Archive for fabric
Sharon Blackman owls (and pears)
Take one owl, add a bit of vintage loveliness, throw in some retro fabrics, the odd bit of orange detail (it’s all about the eyes!), and a smidge of a button. The result? A Sharon Blackman owl.
Using recycled textiles, delicate buttons and clever applique techniques to create unique textiles and folkart pictures, Sharon is on to a winner. In a world of ever-increasing digitally reproduced owls, it’s exceedingly refreshing to appreciate a hand-finished beauty, such as this night owl…
… and not to mention this Liberty-esque version.
Sharon loves the softness of washed-out colours and simple embroidery stitches, which you can see in the fabrics she has chosen for every owl, and in her beautiful, intricate detailing. And because she only ever uses her own patterns, there is a pleasing simplicity of shape to each work of art.
Inspired by what she calls “everyday blessings – things around the home and garden such as flowers, food and family” as well as “seaside pictures and anything French”, Sharon has redefined the owl aesthetic in my books. I can imagine a series of these owls framed and hanging on the wall of a traditional French kitchen, and finding them equally at home in an urban contemporary setting.
To top it all off, there are pears too. And these are just divine: I am swooning with the perfect colours, pattern combo and cutaway section. I’m thinking wallpaper, blinds, cushion covers…
Check out Sharon’s blog here, her Etsy shop here, and/or follow her on Twitter (@SharonBlackman) to keep up-to-date with her latest creations.
Marimekko pear quilt
This quilt leaves me lost for words. I simply cannot imagine anything nicer to spread over a pram for an Autumn stroll, or tuck around your knees as you curl up with a good book and a steaming mug of green tea at the end of a long day. The spectacularly poised Marimekko print, the stitch-perfect quilting and equally delectable backing simply could not fail to lift your spirits.
You can see in the sun-dappled photo above that smckey has mastered the art of marrying a traditional craft with twentieth century Scandinavian design, the ultimate in attention to detail and twenty-first century beauty too. You can visit her Etsy shop here for even more examples of quilting heaven (I love Confetti Parade) or take a peek at her blog for an insight into quilting, crafts, and the meaning of life. Phew, finally someone’s come up with an answer to that conundrum.
Getting back to the pear print (which is stipple quilted in green and white on one hundred per cent cotton fabric), you might be interested to know a bit more about the backing fabric – it is “willow orchard” by Alexander Henry. And for more patterns from this particular designer studio, check out a recent (ish) Print & Pattern post here.
The quilt itself is 54″ x 32″, you can machine wash and dry it, it’s utterly unique, it can be posted to your door, and … what else? Well, don’t get me started on how I’d love to redecorate my quasi-study with this quilt hanging on the brick wall above a retro desk and an Eames chair in matching green or contrasting mustard (the one below is from John Lewis).
Pear half hostess
I’m on a roll with the apron theme. Only this time, it’s not owls but pears. And for a change, here is an example of a fantastic pear-based fabric design on a cocoa background. Just perfect if we’re talking about a cooking-related item of clothing, when mentioning chocolate somewhere in the post is de rigeur. How utterly fab would you feel if you managed to bake some of these pear and chocolate cake pots while sporting this pretty half hostess?
Becky handcrafts these aprons in Minnesota and sells them to the world from her Juniperberries Etsy shop here. They come with a large double pocket and straps long enough to tie around the front on back (depending on girth…).
Anyway, back to pears and chocolate: why not try your hand at some macaroons? These vanilla, orange and chocolate, pear and vanilla scrummies are from one of my fave foody/fashion blog reads – Brigadeiro. Alternatively, there is a recipe for chocolate, pear and ginger tart on page 141 of the Green & Black’s Chocolate Recipes book, which I would be v. tempted to try out. (By the way, I can’t wait for the new G&B recipe book to be released – I know I will probably only fawn over the recipes and illustrations rather than actually bake them, but hey ho, you never know. Maybe there’ll be a pear recipe in there too?)
