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And one to grow on...

Sorry I've been MIA for the last few days. My cable and internet were out all night Thursday and today I've been traveling around the eastern seaboard thanks to USAirways. Probably not the best idea to travel on your actual birthday. (Remind me to tell you that story later!) I also know that I said I wanted to spend my birthday in Paris but it just didn't seem like a good time with the terrible exchange rate and my starting my new job so I'm spending it Pennsylvania with my family and friends.

I'm too tired to eat cake tonight so we're saving it for tomorrow so I can blow out my candles, including "one to grow on." (Don't even think of asking how many!) I'm not sure what I'm going to wish for yet but I'm sure I'll think of something good. But I can't tell you or else it won't come true!
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Regalos que son tesoros

Así lo siento yo. Cuando un regalo se hace con cariño y gusto , es un tesoro. Y eso es lo que Cristina me ha enviado para mi cumple , junto con la revista de esta temporada primaveral Marie Claire Ideés.
Vienen directamente de la feria tan comentada que hubo en Paris antes de Semana Santa. En concreto de Fleur de LIn et Bouton d´Or, una tienda en la Bretaña francesa que se dedica a las antigüedades de labor, ¡ mi perdición !.
Casualmente la descubrí hace tiempo surfeando por alguno de los blogs franceses y cuando vi que estaba en el directorio de la feria , no dudé que recomendar que no se la perdiesen. Ahora tengo estas preciosidades en mis manos.
Mil gracias Cristina , como se dice últimamente, ¡ has hecho mi día !

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It's Never too Late to Start!

For all those who depressed to learn that Michelle Adams started her company Rubie Green at the age of 25, did you know that Julia Child didn't start cooking cooking until she was 37? She started taking classes at Le Cordon Bleu after she moved to Paris with her husband when he took a diplomatic post. Her first book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking wasn't published until 1961 when she was 49 years old! I'm sure finding her passion was what also led to her living to be almost 92 years old. Or maybe it really was the French food! Whatever the case, the moral of my story is that it's never too late to begin anything. Who says you can't learn Spanish at 42? Wanna learn to ride to a horse at 57? Go for it! People run marathons in their 70's! You can too! (Although, you might want to check with your doctor first on that one.) Michelle's already told you how to start your own business so you have no excuses! So just do it!
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Habitually Chic Nina Griscom

When I was shopping on Lexington this past weekend, I walked past Nina Griscom's fabulous shop. I only go into the store when I'm shopping for clients since it's beyond expensive but it's fun to window shop. Her New York townhouse was featured in House & Garden a few years back and it's worth a revisit. She has impeccable taste and a great eye which she credits to her friend Bill Blass who taught her great lessons on how to collect antiques. I think the thing I like best about her home is that it's not too girly. I find it strong yet soothing. Also, elegant but still welcoming. It's definitely a grown up home and you can see that Mr. Blass taught her well. Her antiques are divine. I would love to own a home and shop as chic as Nina Griscom's someday so I might have to contact her next for some inspirational words of wisdom! I'm sure she's got a lot to share!

UPDATE: For more un-styled photos of Ms. Griscom's fabulous home, check out an in depth interview on New York Social Diary. Thanks to Mitsouko in Toronto for the link. I can't believe I missed it!






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Beautiful Tables

With Spring on the way I was inspired to show you some lovely tablescapes from Sweden!


In all three photos I love the use of natural materials - breadsticks, rosemary, ferns. Also notice the use of white pebbles surrounding white pots with ferns and baby's breath- simple and classic and so easy!

Though not table settings, I just love these place card holders - what a terrific way to recycle and another reason to drink wine!
My best friend recently made these tomato and mozzarella appetizers for a party. They were a hit and so wonderfully displayed. Yummy!


What a simple and beautiful way to display a daisy! Happy Spring!

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While I darn Sewing set. SAL Objetivo 13

Ultimamente publico el artículo del Sal bastante tarde, siento no poder hacerlo a lo largo del día pero a veces es imposible y tengo que hacerlo a última hora.

Puesto que hoy es un día algo especial , haré este artículo en dos partes, lo que tocaba para hoy y lo que haremos para la siguiente convocatoria, que será mañana.

