EAB Designs

French Wire & Iron Accessories

My love for finials is equally matched by my love for french wire and iron accessories.  It's rare if I come across a wire tiered stand that I don't want to cart home immediately.  I collect both antique and new pieces and often use them as display pieces during my holiday shows.  Here's just a few of my favorites.

This is actually a three tiered stand which measures about two feet high.  I love the curves down the center and its delicate sides.

I've owned these iron candle lamps for years and we light them every night before dinner.  During the holidays, I use raffia to tie sprigs of fresh boxwood to the columns.

I have many different sized wire baskets such as this one.  They're great for storing fruit or lining with a cloth napkin to use as a bread basket.  I often use this particular one to stack dishes in when I'm setting up a buffet. 

The current Pottery Barn catalog features a new French wire collection.  I have my eyes on these wire plate chargers and place card holders.

They won't be available until mid-October.  The place card holders would be perfect to display product information at my shows.  Something tells me I won't be able to wait until they go on sale.

Shop Update

I've added a new selection of vintage rhinestone hair accessories to my shop.  Thank you again to all the brides-to-be who purchased my earlier pieces.  I'm so honored to know that something from my collection will be worn on your wedding day!  Here's a peek at some of my new pieces, fun for everyday or that special day!

My New Blog Button

I'm so excited to have a new little blog button.  If you would like to add it to your site, just copy and paste the code found underneath my button over in my left sidebar.  Yours, of course, won't be this large.  However, seeing how it took me forever to figure out how to write the HTML code, I thought I'd give it a BIG introduction.  Hope you had a fun weekend! 

 

Custom Chandelier Shades

 

 

Changing your chandelier shades is a quick and easy way to add new color or style to a room.  I had just enough fabric, left over from a previous project, to make six shades for our kitchen chandelier.  This black and white pattern, Casey Scroll by Sis Boom Basics, is one of my favorites. 

I used a new tool to make my shades.  I don't know why I hadn't heard of it before - it's a bias tape maker by Clover and I love it!  After cutting and sewing your bias strips together, you just insert the fabric into this wonderful little tool.  As you slide the tool, it automatically folds under the edges of your bias strip.  All you have to do is follow it with your iron. To think I used to turn under all those ends by hand!  I love discovering new tools...especially when it saves so much time and leaves you with perfect results.

Burlap Runners & Storage Box Resources

Thank you again for all of your emails regarding the burlap runners and storage box I made.  I'm thrilled you liked them so much and would be happy to answer all of your questions concerning the products I used.

Where do I purchase my burlap?

I purchase my burlap from Cleverbrand. I use the natural burlap which is available in several widths.  Cleverbrand also carries a wide selection of colors.

What product did I use for the custom screen printing?

I used a simple screen printing product called EZ Screen Print.  With this product you are able to create re-usable screen printing stencils.  You basically design your custom stencil on the computer, print it out and expose your image using the EZ Screen Print paper which has a light sensitive plastic coating which requires only sunlight and water to develop.  For more details, I encourage you to visit their web-site.  There are starter kits available which include your basic supplies.

Was it difficult to achieve great results?

I must confess, after I received the kit and read the instructions, I was nervous about whether I would be successful.  The instructions listed many things that could go wrong and I think I read them about twenty times before I decided to just forge ahead.  Well, no worries because everything worked out beautifully my very first try and I'm sure it will for you as well.

Is the screen printing washable?

I used a fabric paint, also available through EZ Screen Print, which is washable once it is heat set with an iron.  How great is that?

Will I be selling the runners in my Etsy shop?

I am definitely considering offering these as a custom order.  I am working in my studio now creating new frames for upcoming holiday shows and this keeps me quite busy.  However, please check back in my Etsy shop for future burlap creations and other french inspired tableware.

Now...on to the million dollar question regarding the IKEA storage box I embellished.

 

How did I apply the numbers to the box?

