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.