Uniform Studio's journal today turned me on to a site that brought out a long-seeded interest in doll imagery I had forgotten. One of the first paintings that truly left an imprint on me, and I have strong memories of to this day, is one of James Rosenquist's baby doll series (Gift Wrapped Doll to be technically correct). My favorite, Gift Wrapped Doll #28 from 1993. So finding this image through Uniform's reference to Modern Child rekindled some old memories. I may not be able to afford a Rosenquist, but I think I just may have to get one of these mesmerizing images made by Davina Zagury Feinberg.
After living in San Francisco, my interest in living in small spaces is even stronger. I am an avid fan of Small Space, Big Style and though I'm not a huge Oprah fan, sometimes she hits it right. Yesterday on Oprah I enjoyed seeing the eye candy that is Nate Berkus' new New York Apartment. Nate just hits it right and classy with his redesign of the space. Love the black laquer touches, especially on the new doors that open up from the bedroom into the living room - very SJP.
We've been on the lookout for a coffee table since moving into the house, but nothing quite fits our aesthetic so far - until today. Paging through Dwell while drinking my coffee my new table jumped out at me. I hope Morris will soon be the newest member of our family.
This has been my project since before I moved. It started as a wedding present (I was going to do his and hers), but they got married in December, instead of next summer...so, my husband wants it (he has a slick smooth head and needs some help in this cold, cold climate). Anyhow, it is a lot of work. I got the pattern and the yarn from my favorite knitting store - Studio Knit; I miss being able to stop down for help, but I'm slowly making my way through and learning from my mistakes. I moved on to the dpns earlier than I probably needed to, but there is no going back now. Maybe by summer I will be finished. I already have my next project picked out - more about that later.
The hat interestingly enough is a pattern from Blue Sky Alpacas - a company from Minnesota (how weird is that? I had no idea when I picked it out I would be living here). Anyhow, the needles are SIZE 2!!!!! I deserve a fat needle project after this one. In case you are curious, the pattern is called "Whimsical Hats" - I'm doing the longest one, I suspect it will be at least 20" long in the end.
It is SO cold out this morning (-8 @ 7:30 am) that Bob could not walk outside without his boots. Yikes. It's going to be quite a weekend. Yes, I know, I talk about the weather a lot - but after living in CA I think people here are NUTS - I'm curious to live through a four season cycle and see how I feel. I've GOT to get pictures of the hardcore bikers here. I can't believe how many people I've seen riding their two wheeler's around this city. Kudos to them, I'm all for it, but I have a limit (it's about 60 degrees.....heh...heh...).
I need to start looking for inspiration, because this weather is NOT inspiring for someone who just moved here from CA.
Something that may be of interest for the knitting set on a chilly February day.
Thanks to Crafty Planet I am now in the know. Personally, I would rather go to CP for a more personal visit with Ms. Howell than that big ol' place they call a mall...but hey - it's cold - so do both.
Since sfgirlbybay inspired me...and has a Jasper...here's a picture of my dear old Jasper (I think it's maybe 10 years old (likely more) - we've moved it 4 times - 3 states). As you can see, Bob enjoys Jasper.
My biggest inspiration - Bob
I've been in Minneapolis only a few months, after a life changing extended stay in what came to be known to me as Home - in my mind what I call the Hyggelig place for my heart - San Francisco. Though I am desperately missing San Francisco - spending time at the beach with my dog, the weather, the people, the FOOD...oh the food (but not my moldy over-priced apartment), now is the time to embrace the present and to tune in to the great inspirations in my new life.
I was also influenced to start this blog after spending countless minutes (dare I say hours) stumbling upon some pretty cool blogs out there during this first very, very cold Midwestern winter, and I wanted to be able to connect. It's an odd circular world - I found an SF blog today that references my couch (the original JASPER - ours is the only color offered originally - cement. btw the couch is made by a Minneapolis company - yay.), which then references another blog I have been enjoying that has a link to Austin Craft Mafia, which has a connection to splityarn - which is now connected to Minneapolis! Phew, I'm exhausted already. Anyhow, that's my story (sort of).
I look forward to sharing my inspirations as well as being inspired by those paths I have yet to cross. Thanks for connecting.
