Fall 2010 Runway Inspiration: Basso & Brooke

Next up, of my favorite Fall 2010 runway collections, is Basso & Brooke. Digital prints galore! Each season they continue to maximize digital printing and come up with new and innovative solutions for how print interfaces with a garment.

I love the digital patchwork and collage of images, and their clever use of trompe l'oeil such as printed sweater patterns, fabric textures and ruffles. Oh yes, look closely (click images to view larger!), and you will see it's all faux...and SooOoo wonderful! What is also beautiful is one pattern morphing into another, as well as the digital swirls of rich color. Pattern heaven!

{All images Style.com}

Color Inspiration: Fall 2010 Runway

{Image from Style.com: Kenzo Fall 2010 Runway Collection}

Another reason why I love plugging into the fashion circuit is for the color inspiration. I find their uses of color are very inspiring for artwork collections I am creating as well as for projects. I absolutely love playing with color and seek to continually evolve my color palettes in my work, to introduce something new and fresh. I have put together these images with color swatches to show you an example of how I glean color palettes from images.

{Image from Style.com: Alice + Olivia Fall 2010 Runway}

{Image from Style.com: Anna Sui Fall 2010 Runway Collection}

I also personally put together what I like to call "color binders", which contain a plethora of magazine tears that I find colorfully inspirational. I pull these tears from a variety of sources such as fashion, home decor, crafting, etc. and put them all together into binders. When I'm in search for a new color flavor, I will turn to these resources to inspire my color stories. Although they usually don't work directly, they do help inspire my color choices, so I don't get stuck in a rut.

{Image from Style.com: Anna Sui Fall 2010 Runway Collection}

I hope these color stories inspire you and your projects!

Fall 2010 Runway Inspiration: Anna Sui

Before fall officially kicks-off, I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite 2010 Runway inspirations, chocked full of beautiful & colorful print! I'll be sharing my favorites in a couple of separate posts this time, instead of one huge one.

First up, my favorite designer, season after season: Anna Sui. I'm always excited to see what she's going to come up with next, and every time "next" comes, she never disappoints! I absolutely love her color palette's and her amazing mix of pattern and texture in head-to-toe looks. This fall season her theme's contain a collision of American Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau and Biba inspirations that equal one awesome collection.





SO Beautiful, don't you think?
{All Images from Style.com}

I came across news from the blog Stylelist that she will be coming out with a hosiery line this August which will be available in major department stores! I will definitely be looking for her treasures in leg-wear, as her pattern work is so innovative and lovely.

Fall Fashion Inspiration: J. CREW

My goodness! I was perusing online and stumbled across J. Crew's new Women's Fall Lookbook and just HAD to share the gorgeous photos and beautiful fashion with you! Jenna Lyons is J.Crew's creative director and has taken women's wardrobes by storm with her classy clash of feminine and masculine, dressy and casual looks that look oh-so-modern.

{LOVE the mix of neutral shades (and the hot magenta lip!)}

Here's what I'm LOVING about the fall fashion in these photo's:

1. The return of the sock! I have to say, smirk as you'd like, but I think these slouchy socks mixed with open-toed shoes are absolutely fabulous! Great way to bring layering from your head to your toes.

{LOVE these key fall pieces: Tweed pant, leather jacket, stand-out skirt, cape, fedora, army green color & booties}

{LOVE the longer cardigan peeking out from the jacket and the fingerless gloves}

2. The short for fall. Wear the short with thick tights or thigh-highs and treat it like a mini skirt, for a masculine meets feminine feel. This look was all over the fall runways as well. I can see myself combining opaque tights with thigh-high socks and over the knee boots for a really layered look that's extra cozy & warm.


3. Layers of Texture! Tweed, fur, fabrics with shine, marled sweaters, leather, denim...& accessories with bling to dress it up!

4. Mixing of Lengths. Loving the mix of long sleeves under shorter sleeved tops & jackets. Shorts with thigh-high socks. Socks with open-toed shoes. Talk about trans-seasonal dressing!



