InkandIvy

DIY Coffee Table

2015-02-05T13:08:00.000-08:00

Purchasing a coffee table for our living room has been long overdue. Now that our little ones are not so little anymore, I've been searching for a coffee table to replace their toy chest and to make our space look a cozier and more "lived-in". I stumbled upon this gorgeous royal blue luggage chest while browsing a thrift store and I knew it had to come home with me. What to use it for was the question. More toy storage? No! Then it hit me. I could re-purpose into our new coffee table. All I needed was to add some legs to it to make it look more formal, and we would have ourselves a unique looking coffee table. It was fairly simple. I picked up the legs from our local hardware store, spray painted them then drilled holes on the bottom and screwed it right in. Here is my before and after photos. How do you like it?

Happy New Look!

2012-01-02T20:06:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've made a blog entry, but what better time to start up again than the start of a new year! I thought I'd give you some inspiration for a fresh and stylish look which I particularly love to start off your year. Enjoy!

Doilies and Lace

2011-05-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been obsessed with anything made with doilies and lace. There are just certain things in life that one can be drawn to, and mine is crochet doilies and delicate lace. So much so, that I recently added a few beautiful pieces to baby Claire's nursery with this inspiration in mind.

This lovely area rug by Urban Outfitters

Lace curtains inspired by Baby to Go, where I bought Claire's crib set from (pictures to come). I was pleasantly surprised to find the same type of fabric curtains at Ikea.

Here are a few other favorite finds in this category.

Doily fan earrings

Vintage crochet buttons

Doily Lily pads pillow

Shabby Chic Doily Clock

Crochet Lace Dreamcatcher Choker

This Moment

2011-05-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual started by Soul Mama., single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Jack and Jill went up the hill

2011-05-03T14:57:00.000-07:00

I'm SO excited because today I received the cutest lamp in the mail for Claire's nursery. A little while back I decided to re-decorate her room with a shabby chic/nursery rhyme theme so when I set eyes on this vintage lamp on Zelle's Attic, I couldn't resist.

*photo credit- Zele's Attic

The little one's bedding is being custom made as we speak by the sweet Carmit of Baby to go. I will post some more photos once the room makes its total transformation. In the meantime, I'm enjoying the process and I look forward to finding more pieces to make her room complete.

My Easter bunny

2011-04-26T14:58:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun dressing my little bunny up for Easter. Even though she can only wear this get-up once, I had to have it. Thank goodness for talented people like this who can crochet one of many adorable outfits I've seen yet.

If you are looking for something similar for you bundle, check out this shop on etsy. I'm sure you will find something memorable.

Oh how i wish...

2011-03-10T12:53:00.000-08:00

that I could be riding this bike (vintage Schwinn)

*photo credit here

on this bike path ("Rails to Trails", Ohio)

*photo credit here

Feeling Inspired

2011-03-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've blogged now that we have a new addition to the family. A much needed outing this weekend inspired me to get back on track with documenting things that make me smile inside. My Sunday afternoon venture led me to a quaint bookstore in town that was selling children's books for .99 cents each. I picked up a few classics by Little Golden Books for the little one's growing library. I can't wait to start reading to her.

*photo credit-www.thimblythings.com

Here is an adorable way to re-purpose the pages of these classic story books once they've been put to good use. This clever idea inspires me want to re-decorate my daughter's nursery with this theme in mind. It gives off such a feeling of home and a sense of comfort. Have you seen any lovely nursery ideas lately?

Shabby Chic Bedroom Set

2010-11-16T20:36:00.000-08:00

Changing the look of a room can be a big commitment. In a search for a new duvet set for my bedroom, I came across this adorable shabby chic look and I knew it had to be mine.

Luella Duvet Cover- Bed Bath & Beyond

I absolutely love how this room is decorated and I'm going to do my best to mimic it. I just wish all the decorative pieces of this room came with the set! What can I say, I'm a sucker for great interiors.

Shower me with Doilies

2010-11-09T12:17:00.000-08:00

It's been quite hectic lately with a lot of life changes happening from moving to a new place to expecting our first baby this December. I'm so very excited to start this new chapter in our lives. With a baby on the way, my nesting instinct has been bumped up to full throttle. It hasn't been easy moving to a new home a few months before baby Zouki arrives, but to say the least it's been so fun to start fresh and decorate.

A month ago, my sister-in-laws threw me a beautiful baby shower which I couldn't help but be involved in planning. I knew I didn't want a traditional themed shower with teddy bears or butterflies, so I started to surf the web for some inspiration to achieve a modern twist on a traditional baby shower. For a long time now I've been in love with doilies. They look so delicate and dainty that I wanted to incorporate them into the theme. Here is what I found.

