Feeling Crafty

I rarely ever make 2 posts in one day, but I just had to share this with you guys! Today while I was in line to pay for my breakfast, I saw a sorority girl with a recruitment shirt on that I loved! The slogan was "You can never have enough friends or dresses when they're the perfect fit!" I adapted it a little and made this:

Mine says, "You can never have enough friends or dresses, especially if you're lucky enough to find the perfect fit!" I found a photo of a Lilly shift and thought that it was simply perfect!

I got this fabulous frame as a gift from the Lilly store for a graduation gift. Its from PotteryBarn and I love the silver ball decals, not to mention its engraved with my name! You can see all the reflections around my room and my desk calendar so it looks a little funny in a photo but trust me, I love it on my desk. Usually my desk is super cluttered, so you can't see the photos, but since I'm most likely bringing guests back tomorrow I want things to look presentable! I have photos from my Senior year homecoming, a hand-drawn "Story People"-esque print, a photo of my dad and I from when I was like 5, a picture of me and my best friend Emily, a family photo that I adore from my Baccalaureate ceremony (we all look really nice and I'm in my favorite J. Crew jacquard dress), a picture from the summer before Senior year where 2 of my friends are stacked on top of me and we're all laughing (Its cute because it was very spur of the moment AND I'm in a Lilly seersucker swimsuit. Its not very flattering but it reminds me of SUCH a fun day) and then of course the photo I posted yesterday of my Pink Crab loves!

If you're feeling crafty, make a print like mine and post it! Its too cute!

xxKatie

string art revisited

Remember string art?

I am probably really dating myself here, but at one point 

almost everyone I knew had some hideous version of a schooner or the like hanging in their rec room.

But I found a crafter on Etsy that is bringing string art to a new level.

I give you... California.

some witty examples for a kids room....

or the kitchen...

(mangia means eat in Italian, and it was the first Italian word I learned growing up :)

I don't know if you ever dined with a large group of Italians, 

but always, ALWAYS, you are being urged to "mangia, mangia!")

Anyhoo, pretty cool take on string art, no?

How many of you are already thinking about that extra bit of wood in the garage,

plotting out a project?

I know I am!

The Humongously Talented Amy Butler

Some people are brimming with creativity..

you know the ones, always a project on the go - 

they despise the common, always preferring the original and unusual.

If they are fortunate and extremely hard-working, 

they find vehicles for their creativity and they flourish, 

their passion showing through in all they achieve.

Amy Butler is such a woman.

Her company is overflowing with beautiful and inspired creations.

She spent time as a contributing editor for Country Living magazine,

but her real story is about making..

everything!

Here are some of the treasures you will find at her site..

 Amy Butler Design is hugely diversified,

so go and explore to see more of these wonderful goodies..

dreamy fabrics..

   

              

               

Rugs, oh these are really too lovely to walk on.. art for your floors..

                

                

did someone mention art?

This is just the tip of the iceberg.. 

Amy Butler is very obviously humongously talented

I am in love with her craft papers..

and organic bedding..

and now I find out she is delving into wallpaper!!

can't wait!

hope you have fun poking around on her site,

it always make me smile :)

til next time..

Cloth vs. Paper: Which Do You Use?

There's nothing quite like freshly washed linens, is there?

The smell, the softness...

source

Cloth napkins are fast becoming an everyday reality around here.

The kids are more aware of environmental issues and are pushing for reform :)

I resisted the idea at first - it seemed like they were going to be a lot of work. 

Do you use cloth napkins? Heaps of our friends think we're crazy!

But the with three darlings the reality is they barely count in the weekly laundry.

I like cotton for everyday, and linen for guests.

source

Linen napkins and tablecloths may be fairly pricey to purchase,

but they are really, really simple to sew up yourself.

I"ve found a plethora of DIY's out there over time, and thought I would share.

The easiest idea out there - perfect for everyday napkins.

Purchase fat quarters (pre-cut squares used in quilting) 

in bundles (usually grouped by color - yay!)

and just iron and sew...

Playful brights - just cut iron and sew.

 1 2 3 4

add some detail with rikrak or edging..

If you're fancy :) have your napkins monogrammed, or use fabric paint and do it yourself.

The minimalist font in the bottom right is perfect, isn't it?

A package of rit and an hour gets you ombre or batik effects.

Plain napkins work perfectly for folding.

A charming bunny fold is festive.

 Martha's rose bowl is stunning but sadly would require folding skills superior to my own :)

My old standby is the bow -

it only takes a minute and all you need is a piece of ribbon - 

how great is that?

For really large dinners we serve buffet style, 

and it's usually a ribbon around a roll-up,

cutlery tucked neatly inside.

Love that tailored look on the right, it reminds me of an obi somehow!

If you like napkins rings those beautiful versions left and top right

were made with dollar store items!!

Lushly colored linen highlights place settings -

a tiny version of a birds nest shines atop a mauve napkin.

We don't have a set of napkins large enough that they co-oridnate for large soirees, so

I'm halfway through making an enormous set of white linen napkins for this weekend!

I've kept it neutral so they can be used for Easter, Christmas, a birthday, etc.

but I'm planning to add a tiny rikrak trim for a bit of detail :)

Show you when they're done..

Easter Tables: Let the Planning Begin

The holiday weekend is fast approaching,

and my thoughts are focused on Easter tables.

This spectacular table was created by none other than Eddie Ross,

for a charity event last year.

That's the most exquisite easter table I've ever seen - truly. 

You?

I so admire this man's creativity and originality.

He stayed up all night crafting the 14 dozen sparkled and gem encrusted eggs -

sounds like a kindred spirit, right?!!

Head over to his blog if you'd like to watch a video

 and read more about his inspiration and design process.

We've got 34 people heading over next sunday for Easter dinner, 

so you may have to bear with me this week as I have entertaining on the brain :)

and those glittery eggs are calling my name!!

Are you hosting this weekend?

What are you decor plans?

Spring Cool: DIY Bracelet

If you like these as much as I do...

then you'll love this simple DIY...

the girlies and I will be making these shortly -

perfect poolside activity!

x