Pattern & Color & Texture Too

I've been thinking about pattern and color and texture. And about how pattern and color fit with minimalism or blank white walls or how too much stimulation fits perfectly against too little. I am not a minimalist by nature. I'm a collector, a gatherer, a fan of too many words and too many patterns and too many stitches. So I need pauses and empty spaces to contrast my collections.




I'm gathering inspiration for some design ideas around our home. I'm amassing a new nursery board over on Pinterest, but I'm also taking to the analog form of inspiration--my beloved design books. I adore the interiors in the photos above and below. (Below from the new-to-me magazine, Anthology. Above from the ever-popular design book, Decorate.)



Through my inspiration boards I've realize that fresh flowers from the farmer's market are part of my regular "decorating" routine. (And, amazingly, they never cost over $10 a pop.) And that my eye is drawn to the same thing again and again whether it's a space designed for children or adults. I like pretty dark floors, crisp white walls, textiles bursting with color and pattern, and lovingly arranged artwork on the walls or tabletops.




As we transform the walk-in closet into a tiny nursery (about 70 sq. feet) I am thinking about pattern and color and texture for a little boy's room. And I am looking around the rest of our apartment taking note of the colors and patterns I've already established.



So, I'm in a gathering phase. A collecting phase. Amassing the inspiration boards on Pinterest and bookmarking pages in magazines and books. Happily tripping over visual feasts that other artists and designers have already concocted. And it's good fodder for creative work--the gathering, reflecting, and arranging of things.

xoxo,
k.

Nesting: Stitches, Quilts, Dahlias, and Muffins.

Dear friends,

I would venture to say that in my 31st week of pregnancy, the "nesting" has officially set in. A few things I wanted to share regarding stitches and quilts and flowers and baking:

Thing 1: This little blue sweater jumped into my basket at the thrift store and begged to come home with me. I swiftly agreed. And once we were home I dipped into my felted sweater stash and pulled out the means for two pockets on the front and one blue whale on the back. Add a bit of contrasting red thread for the buttons and there you have it-- a crafty cardigan for the future little one. I wonder if other sweaters will jump into my basket the next time.

Thing 2: The quilt fabric is officially cut into strips that are being cut into smaller strips and then sewn together in a free-form pattern. I love working with such bold graphic prints. And I love that this quilt will only measure 54 inches by 36 inches when I'm finished (a crib quilt) so all the stitch-work does not seem overwhelming. Instead, it seems small and manageable and fun.

Thing 3: Muffins and dahlias. Because they are both so lovely to have around. Muffins because I can use any fruit or nuts we have on hand and we have no trouble eating them all week long. (Last week: zucchini from the garden and golden raisins. This week: apples and lemon and walnuts.) Dahlias because I love them. And because I love the range of colors and varieties and petal structures. And because I bought three bunches for just $10 at the farmer's market on Sunday afternoon. How could I resist?

xoxo,
k

A Studio Visit and The Stein-Inspired Dresses

A bit of exciting news to share with you today. This afternoon I was fortunate to be visited by two lovely curators organizing a Stein-based show in Washington DC in October. Luckily, three of the dresses and the patchwork quilt from The Dresses/ Objects Project will make their way across the country for an East Coast premier. Hooray!

Amazing to think that The Dresses/ Objects Project was just one year ago July. My goodness, time moves so quickly that I have to stop everything and sit very still in order to just catch a glimpse of it. (And a glimpse of me in it.)

Very good to reconnect with the dresses and this show. To remember the many months of preparation and creation and installation. And to know these pieces will enjoy a new life in an exhibition with an entirely new audience soon. Sadly, I will have to let the exhibition photographs suffice for the experience of being there as the show opens about 10 days before my due date.

Perhaps that means it's a double-birth?!?

xoxo,
k

Polaroids and Fantasy Crates of Film

{one.}

{two.}

{three.}

I dream of someday stumbling upon a flea market or a yard sale or entering an old, small town, dusty photo shop where there is a crate of Polaroid film with my name on it. Yes, an entire crate with my name scrawled across the top and inside there are ample, unopened packages of that marvelous, addictive, and hard-to-find instant film. (Le Sigh.)

My stash of Polaroid film is quickly dwindling. To be exact, I only have two packages left. I am savoring them like the last slice of strawberry-rhubarb pie with that same sadness and blind optimism too. With the hope that next summer's berries will be just as good and yet with the full recognition that this season's rhubarb has already come to an end. (Double le sigh.)

A few recent Polaroid summer captures just for you: Blooming hydrangeas spill over a neighbor's pretty picket fence, a lazy afternoon with my cowgirl boots in the park, and a blue beloved vintage car just around the corner from my abode.

Hello, Oakland, you pretty summer love.

xoxo,
k

PS--Thank you for your sweet comments on last week's post. You sure know how to make a girl beam.

My Big, Round, Happy News!

Dear friends,

I am sixth months pregnant! It seemed high-time to tell you my big, round, happy news. I'm expecting a baby boy this October and for any new friends, this is most certainly my very first little one. My goodness and it's already August!

So perhaps this helps explain why I've been a bit distracted in my studio life the past few months--because most of my creative energy is going towards making a tiny human. It's true. We are thrilled and terrified and mystified and humbled and humored and mostly, we are thrilled.

Don't worry, this will not suddenly turn into a baby blog. But I do imagine that my pending motherhood will make its way into my studio life just as my husband and my garden and my travels and my ramblings make their way into my studio life--because they inspire me the most. My head and heart are bursting with nursery projects and baby crafts that I will share with you as we go.

Phew. Now that was a pretty big secret.

xoxo,
k