*photo source- 1, 2, 3, 4

I fell in love with the doily banners and went on a rampage to find them in pink, yellow and orange. I was lucky enough to find them in pink and yellow. I also loved the fun look of paper pom poms hanging from a line. I quickly realized that this is the type of look I wanted, especially when I found out how easy they were to make. Here is the tutorial I used to make the pom poms- for those of you who want to try this look for a special occasion. With a lot of help from my good friend Sara, who also designed a ladybug alphabet poster for the nursery, I was able to achieve this look for my special day.

I'm planning on re-using the pom poms for decor in the nursery as well, but that's a whole other blog entry.

Land & Sea

2010-09-22T11:34:00.000-07:00

I've always dreamed of owning a summer home by the ocean, (hopefully one day that dream will come true). When I came across the talented artist, Thomas Paul and all of his beautiful patterns and graphics for the home, my vision for the decor of this dream home was solidified.

This collection is made out of 100% jute which gives them a natural look, that of burlap.

*photo credit- shopgramercy.blogspot.com

I especially admire Thomas Paul for his use of one color in his prints. In my opinion, it's not easy to capture an audience by the use of just one color in a print. I feel by nature, we as people are drawn towards images with the use of many colors. Although I believe that multi-colored images do captivate and stimulate your senses, one color images can do the same. It's an art in itself to make one color images work. Here is a great example from Thomas Paul of less is more.

Clean and fresh are two words that would describe Mr. Paul's works. Visit his site for more great pieces of inspiration.

The Green Spot Event

2010-08-24T21:35:00.000-07:00

We are happy to be a participant in The Green Spot Event happening this Thursday the 26th through Sunday the 29th at The Westin in Pasadena, where we will have a variety of our Organic Baby Onesies for sale.

The Green Spot Event is a boutique shopping experience for new and pre-loved maternity, baby and kids clothes & gear. The concept behind this boutique is great because it allows moms and soon-to-be moms to participate in shopping for good quality items that may have otherwise been tossed in the garbage.

So if you are in the area, support this unique cause for a better future for the environment and for the little ones!

Renegade Craft Fair!

2010-07-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

The Renegade Craft Fair was a huge success! Thanks very much to all of you who came by our booth to say hi, and for all of your support of the product line. It was so rewarding to see your reactions to the line. Also, a big thanks to those who donated their change to the World Wildlife Fund to help support the relief efforts for the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

This was our first show and I can see why vendors do many shows each year, it can be addicting! The vibe, the people and artistry has fueled me to take the line to the next level. It was fun to be part of this acclaimed event and share what we do with the public. Not only were the attendees friendly and fun to talk to, so were the vendors. We made some really great friends. Here are some amazing fellow vendors. Please take a moment to visit their sites:

Tanya from V is for Violet, who makes a variety of handmade items. Thanks for the trade Tanya, I LOVE the handmade plush toy for my soon-to-arrive little girl.

Scott from Locket 2 you, I'm definitely going to purchase the baby buggy in powder pink.

*photo by locket2you.com

Jane from Janie xy , Ramses the cat plushie is so cute. I will be hosting a give-a-way for this fabulous handmade toy so stay tuned.

*photo by janiexy.com

Emily from Emily Sparks handmade loved your booth and everything in it, including your adorable daughter Penelope!

*photo by Eva Jorgensen

Krista from Queens Metal, you must check out what amazing pieces Krista creates with metal.

*photo by Queens Metal

Danni from Oh, hello friend, your style is so unique and your products have a sense of comfort.

Amanda from Bobbysoxie, such classy and chic felt headbands!

Take a moment to support these very talented artists. We look forward to doing another show very soon.

Stay tuned.

Renegade Craft Fair here we come!

2010-07-13T21:47:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars! We've been frantically preparing for the Renegade Craft Fair coming up on July 24-25 at the LA State Historic State Park. We'll have plenty of inventory on hand including the new designs so please come by and check us out. We'll be in booth #36! Let us know if you plan on going in comments, and we hope to see you there!

Up Up & Away...

2010-06-30T12:43:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've been fascinated with vintage hot air balloons. I love their beautiful shapes and colors. I can imagine how lovely they would look as a theme in a nursery. Something about these puffy balloons remind me of fairy tales and the endless possibility of the imagination.

