simply sublime

Barbie's Spring Wardrobe

I came across these fabulous frocks on Pinterest (my new latest obsession -- like the rest of the world!) That led me to Jess (the designer of these adorable Barbie clothes) and her wonderful blog: craftinessisnotoptional.com.  I cannot stop thinking about this T-shirt:

Or this party dress:

(all photos via craftinessisnotoptional.com)

Check out Jess's blog for more adorable photos and instructions how to make Barbie's new threads.  I'm in love with these, and have to figure out an excuse to make some myself!

 

Hello 2012

(from William Dohman's Etsy site.)

Just wanted to say HELLO, and wish you all a very Happy New Year.  

(from Oh Leander via Eat Drink Chic)

(from Felt & Wire)

(from Lazaflair)

(from AMradio)

(from simplyprettyprints)

Gift Wrap Week

'Tis the season to start wrapping!  So over the next week I'm going to share some fun gift wrap ideas, including DIY wrapping papers, easy to make bows, and more.  To kick things off, check out this weekend's Off Duty section in The Wall Street Journal.  The paper commissioned artist Bella Foster to create the beautiful watercolor below. The full size image appears in the print version of the paper and is meant to be cut out and used as wrapping paper.  

Or you can also find an online version here.  I printed it out on a piece of textured watercolor paper and it's gorgeous!  Suitable for framing or as an inspiration image for your bulletin board.  How fun!

 

Judging a book by its cover

It seems like beautiful books are popping up all over the place lately.  The ones below are displaying a new deck of paint colors from Benjamin Moore, but it was the books themselves that caught my eye:

And have you seen these?  They're special edition Penguin Classics.  All your favorites rebound in lush hardback covers:

When it comes to displaying your love of literature, this bookish cushion from Louise Roe is such a cool idea.  I'd like to try making one myself with a stack of my favorite titles:

(image via April and May)

Some more classics:

(image via pinterest)

Sometimes covering the cover is what's called for. The ones below are inspired by the classic paper bag book covers we all made in middle school. Fold some up yourself--(refresh your memory with this simple you tube video tutorial)--or buy readymade designs created by Book City Jackets. This Guest Room set is the perfect way to disguise all your chick lit novels:

And finally, a reminder that beauty often lies beneath the wrapper:

(Image via April and May)

Pretty Bows

This card made me laugh -- my friend Sue Kelly sent it to me for my birthday, and I love it!  But I'm a little worried.  Anyone else think that the bow bikini top is actually kind of cute??  UH OH!

 

Window Shopping at Read Brothers

We just got back from South Carolina. We've taken our kids there on and off for years, and went back this summer for a week of fun in the sun.  While everyone was playing in the waves, I snuck out one afternoon to hunt for antiques and other vintagey finds. As I drove down King Street, I stumbled upon a real relic: Read Brothers -- a Charleston fixture and family owned business that has been around since 1912. The red brick building houses an eclectic variety of fabrics and imports. The funky windows are just the tip of the iceberg:

I don't quite know how to describe the place -- it's sort of an emporium of fabric, vintage toys, imports, sewing notions, and other odds and ends -- with a stereo store attached!

I came home with a couple of goodies including some oilcloth and retro green tablecloth material.  The store is also known for their surplus stock of "Victory" bobby pins from WWII --  had to have some!

I just wish I would have bought some of those jingle bells...

 

Everyday Inspiration

Saw these pears on the side of a fruit crate, and something about them just spoke to me!  I'd love to see them printed on a dishtowel or wrapping paper, or maybe on a funsy onesie?  Now I just have to figure out how to make a rubber stamp or freezer paper stencil based on these pretty pear images.  Hmm...

I'll get back to you when I come up with something...

 

Pattern Maker

I stumbled upon these watercolor images by artist Leanne Shapton over at Anthology the other day. First of all, I am LOVING Anthology, have you seen it? It's a beautiful print (YES, PRINT!) design magazine about "living with substance and style" -- and it's yummy!  They also have a great blog, which is where I spotted these:

The artist created these watercolors as part of a series for The New York Times called "A Month Of..." (in this case, a month of PATTERNS).  The paintings capture and highlight patterns Shapton has culled from bits of everyday life.  For example, the caption for the image below reads:  "Rows of sausage ravioli at Eataly, Dec. 1, 2010, New York City".

An illustrator, author and book publisher, Shapton is also a former art director for the Times, and is inspired by everything from socks to bathroom tiles.  Her ability to see the beauty (and patterns) in a everyday things just sends me. Viewing her watercolor images compiled together, along with their surprising captions is like eating one delicious piece of chocolate after another.  You have to check it out!

(images via Anthology and The New York Times.)
 

Straws, Pillowcases, and Gumballs

Things have been a little hectic around here, and I've been crafting and sewing with all sorts of fun things. Here are a few materials that have piled up around the house...I'll have some finished projects to show soon.

Maira Kalman = INSPIRATION!

I read several months ago on my pal Christine Castro Hughes' blog, Brunch, about Maira Kalman's exhibit in San Francisco Museum and Los Angeles.  Well happy day -- the travelling show, "Maira Kalman: Various Illuminations (of a Crazy World)" opens in New York this Friday, March 11th, at the Jewish Museum. Selections of her paintings, drawings, photography and textiles from the last 30 years will be on display. For me, (and millions of others!) Maira Kalman is perfection. Her illustrations are like swimming pools of inspiration that you just want to dive into and linger in.  

This weekend's Wall Street Journal ran an interview with Kalman, featuring a "tour" of her studio.   

(photo via WSJ, Off Duty)

Here's a list of some of her office essentials:

1. Winsor and Newton paint brushes 
2. Daler Rowney sketch books 
3. Staedtler eraser and brush 
4. Artemide desk lamp

5. Aeron chair 
6. Pigma Micron Archival Ink pens 

7. No. 2 pencils, any brand

Maira Kalman = a pretty package, all tied up with string!

 (Maira Kalman artwork via Dwell and The Jewish Museum)