molly irwin

patterns in design

I wish I could tell you something about this quilt and it's maker, but right now all I can say is that it's the color story that got my attention. While visiting friends last weekend we found ourselves in this lovely home, and this piece -- charcoal with its bright accents -- appealed to me immediately. There was another quilt on the opposite twin bed with the same colors in an entirely different style, but I preferred the overlapping wedding ring; something about its juxtaposition of a modern scheme with the traditional pattern.

I'm continually re-evaluating my design aesthetic: one part contemporary to two parts tradition, or the reverse, but it is never wholly one or the other. The same applies both to graphic design and residential interiors. I think what makes contemporary style work [for me] is a level of quality rooted in traditional methods. Buildings constructed a hundred/(s) of years ago, will elicit emotions that I notice are often lacking in more modern structures, with their materials and methods. It's in the patterns. If such foundational patterns -- which work for reason of lifestyle, ergonomics, and efficiency -- are applied in new configurations it seems they will always succeed.

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inspiring me :: blues, grays, golds ...

 

flickr photo credits:

1. #9. Everyone Is Special, Especially You, 2. sunday breakfast, 3. my texas travel planner, 4. Untitled, 5. a tres handy..., 6. sneaking pictures in a thrift store, 7. Untitled, 8. Meeting, 9. vintage, 10. sometimes i don't pay attention, 11. shape up::ship out, 12. 39::365

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I can't help myself I'm drawn to these colors lately. My online inspiration board is filled with gray/blues too.

I've been around. Not here so much as contributing among other places throughout the blog community. I consider it all a piece of the whole really. The commentary we provide in other places, the contributions we make to others' creative space, the smaller postings on 'status update' type sites, it is all a piece of the my one authentic self. So if I'm not posting here as much, rest assured, I'm not going anywhere.

Lately I see this space as a project and process site. I think I've been feeling a little exposed and may have withdrawn a bit. It's like a relationship. We're best when we have that time to retreat; to process. At least I know I am.

In other inspirations ... I've been completely visually filled up with imagery of the romantic textiles and subtle scenery of the movie 'Bright Star', not wanting to return the netflix envelope for fear of missing some bit of a scene that I hadn't completely absorbed.

winter's red

I'm drawn to these hues lately. In the absence of foliage, and set against the grays of winter, its presence is both dramatic and dignified.

I'm reminded of a visit years ago to Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water, and the way the Architect used color -- 'Wright Red' as it's come to be known -- to distinguish materials. Metals, such as window surrounds and a large spherical cauldron which turned over the fireplace (if memory serves) were this color. It's the color of time's effect of water and oxidation. The tree trunk looks so much like a cross section of granite we have in our home. Funny how we use such precious materials for our day to day decor and take for granted the millions of years nature's forces spent forming those patterns.
 

wellness diary printables

Thank you so much for the support and empathy about maintaining a wellness diary. I think a commitment to a healthy condition is like anything else, either we're moving toward or away from it, but never really remaining static. It's like I tell my daughter about guitar lessons: everyday you practice you get better; when you don't practice you actually lose ground and won't perform as well the next day. This journal is my practice book to mindful habits.

For those who would like to print a title sheet and journaling pages to make a wellness diary, here are the links. They're sized for a standard 8.5x11 page to be cut in half for a small-scale binder. I provide them in two color ways because some people will feel connected to bright cheery colors (I almost went that way myself) and others may want the soft subtle hues. Let me know if you make yourself a journal. I hope it's helpful for you.

Subtle colors: gold, soft blue, sage green

• all in one title page - subtle 
• mind, body, spirit underlay (for use with transparency) 
• journal page - subtle

Bright colors: orange, turquoise, goldenrod

• all in one title page - brights
• mind, body, spirit underlay - (for use with transparency) 
• journal page - brights

The text transparency layer is here. When printing on transparency, remember to set your printer priorities to mirror image and place the rough side facing the ink. A practice run is always helpful.

well, ok now

 

I haven't been feeling quite right for some time now. Not in the sense that I'm coming down with something, more just an overall sense of the blahs. My weight isn't where I want it to be. My energy is lagging. I'm tired. I just don't feel right in my own skin and it's not like me.

