broad appetit revisited

Here are the photos from last weekend. I didn't capture much of the food scene (besides me stuffing my face) or the street party, or the bad weather... Looking back it seems like we had a splendid time. Thank you Jenny for lending me your loyal mannequin. 

green veil

This is the view from my boys' tree house. This time of year you are engulfed in the hackberry's lush greenery when perched on the tiny porch of their hideaway. It is the best spot. 

Tired but content, I just returned from the Broad Appetit food festival in Richmond. The afternoon was filled with sights, aromas, tastes, and lots of wonderful people. Unfortunately a spring rainstorm blew in after a few hours, which did not deter food loving visitors, but made things a bit more difficult for an art vendor with a booth filled with delicate linens...

I'll have photos to show later this week, as my camera right now is en route to Québec with my lovely husband who left shortly after the show was over. This week I hope to have time to regroup. The blog posts in general have been erratic and my weekly delights are anything but weekly. I promise to do better. I have long list of people and things that make my heart sing, ready for sharing.

artistic feast

Next weekend I am participating in Broad Appetit in downtown Richmond, Virginia. This inaugural culinary event celebrates all aspects of food including the Art Buffet where I, along with a dozen other artists, will showcase food related work and objects.  In the Inleaf booth you'll find towels, table runners, napkins, and aprons. There will also be plenty of opportunity to sample delicious food from many of Richmond's finest restaurants, enjoy fun music, listen to engaging lectures, and buy local goodies at the Locavore market place. Please join us if you are in the Richmond area! Broad Appetit runs from 12 - 5 on Sunday, May 18. For more information and directions visit the Broad Appetit website.

PS. Happy mother's day to all creative mothers out there!

on a brighter note

The fruits on our plum trees are abundant this year. By late July they should be ready for eating, seductively sweet and juicy. The tulip poplar is dropping its unusual but beautiful flowers all over the back yard. My lovely husband made a Jeffersonian gate for the vegetable garden. It is so elegant and fits well with the raised beds. I am happy. 

failed attempts

This past week was not one of my best. Amidst all busyness there were two projects that I really wanted to accomplish and because of my own obsessions both fell through. My friend Carrie is expecting triplets and i really wanted to finish these little japanese style booties before the baby shower. I was off to a good start - the fabric was cut and the pattern seemed easy enough, but as soon as I began to assemble and sew hesitation hit. There was a lot of bulk from the seam allowances inside the shoe, and the raw edges, although finished, was showing, and would these things even stay on little, tiny, baby feet... Needless to say I went off to the shower without the booties. 

I was also working on a submission to Gallery Up's upcoming art show 30 small works. For months I had planned for this, but once I really got started, granted late in the game, things did not work out quite as I had planned.

I realize that I am my own worst enemy. I try hard not to be an uptight, obsessive artist, but sometimes it is so difficult to let go... The booties would probably have been fine - raw edges and all. And the leaf panels might even have made the show...

weekly delights

ladak

The Dutch design duo Jantien de Wilde and Jane Stroink makes these beautiful blankets from recycled sweaters, jeans, bedding materials, and other textiles. They are then creatively embellished with ribbons, lace and threads. Each blanket is named after a homeless person or a hero and 15% of the proceeds are donated to a shelter in Amsterdam. Ladak means warmth, comfort, and protection, and like people in need each of these blankets is unique.

lovely design

Several years ago I discovered Canadian artist Sharilyn Wright and Lovely Design. Sharilyn makes the most delightful paper goods. Her books are made from reclaimed paper scraps, enhanced with hidden treasures such as old stamps and glassine envelopes for special keepsakes. The handprinted posters celebrate the Canadian nature and her thoughtful note cards, and clever address files are equally enchanted. Everything is created in an eco-friendly manner including clever packaging which eliminates the need for plastic. You can find out more about Sharilyn and her work on her blog. 

