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Vintiquing

2/17/2016

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It's never too cold for  Vintiquing.  Recognize any of these places?
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Summer Reading

7/22/2015

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How to Design a Chair first published in 2010 by  Conran Octopus Ltd in association with Design Museum.  From the introduction:  "The chair is an immensely suggestive form.  It is one of the most anthropomorphic furniture types:  it has a back, a seat and legs, sometimes arms, and occasionally elbows, knees and feet.  It sits and invites setting - even unoccupied, it has a certain human presence."
Wonderful little book for the furniture design enthusiast!  
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Armchair Art

6/30/2015

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Some of you inquired about this photo from the previous post, spotted in the "EATALY" pavilion at EXPO MILAN 2015.  So I imagine pasta inspired this "ARMCHAIR IN LOW PRESSURE HEAT EXTRUDED MULTICOLOR POLYURETHANE".  I am most curious about the two windows that seem to be eyes that personify this spaghetti monster.  The title of the work by Gaetano Pesce "SENZAFINE UNICA" translates "ENDLESS ONLY".
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Cobbler's Shoes

4/6/2015

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Compactable

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Like many of my creative friends, finding time for personal projects is a constant challenge. But with an upcoming trip requiring airline travel, I carved out a few hours to cobble up this carry-on container.  Part of the puzzle was using only materials I had on hand, including leather remnants and parts from what I call the "weird projects graveyard".  

Custom Carry-On

Back Pack or Shoulder Bag

Product Details


This last photo is my favorite because my reflection is captured in the shiny snap.  A great metaphor for pouring heart and soul into work .  I can't wait to try this design in my travels and think about the next iteration. 

What are you designing that reflects your life?

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Host & Hostess Chairs

8/26/2014

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Finally got around to slipcovering this armed parson chair in coordinating Jackie Von Tobel fabric quatrefoil and suzani in kiwi.  These parsons chairs were made in Hickory, North Carolina, by Carrington Court Direct and are so sturdy and comfortable.  They now live in NoDa, Charlotte's hipster historic arts & entertainment district.  "Charlotte's got a lot" and now Charlotte's got custom slipcovers from Pencil Me In.  Oh mercy me.  My 6th grade English teacher would so redline the previous two sentences.  Forgive me Mrs. Babcock!
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Under the Magnifying Glass

4/16/2014

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It was my good fortune to spend the weekend in 12 hours of private lessons at the Wiliamsburg School of Needlework, a vocational training school for the linen industry based on the European model.  I love the school's philosophy:
"Old World Skills requires Old World Time".  
Ever since I acquired "The Book Of Fine Linen" by Francoise de Bonneville, I have wanted to master this art of embellishing fine fabrics.  In class we used a lighted magnifying lamp, 5x power, to accomplish the exquisite details of fine stitchery on the linen sampler.  To be quite honest, this fineness of hand eye coordination  under the microscope did not come so naturally to me, and even threading the needle with the embroidery floss was challenging.  I can understand why it was explained that any new skill requires approximately 3 months to master.  Certainly it will take many hours of practice to complete the samplers from class, but I've got my writing desktop cleared to make space and time for practicing an old world skill.  And while I may never master this embroidery technique, I am sure to sharpen the eye as 5x is a powerful and magnificent way to see the details.  In the meantime, something else I noticed under the magnifying glass is that it's time for a manicure!  If you would like to know more about my experience at the Williamsburg School of Needlework, please contact me privately.  


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Rags to Riches

3/19/2014

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This coming weekend my sisters and I will travel to Tarboro for a girls weekend to celebrate Mama's birthday.  So happy my sister Marilyn from Arden made a pit stop to the workshop today and that she brought her creative spirit with her.  During some Appalachian winter's nights, she had reimagined some fabric remnants into colorful braids and needed a strong machine to zigzag them into a rug.  The Sailrite LS-Z was just the machine to do the job.  Can't wait for more fun projects this weekend!  Time spent with family is priceless.  
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Art to Eat

2/11/2014

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Can you tell that I am just a wee bit excited?  These custom cookies for a bridal tea were shipped in from Scottsdale, Ariozona.  They were custom created by Lauren Dorsee Dillon of Rancho Laureno Rustic Arts, who is a friend from my childhood days in Tarboro, NC.  Each cookie was individually wrapped in cellophane and colorful tissue paper and arrived on time.  Tea time that is!  There were cookies shaped like teacups, teapots, bridesmaid dresses, rabbits, hearts, clocks, and little books.  One little book cookie had this riddle:  "Why is a raven like a writing desk?"  These cookies were too pretty to eat, but we did anyway. 
Will we shrink or grow?  

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Godets and Romance

2/13/2013

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My Valentine to me is the gift of making time to try new techniques.  So tomorrow I will dust off one of my favorite books, "The Art of Manipulating Fabric" by Colette Wolf.  
This book I love for all the ideas and techniques that change the look and feel of a piece of cloth.  I've been dying to try godets!  Even the word "godet" sounds romantic, after all it is of French origin.  These triangular inserts add fullness to flat fabric, making beautiful cascades.     Go godet day! 
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Signs of the Season on Snowden

12/13/2012

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