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{Fabric Friday} Lucienne Day…


If you haven’t guessed already, I love researching & learning new things. My latest research obsession is learning more about the British textile designer, Lucienne Day. I often discover things when I’m too busy to really sink my teeth into researching, only to discover them again later- when the timing is right. That’s the case with Lucienne Day. She died last year around this time – which received quite a bit of press. There was an article in Dwell Magazine called, “Britain’s Mid-Century Female Designers” that caught my attention last year. I remember reading it, getting excited, then putting my magazine on the towering stack of Dwell Mags in my studio. I never followed up on the research until this week when I repeatedly found her name pop on my search for vintage fabrics & made that connection. I’m such a huge fan of Ray and Charles Eames and Lucienne Day & her husband Robin are sort of like the British equivalent. While I do love Ray Eames’ textile designs, I think I’m drawn to Lucienne’s designs more….


I’ve always enjoyed reading about creative couples throughout art/design history. I find it interesting to see how they inspire, influence, & nurture each others creative journey. I suppose that’s why I married another artist. I also devour information about women artists & designers that paved the way for me to be doing what I’m doing today. I’m sure this won’t be the last you will hear about Lucienne Day from me- this is just an introduction, as my research has really just begun. I actually have the exhibit catalog from “Art by the Yard: Women Design Mid-Century Britain” on order- can’t wait to get it into my hands. Happy Fabric Friday! Hope you have a weekend full of cool discoveries….

{Fabric Friday} Lucienne Day…


If you haven’t guessed already, I love researching & learning new things. My latest research obsession is learning more about the British textile designer, Lucienne Day. I often discover things when I’m too busy to really sink my teeth into researching, only to discover them again later- when the timing is right. That’s the case with Lucienne Day. She died last year around this time – which received quite a bit of press. There was an article in Dwell Magazine called, “Britain’s Mid-Century Female Designers” that caught my attention last year. I remember reading it, getting excited, then putting my magazine on the towering stack of Dwell Mags in my studio. I never followed up on the research until this week when I repeatedly found her name pop on my search for vintage fabrics & made that connection. I’m such a huge fan of Ray and Charles Eames and Lucienne Day & her husband Robin are sort of like the British equivalent. While I do love Ray Eames’ textile designs, I think I’m drawn to Lucienne’s designs more….


I’ve always enjoyed reading about creative couples throughout art/design history. I find it interesting to see how they inspire, influence, & nurture each others creative journey. I suppose that’s why I married another artist. I also devour information about women artists & designers that paved the way for me to be doing what I’m doing today. I’m sure this won’t be the last you will hear about Lucienne Day from me- this is just an introduction, as my research has really just begun. I actually have the exhibit catalog from “Art by the Yard: Women Design Mid-Century Britain” on order- can’t wait to get it into my hands. Happy Fabric Friday! Hope you have a weekend full of cool discoveries….

{Fabric Friday} vintage vera…

I have really fond memories of playing in my mom’s scarf box. The feeling of the silks & chiffons, the patterns & colors, and the wafting scent of Charlie Perfume come to mind when I think about it. A while back I spotted a basket of scarves at the antique mall. They were all packaged in ziploc baggies & I really didn’t have time to sift through them. But I thought about them & saved that activity for a rainy day- when I need a studio break. That studio break came this week. I was completely delighted searching through the basket – the colors were amazing! But what really got my heart pumping was that the ones I kept picking up, were Vera Neumann scarves- and they were $6 a piece!

Vera was considered the “queen of mod” by many. Popular in the 60’s &’70’s, her textiles were infused with happiness and her painting background was evident in all of her designs. I’m drawn to her philosophy as much as her designs. Here is a snippet written about why she became so successful.

“...I think the biggest reason was that she painted up to the public. She was of the belief that fine art shouldn’t just be for the wealthy. It should be available to all and it should be incorporated in everyone’s everydays. By wearing a Vera dress, you can take your art with you. By wearing a Vera scarf, you can dress up pretty much anything. By having Vera linens in your kitchen, it puts a smile on your face while you’re doing the drabbest duties. Vera had the philosophy that you should change the art around you every once in a while because you soon stop seeing it. She made it to where a person can change their art as often as they change their clothes. Literally. ”  – source

These scarves make me really happy. The colors just sing and the patterns are great! I felt really strongly about having them in my studio. I don’t know what part they are going to play in my creating, but just being able to juggle them on whim is worth a lot. They also make for a good rainy day activity with the kiddo. Playing dress up has never been so glamorous… 

If you are fond of Vera as well and would like a little piece of fine art to wear, check out this Etsy Shop that has 297 Vera scarfs in stock!  I don’t know about you, but I needed a little bit of cheerful color on this rainy day. Happy Fabric Friday

{Fabric Friday} vintage vera…

I have really fond memories of playing in my mom’s scarf box. The feeling of the silks & chiffons, the patterns & colors, and the wafting scent of Charlie Perfume come to mind when I think about it. A while back I spotted a basket of scarves at the antique mall. They were all packaged in ziploc baggies & I really didn’t have time to sift through them. But I thought about them & saved that activity for a rainy day- when I need a studio break. That studio break came this week. I was completely delighted searching through the basket – the colors were amazing! But what really got my heart pumping was that the ones I kept picking up, were Vera Neumann scarves- and they were $6 a piece!