6 Piezas teníamos para hoy, tres en la tela y tres sobre el fieltro.






Quería comentar algunos trucos a tener en cuenta , sobre todo para las que no lo habéis empezado a montar y también para otras que tengan curiosidad.

No es necesario coser el bordado a la tela o fieltro puntada a puntada atrás sobre el Nun´stitch . Puedes hacer puntadas largas por detrás y coser sobre el Nun´stitch cada tres o cuatro puntadas.






Importante, antes de situar el bordado y coser por encima, haz los dobleces indicados y luego centra el bordado. Si lo haces al revés luego te quedará descentrado. Asi que haz la aplicación con el espacio definitivo que se verá.Fíjate dónde señalo con el dedo, eso es uno de los dobleces que quedará hacia adentro , asi como el de la izquierda.



Recuerda que el bolsillo del corazón ( tool pocket ) puedes adaptarlo a la altura de lo que vaya a ir dentro, en mi caso guardaré un tubito guarda agujas antiguo que me regalaron, por eso no es tan largo como el de la foto del modelo.




Recuerda también que el guarda agujas , motivo cuadrado con el pajarito, tiene debajo otra pieza de fieltro de la misma medida.


Mañana día 16 hablaremos de lo que haremos los próximos quince días.

ACTUALIZADO EL 17 DE ABRIL

Nuestro nuevo objetivo será dar un buen empujón a la terminación. Para ello Dejaremos confeccionado el bolsito y dejaremos los dos últimos accesorios para la siguiente convocatoria.

Para facilitaros el montaje, os pongo brevemente unos pasos , según las explicaciones de Giulia. No obstante podéis remitiros a las instrucciones para terminar de ver cómo se hace.

1. Cortaremos el bordado del bolsito en lino , dejando 2.5 cm alrededor.
2.Colocaremos el lino cortado sobre la tela de forro elegida, o la que viene en el kit . Ojo, si la tuya es la del kit fíjate bien que la seda tiene dos tonos. El derecho es el más claro. Mira la foto.Ahora cortaremos esa tela de forro de igual medida que el bordado del bolsito. Es como si nos sirviese de patrón.
3.Preparemos la guata fina cortándola 1/4" ( 6mm) después de la línea de borde del bordado que hicimos en verde.
4.Sitúa la guata justo detrás del bordado, en el revés y presiona con los dedos todo alrededor , montando el lino sobre ella.
Si te es más cómodo puedes dar unas ligeras y largas puntadas para sujetar el lino y la guata. Unos alfileres también sirven.
5.Coloca el forro del derecho sobre el lino con la guata y dobla hacia adentro . Debe quedar en un lado el bordado al derecho y en el otro el forro del derecho.Plancha encima con cuidado ( si tienes la seda del kit, pon encima un pañuelo) , sin coser para dejar marcado la línea que luego coseremos con puntada escondida.
6.Una vez que sabemos la forma del forro colocaremos las piezas encima . Fíjate en la hoja con los dibujos y las flechas donde dice dónde va cada cosa.
7.¡Ojo! El scissor fob pocket y el pin keep pocket ( los del pajarito) deberán dejar el lado derecho remetido hacia adentro , a fin de que al coser alrededor toda la pieza , se queden estos lados en esa costura.
Lo mismo ocurre con el Threads pocket. Ambos lados, izq. y der. deben quedan remetidos hacia el interior.
8.Cose todas las piezas Fíjate en el modelo y no te olvides que debes coser la parte de abajo del thread pocket y dejar una abertura arriba .ATENCIÓN: debes dejar espacio sobre esta pieza para luego colocar los anillos donde irán los hilos.
9.Vuelve a situar el forro con todo lo que le hemos cosido sobre el bordado principal con la guata y cose alrededor con puntada escondida. Se recomienda hilo de polyester del mismo tono.Recuerda que cuando llegues a las zonas donde están los bolsillos debes dejar todo cosido , con una parte de bolsillos hacia adentro.
10. Ya estamos terminando. Cose los anillos centrándolos con el mismo hilo que utilizaste para el borde. Haz un lacito de raso y cóselo sobre el Guarda agujas ( needle book ) . Haz un nudo en el centro de una cinta de organza de unos 62.5cm . Luego un lazo con él y colócalo centrado sobre el borde verde como en la foto.