Finally, my love of Lindt’s intense chocolate range is now deep-rooted, following my discovery of their sea salt dark chocolate bar (now available at Waitrose/Ocado) – this stuff is A-mazing. I know there is a pear version of the intense range in the States – I’ve seen it on google, and here it is as proof:
My question is, when can we get our hands on this flavour in the UK? If you have a strong desire to see this in stock, then log in and send Waitrose/Ocado an message here (or an email: customersupport@waitrose.co.uk) and make pear chocolate a reality for everyone in Blighty.
Flying ducks stacked owls
I’ve been meaning to write about Brisbane blogger Kyliept for ages – there’s a particular post of hers that I love: in yet another snippet of her unique interior design ethic, Brisbane stylee, a pair of superb stacked owls are showcased in her living room. Above a scarlet red and white vintage fabric print of an owl in a tree, encased in a beautiful black box frame, is perched a friendly white ceramic owl. As individual pieces, each owl is gem-like: together, they are a true tour de force, and I can’t wait to find out what Kylie does next.
Spoonflower owl fabric
Just when I was wondering where all the owls were, in steps Gail – fabulous friend and guru of all things crafty, internety and foody – with news of Spoonflower. For those of you, like me, who were unaware of this seriously fantastic site, you can upload and design your own patterns and Spoonflower will print it (on quilting, linen, cotton or canvas) and send it back to you. A true crafting inspiration. There is already a wealth of designs up there for you to browse and choose from, if you don’t have your own to hand yet. And the owl collection is especially noteworthy. In fact, it’s hard to find a more amazing selection of delectable owls anywhere else online. Check out the pears already uploaded too. For anyone with the time or the inclination, there is yet to be an owl and pear design though. Rise to the challenge!
Vintage Jelanie pear print
Image © Jelanie
You used to be able to order this retro pear print from Jelanie’s Etsy shop, but not at the moment. You can check out this designer’s website though, and see what she’s been up to with other fabulous fruity prints. The pears scream Scandinavian design and would work beautifully as a fabric too. Imagine the soft furnishings, the wallpaper, the homeware. Maybe even the odd bag or two, or some fabric-backed notebooks for special lists. While we await pear heaven, I may just download some screen wallpapers from Jelanie’s Flickr stream to tide me over. Delectable.
The Marimekko pear
Fruity pop art. The iconic Marimekko Päärynä (Finnish for pear) print. Seen here on white, but also available on a midnight blue background. I have a stretchy T-shirt top and a dress with this pattern on the blue and they never fail to draw a comment or two whenever I wear them. I think it has something to do with the pear perfection: the shape is crisp, the colours are bold yet understated, the pattern is soothing. I’m not sure you can still buy the Päärynä clothing range in Marimekko shops, but you might find something sweet on Ebay….
Orla Kiely pear print
Well it wouldn’t be a proper pear blog if I didn’t at least include one reference to Orla‘s masterpiece of a print. I could include photos of a myriad of her marvellous pear products – bags, purses, notepads, towels – but one my most coveted items of all time would have to be this chair. In my mind, I sit in this chair in my study, possibly with a copy of Slightly Foxed in one hand, and the other reaching for a cup of earl grey that is poised elegantly on a Gordon Russell side table. However, as I type this post out now, I note the conspicuous absence of such a stylish scenario: I am covered in porridge (typing is getting sticky) and the only chair in sight is the baby’s. Pear chair, one day you will be mine…
Ink and Spindle wrens fabric
I am always on the look out for fabric patterned with something a tad different, and this one oozes extreme birdiness. I would love to make some pull-cord blinds in this particular shade of burnt orange, but unless I spend less time writing about all the things I’d like to do and more time actually doing them, it’s not likely to happen for a decade or so. Ink and Spindle have great eco credentials to back up their delectable textiles, making this even more desirable. Is it the mummy and baby bird perched easily aside one another that appeals to me? Or perhaps the spindly branches….
