two straight lines

This past weekend we drove up to Grand Rapids to see the tail end of the springtime butterfly exhibit at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.  While that was fun, what really captured our hearts was the children's garden. 

It's fun to think about how some techniques that designers of public spaces use could be applied at home to create whimsical spaces for our kids.

   A pint-sized gate welcomes you.

  Large scaled artwork enchants you.

  Areas for pretend play transport you.

  Paths lead you to magical places.

See the rest here.

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I wanted to let you all know that we finally sold our old home on the other side of the state and late last week we received a truck with the last of our things.  I'm busily unpacking over here, trying to find places for all of things that we probably don't need since we haven't missed them for the last six months.  I'm getting excited to start some decorating projects, namely painting--  more progress as soon as the last of the boxes are gone.

Elliot and I went to an exhibit of Japanese packaging at Western Michigan University yesterday.  We had fun finding all the smiley face packages.  This is my favorite shot.  See the rest of them here.

of Carolina Chambray from Robert Kaufman sent out last week to my fellow participants in the Virtual Quilting Bee.  Available at Purl, a little cheaper locally at Guildcrafters.  Anyone who likes shot cottons will love this stuff.  There are actually three colors in each bundle, dark teal, russet, and muslin (my names for the colors, not Robert Kaufman's).

(S & P shakers by Anthropologie)

And some quilty inspiration via Flickr.  I didn't make any of these.  Click through for links to the very talented makers.

On Sunday I made my way to the brand new exhibit at the Henry Ford Museum called Quilting Genius II, the Improvisational Quilts of Susana Allen Hunter.  It was absolutely stunning- any locals should run straight there to see it before the end of April when the quilts will be packed away.

I took my trusty camera and with my babe in arms shot photos of all 30 of them, only to discover when I got home that my lens had accidentally been switched to manual.  not. one. good. shot.  But I promise, I will return and bring you all photos.

Ms. Hunter's work is reminiscent of the quilts of Gee's Bend, and she artfully pairs modern arrangements with softer details like feedsack florals.  Add some hand quilting and you have richly layered pieces that seem to tell you a story.  Seriously amazing.  The photo above shows four of the quilts, but really doesn't do them justice.  I'm hoping I can get you some more details.  Can you see all of the feedsacks in the bottom right one?

I was feeling all quilty even before this, working on a small patchworky piece.  This is nearly finished now so I will share more when I get a chance.  Also getting ready to make my block for the Virtual Quilting Bee hosted by Mama Urchin.  And then I'm dying to make Lucie a doll quilt for her first birthday in a month (!!).  And the list goes on.

Last week I received several emails from people who had seen projects offered here on my blog and decided to create their own version.  I can't tell you how fun it is for me to see this, really, it is the highlight of this little job of mine. For those of you who haven't been around my blog since its early days, the name, Two Straight Lines, comes from the children's book Madeline.  "In two straight lines they broke their bread and brushed their teeth and went to bed"-- the idea is that we are all going on this little adventure together.  So, if you create a project inspired by one of mine, do share it with me.  That's what is so unique and special about this little world we've crafted for ourselves.

Although most of my real life friends don't share my interests, I am lucky enough that my closest friend does, so when I have an idea or find a great new craft item, she is the one I call to obsess over buttons and glitter and such.  And to top it off, she is married to my uncle (my Mom's youngest brother is about my age), so I get to see her at Christmas time and family reunions too.  She is a bit more reserved  than me, so you aren't likely to find her on the internet blathering on, but I assure you, she is just as crafty.  Above are the crepe paper flowers and aprons she made for her daughter Chloe's cooking themed 8th birthday party.  And the wooden spoons are the invites, right Alicia?  (BTW, Chloe helped with the flowers and Alicia said she ruined a few petals getting the hang of it.  The key is not pushing the t-pin right through the bottom of the crepe paper circle!)

She and I have been conspiring over Chloe's birthday parties for years.  Way before I had kids when I lived in Boston, I would make the trek home to Indianapolis to help with the festivities.  My suitcase was usually packed full of things that would raise a few eyebrows in airport security these days.  Someday I'll try to share pictures of the things we made for those first few parties.

Here are the party guests and birthday girl modeling their aprons-- and the crowns were an easy party craft I came up with.  You know those rolls of corrugated stuff that teachers use to border bulletin boards?  I picked up a roll of it at JoAnn's during back to school time, and discovered it made cute crowns, decorated with chipboard letters (in the scrapbooking area) and fastened at the back with a decorative brad.  These could really be adopted for any theme, and decorated with anything you have on hand.

And a few more links to the lovely ladies who shared their projects with me-- simple blinds by Liz Morgan and the paper dolls that Maggie turned into her new blog banner.  Thanks so much.

Update: I forgot to mention that Alicia made the aprons from Martha Stewart dishtowels from KMart.  She read this tutorial, but ultimately made them her own way with twill tape at the neckline and for the ties.  It looks to me like the twill tape snaps to the top on one side.  And I forgot to give her credit for the lovely photos.

