Late Summer Brights

I typically gravitate toward muted cool tones and deep jewel hues, but I’ve found that as summer begins to wind down, I’m suddenly drawn to bright, saturated colors mixed in with black and white geometric prints. Whether it’s friendship bracelets stacked high on your wrist or a quirky pillow tossed irreverently onto a couch, there is just something about that crisp, cheery contrast that’s hard to resist!

1. DIY Harlequin Crocheted Cushion (Sarita Creative)

2. Wrap Bracelet (Felt Like Paper, $21)

3. Ian Archive Prism Tunic (Equipment, $258)

4. Geometric Art Print (Andy Gilmore)

5. DIY Cactus Pillow (Everything Emily)

I need to make that cactus pillow. How fun would it be to experiment with different shapes and subtly patterned fabric?

 

If you’re in the mood for late summer brights, too, check out DEARBORN & ELM’s Elastic Hair Ties on Etsy. We’ve got beautiful colors that are perfect for transitioning from steamy August afternoons to breezy September evenings. Our SANGRIA set is available for $7.25!

 

Shop D&E on Etsy

So… DEARBORN & ELM officially exists! We made our Etsy debut earlier this week, posting a handful of our hair tie packs for the world to see. Please, take a look and tell us what you think!

D&E is also on Twitter and Pinterest! Look for the chance to win a free hair tie pack next week 🙂

DEARBORN & ELM Sneak Peak Pt.2

You might be asking yourself, “What exactly is DEARBORN & ELM?” In short, D&E is a handmade goods online shop set to launch on Etsy in the very near future. DEARBORN & ELM is a collaboration between Lauren (me!) over here at FOLKLORE and the other creatives in my life.

Still curious? Read about our Elastic Hair Ties:

DEARBORN & ELM Elastic Hair Ties are a modern and stylish alternative to the boring scrunchies of decades-past. This fancy hair accessory doubles as a comfortable bracelet, keeping a stylish ponytail or trendy braid always at hand. Made of soft, stretchy satin, the fabric won’t snag your lovely locks or leave behind those awkward creases. Heat-sealed ends prevent fraying, letting you play all day without worry. Refresh your routine with DEARBORN & ELM‘s Elastic Hair Ties that are gentle on your hair and on your wallet.

Follow DEARBORN & ELM on Twitter and check back with FOLKLORE for updates. We will be giving away a free set of hair ties before we officially open shop on Etsy!

 

 

DEARBORN & ELM Sneak Peak

Coming soon to Etsy – DEARBORN & ELM elastic hair ties. Follow @dearbornandelm on Twitter for updates and the opportunity to win a free set of luxuriously modern hair accessories!

Advanced Geometry

After a brief hiatus, FOLKLORE is back on the grid and ready to craft in the Windy City. So… let’s get to it!

If you recall, I made a simple triangle bag back in January and it was instant love. With a fold here and a seam there, I turned a single piece of fabric into a large, utilitarian bag that was perfect for toting around my belongings. Loved my creation so much that I decided to sew another one before we moved in March. This time around, I made things a little more complicated.

Et voila! Advanced Geometry, if you will.

In an effort to use up some of my fabric stash before the big move, I created a patchwork of springy prints and paired it with a delicate cream and denim floral to tie it all together. It’s a really sturdy piece and totally reversible – bonus points! I can’t wait to take this bag out for chilly mornings at farmers’ markets and sunny afternoons spent thrift shopping.

Why, those are some nice seams! I have to say, those sun-washed hues are very much in line with Pantone’s Spring 2014 Fashion Color Report.

Chicago

FOLKLORE is on the move – literally! Please pardon the radio silence as I relocate back to my favorite city.

Honey Cowl – Complete

This project, like so many of my knits, started with the yarn. Because I am so inspired by color and texture, I rarely have more than a general idea of what I want to knit before I get my clutches on a beautiful skein (or two). Once I fall for a yarn, the details fall into place.

And so this is how my Honey Cowl came to be. After a trip to one of my favorite yarn stores, I became enamored with Tosh Vintage. The 100% merino wool is luxuriously soft, squishy, and knits up rather nicely. There were so many beautiful colorways to choose from, but “Plaid Blanket” stood thanks to its quirky, variegated forest hues. It also perfectly complemented my favorite puffy vest! Done deal.

*I should note that my husband, mother, and sister waited patiently for an hour for me to decide on a color. So, admittedly “done deal” is used rather generously here.

After some more deliberating, I chose a Madelinetosh pattern – the Honey Cowl. The honeycomb-esque texture of the finished product adds warmth and interest to what could have been just a plain infinity scarf. Like so many before me, I totally fell in love with this pattern, and so now I want to make a small army of them.

Right side, wrong side. Whateves! Both sides are absolutely stunning. I made plenty of mistakes along the way, especially in the beginning, but the pattern is incredibly forgiving. Once I got the hang of it, it was smooth sailing. I have totally forgotten how many stitches I cast-on, but the finished scarf measures 8.5″ wide and 43″ in circumference. I used approximately 1.75 skeins to keep it from getting too terribly bulky.

<– Shameless selfie.

 

Basic Geometry

Recently, I became painfully aware that my reusable shopping bags do not match my winter coats. Those crinkled, off-white cloth bags – while ever useful – clash horrendously with tailored black wool. Fortunately, I stumbled upon a DIY solution – the triangle bag. With basic geometry and some imagination, you can turn a simple fabric rectangle into a cheap and oh, so chic tote of your dreams!

I recommend using Between the Lines‘s tutorial, the original source of my inspiration. I put a personal spin on the directions by doubling the height and sewing a tube (18″ x 54″) for added durability. Once complete, my tote measured approximately 24″ x 20.5″. Like I said, it’s roomy. For the finishing touches, I wrapped the handle in charcoal wool and slipped on an antique gold ring for visual interest. Double bonus: I can add charms later!

While I love the black, pinstriped linen, it was the colorful raw edge that really won me over. It’s perfectly imperfect and brings a hint of color to my dark winter wardrobe.

I’ve already taken her out for a spin and was wholly satisfied. A simple project with big impact… I will certainly be making more of these in the future. Summer farmers’ markets, anyone?

Honey Cowl – Work In Progress

 

 

A Fresh Start

I’m not one for resolutions, but I felt like FOLKLORE could use a fresh start. I started poking around for a new layout and fell in love with Suits, a simplified theme with tons of white space and clean lines. Haven’t worked out all the kinks yet, but I am enjoying the site’s new look.

I’ve got some really fun projects that I’m currently working on and a handful that I cannot wait to start. Be on the look out for updates!