CasaSugar

Gift Guide: Modern Mobiles

CasaSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:15:12 -0800

Like decorating your first apartment, decorating your baby's nursery is a really exciting task. But many new moms tend to forget that their $59 polyester pony mobile will end up in the attic within a few months. So if you're shopping for a holiday gift for an infant or a nursery-decorating friend, I recommend wrapping up a mobile that can act as décor long after a baby moves out of the crib.

One of my favorites is this CB2 Abstract Mobile ($19.95), which is very clearly inspired by the work of acclaimed American sculptor Alexander Calder, who invented the mobile in 1931. I have a few more modern mobiles up my sleeve, so read more.

Cool Ideas: Design Star's Celebrity Rooms

CasaSugar — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:01:46 -0700

The last episode of Design Star narrowed the field from three to two designers. In my opinion, the designer who was eliminated (Lonnie) created the most cohesive and style-forward rooms out of the three. Everyone did a great job, though, and there are plenty of great ideas to take away from the latest episode.
All photos courtesy of HGTV

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Name This Designer/Sculptor

CasaSugar — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 04:30:00 -0800

This earring was made by a famous sculptor and mobile maker. I recently featured his French home on a coveted crib post. (Hint: The earring looks very similar to his famous mobiles.) Can you name the sculptor?

DIY: Handsewn Bird Mobile

CasaSugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 16:00:51 -0700

If you've never sewn before, this is a great project to start you on your way. No machine is needed, as everything is hand sewn. Hand sewing is a great skill, as you can use it to complete simple repairs on clothing, from patching jeans to sewing on buttons to hemming skirts. And what better way to get you on your way than with an easy, adorable home decor project? This bird mobile, from Spool Sewing, will look lovely in a nursery, craft room, or primary-color saturated kitchen. Since many of you admit that you're still in love with the bird trend, why don't you take some time this weekend to get started on this project?

What You'll Need

2 different fabrics
Scissors
Thread
Sewing needle
Stuffing
Sticks
Filament wire

To find out how to make it, read more
Here are the steps:

Cut the pieces out using this pattern.
Put the right sides (the sides that will be on the outside of the finished bird) together, and pin one edge of the belly fabric to the body fabric.
Sew the two pieces together, using a straight seam, from dot to dot on the pattern.
Pin the other edge together and sew it the same way.
Sew the head seam together.
Turn the bird inside out, so the right side is on the outside, and stuff.
Sew the tail closed.
Repeat this process until you have the number of birds needed for your mobile.
Sew the birds to a branch, or hang them from branches with filament, to approximate the mobile in picture.
Hang and enjoy!

Source

DIY: Recycled Magazine Mobiles

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 13:30:30 -0700

If anyone thought the Frazier & Wing Recycled Magazine Mobiles we posted about were Crave Worthy, but didn't want to spend 200 bucks to get one, look no further. Still Dottie has come up with do-it-yourself directions for making your very own mobile from recycled magazine pages that certainly look as pretty as the originals. So, I thought I'd pass them along.

Here's what you need:

a piece of cardboard or cardstock
a few magazines
scissors
a pencil
Mod Podge
a foam paint brush

To learn the steps to this mobile-making process, read more

The first step to making your mobile is creating the individual pieces.

Cut out a shape from your cardboard/cardstock to use as a template for the pieces. Still Dottie used an oval shape, but there's no reason why you can't use a square, diamond, circle, etc.
Gather magazine pages and patterns that you like.
Use the pattern to trace multiple shapes on your magazine pages for your cardstock template.
Cut out your magazine pieces. Still Dottie cut 200-220, but you can cut less or more depending on the size mobile you'd like.
Use Mod Podge to lightly coat the top (not the patterned, colored, pretty side) of your pieces & let them dry.
needle nose pliers
jewelry wire
sewing needle
clear beading thread
crimp beads
small beads

The second step is creating the top of the mobile, which you'll hang from the ceiling (or wherever you'll hang it from).

Shape an 8" piece of the wire into a half circle.
Create circle hooks at each end of the half circle.
Cut a 10" piece of wire, find the center and twist off a circle that will act as main hook of the mobile.
Shape this piece like the other (a half circle with circle hooks at the feet).
Wrap the second piece of wire around the first (create an x with the half circles pointing down.

You should now have a 4 branch topper to your mobile that can hang from a hook and has a spot for 4 strands of your magazine pieces to hang.

The third step is threading your magazine pieces.

Cut a 4 foot piece of the beading thread. It may be longer or shorter depending on your own preference.
Use a crimp bead and small bead to create a catch at the end of the string.
Thread the clear beading thread through the sewing needle.
Continue to thread the crimp bead, magazine piece, crimp bead, oval until you have used about a fourth of your supplies. It's important to remember that you want the best looking side of your oval facing the catch.
Finish the line by creating an overhand knot.
Repeat these steps three more times so that you have 4 strands of ovals.

The fourth and final step is attaching the strands to the topper and hanging your mobile.

