Lorena Siminovich - Petit Collage: 25 Easy Craft and Décor Projects for a Playful Home

To my parents, Barbara and Daniel , for nourishing my creative side from a young age

To my husband, Esteban , for his loving patience and unconditional support

To my daughter, Matilda , for being my muse and always-ready model

To my dear friend Sara Gillingham for designing this beauty of a book

To my design team, Annie Tsou and Nora Aoyagi , who helped make Petit Collage, with a special thanks to Nora, who made this book possible

To my agent, Adriana Dominguez , for pushing me into good things

To my editors, Betty Wong and Camaren Subhiyah , who guided me through my first craft book

To my design community in San Francisco for inspiring, sharing, and existing!

by Holly Becker, interiors author and stylist, founder/editor of decor8blog.com

As a stylist, interiors author, and design blogger, my life is a nonstop creative adventure that leaves me feeling deeply nourished and blessed. It seems in creative disciplines there is a constant flow of never-ending inspiration to drink from; yet no matter how many new products Im exposed to or talented makers I meet, I never tire of the beauty that exists in the world. Whether this beauty enters my life first, or I had to dig for it, I immediately know what is fresh and unusual and can spot a mile away the gem that stands out from the pack or the artist with that special something. For me, one such artist has long been Lorena Siminovich and the work that she produces through Petit Collage, her company in San Francisco, and now this gorgeous book that youre holding in which she so lovingly produced under the same name as her fun-loving brand.

I remember discovering Lorenas work online in 2006 when she launched Petit Collage and how inspired I was by her cohesive collection, overall vision, and creative talent. Her sweet patterns and motifs, with obvious mid-century flair, spoke to me as I felt little ones and the young-at-heart would be captivated by them. She has that certain something. I also recall the day in 2007 when I learned that Anthropologie commissioned her work to be sold in their stores nationwide and I wrote about it on my blog, decor8. I felt so proud; we both began our companies in the same year (2006) and her rising popularity and success inspired me to keep working hard, too. Since then, Lorena has grown her brand by leaps and bounds to include everything from flash cards to books, prints, and puzzlesall in her whimsical colorful style that is so very Lorena. When we had the chance to meet years later at Anthropologie for my own book signing, I immediately felt she was a kindred soul who had traveled a similar journey as I and wed both stayed on course and followed our dreamstwo women with a passion for making things beautiful and for bringing a little more joy into the world through our work.

Petit Collage is clearly a labor of love crafted with curious eyes and little hands in mind (with the help of big hands, too!), evident with each lovely flip of the page. In fact, the many photographs and carefully considered projects inspired me to break open my craft cabinet and get to work. After poring over each page, Ive concluded that its the perfect book for mothers-to-be like me and also for children, parents, aunts, uncles, and even grandparents who want to sit down and craft together with their grandchildren.

With a baby due to arrive, Ive decided to give the Bunny Wall Clock project a try along with the owl door tag for the nursery, which I am currently in the process of decorating. This book made me stop and think that I should use my hands more before running out to purchase everything for my baby because the handmade projects will always be the most special. My mother and aunt made so many things in my nursery when I entered the world and long after, which had a direct impact on my own creativity and how I viewed the world around me along with the profession that I ultimately chose for myself. I was reminded through Lorenas book to continue the tradition in my own little familyto create special things by hand.

I love the whimsical combinations of colors and materials used throughout mixed with her contemporary graphics and practical application and easy approach. For instance, the window film cutouts are just perfect for adding a graphic touch to a space while concealing a not-so-perfect window view and the friends coat rack is the perfect mix of practical and creative.

One thing that came to mind as I read Petit Collage is that we must never allow crafting to become a lost art, despite how we live in an age when everything is being outsourced and digitalized. Crafting with our children is not only helpful for their own self-discovery and self-esteem, but also shows them what goes into making things, which builds a greater appreciation for the possessions were surrounded by that we often take for granted. Crafting together also forms a bond between adult and child and gives both a chance to explore and play.

Like Lorena, I believe in surrounding children with beautiful, well-designed art work, and handmade accessories. This approachable, heartwarming craft book will allow you to do the same, helping you draw nearer to your little ones, bring more joy into their lives, and add a spirit of happiness to your home through objects youve made and infused with your own unique personalities. Isnt that what family life should be about?

Petit Collage is for families large and small who want to make, bond, show love, enjoy simple pleasures together, and build lasting memories through the art of crafting by hand. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do. Now, back to making my bunny clock

Happy crafting!

xo

Holly Becker

My childhood was a colorful collage in which different elements came together to make me the designer I am today.

I was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina into a family of European immigrants from diverse backgrounds. When I trace my influences, the images that appear in rapid successionalmost like looking out the car window on our long summer drivesare the European mid-century objects in my home, museum visits with my graphic designer dad, and the lush Latin American colors that surrounded me. I was fortunate that my early interest in art was encouraged by my family. For as long as I can remember I took painting and drawing classes, and then sculpture and printmaking. My earliest memories of art making include the joy and pride I felt creating something unique and personal by hand. These memories also include the struggles when my ceramics broke in a kiln or when my mom didnt know where to store my latest masterpieces, but that didnt dim my love for making.