Diane Ericson Blog

Spring Design: Birds are in the Air!

Diane — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:26:25 +0000

Spring bird made of fabric scraps

Spring has finally arrived here in Oregon. The yellow and black striped finches are frantically chatting and darting about looking for the perfect place to build their nests, while ravens are cawing out from the top branches. Nature has me walking around Ashland with my eyes wide open and peering up into the trees! Birds are my biggest inspiration this time of year for one simple reason, they make me happy. Everything from their feathers, nests and beautiful coloring remind me that the inspiration comes in the smallest packages.

Birds are appearing around my studio and in my spring wardrobe. I am making them from bits and pieces of bright colored silk scraps, string, ribbon and other fun bits in my stash. For me it’s starting with a basic materials, such as canvas, and pusing myself to use unconventional materials to create something truly unique.

Let this time of renewal inspire your studio play. Ask yourself, what am I doing now as the spring begins to warm the ground ? What simple, lovely process makes me happy? What is calling?

Here is my new spring canvas bird bag. I started with a basic bag shape from my Pacific Purse Pattern #201 cut out of canvas and used Jacquard Tee Juice Fabric Pens (teejuice.com) to draw the design. I love drawing and collaging with fabric then adding hardware, broken metal bits and chain. For this bag, I used a stiff elastic as a strap and can be fastened it with hardware clips. Make your own to dress up your spring wardrobe with whatever spring design inspires you! All patterns, including the Pacific Purse, can be purchased on my website.

Spring canvas bird purse

If you are in Ashland, Oregon in May, I am offering The Shoebox Workshop Series of hands-on sessions: everything you need for each class fits in a shoebox. Come and play! Contact me or see my schedule on the Ashland Art Center calendar: http://www.ashlandartcenter.org/images/AAC/classesandevents.pdf

NEW BIRD FABRIC DESIGNS: I am looking forward to sharing my fabric designs with all of you. Here I am working with the first shippment of my “A Wing ‘n A Prayer” design. The debut was at the DOL Santa Barbara Retreat and the Puyallup show in Wahington, where I got an enthusiastic response. I am working on getting it up for sale on my website and I will be sure to put the word out when it is available.

Creative play to all, Diane

Fall Designing: Inspired Bags

Diane — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 19:20:46 +0000

A new round of projects is on my design table...fabrics in luscious colors and combinations all beaconing in rich, fall colors. around me. Alot of my collection is in bundles like this one……just waiting to become something beautiful. I am enjoying using some of my small printed and worked pieces.The format of this completed bag on the dressform is like framing a favorite canvas and getting to wear it around. I enjoy picturing the whole view and asking myself: how does this become part of the neckline of my clothing? -and: is the scale a good fit for my fall wardrobe? A bag project is no different than a good meal. They are both about design combinations, contrasts , accents etc. -So when I open the bundles, new details get folded into the mix, like closures, cords collage details etc. the collection on the left started with a stenciled painted piece that I accented with fabric pens(Pain&Tee Juice Pens by Jacquard Fabric Products). I find that I work with a collection of basic shapes and often refer to my Pacific Purse Pattern #201. It is still warm here in Ashland, Oregon…..and I am enjoying this new pocket/ bag over my linen shirts as I look forward to wearing more of my fall wardrobe.

Fall Retreats are coming up! -Join me in Chicago- Some of you will be joining me this month in Taos for a week of Design Outside the Lines with Marcy Tilton. I will be in the Chicago area (at the Pheasant Run Resort) for a creative sewing and surface design retreat: Oct 5-9th. The focus will be design play and creativity. Learn my techniques for inspiring your sewing projects as we fold in surface design and embellishment . Join me and lets infuse your winter projects with inspiration, style and new directions to discover. For more information and to register: http://www.sewingexpo.com/Sewing Retreat.aspx ENJOY THE FALL. Warm Regards, Diane

Diane’s SUMMER CLASSES

Diane — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 18:25:40 +0000

Linen Jacket before....

