Hoping things are OK soon.

I'm sure everyone is fully aware of the massive tornado devastation in Moore, Oklahoma by now. For those of us who are too far away to lend a hand in person, there are lots of donation opportunities popping up. You can donate directly to the Red Cross by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation and specify OK tornadoes.



There are also other small businesses jumping up with goods for sale benefiting the Red Cross. I just purchased a few of these Moore Tornado Relief Tees from Shop Good. It feels good to support a small Oklahoma business and all of the proceeds will be donated to Red Cross tornado relief. Win, win. Order a few and give them to your friends.

*Shop Goods tweeted earlier this evening that they've raised $6500 and counting for the Red Cross through their t-shirt sales. Awesome!

Travel jewelry wrap.

Before I left on my trip to London, I had been thinking about things that would make my life a little easier when I'm traveling and realized that I didn't have anything to hold my jewelry! I had just purchased a 1/4 yard of this great fabric and thought it would be perfect for a jewelry wrap! I found this great tutorial from Sew Crafty Jess but altered the steps to fit the materials I had on hand and the style I was going for. Here's what I did and the materials I used:



1/4 yard outside fabric
1/4 yard felt or batting
Embroidery floss in coordinating colors
Embroidery hoop
1/4 yard inside fabric
1/4 yard clear vinyl
3 zippers
1 package double fold bias tape
2 buttons
Yarn or twine for the tie
Beads for the tie ends

I used this tutorial as a guide, but altered the process a bit to fit my materials. Finished dimensions of the wrap are 8" wide x 18.5" long

I basted the felt onto the outside fabric and did some embroidery using floss in coordinating colors. You can skip the embroidery step, but I thought it gave the fabric a little more character and special detail. The felt also gives the wrap some extra padding.



Cut a 4" x 9" strip of fabric for the zipper ends. Iron it in half lenthwise. Open it up, and fold the outer edges inside to the center fold and press. You'll end up with 1" x 9" strip. Cut it into 1 1/2" pieces to go on e

After I had my outer fabric all ready, I cut the inside fabric to size (8" x 18.5"), and then just followed the directions from the tutorial. I also altered the size of my pockets a little bit since I only had 3 zippers instead of 4. 


What I learned:

Vinyl can be difficult to sew! I used 4 gauge vinyl for this project and found it to be very slippery and stretchy. As I was sewing, it would shift under the pressure foot, making it difficult to keep straight and aligned. Fortunately, there were only a couple small spots on the inside of the pockets that bunched up. Maybe thicker vinyl wouldn't shift as much? I'll have to do some experimenting.

Since I used metal zippers, it was better to use larger zipper ends so I wouldn't have to sew over the actual zipper when I added the bias tape. I cut 4" x 9" strips for the zipper ends, followed the steps in the tutorial for ironing, and cut it into 6, 1.5" pieces. These larger zipper ends also made the bias tape lay flatter than it would if I had to sew over the zippers.

All in all it was a fun sewing project to try out and was so useful on my trip. My jewelry was easy to see and was nice and safe when all wrapped up. I'm planning on making a few more soon. I think they'd make great, useful gifts! 

New Classic: Arne Clausen Collection

I'm always on the hunt for authentic mid-century housewares and decor at thrift shops and garage sales. Some things are difficult increasingly difficult to find, so it's great when designers re-release popular products. One item I've never had the pleasure to come across in real life is the coveted Catherineholm Lotus Bowl. Originally issued in enamel, the design is being re-released by Danish design company Lucie Kass in ceramic for the Arne Clausen Collection, named for the man who created the popular design.

The name Arne Clausen might not sound familiar to many people, nevertheless, the Norwegian artist had a very influential role in one of Scandinavia's biggest design successes in the 1960's. Arne Clausen was employed as a decorator at the Norwegian factory Cathrineholm and he is behind the world famous "lotus" pattern which adorned many of the most popular products from Cathrineholm. Other than being used to decorate products from Cathrineholm the "lotus" pattern also found its way to Denmark where it was used to decorate porcelain items from Lyngby Porcelæn. The iconic "lotus" pattern is by many considered one of the most powerful examples of timeless Scandinavian design.

