Back Up Plan
June 7, 2017
As usual, the weather has been a little loopy. More rain and cooler temperatures than you’d expect, particularly when the forecast promised warmth and sun. Taking that as inspiration I’ve been getting “loopy” as well…putting some scraps and down time to good use. I’m thinking a little creative experimentation now should come in handy come Fall. We’ll see.
photos:gp
Good To Know
October 13, 2016
I’ll just leave you with this list…and, your own thoughts.
via: http://www.swiss-miss.com/2016/05/zero-talent-required.html
Happy Accident
February 20, 2016
Meeting a friend for coffee the other day left me with a few minutes to kill, which led me to poking around my phone…checking the weather, deleting emails, listening to voice mails. That accomplished I found myself opening notes ( which I have never used ) and finding a drawing app ( which I didn’t know was there). Hmmmm. While I’m never without a fine tip Uniball or Sharpie I am sometimes at a loss for something to doodle on when inspiration strikes. Good to know I can stop reaching for that stack of napkins.
photos/doodles: gp
Shhhhhhhhhh…
July 27, 2014
I’m praying. Praying that I might absorb every bit of creative inspiration that I can from this amazing space. Stone, wood, air, light, quiet…what else is needed? The Atelier Brancusi in Paris as photographed by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic. And, if the opportunity to visit wasn’t enough…admission is free. Can I hear an Amen?
All photos courtesy of Heather Clawson. You can continue her tour here http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2014/07/chic-in-paris-atelier-brancusi.html
A little inspiration,
June 13, 2014
a little yarn and a little time. The Inspiration?… this modern 1926 textile design by Anni Albers. The yarn?… Berroco’s Modern Cotton. The time?…unbelievably, about 10 days…cast on to bind off. And the result? Exactly as planned…a modern baby blanket that was intentionally “un-pink”.
One minute…
January 29, 2014
you feel as if you are living in a black and white photograph. The daylight (or lack of it) looks the same at six A.M. as it does at noon and then again at six P.M. It’s still colder than cold and the snow…well, it’s still coming. Then a day like today greets you with not only its bone chilling temperatures, but skies clear and sun so bright, reflecting off of all that snow, that you have to wonder if you haven’t crossed over. Still, we managed to get through another January, but not without some simplequietmodern help. A few low bowls of forced grass or the freshness and simplicity of a handful of white tulips can bring to mind that there is a light at the end of this dark tunnel we call Winter. Both can be had for just a couple of bucks which is good to know as we head into February.
January…a good time to
January 13, 2014
clean out, edit, get rid of the old…create a place for the new. It might even help ease some physical congestion if you release some congestion within your home or work environment. My mantra is simple; If you haven’t used (or even looked at) something in the last year…it’s time to let it go. In the process, you might even find a gift card or two that you had put away for safe keeping but had gotten lost in all of the clutter. In the end of this exercise you’ll have space…room to breathe..maybe a few extra bucks. Not to mention a stack of empty corrugated boxes to recycle or ? Now inhale…hold it…
Photos via/http://remash.tumblr.com/post/72574685385/papkasse-vaeg-06-nana-rosen-m-holland-bastrup#notes
Another year over…
January 1, 2014
and a new one just begun.* The perfect time to be grateful for the good of the last year and set forth on a new and creative path for the next twelve months. Not one prone to the making and breaking of resolutions, I have always found that committing things to paper…notes, bits of inspiration, plans for upcoming projects, events or personal goals…can not only organize your thoughts, but gives you a resource to refer back to and evaluate your progress. A hardbound sketchbook or journal is always my simplequietmodern must have, although a designated project pad can do the trick. Keep it handy to jot down a thought, tuck in a bit of inspiration or flip back to enjoy each progressive step. The clock for 2014 has started ticking. On your mark….get set….
top to bottom
The classic Braun travel alarm clock ,now in gray, will help keep track of those fleeting minutes at home or away. http://needsupply.com/mens/new/classic-bnc002-clock-in-grey.html
What could have been a disaster rose from the ashes of a failed project to become Koishi one… one big, thick and richly textured linen blanket.
This sculpture greets and inspires me daily. Created completely of recycled LA Times newsprint, it brings home the idea that the great beauty can be found in the most humble material.
The found nests in my yard pale in comparison to this Australian example captured by my friend Kirsten Johnstone. It’s easy to see how it’s texture, form and structure caught her architects eye. http://www.kirstenjohnstone.com/blog/
The best part of my everyday…the “Hambone” Jaxon. The full-out belly laughs he induces daily are the best gift one could hope to receive.
Staring me down from a basket on the corner of my desk, these two yarns in gray and olive seemed to want to work together. Looking good so far.
The beginnings of a great Winter salad of Farro, roasted red grapes and red onions. I’ll post the simplified Martha recipe soon to help you get back on track after the holidays.
Classic. Black Minnetonka moccasins. They help me keep my focus on the warmer months to come.
Raw wood. You can almost smell it can’t you? The simplicity of the design and use of a single material in this space says it all. http://remash.tumblr.com/
A glass of your favorite sparkler for toasting to your perfect health, success and happiness in this New Year 2014
*So This Is Christmas, John Lennon
Candy, Candy Canes…
December 10, 2013
candy corns…syrup*. Who knew that one of these…of Elf’s main food groups… could be so disarming? A pocketful of candy canes is just great to carry around, ready to hand out and diffuse some impending holiday meltdown. It could be the nasty person in line at Starbucks giving the barista a hard time or the weary sales clerk at any retail location, who just needs a smile and a break, that can benefit from this simple gesture. I started doing this years ago, begining my day armed and ready. And, I always returned home with an empty pocket, feeling good. Interesting how bringing a sweet unexpected smile to someone will always have one coming back to you.
* Elf
L’s Plum Torte
September 12, 2013
For years I have waited for the late summer harvest of Italian plums ( or prune plums if you know them that way) and the annual treat that has become tradition…Plum Torte. I’m not sure where the original recipe came from ( I suspect the New York Times) but my friend L has been baking them up, wrapping them up and freezing them up for more years than I care to count. I remember on many night flights back home to Los Angeles I would be guarding one of these…frozen solid, double wrapped for travel..in my carry on duffel. Upon arrival it was conveniently thawed. I would brew up a pot of Cafe Verona, cut myself a slice ( or two ) and watch the California sunrise. I’m not sure I have even made this more than once or twice because I am always blessed from L’s September stash. But today, as I haven’t run into any choice plums at the market I am trying it with figs as my substitute. They may lack the sweet tartness that is characteristic of the plums but with a squeeze of lemon juice I think they will fill in nicely.
For the original New York Times recipe: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/21/dining/216frex.html?_r=0
OK… I will admit that while this fig version is good, keep an eye out for the plums and hold out if you can. Sometimes there is really nothing better than the original.
simplequietmodern 