 
sleeping forest studios

Jai and Lauren Soloy's woodworking studio sleeping forest is located in rural Nova Scotia, Canada. They make exquisite furniture, cabinetry, albums, boxes, business card holders, and spinning tops.  I have picked out a few pieces that I find especially irresistible from their etsy shop. The cedar waxwing pair is my favorite - made from carefully selected hardwood pieces to match the birds' actual colors. You can find out more about Jai and Lauren's life and work by visiting their blog.

liljekonvalj and dogwoods

Few flowers are more symbolic for me than these two. Liljekonvalj, or Lily of the valley, represents my Swedish childhood. Wherever we lived, from the baltic island of Gotland, to the coastal area of southern Halland and the tenant house we rented on a southern estate, there vas always an abundance of liljekonvalj both wild and cultivated. It is my favorite flower and I am lucky to find them quite content in my current garden. The delicate bells have a divine scent, that now fills up my studio. The dogwoods are the essence of my life in Virginia. They are currently in full bloom all around town, along the highways, and scattered in the woods. We have two old trees in our front yard, magnificent despite their relative smallness. The blooms seem to hover on almost bare twigs and the branch structure is very sculptural. In the fall the shapely leaves will turn bronze and burgundy for yet another time in the limelight.

modern fabrics

Ewa and James Powell has turned fabric recycling into a genius business model. The couple salvages discarded fabric remnants from furniture and upholstery industries and resells the high end fabrics to the public on their website Modern Fabrics. Not only do they keep these beautiful textiles out of the landfill, but they also enable artists, interior designers, and other creative people to buy them for a fraction of the original price. Above are examples of two fabrics that I have purchased. To the left is a wonderful wool fabric from Knoll, it is a lustrous shade of green and has fantastic drape. It is still on the roll waiting for the perfect purpose. To the right is an old office chair that we reupholstered in a striped green fabric made from recycled polyester – both durable and attractive.

Modern Fabrics is featured in the april/may issue of Ready Made magazine in a lovely article that applauds Ewa and James' efforts. Pick up a copy or check out Ready Made online for more information. Below are a few of my favorite fabrics currently for sale at Modern Fabrics.

  

Clockwise from upper left: Sina Pearson Beachcomber, Knoll Grove Line,  Knoll Abacus, Maharam Scout 

happy returns

Oh, what a wonderful time we had. A few days away from everyday routines and demands is nice once in a while. Just me and my lovely husband and the beautiful city of Chicago. The weather was delightful (high sixties, sunny, only a slight breeze), the food was delicious (especially the dinner at Le Colonial on Rush street), and it was a joy to sleep in for a change (no alarm clock or eager hungry dogs around.)   

The only problem (besides a small subway snafu the day I arrived) was my otherwise loyal camera malfunctioning at times. I am unhappy to admit that it probably is time for an upgrade. Regardless, here are some representative images and thoughts along the way...

Heading out for a morning jog along Lake Michigan.

Patterns – the underside of a bridge crossing Chicago River and a grid from an old elevator shaft at the Chicago Art Institute.

A great time at Wrigley field. The Cubs won big, we watched the pitcher hit a double, a stolen home base, and Kosuke Fukudome's field position was just a few yards away from our seats.

An entire afternoon was reserved for the Art Institute of Chicago. Favorites were the collection of ancient celadon blue chinese pottery and Gustave Caillebotte's  Rainy day.

Frank Lloyd Wrights home in Oak Park was another highlight. The man may have had some personal and financial issues, but he was a visionary. The house is small and intimate, still infused in light, warmth and a wealth of cleaver design ideas.

We also had some time for shopping (mostly for the boys), latte sipping in the sun, random pub visits, and never ending people watching. Still, as with any successful vacation I am now equally happy to be back home in my joyful everyday routine...

folds and foilage

I am leaving you with a snapshot of another project I am working on, this one involving lots of folds and fantastic vintage Irish linen. Prints of leaves will be incorporated at some point as well. Also, I can't resist these freshly sprung japanese maple leaves in my front yard. The color combination is perfect in that strange way that only nature can provide. Anywhere else it would look garish. Chicago is waiting. I'll be back next week with photos, marvels, and impressions.