This could describe half of us probably, but I'm not willing to believe that this a natural part of aging. It's NOT. And I know many, many women older than myself who are in fantastic shape, running marathons and taking cross-country bicycle treks, and I just know that it won't take long on a regimen for me to regain a sense of well-being.

Since I'm the introspective type, a diary for this journey was in order. I wanted something with inspirational imagery and space to monitor progress. It's not a place for harsh criticism, only brief statements on what I'm thinking, doing, and how I'm feeling along the way.

  

The 5x8 (thrifted) binder is covered in book cloth from Hollanders. Consider it practice for projects to come. And that it was, because this is definitely not my neatest quality work. Irksome, but lessons learned and I'll live with it. I drilled a couple holes in the center back cover to feed the ribbon through, which is generally used as a bookmark and can be tied to secure the binder for travel.

 

A transparency on the front page is a bold reminder of the real focus here. In the past I've had a tendency to obsess about weight control, and if I were to be completely honest I would love to return to my control mindset just for the benefit of being slim. I need a visual reminder that this needs to be about overall self awareness.

This is a six-month diary with tabbed pages covered in patterned papers.

The back side of each tabbed page has photos chosen to reflect self-care/self-kindness rather than more obviously fitness oriented, though action/activity is a big piece of the picture for me.

 

All of those gorgeous photos are from the Toast Home [Autumn/Winter 08] catalog. Behind the formatted grid pages are several sheets of general ruled paper for longer entries.

If anyone is interested in making a similar binder I would be happy to share a file of the title sheet and journal grid page. They are 5.5 x 8.5 in size. Just let me know in the comments.  PDF printables are posted here.

Item number one from my fall project list accomplished; now the plan begins. I wish you well. 

wish I'd thought of this

 

To be clear -- not my idea, or project -- just something wonderful I found this morning. If I were expecting a child this is something that seems completely worthwhile, though it's never too late to begin.

friday faves

 

July flickr favorites. Photo credits:

1. That old thing, 2. film :: 5, 3. letters, 4. Untitled, 5. Molly's Sketchbook: A Music Bag, 6. summer patchwork, 7. good morning, 8. field detail, 9. happy weekend!, 10. omg., 11. 24 hours, 12. new pouches, 13. crunch some numbers, 14. preparing tonights feast, 15. Lavy , 16. 42 north

I've been kind of mentally fixed on interior design ideas this week for our first floor. Not that it's happening any time soon, mind you. I just can't help it -- one thing sparks the idea and then another ... well, you know. Here's a couple very fun, whimsical and inspiring home-styling visuals I found recently:

Dwell children's bedrooms slide show + Catskills cottage slide show

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Come on back tomorrow; I'll post my summer mini book from last year.

sewing inspiration

 

If I were to enumerate all the wonderful sewing blogs from whom I draw inspiration it would be a very long list indeed. These few have been on my mind lately as I think of stretching my skills on projects for the coming summer months. Photo and project credits, from top left to bottom right:

the man bag {AKA the turtle bag}, by Tiel of Tsk Tsk

gingham dress, by Meg of Elsie Marley

Hi! It's me., by Kristen of Thimbly Things

lavender eyelet dress. by Smallville shops

Today, along with some logo design work and the farmer's market I hope to fit in a little cutting, ironing and piecing together some bits of Amy Butler's 'Forest' line I've been playing around with this week.

Hope your Sunday is relaxing, revitalizing, and rewarding.

life as musical

With just two rehearsals, a group of 200 dancers created this wonderful surprise for passersby last month in Belgium. I love the notion that, when we allow it to be, life really is as hopeful as a musical production. [Via the always inspirational Lisa]

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beautiful, heart-wrenching, motivating

I found a link to this website today on Joanna Goddard's blog. I really wanted to share it here [if for no other reason than] to remember for myself the importance of, and reverance with which, I want to capture our family stories. 

Days with my Father by Philip Toledano

It's actually too difficult to bear clicking through all the pages in one sitting. I'll have to go back another time.