linen + leaves + lotta

The cooler weather has definitely put me in the mood to changes things up over here at Casa Shim. Most of you know that I have a thing for mobiles and floating objects in general. There has been a steady rotation of mobiles/floating objects in our kitchen nook over the past year and I've been meaning to replace the tissue paper pom poms I took down a few months ago. So a few weeks ago I revisited my favorite linen leaves craft and sewed some together to create linen leaf chains.

And since it is difficult to make just a small batch of linen leaves I now have a tray full of linen leaves waiting to be transformed into a simple little mobile.

I was testing out a few ideas for a freelance project last week and decided to make little covers for some glass cups I have sitting in a wood tray on the kitchen table. They were influenced by my pencil + cups and have now inspired me to make a few new pencil + cup designs.

It is no secret that I have a weakness for Japanese craft books. I am in love with the beautiful photography and styling of some of the minimalist books. Since I think I've only used one pattern from all the Japanese craft books I have, I usually don't even care whether the books contain patterns since so much of my inspiration is drawn from the handmade objects themselves. So when I saw Blair had posted about Lotta's newest book, I made a mental note to stop by our local Kinokuniya to check it out.

I picked up a copy this week and of course I was not disappointed. The projects are simple + modern and I actually like that fact that she doesn't include patterns for all the projects, that way every person can come up with their own version. And like so many of us who are influenced by Japanese craft books and find ourselves working on similar projects as other craft blog friends, I was pleasantly surprised to find two projects in her book that were similar to what I had just worked on. I love the pattern on her fabric mobile [in the book Lotta explains several ways to print on to fabric.]

And she has some really cute cup + flask covers in there as well as some spiffy tote bag designs.

Oh, and I also thumbed through her travel style book at the bookstore and it is chalk full of inspiration--definitely putting that book on my wish list.

Comments

[kristin]

your golden creations are beautiful. (the polka dotted glass cover is really very lovely.)

[casey]

I love the leaf chains... the colors and textures are so lovely! :)

[cindy k]

great minds think alike! i love your new projects, especially the glass covers.

[jen b]

yes the leaf chains are beautiful and so very fall. Oh and i love the idea of glass covers, simply brilliant.

[Nancy Cook]

lovely leaf chains.
i am curious as to where you buy your linen? i'm searching for a good source?
i remember someone once posted about a store in ny in the garment district and i can't remember what it was called.
let me know if you get a chance.
happy autumn

[myra]

The leaves are just gorgeous!

[ismoyo]

Like the idea of the glass cover very much. Love the linnen leave mobile!

[angela liguori]

I love everything I see on your blog that you make. The new work with linen paper is very elegant and beautiful. Congratulations! I regularly read your blog.

[angela liguori]

I love everything I see on your blog that you make. The new work with linen paper is very elegant and beautiful. Congratulations! I regularly read your blog.

[angela liguori]

I love everything I see on your blog that you make. The new work with linen paper is very elegant and beautiful. Congratulations! I regularly read your blog.

[Grace]

You were right to buy Lotta's newest japanese book from Kinokuniya. I bought one of her japanese books at her store and it cost $35 instead of $20. Ugh.

[lisa s]

i got that book in japan when i was there... :)

love your interpretations [as always]
xo

[Makayla]

Sally- I love the simple beauty of everything you create.

[Alex]

Love your leaves, so you!

[Blair]

Isn't the book like a breath of fresh air? It was my 'carry around book' the week I bought it, just because it made me so inspired and happy to look at it. I looooovvvvve your leaves, but then again, you know how you've helped fuel my love of things hanging from the ceiling for over a year now. : )

[Yvonne]

A new Lotta book that's always good news. I really like those glass covers. I'd be so nice for Christmas dinner. Thanks so much for the idea.

[Maritza]

I love your linen leaf chains - they're beautiful! They're elegant and playful at the same time.
You and Lotta do seem to share a similar vision/aesthetic. It's not surprising that you come up with similar projects - afterall, great minds do think alike. :)
I can't wait to get my hands on her new book.

[hillary]

pretty! I love your linen leaves.

[kristin]

your linen leaf chains are lovely...done in your familiar color palette which i also love.

[Stacey]

I love your linen leaves too! I wish I could hang couple of the chains from my dining room arch. Everytime I stepped through them, I'd feel like leaves were falling on me. The last couple of days I noticed all the leaves changing into beautiful autumn colors and I was just soaking it all in. Your post is perfect.

[Jessie]

I totally believe in some large collective crafty conscience. I've often nearly killed myself to pull together a project of my own design, only to find a tutorial for the very same idea on someone's blog.
Your work is lovely.

[Jessie]

I totally believe in some large collective crafty conscience. I've often nearly killed myself to pull together a project of my own design, only to find a tutorial for the very same idea on someone's blog.
Your work is lovely.

[leslie]

i, too, love that lotta book. your leaves are a great addition to your home. absolutely lovely. i think i am going to put it on my to-do list.

[Sonya]

Those leaves are so simple and beautiful. Linen I love you so.

[Kim]

That cup cover is great. I didn't know Lotta's new book was out - Thanks for the heads up.