CasaSugar

Gift Guide: The Faithful Correspondent

CasaSugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:45:58 -0800

Mail is a precious commodity these days, so I appreciate those friends of mine who make the effort to send cards, letters, and small packages of goodness to my mailbox every now and then. These faithful correspondents, who eschew email in favor of more arcane forms of communication, are responsible for brightening the days of everyone who receives one of their letters. To encourage more letter writing in your circle of friends and family, I've found some postcards, notepads, and stationery that will be sure to delight any letter writers on your wish list. I'll start you off with this Eight Silhouettes Postcard Set ($8.50), which is perfect for the home enthusiast/letter writer. There are a lot more great finds, though, so check them out when you read more.

Check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage.

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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

The Card Shop: Carve Your Own Postcard

CasaSugar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 08:00:57 -0800

"There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved." Don't hand your valentine a card with someone else's nauseating mantra slapped across it: carve your own! The Suck UK Carve Your Own Postcard ($14) is your standard 4" by 6" wooden postcard. Etch something clever, or sweet, or a classic schooldays initial pairing, with an ole kitchen knife or the keys (to your heart). Pens are so overrated, aren't they? Just don't cut yourself . . .

Get the Look: India Hicks's Bahamas-Style Workspace

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:00:12 -0700

I recently featured India Hicks's Harbor Island rental property, so when I came across an image of Ms. Hicks at her home in the Bahamas, I had to share its gorgeous Summer style with CasaSugar readers.

This workspace really works due to its mix of feminine and masculine elements. I love how the muscular campaign desk in Hicks's workspace anchors the room, while the wall, collaged with postcards, inspirational art clippings, and a curio box full of ocean souvenirs, adds a tropical femininity to the space.

To get the look, start with the biggest piece of furniture: the campaign desk. The desk will be the centerpiece of the room, so don't be afraid to splurge. I love this Rosewood and Leather Danish Campaign Desk ($3,200) from the early 1960s. For a contemporary option, try the Crate and Barrel Campaign Desk ($1,000).

For the rest of the look, read more.

Save special cards, postcards, or pages from art magazines to create a collage effect on the wall above your desk. While I'm not necessarily a fan of the curio box, I do love the way that India modernizes the box by sticking to one simple, organic element (shells) instead of creating a fussy knick knack collection. You can get a knick knack box through The Ancient Craftsman for $35.

Follow India's lead and use one object in repetition in the box. Think nature-inspired finds, such as rocks, shells, seed pods, or agates. Add some Summer blooms in a casual vase, and your look is nearly complete. For other ideas, check out my finds below.

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How-To: 7 Ways to Repurpose Holiday Cards

CasaSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:00:40 -0800

What to do with that fat stack of last year's Christmas cards you've got stashed in a drawer? Well, if they're photo cards, save 'em. But if you've collected some cards with holiday-themed graphics, Real Simple says repurpose them! Cut up that old stationery into festive shapes like stars, Christmas trees, and ornaments. Then, scribe each of your guests name on the paper, hole punch, and tie the place card to your napkin with a ribbon or some red yarn. I have a few of my own holiday card repurposing ideas for you, so read more.

If there is no writing on the backside of your card cover (where the image is), you can cut off the top fold and use it as a postcard, writing your message on the blank back side.
You can slice card covers into four to six different rectangles and use them as gift tags. Punch a hole in the card and slide it onto your ribbon before you tie your bow.
Cut the card covers into festive shapes like Christmas trees, ornaments, and stars. Then punch a hole, and tie a loop through it with ribbon. Then, use it as an ornament on your tree. You can add additional ornamentation with glitter, beading, etc.
Cut the card covers into star shapes and letters to spell out "Merry Christmas." Then, make a garland out of them by stringing them together with red baker's twine, yarn, or ribbon.
Buy a pack of blank note cards. Cut up a few card covers into different shapes or stripes, and collage them with Mod Podge glue onto the front of the blank note card.
Or, you can send them to St. Jude's Ranch for Children, a safe home that rescues abused, abandoned, and neglected children. It runs a 30-year-old recycling card program to benefit the children. The children participate in the program by making new cards removing the front of donated ones and attaching a new back made with recycled paper, and then they are sold. Cards may be donated by sending them to:

St. Jude's Ranch for Children
Card Recycling Program
100 St. Jude's Street
Boulder City, NV 89005

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Su Casa: Cool Coasters

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:15:56 -0800

Su Casa member Tweet Hotpants was inspired by the DIY: Map Coasters project I posted a few days ago, and headed down to her local Michael's to find materials to craft her own version of the project.

