Monday, October 31, 2011

GS Project Follow Up AND my Chair revealed!!

So...months later and with much anticipation the HGTV Video From The Good Shepherd Project is here!!!  Check out this interview with Interior Designer Jordan Cappella and most importantly see how the chair I donated and up-cycled got used for this project!!



 Click HERE to watch the video!
  
Special thanks to Vanessa De Vargas and Jordan Cappella for including me in this project!!  

Creatively Yours,
Cassandra Stearns 

Friday, October 7, 2011

Backstage at Vancouver Eco Fashion Week!!

Still here in Vancouver for Eco Fashion Week and venturing on our last full day... Its been a busy past couple days all leading up to yesterdays fashion shows...one of which was my good friend Mallory of Curlee BikiniI had the pleasure of being her sidekick and got some amazing backstage coverage of just how we pulled this all together!   










So you've got your sneak peek at what goes in to putting on such a big production but you will have to wait to see how these fabulous models worked it!!
Video footage will be available soon and we can't wait to share it with you...until then check out some of the other innovative ideas taking place at Vancouver Eco Fashion week here!

Friday, September 30, 2011

Well I Told You Before Braids Were My Latest Inspiration!

 Well I told you before braids and friendship bracelets were my latest inspiration..so it shouldn't surprise your that the latest collection I am working on has such influences...Check out a sneak peek at what I've been up to the past few days:




How I will use these tedious braids is a secret for now...but don't fret...as soon as the final product is finished I will share!  What I can tell you for now is that I originally had different plans for this once ruffled long skirt.  When I purchased it the only use I saw for it was to extract the ruffles but after feeling guilty that there was so much scrap fabric left over I decided to experiment, hence the braids.  After digging  through my fabric inventory abyss I found the perfect flax colored linen to pair with it!  I can't wait to see the results myself!

Now, off to packing for Vancouver Eco Fashion Week!!  I am so excited to accompany my good friend Mallory of Curlee Bikini to B.C for the debut of her 2012 eco-friendly swimwear collection!  Lots of behind the scenes pics to come and lots of eco-friendly inspiration to soak up!



Creatively Yours,
Cassandra Stearns 

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Friendship Bracelets: Trend Alert!!

So a few months back my mother shipped me a box of goodies I had left down in the basement from when I lived at home.  Amongst the memories was a box of thread and beads I used to make friendship bracelets with when I was a kid.  There were even some unfinished loners I had abandoned.  I remember thinking to myself "arghh, what am I going to do with these now, my mom just sent me crap I will never use again, but since she just spent $15 to ship them...I at least have to keep them for awhile".  


Well I guess I'm glad I kept them cause apparently this is a hot trend that is making a comeback...and it is another great way to re-use and re-invent!  Having been posted up on AT moments ago with and on VainStyle late this summer this old school fad has become more stylish than ever.  Does anyone else see the Missoni esque resemblance here?!!: hence just another reason these are oh so hot! 


Image:  vainstyle.com

Image:  vainstyle.com


Thanks VainStyle and Apartment Therapy!...I think I may have found the inspiration needed for Chrysalis Couture's next pillow collection!...the possibilities are endless!


For tips and tutorials on how to make your own friendship bracelet check out http://friendship-bracelets.net/

Chrysalis Couture's Shopping Guide:

 
                                      Aurelie Bidermann                            Ariel Gordon Jewelry
 
                                   Frieda and Nellie                                Ana Osgood Jewelry


Here is how I'm sportin' this trend:  I found mine while on vacation in the Bahamas at the Straw Market, and yes I did buy some for my friends!!



Creatively Yours,
Cassandra Stearns



Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Color Crush: Raspberry!!!

 As you all may know by now I am color person. I don't actually have a favorite color though,  I merely go with what I feel at the moment! So for me there is no "right" color, just a "right now" color and right now my Color Crush is Raspberry!!! Check out some of these Raspberry colored items that help define its name and all of its shades! So now all you need to do is decide whether you want to wear it or decorate with it!




Creatively Yours,
Cassandra Stearns

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Our Small, Cool, Outdoors!!

While I did not get enough votes to win the small, cool, outdoors contest on Re-nest it sure did give me the motivation to finish up some final touches on my small, cool, outdoor space.  Right outside the  Chrysalis Couture Studio lies my “Hot Weather Retreat” and here is how I did it!  

