recent loves

I think i'm getting sick, ugh... Bring on the EmergenC and Zicam! I really hope I'm not getting sick because this is the WORST week ever to be under the weather. I have to finish sewing 6 more dresses, 10 headbands, and 6 pairs of babylegs by the end of the week...shoot me now.

Onto other things, I recently came across the blog Elements of Style, and got sucked into a 2 day non-stop blog reading fest. I couldn't help myself but read back over a year in Erin's posts. Her writing is witty, hilariously funny, and her sense of style is spot on. 

Now my design style is somewhere in between Pottery Barn/Vintage/Luxe/Modern and Classic...wow, that really narrowed it down eh? Really I just love all type of styles and decor and am drawn to just plain beautiful things! Even before I got stuck on Elements of Style, I've always been a a fan of geometric designs (hello lattice/greek key/chevron). I thought today I'd share a few personal/home decor things I'm loving right now.

First, I've been using the stationary below for quite some time. I love it. So fresh and modern, it really does make me smile when I write a note onto one of these bad boys.

my personal stationary via shutterfly

Second, I had to return something at Bath and Body Works (the smelly car air freshener scent thingy, which didn't work very well) and while I was there I saw this AMAZING candle holder. Seriously?! When did BBW start making chic candle holders? They never had anything this fashion forward when I worked there...I snagged this one for $5 (yes, $5!!!).

candle holders via bath & body works

The next item is a lucite tray. Basically from what I gather is that lucite is really just acrylic (read: plastic). Now maybe I'm missing something, but why is it that an acrylic tray costs $50-$200?!! I'm going to hunt one of these down somewhere, and DIY myself one of these monogramed trays. Mark my word.

lucite tray via iomoi

Last but not least meet Chevron's trendy and exotic cousin, Ikat. Ikat has been seen around for a while now, and while searching around for some new throw pillows for our bed I thought this print would be perfect. While I do like Chevron, it seems every other person on the face of the earth (or at least Pinterest) likes Chevron too. I ordered a yard of this black + ivory ikat print which I'll make some pillows for the bed from, and I think it's a little more chic and exotic than your standard design.

black + white ikat pillow via kassapanola

{pottery barn knock off pillows}

Pottery Barn, ahhh...the catalog I love browsing through a million times, wishing I could afford things from. So when a friend recently asked if I wanted to do a little project with her inspired by something from the catalog of course how could I say no?  

Our inspiration came from the ever popular Pottery Barn monogram pillows and numbered pillows. Except that we are both on a budget and didn't want to pay the PB price, we're more of Ikea price kinda girls.

Our adventure started with a trip to Ikea where we each picked up two white pillow covers. The covers measured 20x20 inches but we decided to go with the 26x26 inch Ikea pillow forms instead of the 20x20 inch ones. We both agreed that we like our pillows "fluffier" and after cramming one of the larger inserts into the cover, we both agreed that the larger was more flattering.

Then we made our own templates. Easy to do in any word processing software or photoshop. (We did ours in photoshop) After printing out the letters and designs on card stock, and cutting them out with x-acto knives, we taped the stencils onto the pillow covers using blue painters tape (be sure to stick a piece of cardboard in between your layers to prevent bleeding). Then we went to work painting the stencils with black fabric paint. Easy, easy, easy!

Photos courtesy brooketrogdon.com

Cute eh? It was a great project to do, and it got me thinking that I really need to try my hand at knocking off some other Pottery Barn items, so be on the lookout for those...I already have a few in the works. 

{zippered pillow covers}

Every sewer wonders what to do with scraps. Little leftovers that you can't bare to part with. For me it was getting to the point where I needed to find a way to use some of them. I had a few pillow forms laying around {making covers for them had been on my 'to do' list for over a year!} and I decided to make a few patchwork covers for them. I went with a pink theme, and a blue theme, and as for the smallest pillow? I used a solid pattern fabric and put a pink ribbon ruffle across the middle.

You can see in the picture above that I patch worked the front of the covers and the back I used co-ordinating solid prints. I also installed zippers in all three covers so that they can be washed and changed out for a new look.

I love zippers. I love the idea that you can take things off and on with them, I love how they hide in the seam, I love how they make items look professional, I love items that the maker thought enough of to install them in, however, I do not love installing zippers. That was until I came across this tutorial from Design Sponge.

I first used the tutorial back when I made a small throw pillow for Ella's nursery. Seriously, this tutorial changed my life! Who would have thought that installing zippers could be so easy? For the longest time not me, that's for sure. But they are, and you all should try a project that involves installing a zipper.

And another small piece of advice, check out your local thrift store for zippers. My local store has a notions/craft area and I ALWAYS walk out of there with a handful of zippers for about 20 cents a piece. Just another reason to love zippers! Ok, onto the pillows:

Blue/Green Scheme

Pink/Orange Scheme

Ribbon Ruffle Pillow