Here are the coasters she started out with:

To see how she transformed these cardinal coasters, and to see even more coasters she made, read more.

Tweet Hotpants writes,

I saw the DIY about the map coasters and I thought it was a great idea! I just got a set of coasters from my grandma that weren't really my style, so I went to Michael's to find some scrapbooking paper that looked like an old map . . . but I couldn't find any! So I got some that looked like old postcards instead. Then I bought some other paper that I just thought was pretty and decided that if the first batch of coasters came out well, I'd do a second batch.

What an improvement! I also love the atmospheric staging Tweet Hotpants did with this photo. Be sure to check out the gallery for the rest of her coaster crafting.

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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:15:57 -0700

Danny Seo takes us on a tour of his house.
AT:SF travels with you to the stylish Aloft hotel.
More Ways to Waste Time finds more objects of lust.
Decor8 sends postcards from Amsterdam.
Simply Stated inquires about your holiday-related organizational challenges.
Charles and Hudson tells you how to secure windows for a storm.
YumSugar explains the trend of food-swapping groups.
How About Orange wants to know your color.
Re-Nest has the scoop on solar-powered paving stones.

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Midday Muse: Heed to Your Hallway

CasaSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0700

I often feel that hallways are the most ignored spaces in our homes. If anything, we paint the walls, hang a photograph or piece of artwork, and set a console table there with a lamp. And "landing strips" are neither inventive nor novel; they're just something that evolves when we ditch our stuff at the front door. So, it's nice to see a little creativity in the hallway every now and then. I'm quite impressed by these two hallway images from Living Etc. In one, a quirky tree-shaped coat rack personifies the space, a vintage boot stand is interesting yet functional, and a glass display table makes odds and ends look decorative rather than messy. In the other, using a garden trellis to hang keys, coats, postcards, and pictures, and dragging the fur rug out of the living room, is thinking outside of the box. I know there are some of you who prefer to have traditional, formal homes . . . but even then, why not infuse them with a personality? Your hallways and foyers are the first impression your guests have when they come to your home, and the last when they leave; make them memorable.
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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:00:47 -0700

I love Danny Seo's new gardens.
Daily Dose loves bamboo furniture.
Desire to Inspire finds inspirational chandeliers.
Girl Meets Glamour investigates shades of green.
The Hardware Aisle tells you about the quickest and cheapest kitchen upgrade.
LA Land has 12 tips for selling your home.
YumSugar tells you about the best things in Aspen.
Shak in Style looks at recycled architecture.
Craft shows you how to make cool postcards.

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Home Library: Alabama Stitch Book

CasaSugar — Mon, 05 May 2008 07:44:49 -0700

Seamstress, designer, and author Natalie Chanin is something of a virago - and I mean that in the most positive sense of the word. Indeed, she is a woman to be reckoned with. With her newest venture, the Alabama Stitch Book ($35) she takes you further into her world, sharing stories of cotton production, growing up in rural Alabama, and the family tradition of embroidery. Of course, Natalie's take on embroidery is decidedly modern. Whether she's showing her readers how to create a cotton jersey layered corset shirt or instructing them on how to embroider a postcard, the book's tone is always personable, knowledgeable, and approachable. I read the whole book in one sitting, and then immediately started listing projects to start in on, since there are numerous patterns and instructions included in Alabama Stitch. You can buy the book here, and I highly recommend you do. It's been one of the most delightful reads to cross my desk in quite some time.

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