Modern Lines in Old Times: Churches

During some recent travels around Germany I again noticed how classic some designs really are. I thought I'd do a mini-series on some of the places I've seen and maybe you'll also notice the graphic lines I've been appreciating.

Today is Reformation Day, so I thought it would be appropriate to wrap up this little mini-series with some graphic design patterns I saw in a nearby Gothic church. It was renovated in the 1920's and I think some of the design trends of that time are subtly evident. The grid pattern reminds me of patchwork (shocker, right?) and makes for a gorgeous ceiling, no? The gray design is found on the columns around the sanctuary. I'm pretty much in love with how these columns look! They remind me so much of the current chevron craze, don't you agree?

This marks the end of my mini-series, but I'm thinking I'll keep adding to it over time just because it's fun for me to watch out for these things!

Plush Pumpkins and Fall Fabric Inspiration

I was looking at the Stoff und Stil site the other day and was really enjoying their fall inspiration photos. Maybe you will too?

Tension Rod Love

Per request: How I use tension rods in my kitchen. Jules recently posted about tension rods used in drawers for a DIY shoe organizer, and that's where the rabbit trail started. One of her readers saw my comment and emailed me wondering how exactly I used them in my kitchen.

I actually mentioned this set-up briefly back in '09, but here's a picture of their current status. As you can see, I've added more rods and it's turned an otherwise ordinary cabinet into a clang-free zone. I know it sounds dumb, but I say a silent 'thank goodness' almost every time I open this cupboard door; that's how much I love the tension rod organizational set-up!

Each rod is about 5 Euro at Obi, but they are pretty much worth their weight in gold considering how multipurpose they are! I first got the idea to do this after seeing it in a Martha Stewart magazine; the project is online here. I recently completed a project in my office using tension rods and hope to be using one in a bathroom-related project shortly.

Any other tension rod lovers out there? What do you use them for?

PS- yes, I'm a dork for making a collage about tension rods. But aren't the elephants cute? =)

Modern Lines in Old Times: Doors

During some recent travels around Germany I again noticed how classic some designs really are. I thought I'd do a mini-series on some of the places I've seen and maybe you'll also notice the graphic lines I've been appreciating.

This time I wanted to share some of the doors I encountered. Would you like to know what was behind these doors? The red and white door lead into a little stone walled garden; the wooden one to a group of apartments; and an indoor market featuring homemade fruit syrups, honey, waffles and sheep's milk soap was behind the big red door.

If you were to look through my picture files you'd see that I have a habit of photographing doors. Doors always seem like mini works of art to me, especially here in Europe. I've often told my husband that if we ever build a house I'm insisting on a cool door. I'm particularly fixated with the idea of having a diagonal mail slot!

What about you? Anybody else have a fascination with doors? Is it just me?

Harvest Bounty: Happiness in a Jar

Preserves are wonderful things, but since I've never made my own jam or preserves, I really appreciate the homemade variety. We've experienced this year's harvest bounty via jars of homemade jams and marmalade from friends and family, but we had something of a double blessing the other day. 

While doing some countryside exploring with our guests, we stumbled upon a darling little Wochenmarkt (weekly market) filled with all sorts of handmade goodies. Homemade honey, candles, sheep's milk soap, wool socks & hats, and syrups, sauces, jams and waffles. I picked up a jar of salsa and a bottle of Pflaumensirup (plum syrup). I was especially excited to try the Pflaumensirup on vanilla ice cream or drizzled over some cobbler.

I thought it couldn't get better until I came home to a package on our front steps. Monica had sent a gorgeous jar of homemade tomato jam made from her own homegrown tomatoes as her Craft It Forward 2011 project! I love how it's something handmade AND edible! It's supposed to be fantastic with grilled cheese, so I'm looking forward to trying it out this fall! Thank you Monica!!

Are you trying any fun new treats this fall? Do you make preserves?

I've have my Craft It Forward projects all lined up and ready to complete. I'm just waiting for the start of the university semester to settle down before finishing them up and sending them off!

My Unstyled Life: Das Arbeitszimmer

Before our guests came I realized I had to finally get my stacks of 'to-do' projects off the floor of my office (das Arbeitszimmer) and up and out of the way. This included framed vintage records that haven't found their corner of wall space, craft supplies, random photos, and as-yet-to-be-filled picture frames.

