Look at what Jackie did! Using the Pop Dangle stencil, she stenciled a pattern on this wall in her home. I love the alternating colors she used, and I really like the black picture frames against that patterned background. Great work!
Do you have a stencil success story? Email me!
I’ve changed my mind. I get to do that, you know. 
I’ve decided to extend the Grand Opening Sale thru December. Why? Because I like you. And because I know many of you are still trying to decide which stencil you want AND that the holidays are a terrible time to rush that process. So let’s just take it a month further, shall we? Enjoy!
In case you’ve forgotten or missed it the first time, here’s the deal:
How would you like a 40% rebate on your most recent stencil order?
I thought you might be interested.
Here’s how it works:
Buy a stencil and use it somewhere. Apply for the rebate using the form link below. Tell me about yourself, the stencil you used, and where you used it. Upload a picture (or five) of your work. I’ll send back 40% of your purchase price. No kidding. That’s pretty much it.
Not bad, eh?
A few terms and conditions:
Ready to go? Fill out the form here.
The term “Art Deco” is derived from a 1925 exhibition in Paris, L’Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes. This style of art was very popular in the 1920s and 30s and spread across all facets of the art world, including interior design and architecture.
Art Deco cashed in on sultry colors…
eclectic bedroom design by san francisco interior designer Jacobs Design, Inc.
…working geometry into glamor.
eclectic entry design by san francisco interior designer Jacobs Design, Inc.
The geometry that distinctly marks Art Deco lends itself well to glass work. Curves, bevels, and near-perfect symmetry.
Image via sunburststudio.com
From Designed in Glass
This is just awesome. Gotham City meets Art Deco. Reminds me of my early college years when I discovered Prisma Color markers. Art Deco was not only very geometric, but also mirrored shapes within each other, creating a layered effect.
The Chrysler Building in New York City is one of the finest examples of Art Deco in architecture. This has been my favorite building since I was a child (from the line in Annie, “…and if these floors don’t shine like the top of the Chrysler Building, your backside will! You understand?” Gotta love Carol Burnett. OK, let’s focus…). I had the privilege of working two blocks from this glorious place a few years ago and never got tired of walking by it twice a day. Built in 1928 and designed by William Van Allen, it was the tallest building in the world until 1931, when the Empire State Building was constructed. Notice the geometry, the repeated shapes-within-shapes effect, and the perfect symmetry.
Chrysler Building, New York City
Nothing gets my Art Deco-loving heart thumping like a walk through Radio City Music Hall. It is a feast for the eyes, and worth the $20 walking tour, if you’re ever in NYC (I had tears in my eyes the whole time; it’s overwhelming). And if you’re there for the holidays, check out the Rockettes, also a throwback to the 1920s (1925, to be exact). They do not disappoint. (As luck would have it, I also worked across the street from this Art Deco landmark. Swoon!)
Radio City Music Hall Grand Foyer
I find it odd that Wassily Wassilyevich Kandinsky is not associated with the Art Deco movement, although he was painting during this period and some of his art has a noticeable Art Deco influence.
"On White II" (Kandinsky 1923)
Such a glorious era. I could go on and on with images and music and history about this small span of 20-ish years. Very few time periods have left such a rich, wide and indelible mark on art’s history.
I was shocked and honored when Alluminare contacted me and told me my patterns were featured in Better Homes And Gardens’ quarterly publication, Do It Yourself.
I am so incredibly humbled and grateful for the coverage and want to thank the editors and Better Homes And Gardens for including my patterns along with the amazing designs from Khristian Howell. I love the way they used the patterns!
While traveling through Venice last month, I was struck by the Islamic influence on the city’s architecture. Such lovely peaks and curves, so unique to that culture.
Today, I made a pattern from the doodles I did on the train from Venice to Florence. Introducing “Venice.”
Talk to me if you’d like to use this pattern somewhere.
*Coming soon to Spoonflower
Available as a card on Cafepress and as a print on Etsy.
I could definitely be persuaded to update the colorways on these for specific uses. Talk to me.
FTC disclosure: if you buy my stuff, I make money.
NEW! Fabric on Spoonflower! Pearce the Elephant now available for all your quilting and pajama-making needs!
Fabric should be available the first week of February. Meanwhile, check out my other Spoonflower fabric!
Meet Pearce, the Elephant! He’s the first in a series of cursive-inspired animals that will find their way onto prints and fabric.
Pearce is far from your average elephant. With his delicate loops and curls, he’d much rather attend a tea party than muddy himself with the rest of the herd. A whimsical addition for a nursery or for the elephant lover in your life, Charming Pearce is sure to please.
It’s not really a New Year’s resolution so much as a “what I need right now”, but I’ve decided to look around more. I am so inspired by other designers!!
Yesterday, I spent a good chunk of time staring at Letterhead Fonts. Lots of typographic eye candy. Check ‘em out.
I also stared at Jessica Hische’s website. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend you refill your coffee and click here. You’ll stare for a long time. Gorgeous work.
And one of my favorite, favorite things to look at is Patty Young’s designs. I love, love the colorways she uses.
What inspires you? What do you find yourself staring at?
Images from Letterhead Fonts, Jessica Hische, and Patty Young. I am not affiliated with any of these individuals or companies, only hold them in high regard.
The wallpaper craft is finished! Yipee! And I have the pictures to walk you through the steps.
(*NOTE: I am not a photographer. I apologize for this in advance.)
1. Buy nine – 1 foot square frames and spray paint them black.
I modified this step. I bought 32′ of 1×2 and mitered the ends to create 8 1′ frames, and spray painted the sides black. The reasons were cost and functionality. Frames can be expensive, and finding eight with flat faces was going to be costly and difficult. When you can’t find what you want, make it yourself, I say!
2. Carefully cut out a bunch of 1-foot x 1-foot squares of wallpaper – it’s ideal because you don’t need to trim or break the pattern.
I modified this step as well. It made more sense to me to paint the design on the front of the paper and then cut the squares. Thank you, thank you to Design Hole and Alluminare for the wallpaper! The paper is really strong and durable – believe me, I’m clumsy and I didn’t even nick it! – and the surface texture is great for painting.
3. Tack the squares to the front of the frames (and only the fronts, no wrap-around).
I used Tacky Glue. I love it! It is super strong and dries clear. I just like the stuff – no kickback for me if you buy it because of this site.
4. Arrange the frames into a 3-foot × 3-foot grid and secure them together (temporarily, carefully). Find a simple, graphic design and paint it in white across all the pieces.
Modified: see above.
5. Separate the pieces, affix to the wall in the same grid order, but about 1 to 2 inches apart on all sides.
(This is where my sucky photog skills really show off.)
And wah-lah! Wallart.
What’s that you say? Where’s the rest of the wallpaper? I’m glad you asked!