Friday, February 08, 2008

Shall we withdraw?

(Reposting note! I fiddled with this original post to make the images smaller, and I think you can see the overall palettes better from here, you can click on the images to see the prints a bit larger...thank you SO much for all the kind words....really means a lot! You people are lovely.)

Welcome to the DRAWING ROOM. How romantic, the notion of a room in the house that is mostly used just for guests and entertaining. This is where one withdraws to...which is how the term drawing room developed. What's in there? What is talked about? I imagine there to be books about faraway places and exotic lands. I picture maybe a stuffed pheasant on the mantle and also a pesky bird tweetering outside the window early every morning. I think there are flowers pressed between glass hanging on the wall. I think that there are relics of travels that are accompanied by stories about foods eaten and sights seen. I think the conversations are light and colorful. I think that there is a chair by the window looking over the garden to allow for some comfortable observations made by way of a pencil and sketchbook. Perfect. Drawing in the drawing room.

My ideas about designing fabrics specifically for the home (though clothing and accessories are invited to the party as well) were affected by notions of an era that we don't know well, a time when parts of the home were off limits to allow for some untouched sophistication. But also what does it mean to settle a home in the midst of nature, forcing some architecture into an overgrown natural setting? What forms happen inside the home that marry these two notions beautifully? What parts of nature and what parts of architecture do we keep? Where do we begin to notice the inherent architecture that exists in natural forms and how does architecture become influenced by the natural world? These are all questions I asked myself and answered as I saw fit throughout the forms and images in this collection.

Setting aside the snobbery of a room that is off limits, I injected some truly saturated and clear colors in the Eccentric palette of Drawing Room that would invite anyone inside for a sit. And the Nostalgic palette is just as rich but has a few earthier tones for balance. There are many conversations to be had between both palettes, so play at will. Welcome!

Eccentric Palette

Sketchbook/eccentric cool Shadow/eccentric cool

Volumes / eccentric cool Plumes / eccentric cool

Trellis / eccentric cool Pressed Flowers / eccentric cool

Branching Out / eccentric cool Nouveau Bouquet / eccentric cool

Sketchbook / eccentric warm Shadow /eccentric warm

Volumes / eccentric warm Plumes / eccentric warm

Trellis / eccentric warm Pressed Flowers / eccentric warm

Branching Out / eccentric warm Nouveau Bouquet / eccentric warm

Nostalgic Palette

Sketchbook / nostalgic cool Shadow / nostalgic cool

Volumes / nostalgic cool Plumes / nostalgic cool

Trellis / nostalgic cool Pressed Flowers / nostalgic cool

Branching Out / nostalgic cool Nouveau Bouquet / nostalgic cool

Sketchbook / nostalgic warm Shadow / nostalgic warm

Volumes / nostalgic warm Plumes / nostalgic warm

Trellis / nostalgic warm Pressed Flowers / nostalgic warm

Branching Out / nostalgic warm Nouveau Bouquet / nostalgic warm

Thanks for having a look! Not every color is exactly perfectly represented and as always, they look the very best when held in your hot little hands. They should be available for purchase in March. I'll continue to share as I begin the great sew up, which will give you some good clues about scale and so forth. Have a good weekend! xo,Anna Maria

141 comments:

lifewithellabella said...

I am dreaming already of how to use these. Thank you, thank you. I love the beautiful interplay between the pallettes and within each design. They are full and rich, and will serve as beautifully in an ornate cushion wth piping and ruffles as in the clean lines of a Japanese Sewing pattern for children (or for me).

Tarilyn said...

My exact sentiments: "Thank you thank you thank you!!!" I can't wait to play with your new fabrics. When can we buy?

Emily Anne Leyland said...

Wow, you are really gifted, your ability to use color is wonderful! The designs are great. I am so happy for you. Just beautiful!

Joy said...

Yippeee! It is absolutely wonderful! Thank you for the behind the scenes story of how you see it and sharing this labor of love with us throughout the process! Cannot wait to get my hands on it and start sewing!!! Congrats!!!

modkidboutique said...

OH MY GOODNESS! These are wonderful! The colors, the patterns... I just ADORE them! :)

Bethany Hissong said...

