When I first saw the cover of this book while browsing in a store with my friends last winter, I literally snatched it to my breast and hugged it like a long lost love.

I didn’t even need to open it to know that contained amazing treasures…..

….when I did open it (after rushing to corner of the store lest anyone try to wrest it from my hands) my heart beat faster as I gasped at each turn of the page.

Isabelle de Borchgrave has a magical workshop/studio in Brussels, Belgium “where humble art materials are transformed into shimmering visions of beautiful clothing and luxurious living”.

Her inspiration for these exquisite costumes, all made from paper, comes from the legendary Fortuny silks of Venice to the courts of the Medici in Florence.

First shown in France in 1998 in a traveling exhibit, “Papiers a la Mode”, achingly beautiful photography here by Rene Stoeltie makes these intricate art pieces even more magical.

Beyond the stenciled patterns (which are AMAZING!) the level of detail in the design of the fashions down to the smallest button, brooch, and bit of lace is breathtaking.

It was incredible difficult for me to choose these photographs to share as I REALLY want you to see them all!

No matter what you believe or where you live, Christmas is a time to celebrate beauty, traditions, love, and each other…

South Korea

Rockefeller Center, NYC

Malasia

India

Hanoi

England

Detroit

Czech Republic

Munich

Beirut, Lebanon

Paris

Moscow

Beijing

Vatican City

Photos courtesy of the Sacramento Bee , CBS News, and Huffington Post

Just a quick share! Pretty little pictures and gifty ideas from Heather Bullard’s boutique….

more soft and loveliness on Heather’s blog. Enjoy!

You know how when people ask you “what do you want for Christmas?” and you can’t think of anything off the top of your head. Well, that’s what happens to me anyway….Whether your list for Santa is long or short, you might want to consider asking for the gift that keeps on giving….and creating.

We now have Virtual Workshop Gift Certificates available in our online store. They are good for any Virtual Workshop offered in 2010, including the two current offerings: Foilin’ Around and Stencil Impressions. Coming soon are Patterned Glass and Mirror, SkimStone Surfaces and Marquetry Effects on Wood, Walls, and More! If you’ve been a good boy or girl and whisper in the right ear, you may just find one in your stocking this year….

I wrote recently about my friend Barb Skivington’s beautiful showroom and space in High Point, NC. Well a couple of weeks ago Barb was in MY house to teach one of her signature cabinet and furniture finishes workshops.

Barb has a wealth of knowledge about cabinet finishing, the product line that she uses, and how to be successful at selling these amazing and elegant surface treatments to high-end clients. Plus, she LOVES to teach!

Here, she demonstrates “tipping” on a raised resin ornament that has been applied to the initial raw wood of a hand-distressed cabinet door.

And now showing off a more contemporary Asian look. The class was called Artisan Cabinet and Furniture Finishes and was such a HUGE hit that we have scheduled a return trip for Barb. She will be coming west again for another amazing class, European Cabinet and Furniture Finishes.

This workshop offers distressed, stained and painted finishes, and multi-layered and textured specialty finishes-finishes inspired by the beautiful towns, cities and regions of France, Italy, Spain, Luxembourg, and Belgium. According to Barb, who frequents the furniture showrooms in High Point, Belgium is BIG for 2010.

I, for one, am looking forward to learning how to replicate these lovely finishes! European Cabinet and Furniture Finishes Class, March 3-5, 2010