Maura Ambrose Makes Me Want to Quilt…

Tags

Arts and Crafts, Bedding, Crafts, Fiber art, Folk Fibers, Foraging, Homewares, Maura Grace Ambrose, Natural fiber, Natural Fibers, Quilt, Quilting, Shopping, Terrain, Texas

Miter Stripes Quilt by Maura Ambrose at Folk Fibers
One of a kind Terrain exclusive
(Image from Terrain)

Maura Grace Ambrose of Folk Fibers has a goal: to share the craft and folklore around natural dyes and quilting.

Before you imagine a hippie, hemp wearing, flower child – take the time to check out some of her beautiful and amazing quilts. They are gorgeous. Maura uses natural dyes for some of her fabrics and patchworks them with others – both vintage and new. She is committed to using 100% natural fibres because she believes they feel better (totally agree) and she favours solid colours.

I think her work is stunning…

Colorado Quilt by Folk Fibers
Vintage wool, linen, and cotton fabrics arranged in a strip quilt format.
(Image from Folk Fibers)

Denim Strip Quilt by Folk Fibers
(Image from Folk Fibers)

Miter Strip Quilt by Folk Fibers
(Image from Folk Fibers)

California Quilt by Folk Fibers
New and vintage cottons come together in a bold strip quilt style. The bright modern color palette is softened with subtle accent strips, a select few are naturally dyed with onion skins.
(Image from Folk Fibers)

Flying Geese Quilt by Folk Fibers
(Image from Folk Fibers)

Cross Quilt by Folk Fibers
(Image from Folk Fibers)

All Maura’s quilts are hand-quilted in Texas. They arrive packed in a handmade, screen printed cedar box.

If you’d like to learn more about the fab’ work of Maura at Folk Fibers, check out her website here. As you might expect, her quilts are not cheap, but what an heirloom…!

Kerry Larkin of Comma Workshop Has Style…

Tags

Arts, Arts and Crafts, Bedding, Comma, Comma Workshop, Fiber art, Gifts, Homewares, Kerry Larkin, Matthew McConaughey, Poet, Poetry, Quilt, Quilting, Sewing, Shopping, Text, Typography, Writing

‘A Perfect Moon’ Quilt by Comma Workshop
The first quilt in the Comma Workshop new series features original writings by Kerry Larkin. The entire collection launches in Fall 2012.
(Image © Comma Workshop)

Two years ago, Kerry Larkin founded Comma Workshop in Colorado and began producing quilts that are sewn together with language. “The signature thing is that it’s my handwriting, and so no two letters are going to look alike,” she said.

Comma Workshop is dedicated to bringing a fresh perspective to the time-honored traditions of quilting and storytelling. Crafting original poems and stories about life and adventure, Kelly and her artisans thoughtfully sew these stories into every quilt.

Their goal is to create timeless, sophisticated quilts, with a hint of playfulness that are functional heirlooms for your home.

Each quilt has an original story or poem quilted directly into it, in both white thread and a contrasting color thread.  In this way, the 800+ words are a functional part of the quilt holding three layers of fabric together.  They machine quilt – by hand – so the ‘comma cursive’ is original and free-handed, making no two quilts exactly alike.

I think they are enchanting…

‘Joy’ Quilt by Comma Workshop
‘Joy’ is Kerry’s favorite quilt in the Limited Edition Collection and currently on her own bed! The phrase “and be not afraid to dance like the white-skirted girl with the suntanned face, for joy is surely the greater of our gifts.” is quilted in Verdana font across the front.
(Image © Comma Workshop)

Life is a series of commas, not periods.* (Matthew McConaughey)

*That’s a full stop to those of us who reside outside North America!

‘Still’ Quilt by Comma Workshop
“Rust Becomes Earth Becomes Me” written specifically for this collection by award-winning creative writer Jody Jenkins. It is quilted in its entirety in ash colored thread in the background of the quilt. “Still” is quilted in Times New Roman font at the lower right hand corner of this quilt.
(Image © Comma Workshop)

‘Nestled Newness’ Quilt by Comma Workshop
Snuggle your wee one in sweet words! Writings of seasons changing and new love create the background of this series of quilts.
“Hibernation wakes orange lights and sweet love… like spring wrapped in newness…” The Nestled Newness baby quilt uses a combination of the signature Comma handwriting and the Times New Roman typeface.
(Image © Comma Workshop)

‘Sweet Love’ Quilt by Comma Workshop
More writings of seasons changing and new love.
“a sweet love and quiet calm.” “Hibernation wakes orange lights and sweet love… like spring wrapped in newness…”
(Image © Comma Workshop)

Even though it’s too late to order in time for Christmas, if you’d like to see more of the Comma Workshop Quilts, there are more quilt designs to see here.

 

You Say Doona, They Say Dyne, I Say Duvet…

Tags

Australia, Bed Linen, Bedding, By Nord, Colloquialisms, Denmark, Design, Duvet, IKEA, Interior design, Kiwi, Language, New Zealand, Russell Crowe, Shopping, Sydney, Tontine Group

To most people around the world, Aussies and Kiwis are pretty similar – not least because of our shared geography. And, in many ways I can see why people might think that. Certainly, I love living in Sydney and there are many things about Australia that I have willingly embraced and in many cases, adopted. I have always preferred Vegemite to Marmite. I have learnt that not everybody knows what jandals* are. Jacarandas flowering in November have replaced Pohutukawas flowering in December for me in the lead up to Christmas. I don’t even give off that involuntary shudder when a well-meaning Australian tells me I “don’t sound like a Kiwi”, anymore.