July 9th- The Art of Re•Cycled Couture- Time to update your summer wardrobe? • Limited time & budget to make it happen? • Love to piece & play with fabrics? • Want to wear FUN stuff?! From new buttons to a bit of sewing and cutting you’ll learn how to keep the great design details plus the short cuts to turning the clothing you don’t wear into your new favorites! Whether you are a novice or a seasoned sewer, this session is sure to inspire and your summer wardrobe: Bring that garment you can’t bare to give away , some sewing supplies and join us for this informative & inspiring class. 1-4 pm Lecture/trunk show & hands-on = $45.00 1-2:30 pm (Lecture/trunk show only: = $25.00) Linen Jacket: After July 14- Textile Lab- Meets: 1-4pm @ $12. Per hr/1 hr min. Back by popular demand… Bring whatever projects, materials and ideas you have, use our machines and get Diane’s creative and technical help. The labs are help sessions for projects you are working on-not formal classes. Meets in the Art Center classroom.
Pens & Paint on canvas
July 17th- Fabric Printing with Stencils- 1-4pm = $40.00 (plus materials fee*) New to fabric printing and ready to get started You’ll learn to use fabric paints, stencils and fabric pens to create patterns on ready to wear or fabrics for collage. Stenciling is a great technique for combining with other fiber/ fabric techniques. You will make a collection of samples and learn to express your own design style with this quick and easy printing method. Diane will share lots of samples of printed fabrics and finished pieces in class. NO Experience needed- you’ll have a great time! *Materials Fee=$15. includes fabric paints & pens, stencils to use, some fabric pieces to print, plates, paper towels and sponges for printing. Bring ideas & something to print: garment etc. Aug 11- Textile Lab- Meets: 3-6pm @ $12. Per hr/1 hr min. Back by popular demand… Bring whatever projects, materials and ideas you have, use our machines and get Diane’s creative and technical help. The labs are help sessions for projects you are working on-not formal classes. Meets in the Art Center classroom. Aug. 13th- The Arty Summer Apron- Meets: 1-4pm= $45.00 For cooking or as a fashion statement, the apron is a great canvas where you can let your creative ideas go wild. Bring trims, notions, vintage linens and lace…or maybe those old levis and unfinished rolled up paintings in the garage- all perfect starters for your unique apron design. You may want to work up an apron around a theme like Asian images or an homage your pet. Old zippers, buttons and embroidery thread can be used as decorative elements too. Fun and easy to make. You’ll get 3 apron patterns to trace off in class. For inspiration, Diane will share her collection of Arty aprons. Open to newbies and veteran sewers too.

Bring your favorite treasures & create an Art Apron!

-All classes will meet in the Ashland Art Center classroom or Studio #7- BIO. DIANE ERICSON, a seasoned designer, will share tips, ideas and design techniques to assist you. Summer is a great time to move those stagnant sewing projects along. As a long-time contributor to the sewing industry through workshops and magazine articles, her focus is always on how to build your skills as a sewer/designer while you learn to express a more creative, personal look. See her work in Studio #7 in the Ashland Art Center Questions or to register for any of the *sessions: diane@dianeericson.com or 541-227-8680 *For an optimum experience, group size will be limited so reserve early.

Fall in Taos or Chicago

Diane — Mon, 30 May 2011 18:46:40 +0000

Greetings Creative friends! Sewing Retreat in Chicago-Oct.5-8th Lots of new things are in the works…one of them will be a workshop/retreat in the Chicago area early in October. It will be a small group with lots of hands-on and personal attention for each participant. The focus will be tuning your design eye and expanding your creativity with surface design & fabric techniques. The Original Quilt & Sewing Expo team is dynamite and I am looking forward to working them again. If you are interested in more information and registration, here is the link: http://www.sewingexpo.com/SewingRetreat.aspx Design Outside the Lines in Taos-Sept. 25-29 This is a favorite location for The Design Outside the Lines Retreat. Marcy Tilton and I are celebrating our 12th year of teaching together. As the Aspen and Poplar trees turn bright yellow against that turquoise sky with white puffy clouds…I am feeling what has always inspired so many artists and writers to call this area home. We will come together in the adobe studio at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House for lots of creative play, inspiration, new and re-newed friendships. For more information and registration: http://www.dianeericson.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ReVisions&Product_Code=class-DOL-Taos&Category_Code=Retreats For more retreat information & photos (…and great fabric) : see Marcy’s site: www.marcytilton.com On my Design Table this month: Folding more drawing & printing into my bag designs My stenciling techniques are changing. I am combining more paper mask shapes with my stencil designs as I print-then drawing into the images with Tee Juice Pens from Jacquard (www.teejuice.com) for line and big poka dots! very easy and fun in even more great colors now. I combine my printed fabrics with more fabric collage, stitching buttons and other embellishment. Here is one of my studio walls with a display of finished bags CORRECTION: My last blog, called At Home in the Nest ( see my homepage to view it) featured a note about my sister, Kris, who is a fabulous craftswoman and creates whimsical birdhouses. The link was incorrect. Here is the correct link to see her collection of work: www.birdshackjunction.com enjoy, Diane

