23.09.2011 Autumn Equinox ( and a sort of Link Party)

Doing some research about the Autumn Equinox I have just realised that the Autumn Equinox Day is in fact a public holiday in Japan. It used to be a day of worship for past emperors and imperial family members. I do like the idea of having a day off to mark a new season - and reflect on the past. So, of course, I was at work today... but I did reflect on the summer (euh, what summer?) and getting slowly ready for the winter. (By the way, is it me or on pinterest it is already starting to be Christmas?) And to celebrate the new season, I want to share with you THE picture that epitomises Autumn for me.



Melly featured it first on her blog, and I knew that this was my picture to celebrate the Autumn Equinox. I love the boots, the tights, the colours, and also the wind and rain. OK, in real life, I hate the wind and the rain, my hair is going all frizzy, I usually look a mess when I get to work - and you know this is going to be the day of a big meeting. But in the comfort of my home, in front of my computer, with a cup of tea, I love this picture.

So where can you find this beautiful picture you ask? This illustration print will come from Sweden from graphic designer Maja and you have to go and see her shop, there are some amazing prints available (and the price tag is very very nice indeed).

I was supposed to host a Link Party - did I really say that? - but clearly it is not happening ... I promise there will be one in Winter. So what I propose is that YOU GUYS:

1. Write your own 23.03.2011 Autumn Equinox post showing what epitomises Autumn FOR YOU (it can be anything you want - something you made, a picture, an object, an outfit or a collage of your best Etsy finds, why not?).

2. Add a link to your post when you leave a comment on this post, so that I and everyone else taking part can be inspired in celebration of the Autumn Equinox!

3. Follow me so that I can go back to your blog time and time again!

4. And as I am leaving for Zurich on Sunday (coming back Tuesday) I leave you the whole weekend and a couple of days to take part!

Whoohooo, I cannot wait to see your Autumn inspirations!! This is going to be really exciting when I come back home... No pressure guys, but I am relying on you whilst I am away!

{Granny Squares - Buy it or Make it?} Noas' Libellule obsession

Hello peeps! Happy Friday! Is everyone looking forward ot the weekend? Anything exciting planned? We are off to our last wedding of the year. And then, that is it, nothing planned, weekends are free... and I will be catching up with some craft. Yipee! And definitely some granny squares. It was really fun to put this post together - and I am super inspired... Will you be?

1. Scarf, House of Holland, ASOS; 2. Kid scarf, Super Soil; 3. Pincushion from Namolio, Etsy; 4. Christopher Kane Crocheted Pencil Skirt, Net-a-Porter; 5. Christopher Kane Suzie Crochet Effect Leather, Net-a-Porter; 6. Blanket from the Knitbox, Etsy; 7. House of Holland Tights, Asos; 8. Cushion cover from the Bayleaf Studio, Etsy.

What I love with granny squares is a) it is quite easy to make, 2) you can make them as big or as small as you wish, and 3) it is all about colour coordination. And suddenly you have your own vintage, or modern homemade home - or a new scarf (I love the House of Holland one)!!

So you are asking how? how can you make those beautiful things? I was hoping to make the tutorial... but did not get a chance in the end (a combination of work really kicking off and catching up with sleep). However Adaiha makes it look super easy at her tutorial page.

I have just been on Ravelry to see what comes up if you search granny squares: 4,092 results that include aprons, slippers, colourful cushion covers... If you want inspiration, this is the place to go!!

Have a great weekend guys! And have fun wherever you are!

{Spikes and Studs - Buy it or Make it?} Noas' Libellule obsession

No guys, I am not turning into a goth ... but I am really liking the spikes and/or studs trend. I am really into new texture and different ways to upcycle clothes and other objects. Spikes and studs are actually really versatile.

My {Buy It} selction is not your usual spikes and studs. It is not really punk - but clearly inspired by the punk/goth movement - and it goes beyond clothing.

1. I love this bowl made by 42pots available at Etsy; 2. Spiked stretchy ring, F21; 3. Stephen Webster silver stud cuff, Asos; 4. Kenneth Jay Lane Sodalite Necklace, Net-a-Porter; 5. La Mer watch, Asos; 6. Bottega Veneta clutch, Net-a-Porter; 7. Spikes on disc drop earrings, Topshop; 8. Louboutin shoes, Net-a-Porter.

How to make it? C'est classique explains it all, with their great tutorial. To be honest, I think this is the tutorial that can be used for all other projects - it has it all: how to place the studs, how to make the holes etc. All you need is the material, I think that should be easily available from Ebay.

So how can use that tutorial? Here are some ideas...

Revamp your handbag...

Pimp your black boots...

Or my favourite, bling up your jacket..

So what do you reckon, thumbs up or down for this trend? Will you be buying it or making it? have you seen other projects, share them ... I always love to hear from you guys...

{Cool Britannia - Buy it or Make it?} Noas' Libellule obsession

Hello Hello Hello! How is everyone doing? Happy Wednesday, guys! I am pleased to report that things have calmed down a bit in London. Such a relief! So here is this week {Buy it or Make it?}.