When my Mom died, nine years ago today, her house was loaded with clocks, mirrors and angels.  When I look around my house, I see that I too am drawn to the same things (although different things than my Mom), over and over.  Our collections seem to overlap at angels.

Has anyone noticed whether or not Michael's carries the double-sided crepe paper from Martha Stewart Crafts?  I don't want to drag the family there tomorrow if they don't have it.  I've never been actually looking for it while I was there.  Thanks!

Update: They did have it.  It was in the bottom left hand corner of the Martha Stewart display at my Michael's.  Both of my local Michael's have the same basic set-up for the MS products, one side of one aisle, plus a seasonal kiosk elsewhere.  This crepe paper is gorgeous, and as far as I can tell only comes in one size 12 x 12 (one of the commenters mentioned a larger size).  They do have tissue paper, glassine, and vellum in larger sizes.

Quilt Studio of Mozell Benson

Man, I have no intention of posting so much, but I keep thinking of things to tell all of you...I am completely dying over the quilt studio built for Gee's Bend quilter Mozell Benson by Auburn University students that is featured in Metropolis this month.  It is so incredible, contemporary with an amazingly organic feel.  Makes me want to scrap it all and build my eco-farmhouse somewhere.

Quilt Studio of Mozell Benson

More here.

My birthday was April 1st, so I finally got around to ordering mysef a doll from Wren Handmade, and it arrived yesterday.  I am so thrilled with it, so glad that I got it from Laura instead of trying to make it myself from the patterns that were previously on the MSL website (thank goodness I downloaded and printed those before they changed their links).  I am sure that mine wouldn't be as beautiful as the one Laura made, although now I want to make a million outfits for her. 

I love the way the dolls have such a grown-up look about them, they remind me of little museum curators or something.  I have a black boiled wool coat cut like this, and the pants and shoes also look like something I'd wear.  I asked Laura to pick the shirt for me, and of course this little Liberty print number is perfect.  I originally planned to keep her in the nursery, but that's up for debate now:) 

Next week I hope to share some more pictures of the nursery update that Laura's doll for the Kim Family Auction inspired.  And I know that Blair mentioned Joelle Hoverson's apartment which was featured in the new Blueprint.  That along with receiving my doll has got me thinking about what a special place "handmade" has in my home, so I would also like to share some thoughts about that in the next few weeks.  Have a great weekend everyone...

Photo courtesy of Laura Normandin

I know we were all inspired by the Kim Family Auction which was held over a month ago- organized by Lisa Congdon, Geri Congdon, and Stephanie (Congdon) Barnes- and raising over $16,000 to benefit the family of James Kim, but I was also inspired by the artistry of many of the contributors.  I particularly loved the doll donated by Laura Normandin, owner of Wren Handmade, who I have admired for quite a while. 

There is so much inspiration to be found on blogs and websites...I am amazed every day at the talented people I find around the world...but it is rare when someone's aesthetic appeals to me so completely.  I usually admire the things that others make, and take my favorite parts, altering them to fit my life.  But I find the work of Laura Normandin *just perfect*-- from the folk-art quality of her dolls to the tiny outfits she crafts-- I wouldn't change a thing.

I was so inspired by the doll that Laura donated to the auction that I decided to redecorate my nursery.  Luckily, the paint doesn't need to be changed, and the only thing that I had really done in there was to make some simple blinds a year and a half ago.  I ordered the Liberty prints that Laura used in her doll's clothes, and now I just need to make some new curtains-- I am thinking simple white curtains with some sort of redwork at the bottom.  I think the red against the pale blue walls is sweet but unusual for a little girl's room.  I will use the Liberty prints as accents around the room.  I am thinking of making some little doll's clothes to hang from tiny hangers a la Alicia, or maybe even putting in a little clothesline like Martha did.  I want the room to have the spartan look of a typical nursery from Martha Stewart Baby. (oh how I miss that magazine)

This is the way I usually decorate a room, with one little snippet of inspiration, maybe a fabric or rug, and go from there.  Elliot's nursery (at our former house) was a similar soft blue with white dotted swiss curtains and blue gingham bedding.  It was inspired by a vintage table cloth that I have dragged with me since my college years with little farmers on it.  That bedding will match the Liberty prints- which I had completely forgotten about at first.  To be honest, I don't plan on pulling out the crib just yet.  I found that the only way I got any sleep with Elliot was to lay with him, so I am going to put a queen mattress on the floor for the baby and me, which later will replace our guest room mattress.  I am trying to think of ways to make this bed look put together, and not like some mattress thrown in the corner on the floor, so if you have any great suggestions let me know.

So, I've got five weeks to get this done.  I am also hoping to commission a doll from Laura, or even make one myself using her patterns (sorry- link has been broken) which are available on the the MSL website.  Yeah, I pretty much did backflips when I found those.  That way, if I buy the doll from Laura, I can continue making little outfits on my own.  Check back for progress...

Update: One of the MSL links is broken, the other has been updated.