Bold Necklace from Novica

I have been wanting a bold, bright statement necklace for a while so when Novica contacted me about doing a review that’s what I decided to get. NOVICA is one of the leading fair trade artisan websites. They work with National Geographic to give talented artisans around the world a place to express their artistic talents and provide access to the world market. They have thousands of top fair trade corporate gifts, accessories, jewelry and home decor items on their website.

I picked this beautiful hand made necklace by an artisan in Thailand named Nareerat. The blue and magenta colors are so vibrant and gorgeous ! I wore it for date night with Mr. Stiches last weekend. Don’t you love how it coordinates with my umbrella ? Didn’t even plan that…..

If you are looking for gifts for your loved ones or for yourselves they have lots of jewelry, belts, shawls and home décor items.  I think my favorite part is the beautiful way they come packaged, everything I have gotten from there always comes in a special box. Thank you, Nareerat !

Art Project

Have you ever looked at something and thought, “Why did I ever like that ?” That’s what I’ve been thinking about the art over the bed so I decided to change it. It had five wooden pieces with Asian inspired paintings on it.

I painted over those with a dark gray then modge podged some of our wedding photos on top.

The first piece was too skinny for a photo so I used a piece of scrapbook paper on it.

Before shot of the frame………….

Ahhhh, much better !

Don’t you think ?

Custom window treatments can be the single most important element in pulling together your decorating scheme. 
Contact me to provide you with up to date window treatments that you are excited about.

Mr. and Mrs. Stitches–Officially

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged, but I’ve been busy getting married ! It was a beautiful day in March…………

At St Marks Chapel in downtown Raleigh…………..

My bouquet was made of hydrangeas, roses and calla lillies. It took a lot of searching to find the perfect dress. Once you have it pictured in your mind you look everywhere until you find it.

We wanted a small, intimate ceremony with our families so this chapel was perfect. It was built in the 1800’s and is located in Mordecai Historic Park.

Jessica Baker did a great job with the photography and the flowers. I’ve got some great photos of our honeymoon in Charleston that I’ll share next time.

    XO, Mrs. Stitches

Blushing

Blush…. It’s not quite pink and not quite nude. I’ve had this color on my mind lately, which led me to do some reading and searching about it. I found some beautiful images that represent this romantic color well. Aren’t these peonies and macaroons SO beautiful ?

                                                           Source: stylemepretty.com via Tammy on Pinterest

                                                            Source: kissthegroom.com via Tammy on Pinterest

It represents romance……………………

                                                                      Source: stylemepretty.com via Tammy on Pinterest

 

There is a sweetness in this pastel shade…….

                                                             Source: luellajune.com via Tammy on Pinterest

 

Wouldn’t you feel calm in this space ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Via The Skirted Rountable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A blush is a physical reaction designed to get our attention.  It’s the way to know that we have stumbled and need to redirect our steps.  Let’s hope that we never lose our ability to blush …………

Happy Valentine’s Day

I saw this pillow on the blog come on, ilene and I really wanted to make it. I started to reconsider after she repeatedly said how many gazillion flowers it took. It’s pinned on my to do list, maybe one day I’ll get around to it ! Isn’t is adorable ?

                                                                                  Source: comeonilene.com via Tammy on Pinterest

 

My new favorite song, by The City Harmonic is very appropriate for Valentine’s Day.

The City Harmonic

Wishing you lots of Love in your home ………….

Custom window treatments can be the single most important element in pulling together your decorating scheme. 
Contact me to provide you with up to date window treatments that you are excited about.

Word of the Year - Faith

Since I didn’t post my top 10 projects of 2011 and I didn’t post my New Years resolutions, I decided to participate in Layla’s This Little Word of Mine link party. Basically, you choose one word that has the potential to inspire you and create intention in your life, all year long.

My word is ………….

                                          Source: katiesrosecottagedesigns.com via Tammy on Pinterest

Faith is ………………

                                                                   Source: etsy.com via Tammy on Pinterest

God chose this word for me by placing it deep in my heart so that I may please Him and rely on His grace.  When I stop and think of all the people that I admire most, they all have one thing in common, they are faithful.

As this year goes by (and every year after) I will trust Him to give me a heart of love that overflows to others.

                             Source: moonlightrainbow.tumblr.com via Tammy on Pinterest

 If you haven’t chosen your word and need some inspiration then stop by The Lettered Cottage link party.

Custom window treatments can be the single most important element in pulling together your decorating scheme. 
Contact me to provide you with up to date window treatments that you are excited about.

Need Some Gift Ideas ?

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet ? I have two presents out of the way….. woohoo ! I wanted to let you know about a great online store that has some really pretty gifts, Novica Live. Working in association with the National Geographic Society, Novica offers handcrafted items from more than 2,000 artists around the world. I love this beaded rattan basket………..

I may have to put this silk batik scarf on my wish list, the colors are perfect for my new family room. I didn’t tell you that I’m redecorating, did I ? Yeah, these colors are perfect. Now, if you’re thinking, “What is she going to do, put it on and sit on the sofa ?” No, I would throw it over a chair or frame it and hang it on the wall !

They were so nice to give me a product of my choice to review here at In Stitches.  I chose this cotton hobo bag, Chiang Mai Chic, made by an artist from Thailand named Jamriang. I love it and have been carrying it nonstop since I received it. It’s one of my favorite styles and the leather trim is a nice touch. I highly recommend it !

I’m not mad, just practicing not showing all 32 of my teeth in pictures like I usually do !

If you need to start Christmas shopping (or making your wish list) then visit them for accessories, wool scarves, men’s accessories, home decor and much more.

Custom window treatments can be the single most important element in pulling together your decorating scheme. 
Contact me to provide you with up to date window treatments that you are excited about.

