Beck & Lundy

One of the many exciting trends to emerge in sewing is the ability of artists to design their own fabrics through awesome small-quantity fabric printers like Spoonflower. It was on Spoonflower that I first noticed the work of Patty Sloniger.  As you can see from her Ghostly Squid Damask on this iPhone case, her work is very noticeable!

Now located in Texas, Patty is an illustrator and package designer who finds inspiration in her Maryland childhood. In fact, it was her Maryland upbringing that influenced the design of her new fabric line for Michael Miller, which includes a fabric based on this print, Windy Day.  Her line, Backyard Babies, won Spoonflower's Project Selvage contest earlier this year.  In the incarnation that won the contest, it was a really diverse collection that was just overflowing with Patty's signature illustrations.  One of my faves featured bug jars with different insects.  Her drawings are so evocative that you could almost picture the child collecting his or her prized specimens.  I can't wait to see the finished line which will (I believe) be available in both boy and girl colorways.

In her Etsy shop, Beck & Lundy, you will find this print along with other gorgeous textiles featuring her stunning and whimsical artwork, like this tea towel calendar. Look for a 2012 version coming soon!

Patty is truly an artist to watch.  She is also a terrific example of an artist who is taking advantage of all of the creative opportunities that the information age has to offer.

lori + eric

My friend Lori just got married to her longtime love Eric.  From the moment of their engagement, the fun couple knew that they wanted a refined yet laid-back feel for their wedding.  They quickly settled on a Chesapeake Bay marina for the site and decided to infuse a subtle beach theme throughout the affair.  Lori kept the look simple and lovely-- pops of color on a white backdrop.  She enlisted my help with some of the details, and I thought I'd share a few of them with you here because everything turned out so nicely.  Thanks to Betsy for the photos in this post!

The yellow and blue color scheme was evident in all of the couple's print pieces from the bridal shower on.  A cohesive design concept from the very beginning really helps set the tone for an event. 



The night before the wedding, Lori gifted each of her bridesmaids with a totally unique Beeps' Peeps beach tote made in fun fabrics chosen to suit each girl's personality.  She gave miniature versions to her flower girls.

 

In lieu of a traditional guestbook, guests signed this platter for the happy couple.  I personalized the platter ahead of time at a local paint-your-own pottery shop, and guests signed with special ceramic pens.  The platter will be baked in a regular oven to make the signatures permanent.  We made sure to place clear directions on the table and provide plenty of pens.  What a wonderful keepsake!

We adapted digital papers from Two Peas in a Bucket to make these placecards.  Lori purchased the beachy photo holders from The Knot.

Our adapted digital paper worked beautifully in inexpensive Ikea frames to serve as table numbers.  The florist combined single blooms, beach glass, and candlelight for stunning centerpieces.



sugar & spice

I have long wanted to do a very simple playdress for very little girls.  My friend Lily at Beatrice & the Bird designs glamorous dresses for grownups that feel like playdresses when you wear them, so I wanted the same idea of a super comfy dress that can be worn in any situation.  Something that would be easy to get on and off (for mom and dad) and durable enough for heavy duty play, something to be worn on its own or over tights and a long-sleeved onesie.  I also wanted to make it truly reversible to maximize use and also for those moments where your precious little one has just smeared jam all over her dress and you are about to walk into a nice party.  After quite a bit of experimenting, I have come up with a design that fits the bill.  With the help of a small (and I do mean small in this case) army of fit models, I'm ready to release the Reversible Everyday Jumper in sizes 6 mos, 12 mos, 18 mos, and 2T.  I will be bringing them to the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market this Saturday, and I am so excited to hear the customer response.

shoes glorious shoes

There is a certain type of sublime retail experience where you stumble upon something you didn't know you needed until the moment you behold it and then you just know you can't live without it.  You feel the flush of excitement and anticipation, that you are the only person who even knows about this thing that you have just discovered.  Must have been how Lewis and Clark felt.

That is how I felt when I found Shoeology.  This shop sells pdf patterns to make your own shoes.  This has been a crafty fantasy of mine since I was little and now it is going to come true!  Sure, I've made baby shoes from a very cute Amy Butler design, but this is a whole new ballgame.  My mind is racing with ideas for materials and finishing touches that I can add to my very own stable of handmade shoes and slippers.  Family and friends, clear out your Christmas stockings!