Taking inspiration from the fresh paint job that was just done to my building I immediately hit up my second hand hot spots to re-vamp my space. To my luck I found the perfect starting point for texture, color and theme in this vintage July 1st, 1919 VOGUE print titled none other than “HOT WEATHER FASHIONS”... 


As if too good to be true, I turned around the corner to find this slightly faded lliclla smoothly stretched and framed....the perfect compliment to my first find and an exact color match to the burnt orange that was used for the walls...how serendipitous!


Although I have been a little weary about letter wall art (thinking this was just too much of a decorating fad) I gave in when I found this “H” fabric covered hanging for only $1.  It was not only in excellent condition but had just the right colors and textured print to offset the other pieces.


From there came the 24 hr brain crunch to figure out what word to contrive from this...And as I always do I scanned and scoped for the right fit...when the right word finally popped in my head  I couldn't believe that it had actually been in front of me the whole time...right in the title of the vogue print and so was born “HOT”.  And what else describes the word “HOT” than a thermometer, so I replaced the insides of this nifty $2 octagonal clock (conveniently my “O”)  with an outdoor thermometer (easily found at your local hardware store for under $6!!).  


The “T” in our HOT was not however found second hand but was purchased at Michael's for just another $2.  Unfinished to begin with, it was hand painted and encrypted with a quote on summer by Ada Louise Huxtable. 


And it all put together...



One detail not to be forgotten in of course was lighting...and the fact that there was none in this space until I made these colorful lampshades from cocktail umbrellas inspiration courtesy of the delicate umbrella being held in the Vogue print!


I used some lampshade frames I had picked up for $2 each a while ago that I had been hanging on to  for a project like this to come along, went to Party City and purchased 2 boxes of jumbo cocktail umbrellas and got to gluing.


A how-to on this crafty little project can be found here on The Etsy Blog


And how could this retreat so close to our studio not be accessorize with some of the very products we make...100% organic kapok filled pillows with covers from re-purposed materials! 





Finally came the grueling task of what to do with my floors and since I did not want to splurge on a an outdoor rug I painted one! Not only was I inspired by stripes already in other areas of this project but also by a Tim Burton exhibit I recently went to at LACMA...


So enough of the details, I am sure you want to see how it all fits together!




This blue bench was constructed from 2 old storage cubes I have been lugging around since college.  They were originally black but to add a pop of color and to to contrast the oranges I painted them blue.  I bought a piece of wood, sanded and painted it to match, then laid it on top to create this sturdy additional seating and plant shelf area.



My obsessions with elephants continues...and I was stoked when I found this trunk while on an adventure to Ojai with my mother!


 This outdoor space wouldn't be fit for entertaining guests or client without a few refreshments!!




Or a treat on the eye and the nose with some colorful and aromatic succulents and perennials!


The best part is how they attract beautiful fluttering butterflies and hummingbirds!

 


More details can be seen straight from the Re-Nest entry form where I had to describe my space, address my biggest design challenges, and give my tips for creating a great outdoor space...Heres what I had to say:
"This multi-purposed space starts the day for me with yoga and ends with me enjoying an evening cocktail with my husband. During my at home work days it also provides plenty of escape for getting some sun or taking a break to get those creative juices going again. Being only a block from the beach it stays bright but breezy, and feels like an oasis away from an oasis. And the best part? Everything was DIY right down to the pillows and furniture - all re-purposed from other materials. Very green!"
Biggest Design Challenge With This Space: Getting nice screening so we don't have to see our next door neighbors' empty porch while gaining some privacy at the same time. Our solution: very viney bougainvilleas. They grow like crazy, add more color and will eventually fill in completely!
Tips for Creating a Great Small Outdoor Space:
1. Find something of inspiration and go with it! For me it was a "Hot Weather Fashions" poster cover from a vintage issue of VOGUE. From there came the DIY cocktail umbrella lamp shades and the "HOT" thermometer I made from an old clock frame. The rest just fell into place!
2. Don't under estimate the impact of flooring and how it can make your space feel bigger or cozier. For us, we chose to to paint it with horizontal stripes to accent the other textures and fabrics, and to really make a bold statement.
3. Choose the right plants. Our space gets tons of sun so staying of top of watering is a must. But for the days we neglect, our plants still hold up because we chose drought-resistant succulents which still provide color. We've learned our lesson to go with colorful perennials instead of annuals that don't require a lot of work. Instead, they provide longer blooming times and less work which for us equals more time to enjoy our space.
4. My final tip and probably most important tip is to find your space's function and purpose. Whether it be for retreat, entertaining or both, figure out what is most important and play that part up.
Creatively Yours,
Cassandra Stearns