At Home in the Nest

Diane — Mon, 09 May 2011 17:13:20 +0000

Dear Creative Friends, We are there! well maybe almost there…Spring is hovering and teasing us here in Southern Oregon with a stunning, warm spring day here and there. In anticipation of Spring, I have been in ‘Nest mode’ for a while. This is a new piece (right) I enjoyed making. I love combining natural materials with fabrics and other found bits from my stash. The ‘eggs’ are small painted houses. The bird is made from mens shirts. This interest in making my own nests started with the variety of great sticks I would find on walks with the dog earlier in the year…..Here is a link to my new article in the local newspaper on making your own nest: http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110428/HOMELIFE/104280332/-1/HOMELIFE03 As you can imagine….It has inspired MORE nests of various kinds and sizes. NEST INSPIRED DESIGN- A collection of pins using fabrics and bits of treasures from my sash. This egg-shaped tote bag is very fun. The first design layer is stenciling and fabric pens. Next, I partially assemble the pieces. Now I am working on the surface ‘weaving’ together bits of fabric and threads to complete the nest. To take a look at my stencil collection, here is a link: http://www.dianeericson.com/c/STENCILS/STENCILS.html All of this nest/bird focus has me thinking about my sister, Kris.She is a very talented musician and craftswoman. I know she can do anything…and inspired by her rural lifestyle, one of the things she builds are fabulous, whimsical birdhouses! This is one of them. Here is the link to her online collection: http://visitreno.com/birdhouse/index.php It is so important to explore our creativity in various media….from cooking to decorating and sewing and beyond…exploring materials and themes outside our normal circle can be like hitting the reset button on the computer: everything shifts and so much more is possible. I am continuing to explore my attraction to nests: What is coming up is a very sculptural collar…and surface design that includes various nest /circular images. Nests on sticks like this one are for my flower pots out onto the deck and ready to go for spring and summer. I hope you enjoy the morning and your own nest building, Diane

Brush Painting & Drawing on Fabric

Diane — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 19:39:12 +0000

Dear Creative Friends: Happy Spring! I hear it is just around the corner now….. I am in the studio enjoying on e of my favorite techniques: Brush painting and printing on fabrics. My product of choice is DYE-NA-FLOW, by Jacquardproducts.com. It has the best hand on fabric when I just want to open the lid and start painting. Working with sponges and brushes, I usually work on several pieces( and types of fabric) at one time. This way, if I am not excited about the results on one piece…I just continue working on the others. I like working on smooth silk pieces-shirt weights are great. This close-up on the left, is on raw canvas -one of my favorites. On this vest, and the Red Feathers Vest below, I have worked back into the painted images with Tee Juice pens, also by Jacquard. there are 3 sizes and I use alot of the fine and medium tip pens with accents of the jumbo. the jumbo pens make great poka-dots by the way! I work with several basic vest shapes- I used my Vest Collection #101 pattern for the basic shape o this garment. the pattern has 3 fronts and backs that all mix and match plus darted and non-darted versions to give you lots of design options. I used a strip of striped knit fabric for a ‘trim piece close to the edge…and some silk fabric. I draw back into the images with the thin line and medium tip pens to pull the design together and give another scale of detail to the piece. I am very happy with the results! New Solo Show in the Art Center- This Red Feather vest is part of my new show in the Ashland Art Center, in Ashland Oregon for the month of March. The theme is about New Mexico Inspirations-from my travels and time in that magical part of the country. Come by and visit the show and my studio if you are in the neighborhood. From Canvas to silk… Here is another brush painted piece: my Dragon top. Every year for my birthday, I create a garment to mark the change and where I am. I am a dragon and enjoyed creating this piece: recycling a shirt and replacing the collar and cuffs with ones I made from blue, pleated silk. I find when I am painting on fabric…I like the addition one or two other techniques or materials to give a more finished dimensional quality to the piece. Think about what those techniques in your ‘toolbox’ that might lend more depth and interest to your work. I have added some hand embroidery stitching to finish this image. It was the perfect think…the stitches are applied like drawn marks…and are very complimentary to the painting, silk collar and mini grey elastic frog at the neck. It is spring! and I love persimmons as a design element. Everything about them shape, color, branches they are hanging on too. I painted some cotton/rayon blend pieces that I folded into a Torrii Collection Pattern #100 shirt. I let the painting suggest the colors to repeat in the collaging of the garment. The lining is a crisp green apple green- with bound buttonholes and knotted ties going through to close the shirt. If you are feeling intimidated to trust your painting… I suggest you start with a large piece of fabric than you might need- and just have a good time painting…(maybe with your favorite music on) It is easier to cut out your garment piece from your favorite area…than it is to cut it out first and HOPE it will look good! Interested in coming to Ashland for a class? I will be listing spring classes on my next blog. Happy Painting, Diane

