Creative Hobbies + New DIY Projects

March 11, 2016

It’s been a creative whirlwind in the studio lately! After four years of designing and producing textiles for Cotton & Flax, I’ve been branching out in 2016 by taking on projects that are stretching my creative muscles. While I’m still creating lots of new work for Cotton & Flax, this year I wanted to spend time learning some new skills. I love taking up a new creative hobby — it brings fresh ideas to all my creative work!

One way I’ve been trying out new techniques is through a new creative subscription box called The Crafter’s Box. I was introduced to this company last year, and I’ve tried three of their craft projects: Rya Weaving with Maryanne Moodie, marbled clay pots taught by Emily Reinhardt, and this giant arm knitted blanket taught by Elise Blaha.

The quality of the materials in every Crafter’s Box has been amazing. Supplies and materials are sent along with instructions for each project, and they source materials from some of the best manufacturers around. The wool roving and yarn was particularly gorgeous, and I’ve been saving up the leftovers from my projects to use for something special.

I’m excited to share that I am partnering with The Crafter’s Box this month to teach block printing! When you sign up for a subscription to The Crafter’s Box, you’ll receive all the materials and supplies you’ll need to create a gorgeous block-printed linen table runner. You’ll gain access to an exclusive video tutorial showing you how to carve a linoleum block, and print a repeat pattern of your own design.

Sign up to receive this block printing kit today, it will only be available to purchase for a week or so! This box is an incredible value, so if you’ve been dying to take one of my classes in LA, now’s your chance to have me beamed into your home studio.

New Collab with AHeirloom – Cocktail Sets!

December 3, 2015

So pleased to announce my second collaboration with AHeirloom, makers of beautiful cocktail muddles and cutting boards. This time, we’ve created a holiday cocktail set in a vibrant cardinal red. The walnut muddle has been laser engraved with our confetti pattern, and features bright red accents that complement the coasters.

The set makes a perfect gift for a budding mixologist, or anyone who enjoys a festive cocktail this time of year. This was a super limited edition, and Amy from AHeirloom told me that the sets are almost half sold out already, which is crazy because we haven’t really mentioned them launching yet — wow! Pick up your cocktail set in AHeirloom’s shop!

Cobalt Decor + Guest Blogging

August 6, 2015

I’ve been doing some guest blogging — contributing full articles on contemporary LA Design to Life in Sketch, and sharing ideas for editorial pieces with other writers, like Justina Blakeney and her blog, The Jungalow. I recently compiled cobalt interiors inspiration for a post on The Jungalow, and I thought I’d share some extra inspiration here. Above: you can’t deny the appeal of a beautiful blue fridge — this Smeg is a beauty.

The blue wall and ceiling in this outdoor lounge is stunning. Love the way the slats in the walls let light through, but the lounge still feels secluded.

Our Indigo Zig Zag pillow is a great way to add a pop of cobalt blue to your home.

No shortage of beautiful blue doors and gates — this door was spotted in Israel, and the gate in Puerto Rico.

Can you believe how bold this bathroom is?! All that beautiful blue tile, combined with gorgeous jungle plants… every shower would feel like an exotic getaway.

If you want to add a tiny dose of cobalt, a little planter like this one from Atelier Stella would do the trick.

New Patterned Notebook – Mega Size!

August 3, 2015

I’ve been so thrilled with the response to the notebook set I launched with Scout Books earlier this summer! Thank you for your early support while I was running the 826LA fundraiser — together we raised $100 to support their amazing after-school tutoring program!

Today I am excited to announce a new, larger notebook has debuted in the shop! It features my Grid design (which also appears on our linen tea towels), and is made using recycled papers by my friends at Scout Books. I love that they wanted to make a larger design, the pocket notebooks are super fun, but sometimes I like having a little extra space for drawing.

You can find these notebooks exclusively on cottonandflax.com for now. If they sell out, we may be able to do some fresh designs in time for the holiday season!

Supporting Childhood Literacy and Creativity in Los Angeles – Partnering with 826LA

June 29, 2015

As you may have seen back in May, I made a pledge to donate a portion of the profits from the sale of our notebooks to 826LA, to support their after-school tutoring program here in LA. $1 from the sale of each notebook will go directly to 826LA, and I’ve decided to extend that pledge an extra month, and continue the fundraiser through July!

This subject is close to my heart. I loved creative writing as a student, and I was lucky enough to have some fantastic teachers who nurtured my interest in expressing myself through writing. The tutors and volunteers at 826LA are doing more than just teaching valuable literacy skills to kids — they are also inspiring students to develop a lifelong love of reading and writing, and planting the seeds for the next generation of creative storytellers.

I hope to raise as much money as possible to help 826LA in their mission of supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills. 826LA is doing some amazing things here in LA, including some great summer programs to keep kids engaged in learning, working with volunteers on their writing, verbal, and reading skills. Visit their site to learn more about 826LA, and see the benefits of their after-school tutoring program for LA youth!

Visit the Cotton & Flax shop to grab a set of notebooks — through July, your purchase will support 826LA, and all they’re doing for LA youth!

New throw pillows debut today!

June 9, 2015

It’s been quite a while since I debuted new pillows! This year, I decided to change things up a little bit. Rather than debuting two big collections per year (one in Spring, and one in Fall), I decided to release a smaller number of products more frequently, so that things would feel fresher around the studio. It’s been pretty busy at Cotton & Flax HQ — this year, I’ve debuted new tea towels, lavender sachets (which sold out in record time), and patterned notebooks. Phew!

While there are no new patterns in today’s debut, I spent weeks choosing the colors I wanted to add to the collection, and I was surprised by the new shades I finally landed on. The biggest surprise for me was blush pink! I’m certainly not known for being very girly, but this mural by Michelle Weinberg on the Wolfsonian Museum in Miami was so striking, it convinced me that pink + black = next level modernity that needs to be in your home.

I also wasn’t planning to add more blue to the collection, but this bright indigo fabric was calling to me. It just feels so fresh, and adds a nice pop of color to the collection. Love the way it looks next to our gold pillows — really shows off the best traits of both fabrics.

Another new favorite: the dusty blue plus pillow on the top of this pile. This fabric has a subtle warmth to it — a result of being a yarn-dyed linen. I really enjoy this fabric paired with the indigo, or this grey pillow, which you may recognize…

… A return of an old favorite fabric, the black chambray linen! This fabric has a lot of dimension, due to the heathered weave of the chambray fabric, which adds a little complexity to the pattern.

I’m so grateful to have been able to work with Laure Joliet to shoot these pillows! She continues to be one of my favorite artists, and an absolute pleasure to work with. Hooray for collaborating with friends!

I’m excited to hear what you think of the new collection — let me know your favorites on Twitter or Instagram!

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