It's a secret, I'll never tell!  Only kidding.... The numbers were applied with a product which enables you to create custom rub-ons you've designed on your computer.  I purchased the paper through Papilio.  In addition to the paper, you also need to use a spray on adhesive, or rub-on talc.  I used the rub-on talc.  Both adhesives are also sold through Papilio.  I'm happy to report that this process is completely stress free and worked like a charm.  I'm sure I'll be using it on many future projects.

(By the way, for many of my readers who are brand new to blogging, if you click on the words highlighted in blue, it will link you directly to the referenced web-site.  Also you can click on any picture posted on my blog to enlarge the picture for greater details.)

Our Front Porch

 

Have you ever driven by someone's house and envisioned what the inside might look like based on the front porch?  I know I have.  I love decorating our porch...okay I sometimes obsess over it.  I especially enjoy making seasonal changes; such as a new wreath on the front door, pumpkins and gourds in the urns, or a mix of seasonal holiday greens with sparkling white lights.  In the summer, I place a raised wire plant basket inside each urn to create a topiary effect.  I love the simplicity of all white flowers mixed with different shades of green foliage.  This year I added in a splash of color.  With daily watering and lots of trimming, they'll continue to look this great until the pumpkins and mums arrive in the fall!

Turning back to the inside of the house...thank you for all of your emails and sweet comments regarding my burlap runners.  I will be taking a short trip this weekend, but when I return I promise to answer all of your email questions about the stenciling process.  Have a wonderful weekend!

New York City - Part II

With temperatures more like spring, instead of mid-August, we welcomed the opportunity to eat our lunch in Bryant Park which is situated behind the New York Public Library in midtown Manhattan.  I love the park's gardens, planted urns, pea gravel paths and little carousel.  A peaceful and beautiful place to rest our tired feet!

Right across the street from Bryant Park (on West 40th) you'll find wonderful places to stop in to buy all kinds of delicious food and treats for your picnic lunch in the park.  We particularly like Zeytinz fine food market.  Delicious sandwiches, salads and one of the best linzer cookies I have ever tasted! 

  

Another wonderful place to go on West 40th is Le Pain Quotidien.  We stopped back in for a late afternoon break and enjoyed the most delectable lemon tart and apricot crumble.  The cafe offers delicious salads and sandwiches made from fresh organic ingredients.  The founder and his gorgeous house in southern France, are featured in the August issue of Food and Wine Magazine.  I picked up a copy of the issue and can't wait to try some of the recipes.  The good news is Le Pain Quotidien has over 100 locations, so there may be one near you!  The charming interior features beautiful wood furniture and a long communal table.  I guess I was enjoying the atmosphere and dessert so much, I forgot to take any pictures.  Head on over to their web-site, or pick up the magazine issue, and you'll see why I loved it so.  To my surprise, when I checked the web-site I discovered there are several locations all within thirty minutes of our home.  I know where I'll be heading in the future!

Friday was a clear and beautiful day and we all enjoyed a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and a ferry ride as well.  The girls attended a matinee of Phantom of the Opera on Saturday (one of my favorites).  We ate dinner in a terrific noodle place in China Town off the beaten path (the total bill for six people was under $30 - an unexpected bargain!) and then we walked over to Little Italy for dessert.  (I can never say no to a Napoleon!) Boy, we sure did eat a lot ... but when you're walking for miles and climbing subway stairs all day and evening you burn a lot of calories.  I actually lost weight on the trip and believe me, I ate a lot!  Which brings me to my all time favorite authentic New York City Treat - Candied Nuts!

For two dollars you get your choice of warm honey-roasted almonds, cashews or peanuts which come wrapped up in a little paper bag. The nuts are prepared right on the carts in a large metal bowl over a heating element.  I especially love to eat them when visiting during the winter months.  So warm and yummy!!  The "Nuts 4 Nuts" carts are all over Manhattan...no wonder they're so addicting.

