Squirrel-and-Robot Mittens


CRAFT 3 Sep 2010, 2:02 am CEST

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If you're a slow knitter, like me, you may want to begin on a cold-weather item right now, while it's still summer. Yes. It's good to be realistic.

There are many things that tickle me about these squirrel-and-robot mittens that Beth on Six Orange Carrots knit. Each mitten announces in no uncertain terms the year of its creation. Seeing 2010 knitted like this, I imagine someone in the future, looking at these gloves and imagining what 2010 was. I like it when, occasionally, the date is tastefully incorporated into a craft.

squirrel_robot_mittens2.jpg

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designsponge:


Twitter / designsponge 3 Sep 2010, 1:48 am CEST

@StudioBrinson oooh, really? i've never considered the city at all. but out of curiosity, is it a space like yours?

designsponge:


Twitter / designsponge 3 Sep 2010, 1:47 am CEST

@effedparkslope yeah, considering something near the water. we used to live there ;)

designsponge:


Twitter / designsponge 3 Sep 2010, 1:47 am CEST

@STFUParents thanks! i think we're actually going to look into a new building though- i'm ready to try something totally different ;)

Camping and Cottaging Wrap-Up: Our Efforts to Commune with Nautre


Style Sheet 3 Sep 2010, 1:40 am CEST


Well, communing with nature is a bit of a stretch. There was much talk of 'glamping' if I remember correctly, but what do you want? We're design folk. 

If you happened to miss any of our Camping and Cottaging posts from the the late month of August, then have yourself a trip down recently memory lane with the blow links. There are some good ones in there, including Michelle Carrangi's (of Holley & Gill fame) Top 5 Friday on modern cottages

Next, look to special Trends posts all through the month of September!
Related:

designsponge:


Twitter / designsponge 3 Sep 2010, 1:22 am CEST

ps: does anyone in williamburg and/or park slope have a rental agent they LOVE? rentals, not buying. i'm finally fed up w/ our apt ;)

Pick us a Paint Color!


The Lettered Cottage 3 Sep 2010, 1:05 am CEST



Okey dokey!
It's time to pick a paint color!

And, just so ya know, we're totally cool with any one of these handsome hues.

Life is too short to stress about the perfect shade of paint, and re-decorating with you is fun- so we're open to whichever color wins!

And, remember, the winning color will only be on a couple small walls (the rest of the room will be clad in white-painted wood planks)- so not only will the bed & bedding not be touching whichever wall color wins, it will be on the opposite side of the room from it too!

Here are the contenders...



(Sea Salt- Sherwin Williams, Silver Sage- Restoration Hardware, and Blue Hubbard- Sherwin Williams)

And here's a pic of the color we originally chose for the walls, next to a sample of Silver Sage...



It's crazy how taupe-y it looks next to the blue-ish-ness of Wedgewood Gray!

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And here are some pics of each color, zoomed in at a closer level...

Silver Sage:





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Sea Salt:





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Blue Hubbard:





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If you'd like to join in on the fun, check out the poll in our sidebar to cast your vote!

We'll keep it open 'til Monday morning- and then we'll get crackin' on re-painting the walls next week!

Thanks friend!



We feel so blessed to be able to share our renovation and re-decorating adventures with you, and we appreciate your encouragement so much!



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PS-

Here's a little high-def video footage too of our choices too!



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Want sneak peeks of our projects before we blog about them?

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter!

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Need help arranging your furniture?

Need design help?

Check out my e-book!

NESTING NEWBIES (Issue 4) design bloggers + gorgeous tablescapes + amazing food + incredible landscape


loving. living. small. | live small with style 3 Sep 2010, 1:03 am CEST

The Design Bloggers - that's me in the back with the dark hair by the grill
Love these vignettes :: that's me in the upper right with the white dress
The meal was insane - amazing - wonderful!
Ok..you have to make the goat cheese stuffed dates. Will. change. your. life.
This honey saffron butter was unlike anything I had every had before - loved it!
Love these girls :: Erin, Emily, Anne and me
I still can't believe how pretty this day was - look at where our "Set" was - wow!
A view of the vines
The design blogger ladies hanging out pre-shoot
Enjoying the meal with sweet friends, Jennifer & Erin
Oh la la - am I excited about this one - the summer issue of NESTING NEWBIES is live! I have been keeping a little secret for a few weeks now and can finally talk about this incredible day with design blogger friends (old and new), the amazing editors behind Nesting Newbies - Lea and Jodi, our day at Fogarty Winery and just the overall fabulousness of this magazine.
I had met Jodi and Lea (seriously talented and nice people) at Blog Out Loud 5 in March 2010 and we followed it up with a great lunch at the SF|DC. They told me about their idea for a morroccan-themed dinner party for their summer issue that would include Lea's *seriously* amazing menu, a beautifully designed tablescape, the Fogarty Winery as a venue and a group of lovely design bloggers. 
"Would I want to be part of this?" 
YES!!!
In late June, 13 design blogger ladies arrived at the Fogarty Winery venue a few miles south of San Francisco. As you can see from my photos above, it was quite breathtaking. We were shown the the tablescape that was designed by talented Jennifer Fraise and it was a sweet pink, green and white palette with both vintage and modern touches - elegant yet light. I personally loved the birdcage as a centerpiece and the floor cushions - a great small space idea. (See page 62 for a full behind-the-scenes video of how Jennifer concepted and created the tablescape) 
After the photo shoot overlooking the valley (did i say WOW already), we moved to the  Fogarty dining room in the main building where we enjoyed Lea's wonderful meal. As you can see from my reaction - it was also a gorgeous tablescape and view! (See a behind-the-scenes look on page 12 at Lea prepping the menu and the bloggers walking and enjoying the meal - what a night!!)  The entire day and evening was spectacular. and the Nesting Newbies issue 4 is really pretty amazing. Over 200 pages of design, cuisine and style inspiration - Jodie and Lea are total visionaries. Click here to view and also download your own copy for free! On a personal note, I got to spend time with friends Emily, Jeanine, Anne, Erin, Julia, Jennifer and meet all the other ladies. I began this blogging journey almost three years ago as a place to keep track of my inspiration notebook and now it has become a big part of my life with wonderful opportunities and huge rewards-  like all the new, true friends and e-meeting all of YOU!  Love it!
:: Images 1 - 7 from Nesting Newbies Issue 4 and the rest from me ::
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Daily DIY