To be honest, I'm not much of a J.CREW shopper, because the fit isn't my cup of tea and I'm not one to own khaki pants and button down shirts. However, I see the absolute BEAUTY in this stylish dressing, and I'll for sure be taking key ideas and incorporating them into my own style.

These pics make me SOooo happy to welcome fall! You??

New Holiday 2010 Stamps at Impress

I wanted to share with all of you some of my 2010 Holiday rubber stamps that have just arrived at Impress! They held a Christmas in July event, and sent me some pictures of the beautiful cards they made using my stamps! It's always so fun to see what ideas others come up with!

{Snowfall and Snow Swirl Stamps}

{Outline Brush Snowflake Stamp}

{Snowfall, Deer Couple and Peace Script Stamps}

I'll be sharing more images as Christmas gets closer, but wanted to give you all a little sneak peak! Stamps are available now to purchase from Impress either online or in one of their 3 Washington locations. I hope these designs inspire you to get a jump start on your Holiday card making!!

{Snowfall and Tree Scape Stamps}

{Tree Branch & Sprig (Sprig comes with the Tree Branch Stamp!) and Pine Cones Stamp}

{Snow Fall, Peace Script, Lg Brush Snowflake and Outline Brush Snowflake Stamps}

Glam Garden Discoveries

{Created by Melissa from Punkin Threads}

I wanted to share with you today some fun projects that I've stumbled across on the web, of talented creatives using my Glam Garden fabric collection to make wondrous things! Such a joy and inspiration to see.

Melissa from Punkin Threads put together a hip and girly birthday party for her one year old daughter Melody using Glam Garden fabrics for the decorations! I absolutely love her creativity and how she put it all together. Isn't it FAB?!


The ambitious Mama Mel has created 9 quilts already this year! And lucky me, Glam Garden was one of the fabric collections she chose to use : ) {Thanks Mel!} Isn't this quilt fabulous??! I LOVE the modern simplicity of the back design too!





Spotted this cute dress over at Bee and Me made out of my {favorite!} Glam Garden print! Comes in sizes 0-4 for the little cuties. LOVE!


Found this beauty on Flickr, made by SewFunByMonique! I heart!

Fun things, yes? I love seeing what you are all up to! Send me pics if you are using Glam Garden for a project, and I'd love to post it!

Glam Garden finds on Etsy

{Coffee Cozy by PinkGasoline}
Ooh, this one captures my heart! Glam Garden + Starbucks = fabulous combination! Yes, I am a Seattleite...need I say more??
I wanted to share with you some Glam Garden finds on Etsy! It's always so fun and fulfilling to see you guys make things out of my fabrics!
{The Busy Mom Organizer by Monkeycheeks}
{Yoga/Pilates Mat by impromptudesigns}

{The Busy Mom Organizer...Floral Burst by Monkeycheeks}

{Lacy Cathedral Mini Portfolio by ElizabethDavidDesign}

{Make-Up Pouch by KaraMiaSofia}

{Potholders by lmkquilts}

{The Gadget Pouch by KaraMiaSofia}

{Dog Collar by GoneDoggie}

{Ouch Pouch by PillowSewCute}

Here are some Etsy shops carrying some of my Glam Garden fabrics as well:

SpiceBerryCottage

AimeeReeseFabrics

WhipstitchFabrics

FabricLuv

PatriciasQuilting

mtquilter33

sewfunbymonique

I'm Loving Pink!

{left to right: Topshop snood, J.Crew Necklace, J.Crew dress detail, J.Crew coat, Anthropologie cuff, Topshop Louise Goldin shoe.}

While aqua blue will always be my favorite color, I must say that I haven't met a color that I hate...well, black isn't a fave of mine, but more on that later. And lately a color I find myself drawn to is PINK! Yes, pink - in all shades, from neon pink, hot pink, blush, champagne and the like my closet has been filling up with these colors. It all started with a dress from Topshop, then a necklace from Forever 21, then a top from H&M...you get the picture. The next thing I know I find myself wearing it a lot and being drawn to it a lot.

