Images via 1, 2 and 3
Friday Freebie Image: May 15
2 days ago
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Shopping: Tracy Porter
Found these home decor items tonight in the shop of Tracy Porter--aren't they wonderful? She also offers apparel, furniture and has a lovely blog that's so worthy of my roll!
Hope you folks have a relaxing weekend...see you soon.
All images via.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Design Inspirations: Kitchens
I chose these kitchens at random from a set of almost 300 images. All share clean lines, natural light, functionality, silver metal finishes, wood, and warm but natural colors. Vintage-rustic-meets modern-industrial. I know the trend is for large, open 'entertainment spaces' but I still like the idea of the kitchen being a space all its own; with a cozy nook for sitting, and maybe a hidden little spot for office duties.
What's your kitchen like?
Images via my home ideas.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Design Inspiration: Office
It seems like we may never finish remaking our office space. Originally designed to be a dining room, like many of you, we use our spaces for multiple purposes, and our office is no exception. Being a pass-through space to both our kitchen and living rooms, our ultimate goal is to maximize our storage and keep everything behind closed doors to cut the visual clutter. Enter Ikea, Craigslist, yard sales and plenty of DIY and creative thinking.
These spaces were all created in less-than-traditional rooms (closet, attic, garage and shed) and they inspire me to continue my quest for our perfect office space!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Garden Inspiration: The garden quiz--what type are you?
1) On your birthday, would you rather …
(A) Round up the whole family for a day at the park?
(B) Throw a big party complete with a multi course meal?
(C) Schedule a date at a spa?
2) What’s your favorite sound?
(A) Children’s laughter
(B) Clinking glassware
(C) Whale calls
3) When you get home from work, you change immediately into …
(A) A pair of jeans and some sneakers
(B) A sundress and an apron
(C) A robe
4) Your favorite mid afternoon snack is …
(A) An ice cream sundae with lots of toppings
(B) Fresh mozzarella with local tomatoes, organic basil, and just a drizzle of olive oil, served to friends
(C) A cup of green tea
Which garden style are you?
If you answered mostly A, you’re playful.
If you answered mostly B, you’re social.
If you answered mostly C, you’re relaxed. {This is so me!}
Friday, April 10, 2009
Garden Inspiration: Fire and Fountain
The designers of this space organized the yard into zones that correspond to the home's interior rooms: large patios for group activities, intimate ones for relaxing. A redwood boardwalk, fringed with pink-flowered coral bells, connects a bedroom deck and breakfast nook with the main bluestone patio and dining area on the garden's opposite side.
How divine...*sigh*
FOUND HERE.
How divine...*sigh*
FOUND HERE.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Design Inspiriation: Guest Room
A few steps away from the main house along a covered exterior walkway, this guest retreat is reminiscent of a boutique hotel room, with luxurious linens and bath products, soothing colors, and soft light. Nature as art, pillows are covered in simple botanical patterns; above the bed, a local artist’s trio of works depicts boulders and sand patterns of nearby Lake Tahoe. I'd be their guest any weekend!
View the rest of this beautiful house HERE.
View the rest of this beautiful house HERE.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Design Inspiration: Library of Colors
Organizing a library by the colors of your books...now that's inspiring! While not the most conventional strategy, for book lovers, this is one way to turn a bookcase eyesore into an art exhibition. If you don’t have books in each color of the rainbow, start by grouping like colors and add to it as you add more books.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Garden Inspiration: Painted Branch
Paint a branch with vivid color to set a mood. This curvy sculpture was an Atlas cedar, painted by the garden’s owners. The designer calls it a "happy surprise that adds a punch of color to the soothing green palette." I like it, do you?
FOUND HERE.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Flickr Buddy Photo: TJ Scott
They Hit The Town, originally uploaded by TJ Scott.
Can I tell you how much I am loving the colors and reflections in this photograph? From the amazing stream of one of my Flickr Buddies, TJ Scott...go visit, you will be inspired!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Design Inspiration: Wall of Glass Great Room
Floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed wood beams, and modern pendant lights equal a light and airy open-concept dining room and sitting area. Yes, please!
FOUND HERE.
FOUND HERE.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Neat Things: Modern Ceiling Fan
On the home design shows they don't seem to like the ceiling fan. And most of the time I agree with removing them. I've been keeping my eyes peeled for a modern version of the classic air mover that might work in our office. I think I found a winner with this one!
Leave a comment, let me now what *YOU* think...
Leave a comment, let me now what *YOU* think...
FOUND HERE.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Artist Profile: Emily Poe - Sparrow Nest Knits
Tell me a bit about yourself name, location, affiliations, personal stuff...
My name is Emily Poe, but people usually call me something along the lines of Em, E. Poe, E. Pizzle, or Pizz. Rumor in my family is that we're related to Edgar Allan, which would explain my pale complexion, dark hair, and slightly morbid sense of sarcastic humor. I came to Greenville, SC in 2004 to go to Furman University, where I graduated last May with an English and Spanish major.
This year, while I'm waiting for my boyfriend to graduate, I'm working for Greenville Literacy Association through a government program called AmeriCorps VISTA (it's cool--look it up if you have a chance). My workdays are spent teaching adult education or ESL classes, helping out in our computer lab, working on outreach campaigns, etc. I share a cute little apartment with two good friends from college and two pets, a rabbit named Einstein Jones and a cat named Eli the Barrow Boy (who usually just goes by "kitten cat," "shmitty kitty," "shmitten," "dumbass," and so on).
twiggy scarf - blush (eco)
It's hard to sum yourself up in a little blurb like this, but if I had to try, it would look something like: Vegetarian, slightly perfectionist, freethinker with mild asthma, Reynaud's (another interesting thing to look up), and the tiniest bladder known to man, who is obsessed with Felicity, recycling, music and books of all sorts, Indian food, coffee, earth tones, Gilmore Girls, the mountains, thoughts of travel, and ridiculous hypothetical situations.
Apart from creating art, what do you do?
I'm a huge book nerd, for one thing. I just finished How We Are Hungry, a collection of short stories by Dave Eggers, and now I'm reading his novel called What is the What, which is great so far. I also love listening to music, cranked up really loud, while I lie on my stomach with my ear pressed to the floor. My favorite bands are Cloud Cult, Frightened Rabbit, Metric, and Mates of State, slash anything bluegrass or indie pop. Sometimes I use Finale [software] to arrange music for the acappella group at Furman that I used to direct, stuff like "Semi-charmed Life" by Third Eye Blind, "Buddy Holly" by Weezer, and "Criminal" by Fiona Apple.
On Tuesday nights I play trivia at this Irish pub downtown with some friends, and on the weekends I enjoy contra dancing, hiking, cooking with my roommates, and going to Falls Park downtown to enjoy the nice weather. Oh, and right now my friend Jen and I are working our way through a season of Dawson's Creek on DVD. So emotional!
modern stripes scarf - midnight/charcoal (eco), appleseed headband - charcoal (eco)
What first made you want to become an artist?
Well, I don't even know that I'd call myself an "artist," because I'm really just a girl who knits a lot, likes to sew and paint sometimes, and looks at everything with the mindset of "what can I make with that?" But that issue aside, I think the identity of "artist" isn't one you can decide to take on--true artists are just born with that predisposition to think more creatively.
For me, it started with music: my mom is a church musician and private piano teacher and my dad is a singer and floutist who has built and taught himself to play a hammered dulcimer. It was rather inescapable: I've been singing since I had a voice and playing piano since my mom finally gave in and starting teaching me at age 6. At my visual and performing arts middle/high school, I learned violin and started dabbling in sculpture and 2D drawing. Around that same time, my friends and I got into sewing and clothing reconstruction and I really started enjoying knitting and crocheting, which my grandmother had taught me when I was younger.
twin rivers scarf - merlot & violet (eco), twiggy scarf - ocean (eco)
On top of the creativity that runs in my family, I've just never been able to see myself in a "normal" job where I have to sit in a cubicle and stare at a computer screen all day. The idea physically repulses me; I can't stand artificial light and office drama and 9-to-5 schedules. My brain doesn't work that way. I have this weird need to be making beautiful things with my hands, even if that means living quite modestly on whatever I can earn by selling those things.
Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
My creative process is all over the place, really. A lot of times I'll see something, knitted or otherwise, that sparks an idea, and I'll sit down, sketch something out, and go, "okay, how do I make this?" Then, I usually find that whatever I'm trying to do requires a new technique that I haven't mastered yet, so I'll do some research and figure it out so I can make whatever it is I wanted to make.