* photo credit- a gift wrapped life & veranda.com

Hot air balloons easily lend themselves to themes in storybooks and portray the limitless places children can "go".

* photo credit- amazon.com

I found this beautiful screen printed illustration by Jen Skelley on Etsy. I think it would make such a beautiful added touch in a frame hanging in a nursery. The black and white image below it is also a work of art. It's a digitally restored illustration by Spotted Sparrow, printed directly on a page from a Russian-German dictionary. How clever and aesthetically beautiful!

After realizing my strong admiration for hot air balloons, I decided to incorporate them into my organic baby clothing line. I came up with two designs for my "fairy tale" series using vintage looking images and a typewriter font to emulate the font you'd see in a story book and to promote the importance of reading to children.

Take a peek at my shop for the new away we go and the far far away organic onesie.

Let me know what you think!

Portland's Hidden Gem

2010-06-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

I just recently returned from a great trip to the Pacific Northwest. I've always wanted to see Seattle and re-visit Portland since it had been many years since my first visit there. Seattle was an amazing city, as was Portland. It felt so refreshing to be visually stimulated by so many things from a simple flower to shops with so much character. One shop that really caught my attention was Oblation Papers & Press.

Oblation is a stationary and gift shop that also sells high end decorative paper and ribbons. Of course I was inspired by all the beautiful patterns and colors in their paper selection.

One of the things that I found fascinating was that they had a letterpress print shop right there in the store. It is where they print special orders and even some of their own products that they sell. Letterpress is such a beautiful process, I kept thinking how much I'd love to work there. Just watching their process made me feel like I was in a time warp back in the 1500's.

I hope to go back some time in the near future and discover some more hidden gems in Portland. I think it's a place that everyone should visit at some point.

Textile/Surface Design Patterns

2010-05-19T15:03:00.000-07:00

It's been about 3 weeks since I've completed my first quarter at Otis College of Design for a Textile/Surface design certificate. I must say, I was quite nervous about taking on this new challenge, but pleased that I went through with it.

I felt the need to branch out and develop different skills as an artist. I took a liking to patterns used on various items such as stationary, wrapping paper, bedding and home decor, so I decided to go for it.

Here are the results of my adventures in my first quarter. All of the designs below are hand drawn, placed in a repeat pattern and hand painted (including the background colors). Hope you enjoy!

I call this one blue lagoon. We were given a color palette and were to develop a floral, stripe, geometric and plaid pattern. The plaid was especially challenging but it's done using my favorite technique I've learned so far called stippling. I used a sponge to get that dotty look and a ruling pen to get those straight lines.

This may be one of my favorite sets. I was inspired by one of my favorite textile/surface designers, Kamal. I used peacock feathers as my inspiration and stylized it in a modern simple way. The textured piece was especially fun to make. I used a stamping method with pumpkin seeds, a feather and a sponge.

These three coordinating patterns were the first patterns I designed. At first, I wasn't too keen on the colors that I chose, but it grew on me in the end. It seems very royal.

This print reminds me of being on a tropical island. It could be a nice wrapping paper pattern or maybe even a print for a bathing suit.

This print was so fun to draw. The direction given to me was to create a two-color juvenile print. I'm happy the way this one came out. I love owls and I love the colors. It also has a vintage feel that I like.

Who would have thought a doodle could look so interesting. We were asked to doodle on a piece of paper, then trace out our doodle and create a repeat, then paint it of course. I thought this was a great technique.

Talk about feeling like a kid again. I made this pattern by using spaghetti and a leaf as a stamp. I really like how this one came out. I can picture it as wrapping paper.

This one was also done with a bunch of vegetables and organic items like cabbage, celery, leaves, broccoli, rocks and more!

I used broccoli, celery and a brussel sprout for this pattern.

I'd LOVE to hear any feedback on my designs and the process. It would be great to hear your thoughts on which patterns you think would work for what type of surface. It feels great to be able to share with everyone.

Cake Decorating

2010-05-17T15:00:00.000-07:00

I've always enjoyed baking more than cooking. I'm not sure if it's because I've always looked forward to the sweet flavors of dessert once dinner is complete, or if it's the warm smell of baked goods that escapes the oven. Whatever it is, I'm always drawn to baking cupcakes, cakes and cookies for a special occasion or just for fun. Recently, I bought this adorable cupcake kit from Cost Plus World Market (one of my favorite stores).

It comes with cute little cupcake liners, small and large, as well as the little pastry bags and piping tips for decorating. There is also a useful cupcake recipe book that comes along with it, which I thought was fantastic!

