NYC Fun

Roaming through SoHo saw this window:

Got closer and realied they are antique sewing machines!

Saw this cool wooden bike in the Camper store:

Working in NYC this week

My company has an office in New York, on 5th Avenue, across from Lord & Taylor. I spent this week working out of this office with the rest of our design crew on a yearly project. So great to all be together in the same room, face to face. We function via conference calls the rest of the year so this is really jam-packed and a lot of fun. All was not work, however. On Tuesday, we went to FIT to catch a guided presentation of their exhibit "Japan Fashion Now". The curator, Valerie Steele, led us through a history of Japanese fashion from the vanguard designers in the 1980's through the current years. A fantastic show!

Thoroughly inspired by the japanese designs, I made my way to Kinokuniya, a Japanese bookstore. I found myself purchasing a gorgeous book and magazine on Japanese quilts (imagine that!).

Can't read a word of them, but the beauty of the quilts speaks volumes. It is so interesting to see the different perspective at work in the composition of the quilts. Sure to inspire my work (as soon as I have a studio to work in!)

I also trekked down to West 25th Street to visit a jewel of an LQS: the city Quilter. Full of beautiful fabrics (prints, batiks, shot cottons, silk fat quarters and japanese wovena nd prints) this shop was so busy with quilters taking classes. Felt like home and it was my first visit. They had wonderful samples on the wall, each easily identified with the pattern or book. They also have many New York themed patterns and fabrics available.

 Love the skull made from Halloween Prints!

From the book Dare to be Square by Boo Davis.

 Couldn't leave without buying a charm pack of bright blue and red patterns along with some white on white FQs. Already have an idea for these!

Just some thoughts

I have always and forever thought of myself as an artist. As a 6 year-old first grader, a 16 year-old high school student, even after I had my son. (I was “Mom” first, artist second). I make my living as a textile designer but I still consider myself an artist. There is a difference. I think about line, form, color. I design quilts in my dreams. I doodle and imagine that element as part of a fabric design.



Often this thought has struck me: is there a limited need for artists in the world?

 Part of this question is economic. When I announced at 6 that I was going to be an artist when I grew up, I was encouraged. Then as I began high school and college, I was encouraged to find and study something “to fall back on”. My Dad, however told me I did not need anything to fall back on if I were successful. I never wanted to do anything else, so I have never had anything to fall back on. I have been employed as a creative for most of my adult life, even when I was an administrative assistant. Creative thinkers can add to any field and any position.

 What created this question? I saw an animated short on the internet. It was simple, beautiful, thoughtful. There are so very many fantastic artists in the world: writers, painters, jewelry makers, animators, photographers. The internet will bring them from all over the world into your home. Is there enough paying work to keep them all fed? Do we need to make money from our art to be successful?




I feel artistically successful when I am creating something that turns out either just like I imagined it, or better.




I believe we need more artists in the world.

Seeing quilt patterns everywhere!

This building in San Francisco sure looks modern-quilt-inspired to me!

All those blocks of bright colors on the white background!

My San Francisco Hotel Room

The Hotel Carlton was just so cute and colorful. My room: