I thought I'd better get going on my inspiration to share with the Artist's Way group. There has been so much inspiring me lately. So many wonderful bloggers out there, so many great books I've been reading. One thing that I've always been inspired by is textiles. Sounds weird, but the colors, patterns and textures really gets my creative juices flowing.Today I did my Artist's Date at Anthropologie. Shopping doesn't count, you say? I didn't buy a thing, but just wandered around admiring the "euro-apartment style" clothing and household items that I love so much. Nothing beats their colors, textures, aromas... the whole vibe I just love. Their velvety purses are to die for, their bedding looks heavenly, love the quirky kitchen towels and aprons! When is the last time you wore and apron?! Anyway, I came home totally inspired...and of course wanted to re-decorate my entire house!
The picture above is of my grandmothers silk paisley throw. It's something I've always treasured. I am constantly inspired by the fabrics that I come in contact with. I love to express myself through fabric; in my home, on my clothing, through my art. Colors can really set a mood, and textures can trigger emotions. I love to go to estate sales. The textiles can be so telling. I love looking at old handmade quilts, and rummage through piles of vintage fabrics and sewing notions. Truly the fabric of life.
Kind of a funny sidenote, my daughters little hand seems to get into all my pictures. It's kind of like a "where's Waldo?" but more like "where's Chloe?" Hehe.
teehee...the hand is super cute.
ReplyDeletei have a thing for gorgeous fabric too. i realized this in doing errands for my boss at fabric stores, when my heart would just fill with glee as I wandered the aisles of gorgeous colors and textures.
sounds like a great a.d. to me!! thanks for sharing!
You weren't shopping, you were filling your well! I'm not as attuned to fabric, though I've fallen in love with yarn since I learned to knit.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo with that little hand. :)
I find wandering around stores like that very inspiring! They give me so many ideas and glimpses of what might be.
ReplyDeleteLet's start an apron revolution!The return of the apron. A useful item of clothing if ever there was one! Protects your clothes, you can clean your hands on it, store nifty items in it's pockets, wrap yourself in it's colours and then hang it up when finished.
This was a treat to come find an inspiration of fabric. And the little hand just adds another mystery to it all. Thank you Chloe for reaching out for it like she's teaching us all how to grab hold of our inspirations.
ReplyDeleteAnthropolgie has RETAIL outlets?! I've never seen one. What a great place for an artist date! I love the thing with your daughter's hand...it could be sort of an intentional motif through all your photos. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love color, I surround myself in it. I adore the "where's Chloe" how adorable is that!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love fabrics, too! My problem is, when I see one I love I always buy about a yard of it, but then I never do anything with it because I'm afraid if I cut it up to make something I'll screw it up then I won't have it anymore. I know...too weird!
ReplyDeleteI made gift bags for Christmas presents out of scraps of brocade fabrics. I was tired of all the wrapping paper that just gets thrown away. I also used brocade pillowcases for some of the gifts, and made book covers if I was giving people books. People really liked them a lot. Might be a use for some of those fabric pieces you don't know what to do with....
ReplyDeleteSome interview questions for you! Have you tried quilting yourself? I also love fabric "scraps" as my mother was a seamstress and they were always around! quilting is such a great way to combine all those scraps and get a chance to work hands on with all the textures etc.
ReplyDeleteAlso, how did you do the tag, atc, fabric thing in your photo album? that is really pretty. what is a "tip in" swap? and ONE more question...sorry, but I didn't have your email address...Did you like the Where women create book you mentioned a while back? I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. email me if you can! sorry to post so long!