This bite was inspired by Circle Sister detroitmelody

"I will be moving, one-day, to a studio because that's all I can afford. I was thinking about using a sit down on the floor dining area-like a round wooden platform or slab and pillows for the seats, instead of the traditional dining set. Got any suggestions, is that functional?" -detroitmelody

I think floor seating is practical depending on the age of your company. If you have older company then you might reconsider this or maybe just make a little eating nook on the floor that is more for your personal lounging and small meals and snacks. But if most of your company are younger in age then I say go for it! The biggest inspiration for floor seating would definitely be that of Morocco and India. I have selected a mere few images below to offer up some inspiration.

I love the imagery, products, and the philosophy of the Side Attraction 3 collection. Based out of South Africa, their pieces are rich in color and texture, embroidery, beads, leather, and tie dyeing; and to top it all off they outsource work to the local crafters in disadvantaged communities. A percentage of the proceeds of the sales are channeled back into the community! I scanned these images from their catalog that you can order for free (psst...they send you a nice little coupon along with it too!) I only wish that I had those "Blooming Pillows" The flowers are made from felt and the centers are crocheted! I am sure for all of those that crochet, that this would be a breeze to make on your own!

"I started sewing as a girl...that inspired me to study Fashion Design...that led to designing clothes, handbags, pillows and drapes which led to my becoming an interior decorator. It's funk-tional design for the new Urban Lifestyle..... Welcome to my World." -Soul Pretty

Who We Love: Soul Pretty

Why We Love It: Interior design, fashion, handmade goods, motherhood, creativity, could we ask for more? Soul Pretty has such wonderful taste in design and style and it is no wonder that she is an Interior & Fashion Designer living it up creatively with her daughter in New York. If you are ever in need of a little design inspiration then this is a blog that you will want to check out often & be sure to take a stroll through her etsy shop and pick up something handmade and “Soul Pretty” (psst...this top is darling)!

Our Favorite Posts:

"Born and bred in Brooklyn, NY, Laura James is a self-taught painter of Antiguan heritage. Ms. James paints religious subjects and visual dramatizations of Bible stories using iconography found in Ethiopian Christian Art. Ms. James is also an award winning artist of secular works. Using bright colors, intricate patterns, and sometimes surreal imagery, she paints women, families, and scenes of everyday life."

If you love to crochet or knit, then you can appreciate the importance and value of not only a sturdy skein of yarn, but a pretty one as well. I ran across Fabulosity Yarns the other day and I like her use of color and her color blending is great. They are all handspun, which in my opinion makes your finished project a true one of a kind, because no yarn is exactly alike. So if you love to knit and crochet, then head on over and grab you up some crafty yarn for your next project!

Who: Que Jimenez

Why We Love It: Blogger Kiandra posts some of the most inspirational stories about motherhood, baking, vegan cooking, the art of living, and some fabulous arts/crafts endeavors. If you are ever in need of a quick energy booster for your creative concepts then this is a must see blog. We're addicted to Que Jimenez: the Sweet Life of Creating! Oh and don't forget to check out her baking and cooking blog From Scratch...hope you're hungry!

Our Top 5 Favorite Posts:

Got Inspiration

mmmmmm!

My Latest Quilt Show Appearance

Graham and Green carries some of the most fantastic furniture and accessories. I particularly love their inlaid pieces and their Moroccan pouffes are fabulous, but what really caught my eye was this tableware that resembles ankara/african textile prints that you see so much of now.

Morocco and many other North African regions are heavily influential in my cooking, along with middle-eastern cuisine. Lately I have become quite interested in the art of Tagine cooking. Below are some great finds from Tagines.com. They have some really great and affordable tagines to choose from that are suitable for stove-top cooking(only on low heat) and oven baking at a maximum of 350 degrees. They carry a decent range of tagines that are for cooking and they have some really nice decorative tagines that can be used for serving. I think the beauty of incorporating a different “flavor” in your cooking process can really inspire you to cook up some fantastic meals. Basically the tangine acts as sort of a slow cooker, that fuses the flavors and juices together.

Do you like to make your own jewelry? If so then you may want to check out one of my favorite bead shops at Happy Mango beads. Their site if filled with a lot of colorful, organic, and “ethnic” style beads that would be great for your next project. Some of their pieces can get quite pricey, but for the most part, you get a pretty decent strand length for most of their bead collections. They have some great clay beads and my favorite is always the wood, nut, and seed beads. Where do you like to buy your beads for your jewelry making ventures?

We have selected some of our favorite bedspreads and bedding pics that will hopefully offer you some lovely décor inspiration for your bedroom. Whether you are just moving into a new apartment or if you have been stuck in a drab room for years, now is the perfect time to give your room a face-lift, and cute and cozy bedding will get your inspiration flowing when pulling your room together.

