I’ve not been posting many projects lately because I am working like a dog on my book. Do dogs work hard? Most dogs I know don’t, but maybe if you’re a sled dog in Alaska or something. Anyway, since I can’t give you many details about the book, I thought I’d share a couple of things that have been inspiring me lately.
Quilts of Gee’s Bend: I can’t remember what year I first laid eyes on these amazing quilts, but the power that these women put in their work is amazing. I think these quilts speak volumes about the beauty of necessity. Pictured below is Mary Lee Bendolph’s Blocks and Strips of 2002.
Children’s art: As always, I’m influenced and inspired by my children’s art. There’s something about the simplicity and directness in the work of a child that can’t be imitated. My seven-year-old’s apple drawing is pictured below. She was working on a cardboard box, which created those great textural lines.
Liberty of London: Always an inspiration. And I will definitely be making a trip to Target on March 15 when their new line arrives. Look at this adorable girl’s dress. You can see a few other images on the Oprah website. Thanks to Laura for sending me that link!
Oh, and one more thing that I wanted to mention. The very talented Kristal of The Rikrak Studio is holding a fun competition called the Handmade Olympics and I was nominated in the category of Favourite Blog with a Handmaking Focus. So I wanted to say thanks to Kristal and to Tara of Scoutie Girl for putting me on the list of finalists. If you’d like to vote for me here, I would be grateful.
I love the quilts of Gee’s Bend! My daughter and I saw an exhibit of them in Baltimore a few years ago, and we were both blown away. They are so beautiful, and so bold. Thanks for reminding me — I have a poster from that exhibit I’ve been meaning to frame! 🙂
It was a tough thing to vote for, but I did put in my vote for you. Thanks for all you do, putting great stuff out there for us all to gather inspiration from.
I already voted for you, I think you have a fantastic blog!
Wow, thanks fro putting up the Gees Bends pages. That’s amazing, I would love to read these books and the prints look fantastic.
Are you aware that there’s going to be a quilting exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, England, in March? Liberty of London is involved and is selling special edition fabrics through the Museum shop. The V&A is my favourite museum ever.
I already voted for you 🙂 Your blog is fantastic – and those Target/Liberty dresses are too cute!
i put in a vote for you…good luck! and thanks for the liberty of london link. one more reason to shop target.
Of course I just voted for you!
It’s funny that I just blogged about my excitement over Liberty of London coming to Target. In a preview picture I saw they are making a bicycle with an iconic floral print on the frame. Oh how I want that bike!
That is so awesome that Liberty of London is coming to Target! I LOVE them!!
Already voted for you :o)
What!!?? Liberty at Target??? I’ll be there!
AH! I just got to see a selection of the Gee’s Bend quilts in person- AMAZING. Our local museum is hosting them and I was also lucky enough to listen to a quick lecture with two fo the women from Gee’s Bend (China and Louisianna) Such inspiration from them.
I am honored to be from Alabama where Gee’s Bend is. Thier quilts are lovely. My family & I plan to visit one day soon. It’s not a trip for the faint of heart. Gee’s Bend is completely in the middle of no where.
You really must be working hard. I know for a fact, the dogs up here are in training and are working hard for the Last Great Race on Earth (The Iditarod ~ starts March 06 ). I did cast my vote for you. Great blog. Good luck on your book.
I too just got to see the Gee’s Bend exhibit (last weekend) and it was beautiful! Vanessa and I must live in the same area. 🙂 I’ll go put my vote in now… good luck!
Hi! I gave you a Beautiful Blogger Award on my blog. You can see it here:
http://ahouseonfire.blogspot.com/2010/02/thank-you-judy-for-award.html
I’m off to vote for you now!
Sarah