I squeezed everything onto the top of one of my narrow bookshelves and just leaned it all against the wall. Nothing has fallen over yet. It was a pragmatic arrangement thrown together in the briefest of moments and yet I actually find myself liking it. Though displaying picture frames still wrapped in plastic is a tad grating...

The winter semester starts this week at the Uni and, now that our guests are gone, the rediscovered floor space has been a boon in terms of organizing teaching materials. Still, I was able to pop into this store recently and found something that will likely fill up some of these frames and replace my 4 Euro wall decor. But I'll enjoy my serendipitous arrangement in the meantime.

Modern Lines in Old Times: Structures

During some recent travels around Germany I again noticed how classic some designs really are. I thought I'd do a mini-series on some of the places I've seen and maybe you'll also notice the graphic lines I've been appreciating.

This first post is on A-frame shapes, strong lines and bold stripes. The guard's hut was in a castle courtyard and the covered bridge was in a shady valley shaped by the Tauber river.

Anybody else notice things like this? Do I sound totally off the wall?! =)

Patchwork Pillow #1

So I was only able to get one of the two pillows done before the guests arrived. After fighting with the jam of the year and several failed attempts to perfect the Y-seams that Pillow #2 requires, I told myself to chill out and be happy that I was able to crank out the first one. I'm really happy with how this one turned out, which is why I don't want to start sewing the pieces to #2 until I can make a good Y-seam.

While my pride is injured in that I couldn't make the second pillow, I also actually like that I have a challenge in the Y-seam. It makes me feel like I'm learning something new and that once I've mastered it, I'll be able to feature it in a project I'm already excited about. Still, I think it was good that I stepped away from the sewing machine before getting too upset!

Anybody else struggling with a new creative skill? Have any tips on Y-seams/inset pieces?

Amy Butler + David Butler = Design Power Couple

I've talked about how fabulous Amy Butler is when I met her earlier this year, but now her husband, David Butler, is going to take center stage on this blog for a moment. David Butler has launched his own brand, Parson Gray, and along with that came a fabric line. Yes, he created his own fabric line and it's called 'Curious Nature'. As if being a musician, graphic designer and photographer wasn't enough.

He doesn't have a website up yet, but his Parson Gray facebook page is fully loaded with information, photos, and links. You can check out the fabric line there and watch for updates.

Honestly, as U2 is my favorite band, then the Butler duo is going to be my favorite design couple. Goodness. So much creativity. Speaking of which, his band, The Black Owls, are offering a free song download.

What do you think about David Butler's 'Curious Nature' line? Do you think you would use it? I totally see it filling a need for cool guy-friendly fabrics.

Jam of the Year Award

The Jam of the Year Award goes to my sewing machine. I think I spent about an hour trying to fix it yesterday after the thread flew out of the needle and decided to go on an adventure of its own. Thankfully I was successful, but I admit I was super nervous about taking it apart as much as I did! I was really worried I wouldn't be able to get it back together again.

Here you can see the jam and some of the tools of the de-jamming trade: tweezers, trimmers, wooden skewers, screwdrivers and scissors. Goodness, what a mess! This almost never happens, but of course it had to happen while I was under a (self-inflicted) deadline! Oh well, at least it's fixed!

Spotted Sparrow's Free Produce Calendar

I like this free printable calendar page that Spotted Sparrow is offering for October. She's been doing this all year and each one is just lovely. What a great way to remember to eat what's in season! Kürbiscremesuppe (pumpkin cream soup) is being featured in many of our local cafes at this time of year and is probably my favorite German dish. Yum!

What's your favorite fall dish?

Stitched: Reversible Coasters

There was a birthday package sent off recently. I thought I would see if I could zip off a set of coasters. I only had a couple of hours, but with some scrap fabric that happened to match the recipient's curtains and pillows, I did my best. Obviously they're not exactly gerade (straight), but the recipient is of the forgiving and grateful sort, so into the birthday box they went. The fun part is that one side matches his kitchen, the other his living room.

Nothing rocket science about these coasters. I cut out squares of fabric, used some old T-shirt scraps to add a layer of padding, sewed partially shut, trimmed the corners, flipped right side out, and top stitched around the edges to polish it off. You could check out this tutorial if you need a visual.

Fabric coasters are so much better than hard coasters, don't you find? No scratching, no slipping, no banging, no condensation dripping, etc. We have some nice felt ones in our living room and love them. What about you? Are you a fabric coaster fan?

PS- all fabric has been cut and ironed for the pillows, my friends! Progress!