Whimsical Works of David Weidman

I'm so excited, we just received our first shipment from Gingko Press, purveyor of gorgeous design books. One of the books that I've been dying to get (for myself & The store) is The Whimsical Works of David Weidman. I saw this in Austin last spring, but didn't pull the trigger on buying it. What a fool I was! The images are gorgeous and the colors are outstanding. Such a book for inspiration!

Liberty Autumn Collection

Check out all the details behind Liberty's Autumn fabric collection. I can't wait to get our order! Although, can I just say that I love the star fabric that is on the image below (at the left) and I don't think I saw that one, or I totally would have ordered it. Oh well, I'll just have to nab some when we visit in September.

Not to rub it in or anything.

Design*sponge book

This is going to be an awesome book. Can't wait to get it!

Design Sponge at Home (Official Book Trailer) from The Panic Room Videos on Vimeo.

This just in..

We received some new fabric today, which I think brightens up the day. I'm still on my Dena Designs Kumari Garden kick and we have a paisley as well as two of her "gem" fabrics

And of course, I can't get away from Jay McCarroll's Habitat collection. We have one new colorway of the Pollen and I had to get everyone's favorite Drop Cloth print. It's just too good not to keep in stock!

Paris Flat Re-discovered

I love the images from this Parisian flat. It was recently re-discovered after 70 years of being locked up tight. The owner, a Mrs. de Florian left the apartment before WW2 and never returned. When she died recently, at the age of 91 the apartment was opened and a treasure trove of furnishings were found. You can read more here..

Emma's lipstick

At the grocery store yesterday I glanced to my right and saw this Vogue cover with Emma Watson. I had to buy it. Not necessarily for Emma Watson, although she does look spectacular in her shoot...it was the lipstick. Isn't that the most gorgeous lipstick color? I normally stick with a matte lipstick, but every once in a while I love a full gloss, and this one is on my list to track down.

Ric Rac Roundup 2011

We are so excited because in just one month from today it will be the Ric Rac Roundup. Huzzah! 23 of our favorite crafters will be together for your shopping pleasure. And we are excited to announce that from 9-1 Eliza Jane Photography will be shooting photobooth pics. Also, we will have All Ears Mobile DJ keeping the party going all day long with his great music.

Be sure to keep track of everything Ric Rac Roundup at our new website.

Mark your calendars, call your friends, save your money and don't forget the sunscreen. We will see you in a month!

Vintage Vogue

I'm working on a new project! Well, almost. I guess let's say I'm about to work on a new project. I've had this pattern hanging around my sewing room forever. Of course there are a million patterns hanging around and this is just one of many that I haven't attempted.

But now is the time. You see E is going to a Vintage Dress car show while we are England, and I thought this would be perfect. And I might want one as well, while we are at it. Of course the pattern is marked "Advanced" so we will be making a practice one first, just in case disaster occurs. I read through it however and it didn't seem that bad. (Famous last words)

Has anyone made it? Do you know?

New Emmy-Ray!

Our good friend Emmy-Ray just revealed her brand spankin' new website for her floral design business. It is gorgeous! And she is fabulous in her introductory video. Check it out!

Liberty Book of Home Sewing

Did you see the sneak peek of the gorgeous new Liberty book of Home Sewing? I can't wait to get it. Sadly, we'll have to wait until September...

Is it just me, or should Liberty have been doing books like this all along?

Bernina!

I brought a new friend home to my sewing room this weekend. Hello Bernina! I hope you will enjoy your new home..

Liberty of London carpet room.

I saw these images posted on Liberty of London's facebook page and my first thought was "Oooh, rugs" my second thought was "carpet room = shame". Why you ask?

Well, during my brief internship in the Liberty PR department one of my jobs was to pull things for magazines. I would take my Liberty Credit card and "buy" everything that we were pulling. One day I was sent to the rug department (I'm assuming for a rug, but can't really remember) and as I was talking to the dept. salesperson I dropped the card. And it slid right under one of those wooden boxes piled with 500 lbs. worth of rugs. Sigh. Not one of those boxes set above the floor, nope, the one that only had enough room for a credit card to get under.

