~ Craft shows, do you attend them? ~

This is the time of the year when artisans and crafters are the busiest.  We have planned for months to set-up a booth at a craft show. 

What can you find at a show?

Craft shows have evolved beyond the fun holiday decor.  You can now find pottery, jewelry, fine art, fiber artists, handmade soaps, home decor (decorative pillows ~ hint, hint) and so many more handmade selections. 

Why buy handmade? What makes it so special?

When you purchase a handmade item, you are getting a work of art made by the hands of a talented individual.  You are supporting that person and not a corporation. 

Looking to purchase something unlike everyone else? Many items are one-of-a-kind & unique.


If you haven't been to a craft show in awhile, I suggest you check one out and meet the craftsmen that made the products. I would love to hear what items that you were surprised to see.

Craft shows, do you attend them?


For a listing of Sewn Inspirations' upcoming shows, check here: www.SewnInspirations.com


Coming soon, a giveaway for my followers.... know others that are interested in home decor tips? Tell them to stop by, extra entries when the giveaway starts for each new follower you bring in (mention in the comments section here "I brought in ....."). I will be adding tips more frequently, thanks for stopping in!

~ Bright colors ~

Bright, bold colors in our homes are a wonderful way to make a statement, liven a room and bring pizzazz to your home.  Keep in mind that our eyes may not be able to handle bold colors on every wall, sometimes you may need, what I call, "eye relief".   Simply put, you may want to consider painting two walls at opposite ends a bold color and the other two walls, several shades lighter.

Here's an example:

This patterned wall with bold colors would may drive your eyes crazy if it continued, especially in a small space.  The "eye relief" wall is painted a blue-grey color.

(The photo is a bit dim.)  This is a corner, one wall is a bold brick red and the next room a warm tan.











I would love to hear what bold colors you have in your home.


Coming soon, within 2 weeks, a giveaway for my followers.... know others that are interested in home decor tips?  Tell them to stop by.  I will be adding tips more frequently, thanks for stopping in! 
 

~~~Nature Inspired~~~

Looking to make a quick change in your decor?  Be inspired by nature.

Look around your home for anything that can hold water.  I used some antique milk glass bowls and a dainty tea cup.  How about that gorgeous vase you haven't used in awhile or even an ice bucket?

By using these inherited pieces they provoke a sense of purpose, bringing your eye to them. 

Step outside with garden clippers in hand and see what's in bloom.  

By adding petite flowers to my dainty tea cup, it brought a special touch to a powder room.

Hydrangeas floating in this antique milk glass bowl created a relaxed atmosphere.  By adding the doily it gave it a romantic southern feeling.

An entry table with a simple vase of tiny flowers welcomes everyone that comes to visit. 

Bringing nature indoors is a free makeover for your rooms.  Have fun, be creative and be inspired!

~~ Save ~~

To my blog followers.  I appreciate you reading my posts so I am offering a sale just for you.  From June 22, 2010 through June 24, 2010  I am offering you $5 off a purchase of $30 or more, $10 off of $50.  Please use code:  "blog" at check-out and I'll refund the correct amount through Paypal.   http://www.sewninspirations.com/
(not valid on custom orders)

Thanks for following me!

~~~ Artwork on your furniture ~~~

Have no more room for another picture on your walls?  Need to add more interest to your rooms?

Have you ever considered using your furniture as your canvas? 

Try adding decorative pillows with a "window" that features a particular object. 

Art in the form of a pillow.

Irish Pub Pillows can be found here http://irishphotostore.com/pubpillow.html

Add your child's artwork or their picture to a pillow with a plastic sleeve.


(The above pillows can be found at http://www.sewninspirations.com/)

~~~ Animal Prints, the new neutral? ~~~

Have you have ever thought of using animal prints as a neutral background?  I never did until I started taking pillows from various collections and putting them into different combinations.

I am using a tan leopard print as an example.  (Using a tan background wasn't the best choice for the photos, but you will see the idea.) 

Here the leopard print is used in the background with the accent pillows in front.

Since the tan color tones were close, mixing a traditional type of decor with the leopard print brings more interest to this setting. 

Along with using the leopard print for a backdrop, I mixed the two collections, Congo animal  print with the leopard print, to bring more drama and focus to the elephant.

Here the leopard print soothes the eye from the busy print and bright colors of this beautiful fabric.

Have you "dared" to use an animal print as a neutral?  I would love to hear what you have done.

~~ Tile Inspiration ~~

I would like to introduce you to an artist I recently met who does beautiful painting on ceramic tiles.  I interviewed her so you can get to know her too.  Perhaps you'll pick-up some new decorating ideas or find a solution to a decorating dilema......

(To view more of her artwork, please visit her website listed below.)

1) Briefly describe what you make:

Custom acrylic paintings—each one new and unique, with optional calligraphy, on 6”x6” ceramic tiles. They are glazed multiple times, with a glossy, heat-resistant finish and backed with cushioning cork, through which has been woven a soft wall hanger. My tile paintings can be custom ordered from a diverse gallery of original copyrighted images (http://www.stjudesquareartworks.com/) that include floral close-ups, distant landscapes and seascapes, tropical scenes, lemons or other fruit, farm animals or sheds, or childhood themes, such as Mother Goose art. I will paint an entirely new picture based on the theme you choose, and will sign it, as your own one-of-a-kind designer tile. In addition, you can custom order a picture to be painted by me from your own photo, for an additional cost. I will even use your fabric swatches or wallpaper samples to make a tile trivet or wall hanging that coordinates with your decorating schemes.

You can direct me to add calligraphy to your tile, if you like. I will generally “soften” or adjust the picture I paint to allow the lettering to be dominant. A passage from Scripture or other quote you would like to display, a name, a message, a house number, a wedding date, or birth details of a new baby—are only a few examples of how a tile can be personalized for a specific use or occasion, with lettering.

2) What mediums do you enjoy working with?

I truly enjoy color, and highlighting memorable information with harmonizing images, pleases me. I also love the subtle “cottage” and “green” themes suggested by use of the humble tile as a work of art… My choice of tiles as an art medium came about originally because I had a large, partially used box of ceramic tiles that needed “re-imagining” to avoid being tossed into a landfill!

3) Do you have any advice on how to decorate with your tiles?

The options are wide open, really…imagination is the only limiting factor… Here are a few ideas:

…My daughter uses a bright trio of fruit—two lemons and a pear—hung diagonally above her kitchen sink.

…One customer orders a “birth announcement” tile whenever a grandchild is born, to hang in her family room. Quite the conversation piece, she says!

…Use as décor on a wall in any room in the house, or place on any tabletop where furniture needs protection from glasses, candles, or vases.

…In an outdoor living space, they are durable, and add color, function, and civility.

…With a family name or house number inscribed, they can adorn a doorway.

…When special ordered (without cork on the back), they could even be carefully grouted into place as a backsplash. Several of them together can be painted as a large mural.

…In a child’s room, they can illustrate a child’s name or cute, made-up word. Even a footprint can be sent in and transformed into a tile.