Y " no hay más tu tía ". Se acabó este objetivo. ¡ Sólo nos queda otro más para terminar las piezas del Pin keep y scissor fob junto con unos cordones que nos faltan.
Nos vemos el 1 de mayo

Si tenéis alguna duda dejad aquí el comentario para que sirva a las demás.
Animo y por favor ¡ sin miedo !

Por cierto, me estoy fijando que de " breve" como os he dicho ,nada. El caso es que he intentado hacerlo lo máaaaaaas claro posible.
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¡¡YA SOY UNA CUARENTONA !!


Hay que ver lo que son las cosas, cuando tienes 15 y piensas en alguien de 30 , ya es mayor. Cuando tienes 25 y piensas en alguien de 40 , entonces sabes seguro , que ya es una " señora " . Ahora ya me ha llegado la nombrada edad de la crisis y creo que no me he dado ni cuenta. ¿ Será verdad eso de la crisis ? Yo ando buscándola a lo largo del día y mira que todavía no me ha dado el telele.
En fin, hace un día maravilloso, eso sí trabajando ,pero soleado. Me dispongo a pasar el día ¿ cómo uno más ? Pues sí también , ya lo celebraremos con la familia el fin de semana , que entonces hay tiempo.

¿ Qué puedo pedir si lo tengo todo ? No se me ocurre nada ¡ Ah sí ! Una colonia, aunque suene muy de compromiso , que se me acabó en navidades y una no tiene tiempo ni " pa estas cosas ". Se lo diré a mi hermano , anda un poco despistadillo y no sabe el pobre qué regalarme, ¡ ay que socorridas son las colonias algunas veces ! Aunque esta vez no sea " de compromiso".

¡Disfrutad en familia, que hace día de parque!
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Meet Michelle Adams of Rubie Green

My friends and I often talk about starting our own companies but it's a little daunting trying to figure out where to start. Then one of them wondered aloud how the blogger behind the site M.A . Belle started her organic fabric company Rubie Green and it got me wondering too so I decided why not just ask her! Turns out that M.A. Belle is really Michelle Adams and she was kind enough to share not her story but some really great practical advice on how to start a business.

Michelle has had a quick rise to the top! She graduated in May 2006 from Michigan State University with two degrees, one in apparel and textile design with a minor in interior design and another degree in advertising. While in school she worked for Pottery Barn for three years but one week after graduation she went to work for Domino as a Market Editor. Can you imagine! She assisted Tori Mellott for a year and a half before she left to start Rubie Green! Amazing!

Michelle said that Domino was the most incredible experience of her life. "It opened my eyes to so many people, styles and ideas and I'm POSITIVE I could not have started Rubie Green without having worked there." She also said she had always been really intrigued by textile designers. "As early as high school, I was clipping articles about Rachel Ashwell and Cath Kidston, and studying what worked for them versus what did not." In college, she continued to research and explore different designers, and took a sustainability course which opened her eyes to the importance of environmentally friendly design. "Our professor taught us that if we were going to put more products onto the earth then we needed to do so responsibly. It's a concept that has stuck with me throughout the entire manufacturing process, despite the fact that it would have been twenty times easier to manufacture in traditional ways." See, some students do listen in class!

As for starting her business, Michelle says it was actually a LOT easier than one would think! "I am 25 and have a creative brain, not a business oriented one, and so far have been able to figure things out one day at a time! My basic structure for figuring things out is as follows, and I will break it down below: 1) reach out to contacts. 2) attend relevant trade shows to ask questions, meet pros and learn more. 3) establish a niche market. 4) utilize free in-state resources. 5) call upon competitors. 6) GO FOR IT!!"

"So basically, when I left Domino in September, I honestly had NO CLUE what to do, so I started by making a list of contacts that seemed even REMOTELY relevant. I tried not to narrow the list down since you never know who will know somebody else! Then I began by reaching out to my contacts for advice and to see if anybody knew of any reputable eco-printers in the states. Once I had exhausted my leads (and learned quite a bit!) I attended an Organic Exchange conference out in Monterey, CA. where I was introduced to printers, suppliers, manufacturers, designers, ETC, who were all incredibly knowledgeable and thrilled to help! I also attended a women's business event hosted by Design Sponge and Oh Joy blogs, and ended up meeting fellow female entrepreneurs who I still chat with today! Lots of us bounce ideas off each other so the meeting was an invaluable experience. (And was free!)" We love free!

