December Skye

Baby Clothes

2013-05-27T21:52:00.002-04:00

I made this baby dress for a friend who just had a baby girl. I've actually made 3 baby girl dresses this past week, each for a different friend. I've mentioned before how much I love making baby clothes, but I especially like to make baby girl clothes. Anything miniature is always cuter!

Yellow

2013-04-30T16:05:00.000-04:00

A few years ago, my husband and I were walking along the Thames River in London, just passed Shakespeare's Globe theater, when we spotted a charming door painted yellow. I have an image of that door stored away in the back of my mind that always resurfaces anytime I see a yellow door. And I'd love to have one someday. Yellow doors make me smile, and so do most other things that are yellow!

I know I said that red is my favorite color, but when it comes to fashion or interior design, I always gravitate towards yellow first. Yellow emits happiness into the atmosphere. Yellow also symbolizes friendship, enthusiasm, cheerfulness, and creativity.

In our dining room, we have yellow chevron curtains, and a yellow chair in our living room. My main purse I carry is yellow, I have 2 pairs of yellow shoes, and one of my favorite dresses I ever owned was yellow. Needless to say, I really love yellow. And I think it all comes down to the way yellow makes me feel happy!

1 J. Crew via Pinterest / 2 Back on Festive / 3 Gary Pepper Vintage / 4 Cambridge Satchel via Keikolynn / 5 Tory Burch via Quintessence / 6 Beach House Decorating / 7 HGTV

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The Color Red

2013-04-23T17:13:00.000-04:00

Since I wanted to write more about colors in design, today I gathered up a few lovely red photos.

I love the color red, in fact it is my all time FAVORITE color!

Red definitely makes a bold statement, and I know it isn't for everyone, especially when it comes to interior design. However, when done right, it can be exciting and energizing. Red symbolizes love, warmth, energy, intensity, life, and excitement.

Usually, the key with red, is just don't go overboard. Painting all four walls red in a room, may be too much. But painting a door red or chairs red (like above) is absolutely to die for! And the same goes with fashion. I wouldn't pair solid red clothing with red accessories, but when paired with other colors, especially neutrals, red is stunning.

What do you think? Is red too bold of a color or would you use it in design?

1 Fashion Population / 2 Boden / 3 House Beautiful / 4 Atlantic-Pacific / 5 Sarah from Classy Girls Wear Pearls / 6 Lauren from a Lo and Behold Life's cute red door

Using Color in Design

2013-04-22T12:48:00.000-04:00

"I wonder if any element of interior design is more personal than color?

Nothing can more quickly reveal aspect of personality and character

than the choice - or absence - of color."

-Van Day Truex

Let's talk about color! I'm excited to start a new blog series dedicated to designing with color. My last series, on small space living, was fun as I wrote about design ideas for making small spaces more livable. Ever since then, I've been wanting to do another series, and I figure that now is the time!

I often consider color when deciding what material I'll use for making a dress, decor pillows, etc. Often the decision is based on the season, or my mood at the time, or what already matches my decor. And sometimes, it's a less thoughtful process, of simply picking what colors are available at the fabric store. But these small color decisions, whether thought out or not, make a big difference in the way that the finished products are perceived and the feeling they give.

Color says a lot about personality. Van Day Truex's quote about color revealing personality can also be applied to fashion. The clothes we wear can often reveal something about us, just like the color we paint the walls in our home may reveal something about us.

I'm excited to explore different colors over the next few weeks and identify some of the meanings and symbolism behind each color, specifically as they relate to fashion and interior design.

Each week, I will post on a different color. And, I'll begin tomorrow with a post on the color RED!

(Photo from this cute Etsy shop, where the pillows are for sale!)

Navy Blue Decor Pillows with White Sofa

2013-04-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

If I had a white sofa, like this beautiful sofa above, I think I'd like to match it with navy blue decor pillows. I just think this room above is beautiful. I also really love the gold accents around the room :)
So, while dreaming about navy blue decor pillows, I found a few of my favorite around Etsy:

1 The Pillow Fight / 2 Bixby Basil / 3 Whitlock & Co / 4 Jillian Rene Decor / 5 Kain Kain / 6 Festive Home Decor

Top image from Loney

All Black

2013-04-18T07:51:00.000-04:00

Look how cute this outfit is! She's wearing all black, which normally, I don't wear, not wanting to look too gothic, but this outfit doesn't at all. It looks really classic and chic. And, ironically, I usually don't gravitate towards big statement necklaces. I'm more of a minimalist when it comes to jewelry. But I love this necklace here. It completes the look and gives it some interest, which is definitely needed with all black. And finally there's the clutch. This is another surprise for me because normally I'd never pair black with a brown tone. But, again, I love it here. Having different, contrasting accessories, with an all black (or all any color) outfit is really smart. She looks so cute. I really want to recreate this outfit for myself!

P.S. Here's another all black outfit I love.