A Perfect Weekend in New York City - Part I

I'm definitely not a city girl, but thankfully my husband is.  He lived in NYC until he graduated from college so he is "the man" when it comes to taking me and our girls to NYC.  We just have to tell him where we want to go, what we want to do and he makes it all happen without a moment's worry or hesitation.  We zip around on the subway from morning till late at night and he loves going to all the shops and out of way places as much as we do.  This weekend was no exception.  The weather was absolutely perfect, in the 70's!  After a quick breakfast we headed to the garment district to visit our favorite shops, and a few new ones as well.  Our first destination, Mood Fabrics.

For those of you familiar with the TV show, Project Runway, this is the fabric store where the designers shop for their fabrics.  I had never been there before.  My younger daughter and I felt like we had died and gone to heaven!  Even "the man" could not get over the extensive selection.  I think he may have been almost as excited as us.  Truly, I think you could find anything you were looking for here.  There are three levels, over 40,000 square feet, of rows and rows of neatly organized absolutely beautiful fabrics from silks to wools.

When I came upon the above row of fabrics, I almost passed out.  Beautifully embroidered silks and ruffles in amazing colors!  Like these...

 And these....

We especially loved the iridescent color of the ruffled fabric on the right.  I think Marie Antoinette's seamstress would have been a frequent visitor to this aisle.

The bottom level of the store is devoted to upholstery fabrics for home couture.  "The man" especially loved this level.  One row after another of high quality unique fabrics, perfect for any home decor project!

My daughter adored this upholstery fabric on the couch she's sitting on as well as all the bright greens, oranges and blues available in similar designs.  She definitely inherited a signficant share of my genes...she went crazy in the same aisle as me!

Once we left Mood, yes - it was very difficult to leave, but we did venture on to a few more of our regular stops.

Tinsel Trading Company had relocated since our last visit.  I kind of missed the charm of the previous interior.  I was hoping to find some handmade paper and embellishments for my frames there (last trip I brought home quite a lot!) but this visit I just picked up a few things.  Their window displays are always very creative and I was happy to see some pieces from Wendy Addison's collection.

Throughout the fashion and garment district you can see these flags pictured on the left.  There are a handful of different characters and subjects relating to fashion and I found them really charming.  On the right is M & J Trimming, a must stop for buttons and trims!  After admiring their vast selection, we were starving and in dire need of lunch, which I'll continue in Part II tomorrow - not to be missed!

Burlap Table Runners

I finished my burlap runners for our dining room table, complete with screen printing, and really love how they turned out.

I used a new product and process for the screen printing that enabled me to create a custom silk screen stencil with the address of one of our favorite streets in Paris on the Ile Saint Louis near the Cathedral of Notre Dame. We discovered this street years ago on our honeymoon and always revisit it whenever we return.  The street is beautiful and it's home to a favorite restaurant, florist shop and gelato stand that we love.

After working with burlap, I do have one tip to pass on.  The cut ends of the burlap unravel very quickly!  This can make it frustrating when you're trying to turn under the raw edges before sewing.  To solve this problem I pressed a 1/2" seam to the wrong side and then just applied seam binding over the raw edge as I sewed it down.  The seam binding also eliminates extra thickness in the seam allowances which makes the runner more level with the table - a good thing if you happen to place your stemware down on the edge of the runner.

 

Flowers from the garden, placed in mercury glass votives, brighten the table.

My favorite summer flower is blooming right now, our Paniculata Hydrangea.  They grow in a tree form and make beautiful arrangements.  I used the smallest blossoms for my table setting, as some blooms reach over eight inches in length.  Right now they are a lovely shade of white, but as fall approaches their color will turn to shades of rose, bronze and soft greens.  I cut them in the fall and dry them to use in my holiday decorations.

This was my first attempt at screen printing and I'm thrilled with the results.  It was super easy and I didn't have to use any chemicals, just water.  I can't wait to use the process for other projects and new designs for my shop.

Aurora Borealis

 

I love the brilliant sparkle of soft pastels from vintage Aurora Borealis rhinestones.  Depending on the light, the stones create a rainbow colored effect reminiscent of the Northern Lights.