That's pretty much what happened with double knitting; I had been making simple scarves for my shop and wanted to do something a little more complex, with patterns and different colors, but I knew that stranding wouldn't work because a scarf doesn't have a "backside." So I ended up learning about double knitting, testing it out, and running with it. I now have a couple of scarves for sale that I knitted this way. More recently I've been focusing on circular knitting, which I learned how to do when I decided to make some fingerless gloves and wrist cuffs.
warm fuzzy scarf - sandstone, autumn tree scarf - twig/natural (eco)
Now that I have a few new techniques under my belt, I have plans to drastically expand my horizons, project-wise. In terms of materials, I have made a deliberate effort to be eco-friendly when I create. There's this yarn I use a lot that I really love, that's a blend of acrylic and polyester fiber made from 100% recycled plastic bottles--it's affordable and really soft, and also green, which you really can't beat. I've also used bamboo and alpaca, both of which are earth-friendly and a joy to work with. Next on my list to try is hemp, but I'm worried it won't be very soft. We'll see.
Since I have a full-time job, I basically have to do my knitting around my work schedule. This generally means that I'm thinking about projects in my head all day and the minute I leave the office I'm headed home to put some of my ideas into action. I'm sure my boyfriend and roommates get sick of me always knitting, but hey, I like keeping my hands busy and it sometimes brings in a little extra money, which is nice!
What artists have influenced you and inspire you to create?
I'm inspired by many of the knitters (and crocheters!) on Etsy. Some of them come up with the coolest ideas! I particularly love shannongerard's stuff; she does these crocheted mustaches and mature finger puppets that are just great. And actually, my boyfriend gave me one of her crocheted anatomical hearts for Valentine's Day this year--I was pumped. I also like the knitted/crocheted jewelry that I've seen, like yokoo's Sweetheart Chain.
It's incredible what you can make with yarn if you really put your mind to it. Whenever I'm feeling uninspired, I can also check the forums for EtsyKnitters Team, which I'm part of. There are always new ideas and words of encouragement there.
appleseed scarf - sunflower (eco)
Where else can people find your work?
I really only sell my stuff on Etsy at this point, but I'm hoping to start attending craft fairs sometime in the near future. I have a website, too, where you can read my blog and see pictures of my currently available items (I link to Etsy for purchases). Check it out and tell your friends!
Visit Emily's Etsy shop HERE.
My name is Emily Poe, but people usually call me something along the lines of Em, E. Poe, E. Pizzle, or Pizz. Rumor in my family is that we're related to Edgar Allan, which would explain my pale complexion, dark hair, and slightly morbid sense of sarcastic humor. I came to Greenville, SC in 2004 to go to Furman University, where I graduated last May with an English and Spanish major.
This year, while I'm waiting for my boyfriend to graduate, I'm working for Greenville Literacy Association through a government program called AmeriCorps VISTA (it's cool--look it up if you have a chance). My workdays are spent teaching adult education or ESL classes, helping out in our computer lab, working on outreach campaigns, etc. I share a cute little apartment with two good friends from college and two pets, a rabbit named Einstein Jones and a cat named Eli the Barrow Boy (who usually just goes by "kitten cat," "shmitty kitty," "shmitten," "dumbass," and so on).
twiggy scarf - blush (eco)
It's hard to sum yourself up in a little blurb like this, but if I had to try, it would look something like: Vegetarian, slightly perfectionist, freethinker with mild asthma, Reynaud's (another interesting thing to look up), and the tiniest bladder known to man, who is obsessed with Felicity, recycling, music and books of all sorts, Indian food, coffee, earth tones, Gilmore Girls, the mountains, thoughts of travel, and ridiculous hypothetical situations.
Apart from creating art, what do you do?
I'm a huge book nerd, for one thing. I just finished How We Are Hungry, a collection of short stories by Dave Eggers, and now I'm reading his novel called What is the What, which is great so far. I also love listening to music, cranked up really loud, while I lie on my stomach with my ear pressed to the floor. My favorite bands are Cloud Cult, Frightened Rabbit, Metric, and Mates of State, slash anything bluegrass or indie pop. Sometimes I use Finale [software] to arrange music for the acappella group at Furman that I used to direct, stuff like "Semi-charmed Life" by Third Eye Blind, "Buddy Holly" by Weezer, and "Criminal" by Fiona Apple.