Sculpture in Wool

Diane — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 02:52:38 +0000

Art can always cross into fashion…..so much more fun to wear a piece that shows not only your sewing ability, but also your design eye. So lets play with the Design Eye for a bit. Here is one of my newest SnapDragon Jackets (My Pattern # 117 (link:http://www.dianeericson.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ReVisions&Product_Code=Pattern-117-SnapDragon&Category_Code=PATTERNS). I must admit, my eye tends towards the more subtle combinations-so this collaboration with my friend Ann (she threw in the idea of the red and white lapels-which make it so fabulous!) was invigorating for me to create. Here is my starting place…my pile of materials, inluding the pattern, fabrics and the stitching ” thread” which brings it all together. That ‘thread’ is 100%bamboo and feels like a soft rafia. It is by Habu (Habu.com), who has the most delicious and artistic collections of fibers to play with. I also added some vintage black rayon tape to the red lapel. Since the lapels in the pattern snap on and off with one of my favorite notions: snaptape- they can be looped in sculptural ways or removed all together. Here are lapels looped up to make a cowl …as you can see the snaptape (alvailable on my website), becomes a design element as it peeks out here and there. My everyday SnapDragon Jacket is this grey, melton wool one.You can see another variation of snapping and looping in various ways to create a sculptural front. There are some great ideas in the pattern for making multiple lapels and changing them out…This design is a felters dream and these lapels can be a way to showcase felted pieces. The sleeves can also snap on and off for a vest layer. Be on the lookout for great fabrics to incoporate into your SnapDragon Jacket. I found this beautiful piece of wool (below) with the felted yarn design at marcytilton.com (which doesn’t surprise those of us who know her…she has a GREAT eye for fabulous fabrics! I have made it into a scarf piece to wear with my jacket and have enough to add snaptape to a set of lapels too. I shaped the edges with my scissors and added the bits I cut off back into the surface and tendrels…this definitely bumps up my jacket! PLAY-PLAY-PLAY…that is the name of the game. If you are inside for the winter, take out your one favorite pattern and make it 3 times:Collage it from recycled clothes, work in that great piece of wool you are hoarding…do what it takes to get yourself going so you can wear it out tomorrow! Every winter, I make some scarves…this ones could be another lapel idea for the SnapDragon. I like to collage with silks, mens suiting and wools. The hand-stitching reminds me of a drawn line and gives a more personal touch to each scarf. Slits can be faced, sewn and turned to either side. Pockets can be an inventive detail in a winter scarf. It is all about the fabrics..so get out your favorites and make something cozy for yourself and friends! All the best as you create your Holidays and cruise into the New Year, Diane