I am blown away. I kept thinking, "how did she think of this? and that...and that?!" They are incredible! You did a fantastic job on this collection Anna Maria! FANTASTIC!

Tace said...

Wow, you worked really hard! These are wonderful!!!! I can't pick a favorite, I keep scrolling up and down and up and down....
Can not to see some sewn up!!!!
p.s. sorry for drooling on your blog, most un-lady like I know.

Susan Petersen said...

Stunning....beautiful. (I am speechless)

Barbara said...

how beautiful...do you know stores in Germany where we can buy these wonderful fabric in March?
Regards Barbara...a little fan of your blog....

mo said...

Really lovely. I kept scrolling down and thinking, oh this one is my favorite, no, this one, no this one... all the way down. The palettes are wonderful and I have to say that I love the juxtoposition of the "volumes" amidst all of the more organic lines. It is so stark and nice but still warm. It is also nice to see a successful pairing of the more perfectly structured lines and shapes with the more painterly bits.

miss cavendish said...

Lovely, lovely. Some patterns/colors remind me of Bloomsbury artists--how Vanessa Bell painted beautiful things for her home.

Andrea said...

I absolutely love them!!! Another great line. Please keep us updated as to when we can get our hot little hands on them.

Betz White said...

Wow, such depth and complexity. You are truly a gifted artist! Congratulations on a job very well done!
Betz

lisamarie said...

wow, you did it again!

the jackson 4 said...

Fabulous!

Nicole said...

Just lovely! I can't wait to see it in person!

Tee said...

Well these certainly are not Great Aunt Martha prints (referencing comment from previous post)!!! They are absolutely lovely. It is so exciting to think of the possibilities. Congratulations!

The Wooden Spool said...

Oh Anna!!!! You did it again! Only this time you have us on the edge of our seat waiting for these gorgeous gems! I'm so excited!!!!! Truly remarkable. Can't waittttttt!!!! Laurie xo

Jess said...

Every one please!! I hope we'll be able to get them in the UK

madhatter said...

aaaah! how beautiful they are!
think we will get them later here in germany (as usually), so heaven thanks there are online-shops. i'll get my greedy little hands on it before they get here! ^-^

mariarrosa said...

Congratulations!!! They are so beautiful...

millhillmum said...

Wow, those are beautiful, I can't make up my mind which are my favourites yet, I want them all!

Mary Lynn said...

Congrats on yet another job well done!
Mom

Heide said...

ohmygodohmygodohmygod! Can not wait to get my paws on that loveliness!!!

daisyjanie said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I want to jump into them!!

Michelle said...

Congratulations on all your hard work, they are beautiful!

house on hill road said...

good god, they are all stunning! well done, anna maria. all that hard work definitely paid off. congrats.

Dawn Alice Rogers said...

Wonderful! Congratulations!

Molly said...

as a new sewer, I am still selectinig fabrics I love first, as inspiration, and then deciding what to make with them. (i realize that can get out of hand quickly, but oh well) These are on a wish list for me. Truly lovely and the influence of nature is obvious!

I am Jen said...

Oh MY! These are awesome and I love the touch of modern flare in some of the prints. Well done and I cannot wait to get my hands on these!

Emily said...

They are so beautiful Anna Maria! I can't wait to get to sew with those. Thank you!

Laura/DaPFG said...

ohmygosh!! AM, i love these!! my mother-in-law just moved into a new house, and the palette is blue, white, yellow, and green, and i'm TOTALLY making her something with these!! now then, to figure out how that sewing machine works...

good job!! can't wait to see them in the..flesh? :P

Chandra said...

You've done it again...and I want them ALL!!! Can't wait until March!

ileana said...

They're all gorgeous! It'll be hard to choose which one to try first!

Tisra said...

Gorgeous! I agree with your comment that they are best viewed in one's "hot little hand", because these glimpses are just not enough. You get an idea, but similar to the tiny swatches at JoAnn- it's not enough to plan a room around. I think, though, that seeing these makes me love Sketchbook (in any palette) the most and will have my cogs turning for our girls' room.

Tisra

beki said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I can't wait to get my hands on some - I already have ideas running through my mind!!!

Jacqueline deRuyter said...

