Source: nicoleklee.blogspot.ca via Carolanne on Pinterest

I stumbled across Nicole Lee's blog a few months ago; in search of a kindred quilting spirit. Not only is Nicole a talented quilter, she is also a dedicated sock knitter. Where have you been all my life? She had only just started working on this amazing quilt with fabric from Shabd. True love at first sight. So often pattern imposes a conflicting narrative on a quilt. I had been looking for fabrics that would bring greater independence to my work. I hadn't considered sourcing from a dyer, but this piece inspired me to pick up a few remnants myself. Mine are much smaller than than Nicole's which has lead to an unfortunate and very serious case of "yardage envy".  I can't wait to see this completed.

Bonus: if you follow regularly, you occasionally get to see pictures of this totally awesome cat.

ashley thayer

Source: foundwhilewalking.blogspot.ca via Carolanne on Pinterest

Source: shop.maricolous.com via Carolanne on Pinterest

Hand dyed napkins are an idea that I have been experimenting with recently. These beautiful dyed pieces from Ashley Thayer are so inspiring. I love the reinforced raw edges with the brilliant cloud patterns. My curtains are going up this weekend which is like my “Get Out of (renovation) Jail Free Card. My home is painted white which makes the perfect canvas for shots of bold colours like these. Now that I am back to my own sewing projects, I’ll post some brand new Dear Jane blocks from my sewing retreat two weeks ago. They are some of my favourites yet.

handmade: modern blue

    photos by yuriko takagi

Here is a spectacular story on Trend Tablet about one company's work in the revival of indigo.  Heartwood is a non-profit association dedicated to supporting and promoting indigo craft.  Their artisans produce fine cotton and linens that are sold to independent fashion and textile designers for beautiful garments like these. The article reads like poetry for anyone who craves the natural and authentic in craft and design. Check it out here.

blue. indigo. violet

Source: google.ca via Carolanne on Pinterest

Last night I finally finished painting my house!  I sat down to dinner just as the CBC Radio show Ideas started.  I was treated to The Power of Colour - Part 3 : Blue. Indigo. Violet.  Around (24:30-37:00) there is a great interview with Jenny Balfour-Paul who has spent 20 years studying the use and power of indigo.  It's a short interview and completely fascinating.  Balfour's book goes into much greater detail about the politics and controversy caused by this little plant from the east.  I'm away from the city this weekend at my yearly quilting retreat and I've already packed my copy.

intentions

Source: tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com via Carolanne on Pinterest

I finished teaching my Whole Cloth Quilting class this week and I miss my group already. I reluctantly return to my own pile of projects after obsessing about theirs for four weeks.

Before I do, any artist who finds inspiration from the quilts made by his wife and aunt deserves mention. This spectacular hand embroidery by Jacob Magraw is featured today in tmagazine blog. A true kindred spirit to hand work, he was drawn to this medium through "the layers of intention that can gather in such a slow process".

I've always reserved the word "intention" for that intimidating moment at yoga when I'm encouraged to "set my intention" for the day's class but, when we bring it back to needles and thread, it resonates. Sometimes when I start a piece I think "I know that many things can go wrong with this and, in this project, I will focus on (insert elusive skill) above all things". For this project the goal was liberation. I usually impose a pattern on quilting and, after several conferences with Melinda, I promised not to use any markings to decide where to quilt. I have covered about 1/4 of the surface in a deliberately indeliberate pattern. How very unlike me...

someday...

... I hope my blues fade as beautifully as this. Hand stitching. Two tones. What more do you need?

focus

Source: apc.fr via Carolanne on Pinterest

I met a guy on the TTC once who said that the trick for the spirit of any city is not to rally behind any one sports team rather, you should get behind a colour. With the unfortunate exception of the Raptors, Toronto is overwhelmingly blue. He was very charming. We were supposed to meet for a drink after a case of bronchitis I was nursing improved but, alas it was not meant to be. I did see his point however; as a true Torontonian, how could one feel anything but a swell of love at the sight of bright blue?

For the sake of my ease and focus I've settled on blue for my summer wardrobe palette. I wish that were as impressive as it sounds. Really it just means that have collected a lot of blue fabric to make skirts and if I buy so much as a t-shirt it has to harmonize. When I resolve to refine my aesthetic, for a six month period at least, it’s such a relief. Plus, it dovetails nicely with my summertime goal of learning and documenting urban indigo production. Stocking my wardrobe with something like this APC dress is really just the ideal way to keep my mind disciplined. If only...