Decorate, 1000 design ideas for every room in your home

So I just received a new book in the mail before it is even available to the public in the US (yes I need to mention that part).  It's called Decorate by Holly Becker, who writes the blog decor8, http://decor8blog.com/  and Joanna Copestick, acclaimed lifestyle writer.
I have been following Holly's  blog for a few years and it always leads me to inspirational pieces and discovering new designers and places.  When I learned she was working on a book I was so excited and it is finally here! Well it is out in the UK, if you are in the US you can pre-order thru Chronicle Books.

Now I am not the decorator of my household, my fiance definitely has me one up in this area, which is ok by me. He is much better at it. However, I strive to be better at it and also to create a creative work space in my studio.  I sat down with my new book and a homemade latte and looked at every page. Yes, I looked at all the pictures first,  I will continue to read it for ideas and inspiration. 

If you are bored with your place and are looking to add some attitude to your abode or some spice to your space, pick up the book. Holly and Joanna provide lots of tips with great photos, it will make you want to turn your drab pad into a fab pad. Check lists, line plans and plenty of ideas fill the book for a diy makeover.  Interior designers and decorating experts such as Jonathan Adler and Amy Butler share their knowledge. Amy Butler designs fabulous prints that are licensed out for great cotton fabrics. Love her stuff! And we all know Jonathan Adler, he has a great store right up the street from me.

Congratulations Holly and Joanna on a great book. Another piece of inspiration I can add to my collection.

New to crafts?

Has all this knitting and crocheting on the subway made you a tad jealous? Hearing about craft parties and friends taking sewing class make you inspired? Why not take up a craft? The one thing I tell my 101 students is not to get frustrated, it's suppose to be fun. March is National Craft Month and you can start a craft without spending the bank.

Go to fabric.com http://www.fabric.com/knitting-crochet.aspx/?cm_re=SL1-_-quilting-_-Craft%20Knitting  15% off knitting and crocheting supplies.  

Classes in NYC? 3rdward has a great crochet workshop 3rdward in Brooklyn or check out Lion Brands intro classses, right in Chelsea.

Scrapbooking? this is a fun and memory keep craft. Check out joann.com for supplies on sale and to get started or http://www.michaels.com/

Ok so you are not a crafter but love crafts? Check out etsy to buy one of a kind and beautiful gifts, crocheted items for sale on etsy.

Look at this cute baby sweater, perfect gift for that spring baby.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/49079124/cotton-cardigan-0-24-month-sizes

OR look how cute this doll is -

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69193540/samie-mars-sock-monkey-with-knit-heart?ref=sr_gallery_19&ga_search_query=knit&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

So don't be intimated by Craft Month. Check out your local meet up groups, http://www.meetup.com/ or ask at your local yarn or fabric store about classes. Enjoy!

Fabrics for sale

One of the few things I love about being a designer is the fabrics. I get so excited when looking and/or shopping for fabrics. Many designers are asked what is their process. Do we sketch first? Do we shop for inspiration first? Do we get the idea from the fabric? I am definitely one of those designers. Most of the time I do get the idea when I see the fabric. I see it and I think "oh this would make great....." and sometimes it does get made into that and sometimes not.  Many of you know I love Michael Miller fabrics. I have been buying from them for a few years now.  I love that they are in NYC, right down the street from me actually and they are a pleasure to work with.  Just an FYI Michael Miller is not one person, it is the brainchild of a man and a woman. 

It's a new year and I am trying to get organized. My fabric closet is overflowing and I purchased quite a few bolts of Michael Miller. I am starting to sell fabric by the yard on etsy but I thought I would also post here. Email me if you would like to buy some or go thru etsy. The etsy links are below or email me at tracey@traceytoole.com
*all fabrics are 100% cotton    *$8.00 a yard  *cut right off the bolt

"Pet Deer" chocolate back ground

http://www.etsy.com/listing/65783988/michael-miller-fabric-pet-deer

 "Scattered Lanterns"

http://www.etsy.com/listing/65785869/michael-miller-fabric-scattered-lantern?ref=v1_other_2

 "Daisy Dot"

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68116293/daisy-dot-michael-miller-yard

"Raspberry Blossom"

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68264739/raspberry-blossom-fabric-michael-miller

 "Hive"

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68158769/hive-fabric-michael-miller-yard

These fabrics will make a great skirt, tablecloth, napkins the uses are endless!

Valentines

I visited the Martha Stewart show a few days ago, don't get me wrong, I was in the audience.  It was the first day of Valentine celebrations.  I went with my meetup group http://www.meetup.com/TheCraftaholic/ . We made some new friends, learned about owl cookies and received some great gifts! Filiz, pictured below, is a new friend. She is a very talented artist and has an upcoming show in NYC her website is http://www.filizsoyak.com/home.html

Diana Stanley, myself, and Filiz Soyak

 

The show was so much fun and Martha's guest baker was an employee of Martha's at one point.  Daniele-Boglivi Fiori, a stylist for The Martha Stewart Show, started her own company Sweet Dani B, http://www.sweetdanib.com  The cookies made on the show were so adorable I was so excited to make them. The cookie is an owl sugar cookie, a Martha recipe and the icing is the most important. 

 
The info and tools necessary can be found here here at Dani B's website.
Dani B is offering a tool kit to make the icing of the cookie a tad easier and honestly it looks so cool to use.   The cookie recipe can be found here http://www.marthastewart.com/show/the-martha-stewart-show/valentines-day-ideas-02-01-11?video_id=daae08f9b9ecd210VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD

 I ordered my kit a few days ago, hopefully I will get it in time for Valentine's Day! 

Etsy Craft Labs

I am happy to say that Etsy has their main office here in NYC and hold craft labs every Monday. I went to this past Monday's to their new lab with my crafty friend Diana.  Monday night was a Valentine Card night.
From 4 to 8 paper and supplies were provided. We made cards, made new friends and chatted with old. A portion of these cards is going to City Meals on Wheels. Here are a few shots of the night.
If interested in making cards for this cause to be delivered on Valentine's Day go here http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/special-delivery-share-your-love-2011-11616/

Cute right? Want to create some of your own? Check this link out, Martha provides lots of great clip art. http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/valentines-day-clip-art