On Tuesday nights I play trivia at this Irish pub downtown with some friends, and on the weekends I enjoy contra dancing, hiking, cooking with my roommates, and going to Falls Park downtown to enjoy the nice weather. Oh, and right now my friend Jen and I are working our way through a season of Dawson's Creek on DVD. So emotional!
modern stripes scarf - midnight/charcoal (eco), appleseed headband - charcoal (eco)
What first made you want to become an artist?
Well, I don't even know that I'd call myself an "artist," because I'm really just a girl who knits a lot, likes to sew and paint sometimes, and looks at everything with the mindset of "what can I make with that?" But that issue aside, I think the identity of "artist" isn't one you can decide to take on--true artists are just born with that predisposition to think more creatively.
For me, it started with music: my mom is a church musician and private piano teacher and my dad is a singer and floutist who has built and taught himself to play a hammered dulcimer. It was rather inescapable: I've been singing since I had a voice and playing piano since my mom finally gave in and starting teaching me at age 6. At my visual and performing arts middle/high school, I learned violin and started dabbling in sculpture and 2D drawing. Around that same time, my friends and I got into sewing and clothing reconstruction and I really started enjoying knitting and crocheting, which my grandmother had taught me when I was younger.
twin rivers scarf - merlot & violet (eco), twiggy scarf - ocean (eco)
On top of the creativity that runs in my family, I've just never been able to see myself in a "normal" job where I have to sit in a cubicle and stare at a computer screen all day. The idea physically repulses me; I can't stand artificial light and office drama and 9-to-5 schedules. My brain doesn't work that way. I have this weird need to be making beautiful things with my hands, even if that means living quite modestly on whatever I can earn by selling those things.
Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
My creative process is all over the place, really. A lot of times I'll see something, knitted or otherwise, that sparks an idea, and I'll sit down, sketch something out, and go, "okay, how do I make this?" Then, I usually find that whatever I'm trying to do requires a new technique that I haven't mastered yet, so I'll do some research and figure it out so I can make whatever it is I wanted to make.
That's pretty much what happened with double knitting; I had been making simple scarves for my shop and wanted to do something a little more complex, with patterns and different colors, but I knew that stranding wouldn't work because a scarf doesn't have a "backside." So I ended up learning about double knitting, testing it out, and running with it. I now have a couple of scarves for sale that I knitted this way. More recently I've been focusing on circular knitting, which I learned how to do when I decided to make some fingerless gloves and wrist cuffs.
warm fuzzy scarf - sandstone, autumn tree scarf - twig/natural (eco)
Now that I have a few new techniques under my belt, I have plans to drastically expand my horizons, project-wise. In terms of materials, I have made a deliberate effort to be eco-friendly when I create. There's this yarn I use a lot that I really love, that's a blend of acrylic and polyester fiber made from 100% recycled plastic bottles--it's affordable and really soft, and also green, which you really can't beat. I've also used bamboo and alpaca, both of which are earth-friendly and a joy to work with. Next on my list to try is hemp, but I'm worried it won't be very soft. We'll see.
Since I have a full-time job, I basically have to do my knitting around my work schedule. This generally means that I'm thinking about projects in my head all day and the minute I leave the office I'm headed home to put some of my ideas into action. I'm sure my boyfriend and roommates get sick of me always knitting, but hey, I like keeping my hands busy and it sometimes brings in a little extra money, which is nice!
What artists have influenced you and inspire you to create?
I'm inspired by many of the knitters (and crocheters!) on Etsy. Some of them come up with the coolest ideas! I particularly love shannongerard's stuff; she does these crocheted mustaches and mature finger puppets that are just great. And actually, my boyfriend gave me one of her crocheted anatomical hearts for Valentine's Day this year--I was pumped. I also like the knitted/crocheted jewelry that I've seen, like yokoo's Sweetheart Chain.
It's incredible what you can make with yarn if you really put your mind to it. Whenever I'm feeling uninspired, I can also check the forums for EtsyKnitters Team, which I'm part of. There are always new ideas and words of encouragement there.
appleseed scarf - sunflower (eco)
Where else can people find your work?
I really only sell my stuff on Etsy at this point, but I'm hoping to start attending craft fairs sometime in the near future. I have a website, too, where you can read my blog and see pictures of my currently available items (I link to Etsy for purchases). Check it out and tell your friends!
Visit Emily's Etsy shop HERE.
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