Paper Play in the Studio

Diane — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 17:37:46 +0000

Welcome to my studio. Cold days are setting in and the studio is the place to be. You know what they say: All work and no play ……………….. so lets CREATE more fun. a Inspired by the fabulous and very innovative window displays in Paris, I spent the morning infused with strong cafe coffee, music and my paper stash. As you can see-I had a great time. Remember: Every creative act doesn’t have to count for a finished product- Spending time cutting up collection of images of my drawing, tissue papers and packing papers has energized me to move into what is next on my fabric design table. Design Boards: This exercise can also happen on your wall if you create a Design Board. (Remember the blue board in the last blog?) The board on the right, is a collection of images and objects that just feel good together. I make the boards by covering thick foamcore . You can also use building styrofoam insulation which comes in 4′x8′ sheets at the lumber yard…a great size for covering a whole wall. If using thinner foamcore, I glue wood slats around the edges on the back to give more clearance from the wall. I use the boards, covered with a neutral fabric , to pin up ideas or partially finished projects. See the list of my my magazine articles (including one on making and using a Design Board)on my website. Whether you are working on a dressform or a design board-the name of the game is to PLAY…spinning ideas out in front of yourself that might just make your heart sing! Heart Felt Coat or Vest Another current display in my studio includes a layered,wool vest created from my #106 HeartFelt Coat pattern. I combined it with sketches and paper collaged with bits of Birch Bark (on the left) and a japanese paper bag sewn to linen with a favorite river stick across the top (on the right). The Vest is displayed on a handmade hanger inside a treasured old frame. More Details-This vest is perfect for a collection of found metal bits on the pocket, and a beautiful, hand made button by a CA jeweler named Jean Keeshin McGlothlin. The collar design, two seperate layers with raw edges, is repeated on the sleeves and in some of the seams. The #106 pattern is the perfect canvas for design variations. To see more fabulous felted HeartFelt Coats & Vests by Polly Stirling and her students: http://www.wildturkeyfeltmakers.com/Retreat2010_gallery.htm Here is another version of the Heart Felt Coat I created with a collection recycled, pieced wools. the button is carved bone. I have this coat in a solid color wool (I felted in the washer and dryer) that is my all-time favorite travel coat. it is my blanket or my roll up pillow and looks great when I arrive and put it on! MORE BLUES –After I hit the send button on the last blog, I knew I wasn’t through sharing my Blue story with you…. One of my favorite Recycled T’s started with a very small Asian theme cardigan (see the garment front with the buttons down the sleeve?). I usually find it takes 3 different fabrics/garments to work with as I design them into one. I used a two-way stretch knit on the bias for the sleeve. Blue Linen Pants with my version of poka-dots-I started by stenciling small off white images -these became the anchors for the next layer of collaged fabric bits.I tacked the small fabric collages down with a bit of fabric glue then machine stitched around the fabric surface, from one to the next, with navy blue thread.the collection of fabrics made great ‘fringe’ around the bottom- I love the look and have used it as a detail on other garments. I used my Capitola Pant #115 pattern, which is one pattern piece, so can see the whole area at one time. The Fall leaves are hanging on here…they always inspire my drawing… I love combining stenciling with my pencils and watercolor. Happy Creating in your Studios, Diane

Fall in the Studio: Designing with Indigo

Diane — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 21:46:35 +0000

My Inspiration: All of the blues in my life. I love putting up and working with the ideas I get from my design boards. In the studio this month is a collection of rich blues. It includes, images from my design file, bits of weaving and cording and a watercolor sketch of the shirt outfit described below outfit . Notice the stencil I cut of the simple shapes and the metallic surface linen fabric I printed next to it. I am adding some handstitching to that…and it is the beginning of a project later on down the road…maybe as spring comes around again. I work in a very organic way…and allowing things to sit for a while-sometimes a long while is a good thing. It is up on the board now so I keep noticing it as I work in other directions. Fabrics, a stenciled Torii Top ( my ReVisions #100) and hangers I have made out of driftwood and wire all influence my work and are reminders of things I have on my plate in the studio. On the Other side of the Studio- The jumper on the dressform (on the right) is a combination of vintage, new and ethnic fabrics. Out of my collection from the past, it is one of my favorites. I started the garment with my JAVA JACKET PATTERN #104 and extended the length(36″ for my height: 5′10″). This pattern is back on my design table for a winter coat project :I am going to add a cozy over-sized collar and make the coat in a solid color wool with the linings in a bright color…so in motion, when the wind is blowing…the color is a surprise! The top layer of the outfit on the second dressform is a vest (created out of 2^nd hand fabric scraps from Japan, a gift made by my Mom, Lois). The shirt is a redesigned mens shirt to which I have added 2 other shirts for accent fabrics. I think the new, double shawl collar (out of cut-up shirts) makes this piece more than a mans shirt. The buttons you see are ceramic….while the same buttons and buttonholes close the garment from the inside. The bag started with a special, stitched gift: a piece of indigo and a collection of ethnic fabrics and handmade cording. I always enjoy making and wearing layered pieces that combine the old with the new. I love the patina that worn pieces have- they come with a story of their own. One of my tea cozies and a stenciled bag are part of the display…I am feeling a collection of winter tea cozies coming on as the weather is changing again. Stitching by Hand- Sitting and sitting with handwork gives more meaning to a piece- it is an activity that gives me time to appreciate what I am doing and time to appreciate all of you who give deeper meaning to working with our hands.

