CasaSugar

Best Personalized Gift Ideas For Little Ones

Nicole Abbott — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:37:22 PST

What's in a name, baby? Names are some of the first words that kiddos learn to recognize - and boy, do they love them! A personalized gift for tots is one that they're sure to love, since it gives them an even bigger sense of ownership. Check out these name-bearing gifts and don't leave them until the last minute - they require extra time to customize with your tyke's moniker!

Wax Works: 5 Creative and Easy Projects With Crayons

LilSugar — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:43:20 PDT

Think outside the crayon box the next time you want to get creative! Crayons are mostly used for coloring, but there's so much more moms and kids can do with them! Add some paper, glue, and other household items to the mix and opportunities are endless. We found 5 cool crafts with crayons you don't want to miss. Grab the kids, and some crayons, and get crafty.

DIY: Foam Board Pelmet

Casa Community — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:15:37 PDT

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member Seefree from the Su Casa group:

I'm in the throws of giving my little girl a room upgrade...and one of the biggest obstacles was her single, narrow window. I wanted to give it more impact in the room...so with the help of some foam poster board, duct tape, Ikea drapes and grosgrain ribbon I was able to meet my goal!

The window certainly gained some attention! And what proper Southern girl doesn't love a monogram?!

To read the step-by-step for creating the pelmet and monogram, visit Hi Sugarplum!

Be sure to post your own home decorating projects in the Su Casa group!

Trend Alert: Monogrammed Dinnerware

partysugar — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 04:00:17 PDT

There was a time when monogrammed dinnerware was reserved for Southern Belles and traditional homemakers. Today, everyone is getting in the game of having their everyday plates and fine china painted with their initials. As wedding season gears up, you may even find a few ambitious registries seeking out their own personalized tableware. Monogramming is pretty, but pairing personalization with porcelain does not come cheap - these lovely Birds on a Wire Dessert Plates are $75 for a set four ceramic dishes. In the end it's just a small price to pay for eating off your very own words.

Here are a few more of my favorites.

Wedding Etiquette: Monograms For Couples

CasaSugar — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:00:00 PDT

I love the idea of having monogrammed linens made when you get married - it's definitely a must for every wedding registry. Putting your initials in thread is a fun way to assert your new relationship, and it's a subtle ode to your union that sticks with you long after the Big Day. Just don't use your new linens until after you wedding day: that's bad luck!

There are a few schools of thought to choose from before you can order your new bedding. Traditionally, from left to right, the wife's first initial comes first, followed by the husband's last initial (larger than the other two), followed by the wife's maiden name initial. A more modern monogram from left to right goes wife's first initial, followed by the husband's last initial (larger than the other two), followed by the husband's first initial. Or, go with a single initial, the first letter of the couple's last name. If a bride doesn't take her husband's last name, I'd recommend using the bride's first initial, followed by an ampersand, followed by the groom's first initial.

The most gorgeous place to shop for monogram linens is Leontine Linens; I love the Julien + Roland Collection ($85-$3,500), above. If it's out of your price range, here are a few other chic suggestions:

Stay tuned for all our wedding coverage and get involved with our awesome wedding community groups and find tons of useful tips and tricks to help you for all your wedding needs - find out how to get involved! Found Mr. Right? Be sure to download our free wedding registry checklist!

Would You Buy Monogrammed Linens?

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:00:00 PDT

In last week's episode of High Society, Dabney and Jules head to luxury linen retailer Frette to pick up their new monogrammed linens - which, mind you, go for at least $100 for a single Euro sham. You get the idea that these linens are must-have among the Park Avenue set. I'm particularly a fan of artist Amanda Stone Talley's monogrammed linens with their bright orange trim and scalloped edge, but I wouldn't have my bedding monogrammed just for the sake of having my name there. How about you?

