Felt Adventure at the Cooper Hewitt

Last night I decided to really take advantage of my Cooper Hewitt Museum Membership and I went to a Felt Workshop! I know, felt. It's weird. It's for weirdos with too many cats and people who do crafts on the subway. Well, it is kind of, but it's also incredibly fun (with super cool people too!) and creative.

The workshop was taught by Jessica Franks, from Brooklyn who just opened her own Etsy Shop, June Bug Felts after her incredible success at the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn. She taught us that felting is creative, and a very physical process as well.

The designs can be very intricate or an abstract design. You can make pretty patches or bags as well. I personally think the bags are a little bit to indie, Brooklyn, I ride my bike everywhere to save money etc. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just that I'm not cool enough to pull it off.

You can also do text! This Kiss More patch is only $30.

I was finally convinced a few weeks ago at one of Cooper Hewitt's Friday night garden parties after a few (one okay!?!?) glasses of wine that felt was actually really pretty and there was so much that you could do with it as a material. It's really just wool!

Also felt can be made into furniture. This one is at the Cooper Hewitt, too.


I did a big cursive A for mine! Amateur looking, but I really like it. Felt isn't always weird rock pets, right?

Alicia B.

Holiday Gift Guide Number One: UNDER $50

Clever gift wrapping idea from Martha.

Everyone is doing a Holiday gift guide, so here is mine! Mine are fun, affordable, and related to the home because that's my favorite place. Oh, and btw they're all under $50. Enjoi!

Wooden Pushpins for 8.00 at The Container Store. Yay for organizational gifts!

Which leads me to this one. Books are an excellent gift, but the next step is organizing them. Have your own personal library kit for $36.00 at kate's paperie.

How cute is this wellies soap and wooden soap dish?
From Smith and Hawkin for $20.00.

Efficiency at its best, one motion, three slices!
Shredding Scissors from the Container Store for $8.99.

I'd love to be emo enough to keep a journal but for those disciplined enough, these mini journals from Jill Bliss are from the MOMA Museum Shop for 14.95.

I suppose you could make these, or buy them from Gump's.
Japanese Fabric Sachets for $29.00 and now with free shipping. Go for it!

I DIE for this linen tea towel from my fave museum the Cooper Hewitt. $40.00

That's all for now. I'll be making most of my gifts this year to save money. I'm sure my family is super psyched for another "Homemade Christmas!"

Alicia B.

House Proud...House Amazing.

Today was an absolutely lovely day in New York City. I decided to finally take myself over to the Cooper Hewitt Museum on 92nd street. I have been dying to see their exhibit, House Proud: Nineteenth Century Watercolor Interiors from the Thaw Collection. The watercolors, in incredible detail documented the interiors of many different aristocratic families all over Europe, showing architectural elements, mouldings, wallpapers, carpets etc. It was so amazing to see, people think that design is daring today, but with all the colors and patterns mixed in these interiors, it seems like we are somehow tamer now. Below are some of my favorite images from the website.

This coffered ceiling with little designs in each one is echoed on the carpet. This is the dressing room of King Ludwig I. He's got it going on, I'd say.

Isn't that ceiling canopy amazing? From The Japanese Salon in Villa Hugel in Austria.

This interior is so amazingly Arts & Crafts. The fabric on the settee is very William Morris (my first husband).

Chinese inspired room. My fave part is the delicately painted ceiling with birds flying on it. Adorbs.

So many things in here are catching my eye--the over the top ceiling, the double chairs in the foreground, and the way the paintings are hung. AAHHH. Love it.

If you haven't been to this exhibit, you should get there the next chance you get. It closes on January 25, which seems far away but these sorts of things sneak up on you! Plus the museum store had every art or design book you (I) could ever want. I got some note cards for the exhibit. Great Sunday.


Alicia B.

WEEKEND

Have a great weekend all! I hopefully will be going to this (above) exhibit at the Cooper Hewitt Museum, the best museum in NYC!!



Alicia B.