Vera was considered the “queen of mod” by many. Popular in the 60’s &’70’s, her textiles were infused with happiness and her painting background was evident in all of her designs. I’m drawn to her philosophy as much as her designs. Here is a snippet written about why she became so successful.

“...I think the biggest reason was that she painted up to the public. She was of the belief that fine art shouldn’t just be for the wealthy. It should be available to all and it should be incorporated in everyone’s everydays. By wearing a Vera dress, you can take your art with you. By wearing a Vera scarf, you can dress up pretty much anything. By having Vera linens in your kitchen, it puts a smile on your face while you’re doing the drabbest duties. Vera had the philosophy that you should change the art around you every once in a while because you soon stop seeing it. She made it to where a person can change their art as often as they change their clothes. Literally. ”  – source

These scarves make me really happy. The colors just sing and the patterns are great! I felt really strongly about having them in my studio. I don’t know what part they are going to play in my creating, but just being able to juggle them on whim is worth a lot. They also make for a good rainy day activity with the kiddo. Playing dress up has never been so glamorous… 

If you are fond of Vera as well and would like a little piece of fine art to wear, check out this Etsy Shop that has 297 Vera scarfs in stock!  I don’t know about you, but I needed a little bit of cheerful color on this rainy day. Happy Fabric Friday

{Fabric Friday} vintage vera…

I have really fond memories of playing in my mom’s scarf box. The feeling of the silks & chiffons, the patterns & colors, and the wafting scent of Charlie Perfume come to mind when I think about it. A while back I spotted a basket of scarves at the antique mall. They were all packaged in ziploc baggies & I really didn’t have time to sift through them. But I thought about them & saved that activity for a rainy day- when I need a studio break. That studio break came this week. I was completely delighted searching through the basket – the colors were amazing! But what really got my heart pumping was that the ones I kept picking up, were Vera Neumann scarves- and they were $6 a piece!

Vera was considered the “queen of mod” by many. Popular in the 60’s &’70’s, her textiles were infused with happiness and her painting background was evident in all of her designs. I’m drawn to her philosophy as much as her designs. Here is a snippet written about why she became so successful.

“...I think the biggest reason was that she painted up to the public. She was of the belief that fine art shouldn’t just be for the wealthy. It should be available to all and it should be incorporated in everyone’s everydays. By wearing a Vera dress, you can take your art with you. By wearing a Vera scarf, you can dress up pretty much anything. By having Vera linens in your kitchen, it puts a smile on your face while you’re doing the drabbest duties. Vera had the philosophy that you should change the art around you every once in a while because you soon stop seeing it. She made it to where a person can change their art as often as they change their clothes. Literally. ”  – source

These scarves make me really happy. The colors just sing and the patterns are great! I felt really strongly about having them in my studio. I don’t know what part they are going to play in my creating, but just being able to juggle them on whim is worth a lot. They also make for a good rainy day activity with the kiddo. Playing dress up has never been so glamorous… 

If you are fond of Vera as well and would like a little piece of fine art to wear, check out this Etsy Shop that has 297 Vera scarfs in stock!  I don’t know about you, but I needed a little bit of cheerful color on this rainy day. Happy Fabric Friday

{Fabric Friday} new discovery…moomin

Last week I read a blog post that started me on a research tangent that was quite fun. Thanks to my blog friend Carmel, I now know who Tove Jansson is. I really enjoyed reading about her and hope to a research a little more. Here is a quick description from the Moomin website for those that don’t know who she is.

Tove Marika Jansson 1914-2001
A Swedish-speaking Finn who enjoyed a diverse career as an author, painter, graphic artist, caricaturist and comic strip artist. She was the creator of the much-loved Moomin books.

{first two photos via here}
I admit that I was unaware of what Moomin was, but now I do & am a little smitten with the comic strip, the woman who drew it, & the fabric that came from it…
I know I would’ve eventually learned about Moomin through my never ending quest for  Marimekko fabric & love of Finnish design. I’ve seen some of these images and been intrigued before. So, I’m glad my introduction was from Carmel’s blog. (She was also the woman who tipped me off on the vintage Marimekko Bo Boo comforter I bought for Sayer recently). I was excited when I found a Moomin textile shop (that specializes in vintage Moomin) on Etsy called Tillukka.  All of these fabrics & photos are from this shop as well. What do you think? Are you a Moomin fan?  Happy first Fabric Friday of 2011!   