Here is a closeup of some of the fabrics/textures in the two outfits. Who could EVER get to much indigo!?!?!?

Fall in Ashland- The trees are exploding with color now…..I know I will miss it when the trees are bare…but for now, it is magnificent. Stenciling Inspiration: Leaves- Get out your leave stencils right now!!!!...or order up the ones you don’t have (www.dianeericson.com). Stenciled IKEA Rocker- Jacquards Lumiere (metallics) fabric paints are BEAUTIFUL on black fabrics-I used them to stencil the canvas cushion covers for this IKEA wood Rocker. It was a wonderful project sponsored by The Original Sewing & Quilt Expos. I printed a series of the chairs and they were auctioned off with the money raised going to the charity of the purchasers choice. The MAGIC of masking tape-Masking tape creates a quick and easy stencil for crisp edges…I like to use it as a compliment to the floating leave shapes I print. I mask off the edges (with masking tape on both sides..then rubbed the crimson color over the seam to create an accent like piping would. I like to print a simplified design on the second side. Remember, stenciling can give new life to fabrics that need a lift. for more inspiration and close-ups of easy ways to make that happen, see my Stenciling Techniques on Fabrics DVD on my website. I hope your studio is a warm and inviting place this week……….. Now go play! Diane PS. Of course the shoes are stenciled.

Fall Travel & Studio Play-

Diane — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 19:57:10 +0000

I am just back from an exciting Design Outside the Lines Retreat in Taos New Mexico with my teaching partner, Marcy Tilton. What a joy to share a bit of fall in New Mexico with such a creative group of playful women! Here is a shot of what the Mabel Dodge Luhan House looks like in the fall. The dates for the retreat next fall are Sept. 25-29, 2011, we’d love to share it with you. Re-entry included an overnite and spa treatments at 10,000 Waves in Santa Fe as we floated towards the airport in Albuquerque. Although travel has its challenges, there are always ways to add the element of creativity to the process. I love the idea of working both ends of the travel experience…(coming and going), playing with ways to make it more adventurous, interesting or restful. It can be a mini-retreat: celebrating the beginning of an adventure…or reviewing and savoring the experience as we come home. Anyway, here I am (feeling pretty good after treatments at 10,000 waves)… refreshed and ready to be home. My green, linen vest is a favorite recycled piece that started as a jacket. I used some painted sweatshirt fabric for the bands down the front …accented with some copper taffeta ties. My favorite detail is the elastic (that looks like copper and black striped fabric). I rubbed some black ribbed elastic with Jacquard copper textile paint, then used it at the neck edge, armholes and some small pieces at the waist. Fall Sewing Project: Small Bags Here is the bag I am wearing in the photo . I enjoy making and using small bags as the ‘pocket’ layered on top of my outfit. Remember to use what you love…for me it is sticks and stenciling. If you trust and stay with those things that make your heart sing….the more your work takes on a unique, signature look that you will recognize as your own. My Pacific Purse Pattern #210 is a good place to start. It is full of creative detail instructions and 5 different styles of bags to get you going on a cool day in the studio. FABRIC WALL RACK- Here is my fall project that just appeared in the Ashland Tribune Newspapers HomeLife Magazine. I love the way this piece turned out. The link below will give you illustrated directions if you would like to make one. Looks like a great gift idea to me. -(link:http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100930/HOMELIFE/9300335 The bottom folds up to make a space for pens and notepads….I want to make one for art supplies next to my drawing table. Think about using a favorite piece of your own painted or printed fabric for the looping fabric. Thanks for sharing a bit of the day. I’m off to the studio now, Diane