Friday Finds #14

I cannot believe we are bracing for another snowstorm this weekend! I am supposed to be hosting a sewing meetup tomorrow, so I am crossing my fingers and hoping the snow holds off until Saturday night. Stay safe and warm, and enjoy some pretties:

1. Beautiful colorful chairs my husband would probably despise. Would you add these to your home?

2. Love the style of this fox. I can't wait for my next tattoo.

3. Mesmerizing paper sculptures.

4. Lovely flower arrangement by the brand new Boston-based Wild Folk Studio.

5. I wish this was in my back yard. I am definitely building a cozy fort on my patio this summer.

Bonus: A beautifully moving video about a woman living with cancer and accepting one's body. Seriously, watch it.

Original image sources can be found by clicking through the links

Collecting Makers

I am tantalizingly close to finishing my cardigan. Both sleeves are done, and most of the body. I totally would have finished it during the snow storm if something else hadn't been eating away at my brain - a maddening desire to clean. I've been feeling a little Thoreau-esque these days, with "Simplify! Simplify! Simplify!" echo-ing in my head. Don't get me wrong, I am not about to run off all into-the-wild style, but I am finding myself craving simplicity and order. I am feeling cluttered, and I've resolved to only surround myself with things I truly enjoy.

Baby Yeti by Zooguu / Mobile by Salty and Sweet

The other day, I read some advice on re-organizing and purging. I can't remember where, but the author said something that now seems so obvious: when trying to decide if you should keep an object, ask yourself if you would buy it right now if you didn't own it. If the answer is no, don't keep it. Maybe it's a bit of an extreme approach, but I am finding it very liberating and effective to look at things this way. I know when I am done, I will be able to look at my home and know that everything in it really belongs there. I've been running around our house furiously bagging and boxing and purging, and leaving only the things I truly love.

Letterpress Art Print by Letter & Lark / Prints by Paper Taxi

This process has really solidified my love of handmade. As I pick what to keep and what to purge, I realize how much I appreciate the handmade objects in my home - for their creativity, their beauty, their craftsmanship, and their humanity. I am delighted to look around my home and see the work of so many makers. These photos are a little peek at some of my wonderful handmade goodies.

I've also realized how many projects still need to get done in this house, which is both daunting and exciting - I'll have lots of projects to share on here! What are you working on this spring?

Loving: Lilla Van by 508

Happy Monday friends! I hope this weekend was kind to you. We had some bizarre warm weather on Saturday, which lead to open windows, a fresh breeze, and some serious house-cleaning - I was overtaken by the "spring cleaning" bug, courtesy of the springlike weather. The good part is the extra-clean house. The bad part is that I start thinking about our unfinished house projects and my desire to add more decor to some spaces. I came across 508 {restoration and design} several months ago. I immediately fell in love with their painted animal silhouettes but I decided to wait and see if I really loved them or it was just momentary infatuation. After this weekend's cleaning marathon, I cannot get these silhouettes out of my mind. You can read more about the concept behind the collection here.

I had already planned on posting about them today, then I went on their website and found out that they are going through some serious family illness right now. My heart goes out to them. It does make it the perfect time to support them though.

What do you think? Which one would you pick?

Touches of Home

One of my favorite and most frustrating design projects is our house. We bought our first house a year ago, and I am ashamed to admit we're still not done setting it up. I like to tell myself that it's because I'm very particular about how it should end up. But mostly I spend too much time knitting and not enough time cleaning.

I've been trying to fill our home with interesting pieces, focusing on handmade (of course) and things I've managed to bring with me from my native Brazil. My favorites, of course, are the handmade things I brought from Brazil. I wanted to share some snapshots with you - these things were made by Brazilian artisans and carefully packed away in suitcases.