was born that I would be good about writing down and remembering all of the little things that he does for the first time...or the silly things he does or will say. But, though my intentions were good, at the end of the day, I was always too tired and forgot. He is only 7 months old and I have all ready lost so much!

But I found this adorable idea on a new blog I discovered, Inchmark (love the name). She suggests writing down whatever adorable things your little one does at that moment on whatever scrap of paper you have in your immediate access and then placing it in a jar to read later. Simple right? Why didn't I think of that! Duh!! Thanks for the brilliant idea Inchmark! I am SO doing that!

Sew...

I am SOOOOOOOO excited! Today I registered for a beginning sewing class. Hopefully, I will soon be able to create some of the adorable and lovely things I am always admiring from other people. My first class begins October 7. Once class begins, I will keep you posted on the progress.

Paper Art

I am constantly amazed and envious of other people's talents. As I was reading some of my favorite blogs this past week, Design*Sponge and Decor8, I came across these amazing pieces that I just had to share with you.

I discovered Justine Smith on Decor8. Justine is a British artist that used paper currency as her design medium. At first glance, these flowers are so intricate that you would swear that these are real. I can not even imagine how much patience and care went into making these delicate buds. Justine must have nerves of steal and a very steady hand to be able to cut and design something this beautiful.

(image from Decor8)

On Design*Sponge I discovered Zoe Bradley. This woman is AMAZING!! Zoe is a sculptural artist that creates the most beautiful dramatic silhouettes I have ever seen. And they are created from paper!! Among the many beautiful projects Zoe has created, some of what I found the most interesting is the amazing window installations for Missoni, Donna Karan, and Harrods (to name a few).

(images from Design*Sponge and Zoe Bradley)

Etsy

Sometimes, when Parker is taking a nap, I spend a few minutes browsing Etsy. I am obsessed with Etsy. If you are interested in unique, handmade items then Etsy is the place to go. Every time I browse this site I get so frustrated. There are so many talented people out there and I am not one of them. It is so frustrating to have an eye for design yet lack the knowledge and skill to make anything of it. It is my own fault. I never learned how to sew or sketch. It is something I have always inteded on doing, but have not yet gotten around to it. Shame on me!

I found Vicky Riley on Etsy and immediately fell for her adorable little clutch bags. They are so sweet and vintage styled! I could totally see these selling in my fave store, Anthropologie. If I ever get to fulfill my dream of owning my own shop, I would definitely want to carry these bags made by Vicky.

The pleating reminds me of something the women in the 40's would wear. Check out Vicky's other adorable bags at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=59437. For more fantastic Etsy, go to http://www.etsy.com/.