Bunny Trail...

I AM FREE!!! School ended Friday. Grades turned in, supplies tossed in my studio for sorting later. I am meandering through rainy mornings sipping hot tea by candle light, amidst freshly laundried linens. Mapping out plans for summer projects and completing travel arrangements for our trip to Rome next month (courtesy of Reggis & Kelly Live).


Leafing through the latest issue of Veranda Magazine this morning (while soaking the last feed sack for my latest quilt project), I stumbled upon a new book "British Textiles: 1700 to the Present." The latest offering of the Victoria and Albert Museum. YUM!! The mire mention of the word "TEXTILES" makes my heart flutter and sends my feet straight to Amazon.com.  

Ah hah! Turns out VandA has the largest textile collection on the planet! A collection of Textiles and Fashion that covers a period of more than 2000 years. Including most techniques of woven, printed and embroidered textiles, lace, tapestries and carpets. This books weighs in with nearly 500 pages worth from of textiles from chintz to Zandra Rhodes's 1968 pattern of lip and lipstick silk crepe.... Who could resist?!


While I am there, might as well check out Veranda's other suggestion "Walls" by Florence de Dampierre. OH MY! Who knew Ms. de Dampierre is a noted interior designer, author and furniture historian. Which lead me to one of her earlier books called "Chairs." ....As one reader notes: 

"...Not only the definitive guide to the chair itself but also a witty and learned look at how modes of communication in differing cultures governed the kind of furniture people invented for themselves. The scope of the book is huge, ranging from the cradle of civilization in Mesopotamia and Africa to the chair as modern art."

Need I say more? What an interesting point of view of history - the chairs people choose for themselves. A must have I think, for my retooling of my African American Traditions course. Who's curriculum I will be tweaking this summer, especially in light of Henry Louis Gates latest PBS contribution: "Blacks in Latin America."

I must confess, I am a bit light headed. I don't think bunny trails happen by coincidence at all. There is something of the divine province about them. I am on a journey, who's ending is still outside my view. All I do know is that I love learning. Expanding my world view to uncharted waters is how I thrive best. Secretly, I am searching. Looking for that next chapter. I do think one is coming soon, and I am intent on following. Boldly, without reservation. I am ready. Where next Lord? ...Happy Summer ALL ♥ ♥ !

OTHER INTERESTING LINKS:

Marla's Textiles
Meg Andrews
Blogs:
Design Public
Peak of Chic