Monday, December 29, 2008

A good Pantomime!

In the UK, the word "Pantomime" stands for a theatrically themed performance which traditionally is enacted during the Christmas holiday season and early January. Most cities and towns throughout the UK have a form of Pantomime at this time of year. The origins of British Pantomime or "Panto" as it is known date back to the middle ages, deriving some of the traditions of the Italian "Commedia dell’ Arte, the Italian night scenes and British Music...

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Winter is here...

I live in Portland, OR, where the climate is mild and the winters are rainy. Right? Well, usually that is the case, but having just come through the biggest snow storm in 40 years, I have just one thing on my mind - snow, snow and more snow! I'll walk you through the winter wonderlands of more than a few DSG artists who have celebrated the snow in their work.Winter Sparkles 4x6 original painting by Melanie of The Creators Palette.Christmas Light...

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Imagine

Imagine. "To form a mental image." The word comes from Latin imaginari which is from imago or image.The holidays are a time for imagination; and visual imagery is an important aspect of imagination. From the visions of sugar plums, to the decorations in every home, the festive sights and sounds are everywhere. People are busy rushing here and there; some even frantically trying to finish every last detail to create this impression of wonder.Since...

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Room With A View - Winterwood, Part One

Some beautiful examples, and suggestions, of wintery wood in a variety of mediums from Design Style Guide artists on Etsy: salt and pepper shakers from Just Mare bark photo from Ashton Photography birch woven rug from The Loom-A-Tic Workshop vase from Webb Pottery stained glass panel from The Looking Glass switchplate from Funky Chicken Des...

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Tiffany Teske

I have loved photography since I was given a 110 camera at the age of 7, to capture memories on a family trip. I studied ballet, creative writing, and art in high school but did not take photography classes. Instead, I was "the after school photography club" and was taught by a science teacher how to use the darkroom. The chemicals got into my blood, and after roaming the US for 5 years (Arizona, Florida, Connecticut, & New York) I settled in...

Art That Keeps You Warm

A beautiful quilt is truly a work of art. As a bonus, it can also keep you warm at night! Two hundred years ago, our predecessors stitched scraps from old clothing into covers, and layered these together to create quilts that were more utilitarian than artistic. But when fabric became more readily available and affordable, women could also begin to express their creativity through their patchwork and applique. Today's quilter has access to...

Monday, December 15, 2008

Baby Love

Recently one of my best friends had a baby. Of course, as an honorary aunt, I must do nothing short of spoiling her. This new development got me thinking about all of the wonderful things my fellow Design Style Guide shops have to decorate for a baby and these are some of the lovelies I have found: Mary isn't the only one that can have an adorable little lamb! This print, plus ones of zebras, skunks and giraffes, would be so unique in a nursery....

Saturday, December 13, 2008

White Christmas

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Beautiful Boxes

A few months ago I came across this artist on etsy, and haven't been able to get her lovely creations out of my head. Zebra Sofa BoxHer name is Sandra Todd and she's a retired artist and crafter. Here is what she has to say. "My Box Designs were created one day when I took one of my husbands empty cigar boxes and decided to get a little creative. Before long, I had so many interesting pieces, that I started giving them away as gifts to friends...

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Is Santa Bringing You a Plasma TV?

Plasma and LCD TVs are sure to be lurking under many a Christmas tree this season. Give your new tv a home worthy of the investment with one of these audio video furniture masterpeices:Girtz Plasma TV StandFrom: Shaka StudiosSee Product DetailsSellers PortfolioSellers WebsitePlasma TV Pie SafeFrom: Shaka StudiosSee Product DetailsSellers PortfolioSellers WebsiteBrazos Plasma TV StandFrom: Shaka StudiosSee Product DetailsSellers PortfolioSellers WebsiteMedia...

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Reclaiming Wood

My boys have been working in wood lately, I am a textile designer but I love wood and am happy to be collaborating on some projects with them. I have also found many great wood workers on line. With the economy and environmental things happening right now, I think it is important to use existing materials when creating, if possible (we all know about those fabric stashes). Today I am featuring some artisans that do just that in creating home accessories...

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Affordable art for your walls, featuring Liz Plummer

Liz Plummer is a textile artist. You can see these wonderful works as well as many of her other pieces in her Etsy Store. She is such a versitile artist, creating in a variety of mediums and styles. I love her gocco prints! She has those great gocco prints, fabric postcards, large wall hangings, mixed media collages, mounted art quilts, and much more! Spiders Web Collage on art board - available for only $30.00! Spiders' webs on a collage...

Friday, December 5, 2008

Ellynelly's Instant Wall Graghics

Ellynelly’s offers instant graphic for you walls. No painting necessary. Anyone can quickly and inexpensively transform any room into a happy and artistic space. With their great choice of designs you will have no excuse, you can create without picking up a paintbrush.'elly nelly', are a mother & daughter team, Elaine & Nell Oliver. Both experienced textile designers with an intense interest in pattern. Elaine lives in Cairns, Australia while...

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Furniture - Buy Handmade

When I'm ready to buy a piece of furniture, I used to go to a furniture store and buy a piece made on an assembly line. But now that I have found the Design Style Guide I know now that I will want to buy handmade.All I did was go to Etsy.com and searched "interiordesignteam" furniture and I found so many lovely pieces of furniture. Just take a look a few of my favorite finds! (click the picture to see these Etsy shops!)A beautiful French Provincial...

Monday, December 1, 2008

SewDanish: Danish Scandinavian Textile Art

Oh my! I am so excited to introduce Birgitte to you! She is an amazing textile artist and shop owner of SewDanish. I was stopped in my tracks when I saw this beautiful coiled woven bowl made of fabric. Of course I immediately checked out the rest of the shop. Among other cool finds was a vintage cloth journal cover made from a vintage hand embroidered tablecloth and a small flower pouch bag made of corduroy and velvet flowers.You definitely need...