Frightful Fête

To finish the Halloween treats table for a party this evening, I tested a few new recipes. The devils food cupcakes were my favorite~dense chocolate cake with a tangy hint of sour cream and fluffy vanilla buttercream. Plus, the fleur de lis chocolates are available at almost every German grocery store. With so many lovely sweets, decorations {glitter pumpkins and skulls along with a DIY paper doily runner} were simple.

~Spiderweb almond cookies

~Brownie coffins

~Salted nut truffles

~Ladyfingers with almond nails

~Devil's food cupcakes with vanilla buttercream

~Ghost petits fours {made with David Lebovitz's almond cake}

~Pumpkin whoopie pies

~White chocolate pumpkins

~Black licorice

~Ghost marshmallow peeps

Spooky Silhouettes

Although I'm always up for projects, I like to keep Halloween decorations simple {I'm more excited about Christmas}. So, I made silhouettes cut from black paper and anatomical artwork. For the skulls, I combined grainy black and white anatomical images with text. The hanging bats were stenciled using a cookie cutter. And the caged crow and witch silhouettes were inspired by these cupcakes. Add a few black crows, black glitter pumpkins, and silver skulls, and Halloween is sleek without being kitschy.

Bits and Baubles

I've wire-wrapped jewelry before, but this necklace using a jewelry jig was a bit more challenging. It was worth the effort. The effect is an elegant but whimsical long necklace that will stand out over a cashmere dress for fall.

Over the Borderline

These European pillow shams I sewed were looking a little plain, so I added some contrast with an easy project. Using 7/8" bias tape and 5/8" Stitch Witchery tape, I adorned a colored border. Just cut four pieces for each sham, fold the corners under at a 45 degree angle, use pins to keep the tape in place, then press down with an iron. Simple!

Sunburst

I've spotted sunburst mirrors all over design blogs, so I had some great inspiration to incorporate an inexpensive option in my home. This Target sunburst mirror’s bronze finish fits perfect with our antique treasures. To add a bit of modernity but also tie in with mementos from our travels, I sewed pillows using Schumacher Chiang Mai Dragon and Kravet Riad fabric.

Bookcase Styling

I love the geometric lines of this Ballard Designs Bourdonnais bookcase, but I can’t find anything similar in Germany. Since I'm always up for a good project, I used an inexpensive Ikea Billy bookcase and Ikea Observator metal cross braces. I spray painted the braces black and used three for each bookcase. Add all of your favorite books and throw in some miniature busts, hat boxes, and crystal candlesticks. Simple. In keeping with the black and white color palette, the office also includes a clothes rack with some of my favorite pieces and my vintage American Tourister luggage.

Part 2 of this project will be adding moulding-embellished top panels.

Black and White Stripes

Continuing with the black and white motif in my office, next up is custom drapes. I love this black and white stripe drape project, but I wanted to use silk dupioni. So I bought 3 yards of black silk dupioni, 2 yards of white silk dupioni, and 5 yards of drapery lining. I cut out 8 ½” strips, keeping the fabric 54” wide. I sewed the strips together {5 black and 4 white} with a ¼” seam, always measuring to make sure they were even. Then, I sewed the lining to the sides, keeping the panels finished but free at the bottom. Black drapery hooks finished the project.

Two Silhouettes on the Shade

I’ve had some projects in the hopper for a while, so I’m excited to share the results. I love the idea of silhouettes, and to personalize them, I used profile photographs. After printing out the photo to size, I cut out the profile, traced it onto canvas, and then painted freehand using craft paint. They are now hung in my black and white-themed office {more on that tomorrow}. To complete my collage, I added some black and white photos from my wedding in Paris, vintage Vogue illustrations, and Napoleonic artwork.

Works in Progress

I'm working on some new projects, including a pencil skirt in a mustard wool felt and my version of this beautiful Giambiattista Valli dress. More to come soon.

Wire-Wrapped

I love the idea of modern day dress-up, with jeweled necklaces and bracelets draped everywhere. After watching a few how-to videos and ordering a set of wire-wrapping tools, I started making jewelry a few years ago. I picked up a stash of beautiful semi-precious stones and gold-filled components the last time I went to this gem show. This necklace is made of bright green chrysoprase stones with a gold-filled chain.

Bonne Année!

Wishing you a shiny new year! Here are some simple decorations I made this year using this Martha Stewart how-to. White tissue paper, iridescent ribbon, and voilà.

Lace Handkerchief Stockings

Snow is falling, lights are twinkling, and I’ve been decorated the house with both new adornments and vintage treasures in shades of gold and copper. This year, I made these handkerchief stockings. I found some beautiful lace-trimmed handkerchiefs at the Porte de Vanves flea market in Paris {3 for 1€} and put them to good use for the stocking overhangs. Then, I used standard 16”x16” white cotton handkerchief squares for the bodies.

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Holiday Sparkle

Today is a day to give thanks, enjoy time with family and friends, and eat good food. For a little touch of glam on my Thanksgiving table, I made these gold pumpkin place cards. Armed with a can of gold spray paint and some miniature pumpkins from the grocery store, it was a simple project that my guests can take home. I added a paper leaf for the names and brushed up on my calligraphy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Straight Lines

This was my first attempt at making a coat, so I’m pretty thrilled with the result. The angled pockets on this Loeffler Randall Draped Pocket Coat were my inspiration. I used Butterick Pattern B5429 and added the pockets with a freehand template using muslin. The felted wool {from the Britex remnants section} will keep me warm, and the silk lining gives the interior a luxurious feel. A gold belt adds a bit of sparkle.