For almost a year now, I’ve been dreaming of an entire wall dedicated solely to embroidery hoops. And  if I ever get around to actually doing it, The Merriweather Council will be my first stop. The embroidery and patchwork you’ll find in Danielle’s shop is Awesome, with a capital A. Especially the hoops from the Patchwork series.

Visit The Merriweather Council on etsy to view more from this series and others.

]]> http://papernstitchblog.com/2010/09/06/the-merriweather-council/feed/ 9 http://papernstitchblog.com/2010/08/30/today-im-loving/ http://papernstitchblog.com/2010/08/30/today-im-loving/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:15:10 +0000 papernstitch http://papernstitchblog.com/?p=22568

This Wishbone Stitch Circle by The Merriweather Council $22.

Although Hans Wegner’s Wishbone chair has become a clear iconic piece, some of his other work has been a bit less known. His Sawbuck chair, designed in 1951, was re-released through Room & Board following Wegner’s passing in 2007. Its warm combination of walnut and oak combined with the handcrafted look of interlocking joinery make this piece a classic in its own right. Strong clean lines in a comfortable relaxed lounge-style add personality and texture to your modern living space.

The joinery of the Sawbuck Chair’s connections is echoed by the clearly handcrafted nature of today’s accessory picks. Bent walnut veneer is held in a curve by a smoky acrylic base to provide a place to store a few bottles of wine. Handprinted fabric in a offbeat geometric patterned pillow adds a touch of color to the scene. A reclaimed piece of wood is modified to become a centerpiece iPod stand, while a set of ceramic nesting bowls in a sage tone can be placed all in one place or used singly to hold precious items. A gullwing bench with a walnut frame is laced in danish cord to add another layer of handcrafted texture.

Next week I will choose a new iconic piece and give you my picks for accessorizing your modern home.

A team of three crafting cousins, Minami, Wendy and Jennifer, make up 우리 Handmade (pronounced U-RI meaning mine or our in Korean language), a small handmade accessories shop with unusual and adorable creations. This denim headband is my favorite, and its a steal at under $20.

What’s yours?

]]> http://papernstitchblog.com/2010/08/24/%ec%9a%b0%eb%a6%ac-handmade/feed/ 0 http://papernstitchblog.com/2010/08/19/room-by-room-the-kjaerholm-pk91/ http://papernstitchblog.com/2010/08/19/room-by-room-the-kjaerholm-pk91/#comments Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:00:12 +0000 Modern Simplicity http://papernstitchblog.com/?p=22155
This week, Room by Room with FormFire Glassworks takes a look at a simple classic piece, the Kjaerholm PK91 folding stool.

Designed by Poul Kjaerholm in 1961, the PK91 folding stool is an instant classic. With its simple form inspired by an ancient Egyptian folding stool, the minimalist piece combines simple lines and elegant materials with a twist. The bar-style frame of brushed stainless steel has been twisted to keep the basic cross form from being too straightforward while emphasizing the frame material, allowing the viewer to see both the narrow and thick parts of the metal at once. The basic sling seat is available from the Republic of Fritz Hansen in leather or canvas, and the folded portability of the stool makes it an easy piece to move from room to room.

The straightforward materials of this stunning stool were the inspiration for today’s handmade accessory picks. The grey of the frame is echoed by a studded linen pillow as well as a set of concrete and wood votive holders. A bamboo clock and linen towel with printed graphic add rounded shapes to the mix. An adjustable oak reading lamp celebrates its material while remaining practical and light.

Next week I will choose a new iconic piece and give you my picks for accessorizing your modern home.

If you make jewelry or are thinking about getting in to it, you’ll definitely want to check out Photo Jewelry for supplies. It is the world’s largest photo jewelry supplies super store, and is a family owned and operated business located in Michigan. The site offers a large selection of photo jewelry making items such as bracelet blanks, brooch blanks, ring blanks, and more.

I keep thinking this would be a great source for artists looking to turn their artwork into jewelry pieces.

Please visit the Photo Jewelry website and support our sponsors who make this blog possible.

There are a bunch of birthdays coming up in my family in the next month, so I am definitely going to need some gift wrapping ideas. Luckily, Tiffany from Simply Modern Mom has agreed to share a tutorial that should really help me out with my packaging dilemma. Yeah!

I’ve already tried the project myself (the green tissue paper photos are from me) and can tell you its super easy and easily tweaked to create slightly different shapes and looks.

Materials: 1. 4 sheets of tissue paper (mine was 18 x 26 inches) 2. scissors 3. string 4. bone folder or credit card

Step by Step Instructions: {click image above for larger view} 1. Stack the tissue paper together and fold lengthwise in half. Trim off about 5-6 inches from one end of the length. 2. Get rid of the portion that was cut (the 5-6 inch). Use the bigger portion of the tissue paper. With the paper still folded in half lengthwise, crease it into an accordion fold about 1 inch wide. Run over the creases with the bone folder or credit card. 3. With the open side of the tissue paper, cut a rounded end. It will be tough to cut through all the layers of tissue paper at the same time. Use a pair of sharp scissors. 4. On the folded side of the tissue paper, tie it tight with some string. 5. Fan out the tissue papers and break up the layers. Be gentle so you don’t rip the tissue. Fluff as needed.

Thanks so much Tiffany for sharing another great project with us. Be sure to check out more of Tiffany’s projects on her blog, Simply Modern Mom.

And as a side note, if you made something inspired by Simply Modern Mom, please upload pictures of it in this Flickr group to show it off. You may be featured on Simply Modern Mom.

For more ideas for quick and easy projects, click here to visit the tutorials page filled with more than 40 diy’s.

If you frequent this blog, you are probably no stranger to my favorite packaging supply shop, Olive Manna. Natalie Jost (mother and maker behind OM) updates her shop so frequently, I just can’t stop talking about all the great new items I find there. This week, I am smitten over the hand-stained / hand-dyed pieces: clothespins, buttons, jute string, and wooden tags. The colors are so beautiful!

*Scroll down for a special offer from Olive Manna.

Special Discount: 10% off for all papernstitch customers at Olive Manna, every day. Use code PNS at checkout. AND US customers, spend $50 and Natalie will refund your shipping.

Visit the Olive Manna shop now to take advantage of this special offer.

Designed for Herman Miller to be part of their classic collection, the Goetz sofa is at once current and hearkens back to the height of mid-century furniture design. Cradled in a bent wood veneer shell, the upholstered leather sofa has curved lines with a decidedly masculine tone. Amazingly enough, the shell was made with a special corner mitering process that leaves the wood with only a single seam. Available in 5 wood finishes with a huge selection of upholstery options, this piece is an instant classic.

The masculine wood and retro styling of this sofa is the starting point for my handmade accessory choices. A rolling bar cart recalls the days of cocktail parties and evening get-togethers. A walnut end table provides not only a tabletop for display, but interior storage for books and magazines. A vibrant pillow in shades of orange and chartreuse liven up the neutral palette, while a hand-made peppermill graces the dinner table. The cat gets to join in the mid-century style with an asymmetrical bed with wooden base.

Next week I will choose a new iconic piece and give you my picks for accessorizing your modern home.

If I had a baby’s room to decorate*, it would be completely decked out in hand sewn goodies from Sparkle Power. Candace Todd, the designer behind Sparkle Power, creates a mix of adorable hand sewn items from vintage fabrics and super cute, type-driven prints.

For more of Candace’s creations, visit Sparkle Power on etsy.

*Note to our parents: I am not implying anything with this post in terms of babies.