Author Archives: brigitdermott

Eight-point star quilt

Posted in Home Design, Sewing, Stuff to make by

This quilt was adapted from a pattern in Quilting for Peace. The author Katherine Bell kindly pointed out in her instructions that the stars are time consuming–ahem, yes they are, as in they will consume months of your time. But she also notes that the results are worth it, and I have to agree. I learn something new with every quilt. This time I learned all about the stretchiness of fabric cut on the bias. Fortunately, quilts are forgiving of–maybe even improved by–their idiosyncracies. After lots of experimenting with more interesting color combinations, I went with charcoal for the binding. I think it adds an elegant touch.

Eve Ashcraft and the Right Color

Posted in Home Design by

Last year I went to the NY Book Expo, ostensibly to find out more about English Language text books, but in practice I scoured the floors for art and craft book flyers and freebies. I picked up a flyer for Eve Ashcraft’s book The Right Color thinking it might come in handy. Eve Ashcraft is a color consultant–which is a fantastic job title, plus her name sounds a little like a DIY superhero–for interior design. Her book is based on a selection of twenty-eight colors–the only ones you’ll ever need–for interior paint, anyway. You can see the colors on the wall of her studio, courtesy of Paulette Pascarella. As much as I love color, faced with a fan deck of  paint chips, I’m pretty pleased to have some help whittling it way down.

We are getting ready to have our beige walls painted–yay!–and I am thinking I might stick to Ms. Ashcraft’s palette. Wondering if I should paint the kitchen persimmon?

Amazing dollhouse

Posted in Stuff to make by

Meg, this post is for you. I thought you would love this chic dollhouse from mousehouse blogger Megan from New Zealand.

I love how she made miniature versions of the art from her real house for this mini version. I am so regretting giving away B’s dollhouse when we moved! I think I could get seriously obsessed, so in retrospect maybe just as well.

Add some clutter!

Posted in Stuff to make, Things to see by

What’s not to love about the Eames? But, what I really love about this recreation of their living room–on exhibit at LACMA and posted on co.design–is how much stuff they have.  After years of living in small spaces and reducing clutter (do not ask my daughter about the great Barbie purge of 2011), clearing surfaces, and minimizing in general, I am ready to gather some stuff (take that Real Simple!). There is an art to curated clutter and it starts with things that you love. In the past, when I happened upon some little thing that caught my eye, I would ask myself, “but where would I put it?” and pass. I plan to take some inspiration from this lovely lived-in room and follow my fancy a little more. Hurray for Charles and Ray!

Super easy felt slippers

Posted in Kids, Sewing, Stuff to make by

My daughter and I made these slippers in one (chilly) morning. They were so simple and fun to make. I’ve attached instructions here, but the process was really simple. We created a pattern by tracing her feet, then cut the felt with an extra half inch around for the seam. The soles are two pieces of wool felt with a double layer of batting for warmth and comfort, and the upper is a double layer of felt. The hearts were my daughter’s embellishment–I like how she put them off to the side.

To make these you will need: approximately a quarter yard of wool felt for the soles, and another quarter for the uppers, some batting, and thread. It is important to use good quality wool felt, such as Wollfilz (available from Purl Soho in an array of gorgeous colors).