New Arrivals at Casa Artelexia

Hand-embroidered cobalt blue Otomi

Corazones de Papel Greeting Cards

Peruvian Rugs

 Eat Mexico Cookbook by Lesley Tellez

Hand-sewn Frida Kahlo Dolls 

 Original Frida Kahlo Watercolor Paintings 

Folk Project

Have you seen our new line of handbags and furniture by Folk Project? If you haven't, and you love textiles like I do, then you must see these beauties in person. You absolutely must. Each one is so amazing that it's hard to part with them when they sell. And they are selling!  Just ask Jason Mraz. ;)

A Match Made in Boho Heaven

We're firm believers over here that one can never have too many purses, or super cute clutches for that matter; the vibrant colors and fun patterns in the Love Birds LA clutches and purses that we JUST got in at Casa Artelexia are sure to convince you the same. With sarape-inspired textiles, hand-done embroidery by Hmong women from the hill tribes of Thailand, vintage fabric and authentic leather, these clutches are enough to swoon over. And being that we're in wedding mode over here and have began searching for whimsical, non-traditional wedding dresses, we thought it would be fun to pair some of our favorite dresses we've stumbled upon so far with some our new favorite clutches. Pick up one of these lovelies at Casa Artelexia or HERE.

Images: dresses; clutches

DIY Mouse Pad

Yesterday I was working away on my computer without a mousepad when my sweet boyfriend pulled out a mousepad that he had from I'm guessing college...and it looked it.  He very excitedly told me I could have it–what's a girl to do!? Smile and say thank you.  Luckily I had some spray adhesive and fabric handy to fix this sucker up in what literally took me two minutes.  Check out my before and after!

Need fabric?  We've got some great new fabrics in-store and online.  Use coupon code DIYBAG at checkout for a 15% off your fabric order.  

Lucha LOVE

We're getting inspired and feeling the Lucha love here at Casa Artelexia with our new Super Lucha Libre and Mascara de Pelea fabric by Alexander Henry. We absolutely LOVE Lucha Libre and have several fun products in-store and online, from cards and posters, to figurines, stickers and more! 

images: Luchadores 1,2,3,4,

New Fabric In-Store and Online!

It's finally arrived!  Check out our new Alexander Henry fabric HERE.  Get 15% off your fabric order when you enter coupon code DIYBAG at checkout.

DIY Reversible Bag

This DIY reversible bag is a very simple DIY, even if you have very little sewing skills. You can make it as large or as small as you would like, or you can use our measurements. It’s pretty quick to make too, so you’ll have a fun multi-purpose tote in no time!

What you’ll need:

-basic knowledge of sewing with a machine or lots of patience

-2 different yards of fabric (to get the cool reversible effect)

-sewing machine (or your own hands!)

-sewing needles (and needles for leather or vinyl if using these materials for handles)

-thread

-handles (can be made from leather trim, pleather trim, or canvas trim which can be found at most fabric stores)

-pins

1. Cut a 36”x 14 ½” rectangle from your fabric (This is the main body of the bag).

2. Cut two 4 ½”x 14” rectangles for the sides of your bag.

3. Sew one side of your bag to the body, sewing right sides together and allowing ¼” for the seam. Use pins to keep the two pieces in place if needed, and gradually take them out as you sew.

4. Sew the other side on to your bag, right sides together. Now you have sewn your first bag.

5. Flip the bag inside out.

6. Begin cutting the pieces for the inside, or reversible, part of the bag. Use the same measurements.

7. Repeat the steps you used for the first bag–basically, you’re making another bag. Do not flip it inside out.

8. Instead, place your second bag inside of the first. This serves as the lining of your bag and makes your seams invisible. It also allows you to reverse the bag without any seams showing inside or out.

9. At this point, there is still fringe around the rim of your bag. Fold the top rim of your bag and sew it to hide the fringe.

10. Sew your handles inside our outside of your bag. It doesn’t matter which side you choose because the bag is reversible. You can sew these on by hand or using a machine and make them as long or short as you would like.


Looking for some fun fabric?  Save 15%/yd when you enter coupon code DIYBAG during checkout.

Destination: Mexico

This girl is going shopping.  When?  A week from today.  Where to?  Puebla, Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende, Chiapas, and Mexico City for a total of 19 days.  Am I excited?  Hell yeah!  Usually my dad goes alone on the shopping trips but this time I will be learning the ropes.  We only have 2 months to open our new store and we need product.  Lots of product.  We will be searching high and low for furniture, mirrors, paintings, textiles, jewelry, tabletop, ceramic - you name it.  I'll be hand-selecting the product, meeting the artists, visiting their studios and homes, riding in buses for 10 hours at time, taking as many pictures as my camera will allow, eating and drinking until my heart's content, visiting markets and having one amazing adventure with my dad.  I've only been to San Miguel de Allende and Mexico City but the other places will be all new to me.  Have you been to any of these places?  Do you have any recommendations?  I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE any and all suggestions!!

{Photos: Bracelets, Painting, Door, Sarapes}

Fabric Love

Hi there!  I'm so excited to share with you some new fabric swatches that I found last week.  They are all very Mexican inspired and will fit in perfectly with the new store.  Aren't they great?!  I'm thinking of  reupholstering some chairs, making pillows, napkins and tablecloths.  What would you make with this fabric?  Which one is your favorite? I'd love to hear!

 

Fabric, Fabric and MORE Fabric Coming to Casa Artelexia!!!

Hello lovelies!  We, my Mother and I, have returned from our trip to the Textile Show in L.A. with lots of pictures to share with you.  You asked for fabric, and fabric is what we got.  We searched high and low to see what would be the most interesting fabrics to carry here at Casa Artelexia.  We wanted the fabric to be colorful, durable and exciting!  We already have so many ideas on how we can use this fabric...the possibilities are endless!  What do you think?  Do you like what we purchased?  Please let us know which pattern you like best so that we can make sure to have plenty of it in stock.  These fabrics will be available in-store and online within the next few weeks.  Enjoy!!

 

On a side note, I was very thankful and lucky this weekend. 2 Reasons - 1.  It was my parent's 30th Wedding Anniversary!  Congratulations Mom and Dad!  And do you know what my mom did on her anniversary, she accompanied me to the Textile Show so that I would not go alone.  On her Anniversary!  Aren't moms awesome?!  I am so fortunate to have amazing parents which brings me to my second reason why I was lucky this weekend  - 2. My father, and business partner, took a spill on his motorcycle while on the freeway this weekend.  Yes, on the freeway!  His motorcycle was totaled but he was okay.  Banged up and bruised, but perfectly fine considering the situation.  I thank my lucky stars that somebody was watching out for him.  It's so crazy how your life could change in a second.  Make sure you let your loved ones know just how much you love them because you never know what's around the corner.  I have lots to be thankful for and hope you do to.  Happy Tuesday!