Burrs & Berries » 2010 July

Spotlight on Talent: Miyuki Sakai

Jul 202010

I find the most inspiring work comes from artists who take their craft to another level, creating new ideas and different dimensions like creating illustrations with a sewing machine using only thread. Doesn’t that sound interesting?

Super talented crafter and artist Miyuki Sakai has been creating award-winning illustrations with a sewing machine for over twenty years. Oh yes, I am serious. Have you seen her work before? Imagine the skill and patience one must possess to create such art! Miyuki grew up in Osaka, Japan, and adopted her unique style inspired by watching her mother make clothes for her family. After attending art school in Kyoto, Miyuki moved to Tokyo to work as a freelance illustrator, and now lives and works in San Fransisco.

I am so intrigued by her unique style and have probably examined every detail of these lovely illustrations that are featured in the Vive la Tarte article in the June issue of Martha Stewart Living. Like many others, I initially thought that the backgrounds were hand drawn with delicious looking tarts placed on top, but I was so wrong! I love love love all the detail in the patterns, color and texture Miyuki creates in these illustrations. Gorgeous! Do you create unique art, or do you have a favorite artist who does? It’s so inspiring and interesting to see what others do, where their minds wander and creativity and skill takes them.

(images: miyuki sakai)

Sunday Suppers Blog!

1 Response »

Jul 192010

Sunday Suppers is a blog by Casey Solomon and Karen Mordechai, dedicated to still life photography, food set ups and groups of people getting together to cook and hang out.

Created as a labor of love by stylist and photographer Karen Mordechai, Sunday Suppers are class-cooking-dining experiences held in Brooklyn and taught by local Chefs, with the wonderful objective of pairing friends with food. All the gorgeous photographs on the blog are styled and shot by wedding and food photographer Karen Mordechai, who captures the fresh, local, and seasonal meals gorgeously, and in an inviting manner.

I was immediately drawn to Sunday Suppers for it’s inspiring photography, it’s lovely content and great recipes. They also design entire events, or on a smaller scale, offer services like table design, buffet, set-ups, favors, and more. If you love the photography like I do, you can find some of Karen’s limited edition archival quality prints on the Sunday Suppers shop.

(images: karen mordechai for sunday suppers)

Dace Fall 2010 Collection

1 Response »

Jul 182010

Hello dear friends, I’ve missed you! I know it has been a while and seems as though I disappeared off blogland without a trace, but the past week has been so unexpectedly busy and rushed for me, and I can finally say that it’s over! And since I’ve been away for what feels like forever, here’s a little Sunday special :)

Canadian fashion label dace’s fall 2010 collection was just released, and they are currently offering a free stationery set with every online purchase as long as supplies last that was made special for dace by Toronto’s The Paper Whale, so hurry over because their new collection is so gorgeous! And isn’t this video that was made for the fall collection so charming!

So, tell me how have you been?? I had so much work to do before I left Toronto – planning, cleaning, laundry and packing but I am finally in Dubai and Burrs & Berries will return to it’s routine tomorrow, at last! Now that I’m on this side of the world I can dig into design and fashion inspiration here and I’m so excited to share all this with you. But I am not totally relaxed because, I land in Dubai and guess what – No suitcase. This has never happened to me, and I just want all my stuff! Hopefully I will get it tonight or tomorrow because I cannot imagine what I’d do without everything I packed. Fingers crossed!

(images: dace)

Free People Clothing Boutique

4 Responses »

Jul 132010

How I love fashion! It would be so lovely to live a day in the life of a fashion stylist, meeting great designers, being at every fashion week in every major city, surrounded by gorgeous dresses, coats, shoes, and just everything fashion. I came across a July catalog the other day, full of pretty summer style.

In a warehouse on the edge of Philadelphia is a group of young, fashionable, creative people making the magic that is Free People. In this warehouse is so much inspiration and process of sorting through fabric swatches, taking photo shoots, ideas, video, art, food and culture. And although that sounds like long hours of hard work to say the least, it all appeals so much to me.

The Free People girl is a creative, bold and independent spirit, with a style that is comfortable, laid back and always has that effortless, fun loving look. Do you see that from the catalog too? This beautiful book was shot in Dolores, Colorado, and it encourages us all to take fashionable adventures each day, and to have fun and get creative with fashion.

(images: free people)

K Studio Textiles

1 Response »

Jul 122010

K Studio brings together great design, green materials and social responsibility through their line of soft textiles with core competencies in design, illustration, sewing and embroidery.

Launched in 2004, K Studio products can now be found in retailers across the United States. Starting with fabric made from sustainable materials like hemp, organic cotton and recycled wool, the designs are generated in house and then embroidered, assembled, packaged, and shipped by the K Studio team.

I adore their darling pillows; my favorite is the dog illustration. Their neutral palette, with a touch of color and playful designs make the pillows so casual yet fun and modern. Whether you’re looking for a custom order or you want 2,000 pillows to fill up a hotel, K Studio will deliver. What I love most is that it doesn’t stop at textiles. They even create paintings when inspiration strikes, which you can buy from their Etsy store.

(images: k studio)