One Pretty Thing 3 Sep 2010, 1:00 am CEST

DIY projects and tutorials from across the blogosphere.

designsponge:


Twitter / designsponge 3 Sep 2010, 12:49 am CEST

so happy after a delicious pork- filed meal at ssam be with barb from @knackstudio - it's so nice to finally meet after ages of emailing :)

Inside and Out


The Vintage Magpie 3 Sep 2010, 12:45 am CEST

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This week inside the studio, these guys are waiting to be packed off to their new home...

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and I am working on more new guys to take to Teddies 2010, the London Bear Show, next week.  Tick, tock :o

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and outside the little ones have been making the most of the weather (which has been glorious since we arrived back from the camping disaster) and lapping up the beach and the sunshine before they head back to school next week.

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where did those six weeks go?

Surely it can't be September, that means that Christmas is sneaking up to the back door :o

Have a great weekend everyone (and try to forget I even mentioned the 'C' word) :)  xxx

Josh Blackwell's Plastic Baskets


CRAFT 3 Sep 2010, 12:05 am CEST

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Plastic bags are banned in some places; Josh Blackwell turns them into art. While reuse is better than recycling, this is much more creative than taking them back to the grocery store or saving them for the dog run. I love the colors and textures he uses; they really do look like woven baskets. It looks like he got an artist's book funded through Kickstarter, so stay tuned! (Via Dude Craft.)

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book it


my little apartment 2 Sep 2010, 11:57 pm CEST

I stole this photo from Jamie's blog cause I like it and wanna remember the idea. capiche?

Avril Loreti’s Mixer Totes and Cocktail Napkins | Etsy Finds


At Home with Kim Vallee 2 Sep 2010, 11:48 pm CEST

i heart mixers tote by avril loreti

I featured today Avril Loreti, who is living in  Toronto, for my Etsy Finds column. She designed modern home decor and accessories with a playful “wink”. Avril makes cute kitchen theme shopping totes. It probably cut my eyes because it depicts the Empire red Kitchenaid mixer that is on my wish list. She printed her I heart Mixers illustration on a Bull Denim Woven Cotton Tote from American Apparel. If you do not like the red, you can specify which of the 7 other colors you want for the mixer.

cocktail napkins by avril loreti

Avril also makes white fabric napkins. It could be fun to play name the designer or the chair at cocktail parties. Or you can go with her Many Mixers Cocktail napkins.

SOURCING: + I heart Mixers Tote – Red by Avril Loreti $29 USD on etsy + Designer Chairs Cocktail Napkins by Avril Loreti $52 for a set of 8 + Many Mixers Cocktail Napkins $26 for 4, $52 for 8 at goodEGG Industries + Avril Loreti

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Watch: Installing Balcony Floor Tiles -- There's Still Time


Style Sheet 2 Sep 2010, 11:40 pm CEST


Dave Spiers, our installer, of Designer Deck Inc.

Earlier this summer I did a post on outdoor flooring. In it, I derided a colleague for having a most repelling AstroTurf disaster cladding her ample condo balcony, which essentially precluded her from ever using it.

I set out to transform this balcony, and we're well on our way.  Unfortunately, her shame lit a fire under her butt to get rid of that awful carpet, so I wasn't able to capture it on camera.   I did however make the following record of the first step in the transformation: my colleague's very smart choice of floating balcony tiles made of recycled plastic, made to look like wood.

Though summer is drawing to a close, I feel it's not a waste to post this video of what a balcony floor could look like. End of season means sales, as well as lots of openings for installation -- why follow the herd in high season when you can calmly outfit your balcony now, so that it's ready for the dawn of next summer?

