Test Drive

April 27, 2014

So I’ve created yards upon yards of my newsprint yarn. Next? An appropriate needle for its super bulky size. A quick trip to Amazon, a few bucks and a couple of days later, and I have this great birch circular… in a chubby size 36. They seem to be made for each other this yarn and these sticks. One skein in and the resulting  fabric is showing great  promise with both its color and texture. I’m not sure where this is going , but I think it’s going to be an interesting ride.

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I must be channeling…

April 24, 2014

my inner Jackson Pollock. Liberty of London spatter fabric Vans. They somehow seem appropriate for kick-starting Spring. When it’s close to the end of April and it’s still cold and gray…well, ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

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It’s no wonder…

April 20, 2014

that they were once more valuable than property or gold. What man could even come close to producing anything near the tulip? Some simple…some exquisitely complex, each holds a special delicate beauty that is unrivaled. While white is typically my first choice, after months of gray all Winter long I am opting for a bit of color this Easter. And, lucky me…this bunch of  parrots  just seemed to evoke the very feeling I was looking for. The eggs? How about let’s leave ’em white?

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Better like this…or

April 17, 2014

better like this? They’re everywhere… used pallets by the untold number. And, we’ve seen every conceivable re-use…from the expected platform bed ( yawn ) to elevated or vertical gardens (zzzzzzzzzzzzzz). Disassemble, kiln dry and turn the design of Studio Mama over to skilled cabinet makers and the lowly shipping pallet takes on a new level of simplequietmodern sophistication. The “Waste Not Want Not” conference table by Studio Mama. Brilliant.

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pallet photo via http://irvinewoodrecovery.com/services/pallet-services/pallet-disposal-cincinnati/

Waste Not Want Not Conference table photo via http://www.studiomama.com/waste-not-want-not

 

The idea of blueberry pancakes always sounded good but seemed to lack a little something once I took a dive in. I finally figured out that it wasn’t the individual elements, it was the way they went together that mucked things up. So, to simplify, I start with an Austrian Pancake.  While that’s  baking there is just enough time to reduce some pure maple syrup by about a third…to thicken it and intensify the flavor. Off  heat  the fresh berries are gently added to the syrup…warming them and taking the raw edge off without actually cooking them. Then plating. Who knew that a little deconstruction would lead to this… simplequietmodern pancake perfection.

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Just in time…

April 10, 2014

to celebrate. As I was trying to make up my mind on the glaze for my order of a modern cup from Heath, they introduce their new seasonal collection. What perfect timing for not one, but two…in a larger capacity…12 ounces…and the perfect finish…Basalt. The tall modern cup. One for my coffee and the other for a handful of white hyacinths. And, as long as this Spring here has taken a decidedly black and white turn…and I have some simplequietmodern basics covered…some tacky birthday cupcakes with a little neon frosting couldn’t hurt.

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tall modern cup photo via http://www.heathceramics.com/catalog/product/view/id/1656/s/tall-modern-cup-pair-basalt/category/3/

 

 

Heads it’s black…

April 6, 2014

tails it’s white. You might have to flip a coin to make this decision. After fifty plus years as an icon of modern interior furnishings, the Saarinen table is now available for outdoor use. As the white top/white base configuration of the  1957 original has been my all time favorite, I can’t see changing things up now…or can I ?

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photos via http://hivemodern.com/pages/product7267/eero-saarinen-outdoor-dining-table-knoll

 

Finally.

April 3, 2014

And not  minute too soon. The emergence of the first blooms of the season. Witch Hazel…with it’s blossoms like little confetti ribbons unfurled to greet us. Thank you. It was worth the wait.

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No Witch Hazel sightings? Then maybe a trip out for an armload of Forsythia, French Pussywillow, Bear Grass and Tulips will hold ya.

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