You’re About to Waste Ten Minutes

What I did this weekend. I think.

That big sucking sound you hear is me:

How was your weekend? Mine felt like it was in a time warp. . . like time was speeding by and I was barely moving. It just took so much longer to get things done than I expected.

So what took so long?

A tedious trip to the craft store. JoAnn’s has opened up a much larger store across the bridge. Which would make a girl think, or made this girl think, that finding fabrics to match her custom dye colors would be a breeze. It was not. I should have known better after last week’s dismal trip to match ribbon to Liberty of London fabric. Just call me delusional. I walked around and around the fabric department muttering under my breath while pushing one of those ridiculously small carts. There were 2 dozen bolts of ballerina pink fabric and no plum to be found. Why is that? After what seemed like a lifetime scouring the organza offerings, it dawned on me while standing at the cutting counter. I should have just dyed my own fabric.

I’m pretty sure at the moment time whizzed past me and I lost a few hours.

And then there was the door. I’ve decided to use the old door in our new bathroom for a backdrop, hoping the light in the space will create the kind of photographs I want. It’s strange, but the best light in the house this time of year is in our bathroom. It’s a difficult space to shoot in, I suspect I’ll be standing in our tub for most of session. I just can’t ignore that light. However, the door was left unpainted and was in pretty bad shape, so before any photographs could be taken, I had to paint.

TIME WARP. I don’t even know where Saturday went. I have a painted door. But that’s all I can give you. I think IZ and I may have walked that day, but the rest is a blur.  Does that ever happen to you? You just lose time.  . . like, now, maybe, reading this post? I’m sorry. You can’t have your 10 minutes back.

Post Script: On a completely different note. . . I’m super excited to finally be listing new slips at Mireio. The custom colors are so beautiful. . . muted and sexy and really different than anything I’ve done before. I mean, there are FEATHERS. Stay tuned.

Where IZ Renders Me Speechless

Me: What’s that box?

IZ: Your birthday present. The question is, when should I let you open it.

Me: Now now now!

IZ: Really? I just don’t want you to be disappointed when your birthday comes and there’s nothing else.

Me: I won’t be, I promise. Besides, I know what’s in it.

IZ: How do you know?

Me: I just do.

Me: I’ll prove it. I’ll write what I think it is on a piece of paper. On this napkin, see. And you can look at it after I open the box.

IZ: You’re jumping around like a little kid. Ok. Open the box.

(more…)

In Photos: My Closet

As promised, here are photos of my work in progress closet. It’s probably a good thing there isn’t space for a comfy chair, or you’d never get me out of there. Writing from the closet. . . sounds like a good name for a new blog.

I have a thing for beige sweaters. I don’t know why. If you’d asked me before I took this photo what color I prefer, I would have said grey. Um, clearly that’s not the case.

IZ added this shelf for me. There had been these horrible wood things that someone slapped into the walls. They were so gross and poorly done, he pulled them out for me before I painted the space. The only thing that really bugs me, is the mismatched hangers. I’d love to replace that mishmash with flocked clothes hangers —but it’s an investment and I feel guilty about it. So, until I get over myself (or come into a windfall) I’m living with the wild look. Beats the floor!

I love this little print I picked up a thrift store for a dollar. She was cut out of some sort of magazine or newspaper in the late 1800’s and I couldn’t resist her. And I’ve had the white ware vase for ages. The lace curtain is also vintage. It doesn’t quite fit the window, but it was close enough I couldn’t resist. I really love the patterns it makes on the walls when it gets afternoon light.

All my favorite things. Vintage textiles and blue glass and handmade trinkets. I told you, I would live in here.

The calendar is so pretty. Notice? It’s a new month! A new image. I think this is New York. It doesn’t say, so that’s what I’m pretending. I’m not happy with the way I’ve hung the calendar. But, I figured it was better to get it up in a make-shift way and enjoy it! Because who knows how long until I figure out what I’d like best. The flower on top I made and the ribbon is vintage.

The color is a mix of paint (I know, I know, no more custom colors) of our bedroom paint (Morning Fog) and our bathroom paint (Bakery Box White). I’m not sure you can really discern the difference between the closet and our bedroom, but I carried the paint out into the small hallway that separates my closet from our bedroom to tie it all together. (Photos of that when I actually finish.Oy)

So, progress! Happy Friday Friends. I don’t know how to end this really, so I’ll just wish you a relaxing weekend.

Rule Breaker

Cream goes in your coffee. Not on your walls. I’m breaking my own rules here.

It’s called “Invitation Ivory” by Pratt and Lambert. I’m no fan. But, it’s the color of our trim, so when I decided that the dining room bay needed to be a neutral color for photographs I didn’t have a choice. Plus, I have buckets of this stuff floating around. Win win?

I don’t know. I’m not a fan of cream walls. I subscribe to the “color is better” theory when it comes to interiors. I mean, if you like softer shades and neutrals, I get it. But I think you can still accomplish that look without using straight cream. There’s pale and beautiful, and then there’s bland. Cream is for coffee and trim.

But I’ve also reached my end with product shots. Last year there was a dearth of home decor pillows in Mireio simply because I knew that I had no way of adequately photographing the product once it was made. I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve had with IZ in the past 3 years that start, “These photographs are driving me crazy!”  Unless you photograph your work regularly, you probably don’t realize the hours some of us spend on crafting the perfect shot. It can be infuriating. In my case, living on the north coast means a lack of sun on most days. Add to that, a very non-photogenic yellow paint coating the common areas of our home and you get a grumpy Wende.

I want to dispense with the yellow entirely. But it’s a matter of time and money and IZ and I coming to some meeting of the minds on a replacement color scheme. We may need a professional mediator. He’s a visual person, so I have to show him examples of what’s floating around in my head, otherwise it’s a flat, “WHAT? Lilac? Uh, NO.” And he’s completely dismissed my idea of running with my signature blues throughout the house. So, while I scavenge through old magazines and save pennies, I still need a place  to photograph product shots when the light is dim and the dining room bay is my best bet. It’s sunny and scenic and with a fresh coat of paint, not yellow.

While color is beautiful and I think you should live in colors that work for you—my idea of wonderful probably isn’t yours. If IZ’s response to my ideas is any indication! And the golden rule of product shots is to create an environment your customer can imagine being in. I don’t care how amazing the pillow is, or your doodad, if it’s shot against a loud and obnoxious background you’re limiting your customer base to people with YOUR taste. I’m not willing to risk it.  So, I’m breaking my own rules.  Hold me closer tiny dancer! It’s freaking me out!

It’s not ideal. But I do think it’s creative. Well, as creative as cream can be. Oh, who am I kidding! I just painted walls cream. Shoot me.