Also, it's good to know what to expect from this stuff come Canadian winter, and looks like these recycle plastic tiles are the best choice for longevity. I did a fair amount of research when I took up this balcony cause, and though initially I was dead set on wood, was swayed by a local and well-established company, Designer Deck Inc., toward plastic (at $9.65/sq ft including installation, they are more expensive than pressure-treated wood -- $5.95/sq ft -- but less than Western Red Cedar, at $11.00/sq ft.)

NOTE: Installer Dave Spiers is not hard on the eyes...

 

My colleague, Christine, and I, visited the Designer Deck's showroom in Vaughan, Ontario, and there, in front of the wood samples, owner Barry Spiers convinced us that for a downtown balcony installation such as Christine's, the plastic tiles were they way to go.
Bottom line is, they looked pretty darn good. Normally, anything that masquerades as something it is not I am categorically against, but I take my hat off to this stuff. The colours are many and appealing (see here) and the faux-wood grain is quite convincing.  The plastic is what they call "no-memory" plastic, which conforms to whatever surface it's placed on, and doesn't resume its original shape. PLUS -- a majour plus -- they're made of recycled material and are virtually indestructible. 

In Ontario, you'll be happy to know that this product complies with condo codes as it is not affixed to the surface in any way.  Unlike much of what is available on the market, these tiles do not leech chemicals and/or colour onto the concrete beneath, often the cause of regulatory disputes with condo boards. And FYI, Designer Deck Inc. is offering a 10% discount until Sept. 30th. 
Anyone else try these?

Related:

 

Book Review + Giveaway: Creative, Inc.


CRAFT 2 Sep 2010, 11:36 pm CEST

Bookheader Creativeinc

For those of you who are dabbling with the notion of starting your own craft or design business this new book, Creative, Inc. The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Freelance Business by Meg Mateo Ilasco and Joy Deangdeelert Cho is the book for you. These ladies know what they are doing and I've been following their illustrious careers in the craft and design world for many years now. Joy runs her line of beautiful paper goods and the Oh Joy! design blog. Meg is the author of Craft Inc and the Craft Inc. Business Planner and also has her own line of paper goods as well. Illustrators, photographers, graphic designers, web designers, animators, and stylists - anyone in the creative field will love the various profiles of people working in the field and all their tips. I especially love the chapter on "Getting Paid" which goes into detail on how to make sure that you aren't giving away your talents for free. You'll learn how to figure out exactly how much you are worth based on your monthly expenses as well as how to estimate and invoice a project. The book also covers how to work with clients, how to market and publicize your work, and how to avoid creative burnout. Having your own business is not an easy task, but with the lessons and tips in Creative, Inc. you'll be better prepared as you make your path.

Book Giveaway Time!
Three lucky CRAFT readers will win a copy of Creative, Inc.. Just tell us why you would like this book in the comments. All comments will be closed by 5pm PST on Friday, September 3, 2010. The lucky winners will be chosen randomly and announced later on the site. Good luck!

Thanks for stopping by today for Creative, Inc.'s blog tour. Here are the rest of dates: Sept 3: Decor8 Sept 4: Kris Atomic Sept 5: Grain Edit

Creative, Inc. Book Party If you are in the San Francisco/Bay Area, don't miss the Creative, Inc. Book Party at Candy Store Collective in the Mission next Thursday, Sept 9th. Details below!

Book Party Invite Sf1

Read the Full Story » | More on CRAFT » | Comments » | Read more articles in Books and Magazines | Digg this!

Bags under my eyes.


Three Men and a Lady 2 Sep 2010, 11:33 pm CEST

Am tired, very tired.

Almost got to go New York City this week.

Been working on an exciting project, mum's the word.

Unrelated, anyone know of a good contractor or handyman who can do any sort of house renovation in Salt Lake City?

Has anysone seen this travel/shopping show?


decorology 2 Sep 2010, 11:20 pm CEST

So I was introduced to this show a while back, but I don't get the Sundance channel so I've never actually seen it. The show is called "Man Shops Globe," and features Keith Johnson - buyer at large for Anthropologie. The show was described to me as such, "Cameras follow Keith from flea markets in Paris to remote villages in India and obscure art studios in Turkey in his quest for the most unique and unusual decorative objects from around the world."

It sounded interesting so I went to the site to take a peak. From the video clips I saw it was really nice to see how Keith's creative mind worked. He could see an inspiring object, it's potential, and decide what it needed to be just perfect for the stores. I also think this show is good to educate viewers about the arts around the world, and what cultures are responsible for what crafts. I'm including a video clip below, and some pictures I found on the site. From what I've seen so far, if I had Sundance I'd probably check out this show!

A video below of shopping in India



Keith in Turkey, picking out some suzanis


Keith with designer Anna Sui in a bazaar in Syria




A mosque in Syria

An indoor market in Syria. Syria looks amazing - might have to put it on my travel list. Has anyone been?


In Casamidy, a contemporary furniture and accessories shop featuring local art. They work in close collaboration with a wide range of skilled and talented artisans based in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

From Cyprus

A studio in Australia

A detail form inside Australian artist Sibella Court's studio, The Society Inc.

Have you ever seen Man Shops Globe? I'd like to hear what you think!

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