"When I came back, I went into research mode and searched for a manufacturer, which actually ended up taking me about 3.5 months!! It wouldn't be as hard if I weren't manufacturing eco-friendly items though, so don't be turned off by that. In the meantime, I worked on my designs and branding so that I could launch it positioned the way I wanted it. (Just wait till you see the final site! It's going to be SO CUTE!) I was lucky that my interests in eco-design happened to already be a niche market, since having some sort of niche is crucial to success (You have to figure out why somebody would want your product versus another and really play up that reason). Great Advice!

Next, I scheduled a meeting with a business advisor who is available to meet for FREE with residents of New York City (each state has a similar program) and can discuss anything from naming my company to helping me file for taxes and marketing! I went to him to figure out how to legally register my company, since I HATE research and wanted to be lazy and have him TELL ME how to do it, which he did! Happily! And for free! The NYC website can be found HERE, and again each state has their own." I just want someone to tell me what I need to do too so I found this advice from Michelle invaluable!

"Once I got my company legally registered and also filed for my trademark, I was all set to apply for a tax ID number and start up business! Along the way I cold called some of my competitors and was honest with them and explained who I was and what I wanted to achieve and asked whether I could ask them some questions, and you'd be surprised by how many people were willing to help me! Harmony Susalla of Harmony Art and Design was particularly AMAZING and helped me out immensely, as did Dawn Oliveira of Oliveira Textiles! I basically owe them my life! Along the way, I also paired up with a friend from college who has a business brain, and he's been there to ask questions and bounce ideas off of. He will play a larger role in supply chain management once my company starts to take off." Michelle runs her company from her 350 square foot apartment on the Upper East Side and says, "I don't even have a desk and couldn't be happier!" Woo hoo!!!

I always say it but it's true that the best part of blogging has been all the amazing and inspiring people I've come into contact with. I want to thank Michelle Adams for taking the time to tell us how she was able to "become her dream." I hope her story and advice will prompt you to begin thinking about starting your own business. I know it did for me!


Photos by Peter Wang and Patrick Cline
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Become Your Dream

While I was walking home one day last week, I passed the "Become Your Dream" graffiti on a board in the trash pile. It was created by the famous New York sidewalk philosopher/artist James De La Vega. I'd been thinking about writing some more inspirational posts to get people to find their bliss so it seemed like a good sign...literally and figuratively. But I understand that it's hard to take the first step so I've been talking to a few people who've gone out and started their own companies to learn exactly what it takes to be your own boss and "become your dream". I'll be posting them from time to time starting tomorrow but in the meantime, I'd love to know...what is your dream???
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Botones por doquier


Hoy quería mostraros lo contenta que estoy desde que me ha llegado esta estupenda colección de botones de nacar que conseguí ganar en Ebay. ¡¡¡ Yipiiiieeeee !!!
Me quedé con los ojos como platos, sí , sí , como lo habéis oido .Cuando ví que realmente conseguí la puja por 15 euros incluyendo el envio , me quedé patidifusa, desde luego iba a tener botones preciosos para rato .¡ 700 gramos nada menos!

Algunos me han resultado bastante curiosos , como estos , con metal y que parece que eran de puños de camisa o ese otro en un tono oscuro , o ese otro de agujeros tan grandes. Algunos llegaron en su típico cartón . Estos los dejaré para la colección de accesorios de costura , quizá para incluirlos como detalle , sin quitarlos de su lugar.




Sin duda los más espectuculares algunos tan grandes como 3 ,5 cm . Ya los véis cómo quedan en mi mano.




Estos papás botones tienen algunos hijitos tan chiquititos como este.



Vienen un poquito sucios, como si hubieran estado manchados de arena o barro, pero no importa , se le pasa un pañito o simplemente el dedo y sacan todo su brillo reluciente.
Me gustan los botones de nacar, no es que sea una coleccionista empedernida en botones ,pero los originales y bonitos siempre me gusta tenerlos a mano para mis trabajos .
Desde luego , esto se merece hacer algo en cartonage ¿ Alquien sabe qué es ? ¡ Está clarísimo !
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Regalando a Cristina

Dicen que nunca es tarde si la dicha es buena, así que bien tarde pero con gusto , recibió Cristina su tardío regalo de cumpleaños.

