A Bit of Velvet and A Dash of Lace by Jason Boyd, Robin Brown (2008, Hardcover)

I decided to buy this book after learning about magnolia pearl from an item that i bought on ebay that she designs. after i bought a pair of velvet bloomers and her designer name was attached i did a search and found her website magnoliapearl.com. I was totally amazed by her designs and fabrics, and textiles. Her creativity was a emotional boost for me since I love victorian and it gave me incentive to use what she has done with my own creativity with color, linens, lace, and velvet. I had many antique items that i have collected since I was 14 and even at that age i had a great eye for treasure not junk.

I watched her videos to look in the background to see how she decorated. lol but this gave me a foundation and i was to use my creativity to bring the walls and roof on so to speak.

I called up magnolia pearl and talked with this wonderful lady who explained to me what the book was all about. This gave me incentive to search it on ebay and i bought it. It was one of the best things that i did for myself this year.

The book is very interesting and she explains how she developed herself into who she is today. Not only is she a artist, but she is kind person who has a special knack for her making you believe in yourself and to tap into your own creativity. she has a very special gift and not just with her art. it is a gift of loving oneself and finding oneself and being confidant in oneself. she explains of how and why she created such wonderful pieces. even a beginner who taps into this will be able to fulfill thier own creativity and works of art. she gives you such info that you can purchase all kinds of treasures and create something wonderful. I have learned alot of what certain textiles are called so i can inquire through my flea markets and antique shopping and i can do research as to how much things are generally going for, so if i think something is too high, i can dicker.

I recommend this book for people who are already confident in themselves and want a new fresh look, or beginners who need a little help to get started. go to her website and watch her videos, and read her blogs. they are uplifting that there are many kind people in this world.

I will always tap into ebay for her items and as her website. But i will also be creating some beautiful treasures of my own.

I love the book it's every thing I wih my life could be like. But I do have a complaint, I wish it was larger. Maybe because I'm getting older and my eye sight is'nt that great, but I want to see more detail.

I would call this book an excellent resource for anyone interested in decorating. I would call Robins style--Shabby Victorian. The purchase of this book helps you use things not for the purpose they were meant for You will not regret buying this book. The reason I purchased this book because I saw a lovely purse that Robin (MAGNOLIA PEARL) made.