I met Sarah Richardson

One of the INSPIRE highlights was the keynote speech presented by designer Sarah Richardson, the host and co-producer of the popular HGTV shows, “Sarah’s House”, “Design Inc.”, and “Sarah 101” who spoke about her decorating philosophy and the impact her TV shows have had on the process of decorating.

All of her designs start with fabrics and that is what gives the room it’s direction. She uses 10 to 12 fabrics per room and uses a mix of cottons, silks and velvets to add texture.

My favorite Sarah quotes of the day:

“As a designer you are only as good as your team.”

and

“I would leave no windows undressed.”

Are you looking forward to her new season ?

Custom window treatments can be the single most important element in pulling together your decorating scheme. 
Contact me to provide you with up to date window treatments that you are excited about.

K is for Kasler

Suzanne Kasler has an amazing and timeless furniture collection for Hickory Chair.  I thought I would share some of the pieces that I’m drooling over.

The Frederica Bench with chippy white paint and the Alexandra side chair in all it’s quartrefoil goodness.

                                          Images from Hickory Chair

I’ve been debating on getting a bookcase for a lonely corner in the family room and these Prado bookcases have me convinced !

                    Images from Suzanne Kasler Interiors

I had to include this photo from her portfolio because of the interesting use of borders on the draperies and london shade.

Lucky Seven Birthday Tour

Last week was my birthday and Mr. Stitches birthday.

  We started out our vacation at Bald Head Island.

The chapel is so pretty nestled in the trees.

We saw alligators, turtles and deer.

We rode around in the golf cart and took lots of pics.

And ate lots of good food !

Then we headed to the lake to celebrate my Dad’s birthday.

My camera died so I had to use the cell phone pic.

Happy Birthday Dad !

Now it’s back to real life and lots of sewing.

Spin Art, Lampshades, Record Bowls………..

I’m taking a break from my alphabet series to fill you in on some projects I’ve been working on for the guest/music room.  I have been trying to come up with some unique art and I found a post on Blue Hydrangea about spin art and I knew that was exactly what I needed.

I wanted to make the art on records since it is a music room and Mr. Stitches is a DJ.  After a trip to the thrift store to find an old turntable was a bust I remembered that my son had a spin art machine when he was little and found it in his closet (he never gets rid of anything) A couple of washers, a pencil and some super glue and it was ready to spin a record.

My friend Eva and I put it inside a cardboard box so it wouldn’t splatter all over my kitchen.  This reminded me of when I was little, my Dad worked for IBM and we did this at their family picnic every year.

Here they are over the bumblebee yellow buffet/dresser.  My Dad is going to help me cut some picture molding to make a frame to go around them.

Today I covered the lamp shades with Trina Turk’s Sunglasses print in a very dark grey. If you want a tutorial, Janell has a great one at her blog Isabella and Max.

I ordered this Live What You Love print from made by girl and put it in a $10 frame from Big Lots and used some of the roman shade fabric for the mat.  I’m trying to decide if I should paint it white……. what do you think ?

The record bowl was super easy.  I just put it on top of a bowl and let it melt in the oven for 3 minutes.  It’s probably toxic, not recommending you do it ! But I have seen them sold in gift shops for $40.00.

I found the little bedside tables on Craigslist and covered them with the headboard fabric.

I was going to say I need some guests but I just found out my niece is coming today !

I’m linking to Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage.

Nate Day

The Moggit Girls have declared today “Nate Day” on Twitter and all across Blogland.   He reminds me of Mr. Stitches, maybe that’s why I like him so much.  Can you see it ?

Or maybe it’s the beautiful, clean interiors that he designs.

I love the colors and textures that he uses and he doesn’t forget about the window treatments.

Or maybe it’s his furniture line at HSN.  I would love to have this somewhere in my home.



His show premieres on September 13th and he is going to have an audience full of design bloggers for one of his shows.  Can’t wait for that !




Head over to the party for more Nate eye candy.

Scalamandre Leopard

A 70 year old commitment to elegance Scalamandre, is one of the world’s most prestigious fabric houses worldwide.
Known for their silks, damasks and velvets, Scalamandre has expanded their line to include contemporary fabrics, trimmings and wallpapers including new toiles, outdoor fabrics, florals, animal prints and geometrics.
Scalamandre textiles are often featured in the leading interior design projects and magazines, offering an array of choices for the most discriminating consumer.

I just finished these 24” pillows with 100% down inserts for an awesome antique dealer in town.  They have a gold colored solid silk velvet on the back and for the cording.

 

You can see the backs are gold silk velvet with zippers at the bottom.

Since I don’t have pictures of them in their new home let’s look at some images of similar pillows. 

I am crazy about Mary McDonald and her glamorous and sophisticated style. She uses a velvet leopard for pillows on her needlepoint settee in the foyer, which is decorated for Christmas in the photo below.

Image from Veranda Photo by Miguel Flores-Vianna

The room below was decorated by Palmer Weiss.  In an article by Donna Sapolin at Decorati she said, “ I make almost everyone spend more than $500 on a pillow at some point. That cost stems from the fabric; I always inject a high-end animal print into my designs-one that probably costs between $750 and $1000 a yard. We might just use a yard on a single pillow or even on just one side of a pillow.”  There’s the Scalamandre Leopard pillow on the sofa.

Image from Decorati

Here they are shown in a chic little sitting room at the 2009 DIFFA Dining By Design event.  Susan Lawton placed them on a settee, look how handsome they are !

Image from Habitually Chic

You may remember my post on the Scalamandre Tiger Silk, it’s equally as fabulous !

Now, how many would you like ?

I’ll be joining Met Monday……..