Friday, December 04, 2009

Garden Inspiration

You know sometimes when you see a photo, or a place, or a special something...and it just speaks to you?

That's how I feel about the garden featured in the July/August issue of Gardening How-to Magazine
(a publication of the National Home Gardening Club).
The home garden is the sanctuary for gardening designer Laura Crockett.

chartreuse plants
Chartreuse plants are my favorite, and these bold grass-like shrubs are like architectural elements, accented by handmade ceramic globe sculptures.

Crockett has several sculptural items and other garden art in her space, but it is artfully arranged.
She suggests you arrange your art into "points of composition", and group it together like you would a table centerpiece, versus randomly spread out everywhere.

fence
This perimeter fence absolutely slays me.
It is a steel frame, with polycarbonate panels, and adjustable wooden baffles.
The panels provide a hint of view, but allow for opening (like louvers) if you want the outside in.
In my case, I have a stream below my garden adjacent to the street.
I want to block the street so I can have privacy, but sometimes I like the view and sound of the stream.
This could be the perfect solution for me.

I have an estimate for a wooden enclosure, but I want to find out how much more expensive this metal version might be.

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Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Rudolph pin idea

Forgive my irregular posting lately.
At one client's house I lost internet access, and now I don't have a scanner...
so I had to go into the archives of my Flickr page to find something to post.

Since December is right around the corner, I thought I'd show you this kitschy reindeer pin.
I didn't make it, but someone did (my mom bought it at a craft fair).
Reindeer pin
He's made from pieces of pinecone.
He has a sparkly rhinestone nose, and copper wire with beads through his antlers.
The face is handpainted.

I just think it's fun and festive.

Hmmm...might be cute to recreate with pretzels and chocolate to top cupcakes.
Or with wool felt on a package.
Or???

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Thursday, June 14, 2007

I'd love to hear your ideas!

A co-worker asked me if I'd make her ring pillow for her wedding.
Not wanting anything typical, I'm trying to come up with something really wonderful.
Do you have any websites or ideas for me?

One idea I have is to sew a ruffle from sparkly organza or tulle and fill it with silk rose petals, confetti, or personalized M&M's (their favor).
Shoot, even rice or birdseed might be fun.
Or glitter. The bride is a sparkly type.

Another is to make the Amy Butler flower pillow.
But I'd have to make it on a smaller scale.

Another is collage the couple's photos onto fabric and make a pillow from that.

The bride is overwhelmed with having to choose.
I just want to submit great ideas to her.
I mean, pillows are a breeze to make--it's wild how expensive they are.

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Wednesday, May 02, 2007

For the love of rick rack

The theme for this month's Tie One On apron challenge is Rick Rack.
I meant to make an apron. I really did. But it didn't happen.
My ideas are still fun to share though.
I considered the possibilities:

Add a pattern detail in rick rack, like on this vintage girl's smock pattern.
Girl's Smock Pattern

Or make a design out of rick rack, like the heart on this bag
(from Wrights Idea Book of Trims, 1972)
Holy Rickrack, Batman!

But I decided, no, I was most inspired by this amazing shawl made by Patti Pasteur
(from the Sept/Oct 2006 issue of Belle Armoire Art to Wear Magazine)
Shawl by Patti Pasteur
See the fringe? It is varying widths of lace.

So I wanted to make an apron with a fringe of my rick rack scraps, plus some extra wide rick rack that I've seen in quilt shops lately.
It would be fun and festive.
But, sigh, it didn't happen.
Not yet, anyway.

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Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Continued Inspiration...

My tendency to browse catalogs and ebay for ideas and inspiration certainly isn't limited to children's clothing.

For now I'll just share one that haunts me.
Perhaps because I so love border prints. Or appliqued borders. Or embellished borders. And pics like this get me thinking...

I love this skirt with the train border, from a vintage photograph I saw on ebay, of some ladies seated at a diner booth.

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Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Sewing kid's clothing...ideas and inspirations

I would love to be able to sew for my own kids, but I don't have any.
So I have a bunch of projects planned to make clothing for my friend Jen's kids, especially her four year old daughter.

I love browsing catalogs and places like ebay for inspiration.
And I love the idea of getting wild with mixing up a bunch of fabrics.

Like these fun examples from ebay:







Here's a cute boy's tee. It all comes down to fabric choice


eek! Look at this adorable Oilily Owl Bag!!!

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