Thank you for sharing such beautiful color on such a cold, gray day! I can't wait to use your gorgeous fabric - I'm already imagining the possibilities!

Anonymous said...

Wow, these are amazing! I especially love the sketchook line. So beautiful and vibrant colors!!!

tara said...

Oh my! This was the perfect injection of color as I sip my morning coffee! The Nostalgic Cool are the EXACT colors and combos I've wanted for my living room and the Eclectic warm are so vibrant I can feel the blood rushing through my veins (that's a good thing!)
Thank you! And congratulations on a job beautifully done!

AmyDe said...

Oh WOW! I cannot wait!

Anonymous said...

Omg, I am in love!!! You do such a beautiful job with colors and patterns... I can't wait till I can buy these beautiful fabrics... I am truily in love with all of them... Thank You Anna Maria!!!

~Karie

Sarah said...

Oh my gosh, these are fantastic! I have a chair to recover and I've been waiting for the perfect fabric - I might have to wait for these to be available now!

stacysews said...

Very beautiful prints! I can't wait until I can check them out in person.

Alisha said...

Absolutely beautiful. I am finding myself "drawn" to the warm palette. I can't wait to see what you do with them and I'm already anticipating March! : )

Margaret said...

A beautiful collection! many of the samples really caught my eye and I hope my local fabric spot carries them.

BTW, I'm thanking God with you that your family was kept safe during the recent weather.

STEPHANIE said...

Wow, you are brilliant! I enjoy them all, but really like the cool and warm sketchbook. Your right, adding that touch of natural color in with the eccentric color makes it look complete and comforting.

I just came across this blog today and followed it to your web page, spending lots of time looking at every corner of it. I love your stuff! I ask myself...why have I not heard of you before!? Wow, I feel blessed today, thank you so much for sharing your creativity with us.

Cheryl Prater said...

These luscious colors make me want to like my monitor. Is it wrong?

jennifer said...

i cannot wait to get this at purl!!!

xo
jen

Tonya said...

Thank you Anna Maria! You made my morning, I was so excited to see the new fabrics when I clicked on your blog! I think I love all of them : ) I especially like the ones in the nostalgia cool colorway. I can't wait to see what they look like made up. It must be so much fun to have all of that gorgeous fabric to play with!

Kim said...

So beautiful, I can't wait to see them in person! Are these decor weight or quilting weight?

gaylen said...

OMGoodness. I am loving the sketchbook. I want to make a long jacket out of either nostalgic cool or warm. I can't wait to see them in person. Hopefully somebody locally will carry them so I can. Nobody carries Chocolate Lollipops around me and I need some of that fabric! g

Sarah said...

*swoon*!

Anna Willett said...

from one Anna to another... thanks for making me happy on a dreary Friday!!!

J said...

Lovely! Congratulations on another great collection!

Cassidy Jayne said...

Gorgeous fabrics! I can't wait to make myself a tote bag out of that one labeled Sketchbook / eccentric warm. Beautiful, and congratulations.

Anna said...

To quote Chris Walken on SNL, "Wowee, wow WOW!"

Really gorgeous, Anna

Anonymous said...

Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God! These are SO beautiful, Anna! I can't wait to get my hands on them. These colors are FANTASTIC! Amazing job...c'mon March!~D

Anonymous said...

Love it. Have to say the volumes looks so much like the library books quilt from funquilts

http://www.funquilts.com/gallery/library.html

MouseChirpy said...

Fabulous! I just love all of the vibrant colors. When my eye catches color and pattern that are so complimentary it makes my heart race. Hard to explain, but it's so very pleasing. Beautiful line!

Gretchen said...

Those are beautiful! I gave up buying fabric for Lent, but I'm not sure if i can do that after seeing your fabrics!

OliveJuiceCo said...

Oooooooo, it's all fantastic!! Wonderful job!

Erika Cass Designs said...

Without a doubt, Nouveau Bouquet is my favorite! :o)

Anna Maria said...

Oh my gosh what a cool library book quilt!!! I love that, I love seeing minds crossing paths. Will have to send Weeks some fabric :) Thanks for the link , AM

Liz Cadorette said...

