Posted by: Dena in Announcements on
Nov 09, 2009
My newest fabric collection with Free Spirit Fabrics / Westminster Fibers is called Leanika. It’s coming out this month to a fabric store near you! (And many online shops.) The Leanika collection was inspired by my love of vintage textiles. Combining vintage inspired prints with more mod hip prints gives this collection the modern twist that I love.
Last month we had lots of fun with the photo shoot, once again involving a white poodle. This time it was my own dog, Ruby, sitting inside the Leanika cut and sew tote bag. We posed Ruby in all kinds of positions, accompanied by my assistant Katrina who’s wearing the cut and sew apron. Here are some of my favorite outtakes, along with the final Leanika ad:
Both the apron and tote bag will be available as sewing patterns printed on a yard of heavyweight cotton, so all you have to do is cut out the printed pieces and follow the easy sewing directions. They're a perfect compliment to the 30 patterns that make up the Leanika Collection.
To find store locations and to see more of my fabric, go to FreeSpiritFabric.com
Whenever I take a trip, I love to bring back things from that place. While I was in Japan earlier this month, my husband Danny and I quickly popped into a bookstore. Poodle Fashion by Hitomi Kusunoki was the first thing I saw and I had to buy it! It’s a sewing book that teaches you how to make clothes for your poodle – and the photo shoots and captions are hilarious! I think my tiny poodle Ruby is going to need a fashion makeover soon. Then I can walk around with her in Harijuku, the most stylish area I visited on my latest trip to Japan.
Posted by: Dena in Living the Embellished Life on
Oct 31, 2009
Happy Halloween, everybody!
xo,
Dena & Ruby
Hello!
Last week I returned from ten days in Japan! I was there for some business meetings, but I also spent a lot of time soaking up all of the visual inspiration in the streets of Tokyo.
One day I went to the Harijuku area of Tokyo, famous for its shopping and street fashion. The girls that live in this area dress to impress – and that’s putting it very mildly. I got out my camera and took some photos of the style that stood out the most: “Lolita Fashion.”
For more information about this look, check out the Wikidepia article here.
Posted by: Dena in Announcements on
Sep 23, 2009
Hello everyone!
My summer of travels isn’t over yet -- last week I was in Las Vegas and Texas for more trade shows and meetings. And in two weeks I’m leaving again! Who knew the life of a painter could involve so many airplanes.
I wanted to give you a little update on my happi by Dena™ line of products. Expressionery.com has created a wonderful selection of happi stationery which you can personalize and buy from their website. There are folded note sets, flat cards, small memo pads, magnetic list pads, bookplate labels, and holiday designs. They are all so cute and happi! Personalized stationery also makes a great gift for someone special.
Click on this link to take you to the Dena Designs section of expressionery.com, and look for my new happi by Dena™ designs.
Posted by: Dena in Announcements on
Aug 27, 2009
I am so excited! My friend Barbara Elliot Martin, former editor of Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion, called me a little while ago to see if I wanted to be a part of a workshop she’s been putting together with Mary Engelbreit. Home Companion was my favorite magazine. Of course I said yes to Barbara’s offer!
The workshops will be held April 29 - May 2, 2010. Registration starts September 1, so keep a close eye on the website! This is going to be a wonderful event and I’d love to get a chance to meet you.
MEHC Workshop Website
Posted by: Dena in Craft Projects on
Jul 31, 2009
I have no idea where you can find a lovely variety of shelf edging paper. The look was once so popular in the 1950s – and for good reason: it’s absolutely charming. So until this product becomes popular again we can have a great time making our own.
I like using the classified section for this project because the words are close together and there are no photos. For extra detail, add decorative tacks made by gluing a variety of small embellishments to the tops of the tacks. I used a variety of red buttons on my shelf edging.
Gather:
Newspaper
Craft scissors
Double-sided tape
Glossy wood-tone spray finish
Hole punch
Hot-glue gun and glue sticks
Small embellishments
Pushpins or upholstery tacks
Create:
1. Using spray finish, lightly spray classified section for a vintage look. Let dry, then cut the newspaper into approximately 2” wide strips.
2. Cut a zigzag pattern along one edge of the strips.
3. Using a variety of hole punches, punch a pattern along the zigzag edge.
4. Attach the newspaper to the shelf edge with double-sided tape.
5. Hot-glue the small embellishments to the tops of the tacks. Some of my favorites are buttons, fabric or felt flowers, bits of old jewelry, rhinestones, shells and watch faces.
6. Attach decorative tacks every 4”- 6”.
Shelf edging borders are also great inside closets and armoires in baby’s, kid’s, teen’s, and adult’s rooms. Customize yours by using favorite wallpaper or other decorative paper or even fabric. I’ve used it to edge the shelves in my linen closet. It’s an unexpected detail that is delightful.
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