summer reading

this post could also be called 'restrain oneself from kissing postal delivery person'. i was so thrilled to get the mail on monday - a gigantic box of books and even my favourite sewing magazine delivered to my door. most of these books have been on the bookstore shelves for some time but not on my own shelves. i've needed a little fresh inspiration and these are scratching that itch. this september (in one month!) i will be able to focus on my interior design business thanks to all-day kindergarden.

i am really enjoying lisa soloman's 'knot,thread,stitch'. great projects, clear instructions, and lots of encouragement to try stitching your own way. i can't wait to transfer some of my kids' drawings onto pillows for them. and to get them started on a little hand stitching of their own.

lest you think i've been only reading books with pictures, here's a list of what i've read this summer on my kobo ereader and from the library. and no, i have not succumbed to reading any of the 'fifty shades of grey' books - yet.

summer reading list 2012 (in no particular order):

the birth house - ami mckay
cutting for stone - abraham verghese
the descendents - kaui hart hemmings
freedom - jonathan franzen
irma voth - miriam toews
let's pretend this never happened - jenny lawson
the sense of an ending - julian barnes
the sentimentalists - johann skibsrud
the shoemaker's wife - adriana trigiani
the sisters brothers - patrick dewitt
this is how: overcoming shyness,... - ausgusten burroughs
committed - elizabeth gilbert
the 100-mile diet - alisa smith and j.b. mackinnon
life a user's manual - georges perec

if i keep going at this pace i may need a new prescription for my glasses...

domino magazine

domino

i have almost every issue of domino (2005-2009) carefully stored in my craft closet -  right alongside every one of martha stewart's blueprint magazines (2006-2008). while i've managed to edit the massive dwell 'mountain' down to one thick binder, every time we move or reorganize i struggle with the decision to donate or keep the full issue magazines. surely i am not the only person hoarding back issues of domino.

it was with great anticipation that i awaited the arrival of this issue, trolling the magazine aisles in the grocery store this week to get my hot little hands on my very own copy. I'd hoped for an entirely new issue as inspiring as the original but it's a bit of a rehash. i feel a little let down. maybe i'm just a little jaded - there's an awful lot to 'see' out there on the internet and a massive increase in lifestyle/interior design/shelter blog content. surely the online access to instant inspiration has had something to do with the decline in print publications. living in a small house, being mostly self-employed on a tight 'fun money' allowance, as well as trying to tread a little more lightly on the earth has meant that i have been much more selective in what i buy. and sometimes it's just that i want to come up with my very own ideas without any outside influence and that can't occur when there's no break from outside influences.

that being said, i am looking forward to sitting down with a cup of tea and getting to know this new/old friend.



old dogs can learn new tricks

Kitchen

my lovely husband and kids were away for a week. did i go out and party? did i clean out the garage? did i organize the closets? did i sew? NO.  i learned how to use google sketchup. so much fun.

wool in a new way



from: crafted systems




from: crafted systems

amazing and made from wool felt. aurelie tu works with women in transition at a ywca in portland, oregon to create amazing products from textiles. i would love any of the pieces they make. beautiful and helping women find their way. i know how much 'making' helps me.

pillow power

from Studio35

love this pillow - hand painted and embroidered and all the way from turkey.  are you going to play along with houseonhillroad? i can't wait to start sewing. the living room needs some sprucing up for fall and winter.

black beauty

came across this beauty in my search for a floor lamp. it's life size and about $7500 but it doesn't eat or poop, no stable dues, and would not cause my husband to have an allergic reaction. shipping is free and 'white glove service'. does that mean a jockey delivers? is this a gelding? i love it but the shade needs some dingle balls.

chaos

i am drowning in work and don't even have time to organize my desk. the other side of the room may even be worse. hard to believe that my chosen career is interior design and that i help other people create homes that reflect their style and make day to day living easier. i really need to learn some balance... so much for knitting or sewing or yoga. if i don't start saying no i'll have to give up eating and showering... sleep sounds so good. and don't even start asking me about christmas - i will either hit you or burst in to a fit of swearing followed by tears.

now, onto some organizing, a bath, and a nap. right after i come up with two furniture plans, a colour scheme, and pick appliances, carpet and tile. ridiculous.

sofa surfing

i am in the midst of a fairly big and super hush hush design job for fantastic clients. my desk is a sea of paint chips, tile samples, and tracing paper. this lovely sofa is something i am suggesting for the living room. i'd bet that nobody will be allowed to eat nachos in this room. that sofa is begging me for some serious napping...

with this guy. happy birthday handsome. hope it's a gooder.