When Grace was in town a few weeks ago, we did a little shopping at some of the new shops in my neighborhood. While browsing the jewelry at Marisa Haskell, we noticed these beautiful striped beach towels piled in the corner. They were a steal at just $30 each, and I wanted to buy out…
With farmers’ market season upon us, it’s always a good idea to have lots of reusable produce bags on hand. But the problem with regular cloth bags is that they’re not see-through, making it easy to lose track of what’s in the fridge and resulting in tragic forgotten-vegetable casualties. To help keep track of what…
It seems no matter what I do, I can never get a handle on all the tiny odds and ends that accumulate around my house. From craft materials to hair ties, the bits and bobs are constantly trying to take over, so in the never-ending quest to corral them, these little fabric bins were born….
Lately my attention has turned solely to natural materials for making projects. In sifting through my collections of linen, wooden dowels and burlap, I realized that I usually buy these materials new when I could so easily find them at thrift shops, yard sales, flea markets and the like. When a copy of Maya Donenfeld’s…
This is the second project in Brittany’s summer DIY series! You can see the first project from last week, a copper tubing side table, by clicking here. — Kate Picnics and bicycles are an absolute must in Denmark. I’ve been wanting to combine the two, so I decided to maximize the space in my bike…
I read an article recently about the demise of watches. It seems most folks these days don’t wear them, preferring instead to constantly pull their phones out of their pockets. Sure, it’s one less accessory to deal with, but I can’t imagine going a day without a watch on my wrist. So, as a great…
One of my favorite aspects of working for D*S is meeting such open, friendly and immensely creative people. I’m constantly blown away by the design community’s talent and warmth. I met Heather Davidson while I was with Grace and Amy Merrick at the Portland Bazaar last December. She was teaching a DIY class as well,…
Thanks to a few recent online purchases, I had an enormous pile of long brown packing paper strips in my studio. I couldn’t bear to just recycle it; it seemed to have so much crafty potential. So tasked with the challenge of creating a project to help get organized for the new year, I decided…
Christmas is just a few days away, but there’s still time to whip up your own handmade gifts or decorations with these quick and easy stockings! Stitched in a thick, Pendleton-style wool fabric, only a few simple seams are needed to finish each of these; once you get the hang of the construction, you can…
I always wrestle with giving handmade gifts. I enjoy receiving them and cherish the extra thought and personal touch that comes with them. There is something about a handmade gift that is more treasured than a store-bought item, but what if the recipient isn’t so crazy about the gift? I want to be able to…
I have no idea how it can be Thanksgiving already, but apparently it almost is, so it’s time to think about pretty tables (and big, delicious dinners!). Here’s a quick and easy runner project that’s perfect for adding a little handmade flair to your table (or to bring along as a hostess gift). It’s easy…
Add a little autumnal flair to your fall wardrobe with this rustic tree branch tote! This sturdy piece is great for carting daily necessities on your commute or for more outdoorsy tasks like packing a picnic or carrying camping supplies. The bag itself features a basic construction that can be adapted and used with any…
It’s really starting to feel like fall, and whether or not that means back to school for you, fall always seems to mean new supplies. Don’t forget your electronics this season, so you can whip up a cozy little wool sleeve for your laptop or tablet! In this project, you’ll learn how to install a…
September is my favorite month in northern California; the weather gets warm and sunny (no fog!), and we actually get to experience a taste of summer before heading into rainy season :( These adorable cocktail napkins from Kirsten Gentry at Kojo Designs remind me of the best part of late summer: squeezing every last minute…
It’s summertime, and the sewing is easy! Chances are, you’re not in the mood to lock yourself inside this month to work on a complicated sewing project, but if you’re looking for some instant crafty gratification to whip up on your way out the door to vacation, this luggage tag is just the thing. You…
Sewing in a Straight Line by Brett Bara — How to Sew a Round Bowl with Straight Lines Only from Rarebit Productions on Vimeo. We’re very excited to announce that our resident sewing expert and all-around awesome crafter, Brett Bara, has a new book out titled Sewing in a Straight Line. To celebrate, Brett is…
There’s no rule that says we have to make a mess of ourselves when digging in the dirt, right? Well, maybe there kind of is, but even so, it helps to have all your tools handy while you’re getting dirty. This simple work apron will do the trick, keeping your gloves, seed packets and shears…
I’m totally smitten with the terrarium trend — a tiny, private world occupied by lush greens and adorable figurines? Who could resist? So in thinking about what would be fun to sew this spring, and with greenery sprouting up all around me, I couldn’t help but wonder if I could somehow sew a terrarium. It…
With the new year upon us, the reduce, renew, recycle mantra is at the forefront of our brains. That paired with a long list of thank you notes still to write inspired this recycled-cardboard postcard project. We have so many boxes around from the holidays that we decided to cut them up and make our…
Few things spark nostalgia like favorite family recipes, and Christmas cookies have got to be one of the most nostalgic family treats of all. I designed these tree ornaments to commemorate some of my favorite cookie cutters. These were made by tracing the cutters themselves then adorning them with embroidery “icing.” They’re a great way…