{Fabric Friday} new discovery…moomin

Last week I read a blog post that started me on a research tangent that was quite fun. Thanks to my blog friend Carmel, I now know who Tove Jansson is. I really enjoyed reading about her and hope to a research a little more. Here is a quick description from the Moomin website for those that don’t know who she is.

Tove Marika Jansson 1914-2001
A Swedish-speaking Finn who enjoyed a diverse career as an author, painter, graphic artist, caricaturist and comic strip artist. She was the creator of the much-loved Moomin books.

{first two photos via here}
I admit that I was unaware of what Moomin was, but now I do & am a little smitten with the comic strip, the woman who drew it, & the fabric that came from it…
I know I would’ve eventually learned about Moomin through my never ending quest for  Marimekko fabric & love of Finnish design. I’ve seen some of these images and been intrigued before. So, I’m glad my introduction was from Carmel’s blog. (She was also the woman who tipped me off on the vintage Marimekko Bo Boo comforter I bought for Sayer recently). I was excited when I found a Moomin textile shop (that specializes in vintage Moomin) on Etsy called Tillukka.  All of these fabrics & photos are from this shop as well. What do you think? Are you a Moomin fan?  Happy first Fabric Friday of 2011!   

{Fabric Friday} new discovery…moomin

Last week I read a blog post that started me on a research tangent that was quite fun. Thanks to my blog friend Carmel, I now know who Tove Jansson is. I really enjoyed reading about her and hope to a research a little more. Here is a quick description from the Moomin website for those that don’t know who she is.

Tove Marika Jansson 1914-2001
A Swedish-speaking Finn who enjoyed a diverse career as an author, painter, graphic artist, caricaturist and comic strip artist. She was the creator of the much-loved Moomin books.

{first two photos via here}
I admit that I was unaware of what Moomin was, but now I do & am a little smitten with the comic strip, the woman who drew it, & the fabric that came from it…
I know I would’ve eventually learned about Moomin through my never ending quest for  Marimekko fabric & love of Finnish design. I’ve seen some of these images and been intrigued before. So, I’m glad my introduction was from Carmel’s blog. (She was also the woman who tipped me off on the vintage Marimekko Bo Boo comforter I bought for Sayer recently). I was excited when I found a Moomin textile shop (that specializes in vintage Moomin) on Etsy called Tillukka.  All of these fabrics & photos are from this shop as well. What do you think? Are you a Moomin fan?  Happy first Fabric Friday of 2011!   

{Fabric Friday} Fresh & Modern textiles…

I first became enamored with tikoli ‘s fresh and modern textiles when I saw them at Fawn & Forest awhile back. I have been continuously drawn to them over time but could never make a decision about which tea towels that I liked the best. I think there is a design for my every mood. However, I could never go wrong with any of them when it comes to fitting into the palette of our home- they all work beautifully. 

{images via here & here}
But for me,  when I have a face and name to the textile, it makes it more fun purchase. Which leads me again to a wonderful twitter connection. I have been enjoying Maja Brugos (ie tikoli designer)  via her tweets for a little while now and it makes me happy to think of her when I see her lovely designs. I recently discovered that these towels are carried in a local store in Bellingham,  called  Digs and snatched up all that I could find.

While I do have one towel in the kitchen, I couldn’t let the other two end up crumpled on the counter. I wanted to see these towels in a different way. So I played with them, stared at them, and let them hang out in my studio for a bit. 

From tea towel to klt:plush… it seemed like a perfect combination to me. Happy Fabric Friday!

{Fabric Friday} Fresh & Modern textiles…

I first became enamored with tikoli ‘s fresh and modern textiles when I saw them at Fawn & Forest awhile back. I have been continuously drawn to them over time but could never make a decision about which tea towels that I liked the best. I think there is a design for my every mood. However, I could never go wrong with any of them when it comes to fitting into the palette of our home- they all work beautifully. 

{images via here & here}
But for me,  when I have a face and name to the textile, it makes it more fun purchase. Which leads me again to a wonderful twitter connection. I have been enjoying Maja Brugos (ie tikoli designer)  via her tweets for a little while now and it makes me happy to think of her when I see her lovely designs. I recently discovered that these towels are carried in a local store in Bellingham,  called  Digs and snatched up all that I could find.

While I do have one towel in the kitchen, I couldn’t let the other two end up crumpled on the counter. I wanted to see these towels in a different way. So I played with them, stared at them, and let them hang out in my studio for a bit. 

From tea towel to klt:plush… it seemed like a perfect combination to me. Happy Fabric Friday!