Bicycles Baby

Bicycles on my mind..

1. Love the overlapping in this Duralee bicycle print

2. Find this cutie at WhipStitchFabrics

3. This Avelis Bicycle fabric goes way back.

4. Lovely whimsical bicycle illustration by BeckandLundy
 
xo- Aja

Patchwork Pillow

Image via mad mim

Image via mad mim

Make a patchwork pillow for yourself using scraps of fabric and a simple zigzag stitch. Taking some inspiration from a designer Anthropologie pillow, Miriam Tribe makes her own version for a fraction of the price! Create this stunning pillow with her simple DIY.

Happy Crafting!
xo - Katie

The Mini Garden

Image via Maize Hutton

Image via Maize Hutton

Love this idea of using vintage tea cups and mugs for a mini indoor garden. I think it would look pretty cute in my apartment.

Office Supply Chic

Image via Real Simple

Give your desk a quick facelift by showing off your postcards, vacation pics and notes with the help of binder clips! Update everyone on your latest news with this easy to change trick.

Paris

I'll be headed to Paris soon and at the top of my must do list is to find inspiring textiles for our shops. This image is of a vintage scarf I recently purchased while traveling through New Mexico. I absolutely love its color pallet and tribal feel. My fingers are crossed that I'll bring back similar discoveries from France. Stay tuned :-) xx- Moni

The Gilded Touch

Image via BHLDN

Add some metallics to your big shebang and watch the night sparkle away. All you need to create such gilded bliss are wine bottles, gold and silver metallic spray paint, newspaper, and a well ventilated area to get your gold on. Pair with some cream colored starbursts and call it a day!

Mexican Flavor

WARNING!! It is HOT HOT HOT outside in Brooklyn today.

I just came back from running with Katie (SEW Moni Designer) and Taru (SEW Moni Sewing Instructor) and I can't express how HOT we were, even while doing push ups in the shade. I secretly prayed for rain the whole time.

After sweating and doing one to many sumo wrestler lunges, I was left craving Pinche Tacos (in Ft. Greene) and an ice cold lemonade. The heat (and muscle burn) also reminded me of Mexico: fun, great food, margaritas, strapless dresses made from Mexican fabrics and dancing till dawn.

Above it just a taste of my day and maybe it will inspire you to A. Get a margarita or B. Head for the border.

XO

Monica!

A Bag full of Inspiration

So these last couple of weeks have been incredibly exciting and exhausting.  Working part time at Gap, closing with them most nights, and working early mornings at SewMoni have left me a little drained.  But the other night, I got an email from Moni.  She told me this:

Tonight I saw a tote with the words: Dont give up.
I don't know about either of you, but the last few days at my "other jobs" have been tough.
Keep the above on the tip of your lips. Reading this phrase tonight (unexpectedly) actually made me feel motivated again & excited about endeavors to come--- if I just hold on and don't give up.

It was more than encouraging.  As all of us begin the building process at SewMoni, creating patterns, developing a new website, and pulling fabrics for next season, we're finding that the push and pull of our other supporting jobs seem to be pulling and pushing a little harder.  I like to call this resistance.  In the words of David Pressfield "It's a repelling force. It's negative.  Its aim is to shove us away, distract us, prevent us from doing our work" (The War of Art).

It's with determination and encouraging words like "Don't Give Up" (that was written on a tote of all things) that we propel ourselves forward and push through the resistance.  To fight for your dream and your passion is probably one of the most noble acts you can do in your life.  So don't give up.  Press on.  It's what you were made to do.

Sew on people!
-Katie