Friday, April 16, 2010

{Fabric Friday} Marimekko & the Skagit Valley

The tulip fields are in full bloom where I live. Driving out through the fields all you see are large blocks of vibrant color- like a patchwork quilt. I find that during this time of year, the colors and shapes of this valley, influence my fabric and palette choices.

{My son, Sayer, running through a tulip field in the Skagit Valley last week.}

Which brings me to my love of Marimekko fabrics. Marimekko is a Finnish corporation that began in the 1951. Their textile designs came from artists printing their graphic designs on fabrics. The name, Marimekko, is considered to represent, “the desire for a modern lifestyle that is in harmony with the natural environment”. Well, that pretty much sums up my aesthetic in a nut shell. I actually have been known to drool a little when looking at Marimekko fabrics. My klt:stash is running a bit low these days so I put together a klt:wishlist to share with you. 

{Marimekko wish list fabrics found here}

{ klt:works dwindling Marimekko stash}

I can’t help but wonder if the the vast tulip fields of the area where Marimekko originated, had some influence in the palette and designs of their textiles. And maybe it is because I grew up in an area agriculturally similar, that I gravitate towards the Marimekko designs and aesthetic? It is nice to feel that connection anyway.

{Tulip fields in the Netherlands-picture via the Post Family}

Marimekko textiles are classics and I will continue to enjoy them and create with them for as long as I am inspired by my own surroundings.  Happy Fabric Friday!

6 comments:

  1. Marimekko fabrics are truly like no other. The colour palettes are so lush that I can't help but gravitates towards them. Definitely some of my favorite textile designs. I would love to know where the creativity comes from for their choices too, and if I lived anywhere near those tulip fields, I'd be inspired for sure, gorgeous!

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  2. Nice wishlist! Such great fabrics..I-WANT-SOME-TOO!!
    Cheers!

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  3. Do our fields look like the ones in the Netherlands from above? (I suppose they probably do). How cool are those photos?

    Love your wish list especially the two tree fabrics on the right.

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  4. Love your blog! I found you through Modern Kiddo and would love another entry in your divine giveaway! Thanks to you I have also just purchased the Spot It! book. I can never resist that kind of aesthetics :)

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  5. Hi Kristin - I found you through a post by Trish Holbrook Meyler on Facebook. I write a blog called Dog Art Today and I featured you on it today. Here is the link...

    http://dreamdogsart.typepad.com/art/2010/04/kristin-loffer-theiss-freemotion-dogs.html

    I am now headed to add your blog to my Google Reader. I think your taste is exquisite and I want to make sure to check in regularly. Please keep in touch with any new dog art projects. Best regards, Moira

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  6. Your blog is really adorable
    i love all the fabrics
    ^_^

    Fede/Fedulab
    http://fedulab.blogspot.com/

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