casting on

I have come across so many amazing knitters since I began my journey around the blog world. Elena, Rachel, and Theresa, just to mention a few. Inspired by their beautiful creations, I decided to start my own knitting project this week. I can't call myself a novice knitter. Many years ago, pre-kids-career-houses-and other distractions, I knitted all the time. I would make elaborate sweaters and cardigans for myself and for people I love. But that was ages ago, and now I feel rusty and unaccustomed. Simple is the way to go. A plain sweater with a wide soft collar made from this stunning grey wool yarn is in the works. And I did remember how to cast on...

life of privilege

Ever so often I stop to think about the life I lead. I am married to a lovely man, 22 years almost to the day. I think we are as much in love as the day we met, but more seriously now. We have two fantastic boys who continue to marvel me with their accomplishments, compassion, and  demeanors. We live in an old, quirky, but beautiful house, with a large garden. Several precious dogs and cats have come and gone, all of them endearing. I have the best extended family. My mother and sisters first and foremost, but I also adore my in-laws, niece, and nephews. Then there are my friends, always at the ready for a stroll, a run, a chat, a meal, or just to be. And lastly, I wake up every day knowing I get to do what I love the most - tinkering with fabric, plants, colors, patterns, and stitching. We have no big financial wealth, still I am living the most privileged life. It is a gift not to be taken for granted, and I am grateful.

in place

My commissioned work is finally finished and installed in the waiting area of Sheila C. Johnson Center for Human Services, at the University of Virginia. The main piece is the first in my new swirl series, where viburnum leaves are printed in different color shades on vintage linen, and then pieced together and hand stitched. I love the effect of the similar leaf prints presented in different positions and colorations. The companion pieces are similar prints mounted on pre-stretched canvases. I also did a Queen Anne's Lace piece which is nature printed on pieced linen, and quilted with gently curved sweeping horizontal lines. The bottom panel has tucks and pleats that give the piece an added dimension. I am grateful for this assignment and I am proud that my art now is part of this beautifully designed, brand new building.

ready to show

phew, the last few weeks have gone by in a blur. The final stitches are done, the artwork is packaged, delivered, and hung. The show at Warm Springs Gallery is underway and I am very proud over how it came together. The show will be on display until middle of September, so if you happen to travel through this beautiful corner of the world, please stop by.

There are still plenty of things awaiting this month, such as sending my son off to college (must get hold of some of those extra long twin sheets), finishing three commission pieces for the new ed-school building at University of Virginia (move-in is next week), and the start of the soccer season for my younger son. All fun, and exciting.

A few more tidbits to share, periwinklebloom's and inleaf's beautiful toddler halter is now available in my shop. We are so proud of this collaboration and hope you will like it too. Last, but not least, there is a summer sale going on in the shop. Everything is 15% off for my blog and facebook friends until August 20. Just enter "inleafintro" in the discount box at checkout.

gift of giving

My friend Lily wanted to honor her friends recent wedding with a gift from her own garden. The result are these napkins, printed with Japanese maple leaves picked from the tree outside her front door. I enjoy working on projects like this, when the process of giving becomes a gift in itself. Lily is an amazing gardener and garden historian, and therefore these handmade napkins have an extra meaning for the newly married couple.

I want to send a special thank you to Susie at Flower * Press who wrote so nicely about our recent swap. I got the most beautiful linen towels, a custom print, and some of her rick rack fabric, in exchange for pieces of my handprinted fabric now destined to become pillows in her home. Check out Susie's etsy shop which is stocked with her stunning, garden inspired and  hand crafted linens, fabrics, prints, and cards. I love surrounding myself with work by creative friends!

 Chalk filigree unbleached tea towel by flower press.

The next few weeks will be hectic, as I am gearing up for a group show at Warm Springs Gallery in August, while finishing up a commission for the University of Virginia also due next month. I'll try to keep up with posting, but if I am not you'll find me in the studio happily but frantically dyeing, printing, and stitching.

queen anne's lace

The fields and road sides around town are dotted with this delightful weed, also called wild carrot. The sturdy stalks are proudly reaching for the sky and the delicate white flowers sway in the wind.

Queen Anne's lace is an excellent printing plant, occasionally a bit unpredictable, but most of the time its intricate impressions are amazingly clear and precise. The flowers and the seed heads need to be pressed for  about 24 hours before being used. Once two-dimensional it is easy to coat one side with paint and press onto fabric.

