Textile and Illustration

Why is it that so many textile designers are also illustrators? What amazingly talented individuals! Here are a few pieces that have caught my eye today. I think that the 'Brave Bear' piece is going to need to be purchased very soon...


I would love to cover a bench in our entry way with big tufted pillows covered in this beautiful Hable Construction fabric. What great clementine beads!


Noah's Ark illustrated textile and the beautiful 'racists' silhouette is from Alice Stevenson, found here. I love the ornamentation on the deer's antlers. The wool blankets are from British designer Eleanor Pritchard...I can't decide if I would rather have the orange and gray or the brown and gray, but I know either choice would be supremely cuddly and full of British Isle warmth and charm.




This beautiful Organic Cotton quilt is by Raksha Bella. Someday I hope to have a sun room with my iron daybed from childhood serving as a couch/lounge/bed...this sun-washed quilt would go perfect!

Simrin Textiles

I came across these Simrin Textiles, and I just love them! I especial love the laminated fabric trays, they would look so beautiful in our apartment! They are a little retro, but also modern...is that even possible?











Stay tuned...I have some more textiles and illustrations to come later this afternoon!

Dresses!

I'm always so amazed at the talent here in Portland! I came across Sarah Seven online through the Martha wedding blog and I was so excited to see that she is based out of Portland! I just think these dresses are so beautiful. These are a few of my favorites, but you'll have to check her shop here to find your favorites!







I wish I had photo credits for these pictures, they are all so beautiful. From looking at her blog, it appears that Jared Birt does a lot of her shoots; but I'm not sure if these are his. I am sure; however, that Jared will be shooting my beautiful BFF'S wedding this summer. I can't wait to see those pictures!!

Beautiful Book!

Sticking with my wallpaper theme...this book Wallpaper Projects was just released today by my favorite design*sponge DIY'ers Derek and Lauren.





It looks like it has a lot of really great projects! I can't wait to pick it up next time I'm at Powell's.

Wallpaper

This morning I'm loving Osborne & Little wallpaper and textiles. They recently released their new spring line, but I couldn't help posting a couple of their fall wallpapers as well...so beautiful!

Cinnamon Rolls

I've been meaning to posts these photos for a while now. I baked these cinnamon rolls from scratch a couple of weeks ago on an overcast day here in Portland. It was my first attempt at making them, and we were very pleased with the results. Thanks Dad!!











Dave will be posting about some great gardening tips soon...stay tuned!

Happy Easter!!

ah nostalgia.....





This is my bunny from the kids bunny special at the photo studio...too cute!!

Crafty Wonderland

Well, I'm off to the Crafty Wonderland at the Doug Fir. I was hoping to see the premier of Handmade nation this weekend in Portland, but I waited too long to buy tickets and now it's all sold out...
However, Crafty Wonderland today will be hosting Faythe Levine selling and signing books! I'm excited to meet her and chat about the amazing handmade movement. I've also heard of some great exhibits at the Museum of Contemporary Craft; where the Northwest premier of the the movie is being hosted. Hopefully I will have more to come on those soon...

Banana Nut Bread

This is an old family recipe for “Banana Nut Bread” The original calls for shortening, but butter can be substituted instead. It’s a great solution when you have bananas that have gotten a bit too ripe to eat. I love baking it, and it always gets eaten at events ☺ enjoy!



1 C. sugar
½ C. butter
2 eggs
3 ripe bananas
1 ½ C. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. baking powder
Dash of Salt
½ C. chopped nuts (optional)

Make sure all ‘cold’ ingredients are brought to room temperature. Cream together sugar, butter and eggs. Add together remainder of ingredients in order given. Bake in a standard loaf pan at 350 for 50-60 min.

Currently, everything in our living/dining room consists of some shade of brown, gold, or black. I love the warm tones and classic feelings these colors create, but I recently spied a sideboard at Ikea in a school-bus yellow. I am so desiring this piece, but the color shock to our tiny apartment may be too much. I am not one to shy away from color, I have turquoise and copper paired with black and white damask for the kitchen, so I have a history with color; I’m not totally neutral. So, with a quick trip to COLOURlovers, I have pulled together yellow with my brown tones





It’s incredible the amount of grey being shown! I so wish we could paint a couple of walls in our apartment a deep charcoal grey. Then the yellow would really pop! I've also been really drawn to navy lately, maybe it's my nautical bent, but I'm loving navy and yellow together; as long as it's not over done.