Pattern Cheat Sheet

I found this guide on Pinterest - a reference for common pattern names....

Source: blog.amyatlas.com via Anna on Pinterest

It was originally posted on Sweet Design - a blog by Amy Atlas.  Which ones are your favorite?  I have always loved IKat and Chevron - need to use more patterns around Home Sweet Hanna!

DIY Fascinator

Like most gals I know - I love Kate Middleton's style and enjoyed every minute of the Royal Wedding earlier this year (as noted here). So naturally, the Duchess of Cambridge is my choice for a chic Halloween Costume.  I'm utilizing two of her key looks for my inspiration...

Engagement Announcement -photo from Brides

Kate attending a wedding wearing an ornately decorated Fascinator

I have the blue wrap dress, long brown lose curled wig, black classic heels, nude stockings, and to die for Sapphire ring (a faux  copy....but a girl can dream) - the only thing missing is the quintessentially British  fascinator cap to complete my ensemble.  I found this cute tutorial on Simple Simon and Company for a DIY Birdcage tutorial - check out my creation below...

Materials - hair clip, cardboard, batting, scissors, tulle, glue gun, grey felt, and feathers

My work area with trusty assistant George looking in!

Cardboard, Batting, and Felt

All wrapped up and hot glued together

Tulle and feathers added - voila!

 Stay tuned for pictures next week of the final costume - we are going to Ginny's 30th Birthday/Halloween Party Saturday night - this fascinator will be in full effect!  Now if I could only get Brian to dress as Prince William....

Home Sweet Hanna - All Stitched Up

Check out the gorgeous handy work of Boupha Inskeep -

 

Such a thoughtful birthday present - I love how Boupha used different fabric patterns to make Home Sweet Hanna come to life - and who can resist that George silhouette....Love them and can't wait to find a special place to display them in our home!

DVF Home - Brilliant

What is there not to love about the Diane Von Furstenberg Home collection - High Gloss has a great interview with Diane this month - check it out here.  Her inspiration "is defined from the treasured destinations in my life and in my home."

Who wouldn't love a little interior design help from Diane...

At least we can now all have a taste with her brilliant home collection

That floral china is gorgeous and the "cut out" accent pillows would be pretty in a guest room......

If you are visiting London (and super wealthy) you can always get a taste of what it would be like to live in Diane's home by staying in the DVF Claridge Hotel Suite....complete with his and her Wrap Dress-esque bathrobes...see below (pics from Hotel Chatter)

 

Palm Beach Princess

Lonny Magazine has a feature on Lilly Pulitzer this month - a very interesting read with lovely photos of the creative process....check it out here.

I was surprised to learn that all of the Lilly Pulitzer fabrics are oil paintings and drawings that are scanned into a computer and then printed on fabric and turned into garments - talk about wearable art!  The company has full time artists and all creations are made start to finish in King of Prussia, PA.

The brand was started by it's namesake - a young New York Socialite who eloped and moved to West Palm Beach at age 21 to start a juice stand in her husband's orange grove.  To cover up the juice stains she commissioned brightly patterned shift dresses - and Lily Pulitzer was born.

The brand really took off when one of Lilly's close friends from a CT boarding school, Jackie Kennedy, started sporting her adorable shift dresses....

The brand was sold in 1993 - but still keeps original preppy spirit - love some of their new looks and of course those gorgeous fun summer colors - wouldn't it be nice to escape this chilly 34 degree winter weather, throw on a shift dress and a pair of flip flops and head down to West Palm Beach?

Adventures in Wonderland

"I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!" - Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll

Right before the big move Brian and I were looking for an achievable design project in our fan apartment.  We are very lucky to have inherited Baba's (Ann Hamner - my grandmother) gorgeous antique dining room table and chairs.  All nine of the the chairs were sporting different retro fabrics - in order bring our table into the 21st century we decided to take on an apartment friendly re-upholstery project. 

We selected this beautiful Wonderland fabric that is reminiscent of Austrian Josef Frank's fabric designs (without the $200+ price tag).  Ours was around $12 a yard - what a steal!

The owners of my favorite discount fabric store UFab here in Richmond gave us tips to get the fabric as tight as possible - they recommended pinching the corners and working as a team to pull and staple simultaneously down the seam. 

UFab hooked us up with industrial scotch guard to protect from wear/tear and spilled wine!

Eight of the chairs chilling with their new fabric in our tiny apt hallway

I love how each chair is slightly different - but the set is cohesive and cheerful.  We had fun with this project and the chairs make for a bright and less serious/stuffy dining room don't you think?

New home - The Hanna House!

Check out another project with this fabric from High Heeled Foot In The Door.