I love to include Queen Anne's lace in my work. The samples above are pieces in progress, but there are a couple of wall hangings available in the shop. Spotted, is a framed and glassed textile collage, and weedy delight is a small art quilt, both are putting this lacy plant center stage.

pippi the puppy

Let me introduce our new family member, Pippi. We found her at our local SPCA, or she found us... Pippi is sweet, curious, and cuddly - a dog with a good disposition. Being only 8 weeks old she is leaving a constant trail of pee puddles, and she is driving our older dog mad with her energetic affection. Her breath still smells like milk and the streak of white on her nose is adorable. She is named after the heroine Pippi Longstocking, from the Swedish Children's books, because she is brave and has white socks on each of her paws. Puppy love is a simple pleasure in the midst of a complicated world.

barbara wisnoski

white rag quilt

photos courtesy of Barbara Wisnoski. all rights reserved.

 A small single piece of fabric, slightly worn, ends up next to a similar yet different piece of fabric. Some are tarnished, some torn. All with a history to tell. By the hands of Canadian textile artist Barbara Wisnoski, they become part of a much larger picture. With frayed edges and lose threads proudly exposed, she pieces together amazing wall quilts that beckons to be examined and admired. Barbara calls her art 2.5 D textile installations, made from recycled fabric and clothing. The exposed seams, and layered patches gives the quilts a wonderful depth and weight. From afar the wall pieces have clean simple motifs like lines in a landscape, shapes of rectangles, and the contour of a roof, but when viewed up close the true magic of her composition is revealed.

2d-3d house

photos courtesy of Barbara Wisnoski. all rights reserved.

I love everything about Barbara's work, from the innovative reuse of materials, to the subtle flow of color, and the simplicity and texture of the large finished pieces. If you are interested in seeing her quilts in person, two of them are currently on display at Fiberart International 2010, at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Pittsburgh, PA. The show will subsequently travel to Rochester, NY, and San Francisco, CA. Thank you Barbara for letting me share your beautiful art!

grey rain sea

photos courtesy of Barbara Wisnoski. all rights reserved.

platonic target

photo courtesy of Barbara Wisnoski. all rights reserved.

field

photo courtesy of Barbara Wisnoski. all rights reserved.

endearing collaboration

My successful endeavor with textiles and fiber art came to be thanks to my mother. When I was young she taught my how to sew doll clothes, how to knit, and make my own clothes. Much later she was the co-conspirator in the creation of inleaf. She knew I wanted my life to take a more artistic path, and during one of her visits we explored leaf printing for the first time. She has ben my most loyal supporter ever since, always encouraging, inspiring, and pushing me along.

She is still an amazing fiber artist in her own right, and when she was here earlier this summer she suggested a mother-daughter collaboration. She brought a bag filled with my fabric scraps back to Sweden, with the idea of using them for a traditional quilt pattern. Here is the initial result. I love her color selections and how she mixed pieces from my collection with ones from her own stacks. One of the hexagons even feature a paw print from my late cat, who accidentally walked across my printing table at the time...

We don't know what final shape this project will take. It will evolve over time, and we will work on it together when we next meet up. Thank you mamma, for the wisdom and creative inspiration you continue to provide.

learning

Seventeen women, six days, one bucolic setting, plentitude of laughter, a bit of poetry, several botanical excursions, and lots of simmering dye pots. That pretty much sums up my week at Shakerag. Add scrumptious meals, heartfelt conversations, book making, evening swims, contemplation, yards of plant colored fabric, some more stomach cramping laughter, and the experience becomes almost life altering.

I had a fantastic time and learned many things, way beyond the mysteries that occurred in the bundles and in the dye pots. India Flint was a great teacher; soft spoken, funny, beautiful, and incredibly generous with her knowledge and talent. I feel privileged to have been there, and am inspired to adapt my new wisdoms to work and life.

A special thanks to India, Kelly, Michelle, Marianne, Christi, and Janet, who warmed my heart so much, and to Celeste, Judy, Judilee, Vicky, Sharon, Patricia, Andrea, Ilsa, Catherine, and Anna who's spirit, kindness, experience, and sense of humor made this week so special. New friendships were forged and I know we will meet again.