Home Decorators Rugs

Everyone always comments on the blue tribal wave rug that is in my dinning room (top image). I can never remember the name of the catalog company so I though I would share some of my picks from Home Decorators Collection. They are even having a free shipping offer on some of their rugs right now. I will warn you they also have some really hideous things on their web site but if you are willing to pick through all they have to offer it's worth the effort.

Magic Carpets

Last summer I finally made it up to DC to the Textile Museum. I missed the Red exhibit but we made it to the Blue themed Exhibit. It was full of pieces made with indigo. Which is of course my favorite dye color. The beautiful exhibit poster they were giving out is still hanging up by my desk at work. I found this exhibit of woven carpets at their site. I thought it was interesting how they diagrammed the repeat patterns from the antique fragments.

Philip Taaffe

Philip Taaffe is one of my favorite artists because his work is so unapologetically decorative. I first discovered his work in an issue of Vogue magazine they were doing an article about his home which is just a gorgeous as the art.

Dreamy Shower Curtains

CB2

Garnet Hill

Garnet Hill

Marimeko Textile Arts



Any of these would be a great spring pick me up for your bathroom.

P. Carter Carpin

The bottom print is the one I have in my bedroom but I really love the red dino.
P. Carter Carpin will be at the Daffodil Festival in Gloucester VA in March and the Bizzare Bazaar in Richmond VA in April. If you aren't in the area or you just can't wait you can check out her Etsy Page.

Daffodils

Today is the first full day of spring and I am ready to start working in the garden. These are my daffodils that I planted a few years ago. I bought a big giant bulb set from Brent and Becky's Bulbs. Funny thing is their nursery is nearby in Virginia but I found out about them in an issue of Domino Magazine. I am planning on moving my vegetable bed to the center of the yard so it will get more sun this year. I am sure I will keep you updated on the progress.

Ankasa Pillows

I will not be makeing it to High Point Market this April and will miss seeing what's new at Ankasa. One of my favorite booths to check for the decorative trend forcast of the new design season. I just love how they incorporate tye dye with their embroidery.

Getting ready for camp

At the end of April i am going to summer camp! The class is on Yoruba textiles and I will be doing Batik for the first time. But what excites me about this class is the opportunity to indigo dye. This weekend I got out this huge pile of fabric I would like to get tyed up for shibori. I also layed out some of my finished pieces to inspire me to get started.

Spring 2009 Pattern Picks

These are my faves from the New York Fashion Runways. You can see more at Elle Magazine.

Llamas

This Christmas I got my friends and family a share of a llama from Heifer Int. and made shrinkydink ornaments with little tiny alpaca scarves that I crocheted. Heifer just sent me a beautiful magazine in the mail today and I had to share this picture of llamas in Conduriri Peru. They look like little frosted cupcakes with sprinkles on top. I just hope my llama is as happy as these two look. Check out their website and pick out a happy animal of your own to adopt.

Chinese Indigo

Several years ago my friend Becky gave me a small purse from this company and it is one of my favorite possessions. The maker is True Blue TC Collection. I was impressed by the number of new patterns they have and the section that shows the process of the stencil resist dyeing. It is nice that they really use real indigo and not synthetic.

Crate & Barrel Classical Symmetry

I don't like to brag but.... Thats me in the newest Crate & Barrel catalog. A custom version of Classical Symmetry just for them.

Aramatsu

Aramatsu Japan is the mecca of Shibori. I highly recommend visiting if you can find it. My friend and I had quite an adventure. The guide book said it was "off the beaten path." They were not kidding. But I was rewarded by the effort with the sight of shibori every where you looked. Not just on fabric but ornamented onto everything like stairwells and even these marble cubes.