The Seventh DIY of Christmas: Hand-Painted Monogram Tea Towels

CasaSugar — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:00:10 PST

Welcome to the seventh project in my 12 DIYs of Christmas series! I decided to make hand-painted monogrammed tea towels as a gift for a friend that has everything this year. I think taking the extra step to hand-paint this everyday item gives it a personal touch, and shows more effort than any store-bought item. I decided to paint the monogram in my own handwriting and made my own stencil, so it definitely took more time. But beyond that, it's a pretty straightforward project.

Supplies:

Tea towels - Choose flat ones, without much texture or raised weaving.
Washable textile paint - I used Jacquard 113 Navy Blue ($2.79).
A paint brush - A thin watercolor brush or small foam brush will do.
Clear Con-Tact paper
An X-acto knife
A cutting mat
Paper
A pencil

To learn the steps,

Using a pencil, draw a few letters on a blank sheet of paper. Try serifs, non-serifs, and cursive - be creative.
Once, you've found a monogram you're happy with, outline it (i.e. make it thicker) so that you'll be able to cut it out.
Using your X-acto knife, carefully cut out your monogram on your mat. Some letters, especially cursive (like this S), will have closed parts, so you'll need to cut inside them.
Cut a piece of Con-Tact paper so that it's a bit bigger (at least 1/2 an inch) than your monogram on each side.
Peel the adhesive backing off the paper, and lay the paper over the monogram cutout letter so that it's sticking to your cutting mat.
Using the X-acto, cut around the letter so that the letter itself will be the negative space (where the paint will go). Be careful not to lose the shapes of any closed parts, you'll need them later.
Once cut, peel the Con-Tact paper off of the mat and center it on your tea towel.
Burnish the Con-Tact paper to smooth out any bubbles or lifts.
Apply two coats of textile paint onto the letter, being careful not to paint beyond the Con-Tact paper.
Let the paint dry for about two hours, and then remove the Con-Tact paper.
Touch up any spots carefully with a thin watercolor brush.
In order to be washable, your paint now must be heat-set by ironing the towel's backside. Follow the instructions on your jar of paint to do this.

Fini! Clearly, making the stencil takes up most of the time required for this project. But it allows you unlimited choices of typefaces. For a quicker project, you can use a store-bought letter stencil. See photos of each step below!

View 13 Photos ›

Online Sale Alert! Discounts at Anthropologie

FabSugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:00:22 PST

Anthropologie lovers, rejoice. It has a sale section worth perusing. Everything from loungewear to dresses, sweaters to shoes are heavily marked down.

I spotted these Dramatic Monogram Orange Cuffs ($30, originally $58). If they don't have your letter, the other clearance jewels are equally impressive.

Steal of the Day: JCPenney Hemstitch Table Linens

CasaSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:00:32 PDT

Even if you don't entertain often, every home should have a classic and simple set of table linens, for the occasion that guests drop by and to nudge you to actually sit down and enjoy your brunch every Sunday morning. If you've inherited some antique linens, that's wonderful, but you may want to keep them in good shape for parties. There's no need to drop big bucks on your tabletop, especially when the JCPenney Hemstitch Table Linens ($12-$27, 50% off) are so affordable. You can choose from seven color choices, or mix and match for a table setting that's just for you. Why not buy several color options and see where the mood takes you? Also, if monogramming is your thing, your runner and napkins will be monogrammed free — how 'bout that for a steal?

Would You Dress Your Floors in Monogrammed Rugs?

CasaSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:00:58 PST

This George Monogram ($30 to $35/sq. ft.) by Diane Elson Bankoff is part of Elson & Co.'s children's collection, and I assume it's meant for a nursery. I'm not going to lie: It's certainly a good-looking rug. But personally, I feel that monograms are best left on the doormats, flasks, or preppy L.L. Bean tote bags of the world. Covering your floor in a fun pattern, or a classic Kilim, says more about who you are than a trio of initials ever will. But I suppose a monogrammed rug is one step up from a dull sisal. Tell me what you think: Would you or wouldn't you?