Place each strand's hoop through the circle hooks (feet) you created on the topper.
Hang your mobile by hooking it to a ceiling hook. Voilà!

Click here to read Still Dottie's directions.

Craveworthy: Frazier & Wing Mobiles

CasaSugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:06:50 -0700

Maybe it's the bright, primary colors, or maybe it's the mobile's ability to transport even the most jaded home design enthusiast back to childhood whimsy. Whatever the reason, I am absolutely smitten with Frazier and Wing's gorgeous mobiles.

These lovely home accessories are actually upcycle projects, since they are constructed from old magazines.

Intrigued? read more

Each mobile features hundreds of carefully selected magazine pages. This two-sided visual element is hand cut and strung with monofilament. Designer Heather Frazier then hangs four strands of the magazine elements from a thin plexiglass disc.

Frazier, who says she is inspired by the installation work of Gerda Steiner & Jorg Lenzlinger as well as artists Kiki Smith and Yoshitomo Nara, notes that each mobile is a handmade labor of love taking up to eight hours to construct, and lend a colorful and happy mood to modern interiors.

Have You Tried Mobile Blogging to Your Groups?

CasaSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:00:25 -0700

Are you ever out and about and happen to spy a gorgeous home? Or perhaps you're shopping and can't believe how cool a certain new chandelier is? If you've ever been tempted to snap a photo and share it with the CasaSugar community, good news: now you can.

One awesome new feature of the CasaSugar community is that you can contribute posts to your groups directly from your cell phone. All you need is a phone with email capabilities, such as a Blackberry or an iPhone to be able to blog on the go. Better yet, if your phone has camera capabilities, you can create posts with text and photos directly from your phone!
This is ideal for sharing your progress in decorating or renovating for groups like my Su Casa group or capturing small details throughout your home for my Lovely Little Vignettes group. Want to learn exactly how to do it? Head over to the GeekSugar community for step-by-step instructions. Don't worry: it's easy! Now snap to it. Get mobile blogging!!

Roundup: Flensted Mobiles

CasaSugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:00:37 -0800

Flensted Mobiles are crafted on the island of Funen in Denmark, where Hans Christian Andersen was born. This family business designs and makes its mobiles at "Frederiksminde" the old village school at Brenderup. Flensted Mobiles are created so that the elements are in constant motion while the entire mobile maintains a harmonic balance. Each mobile is carefully assembled, balanced by skillful hands, and packed so that they are ready to hang.While these mobiles would look lovely in a baby's nursery, I can see their playful aesthetic working in a number of grown-up love shack interiors.

Source

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0800

I love these AphroChic pillows. - Decor8
This romantic, modern bedroom has a classic twist. - AT:LA
Whip up some holiday placemats. - Craft
This postcard garland is adorable. - PoppyTalk
Offer suggestions for a washable, affordable comforter. - Shelterrific
Check out this fab Seattle kitchen makeover. - ShelterPop
Pick up some eco-friendly mobiles. - Re-Nest

Casa Shops: Adelante and Curb Service

CasaSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:00:33 -0700

Whenever I visit friends in Austin, I try to drop by Adelante, a hip, laid-back women's clothing and lifestyle boutique. The shop, which has been in Austin since 1992, and called San Antonio home before that, is a family-owned boutique that offers everything from shoes, dresses, and jewelry to home accessories and vintage, refurbished furniture.

The owner, Tricia Roberts, has a great eye for fashionable, affordable finds, and I always find some must-have item when I stop by.

Now, Adelante has started Curb Service, a mobile shopping adventure that's fit into a retrofitted 1976 Airstream. Available for rent for private parties, showers, or other special events, this adorable trailer was once Tricia's husband's hunting getaway. To see how it's been transformed, read more.

The Airstream has certainly undergone a major transformation. It now features Palm Springs mod decor with fabric by Trina Turk, vintage accessories and furniture, and sea grass carpeting. For a private party, the Airstream is decked out in fashion, accessories, vintage cowboy boots, home accessories, and fashion finds, all for the partygoer's shopping pleasure.

Check out Adelante's blog for more information about the store. Next time you're in Austin, make sure to stop in and say hi!

See more photos of the Curb Service Airstream, the shop, and some of its great home finds in the gallery.

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Source

Flensted Mobiles Horse Mobile - $28.00	Flensted Mobiles The 4 Viking Ships Mobile - $35.00
Flensted Mobiles Futura Mobile - $64.00	Flensted Mobiles Balloon Mobile 5 - $43.00
Wallter Palm Mobile in Red - $120.00	Wallter Hex Mobile in White - $80.00
Flensted Mobiles Shoal of Fish - $47.00	Flensted Mobiles Viking Mobile - 5 Ships - $45.00
Wallter Butterfly Mobile in Blue - $70.00	Flensted Mobiles Life and Thread Large Mobile - $439.00
Sheesham Iron Strands - $24.00	Flensted Mobiles Jonas and the Whale Mobile - $28.00
Flensted Mobiles Tango Mobile - $124.00