Jones Design Company

Mar

14

fabric covered monogram

Today seems like a good day to share a simple project as seen on our wall of L’s.

The thing I like most about this project {besides the fact that it is quick and easy} is that you can totally customize this … make a huge letter for a wall or a small one as a gift topper. I even made one to hang on our front door at Christmastime {embellished with ribbons, a merry christmas banner and crepe paper flower}.

So let’s get to it.

Here’s what you’ll need:

:: piece of sturdy cardboard {I used the back of an old calendar, but any box from the recycle bin will do}

:: fabric

:: scissors or x-acto knife and cutting mat

:: hot glue gun

:: spray adhesive

:: pencil

STEP ONE: draw your letter on the cardboard. You can print a letter and trace it, or just freehand. Remember that you will want the letter to be thick enough to make an impact {go back to your middle school bubble-letter-making-days}

STEP TWO: cut out

at first I used scissors, then I realized that an x-acto knife would make it much easier.

Once it is cut out, you can make little adjustments to the letter, if needed.

STEP THREE: cut fabric to size

My fabric was double sided so this didn’t apply, but in most cases, be sure to flip your letter so that the print side of the fabric will be on the front of the letter {right sides together}.

STEP FOUR: use spray adhesive to secure the fabric to the front of the letter, smoothing any wrinkles as you go.

STEP FIVE: make snips around corners so the fabric will lay flat

STEP SIX: run a small bead of hot glue around the edge of the letter and press down the fabric to secure

If you have center holes, just snip into the center with your scissors and make those same little cuts to get the fabric to lay flat as you glue around the corners.

And you’re done!

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Posted by emily | 12 comments

Mar

13

back in stock

Remember the lovely prints Lindsay created for us?

The print was hand-calligraphy-ed and then foil stamped onto slate cardstock.

With whimsical lettering, a subtle heart shape and handsome coloring, it is the perfect gift for weddings, anniversaries or to simply remind you of what is most important in life.

We had a limited supply that sold out very quickly right before Valentine’s Day. And I’m happy to announce that a new shipment has just arrived and is now available for purchase.

Again, it is a limited supply, so grab one while you can!

*** UPDATE***

The prints have sold out. If you are interested in purchasing this print, please leave a comment and I will order a new batch.

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Posted by emily | 56 comments

Mar

12

our new favorite easy reader books

A few days ago we went to the library in search of early-reader appropriate books for my No. 2. Brady is in kindergarten and doing great with reading {beyond the BOB series, but not quite ready for regular children’s books}. I wanted to find a handful of books that he would be able to read on his own but also keep his busy mind and body occupied … he is a six-year-old boy, after all.

We hit the jackpot.

Have you heard of the Elephant & Piggie series by Mo Willems? They are great.

Simple words, silly stories, charming illustrations.

The perfect books to instill a joy of reading, confidence in making it through a whole book and cute giggles heard throughout the pages.

You can see all of the books in the Elephant & Piggie series here.

And see more of Mo Willems work here.

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Posted by emily | 45 comments

Mar

09

a wall of L’s

We have this random nook between the dining room and the staircase that fits our piano perfectly. The wall above the piano is one of the first things you see when you walk into our home, so while I want it to make a statement, I have never known quite how to go about it.

Last year, I put up a crazy bird collage {seen here}. A few months later, I took it down and added a silhouette painting I did of our kids {seen here}. At Christmas, we moved the piano and put our tree up in this space {seen here}, but once it came down the walls have remained bare and crying out for something new.

Graphic typography and monograms have always caught my eye and over the years I have collected a few L’s {my married last initial … my maiden name is Jones}. One day a few weeks ago, inspiration struck and I decided to group some of the collection and create a wall of L’s over the piano.

Here’s how it turned out:

Fun, right?

I’m really happy with it.

I kept with a gray/white/black/ theme to keep it neutral. Only a few of the letters were purchased {at the craft store} and the rest were made with things I had laying around the house.

