PIN PALS

Old Mother Goose

"Old Mother Goose, when 
She wanted to wander,
Would fly through the air 
On a very fine gander"




Found in the opening pages (with much glee) of 
Childcraft: Poems and Rhymes Volume 1

Posted by: Sam

The Happy Owls

Once upon a time
in an old stone ruin
there lived a pair of happy owls.

All the year through 
they were very happy.










A beautiful book
By: Celestino Piatti

Posted by: Sam

Robert-Émile Fortin

I found a book one day at my local thrift store on Robert-Émile Fortin

We was an artist from Hull, Quebec with a penchant for wood stoves, cats and dogs, and rocking chairs.










 This painting reminds me of a needlework picture I once saw at a Village des Valeurs in Montreal. It was in a huge wooden frame, and was of an empty room in a cabin. The scale was so big and the stitches so small, it stopped me in my tracks. I regret not spending the $30 on it to this day.



The above images are examples of Fortin's earlier work. He worked for a time for the topographic mapping service of the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources in Ottawa. I feel that the last image especially shows off the precision he would have used for topography work.

His paintings of kitchen interiors and all the tiny details are my true favorites though. It was said that everything in the picture had a symbol behind it, evoking his childhood and thoughts and feelings of the world around him.
 
Of the cats and dogs, the book says:

"They are the playmates of his childhood and the truest representatives of friendship. The cat has virtually become Fortin's trademark.

The great part about finding this book second hand, besides being introduced to an amazing Quebec folk artist, is that the former owner of the book met Robert-Émile Fortin, and had a personalized signature! Complete with hand-drawn cat.

Posted by: Sam

Work Week in Review

I admit to things being a little Cross-Stitch centric the last couple of posts, but that is only because my partner-in-crime is scheming up a series of illustrations which, when combined in rapid succession, will form a delightful little animation. 

That being said, I will not hesitate to re-cap what I have been stitching away in my corner of the studio with the radio on and the sun beaming in.



A new Bow Heart necklace with adorable beads from Beads Planète
 
Bouquet Cross Stitch Earrings in black

and a sneak peak at a "Happy New Home" sampler.

I heard an interview on the radio with someone called an Efficiency Expert, and while I wouldn't compare my small computer set-up at home to a large corporate environment, I realized that my scanner placement was at a disadvantage where it was sitting. So, I re-configured my space more efficiently, and proceeded to scan pictures with ease.




These illustrations are from a very charming french book called, Pere Nuage, by Laurence Delaby with illustrations by Annette Buclet. 
It is my mission to read this book word for word and figure out what is going on. It looks like a fairly incredible story based on the pictures. Anxious cats! Smoke rings! People doing some sort of shuffle!

Be advised that I will be scanning pictures on a regular basis now that my scanning system is at peak efficiency. Sometimes a little re-arranging is all it takes!

Posted By: Sam

Swedish House Cross-Stitch Design

I came across a book called, "Sweden in colour" at a library book sale awhile back. It made it's way into one of the many piles of books I have laying around, until I re-discovered it a few days ago. I've been thinking of Scandinavian design lately as I want to apply elements of it to my own cross-stitch designs. This book had great photos of Swedish houses, churches and buildings that I was able to draw from and adapt into a pattern. Here's what I've come up with so far, and a couple of the inspiring photos!:

 

Ode to the book collection

Considering the growing collection of vintage children's books taking over my apartment, I feel it is only right to start scanning some of the amazing illustrations. The colour, artistry, imagination and design is a source of major inspiration for our work, so check back for more delightful pictures soon!
From the book: "The Mountain Goats of Temlaham" Pictures by Elizabeth Cleaver