Escogí un modelo que me encantó desde que compré el cuadernito de Blackbird titulado Tokens of Frienship ,con la idea de tenerlo a mano para cuando surgiese la necesidad de bordar para una amiga. Y este fue el caso. El librito tiene un total de 8 diseños orientados a la amistad y acompañados curiosamente de alguna receta ,por si te cansas de bordar y quieres meterte un rato a la cocina.






Como os he dicho, este esquema me gustó tanto que enseguida preparé el lino que tinté yo misma con té.
La cosa se quedó a la espera de tener tiempo para ponerme a ello. Ahora ,con el cumple de a la vista , me pareció una idea rescatar el lino guardado ,buscar los hilos y ponerme manos a la obra.
Ella es una fan número 1 de estas diseñadoras y el superconocido dicho When this you see Remember me , fue decisivo.

Tuve que sustituir uno de los hilos propuestos The Gentle Art por otro también tintado de Needle Necessities ,ya que carecía de él. El lino es de Zweigart 32ct.

Por suerte encontré este marco con una tonalidad muy similar a la del bordado. El resultado creo que es genial.



Tiene algún punto especial como el eyelet stitch que veis en detalle.



Acompañe este regalo de uno de los botecitos que ya he hecho en otras ocasiones. Quería haberle regalado a Cristina uno hace tiempo y no fue posible hasta que conseguí de nuevo algún bote con las características rayas en el cristal.

Botecito para botones



Este simpático conejito lleva una cestita lista para usar .

En el pasacintas coloqué una de terciopelo que iba a tono con la tela sobre la que está sentado , uno de los modelos de samplers en verde que ya hemos visto en otros blogs.


Para darle un toque, dejé hacia afuera la cinta de terciopelo y puse un alfiler en metal con forma de flor.

























En el interior también decoré la tapa .

Bordar para alguien que ocupa un lugar en tu vida es todo un orgullo y un placer. Y eso es lo que sentí yo mientras hacía este regalo , aunque me diese algo de guerra en algún momento .
Ya veis que mis deditos no están quietos y aunque me entretenga en otras cosas, el punto de cruz siempre está presente.
Pronto veréis otra sorpresa que llegará esta semana a su destino.
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Shopping on Lexington

Lexington Avenue in New York gets a bad rap since it's the street along which the 6 subway line runs but the area between 70th and 80th Streets is chock full of beautiful shops. I took walk along the route on Saturday and stopped into a few of the gems including Lexington Gardens at 1011 Lexington Avenue, seen here.

Since most homes in New York don't actually have gardens, garden shops tend to carry a wide assortment of goods from vases and pots to full size trees and garden statues. And of course they can put together a beautiful bouquet for delivery.

I think this lion could look just as great in a home foyer, as it would in the garden.

The store is also famous for it's preserved trees and greenery. They never need to be watered so there is no worry about killing them which makes them perfect for people who travel frequently. They also don't need light so they're great for darker spaces.

The shop had a few pairs of foo dogs and cute little white pagoda salt and pepper shakers in addition to beautiful lamps and garden stools.

You really never know what you will find in Lexington Gardens.

Everywhere you looked, there was an even more beautiful display of branches. A sure sign of spring.

A great addition to Lexington Avenue is Archivia Books above, which specializes in "architecture, art, design, decorative arts, gardens and interiors" books. The Upper East Side has many interior design firms and is home to the New York School of Interior Design so it's a popular destination for designers and students. I love the window display of topiaries and garden plans.

Of course, my shopping trip wouldn't have been complete without picking up a few souvenirs along the way. The miniature rose bush was purchased from Windsor Florist on the corner of Lexington and 78th Street. It's one of my favorite little shops to pick up a little treat. The chartreuse pot was only $10 at Lexington Gardens but the pièce de résistance is the little notebook from Il Papiro covered in hand decorated marbled paper made in Italy. I could spend hours in this little jewel box shop looking at all the beautiful paper patterns.

The next time you are in New York, I hope you'll leave the pack on tourists on Fifth Avenue and head up to the unique and charming shops on Lexington. It's worth the trip!
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New York in Bloom!

As the weather vacillates between warm and cold in New York, at least the trees continue to announce the impending arrival of spring.


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