Here are some close-ups:

descriptions from left to right:

1. fabric covered cardboard cutout {tutorial to come}

2. framed glitter letter with linen backing

3. wooden letter in vintage frame

4. watercolored L in large IKEA frame {one of the first projects I did when we moved into our house nearly 6 years ago … so many blank walls to fill!}

5. chalkboard painted board with handdrawn letter {this is acutally the back of a frame that was broken. I just tossed the frame and glass and kept the back, painted it with two coats of chalkboard paint and used the hanger on the back to hang it up. Super easy}

6. vintage linen hankie with layered scrapbook paper and a printed L {font: barocca monograms}

7. My favorite. I used the old cardboard backing from a vintage frame, glued on a cut out letter and wrote in No. 6 {for six people in our family}.

8. wooden letter and old playing card

9. framed book page monogram {tutorial here}

Not shown:

large cardboard letter from the craft store decoupaged with scrapbook paper

There are so many great ways to add a personal touch to your home and I think adding your family initial is one of my favorites.

And I’m hoping this wall display will stay for a while.

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Posted by emily | 48 comments

Mar

07

for all you yellow-lovers {and giveaway lovers, too}

First things first, the winner of the February Giveaway is …

who says

I couldn’t agree more. Plus, the word divine is a really good one.

So Julie, please send me an email with your address and I’ll put your lovely goodies in the mail!

Next up … the new March giveaway.

Going with the theme of cheerful yellow, this collection is full of it {both yellow and cheer}.

One lucky lady will win:

1. two 16×16 pillow covers by Modest Pillows 2. sheet of dot gift wrap 3. set of four napkins from Lemonade Makin’ Mama 4. mini modern pearl necklace in mustard by Allora Handmade 5. chalkboard call-out mug + chalk 6. dwell studios notebook 7. bar of fancy soap 8. polka dot napkins 9. set of six scallop note cards + envelopes

A special thank you to these ladies for offering their delightful products!

Stylish pillow covers that add a dash of color … shop here.

Hand-painted signs, silk-screened goods and original artwork made by the charming Sasha … shop here.

The most delightful flower pins, necklaces and more … shop here.

To enter the March Giveaway, click the button below.

Good luck!

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Posted by emily | 0 comments

Mar

05

vintage baby shower invitations

Even though my business has moved away from doing custom invitations, I love being able to do a few projects here and there for family and friends.

My dear friend Julia is pregnant with her third baby {the first girl} and I was the invitation-creator for her upcoming shower.

She is one of those friends who makes yummy homemade meals and gives the most thoughtful gifts and so I wanted to reciprocate and make the baby shower invitations special, thoughtful and unique.

She has a love of vintage things, likes sweet but not too girlie, and is definitely not into pink. And she comes from an Italian family {hence the baby amore}.

I think the combination of the cursive font, scalloped edge, linen, vintage lace, trim and stitched top give it the feminine, vintage feel I was hoping for.

The cards are petite and when put in the envelope there was a enough room to be able to stitch them closed.

Did you know you can sew paper?

Simple handmade invitations. And a pretty keepsake for the mommy-to-be.

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Posted by emily | 35 comments

Mar

02

she’s two

In January 2010, this blog was born. It had been around for a few months prior, but it really came to life right around the new year. I was very, very pregnant with No.4 – our first girl – and those first few posts often centered around her. Her nursery, her name, girlie projects and sharing the emotions all mommies go through at the end of their pregnancies {excitement for the new babe, nervousness about change, impatience with just wanting to be done}.

The blog was started when she was growing inside me and in a weird way, I feel like she is what inspired it. For some reason, having a daughter awoke a greater sense of creativity in me that I wanted to share. I suddenly desired to expand beyond stationery design into sewing and crafting and creating as many flowers as I could figure out how to make.

I love this little girl and all the ways she has changed our family … and especially me.

Many of you have been here from the beginning. You remember those first posts, the frequent photos of our sweet newborn girl wearing yet another headband. You’ve heard stories about Audrey and watched her grow along side of us.

Every once in a while I meet a reader while out running errands. The way they recognize me is almost always because they recognized Audrey first. That makes me smile. I like sharing her life here on the blog – someday she will protest, but for now she’s my little companion and muse and favorite spunky/sweet two-year-old and I just can’t resist sharing her with you.

Audrey-girl turned two a few weeks ago, which means the blog did as well. They are both growing, changing, and bring me {and hopefully you!} such joy.