My goal is to make my own batter and frosting from scratch creating unique flavors and beautiful decorated cupcakes and cakes. I thought what better way to learn more about cake/cupcake decorating than to take a class. I'm going to enroll in the Wilton cake decorating class offered at Michael's starting this June. I'm so excited to learn more about decorating basics, making beautiful flowers and using fondant. Who knows, I may be on to something ;)

We have a Winner!

2010-05-04T11:20:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Tamara from Manitoba, Canada for winning my organic Peace Birds onesie for her baby boy.

It was great being a part of this give-a-way hosted by Eleise of One Artsy Mama. Be sure to keep an eye out for more give-a-ways by Eleise. Thanks again!

TGI Friday!

2010-04-30T10:33:00.000-07:00

Some things that make me smile this Friday morning...

Cafe Latte :)

*photo credit- robert steiner

Cupcakes- YUM!

*photo credit- cravings cupcakes

Chocolate Shoes!

What a great combo. Check out Gayle's Chocolates

for more!

Pink nail polish

What better way to bring on the spring season than

with shades of pink on your hands and toes.

Cute aprons

*photo credit- papersource

This apron would make me feel like I'm queen

of the kitchen. Here are some more aprons from

Anthropologie.

Beagle Puppy

My favorite little pup. I want one!

Bora Bora

One day, that hammock and I will meet.

Hope you have a great weekend full of things that make you smile!

Happy Earth Day!

2010-04-22T10:54:00.000-07:00

Forty years ago today, in 1970, Earth Day was commemorated for the first time. People were becoming more aware of the danger that the environment was facing. Small steps were being made by citizens towards healing the Earth. We have come a long way since then, and now Earth Day is recognized as a worldwide event. People are realizing how important it is to recycle and reuse. Also, people are becoming more conscious of their decisions and changing their lifestyle. For example, purchasing in season produce, becoming vegetarian/vegan and buying organic/hemp/bamboo clothing. All of these choices make an impact on our delicate earth.

If you are looking for a few ways to make a difference today, here are a few suggestions.

1. Plant a tree or a tree seedling in your garden. Planting a tree is one of the best things you can do for the environment. Trees produce oxygen and remove carbon dioxide and contaminants from the air. Trees also provide a habitat for birds which in turn aid reproduction in wildlife. Believe it or not, trees reduce noise pollution. That helps a lot if you live near a freeway or busy street.

Fun Fact: As my wedding favor, I gave my guests a tree seedling to take home and plant. I didn't want the favor to be something that collects dust. I thought tree seedlings would be a great alternative. It benefits the environment and the guests will have something to watch grow and bloom.

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, here is the link

2. Get rid of plastic bags! We all know that plastic bags are horrible for the environment. They are not biodegradable, the materials used to make them contribute to global emissions, they can end up at sea and be ingested by marine life!!! Here is a stylish and modern alternative for plastic bags, modernest.

Their unbleached cotton tote bags are made in America and are silkscreened with chic designs made for every day use.

3. Wear organic cotton! I believe is important to consider organic cotton when purchasing clothing.

Refer to my blog entry about the benefits of organic cotton v.s. the harmful aspects of regular cotton. Regular cotton farms use toxic chemicals to grow their cotton, organic cotton does not. It's not only important for you, but also for your little ones.

These environmentally aware onesies give mothers a way to express their care and concern for the future of their children. It's also a way to show that your baby supports what you stand for, and will grow up following in your footsteps.

For any sales made between April 22nd and April 30th, 10% of the profits will be donated to the WWF (World Wildlife Fund). A great way to support the world you live in and give back to your home.

Friday's Featured Artist- Mayura Kona

2010-04-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

Today's Featured Artist is a true talent. I have had the pleasure of knowing her for over 5 years as well as working with her at my first design job. It's so inspiring to see that she has made a name for herself and truly believes in her art and in her business. Here's a little peek into her world.

*photo credit- onethreadfairtrade.com

1. Tell me about yourself (name, age, hobbies, obsessions, dreams/goals).

My name is Mayura Kona and I am 29 years old. I am the founder and designer behind a truly inspirational brand called One Thread Fair Trade. My personal obsessions would be drawing and dancing. Those two activities bring me the most peace and sense of purity. There is nothing between you and the sketchpad or you and the music, as cheesy as that may sound! I've also recently become obsessed with this blog about these little vampire pet characters called Banpaia pets. A fun, slightly embarrassing fact is that I used to play the bagpipes in high school. Yes, I wore a kilt. On a serious note, my ultimate dream is to build and expand One Thread into a global company that empowers and supports thousands of women across the globe and continually pushes the boundaries of design at the same time.

