Bold geometric patterns seem to be popping up everywhere from textiles and fashion to decor and product packaging. I think they bring such a timeless quality to design and somehow look vintage and preppy at the same time. You can easily and inexpensively bring this trend into your own home with some framed prints or throw pillows. If you’re ready for a bigger commitment, make a bold statement with retro-patterned wallpaper. Walnut Wallpaper has a great selection (right now I’m digging Imperial Trellis in beige).
Inset: Etsy’s Briana Edelman, Highland Court Fabrics, Lucia Soap
Clockwise from top: Crate & Barrel, Etsy’s be still, Johnathan Adler, West Elm
Above is an example of how I’ve incorporated the design element into my own artwork. This line of stationary was inspired by a geometric pattern found in many Moroccan architectural details. If you’re ready to embrace the trend, contact me. I’d love to personalize a set of notecards for you!
- Published:
- January 30, 2010 – 11:24 am
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- By Shayla
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When my friends started having babies I decided it was time to take up knitting as a hobby. Visions of handmade booties and blankies danced in my head. Turns out, knitting requires quite a bit of coordination and, unfortunately, my fingers did not get the memo. The lowest point came when my brother yanked the needles out of my hands and whipped up the loveliest little scarf you’ve ever seen. ON HIS FIRST TRY!
I’m not bitter, though.
A few weeks later I was in a trendy Austin boutique and saw the cutest baby onesies. And then I saw the ridiculous price tag! At that moment I discovered my new hobby.
Above: Side snap tees customized for Baby Kate and Baby Ben
Etsy would probably turn up it’s nose at my shoddy sewing skills, but that’s okay. My friends are keeping me plenty busy and the babies have yet to complain about crooked stitches. So, I plan to stick with it for now.
And leave the knitting to Trent.
- Published:
- January 23, 2010 – 12:00 am
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- By Shayla
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I’m head over heels for Paper Source’s envelope templates! I’ve been coveting these babies for a while now and finally have a set to call my very own (thanks, Mom!). It’s the little things in life that make me happy.
My envelope-making fore entailed recycling paper grocery bags and holiday cards into personal stationary. I chose the 4-bar size and simply traced the template onto a paper grocery bag, cut out the shape and scored the folds. Old holiday cards proved to be the perfect size for lining the envelopes. Assembly was made easy with double-sided tape and the flap was secured with a sticker for mailing.
Pretty good for a first attempt, dontcha think? Just image opening your mailbox to find gorgeous envelopes constructed from old family photographs, colorful magazines or last year’s calendar. Perhaps it would make all the bills mixed in a little more tolerable.
- Published:
- January 16, 2010 – 12:00 pm
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- By Shayla
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When we remodeled our kitchen three years ago, we accidentally broke a piece of textured glass that was intended for the cabinet door. I couldn’t bear to just throw the glass away, but wasn’t quite sure how to reuse it. So, it’s been sitting around in the garage ever since.
On a recent trip to Aaron Brothers, it dawned on me to transform the broken glass into a message board. I came home and measured the salvageable area and searched online for the closest standard frame size. A local glass store cut the broken piece (for free!) to fit the frame I purchased. Since one side is ribbed and not suitable for writing, I inserted the glass into the frame with the smooth side facing out. Regular picture frame glass would work just as well.
A leftover scrap of fabric was inserted between the glass and frame backing to add visual interest. You could also use patterned wrapping paper, a vintage map or black and white photo. Just be sure to choose something fairly neutral so your message is legible against the background.
The finished product turned out great! I hung it next to the pantry so I can quickly jot down reminders when I run out of something. It’s easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth. Plus, I like that it doubles as a piece of artwork!
- Published:
- January 9, 2010 – 5:22 pm
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- By Shayla
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Holiday cards are near the top of my “favorite things” list, so it only makes sense that I dedicate my very first post to them! Who cares that the holiday season has already come and gone? It’s never too early to start brainstorming ideas for next year. Once upon a time, I shopped for my cards a year in advance to cash in on after-Christmas sales. Unfortunately, the selection was usually pretty picked over by that time. And if you think I’m not one to agonize over the perfect sentiment, wintry illustration, paper thickness and envelope color….well, then you don’t know me at all.
This year I felt inspired to design our cards myself. Since our list continues to grow, I opted for a postcard format to keep postage at a minimum. They were mailed without an envelope, so I like to think a few trees were saved in the process. A little online research confirmed that Vistaprint offered the most competitive prices on postcard printing. Of course, I found a coupon code too! When it was all said and done, 100 custom postcards were printed and delivered to my doorstep for less than $7. A Christmas miracle, indeed!
- Published:
- January 3, 2010 – 8:40 pm
- Author:
- By Shayla
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