Ooooh ahhhh, I love these patterns from UK textile designer Charlene Mullen.   Inspired by everything from Victorian christening gowns to prison tattoos, Charlene draws on these ideas to create her intricate line drawings on cushions, blankets and clothing. Learn more about her here.

I love these bright fabric swatches from Free Spirit. Free Spirit is an online fabric gallery that takes a modern approach to quilting by offering unexpected and bold fabric designs to help you create a quilt unlike anything your mother used to make. No longer relegated to the older generations women of all ages are taking up quilting and even going away to Quilt Camps!

Hmm this is making me think joining a local quilting bee might be a good way to meet people in my new town. I can finally crack open that quilting book Haley gave me for Christmas years ago! Thanks to Molly for sending this link my way.

Happy Friday! I spotted these fabrics from Melbourne, Australia designer PippiJoe on designer Shannon Fricke’s site and fell in love. This just might be the inspiration I need to take up sewing.   They would look great on my Ozzie friend Maglie’s rabbits too. In addition to her fabrics PippiJoe makes totes, pillows and greeting cards in her sweet patterns. Check out PippiJoe’s blog and Shannon’s blog too while you’re at it for more inspiration.

I had the best experience on Monday buying a new couch! When was the last time you heard somebody say that? Instead of settling for any old straight-out-of-a-catalog or this season’s Pottery-Restoration-Sonoma-Pier-Macy’s-type couch, I did a bunch of research and found a way to make my own. Yes, I actually used the resource section of my new Domino Book of Decorating and found a furniture manufacturer that allows you to select from a wide range of couch styles, then let’s you choose the fabric and hardware. I went to Hamilton Park Interiors here in Utah and worked with an awesome designer named Kathryn who helped me pick a Drexel Heritage settee. I have to say it was more fun than I imagined. The possibilities were endless (thank God the hubs wasn’t there — I imagine it really would’ve felt endless for him).

In the end I fell in love with the ladylike scalloped back and the antique look of the turned legs in the above design, though the combo of the rich blue fabric and the jacquard silk floral pillows with a little fringe made it a show-stopper for me. Of course now I have to wait until January for it to arrive but looking at this mock-up of the final couch will help keep my eyes on the prize until then. Below is a photocopy of the fabrics but once the real deal is in I will repost for your viewing pleasure.

I am loving the handmade textiles and tableware collections from Jacaranda Home. I love the bold colors and the happy designs. The beautiful au natural cotton canvas is embroidered in the traditional style by Mexican Otami Indians and can take up to three months to make! I also love the various ways you can use the textiles, from pillow covers to shower curtains or as framed wall decor. As usual they have been all over the design nets and design mags but yours truly is just getting hip to them. If they’re new to you too enjoy!

Needs some inspiration for reupholstering your Sunday Flea Market finds? Head over to the incredible Lotus Bleu for designer Jeannie Fraise’s boldly reupholstered vintage furniture. Jeannie travels annually to France and Southeast Asia to gather her beautiful fabrics for custom upholstery, cushions and curtains. I’ve got my eye on some bedding from India and I’m definitely filing this place away for my next upholstery project. Bonus for me, Jeannie’s store is in San Francisco!

Also peeped in Domino this month, Carolina Irving Textiles! Her gorgeous patterns are hand-printed on 100% hemp and have a casual Indian vibe. I definitely need to hit some flea markets for a hidden gem to upholster with these beauties. The Peak of Chic, another obsessed fan, wrote a post on how to find these fabrics until Carolina’s website is more complete. If you live in LA, you can find her prints at Hollywood At Home. (LA friends we’re going there on my next visit).

The always fabulous textile designer Lotta Jansdotter has recently made her fabric collection available online. The best part is that she is now selling little bags filled with fabric remnants perfect for small projects like this change purse and tissue holder from Etsy seller Little Byrd. Each cotton bag is filled with 5 different patterns of 36×36″ fabric for $16.00.

I was recently hired as a freelance blogger for a new eco-blog called EcoSalon.com. At EcoSalon I will be covering artisan, decor and fashion items, similar to the things you find here at Little Willow but with an eco-edge. The thing that sets EcoSalon apart is its authenticity. It’s real people sharing how to live an eco-friendly lifestyle without being preachy or crunchy. For example you can find out how to properly wash a pillow (which I am doing as I write this), where to buy stunning recycled glass carafes made from broken windshields or how to get a healthy high from herbal espresso. I am really excited for this opportunity to contribute to the rainbow of “green” knowledge available to women! Feel free to send me suggestions and if my Editor approves, (yes people I have an Editor now, it’s the big time), we’ll write about it!

Sweet find via Figments, another great online retailer. Shinzi Katoh Design is the Japanese design and manufacturing company of artist designer Shinzi Katoh. He produces his unique designs on tote bags, fabric and these aluminum bottles. If you don’t already have a Sigg bottle and are looking for an eco-friendly option for carrying your water then I would highly recommend one of these bottles. Here is what Shinzi says about his products: “We call these goods ZAKKA that make people feel happy and exist like comfortable air. This is what we always keep in our heart when we create new designs”. Beautiful.