Roman holiday: a photo essay

My lovely sister recently took a trip to Rome, and she took some of her favorite Beeps' Peeps items with her.  She is a frequent inspiration for my designs as she balances work, family, and friends with style and grace.  I love to design with her and women like her in mind. 

Now, without further ado: Beeps' Peeps goes to Rome.

Over the past seven or eight months, I have been developing a line of handbags called the Lucia.  The name of the line comes from a Christmas tradition in my family, the making of Lucia buns, that began when my sister played Santa Lucia in a pageant.  More on that some other time--I'd love to pass along the recipe.

The Mama Lucia is a great roomy bag with a zipper and lots of pockets.  The fabric used here is Lilly Pulitzer's Scales and Tails.  It's a funky, atypical print from Lilly, a departure from her normal look.  By the way, her new print, Dark & Stormy, is spectacular.

Everyone in my family got shoe bags for Christmas--an adaptation of the bags that I made in the drawstring bag tutorial.  Meggan's was in this beautiful Riley Blake fabric.  It's always smart to carry an extra pair of shoes when you're in a walking city.  You never know when your shoes might start rubbing you the wrong way!  You don't want to cut your sightseeing short.

The travel tray is a new item at Beeps' Peeps that is exactly the type of thing that's nice to have on a trip--lightweight, super functional, and warms up the hotel room a little. 
Hope you enjoyed this postcard from Rome.  Ciao for now!

easy-to-make drawstring bags

We have a situation in my house: too many toy sets with lots of parts that are too easy to mix up with the other toy sets with lots of parts.  The answer to our dilemma?  Easy-to-make drawstring bags.  It's always nice to find a storage solution that's simple for the whole family to use, and the uses for these handy bags are certainly not limited to toys.  They are perfect for travel or the gym and can be used for makeup, crayons, cell phone chargers . . . anything that just needs a home.  These directions are for a 10" x 10" drawstring bag, but you can simply adjust the measurements to make a bag that is larger or smaller.

To make one 10"-square bag, you'll need:

1/3 yard quilting weight fabric (you will have enough fabric leftover for a second bag)

1 yard ribbon or cord

Sewing machine

Scissors

Iron
Straight Pins
Large Safety Pin

Directions:

1. Cut the fabric into a 12" x 22" rectangle. 

2. Fold in half, right side of the fabric out, and iron the crease.  Measure 2" down from the top and pin. 

 

3. Sew the two sides, leaving the 2" margin unsewn.

4. Trim the fabric around the two sewn sides to about 1/4"

5. Turn the bag inside out and press.  Sew the two sides again to enclose the seam (but still leave that 2" margin untouched).  Snip threads.

6. Now you will make the sleeve for the drawstring.  With the bag still turned inside-out, fold the edge of the 2" margin back and press.  Next, fold a 1/2" margin down all along the top and press.  Finally, fold the fabric down 1", press, and pin. 

7. Sew around the entire top of the bag.

8. Secure the safety pin to one end of the ribbon or cord and use it to thread the drawstring through the channel.

9.  Remove safety pin, tie the drawstring with a knot, and trim the ends.

10.  Fill your cute bag and enjoy!

blue and white delights

It seems that the blue and white color combination has enjoyed a nice little resurgence this season.  And why wouldn't it?  It hits so many marks--it can be nautical and fresh or classy and refined.  It walks the line of masculine and feminine beautifully, making it the perfect color scheme for any dual-gender household. 

Growing up, our good china was this Wedgewood pattern, featuring the blue and white design with little hits of orange and yellow.  I was over the moon when my mother passed it along to me.  At the beach, Blue Willow is the pattern of choice at both my parents' and my aunt's homes--it is a tradition that began long ago with a collection that lived in the family beach house before any of us did.  We even hd a storybook that told the tale associated with the pattern.  In our home, for large get-togethers, we always use the huge service of old A&P Currier & Ives dishware that I bought at an estate sale when we first moved into our house. 

My dining room/ workspace is decorated in the vein of Monet's dining room at Giverny, with blue and white and a healthy splash of yellow.  A large blue and white china chandelier anchors the space, and some of our best transferware is hung on the walls.  I store my work supplies in a large cupboard, originally used to store jam, that my husband's grandfather painted the perfect shade of blue decades ago.

The other day, I saw that a friend of mine had listed a lovely nautical dress and I went on a blue-and-white treasure hunt.  I found so many lovely things.  This truly is a timeless look that can be used in so many applications.