fresh new year

It is the time for end-of-year rituals : putting things on sale, doing a bit of inventory, changing up displays and diving into a general tidy-up. And it is time to launch into a new year of fresh creative directions. Perhaps if I write them here, it will help with the follow-through ! I will be bringing in a new work table for the planning of new designs, yardage printing , and making kimonos. The last is a new-old plan, since once upon a time I had a small business making only kimonos. As things are now, every garment I design/make is pretty much a "one-off". I will be striving for more consistency, with fabrication bringing the variety. Below we see: the shop window, a holiday dress by Moondance, and lights to brighten the chilly eve.

old elfin friends

These impish characters have been there for each and every Christmas of my life. Happy Holidays to you and yours.

inspiration

We have a new personality in our neighborhood. This guinea hen -or guinea fowl- is the lone survivor of a large flock. The other birds were slaughtered by a lone mink at their Casco Bay island home. The feathers and pattern of feathers are so beautiful. It is the kind of random, yet geometric design that I would like to achieve on fabric. New Year's plan: develop designs and print yardage.

sox and mitts

'Tis the season for covering the extremities with woolies. The top Xmas stockings were knitted by me during a bedridden bout with bronchitis. Since then we have evidently had a squirrel in the attic. The bottom 2 images show the wonderful, simple work of the Shakers.

brilliant

Jody of HARDBILED DESIGNS walked through my door last week with a giant satchel of scarves and berets. The pieces took my breath away- brilliant color, spare and perfect composition and meticulous craftsmanship. Her work makes me want to paint. What followed was a heartfelt discussion of : art, craft and the perameters of and reasons for doing each. 

not

This is what Maine does NOT look like this year. Last year's snow is a distant memory, as we have been enjoying our extended fall weather. Today's plan was to post about the stunning new scarves brought into the shop by Jody of Hardboiled Designs. But, alas, my camera battery is dead.....so, postponed. 'Will re-charge and delight you with her work demain. 

busy busy

Felted jackets being created for the raffle at South Street Linen......First Friday Artwalk fast approaches.

big nite

Friday night is the next Artwalk in Portland and a big night in the 'hood.  Here in the "studio district" plenty of artists and artisans will be showing their wares. Check out the postcard below for the new and exciting addition : South Street Linen.  They and COREY&CO will be co-ordinating on a bit of a fund-raiser for DRESS for SUCCESS.  I will be putting together some felted jackets to co-ordinate with their stunning linen scarves. Drop by !

nubbins

These little charmers have arrived in the shop from England :little leather purses to hold keys, change, little treasures. Shaped like acorns, hearts, apples, shells- perfect to house a gift of jewelry.

local talent

Many Portlanders have a piece- or several- in their jewelry troves made by Michelle Estell. Much of her work is bead-centered, but I like metals...and metals she brings. These new necklaces have a hint of Calder, if you ask me. The other joy of carrying her work is seeing her park her bicycle by the front door and hearing her bountiful laugh.

classic

I have been drawn lately to small repetitive patterns and classic shapes. Here are a couple variations on the trench coat and lots of checks, tattersalls, dots, dashes.

paint it black

Once again, I have spent a precious "Sunday off" painting the shop floor. I know this one is doomed as well- every footprint will show, every dropped thread bit... but I have stored in my memory a Paris floor, a scratched-up industrial black floor in a shop. 'Loved the workroom look of it. And....I get to draw and write on this one. Here is how it looks - so far.

there and back

Another trip to Cleveland, and a study in contrasts. This time: a side-trip to buy jewelry at the studio of Judith of MODERN PIXIE. Her work/home is in a neighborhood called Tremont. Closely tucked in on the near west side of the gritty city, it is a mix of all things Cleveland. Look out and see the muscular structures of town, look up and see evidence of the ethnic population in the onion domes, look around and see the cafes and shops sprung up in this old residential area. And last, look closely at the fine and delicate work of a thoroughly MODERN PIXIE. 

color

I attempt to get some color into the shop and here are some bright spots: Kokun sweater, Huit Huit scarf and Donna Wilson woolies. Hmmmm....I seem to be stuck in a color palette, as you can see from my backyard.

delish knits

These gorgeous knit jackets in the shop are by Danish company Groa a live. The intriguing knit fabric is my only MOOD purchase in my just-back-from whirlwind buying trip to New York. I spent so much $ on spring/summer '12 clothing  that by the time I got to fabric buying , I was shy of spending and of time.

frilling

'Not one for the flounce and the frill myself, but I was charmed by this muddy, mustardy, raggedy gauze. Just a peek here or there creates pretty much the opposite of "girly".

hats

One day this past week found me low on energy and so the scale of work went from jackets....down to hats ! Today I was flipping through an old family album and ....hats again ! Don't you wish people- men and women- still wore them as a daily accessory ? The first few photos are long-gone family and friends-of, the last photo: my feeble attempts.

last of linen

I have sewn the last linen pieces of the season. I sewed through the whites, the blues, the blacks, the patterns, the checks, the stripes. At the end was "maltinto", earthy tones from Italy. One corner of the shop looks like a mossy, mushroomy forest. So here's the idea: dye. Lately I have been dyeing- just for fun- some of my more tired summer clothing...and for the most part, with success! A couple of friends and I have an "indigo party" planned. Some wine, some indigo kits from Japan, and a new life for some linen garments. Pictured here: shop corner avec linen.

on the road again

Before heading to New York tomorrow, I reflect on a recent road trip to Castine, Maine, in the company of my visiting sister. We stayed at the quirky, charming Pentagoet Inn. We made many stops along the way, Route 1 style. She bought moccasins, I bought a piece of folk art featuring ducks. We ate, drank, and dangled feet in the water on the town dock. Tomorrow's journey will be a slightly different type of trip.

what season is it?

I know it is still summer. I can tell by the sun, the heat, the sand in the sheets. But at my work table, the season is changing. I am fortunate in that I do not have to sew 2 seasons ahead, as for a collection. I can slowly work into the next weather pattern. These are the beginning of the transitional pieces: heavier linens, cottons....soon to be followed by twills, corduroy?, light-weight wools. 'Putting off the transition as long as possible. Linger longer, summer.