Alluminare: New pattern "Chains"

I am very excited to announce that I have a new pattern on Alluminare! In case your new to my blog, Alluminare is an online lighting, wallpaper, pillow, and fabric by the yard company. Once you find a pattern you like, you can change the colors and scale to match your taste and needs.

My new pattern is called 'Chains". It is a bit retro and a lot modern and a great alternative to a stripe. I was playing around this morning with some color combinations. What do you think?

Check out their site here. Also, check out the featured designer:)

A trip to the countryside: Sümeg & Hévíz

Over the weekend we headed to the countryside. It was such a nice break. I love living in Budapest but sometimes being in the city can get to me. People in the city seem to be skeptical and withdrawn. As soon as you arrive in a small town, the whole mentality changes. People are curious and happy. I think this is true in any big city, not just Budapest. Do you agree?

The village we went to was Sümeg. A sweet small town with a castle and a disco:) Who would have thought!

My friend Evi's grandmothers house. A sweet old house with beautiful roses!

The weather was not cooperating. It was cool and raining and very grey skies.

On Saturday we spent the day at a wonderful spa called Hévíz. A natural lake where the temperature of the water does not fall below 22 C° (71 F) even in the winter, and in the summer reaches 38 C° (100 F) ! Thanks to the 410 liters flowing forth every second from the spring cavern, the lake’s waters fully regenerate in three and a half days, therefore remaining continuously clean. There are water lilies everywhere! So beautiful and relaxing!

Saturday night we headed to the disco and danced with the locals!

It was so nice to be away from my computer and with great friends. A much needed weekend break:)

being inspired by fashion

I just got lost in the style.com for the past 2 hours. Being from a fashion background it is no wonder I get excited by the fabrics and the patterns.

So, here is what is inspiring me! One thing is for sure, florals are everywhere. And they are romantic and painterly! Just what I love.

Roses!

D&G, Jil Sander, Nanette Lepore

Garden Florals

Aquilano Rimondi, Betsey Johnson, Etro

Romantic Florals by D&G!

More by D&G

I love these florals by Marni
I love these prints! They look like they could be silk paintings.
Stripes and geos

Etro, Missoni, Missoni

I heart Pucci!
Animal
I love the twists on these animals prints. The blue ground by Blumarine is beautiful!

Blumarine, Blumarine, Philosophy, Trussardi 1911

negresco....I mean nespresso

Sometimes I just laugh at some of the knockoffs I see. Is it me or is this a bit too obvious? I saw this while doing a little shopping on Sunday.

The real deal.

I wish I took a photos of the "H&N" shop that was done in the same fonts as "H&M". Unfortunately, the H&N is no longer open and the sign is gone:(

brainstorming with brush in hand

It was a busy weekend and I have a busy week ahead of me. Not much to say but lots to share. I spent the weekend painting. it always feels good to get away from my computer for a day and paint. Here are the results:

I like the roses. I think it is going to become an all over print in dark multi colors.
I think it could be interesting.

I am really enjoying painting with silk paints on water. I imagine it is like sumi painting. (I think that would be a good class for me to take.)
Added some black on top of the yellow.
I love the rose in the upper left corner. I am excited to get this in to a print!
A days work of brainstorming with a brush:)

The 3rd Collection

I promise I will stop posting about the fabric collections but I am so happy about the excitement around the collections, especially "Sweet Tooth". Hawthorne Threads wrote a lovely piece about Anthology Fabrics and "Sweet Tooth". Click here to read all about it!

I have a challenge that I could use you help with. I have designed the third collection which will launch in November at the International Quilt Show in Houston. My challenge is naming this new collection. "Sweet Tooth" came so naturally. Everything about the collection is 100% me and if you know me at all you know I always have a serious sweet tooth (inherited from my father:).

So, this third collection was inspired by my recent trip to Beaucaire, France. I can transport myself back to those 10 wonderful days when I think about the following:

• Lavender fields and songs of the cicadas. Terracotta rooftops and old shutters in shades of blues and greens. Flower pots decorating balconies and door steps. Quiet siestas and afternoon naps. Enjoying a latte while a man with a baguette walks by, tilts his head, and with a smile, says "Bonjour".

photos taken in and around Beaucaire

So, any ideas?

Alluminare: Hot Happenings

Alluminare posted a nice write up today over on their blog. Check it out!

Also, I am currently working on a new design for them. It should be up by the end of the month!

click here to read Alluminare's blog