Imperial Bedding: Anthropologie: $48-208

Lotus Quilts: Sleeping Buddha: $185-210

Kwanzaa is right around the corner, so I thought that I would re-visit last years Kwanzaa craft guide since we have so many new creative sisters in the circle! We have some fabulous ideas coming up for the 2008 holidays, and we cannot wait to share them with you! But for now, enjoy these crafty tips:

We have come up with some fantastic ways to accent your home whether your entertaining or just enjoying the time with your family. We show you ways to embellish your tree and unique ways to commemorate the Nguzo Saba and the Odu Ifa meditations of Kwanzaa throughout your home, along with fabulous craft, décor, and gift ideas for you and your guests. So get your crafty supplies out along with a pen and pad and let your creative juices flow!

“It's exciting to execute an idea that reflects my values and also validates the creative lives of women.” -Evolyn Brooks”

The art of Nigerian-Americn Artist Imo Nse Imeh is fluid wit poetic lines. The duality that you find within his pieces are lovely and add so much definition for the eye to see and find. “Imo Nse Imeh is a doctoral candidate at Yale University where he is studying the History of African Art. His parents hail from Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. During his undergraduate education at Columbia University, Imo was sponsored by the NIKE Corporation through the Jackie Robinson Scholarship Foundation as well as the One Hundred Black Men Foundation Scholarship.

We all know that there is an art to drinking tea, but once you have brewed the perfect blends of herbs, spices, and sweeteners, you simply must enjoy it in a special and artistic tea cup or mug, and top it all off by serving it up in a charming tea pot. Here are a few of our favorite finds around the web that are great for making your tea time special, whether sharing it with friends or for yourself.

1. Old Dutch Red Cast Iron Tea Pot: $60

We stumbled across a website called Aid to Artisans, and discovered their down-loadable magazine called Hand/Eye. It is full of rich and vibrant color, and includes some great articles on color, international artisans, and info on the fair trade. Definitely click on over and have yourself a read of a great and free magazine!

Coming Spring of 2008 is a fabulous new book by the Double Stitch twins, and crochet fashionistas Erika & Monika Simmons. Entitled Double Stitch: Designs for the Crochet Fashionista, this book is bound to be a must have for any crochet lover...we can't wait! If you missed our interview with the twins, then check it out here. You can also pre-order your copy of the book by clicking here!

Here is a fantastic, colorful, and creatively inspirational book for all the crafty and design inspired ladies out there! We love the “shabby chic” style of these African shacks. They are filled with bursts of color, and innovative ways to decorate the home...so simple, so practical, so inspiring! Click here to pick it up!

"It is always magic...the meeting of the elements earth and fire." Etiye Dimma-Poulson

The sculptural pieces of Artist Etiye Dimma-Poulsen are amazing! Her pieces are made of iron mesh which she then covers and forms with clay. She then paints and bakes them in the "oven". They are filled with so much "raw" expression, subtle and vibrant tones, and wonderful personality.

“Nowhere in the world is street life as staggeringly colourful as in the markets of Africa. A dazzling mix of rich and vibrant colours is a feast for the eyes. Clothing in Africa is certainly not intended to cloak one's personal feelings. In Africa you wear your heart on your sleeve. Passion, meekness, unbridled joy, deep sorrow, pride, admiration, impassioned protest - clothing reflects all these expressions.” -lavalava.com

The two volumes of Inside Africa are full of rich tones and beautiful décor that is sure to inspire your decorative tastes. African Design is full of warm and cool colors that make for a balanced and cozy feel. Pick up Inside Africa North & East or the Inside Africa Set to add to your design library.

We found this little treasure of creative candy on Cree Summer's fan site. Her home is obviously filled with as much charm, character, and culture as she is. I love the leopard arm chair matched up with the florals and the Mexican skeleton. Eclectic would be the word. She seems to fill her space with things that inspire her and radiates creative and ancestoral energy, and The rustic dining area...lovely Cree..just lovely!

Then it's color that you're going to get! If your not a shy decorator and you yearn for colors that is full of personality, vibrancy, and , life, but just not quite sure on how to put it all together, then you may want to click on over and pick up these books by amazing Designer and color extroidinaire Tricia Guild. She is a master at combining colors that you would not think of in an ordinary color scheme and making them work together harmoniously. So pull out you inspiration books, collect some photos and paint swatches and get some color in your life!

So, as summer closes, the colors around us begin to fade a bit as we head into autumn and fall. This doesn't mean that you have to give up the vibrant colors in your garden or floral arrangements. Try planting mums, asters, pansies, and tulips. They are Autumn friendly and are always so very pretty to adorn your home with.

Over-wintering tips: Choose an area with sun to partial shade, Plant in moist soil, enriched with organic matter, Ensure area has good drainage by mounding up raised beds, Select pansy varieties with medium size blooms, and Insulate roots by adding mulch around base of plants.

Saffron Marigold has a few nice things for the home. We particularly like their table linens sheer panels, and cushion covers. Their site also has an inside look into the hand-blocking process hat is used on all of their fabrics. Many times incorporating culture into your décor does not have to be too over the top. Subtle hints with color combos, prints, and shape can go a long ways when pulling it all together, and these pieces seem to be very subtle, yet quite beautiful when paired with the right decor!