Anna Maria. Again!! I LOVE the warm + cool colorways -- and the Plumes fabric is going to have to be mine in every color in which it's offered.

I'd love to see down the pike the addition as well of neutral and/or black and white, for any of your designs, really. There is so much exploration into color happening around the sewing/crafting world right now, and these kinds of crisp, beautiful designs look equally stunning in simple black and white, especially in juxtaposition with one another.

Beautifully done. You continue to pull me in with your designs -- thank you so much for sharing everything on your blog as you do!

lorenzstudio said...

Absolutely incredible1

Knitterella said...

Amazing work! Everything looks so great and I love the colorways. You are so talented and I'm so glad we can share in your talent buy using these faboulous prints in our own crafting.

Can't wait to get my hands on some!

Congrats to a job WELL DONE!

Meg said...

Just beautiful! I am inspired already, I can not wait to see them in real life. Wonderful job like always. Meg

Anonymous said...

Hello from Germany! Fantastic fabrics, I can`t say which one I like more...but hope I can buy them soon here in Germany!Congratulations, beautiful...and the same for your blog.
Lori

vintagecate said...

Yassou, Anna Maria!

TeamMcDonough said...

Brilliant!

Polka Dot Creations said...

Ooh, thank you for the sneak peek! I especially like the fourth palette.

Tracy said...

WOW! These are gorgeous!! I love all of the different tones. Congrats, they look wonderful

ginger said...

Beautiful... and how funny that I was just considering designing a quilt that looks similar to the "volumes" fabric!

Megan said...

beautiful!!! with all that you get done, do you ever sleep?

forthebirds said...

I honestly had shivers of excitement as I gazed upon your designs. oooh la la.

Jodi said...

Gorgeous!! Can't wait to make something with it! Congrats!!!!

thecherubscloset said...

Oh wow, those are really beautiful. I can't imagine how much work must have gone into the design. I'm so itching to sew some of that up!
Glad you are all safe there.

Pink Lemonade Boutique Bags said...

Thank you for sharing. As I looked at each print, all I could think was "yummy" and "eye candy"! I can't wait to play with it!

Caroline

Suzanne said...

I'm all over the nostalgic cool palette. Perfectly wonderful.

- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

suneeta said...

Wow, now I'm going to have to wait to decorate my 3yr old daughter's big girl room a few more months. When did you say they would be available?????? I love the saturated colors. Dreaming of Shadow and Noveau Boquet.

Anna Maria said...

Fabrics should be available for purchase in March...also I think someone asked about the weight...This line is a home decor weight...and width. Its a smooth pretty cotton sateen (not shiny) and is 54" wide so....easier to get a quilt backing out of it, or a single width for curtains etc.

I keep coming in here between vacuuming and laundry for a sweet break to read your comments! Thanks so much for all the nice words!! Is it hard to look at all laid out like this? I may post the groupings again next week in smaller swatches for a better look at each of the palettes....but at least you get a close up first. Umm okay do you think I'm avoiding that vacuum cleaner by writing a novel in my comment box??? Laddeeedah...hmmhmmm hoo hoo, okay, back to it.

xoxo, AM

Katarina said...

OMG!!!!They are FANTASTIC!!!I'm so impressed and can't wait to buy some!!!My favourite gamma is the nostalgic one;)
WTG!!!!!!

Katarina

elenibags said...

are you freaking kidding me!? I want them all now, but March is my b-day month so I shall be purchasing myself a ton of presents from your fabric line. You do such a good job, thank you!

Georgia Woodson said...

Gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

oh, march is going to be a beautiful month, indeed. thank you for these gorgeous fabrics-to-come. Just can't wait

Lari said...

You've done it again. Such beautiful fabrics. Can't wait to see them in person.

Linda said...

Congratulations! These fabrics are absolutely beautiful. Some of them remind me of a turquoise-rust paisley Indian dress I had many years ago and haven't seen anything like since.
The colors are startling but also very beautiful together as if they always belonged that way.

Sarah said...

I want one yard of everything! The colors are scrumptious and warm and just darn near perfect. I love the bird motif, exactly what I've been searching for these days. Gorgeous!

The Jen said...

LOVELY!!! I'm already picking my favorites. Great work, again!!!!