In collaboration with Arne Clausen's family we have launched a collection of ceramic bowls where the beautiful "lotus" pattern again comes to its right.

Aren't they beautiful? I'm eyeing the white and aqua one. I think it would look great in my kitchen on my teal countertops! The list of stockists doesn't show any retail US locations yet, but I'm hoping they make their way to this continent soon.

Images and quote from Lucie Kass.

Cutting flowers out of felt or paper.

I shared this Cherry Blossom Wreath project last year, and recently received a request from a reader for more detailed information on how to create the felt flowers. I've outlined the process with step-by-step photos. I hope it helps!



I'm demonstrating this technique with paper, but the same process works with felt.
Start with a square of your material. I used a 2" square in these photos.



Draw a simple flower with 5 petals onto the material. I usually skip this step and just go for it with my scissors, but it's easier to keep your cuts organized if you have some lines to follow.



It's best to cut from the outside of your material inwards, instead of trying to turn the scissors in tight spots. This image shows the directions of the cuts.



Cut along the lines and remove the excess. That's it! A simple flower.



To add a little more cherry blossom flower detail, cut v-shaped notches out of the ends of the petals.



For a little more detail, cut strips out of the center of each petal.



To do this with felt, fold a petal back in half, and cut two small parallel lines. Then just snip out the strip on both ends with the scissors.

Clearly, this technique leaves crease lines on paper. To add these cut-outs to paper with no creases, use an Xacto knife on a cutting surface instead, and just remove the skinny rectangles.



Make a bunch and make a wreath of your own!

Long lost London Tube art.

I'm fresh off the plane from my trip to London! I had SUCH a wonderful time with my dear friend (hadn't seen her in about 7 years) seeing the sights and taking in the local culture. I'm home now with a bit of a new perspective, as international travel usually gives me, with lots of creative ideas and some new inspiration. International travel also gives me jet lag, so I'm dropping by today with a quick link to an interesting read.


I became pretty familiar with the London Tube system during my visit. I even took a couple ambitious trips all by my lonesome, one to Notting Hill. This morning I was excited when I stumbled across this article about the a secret poster "museum" in the Notting Hill Tube Station. Seriously, I was just there 2 days ago!


Anyway, the interesting thing is, when modern escalators were installed in the stations, many old passages were blocked off. This one at Notting Hill has a great collection of vintage posters that have sat in the dark for over 50 years.



I love the graphics on these! Unfortunately for us (but probably fortunately for the delicate posters) the passage was resealed, but you can see all of the photos on Mikey Ashworth's flickr account, and read more about the story on this Messy Nessy Chic article.

*All poster photos by Mikey Ashworth, via his Flickr account. Tube photos by me. :)

Little things.

What a crazy week it's been. I've been torn between checking the news obsessively to not want to look at it at all. I think everyone, myself included, took a huge sigh of relief on Friday night, but things are still a little tense. In light of all the tragedy going on around us I'm trying to make some time to appreciate the little things. Like my succulent collection basking in the sunshine. I hope you have a great week!

London: MINI Factory

Ok, well it's not IN London, but it's close by! During my trip to the UK I am so excited that I'll be able to stop off in Oxford to take a tour of the MINI factory!


It's something I knew I always wanted to do, to see the place where my MINI (Max) and so many others were built. When I was planning my trip, I knew I had to book the tour in advance. So I checked out the MINI UK online booking calendar and was horrified to see that tours were unavailable the ENTIRE time I was in the UK. What?! I was so disappointed and even joked (maybe) with my friend that I would scale the factory fence if I needed to, James Bond style.

The first New MINI rolls off the assembly line in 2001.
My Max would come through just a little while later!

Thankfully that won't be necessary, as a tour spot opened up for us! Yay! Even though photography is prohibited inside, I will definitely share my experience with you here. I'm very excited as I've heard nothing but good things about this tour from other MINI peeps.

