Marimekko is a Finnish company that is mostly known for its bold and colourful patterns, along with simple and ageless clothing. This year Marimekko celebrates its 60th anniversary and just recently opened a store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, New York.

Midweek meander.

I'm staying with my 60's and 70's theme this week having mooched away a few hours looking at Cathy of California's blog (I've had a flu bug) well that's my excuse for doing a bit of fun research and I'm sticking to it! Today I'm focusing on these wonderful textured wall hangings, as with so much of the design from that era these pieces are inventive, lively and fresh.

Burlap wall hanging 1964.

I think this is a great design with such a wonderful mixture of shapes and stitches.

All these wall hangings are from 1971, I would love to have seen them in colour however seeing them in black and white really makes you look at the construction and texture, I love them.

Finally I couldn't resist these beautiful simple forms which wouldn't be out of place with the ceramics of today. This is the work of Eva Zeisel 1952, the past informing the future yet again!

Small signs of spring

Valentines Day.

 Take care of your heart.

The first signs of spring on my windowsill. At last!

I planted these bulbs way back in September and gradually, silently, they began to grow, breaking the soil with the promise of a new year. I watched the flower buds in anticipation and finally they have their moment of wonder. How does something so simple fill your heart with the promise of the year to come?- natures secret I guess! It's still cold and grey here but it won't be long now before the garden will be filled with colour, these little plants show me the season is changing and my life moves forward.

Layering for contemporary Boro.

Stitching and layering.

I am much more comfortable working with these types of fabrics than with the pretty ones. There is something about the roughness of the cloth that I enjoy, they have a 'work a day' feel to them and a lack of fussiness. To me they talk of everyday folk and working lives. 

This is the week that my workshops start, already I have had some nice emails from the students who have enrolled saying how much they are looking forward to them. I am too so fingers crossed, I guess that I can only be myself! Wish me luck.