Month: April 2012

Free Fonts

Font Fabric

Font Fabric has a nice selection of fonts available in their “free” section, as well as beautiful typefaces available for purchase.

Frog Prince Paperie

Frog Prince Paperie regularly puts out beautiful font selections that are free for download here and here.

Bow Tie Giveaway

Don’t forget! Today is the last day of the Fox & Brie bow tie giveaway. Submissions will be accepted until midnight CST tonight.

Fox & Brie Bow Tie Giveaway!

In honor of today’s beautiful spring day, I’ve decided to set up a bow tie giveaway. Here’s your chance to win a free handcrafted bow tie from Fox & Brie! What the whaa? Yep, it’s as easy as saying hello.

Fox & Brie Chestnut Floral Bow Tie

How to Enter:

1. “Like” Fox & Brie on Facebook.

2. Leave a comment below with your email address & favorite way to rock a bow tie.

Details:

Winner will receive one handmade Fox & Brie bow tie in Chestnut Floral. Winner will be chosen at random & emailed once the contest ends. One entry per person.

Giveaway ends at midnight CST on April 27, 2012.

DIY: Hot Air Balloon Birdhouse

MATERIALS

Rubber Ball
Floral Wire
Small Plastic Cup
White Glue
Water
Coffee Filters or Newspaper
X-Acto Knife
Gesso
Paint
Spray Gloss Glaze

TIME: 2-3 Days, with drying time

STEP 1:

Combine water & white glue to create paper mache mixture
If you use a thick glue, like Elmers, you can make a half glue-half water mixture. Thinner glues may require less water.
Cut paper into 1″ strips. I used coffee filters, as they are fibrous & create a very strong hold when dry.
Dip paper strips into glue mixture & cover your inflated rubber ball with one layer of paper mache.
Let this first layer dry completely before applying more layers.
Repeat until you reach the desired effect. I recommend at least three layers, but more is encouraged. My balloon was made with five layers of paper mache.
Let dry completely.

STEP 2:

Draw a circle onto your paper mache-d ball & cut out with X-Acto knife, popping the ball in the process.
Remove the deflated ball through the hole you just cut.

STEP 3 (OPTIONAL):

Paint a layer of Gesso over your dry paper mache.
This step isn’t necessary, but Gesso helps to smooth out the surface & stiffen any weak parts of your sphere. The final effect is a much more clean & polished look.

STEP 4:

Using a pencil, draw your design onto the surface of the sphere.
Paint your design with acrylic craft paint, using your pencil markings as a guide.

STEP 5:

Spray the sphere with a few coats of spray gloss glaze. I used Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Spray Gloss.
Let dry completely.

STEP 6:

Poke 4 holes into top of the sphere.
Insert floral wire into these holes & twist to secure.

STEP 7:

Poke 4 holes into the bottom of the sphere & onto your small painted plastic cup.
Attach plastic cup to one end of the wires & attach the other end to the underside of your sphere.

And that’s it! I’ve made these as gifts for friends & family, and they make a great addition to gardens, children’s rooms & anywhere that needs a touch of whimsy.

Fox & Brie Preview & Preorder

They’re finally here! Welcome to the Fox & Brie preview and preorder. Everything will be available to purchase in our shop next week, but I wanted to give you the chance to buy early. Enjoy!

Umber Chambray {ascot bow} - $27

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Mustard Chambray {ascot bow} - $27

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Sepia Houndstooth {ascot bow} - $27

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Azure Floral {bow tie} - $32

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Lemon Plaid {bow tie} - $32

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Mustard Chambray {bow tie} - $32

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Prisma Plaid {bow tie} - $32

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Statesman Plaid {bow tie} - $32

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Statesman Plaid {pointed bow tie} - $32

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Statesman Plaid {club bow tie} - $32

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Fox & Brie Preview

Later this week we’re premiering a new batch of handcrafted bow ties & neckties, including a brand new women’s line. We’re so excited, we decided to offer you guys a little preview! Everything will be available for purchase in the Fox & Brie Shop on Friday. A huge thanks to our beautiful friend & model, Ainslea.

Umber Houndstooth Ascot Bow Tie

Prismatic Plaid Bow Tie

Sepia Chambray Ascot

Statesman Plaid Club Tie

Mustard Chambray Ascot

Full preview & preordering will begin tomorrow!

How To: Tie a Bow Tie

Afraid to make the bow tie jump because you don’t know how to tie one? Don’t go the clip-on route. Tying a bow tie is virtually identical to tying your shoe! Here is a beautiful tutorial from French clothier Launderette that walks you through the process in a lovely Amélie-esque way.

I’ve also created a printable tutorial for you to keep by your mirror, in your wallet, wherever! Practice makes perfect!

Click for Free Printable PDF

Women: How to Wear a Bow Tie

via Vermillion Dreams

“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.” –Coco Chanel

I’ve never been a traditional girly-girl. During childhood holidays my mother would force me into pink chiffon & ruffles, praying I would stay presentable for family pictures. Even now I wear shorts under my dresses, knowing at any moment I might find the perfect climbing tree. But that may be less of an androgyny thing & more of an unwillingness to grow up & stay clean. So, back to the topic at hand: boys have great clothes. Luckily, it’s much easier for a woman to wear suspenders & wingtips than it is for a man to sport a skirt. Let’s all give a cheer for this one instance of the double standard!

From ultra-masculine to confidently feminine, there are so many ways for women to wear ties & bow ties.

FEMININE

via icanfashion

Try a loosely-fitted ascot bow with shorts or a cute skirt for a sweet, feminine look. Pair with a peter pan collar or sailor shirt for an added vintage flair.

Large Ascot Bow Tie

Large, floppy ascot bows can be very feminine, offering a ladylike appeal to beginning bow wearers.

CLASSIC

via LookBook

For a classic look, pair a tiny bow tie with shorts & a blazer. Neutral & muted colors give this look a prep-school vibe, while a pop of color takes it out of the classroom. Pair with wedges for added femininity.