{from left to right: Anthropologie knob, coin purse, skirt, H&M dress, Matt & Nat bag, Mulberry bag, Anthropologie bootie.}

I've always found that hot pink is a color that creatively inspires me. I just like being surrounded by it! However, since I'm a blue and green girl I never do just that. It seems strange to me that I'm attracted to this color, especially with being a redhead, as it doesn't quite work.

Which makes me remember that when I was in high school, in a home economics class we did this experiment where we were trying to see how different colors look against the face and to see what 'season' we were (remember that?). So each person in our group had the chance to have a ring of fabric swatches put against their face to find out their magic colors. Low and behold, for me, each color was a no...most girls had 5+ colors that looked stunning on them, but not moi! The color that had everyone stopping when it came to me? Baby pink. And the funny and sad thing? That pink was SoOooo NOT hot back then. It was like the kiss of death! ha ha! So in the end I guess I was happy that at least one color worked!

So, about black - just because I said "more on that later". I've had such a bad relationship with black. I think it likes me but I don't like it. Once I got into fashion and started working with color, for years and years and years I did everything I could to not buy black. Why would I buy a color that was the absence of all colors? Why choose black when there are so many beautiful shades out there? Why wear black pants with a top when I could wear taupe or sage with shoes in a pop color? Um, ok I think you get the picture!

So, now black and I are on speaking terms at least. I find it's a good color for when I'm not feeling super-duper pleasant. With my black wearing friends, I have put much effort into trying to inspire and turn them to the color side. Oh yes, it's a good day when I see them wear color! Makes me absolutely HAPPY!

SoOoo, anywhoo! That's that about black - and pink! Loving it! (pink, not black). I hope it sticks around for a while! You?

My Organizing Journey

This weekend I had the urge to organize my studio - as in open up every file folder and magazine that I own and throw things out or catalog the information - organize. I don't quite know what came over me, except that I hope it sticks around for a little while till my studio is complete, as well as create new habits that will help me keep on track and not drown in inspiration.

First, I realized that I had a 2 foot stack of magazines that I had purchased over the past few months - not counting the ones I subscribe to (yes I am addicted to pretty inspirational images, I admit it!). Which then led my eyes to the magazine file's that are stuffed with my back issues of HOW magazine...and when I looked at the dates, and saw '2002', I knew it was time to adios them and make room for something more relevant. 2002? Yes, really! BUT I can't just recycle a perfectly healthy magazine full of inspiration without pulling out the pages I love, now can I? NooooOOooo! So my Friday night turned into a night of tearing out inspiring tidbits of design information, which left me inspired in the process!

I re-discovered artists' work that I love, such as Illustrators Jess Volinski, Katie Daisy, Ann Field, Nate Williams, and Susan Black who sells her work at her Etsy shop 29 Black Street. Also PopMats from PubliqueSHOP which are unique paper place mats that feature stylish scenes that pop off the table. And the list goes on and on and on!

Once I tore the pages out, I 3-hole punched them and put them into a binder labeled 'Design Inspiration'. What's quite fulfilling at the end of this little inspiration-tear-out-and-organize journey, is that now I have a 2" binder full of things that I love instead of a 2 foot stack.

While going through an old Real Simple magazine, I came across this quote about de-cluttering and organizing, "If you don't know what to do with it, or where to put it, or why you ever bought it in the first place, or if looking at it depresses you, throw it out. Never keep anything that makes you feel heavy or weighs you down". So, may that be my motto! The article went on to say to throw out 50 things (and 50 magazines actually count as ONE thing). By golly, I think I'm going to do this! I've already thrown out and recycled things that I've had laying around to "someday fix", or things I just "didn't know how or where to put them", and feel so fabulous about it!

In addition, since I was discovering so much inspiration, I started adding my inspirational bookmarks to Delicious so I can track them from my laptop and my desktop, as well as share them with you. I have added them to the right side of my blog.

I hope you enjoy and they allow you to discover new things to inspire you as well!