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Our Very Own Green Wedding

 Photos from the “CC event of the summer” (A.K.A my wedding) are finally in and are now here for your viewing pleasure.  When I decided to get hitched my mind immediately started thinking of how I could incorporate all my creative ideas to showcase just what the Chrysalis Couture Studio was capable of. The primary focus thus became putting together a bold, vibrant yet whimsical table setting that would get people talking!
What better to catch my guests attention than using one of my own textile designs featuring a color combo that never fails to speak to me, pink and orange.  I immediately chose a design, modified its colors and put it into production on 100% organic linen-cotton canvas with environmentally friendly inks and methods....and Voila!


From there began the exhaustive 6 month search for the perfect china, glassware and other table top accessories that would help pull this vision together.  Mind you, in doing so some very difficult decisions had to be made on which pieces were the most necessary for making my statement and which I would need to let go of.  Another added challenge was finding enough of these peices to accommodate at least 35 settings.  After much deliberation and several failed shopping trips I settled on collecting vintage floral patterned china, brass candle sticks, and  pressed vintage depression glassware.








For the smaller yet not less important details like candles and napkin rings I took color inspiration from the hints of light blue peaking through the floral patterns on the chinaware.  Because I was not allowed to have open flame at our location I decided to get creative and go with LED battery operated candles with the added bonus that they were re-usable.  Since they did not come in fun colors I decided to take things a step further and paint them a light blue...



They then needed to be fastened into the candlestick base...This however was an interesting challenge because in order to turn the candles on the need to be twisted tight at the base of the candle.  So very carefully the bottom part was glued into the candlestick at the perfect level to ensure the candles would stand straight upright when we decided it was time to give our party some light.



To carry out the blue and bronze I made a stop to Annas Linens for cheap bronze napkin rings.  All was good except the tacky red gems that were glued in the center.   Our quick fix was to remove the old gems (easy to remove with any blunt object, a nail file worked for us!) and add new ones.  I chose another more elegant bead in the right shade of blue (from any local craft store) and hot glue gunned the new beads on to the center where the old ones were. 





The next component to my tablescape vision included flowers....and for that I knew I wanted to keep things low and uncontrived.  I wanted people to be able to see each other across the table yet have my arrangements create a nice flow underneath the tall tapers.   There were several flowers that spoke to me. Ranunculas, Peonies, and Lisianthus were all in the running but after finding out some of these favorites would not be in season the verdict rested on Hot Pink Peonies.  This showy flower added just the right volume due to it size but was still the delicate touch in texture that my table needed to keep some balance.    



Fun Fact:  The peony is said to symbolize a Happy Life, Happy Marriage, Good Health and Prosperity.  Who wouldn’t want to include such a good omen at their wedding?!

And just a few final touches before the big reveal...all DIY of course!!!





 And finally the tablescape you've been waiting to see...




With the intention to give the eye a break between the floral printed china and the bold abstract runners I chose to add an additional white dinner plate and gold charger...not to mention it helps frames the china and make it a true focal point. 



I particularly love how the pair of brass swans gracefully appear to be floating amongst the peonies!

Fun Fact: Swans are said to mate for life...how lucky I was to find these brick-a-bracks which at the time had seemed to have no other significance than to carry out the brass look!


One detail I did not forget to take into consideration was the chairs.  Chairs at a dinner party need not only be comfortable for guest but they can also make or break your table.  I did however luck out with these beautiful white wrought iron, garden style chairs that were provided by the event location.  


An alternative would have been to choose a complimenting style chair in a bolder color such as this   hard to find but uniquely vibrant hot pink chiavari chair.     
                      
                                                  photo



 Overall, when the day came to put this all together I was so excited to see it all work!! Not that I had any doubt in my vision but one never knows!! And,  this entire post would not have been possible without the help of some near and dear friends and family who help put this all together with me!

A special thanks to my Mother, my Aunt Theresa, Ray Davis, Dylan Baker, Ray Huizar, Mallory Curlee, Jennifer Bainbridge, Patricia Cocco, Liliana Irigoin, and Angelica Weihs(and crew) who all contributed to the execution of this unique tabletop vision!

To see press on this event and additional photos visit: http://www.greenweddingcalifornia.com/2011/07/cassandras-creative-diy-wedding.html

Creatively Yours,
Cassandra Stearns