Sophisticated robots do most of the work building MINIs now.

The paint room won't be a stop on the tour, as it's under strict dust regulations!

I did a little research and learned that the Oxford plant just celebrated it's 100th anniversary in March!




Inside the Oxford Plant in building Morris Minors around 1950.

Check out this great article to read more about Oxford's car building history and to see more great images. I'm really looking forward to my tour! Have you ever been to the MINI factory? Or another car

All photos via press.bmwgroup.com from the article referenced above.

What I've been up to.

I've been busy with work this week (a big deadline is now behind me, thankyouverymuch!) and trying to plan for my up-coming trip to London. I'm a nervous flyer, so I've been assembling a list of the best things to put in my carry on bag to put me at ease/keep me busy/help me sleep. I've never written one of those "in my bag" posts, but I think I may have to type something up to share about it. Look for that next week!

Besides the personal stuff, I've been working on a few new products for the Etsy shop. I've got new screen printed MINI Cooper patches on heavy canvas! I have them available in red, navy blue, and black so far, and available with or without iron-on adhesive on the back. I also have these printed with the Classic Mini design as well. Put a MINI on it!


New colors in the Little MINIs fabric! Now in Spicy Orange and British Racing Green. You can find those in the shop.



And because I can't sit still, I've started working a new sewing project. Here's a litte sneak peek:


Isn't that fabric print great? I bought a 1/4 yard on a whim the other day and am pleased that I've already found a use for it. I hope you have a great weekend!

London: Liberty

I can't believe time the is just flying by: I leave for London in 13 days! I have a few things planned so far, but one stop on my must-see list is LIBERTY!


Liberty is an iconic London company and holds an important place in the history of fashion fabric design. My guidebook says that the first Liberty show was opened in 1875 selling oriental silks. Soon after, they began selling fabric prints (all made in England) that have become quite iconic. Check out this video showing their printing process.



I've saving my pennies for some Liberty fabric to call my own. I plan on buying a couple pieces to add to my fabric hoard that I may or may not ever make something out of. Does anyone else do that? Buy beautiful pieces of fabric to just look at, and enjoy? I think the more important question is: How the heck will I choose? I already want all the prints!


Funny enough, the day after I bought my plane ticket I saw an announcement on Twitter that this book, "Liberty Love" was coming out. The projects look modern and fun, and the book has a MINI on the cover! Come on!


You can find other Liberty themed books on Amazon. "The Liberty Book of Home Sewing" sounds like another good one.  



Do you have any Liberty fabric? Do you have the courage to cut into it and make something?

*Fabric print images from the Liberty website.

We've MADe it...

...to the Friday before the Mad Men Season 6 Premier! With impecable timing (ha!), Time Magazine shared photos of the Time & Life building (the very building that houses the SCDP offices on the show) in the 60's. Get ready for some very cool interiors. (Above: I love the indoor plants arranged in a bed of white gravel. That bench with space for magazines in the center is great, as is the wall of pinch-pleated curtains that goes straight up to the ceiling.)



In this elevabor bank we experience some graphic opposites. The lady in the background in the black and white polkadot dress is a nice touch, as are the white blooms on the plant shelf.

 

Simple floors and walls draw attention to the dynamic pattern on the ceiling.


If elevators aren't your bag, try using a sweeping staircase instead. This one offers views of Radio City.



When the men need to get down to business, they can gather in this plush conference room. I like the circular cluster of ceiling lights mimics the shape of chairs around a table. They must have hid the afternoon cocktails in this shot.


Here's one of the jazzier lobbies, with its futuristic furnishings, bold patterned floor, and artistic light fixtures.

Check the entire post and all of the photos of the Time & Life Building in the 60's.

If you're looking for a little paper crafting to keep you busy till Sunday, check out these great Mad Men Paper dolls (and other wonderful MM illustrations) from Dyna Moe, via Mad for Mid-Century.