Spring, finally some fair weather.

Custom board for Sophie

to match her

desktop memento board.

An interesting variation on the memento board

This clever "window" opening between the bedrooms of two sisters.

as seen in Connecticut Cottages and Gardens.

It reminds me of the dutch doors that were popular decades ago. The photo below is of Barbara Garfield, a designer of "in scale" properties ... more on this interesting lady next week.

I saw this photograph in

The New York Times

last Friday.

An early version of a memento/inspiration board.

This 1703 trompe l'oeil of a letter rack was painted by Edward Collier.

It is part of the recent and wonderful donation to the

National Gallery of Art in

Washington D.C.

by Linda Kaufman.

More on DC tomorrow;

I am on the road again for a round of trunk shows and boutiques.

Before and after.

I created this memento board for my niece a year or two ago.

Here it is almost new -

not too much stuff, yet...

and then the picture explosion

how much fun is this collage

definitely day dream fodder

while doing homework

Miss S was excited about her new collage -

I think the transformation is terrific.

It looks fun, happy and alive!

Imagine my surprise when I opened the wrapper of the latest

World Of Interiors

Right there, smack dab in the middle is a "mood board"

chock full of images.

Just like the boards created by mrr design (aka marnie)

except that this collage is pinned on top of all the ribbons.

This photo is called Trinity collage:

"a couture mood board" by Christian Lacroix

in his 1980's studio.

Lacroix wanted to "produce out of nowhere something that not been seen for a long time: a new haute-couture house...Lacroix adopted his usual manner: graphically, 'graphomaniacally' you might say, issuing ideas, cuttings, torn-out pages and suggestions, which all contributed to a gigantic collage that summed up his idea of the place."

Why not put your ideas out there too.

Fill a gigantic "mood board"

Let the images inspire and motivate you.

Just shipped this 31" x 31" out to Colorado

and received this e-mail from the decorator:

"delivered it to my client this weekend...she loved it, and so do I, it looks perfect."

...made my day

Finally finished my last order and just in the nick of time.

I felt like an elf in the workshop.

Here are some happy helpers (miss is and dh).

This order made me smile as I worked.

A young girl I know will find this 24" x 48" memento board

under the tree on Christmas morning.

It was designed to display her horse show ribbons.

She will be able to hang the ribbons from any square.

No more help from Mama to arrange the ribbons.

I hope to get a photo in situ after Christmas.

Another view to give you some perspective.

Then I began my own orders

of bon-bon tea cakes,

my signature cookie,

to be sent to lots of people I know.

Another custom order...

This one made from Vineyard Vines silk fabric.

A bride and groom ordered custom VV fabric for wedding ties and tote bags for their wedding party.

The pattern is a series of arrows with names of all the places the bride and groom have lived...or something like that.

I made a memento board and before I had time to blink, there was more fabric in my mailbox for a frame. I rushed to get the board done overnight and forgot to take a picture. In the middle of the mad rush, the power in the house went out for 1.5 hours - oh my gosh - what a night - I worked by candlelight! Just like the olden days.

ta - da

my latest creation

It is called the DREAM BOARD aka THE PAMELA

because my friend and fellow knit-wit gave me the idea

Thanks PAM

Mattress ticking with letters cut out of SIS BOOM fabric

in bright, fun, smashing colors

and bordered by a happy pink ribbon.

Pin up your Dreams for NOW, SOON & SOMETIME

You can use tacs or slip papers in between the ribbon and fabric

24 x 24

(photo is not the best)

Piece by piece

to yield a fun patchwork

Going once, going twice, SOLD to paddle #-----

A donation to my daughter's school fundraising auction,

a one-of-a-kind memento board,

along with a LAX picture frame

& picture of girls lax team.

I was happy to see the ribbon inspiration board 

on the jacket of Martha's latest book:

Encylcopedia of Crafts

A little different than mine but ribbon and board, nevertheless.

If you go to sis boom's blog here you will see one of my creations

(look at 2nd picture)

I just gave this book to a friend

and how I wished that I had more time to look at it myself.

It will be at the library soon enough!

Custom memento board

(remember post from last week)

in situ

It looks great on the delicious chocolate wall.

Thanks again Pam for the order.

Habitually Chic post, May 26, 2008

Inspiration Board

Inspiration boards, memento boards, vision boards, to do boards,

this is my life board, whatever you call them,

they are a great way to stay organized and inspired.

The creation of custom memento boards is one facet of my business.

Recently, several inspiration boards have been featured prominently on popular design blogs.

Inspiration Boards in the offices of Alessandra Branca in Chicago

as featured on Cote de Texas's April 7th post on designer,

Alessandra Branca.

The boards are not too difficult to create, just a little patience,

a little math, and the right tools,

so if you would like one, but don't really have the time nor inclination to diy,

just contact me.

I can send the pieces anywhere...e-mail contact info is available on the blog.

As mentioned in a prior post, I have a brisk custom order business for inspiration boards from decorators and designers, including

Rinfret, Ltd and Michael Whalley,

both of whom have been featured in national publications.

I just finished these two fun boards for a local store.

Fun fabrics with delicious pears and flowers in the style of Marimekko