Let me start by saying that to select only 9 items for this week's theme was really hard. There are great items out there that I would buy in addition to those I am presenting. I have also discarded items with too bright union jack colours - it is just not my style and big items such as the SMEG fridge, a leather chair from made.com, and a beautiful bedcover from Anthropologie.

1) Customisable Ipad Case, Zazzle.co.uk; 2) CrankCases iPhone case, Etsy; 3) Brit Lip Balm, Heal's; 4)ROBERTS Revival DAB Digital Radio, John Lewis; 5) Jan Constantine Cushion, John Lewis; 6) Recipe Book, Emma Bridgewater; 7) Rugby Shirt, Hackett; 8) Alexander McQueen Skull woven leather box clutch, Net-a-Porter; 9)Amet & Ladoue Union Jack Cotton Silk Square Scarf, John Lewis.

It is a beautiful selection, isn't it? But now you are asking yourself, how can I make it on my own? Can I really make it? Yes, you can - it will taking some baking, some knitting and some sewing skills (but not necessarily at the same time, actually I would not recommend it) ...

You want to impress your neighbours at your next street party, the BBC has the recipe for you! A Union Jack Battenburg! I could eat it right now and it is beautiful as well! Will have to try it - just to take the pictures.

You are on a diet... I hear you, your holdiay is coming up (lucky you!) - you just bought a bikini. I have the perfect solution. Swap baking for knitting, you will be so absorbed by it that you will not think about food again (well maybe not, but it may stop you going for the biscuit tin)! You can find the patterns for the scarf, cushion cover and dress for free on the ROWAN website. I do love the scarf, and also the colour scheme they chose.

Last but not least, my favourite project.. Lily's Quilts' Double Fat Jack's Quilt Top. Lily shows you how to make this beautiful quilt top, step-by-step. Of course, once you know how to make it (with the little help of one very talented quilter), there is no stopping you making a cushion cover (did you remember that Jan Constantine one) - your colours, your material... It is up to you! Awesome!

So what do you think Guys? Are you lovin' the Cool Britannia theme? What will you be making or buying? Such a versatile theme!

PS: As always drop me an email if there is a theme you would like me to look at (it is probably on my list already), and also thanks to Lily to let me use her picture!

EDIT (29.11.2011) I have also done a {PATCHWORK - Buy it or Make it} if you are interested in the patchwork.

{IKAT - Buy it or Make it?} Noas' Libellule obsession

Hiya Guys! Two posts in two days, whoohoo! This is THE post I have been very excited about on twitter. It is the start of a new feature that combines two of my favourite things: shopping and making things!

This week I want to talk about IKAT. In London, the weather has been shocking in July, and it is a real shame, because IKAT screams summer. But you need to have faith guys, we still have August and September. So here is a sample of what you could buy, and honestly I could buy it all (well, in my head, because my purse is telling me non, non, non - clearly, my purse is French).

1. IKAT Lila Bedlinen, Zara Home; 2. Basket, Zara Home; 3. John Robshaw IKAT Cushion, Idyll Home; 4. Tibi Istanbul Ikat-print silk dress; 5.Two-tone IKAT scarf, Matthew Williamson; 6. Ikat Lime Green Pillow, Etsy; 7. IKAT mini-bowl, Anthropologie; 8. Tinalak Clutch, Anthropologie

So what is it going to be? The Matthew Williamson scarf (on sale!!!) or the Anthro clutch (on sale too!!)... But wait... Did I mention making it? Yes I did. Before you ring up your bank to up your limit on your credit card, check out these 3 projects.

Red, Blonde and Burlap made their IKAT fabric with only a sponge and acrylic paint. This is really awesome, and sounds super easy. That number 6 cushion, in your living room right now, done with your own creative hands!


Ok, guys, so you may be a bit more advanced than I am. And I think you will love OurFifthHouse IKAT drapes made with a stencil that she bought. Carmel has a lot of tips about the painting fabric. I actually saw that tutorial back in March when I was looking new curtains. And love going back to it. So clever!


Finally, for the most advanced of you guys. And I know some of few are really good at this sort of thing, Elizabeth at the Mustard Ceiling is showing you how to make your own stencil and her fabric tutorial. This tutorial has been featured in Design*Sponge. Mais oui! The result looks amazing. One day, it will be me showing my new chairs... One day..


So will you buy it or make it?? So it is all well and good to be stalking other bloggers (if you have a 100 hits on one page in one day, it is probably me), but what have I been doing? Do I believe in this trend or not? I do, and it seems that my parents did as well, 15 years ago when they came back from Thailand with some IKAT fabric. Honestly I had forgotten all about it (I mean 15 years!!!). But when I came across it recently (a bit of a spring clean is ALWAYS useful!), I found the perfect fabric for a new scarf. You will see, with one of the most flattering pictures of me (I really do not like being in front of the camera), my own IKAT scarf. I will show you tomorrow how I did it, and making pompoms with a fork...



PS: Thanks to the girls to let me feature their tutorials! Guys, I hope you enjoyed it!