The new Interwoven Globe exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum

Today I am blogging over at the EtsyNY Street Team blog and wanted to share some of the post here with you.  Recently I visited the Met Museum to check out a new exhibit. My mother-in-law was visiting and she also loves the museum.   We packed up my little 4 month old Harper and we headed out.  The exhibit, by the way, does allow small strollers.

This exhibit focuses on the textiles in India, China and Europe.  Most of the textiles were used for art, bed covers and some for clothing.  The most common materials being used was cotton back grounds with silk embroidery or metal wrapped threads.  The exhibit shows the influences different countries had on each other's textiles.  As a designer, it was lovely to see the details of each piece and I found it amazing that the pieces have lasted this long!  The focus of the exhibit is from the 14th thru the 18th centuries.

Here are a few of the pieces but please click on this link to visit the full post.

Happy Tuesday!

Vacation, vacation

Every summer for the past few years my husband and I go to Nantucket.  A tiny little island off the coast of Cape Cod, it is a magical place.  We like to go after Labor Day, this is when the crowds leave.  It is a beautiful place, rich in history. As I was thinking of what to write today on my blog I was looking at my vacation pictures.  Instead of writing something and then posting photos with my post, I thought I would just post my photos for inspiration.  In case you didn't get to take a vacation this summer maybe these will help you drift off in a lovely day dream.

Some of the things I love about Nantucket.

Benches in random places just to sit and watch the world go by.  

I have spent much time on Nantucket and I still enjoy watching the slow ferry come in.  It gives me shivers, odd to say I know.  Maybe it is the gigantic size of it afloat the water, or maybe the excitement of coming and leaving the island. 

Love the blue shutters on this house. 

Love the green trim on this house.

Knitting on the beach.  Working on my version of the Super Easy Baby Blanket by Purl. 

A very old cemetery on Quaker Road

I saw this closed up retail space in town.  Hmmmm....I daydreamed of a nice little sewing shop being here.  But could I survive a winter on this island. 

A typical tiny island roadway

Oysters at Cru Nantucket.  This restaurant is one of my apron clients. The waitress, Dina who was from Long Island, picked out a great selection of oysters for me.

On Wednesdays the flower truck sets up shop. 

a Liberty of London bicycle for sale!

Lots of lovely little cottages

Fresh heirloom tomatoes with fresh ricotta and strawberries at the Boarding House

My girl and I, wearing our striped tees.  Andy and I would have contests to count how many striped nautical type tops we would see. One day it did reach 30 in a few hours.


I hope you enjoyed these photos.  Now only 300 plus days till I see the Grey Lady again.

Farewell, I love you Nantucket.

xxoo

Bias Tape Inspirations

One of the projects I teach is a Butcher's Apron.  Whenever I teach I like there to be different techniques to learn.  On the Butcher's Apron one of the techniques is bias tape as a trim.  There are so many things that can be done with bias tape. Pinterest is such a source of inspiration, if you are ever lacking and don't feel like leaving your desk just click away.

bias tape sewn on as panels by little girl pearl

"my little raglan dress" kayleen reed flour clothing

bias tape as trim on wash clothes by sleepytimegal

bias tape with a crocheted edge from kellyrachel.com

                                     
I love this polka dot tape in retro colors, so much fun! This is from dana-made-it

Want to make your shorts, pants or skirt unique?  Bias tape is an easy way to add a tuxedo stripe or hem trim.  The shorts below are from Posh Girl Vintage

And I will finish this post with some lovely Liberty of London bias tape. 

You can always make your own or buy some.  This one is from

a shop on Etsy called Polly Danger Notions.

Have a great weekend!

New Etsy Finds

Now that I have a baby I am realizing how precious alone time is, or just the time to get something done! Harper is 11 weeks old and now that she takes little naps during the day and sleeps 4 to 5 hours straight at night I am starting to get back to some sort of routine.  Right now she is taking a late morning nap so I had a few moments to check out etsy and some new shops.  Well new to me.

Look at these adorable pouches!  This is from a shop called Netamente in Argentina.  She screen prints all of her products.  I love the modern and simple, clean look of this graphic.

Below is a bunny brooch from knitknit, this shop on etsy is owned by Nguyen Le.  I know Nguyen from my Etsy Team group and also she is a fellow teacher at Purl Soho.  Her classes always sell out!  She makes the most adorable products.  I can never work with such tiny things.  I think I am just too clumsy with my long fingers!

Make a statement with this pink neon statement necklace! This is from Hook and Matter, another fellow Etsy Team member and a neighbor! I just learned Amy the artist and designer lives down the street from me. Last year we worked on Celebrate Brooklyn together, her items are a big seller. I think it is because they are so simple but eye catching.

A minimalist designed jewelry box, but I actually would use it for spices or bobbins. Maybe safety pins! Ok so many uses. This was on the Etsy home page today and what caught my eye was the seafoam green color.  I thought it was ceramic with wood but it is all wood.  The shop is called Paragraphloop.

I love finding all of the new exciting items on Etsy.  It gets my creative juices flowing!

Remember to support your local artist!

International Cat Day - a post to my fur babies

Today is International Cat Day!  I am embarrassed to say I didn't know there was such a day.  If you know me, you know I am a big cat lover.  For a few years I co-owned a cat rescue group, A Tail at a Time.   Before I started my own group I volunteered with another group called Anjellicle Cats.   I currently am the guardian of 3 cats Dolce, Oliver and Homer.

In 2005 Dolce and Oliver came into my life.  I thought about adopting a cat for months.  I wanted a dog but lived alone and worked long hours.  I was never a cat person!  But I really, really wanted a pet.  I found a local agency in Hells Kitchen at a pet store called Spoiled Brats.  This rescue group was called Anjellicle Cats.  I learned that NYC has an awful over population problem of cats.  Dolce and Oliver were found in the home of a woman who rescued cats.  At the time she had 30 kitties! Dolce was 4 months old and Oliver was 7 weeks.

They are bonded like biological brothers, although they are not litter mates they groom each other, sleep together and defend each other.  These furry boys made me so happy I decided I wanted to give back to the group I adopted them from and I started volunteering.

The following year I was volunteering at the cat room and one night I was cleaning the cat cages and visiting with the cats.  A momma cat was coming in from the local shelter and a cage was needed.  There was a resident cat Homer who I was a tad smitten with.  I was asked if I can take Homer for the night so this momma cat can rest and recuperate in his cage.  I said yes and this was how I started fostering.  Like many foster moms and dads, I ended up keeping my first foster.  I brought Homer to a few adoption events and people were always interested in him.  He would sit in his cage and look out with his big green eyes.  He would reach out for passersby to pet him.  I started to get a little nervous about someone else taking him.  Ok I should admit it, I became alot nervous.  After 2 events I decided I wanted to keep him. 

This was Homer in 2006 peering out of his cage.  A month later I met my husband.  Andy, my husband, and Homer always argue who came first. 

If you are considering adopting a cat you won't regret it.  Homer is now 10 years old, I can't believe it.  Dolce and Oliver are 8 years old.  All 3 of them provide the most entertainment.  Dolce is quite shy but has come out of his shell in recent years. However he will roll over for anyone willing to give him a belly rub.  Oliver, the baby, has the most beautiful fur.  He is not the sharpest tool in the shed but he is fast with catching bugs.  Ok not a task that brings money into the household but during the summer he is pretty handy with getting rid of bugs that get into the house.  And Homer is my boy, I shouldn't play favorites but he is so needy and a lover. 

 Pretty soon my non- furry baby, Harper, will be chasing after them.  That should be entertaining.