~jen~

MultipleBlessings said...

Beautiful, Anna Maria! Well done! Have a great weekend!

Kerstin said...

BEAUTIFUL!!!! I loved your explanation of your ideas about designing - very interesting! It made me think of Margaret Atwood's book of poems "The Journals of Susanna Moodie". http://www.uwo.ca/english/canadianpoetry/cpjrn/vol02/bilan.htm
Good Luck with your collection. Looking forward to seeing finished pieces!

a. said...

oooh, i am going to need a dress made from Volumes, Nostalgic Warm.

beautiful, all!

Rebecca Beagle said...

Love. Want. That is all :)

Bethylou said...

Who are you?! My sister and I kinda want to marry you. Not really, but...you know. AMAZING work! Congratulations!

Kari said...

Wonderful work again! So unique!
Can't wait to pick one for some slipcovers...

thedomesticdiva said...

oh Anna Maria...it is truly so beautiful!!! I especially love the Plumes - Nostalgic Cool!!!

You are such a talent!

With friendship,
Lisa

alittlemoore said...

Gorgeous! Very exciting to be able to get them in my hands!

Stephanie said...

LOVE it AM!

melissa deakin said...

wow.
so incredibly gorgeous.
stunning.
love it all!
:)

RWilson05 said...

I think I'm in LOVE!! I keep looking at these over and over, for about the last 20 minutes or so! I can't decide which I like most! I really think I'm in love... if only.... the things I could do... sigh. Yeah, I'm in love! =o)

Jody said...

Love. You had me at the butterfly in the first fabric ... and the rest were quite worthy companions.

claudia said...

Oh. My. Goodness.
These are beautiful. I tried to pick my favorite one, but as it turns out I believe they are all my favorites. Gotta save up some money, so I can purchase some when they become available! Thank you for showing us your beauties!

atet said...

Beautiful -- the nostalgic palette (especially the cools for some reason) is really singing out to me. I can't wait to see what you cook up with these!

claudia said...

That was funny. I must have been rading our post just before you took it and fiddled with it. I wandered off to look at other parts of your blog and whenI came back, the Friday post was gone! I was actually saying to myself, I know I saw all those lucious fabrics, didn't I?
Now I know I am not going crazy. It is nicer to look at now. Thanks!

roz_etta@yahoo.com said...

I love your clear saturated colors.
I'm discovering more and more that these colors make a room look bright and cheerful.

~elaine~

TiaTalk said...

Ooh-ah! Gorgeous! When will they be available in Australia do you think?

dar design said...

Very beautiful colors!

Gabriela said...

Hello from Toronto!

Your designs are awesome! You have such a great talent combining shapes and colours!

Warm regards,

Gabriela

bobbione8y said...

honestly.

i have never seen anything more beautiful in my life.

i can hardly wait to get some (meaning, all) of these fabrics.

Mary Ann/Ca said...

Oh my, oh my....I have all your collections but as you said already...MOVE OVER for the new stuff! Time to play with it all. Seriously this is a fabulous collection.

jcaroline said...

Whoooppppeeee! The colors are fantastic. I think Volumes is sheer genius! (Though I'm digging Branching Out a lot as well.)

Louise said...

Just stunning!! I can see a beautiful quilt for my sofa coming up and more fabulousness to add to my aqua and green quilt for my bed! You, madam, are completely amazing!!!!

kiki said...

oh my!!these are awsome anna!!you have such amazing talent and immagination!!!

deardeedle said...

Sketchbook is DIVINE! But kudos to them all - I can't wait to see what magic people create with them!

Monica said...

beautiful! all of them... my mind is already using them...

will they be in your shop too? YOur stuff is hard to come by in England.

Zylo said...

How absolutely wonderful! Another great job.

daisy cottage said...

Anna Maria -

BRAVO!!!!!

Just delicious!!!


xo,
Kim

andrad said...

Love these fabrics - must be fun to bring it all to fruition!! Hoping to place an order in March!
Thanks so much,
Alexandra

Tanya Whelan said...

Absolutely, fantastically, gorgeous!!! I love your re-interpretaion of Art Nouveau. Just a really, really special collection. Congratulations are definitely in order!!!