summer sojourn

Just as I was wondering what in the world to write to you all today, a series of emails popped up in my mailbox. They were from a dear friend, wishing me well on my travels, and reminding me to pack my Burke's Peerage. He attended the Attingham program two years ago and included some photographs from his trip, including this one, taken at Little Moreton Hall in Cheshire. It was just what I needed after a stressful week ~ in between moving, packing for the trip, and getting things in order at work, I haven't had a moment to just BE excited ~ and his email reminded me that it is, indeed, all for real!

So, the move is done, the clothes are laid out, and the passport is tucked in my bag. The moleskine and watercolors are packed, and the camera has an empty memory card. I leave you all with warm wishes for the month of July...and look forward to sharing all of it with you when I get home. Cheers!

(photo: KDM)

oh, the piles!

I had hoped to post some more photos of the apartment, but the place is now such a mess of boxes. I am too embarrassed to show you! Going through some old magazines (and there are lots), I came across the March 2006 Elle Decor. I kept it because of John Derian's fabulous NYC apartment ~ so comfortable and modern. Something to aspire to! (His summer place was recently featured in Vogue Living, which I could not find, but you can see it on his website).

As some of you may know, I am jetting off in a few short days on an amazing summer adventure. So, in addition to unpacking, I am also packing! But more on that later... happy wednesday!

moving day

Well, moving day was delayed a bit...there was plaster that wouldn't dry, a ceiling that needed to be painted, and so on. But, finally, last night things were in good enough shape that I was able to finally move in...at least most of the way! What a great feeling to sleep in one's own bed in one's OWN apartment! So, if my posts are a bit spotty this week, please forgive me.

Already stacked on my bedside table: At Home with White and Rose Tarlow's The Private House. Lots of good inspiration.

trouvée: jump!

First day of summer ~ and a gorgeous weekend ahead! Yippee! I recently found this on eBay...good snapshots are getting harder and harder to afford (and I despise bidding wars), but somehow this one was overlooked. Lucky me. Pure joie de vivre!

It has been a long busy week. This opened (go see it ~ one of the most amazing things I have ever worked on). This premieres at Silverdocs. And the big move is tomorrow ~ I am just keeping my fingers crossed that the painters will have worked their magic!

A few friday links:

* Folk Photos: A Lost Medium (wish I could get to New York)
* Jen Gotch has a collection too!
* and a last bit of Blue at the Textile Museum

Oh, happy weekend. xo.

summer blues 4

What would summer be without a few Liberty prints? It is getting harder and harder to find them, but in Washington G Street Fabrics often carries some. And Purl in New York.

I have been saving up lots of links to end the week with...so stay tuned. Here's to a happy wednesday...and clear blue skies!

(images: Liberty & Company, "Poppyland" printed cotton, 1912-1913, T.324-1976, and "Field Flowers" printed cotton, c. 1900-1910, T.317-1976, Victoria & Albert Museum, London)

summer blues 3

I have been stitching a lot of blue lately. This is my summer project ~ the mate to this piece. They are the first two needlepoint pillows that I have ever made for myself!

Oh, this just caught my eye in the bookstore ~ Self Portrait in a Velvet Dress ~ the photographs and fabric details are fantastic.

summer blues 2

More summer blue ~ a textile design by Shirley Craven for Hull Traders. Stay cool...happy monday.

(image: Shirley Craven, "Kaplan" printed cotton fabric, 1960, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, T.139-1989)

summer blues 1

I apologize that I didn't get a snapshot up yesterday...let's blame it on the heat! This beauty isn't from my own collection...just one of the many new goodies over on Look at Me. I'm finding inspiration in cool summer blues...but more on that next week.

Cheers for now...and happy weekend!

simple and poetic

One last little scene from Basel...and favorite from the fair: Helen Mirra (more here), whose work I found profoundly simple and poetic.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I fell in love in Basel...with white asparagus. Where has it been all my life?!?! It was the peak of the season, and so divine!

room with a view

More from Basel ~ a rare sunny view from my window ~ along with a couple faves from the fair:

* Rachel Whiteread (love her cabinets and bookcases)
* El Anatsui (whose work I first saw in Venice last year, draped over the facade of Palazzo Fortuny)

Cooler air blew into Washington last night in dramatic fashion ~ today is gorgeous! Cheers!

scenes from a swiss town

I love seeking out the quiet parts of Basel, away from the crowds and the drama of the art fair ~ there are just so many lovely little vignettes. But...where to begin with the art fair? Well, perhaps this week I will share one thing a day. (And for those of you who are curious, I did not see Brad Pitt *sigh*).

One of the things that stood out this year at the fair was how many more Asian galleries and artists were represented...which I really enjoyed. My favorite was a Japanese photographer, Rinko Kawauchi ~ how I have missed her work, I have NO idea! So lovely (see more here). I was particularly taken by her series The Eyes, The Ears (took me a while to find the publication, but photo-eye has it ~ yay!), and her dairy, # 1 and # 2.

So, enjoy...more tomorrow. Stay cool dear friends on the east coast.

back from basel

Home at last! Basel was cold and rainy, but there was lots of art to see. Not all of it good...though there were a few things that caught my eye. More on that tomorrow, along with little bits of Basel. For now ~ the view from my hotel window at 11pm. The tower to the right was the bell tower of Peterskirch, and the first time I heard it ring, it nearly blasted me out of bed (at 7am)!

Oooooh, it is hot in Washington...a wall of heat. Cheers...it is good to be back. xo.

flying off again

Time to pack my bags...I am off to Art Basel this afternoon. I will be back next week with tales from the art fair. I leave you with happy, warm thoughts and a photograph taken last year in that little Swiss town. Cheers!