I'm not sure how we got it out, I don't think it involved moving 100 rugs to get to it, but there is a good possibility that it did and I've blocked out the memory. Oh the shame!

Little Leaf Guesthouse

In the never ending quest to find places to stay in England, I think I have found the perfect spot for J & I in St. Ives. After hours on Travel Advisor and a myriad of other websites I came across the Little Leaf Guest House. (Isn't that the cutest name ever?)Anyway, I was so happy to wander over to their website and see all the lovely rooms. What really sold me was reading their blog. It turns out that Little Leaf has not been open very long. The owners had traveled to St. Ives last year and stayed in the same building when it was a different guesthouse. The place was for sale so on a whim they decided to buy it, move from London and run it! A whim to open a business when they have no experience? That is my kind of people.

We haven't booked it yet, but I'm hoping to this week, I don't want it to fill up while I'm dallying around.

New Books!

Did I mention that we received some fabulous new books? Both the quilting books have ignited a quilting fire within me. The Carefree Clothes for Girls book is completely gorgeous and the Built by Wendy book is going to put my already massive coat collection over the edge. We'll just have to build a bigger closet!

Selvedge issue 40, Britannia

The new Selvedge has arrived. And so I will be eschewing work today for reading. I mean, how could I not? There are articles on Orla Kiely, British Textiles and even a little portrait of Mary Quant! (And that's just what I saw on my 20 second flip through) Don't worry, we kept a few copies for you too!

Anna Mae Bread Co.

I saw Frolic highlighted this Anna Mae Bread Co. today, and not only did the bread (yum!) catch my eye, but also the bags. Designed by Hammerpress of course!

Shana, the owner, started her company using her grandmother's (Anna Mae) sourdough bread recipe. Now she is selling rolls all over the country, sadly I didn't see anything in MO or KS. Maybe Hammerpress could use their connections to wrangle us some rolls? I think J would love the sweet potato and molasses flavor.

Elizabeth Cotton Pajamas.

This morning it is gray and rainy and would be perfect for lounging in bed. Especially if you were wearing these Elizabeth Cotton Liberty pajamas. Oh! I bet they are soo soft. And wouldn't it be decadent to sleep in such a gorgeous fabric?

The Kinks Have a cuppa Tea

This song came on right after I finished that last post. Fate anyone?
http://youtu.be/c3rxNCzzJpY

Afternoon Tea

E and I have been busy today. Working really hard. Well, not on work exactly..more on research for where we will have afternoon tea in London. After looking at the top Tea Places 2011 on Afternoon Tea we have narrowed it down to 4 choices. All beautiful, all delicious looking and, of course, all expensive. (but hey, you can't take it with you, right?)

First and foremost is The Ritz London. I mean, does it get any better? It sounds glamorous just to say it! But is it too fancy for us? What does one wear to tea at the Ritz? Will I need to take some etiquette classes before I go?

Next is The Dorchester. As lovely as the Ritz but with a little bit more quirk to it. Also they are rumored to have the deepest bath tubs in London. (No, not that we will get to try those, but I think it's something to take into consideration. Although E did say that we should see if there is a tea/bath/nap option)

The Chesterfield Mayfair won us over with it's ferns and stripey fabric. E loves ferns and has a mild obsession with vintage-y atrium rooms. And the Chesterfield offers a Chocolate Lover's tea, which I'm all for.

And last but not least is Brown's Hotel. Which I have to say I've heard most frequently mentioned in the same sentence as awesome afternoon tea. It's got a nice classic look to the room, but jazzed up with Paul Smith lighting and fabrics. And this room was the inspiration for an Agatha Christie book, so that's pretty awesome.

So which would you choose? They suggest reservations should be made about 12 weeks in advance, which is why we are trying to decide now. Did I mention that every tea involves clotted cream and jam? Yum!