And the winner is…

E a vencedora é… a Ana de Faro! Ana, fico à espera de um e-mail com a morada para onde devo mandar o tecido/toalha.
PS. Tenho encontrado referências ao Saídos da Concha em alguns sítios (por vezes com a ajuda de leitoras atentas!); quem tiver curiosidade espreite aqui: Made by girl, Creature Comforts, Mise en Abyme, Poppytalk, Hotspot, From “I Will” to “I Do”, Inc. Weddings e Lovely Morning.
P.P.S. A partir de hoje, as almofadas de alianças Blanc by Saídos da Concha — disponíveis aqui — têm portes gratuitos para todo o mundo!
And the winner is… Ana from Faro! Congratulations!
P.S. I’ve stumbled upon some references to Saídos da Concha around the internet (sometimes with the help of you lovely readers!); in case you’re curious, here goes: Made by girl, Creature Comforts, Mise en Abyme, Poppytalk, Hotspot, From “I Will” to “I Do”, Inc. Weddings and Lovely Morning.

P.P.S. From today all ring bearer pillows Blanc by Saídos da Concha — available here — ship anywhere in the world for free!


(image: Constança Cabral)

From Russia with Love

Russian Textiles: Printed Cloth for the Bazaars of Central Asia é um dos meus livros preferidos. A autora, Susan Meller, é co-fundadora da Design Library, o maior e mais bem organizado acervo documental têxtil do mundo. Este livro debruça-se sobre a manufactura russa de tecidos em algodão especificamente destinados para exportação, com destino à Ásia Central, entre 1860 e 1960. Para mim, são os tecidos mais bonitos de sempre.
Russian Textiles: Printed Cloth for the Bazaars of Central Asia is one of my favourite books. The author, Susan Meller, is co-founder of The Design Library, the world’s largest and best organized collection of documentary fabrics, wallpapers, original paintings, embroideries and yarn dyes. This book is about the printed-cotton fabrics created and manufactured in Russia from 1860 to 1960 specifically for export to Central Asia. As far as I’m concerned, these are the most beautiful fabrics ever.


(images: Constança Cabral)

Sunday Stash :: #10


Tanta conversa acerca de tecidos deu-me vontade de voltar a organizar o meu stash. Usei o método da Monica para dobrar os cortes maiores de tecido; os mais pequenos foram dobrados da mesma maneira mas, à falta de uma régua menor, usei um pequeno caderno Moleskine. Ao fim da primeira hora a dobrar (sim, porque esta tarefa hercúlea demorou vários dias), senti que tinha libertado um monstro mas que já não dava para recuar. Vamos ver quanto tempo isto dura…
All this talk about fabric made me want to reorganise my stash. I followed Monica’s method to fold the larger cuts; as for the smaller ones, due to the lack of a smaller ruler I used a Moleskine notebook. After the first hour spent folding (yes, this herculean task did take several days) I felt I had released a monster but there was no way back. Let’s see how long this will look like this…


(images: Constança Cabral)

27!

Só pensava digitalizar estas imagens do Carnaval de 1986 na próxima terça-feira, mas acho que também ilustram bem o facto de hoje fazer 27 anos e de se terem passado 23 anos (!) desde que a minha mãe tirou estas estas fotografias. Aqui o meu pai não tinha cabelos brancos, o meu irmão só tinha 9 meses e eu… bem, eu já gostava de tecidos às bolinhas!
Queria aproveitar para dar as boas-vindas a todas as pessoas pelo mundo fora que receberam a revista do IKEA e que me vieram cá visitar! Bem-vindos e voltem sempre! 🙂
I thought I’d scan these pictures from the Carnival of 1986 only next Tuesday, but I guess they also ilustrate the fact that today I turned 27 and it’s been 23 (!) years since my mum took these photos. Here my father didn’t have white hair, my brother was only 9 months old and I… well, I already loved polka dots!
Welcome dear IKEA magazine readers! I hope you’ll feel at home here and do come again! 🙂

Shop update

O sol está de volta e começo a suspirar pela Primavera… Fiz estas clutches a pensar em dias compridos, alegres e cheios de programas; estão disponíveis aqui. Bom fim-de-semana!
The sun is back and I’m starting to sigh for Spring… I made these clutches thinking about long, happy, full days; they’re available right here. Happy weekend!


(images: Constança Cabral)

OMG!

Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us (yeah, you guessed right, the newest IKEA family magazine arrived today in the mail). I love all the individual details, especially your bedcover and matching pillow as well as the shelves in the kitchen with the cans and plates . And also your blog features some great ideas, hope you don’t mind if i come back on a regular base. Best wishes from Austria, Kathi!
Obrigada, IKEA e August Media, por considerarem a minha casa digna de revista e por fazerem de mim uma cover girl!
Thank you so much, IKEA and August Media, for featuring my home and making me a cover girl!

Sew Mama Sew: Tell us about your stash!

What do you usually sew?
Book covers, bibs, purse organisers, soft furnishings and all kinds of bags.

When you shop for fabric, what size cuts do you usually buy? (i.e. If you see something beautiful, but you don’t have a use for it right away, how much do you buy?)

Typically ½ yard and one yard. I’ll buy ½ yard if the fabric is expensive, or if it’s a small scale print (which means I’ll use the fabric for little pouches, etc). I’ll buy a full yard if the fabric is on sale, or if it’s a large scale print I love.

Do you buy on impulse or do you go out looking for something you need?
On impulse. Always on impulse.

Are you a pre-washer? If you are, do you wash your fabric before you need it, or only when you’re ready to use it?
I always pre-wash. The fabric won’t make it to the cupboard unless it’s washed and ironed. I prefer to do it this way because when I want to start a new project I want the fabric to be immediately available.

Do you iron it?
Yes! But it’s such a chore; there are always some stubborn creases that won’t go away.

How do you sort it? (color, print size, collection, etc.)
By colour: blue, red, pink, yellow & orange, green & brown, grey & black.

Do you have any special folding techniques?
Not at the moment, no, but I really want to try out that ruler technique.

How do you store your fabric?
In a designated cupboard in my sewing room/dining room/office.

What tips do you have for building up a well-rounded stash?
I try to balance floral and novelty prints with polka dots and ginghams.

When do you say enough is enough?
I stop when I feel I can’t afford it anymore. I’ll wait some weeks and then I’ll buy again!

What are some of your favorite stash-busting projects?
I really want to start quilting. I think that will eat up most of my stash…

Do you have a current favorite print in your stash? Let’s see it!
Here it is!

What’s your definition of the perfect stash? (Consider sharing a picture or two of your stash & storage, or direct us to a pic on Flickr!)
Stash pictures I love: this (great display), this (impressive collection), this (so neat!) and this (great bookcase).

[questions from Sew, Mama, Sew!; more participants here]

(image: Constança Cabral)