Image

Martha Stewart Craft Paint Ideas

2013-04-16T12:12:00.000-04:00

Last week I bought some Martha Stewart Craft paint at Michael's. I was originally in search of some fabric paint. I've really wanted to hand paint some scarves for some time now. But as I did my research about fabric paints, I kept coming across really great reviews for Martha Stewart Craft paint. It can be used on fabric, as well as ceramic, glass, metal, and wood. And the collection comes in so many cute colors! I bought a few and tested them out on some fabric and they work great!

I'm amazed at all of the different projects that I've seen done with this paint. I'm so excited to try some of them!

1. Ceramic Pitcher from Plaid / 2. Painted Onsies via Pinterest / 3. Painted mugs from Martha Stewart / 4. Painted kitchen jars from Martha Stewart / 5. Painted napkin by Beth from Home Stories A to Z / 6. Painted fabric pillows by Jen from Tatertots and Jello / 7. Painted desk accessories seen on Hofcraft / 8. Painted plates from Plaid

White Kitchens

2013-04-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

BHG via Decor de Provence

When it comes to interior decorating, my favorite color is white. And especially with kitchens, white just makes the room seem bigger and brighter. Here are a few pictures of white kitchens I really love.

Molly Frey Design & Style at Home via Bijou and Boheme

Inspiration for Decoration

BHG

This Old House

BHG via House of Turquoise

BHG

The Design Files

My Kitchens Pinterest board has a lot more!

Peplum

2013-04-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

I think peplum shirts are so cute. I'd love to have/make something like the white blouse below. And I really love the peplum sweater/jacket on the left. So cute!

Images: 1 | 2 | 3

No Great Thing Is Suddenly Created

2013-04-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

This quote caught my eye mostly because this is what I try to tell myself every time I'm in the middle of a project that seems to be taking forever. It happens almost every time. Half way through I'll have designers block and wish it could just be finished, while also considering tossing the project aside. But when I keep going and finish, I'm always glad I did.

The time it takes to create something good is always worth it. And isn't that true of all things in life? With any thing we make, talent we try to obtain, relationship we want to have/strengthen, or goal we want to reach? Good things take time. Great things take even more time. If they did come suddenly, I might not even recognize that they were great.

So, yes, Epictetus, I think you are right. Well said.

Source

Black Dress

2013-04-09T17:00:00.001-04:00

I was reading recently about the history of the little black dress (I find it amusing that it has it's own wikipedia page:) The dress originated in the 1920's as a staple for every woman's closet and has continued to be popular every decade since then. It makes sense though. Black is such a classic color that can be worn almost anywhere and accessorized in so many ways.

But ironically, I don't think I've ever owned a little black dress, until now. I made this dress (inspired by this dress) with the hopes of creating a staple dress to have in my wardrobe. I think it will be. It is made out of jersey knit material so it stretches and is really comfy!

Floral Dress Inspiration

2013-04-08T14:49:00.000-04:00

Florals were big this last Fall, and I've seen them a lot this Spring too. I'd love to make a Spring floral dress or skirt. Last week I ordered a floral fabric swatch with hopes that I'd like it enough to order more for a dress. The swatch came yesterday and my immediate reaction was no. It was too busy. Finding the right floral fabric is so hard! So, I'm still on the lookout for a great floral fabric that flows and drapes well. But for now, these dresses above are an inspiration.

1/2/3/4

Little Boy White Shirt and Jeans

2013-04-05T15:58:00.000-04:00

We took family pictures not too long ago and we wanted to wear jeans and white tops. But, surprisingly, I couldn't find a white long sleeve shirt for a baby anywhere! So, I decided to make one using Dana's tutorial. She did a Celebrate the Boy clothing series recently that I absolutely LOVED! I can't wait to try more of her tutorials, specifically this one.

I had an old pair of jeans that I was just going to toss, but instead, I recut them and sewed them into little jeans for Dallin. I kept the original hem, button, and waist. But I unpicked the waist and put an elastic band inside so it would fit a baby better.

I really enjoy making little baby clothes. They are easier to make than clothes for adults, and in general, I think they are cuter!

Rose Gold Jewelry

2013-04-04T11:06:00.000-04:00

1/2/3/4/5/6

Rose Gold. When Tyler and I were engaged, I got so caught up in the wedding reception planning preparations that I almost forgot to get him a ring! 10 days before our wedding I was searching for a mans wedding band. He wanted rose gold and so that is what I got him, a simple mens rose gold wedding band. Luckily it was sized and in my hand the day before our wedding. Ha.

I had never heard of rose gold before that. But I love his wedding ring band. It almost looks copper. I bought his ring long after he bought mine, but had we bought them at the same time, I may have wanted mine out of rose gold too.

Our wedding was 3 years ago, and at that point, Tyler was the only one I ever saw wear rose gold, but now I see it all the time. These rose gold jewelry pieces above are some examples of pieces I'd love to have. I like how the bottom left picture combines rose gold and silver. My wedding ring is white gold and very thin. Perhaps at some point I could get a thin rose gold band to complement my wedding ring and to tie in with Tyler's.

Decorating with Flower Arrangements

2013-04-03T13:29:00.000-04:00

I once knew a girl in college whose mom gave her $10 a week to buy flowers for her dorm, with the idea that flowers would always brighten her day. I thought that was so sweet!

I wanted to get ideas for ways to incorporate more color into my apartment, and I feel like flowers are the perfect way to do that. Flowers bring in color while still making the decor look elegant. But, since I needed some inspiration for how to arrange flowers I started a new Pinterest board for flower arrangements.

I love how the flowers in each of these pictures pull the room together, give the eye a focal point, and make the room more cheerful.

Photo Credits 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9

ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS

2013-04-02T12:04:00.002-04:00

Enjoy the little things for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

I've been thinking about this quote for days. And it has helped me to appreciate the simple things in my life that I didn't recognize before.

Mique from 30 Handmade Days made made this beautiful design that is available to download.

CLARE VIVIER BAGS

2013-03-29T12:01:00.000-04:00

1/2/3/4/5

Clare Vivier is an American Bag Designer. I found her story of how she started her business really inspiring. It had always been a dream of hers to design and make bags and she took the steps necessary to make it happen. It makes me so happy to see people follow their dreams and become successful! Her products are beautiful!

SUMMER SCARVES

2013-03-28T09:02:00.001-04:00

I love these scarves from Tory Burch. I've always loved wearing scarves. But now that I live in Florida, I never wear them, mostly because it is too hot. But these scarves, and other light weight scarves, would be perfect for any weather any time of the year. They add color and texture without adding warmth. Love them!

Row Houses

2013-03-27T09:00:00.000-04:00

I've just been dreaming about living in a charming row house like any of the ones below.

1/2/3/4/5/6

MINT DRESS

2013-03-18T10:38:00.000-04:00

I finished making my mint dress. It is a ruffle wrap dress made of cotton and polyester broadcloth.

This was such a fun project. Like I mentioned before, I had been dreaming about making a mint dress for a while. The color inspiration come from here and the ruffle inspiration came from here.

After coming up with a design idea and sketching it onto paper, I drafted a pattern for the dress. The bodice was similar to a McCalls pattern I had made before, so I reused the bodice pattern. But for the rest of the dress, I made my own pattern using this awesome pattern making book here. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in pattern making.

I then sewed the fabric together... and voila! Ha, it actually wasn't that easy... it took me probably 20+ hours. But, I enjoyed every minute of it and I look forward to making the next dress.

MINT MOOD BOARD

2013-03-12T07:00:00.000-04:00

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8

My new favorite color lately is mint. Not only is it the perfect spring color, but it is also popping up like crazy in stores. I've had a dress in mind for a while now that I've been wanting to make. I bought the material weeks ago, and am almost finished :) And, I think these shoes would look so darling with a mint dress. This is definitely making me anxious for spring!

Baby Blue Stripe Pants and Suspenders

2013-02-25T07:30:00.000-05:00

Dallin was in need of a new church outfit. But instead of buying anything, I felt like making something for him myself. I loved making an outfit for him when he was 3 months old.

I made the pants using a similar technique that I used here. I made the shirt by using measurements from a collared shirt that he had that already fit him well. And the suspenders I made just from looking at a few other suspender tutorials here and here,

I really enjoyed making the suspenders. I just might have to make another pair soon!

Black & White Mood Board

2013-02-18T14:17:00.000-05:00

I've always been drawn to black and white color schemes. And right now, I'm dying to make a black dress, similar to the middle picture. And the top left picture inspired me to arrange some picture frames in my living room. I was actually planning on finishing that project today, but I just realized I didn't get the right size of screws from home depot. So, after Dallin wakes up from his afternoon nap, I'll make another trip there so I can finish that project. Hopefully, I'll finish it soon and post pictures.

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Purple Lace Pencil Skirt

2013-02-12T07:30:00.000-05:00

This last weekend I finished a pencil skirt. After sewing the skirt, I hand sewed lace around the waist and hem. The hand sewing took me a long time, but I think it was worth it in the end. The lace at the waist is especially nice since it gives it a finished belt look. I drafted a pattern for the pencil skirt using eSewing Workshop online videos. Drafting a pattern was so helpful. This was the first time I had ever drafted a pattern onto paper using my exact measurements (usually I just follow online tutorials that only need the waist measurements or I buy store patterns that NEVER fit correctly). This time I used a few dozen measurements, making the skirt tailored to me, and I think it helped me to make a more professional fitting garment. I'm looking forward to drafting more patterns for future clothes that I want to make!

Black Pleated Dress

2013-02-10T19:20:00.001-05:00

Black Pleated Dress by skyelefevre featuring a black leather tote bag

Three quarter length sleeve dress
indressme.com

Accessorize ballerina flat shoes
accessorize.com

Jil Sander black leather tote bag
stylebop.com

Nikki Baker rose ring
boticca.com

Vintage necklace
$19 - oliverbonas.com