Maira Kalman :: Back to the Land :: Thanksgiving 2009

I stole these images above from Maira Kalman’s Thanksgiving blogpost.

p.s. I love that she uses the word cockamamie in her post.

Not a word you see everyday.

Paper Towel Roll UpCycle

I’m playing with paper towel rolls.  I think I might make a wreath or something.

Maine Talent

I love finding out that there is so much talent in Maine.  I just found out yesterday that the couple responsible for this book live in Maine.  I found their blog through their website.  I get such a kick out of seeing their yard sale finds, especially the things they find for $1.00.

Also there is a new magazine in Maine called maine.  Gorgeous photography.  Great layouts.  I might have to subscribe.  There was a nice one page interview with Alex Carleton of Rogues Gallery in the October issue.

BTW — I think it was genius that LL Bean tapped Alex Carleton to do a special signature line for LL Bean.  He has such great style.  I hope the prices make his style more accessible.   You can see a sneak peek here.

But wait — that’s not all.  Did you know that the woman behind Le Bouton Studio is living on an island off the coast of Maine.  When did that happen?  She sells her clothing through a shop in Portland called chelliwilson.

P.S.  The chelliwilson blog has a great blogroll.

Dos Family & The Selby

I am loving Dos Family.  It is like The Selby but for families with small children.

Tateshots

I just discovered Tateshots.  I was browsing around Itunes and clicked over to Itunes U.  If you scroll to the bottom you will see a collection of podcasts dedicated to art and design.  Love.  I just watched the video podcasts for Jim Dine, Julian Schnabel and David Hockney.  David Hockney is so fun.  I love how he sits in a chair. I love how he crosses his legs even.  I loved seeing Julian Schnabel say at the end of his little talk that he wasn’t embarrassed by his work.  My favorite one so far is the one about Cy Twombly.  The director of the Tate, Nicholas Serota, along with another curator are in the process of putting up Twombly’s work or as they say –they are “in the middle of the hang”.  The director is so knowledgeable and interesting.  I loved learning that Twombly was influenced by Turner. I never knew that.   It makes perfect sense.

There are many more podcasts to see.  I just started with some names I recognized.

Vintage Wool Coat :: Recovered

I earned my title of recovergirl with this winter coat.  I bought it about a year ago for $15.00 from Goodwill.  It was one of those finds that made me gasp.  I absolutely love the pattern and style.  It needed a lot care but I was happy to do it.

The lining had to be replaced.  At first it seemed fine but after I had the coat dry cleaned the lining just disintegrated.  I thought about trying to replace the lining myself but I’ve never done that before and I didn’t want to mess it up.  A local tailor replaced the lining for $115.  I picked out the lining myself.  It is a perfect vintagey mustard color.  The cost of having the lining replaced felt high at first but I figured I’d spend at least that much for a new coat and I like that I was repairing a coat rather than just buying something new.

The front of the coat was missing two buttons.  Fortunately, the side pockets had the same matching buttons.  I moved the side pocket buttons to the front of the coat and replaced the side pocket buttons with these vintage shell buttons.  These buttons came from a stash of vintage notions handed down to me from my husband’s Granny.  They make the coat even that much more special.

Now all I need is a nice crisp fall day.  <grin>

Vintage Shopping on Etsy

I am so in love with 13 Bees on Etsy.  The 13 Bees blog is here.

Pop of Yellow

I like neutrals.  I love gray and white and cream.  But I also love a pop of yellow.

Update: I just found a similar collection over at Remodelista.  See here.

Reupholster Chair or Buy a New Old One?

My dad let me have this old beat up chair from his basement.  I love the exaggerated wing back shape.   My first thought was to have it refinished in Hable Construction Sweet Pea Fabric like Lena Corwin has on her sofa.  I like that even though it is essentially a green polka dot design it somehow reads as a neutral to me.

Unfortunately the cost of having the chair reupholstered and the cost of the fabric together is about twice what I expected it would be.  It made me question if it was worth having the chair repaired when I could buy a new old chair for less.  I could pick a cheaper fabric.   That would definitely help.  I’m looking at Isle Crawford images for inspiration.  Maybe I could choose a cheaper solid in a rich textured gray or warm mustardy yellow.

Plan C: repair the chair myself and throw a vintage linen tablecloth over it.

Plan D: Drive down to Machine Age in Boston and get the perfect new old chair.

I’ve always loved the style of that beige chair in the center.  I wonder how much it costs.

Reading about Love

My niece is getting married next year.  We have talked about me doing a reading during the ceremony.  Because of this I’ve been reading a lot of poems and writings about love.  I found this one recently:

It isn’t the one but I like it for what it is.

Here is a poem about love by Garrison Keillor.

A Love Poem

A summer night, and you, and paradise,
So lovely and so full of grace,
Above your head, the universe has hung its lights,
And I reach out my hand to touch your face.

I believe in impulse, in all that is green,
Believe in the foolish vision that comes true,
Believe that all that is essential is unseen,
And for this lifetime I believe in you.

All of the lovers and the love they made:
Nothing that was between them was a mistake.
All that is done for love’s sake,
Is not wasted and will never fade.

All who have loved will be forever young
and walk in grandeur on a summer night
along the avenue.
They live in every song that is sung
and every painting of pure light
and every Pas De Deux.

O love that shines from every star,
Love reflected in the silver moon;
It is not here, but it’s not far.
Not yet, but it will be here soon.

It is also not the one but I like it too.  Garrison Keillor has a new book out called 77 Love Sonnets.  It is also available in audiobook form.  I subscribe to his Writer’s Almanac podcast through Itunes.  I like the way he reads poetry.