2) What inspires you most when it comes to designing?

As a designer, I am heavily inspired by patterns and shapes found in nature. There is nothing more beautiful than a simple flower, it is absolute perfection. I am also inspired by antique Indian jewelry, the patterns on vintage pieces are absolutely exquisite. When I am designing, I try to create detailed designs that make people want to take a second look just to make sure they caught everything. As a social entrepreneur, I am utterly inspired by the women that I work with. Our artisans have experienced so much struggle and pain in their lives, yet they have grown into strong, independent women and mothers. They are my inspiration for not only the business but for my entire life, they have truly given a new meaning to my life and the word “woman.”

3)What is unique about your company?One Thread is a fair trade company that works with communities of impoverished female artisans in South India to produce beautiful, socially-conscious throw cushions. Our work enables battered and marginalized women to become self-sufficient and improve the quality of life for both themselves and their children. Each of our products comes with a hand-signed label with the name of the artisan that tailored the piece, what she believes in, and an artisan number. You can read about the individual artisan's life by looking up her artisan number in the artisan section of our website.

4)Where can we find more of you?

You can find out more about me and our amazing artisans on our website: www.onethreadfairtrade.com. You can also follow me as I document our journey on Twitter: http://twitter.com/one_thread_ft.

And for all those facebookers out there, join our fan page at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=80452624746

5)What are you current projects?
Currently, I am working on a line of small accessories and purses. It is still in the very early design stages but I am very excited about the possibilities. I am actually leaving to India in a couple of weeks to work with our artisans on the new products. Our next trade show is the Las Vegas Home and Gift Show in August.

Join me next week for another talented Featured Artist.

Beautiful Blogger Award

2010-04-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

I feel honored to be nominated for the "Beautiful Blogger Award" by Sal of lovequirky. I'm so thankful for this award. Thanks so much Sal!

Seven facts about me...

1. My middle name is Joy.

2. I want to move to Seattle yet I've never even been there.

3. Baking is one of my obsessions.

4. I can make the sound that The Predator makes, with my throat...FREAKY!

5. I love change.

6. If I wasn't a designer, I'd be a Marine Biologist.

7. I love the 80's.

My nominees for this award are...

1. Jan & Earl of poppytalk

2. Joyce of modernest

3. Marsinah of blushing pearl

4. Leya of curious bird

5. Jessica of how about orange

6. Katherine of making chicken salad

7. Moorea of rumination reading room

8. Lauren of a fabulous fete

9. Bri of little miss famous

10. Vanessa of a casa da va

11. Brooke of humble b

12. Kristina of Kris's color stripes

13. Amy of sweet designs

14. Meaghan of urban farm designs

15. Susan of hey suzy

Here are the rules...

if you choose to accept the award you must

- Thank the person who nominated you and link to their blog.
- Copy the award and paste it to your blog.
- Tell us seven interesting facts about yourself.
- Pass this award on to 15 fantastic bloggers you have discovered.
- Contact your nominations and let them know they’ve won.

Thanks again for this honor!

Friday's Featured Artist- Kamal

2010-04-09T14:57:00.000-07:00

I came across a FABULOUS artist named Kamal whose work I absolutely adore. She is a designer who creates stationary, coasters, wrapping paper and has them letter pressed. Her work stands out to me because of the way she draws from intricate and complex shapes and translates them into simple, clean and modern works of art. See for yourself...

*photo credit-onkamal.com

Kamal is such an inspiration to me and is a constant reminder of why I'm going to Otis College of Design to get a certificate in Textile/Surface Design. Maybe I'll post some of my current projects up if anyone wants to take a peek???

Tuesday's Tip: Bring the 80's back!

2010-04-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

There is something nostalgic about old cassette tapes that take me back to a carefree place. Although technology has advanced since then, I can't find it in me to say goodbye to these plastic memories. While searching for ways to recycle my old cassette tapes, I came across an Italian designer Marcella Foschi who, in my opinion, has found a useful and fun way to re-use them. She hand makes and sells these bright neon colored cassette wallets and has been fairly successful.

*photo credit- designboom.com

You can find some of her designs here. This DIY is definitely on my list of things to make. I will keep you posted on my progress. In the meantime, if you are looking for a way to recycle your cassette collection in order to clear up some space, don't trash them. Make an attempt to create a stylish wallet for yourself or even as gifts, or donate them to a thrift shop near you. There is always a way to minimize waste!