another room clean, at least almost

We keep our house pretty dim, I think this hides potential grime that might otherwise freak me out.  My son and I worked on this Valentines banner, he painted it with his paint squeeze pens which are fun and a total mess.  It is done on paper and the ribbon is laced through.  A fun craft for the both of us.  This nighttime photo makes my sleepy - good night.

a mini landscape

Dusty yes, pretty too.  I am still rearranging and organizing so the actual cleaning and dusting has taken a back seat.  I love this landscape, I bought it at an estate sale, made in Germany.  All the pieces are made in wood, even the flowers.  We are having Spring like weather today, it is confusing the mind and body - but I like it.

Another yeah for crochet

This is an amazing use of crochet.  I have seen many fantastic portraits done in thread, embroidery, and machine stitching.  But I haven't seen portraits done using crochet.  I am loving the color combinations and honest expressions.  For more check out Jo Hamilton's site. A real pleasure to visit.  

Oh how I can spend hours looking at really good patterns

Here is a beautiful pattern that is in a happy family of other beautiful patterns.  Check out ten14Textiles.  I first saw them on Lovely Pieces.  Both fun and inspiring places to visit.

Here is a bit of yummy for you.

cloth kits - how much fun!

Besides the fact that I absolutely love Mr. Rob Ryan, here is a fantastic way to bring Rob Ryan's art into your everyday life.  This is a skirt made from a cloth kit.  And excitedly it is on sale, I hope the sale can last to my birthday and then I too will wear such a delight.  Also here is a pillow or bag - you choose.  I love cloth kits, and think I would have gone crazy in the 70's when they were in there hay day. Check out this website, lots of good hunting.

Our mantel collections

I have a deep love for so many things, which is part of the reason why it is hard to organize so many things.  Even if they are small.  Here are some old old marbles, from GA and VA, and maybe even an Italian marble.  A teacup from my son's great great grandma from Alabama and an old German wooden figurine.  We have lots of wooden figurines.  Perhaps you can see the dust.  Again, I will get this place clean.  I think the problem is keeping it clean.  Like losing weight, after you lose the weight you have to try and keep it off.  Both of those things are hard for me.  

The only clean spot in the house

I love my home, even though it is small 930 square feet.  But it is a cottage, cozy and sweet.  A major highlight that it has a working fire place that I use often, even before it is too cold.  However,  finding a place for everything is super tricky.  I see all those amazing articles in the right magazines and online, but the reality is difficult.  It is just not me, also my son, husband and three adventurous cats who are indoor cats except for the occasional afternoon on our screened in porch.  So, I have a list or perhaps pages long of resolutions and one of them is that I will organize.  Not just move things from corner to corner but find a place.  But for now this is the only spot that seems settled.  I will post my progress, and I hope it is godspeed.

Sanna Annukka's shop is brillant

I have just stumbled upon Sanna Annukka's shop and it is so colorful as well as filled with amazing lines and shapes.  I am especially fond of this portrait, at one moment I see ribbons and the next ladies in brilliant cloth.  I think pretty much anything she does is great.  

Cloth Books - oh how I love cloth books

This is Ruth Ashton's Monsters of the Household Variety.  I first saw this on Anthropologie's website and have started to make my way through her website.  I am excited that Anthropologie is selling unique artist objects.  I would love to get my hands on this.

line and shape - oh how I love line and shape

These are pages from Louise Bourgeois' cloth book.  I found these on the blog wren handmade.

The great Louise Bourgeois

I first saw this on the blog, wren handmade, and kept thinking about it for months.  This is the amazing cloth book Ode à l’Oubli.  Louise Bourgeois has left a legacy of works, and many of my favorites are her works done in cloth.  Please read this NYTimes article,  Louise Bourgeois Builds a Book From the Fabric of Life, by Amy Newman.    I wish I could spend a day, or days exploring these pages.  Hopefully one day.

Nate Duval is fantastic -- and there is lots more

Nate Duval has a plethora of goods, from prints to t-shirts.  I got my hubby a shirt that is fantastic, and even with all of our garden dirt and washings it is still beautiful.  I just love this work.  

A great garden for a friend

What a sweet scene, a romantic garden, a parade of flowers.  A pattern to delight.  I found this sweet card at Little Otsu by Lart Cognac Berliner.  A great site for paper goods.

Jill Bliss Patterns

Geesh, I love patterns so much.  I am a fan of Jill Bliss's art and design work.  Here is a playful and lovely pattern.

Patterns Patterns I love Patterns

These are two pages from Nigel Peaks's book on Patterns.  All of his books look amazing and I am anxious to order them.  I am on a hunt to collect images of patterns.  Visit Nigel Peake's site and you will be amazed.

More Spoonflower fabric

Etsy has many artists selling unique small batched designed fabric.  Spoonflower is a valuable venue for this type of production.  Wonderfluff is a sweet etsy shop where you can purchase sweet botanical mod like fabric.  Check out this fun wonderland.

Textures has moved and it is beautiful!

This is the "new" Textures Handmade Market.  It is located at 1123 Thomasville Rd, next to Waterworks.  First Friday was exciting, the aroma of sweet cupcakes mixed with all the new goodies by Tallahassee's Finest.  Maggie Willman did an amazing job creating a space that you do not want to leave.  If you are in town, you should check out the sweet treats.

My Spoonflower fabric

I have received my spoonflower fabric and it is an amazing service.  At just $18 a yard you can get your own image made into fabric, and it is pretty easy.  I have made a bird pillow out of the fabric, the wing, eye and nose are other designers fabric.  The color of the drawings are accurate, however the background was suppose to be cream rather than a butter yellow.  I have been told by others that yellow/cream is a hard color to reproduce.  I am glad to know this and will alter my drawings/designs in the future.  I wish everyone best of luck with their spoonflower try and I am will be designing a new one for the future.

Fabric kits by Wilsons on etsy

Here is another fine example of what one can do with your own designed and printed fabric.  Check out their shop on etsy as well as stop by Spoonflower and play around with your own designing.

Paper Sparrow fabric printed at Spoonflower

As many of you know there is a great online service where you can print and design your own fabric.  Mine is currently being shipped to me, I cannot wait.  I thought it would be fun to compile a group of posts that show many amazing designers and the items they made.  This is from Paper Sparrow on Etsy and can be purchased for a mere $20.  You should check out the site, especially if you heart birds like so many of us do.

Kako Ueda

One last paper cut for this series of posts, Kako Ueda.  Her work is so breathlessly intricate, which I admire.  I hope to see one of the delicate and complex pieces in person some day.  Enjoy and check out her website.

Papercut Diecut

This beautiful papercut can be found on Etsy.  For a mere $20 it is amazing that all the work is hand done.  Despite the shop name, all of the papercuts are done by hand and there is an amazing variety.  A collection of beauty awaiting us all.

Paper rings

I am a big fan of the cut out, taking the flat and making it dimensional.  Here we have a splendid use of the paper cut - to dress the finger.  Check out more of TT:NT designs, and also check out Paper Crave, a fantastic site devoted to what we hold dear, paper.

Aoyama Hina - delicate text

This body of work is breath taking and mind boggling.  I continually am amazed at those who partake in this labor intensive art of drawing with a knife.  If you would like to see more of Aoyama Hina's work check this story out in Paper Forest.

Another Fun Summer project - More papercut crafts to come

Sweet and simple this Japanese how to book takes you through the steps of how to do kirigami as well as other papercuts.  I am a huge fan of papercuts, as many of you know, and thought you might want to add this book to your list - because I sure do.