I'm excited about the fabric swatches and hardware I picked up last week for my fall samples- my new bag hardware will be antique brass, which I think will go really nicely with the other materials I will be incorporating as well.
I was recently looking for a tractor colouring book for my nephew, who loves tractors, when I came across this Charley Harper colouring book, in which his beautiful illustrations are stripped of colour and compiled into this lovely little book.
He grew up on a farm and worked in a studio in the woods, both of which have inspired his drawings. The animals make the illustrations perfect for a kids colouring book, although my older brother also said he wouldn't mind having this book, and I agree. (Or if you're into needlepoint, some of his illustrations are available as needlepoint kits)
I stumbled across this letter, in which he writes about his story and process. I related to his views on silk-screening as being a perfect process for reproducing prints and that the print can be even more satisfying than the original. I loved his description of trasitioning away from realism as he simplified his drawings by thinking flat and reducing the edges to staight lines and curves. He used drawing instruments like a compass, t-square, and french curve, and cut out paper for the larger shapes. I love reading other artists' processes.
And look! In the corner of one of the illustrations is a tractor. Perfect.
We've announced the location of the summer fair over on the beehive blog this morning. We are so excited. And if you were planning on applying, remember that the deadline is next week!
I updated the shop with some new items this morning. The posters are now available online. I just about sold out of bicycle anatomy posters at the show- there's only one left.
We're back from our week away. It was a beautiful (and long) drive winding through the mountains with the bikes in the back of the truck. We rented a log home nestled in the Great Smokey Mountains near Bryson City, North Carolina. In the cottage almost everything was wood, even the light fixtures, and all of the cushions, rugs, and beds were made of bear themed fabrics. The windows and patios looked out into the treed mountains with the only movement being that of soaring birds. We rode the Tsali trails everyday. They were in perfect condition, and were the best ones we have ever ridden. We had great weather, warm and sunny. The one day it did rain we hiked through the Joyce Kilmer Memorial forest and were surrounded by some of the largest trees I have ever seen- they were the 100 ft yellow poplars that inspired the poem Trees. We discovered the Nantahala Outdoor Centre close to our cottage, which became a favorite place to hang out, eat, or grab a drink by the river, with it's laid back community of hikers, bikers, and kayakers. We didn't want to leave. The second we did we already missed the sounds, the trails, the water, and the mountains. We wish we could have stayed so much longer.
A customer of mine mentioned she spotted some of my items in April's issue of Canadian Living. I picked up a copy and was happy to see that the article was about the creative couple from Sustain. I love the shot of my bike blanket draped on the wood bench. 
A few pages later is this lovely afghan. It's white border reminds me of the one I am currently working on, as well as Tanis' blanket, which she started assembling last weekend. It's what inspired me to want to learn to crochet.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped me with the show this year and for all the customers who stopped by my booth and shared nice comments on my new work. I have changed things a little. For starters, my booth colour! This brown/gray with a hint of purple is the same colour as one wall in my studio and I like how it compliments the colour palette of my products. I also made some other adjustments to my booth this show, including more lighting and floating walls. One of the reasons I made these adjustments was because of some product changes that have happened this season. You may notice that there are no hats in my booth. After five years of making them I have decided it is time to move on to other ideas and projects. The response to my new work was so positive that I know it was the right move. Thanks again to everyone who helped make this show such a success. Your feedback on my work was so encouraging and appreciated.