God bless America. God save the Queen. God defend New Zealand and thank Christ for Australia. (Russell Crowe)

But, there is one thing I just cannot bring myself to embrace. I cannot and will not use the word ‘Doona’. It just sounds wrong.

Australians use the word ‘Doona’ in place of duvet, or even ‘continental quilt’. Now, I’ve done a wee bit of online searching and I have discovered that ‘Doona’ is the brand name created by Kimptons (Northern Feather). For the sake of accuracy, you should know that the Tontine Group acquired the trademark in 1991 when Pacific Dunlop took over the company. Apparently, ‘Doona’ is derived from the equivalent common Scandinavian term dyne and was popularised by retail behemoth IKEA in the 1970s.

All of this becomes perhaps a little more relevant when I tell you that today’s post is about the ever-so-fabulous graphic bed linen and cushions from By Nord, a most lovely Danish home-wares company (where they probably say ‘dyne’ instead of ‘doona’ or duvet…)

Check out these babies…

(Oh – and, I’m starting with the sheep as a further reminder that I’m a Kiwi!)

Sheep Cushion for By Nord
(Image © By Nord)

Sheep Duvet Cover for By Nord
(Image © By Nord)

Feather Cushion for By Nord
(Image © By Nord)

Feather Duvet Cover for By Nord
(Image © By Nord)

Hedgehog Duvet Cover for By Nord
Fun Fact – there are no hedgehogs native to Australia
(Image © By Nord)

Moose Pillowcase for By Nord
(Image © By Nord)

Moose Duvet Cover for By Nord
(Image © By Nord)

By Nord have some b e a u t i f u l things. You can check out their web-shop here. Alternatively, the closest retailer in Australasia is Design Studio Home, which is not very useful unless you happen to live in Perth, WA.

* Jandals: n. ubiquitous New Zealand rubber sandal.
Equivalent to the Australian Thong, UK/US Flip Flop

Native Agent from Aotearoa

Tags

Bedding, Blankets, culture, Cushions, Interior design, Madeleine Albright, Maori, Māori language, Native Agent, New Zealand, Russell Crowe, Shopping, Surface Design, Textile Design

Cushions by Native Agent
(Image from Native Agent)

God bless America. God save the Queen. God defend New Zealand and thank Christ for Australia. (Russell Crowe)

For a wee blogger who originates from the land of the long white cloud, I really don’t feature nearly enough New Zealand artisans. And, there is so much talent to choose from.

Given the Olympics are currently on, and I’m feeling just a touch patriotic, I thought it might be appropriate to introduce you to the beautiful textiles from Native Agent that are so very Kiwi.

I’ve never been to New Zealand before. But one of my role models, Xena, the warrior princess, comes from there. (Madeleine Albright)

Dan Mace Intaglio Etching
35 x 25cm, edition of 10
NZ$125 unframed
(Image from Native Agent)

In 2004, artist Rona Ngahuia Osborne, graphic designer Dan Mace, and business manager extraordinaire Lindsay Mace joined forces and launched the Native Agent brand.

During 2010 Lindsay became very ill and the trio closed the doors on their Kingsland store to focus on her care. They continued to sell Native Agent products through selected retail partners, and began to develop the online side of the business. Sadly, in 2011 Lindsay passed away but the Native Agent brand continues.

Rona’s creative handiwork is central to the Native Agent aesthetic. Inspired by the meeting of Māori and Pakeha cultures in New Zealand’s colonial past, she creates woolen blankets (my favourites), cushions, linen and clothing that have earned a place in many hearts, and many homes.

In 19th century New Zealand, Native Agents were representatives of the crown. They were fluent in the Māori language and therefore able to advocate for, and assist Māori, with land transactions and other matters of law. Dan is a descendant of a Native Agent, so this title seemed an appropriate name for their venture, an agency where the best ‘native’ New Zealand design could be showcased to the world.

Rona’s work is rich in symbolism, weaving together stories that reflect her family’s history, stories of the blending of blood lines and the coming together of people and culture. Woolen blankets were common items of trade between European settlers and Māori, so it is fitting that they form the foundation for many of her works. She adorns them with layers of shape, colour and iconography representative of New Zealand’s cultural history and symbols of the natural world.

Many of the defining themes in the work that Rona creates as Native Agent make historical references to land struggles that led to conflict and war, the trading of muskets and blankets for land, and the extinction of native flora and fauna. These struggles are as relevant today as they were at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Pair of Native Agent ‘Aroha’ Pillowslips
Aroha is the Māori word for love
NZ$115.00 p/pair
(Image from Native Agent)

Native Agent Aotearoa Tiki Trade Cushion
Aotearoa is the Māori word for New Zealand (Land of the long white cloud)
Standard size 40x 40cm
Made from new wool, with hemp wool or cotton applique and embroidery. The images depicted in this collection are icons from Aotearoa’s colonial and tribal history, our natural history and treasures.
NZ$190.00
(Image from Native Agent)

Native Agent Whare Taonga Blanket – ‘Te Ringa’
Whare Taonga is Māori for treasure-house
Created for ‘Whare Taonga’ at the Sarjeant Gallery in Whanganui. This show is on display until the end of June – Available for delivery after the exhibition comes down.
Made from recycled woollen blankets and new wool, machine embroidery, and hand applique using silk, cotton and wool. Backed with a hard wearing black cotton canvas.
NZ$1,200.00
(Image from Native Agent)

The Native Agent website is lovely – go check it out (here) even if you don’t want to purchase.