design * home* creative people* gardens* food * finds
For me, there is something wonderful about brown paper packages. Maybe it is a reaction to the overwhelming glitter of Christmas that makes me want to wrap my gifts in something that feels a bit more organic, simple and homey. When you're ready to start wrapping all those presents, here are a few
ideas that you might want to try. They are all relatively simple, but anything but boring-happy wrapping.
As you may know, Nantucket is one of my favorite places on the planet. I'm always inspired by the work of local artists, and recently had the pleasure of meeting Pete Van Dingsteen in his studio on Old South Wharf. Pete makes fish prints in the traditional Japanese style called Gyotaku, which is creating prints of fish on rice paper.
This is one of Pete's prints. I love the way he printed on the dark blue paper. Another Gyotaku artist on the island is Chris Bonelli, whose work below has a much different feel from Pete's.
I decided that as soon as I returned home, I had to try my hand at fish printing. Well, the results were a bit disappointing, but we learned a lot and are anxious to try more prints, both on paper and fabric. Here is the first attempt.
I wish Pete were here to offer some guidance, but I guess like most things, it takes practice, practice.
Where else can you have brunch, dinner, learn how to butcher a hog, grab some handcrafted chocolate and take home some steaks from local Texas ranches?
Salt and Time, a butcher shop and salumeria on East 7th, is among the top ten best charcuteries according to Bon Appetit. This is not your grandmother's butcher shop.
Ben Runckle and his partner Bryan sold their products at the local farmer's market before opening their brick and mortar store. It's a carnivore's heaven, but believe it or not, there are some items on the menu for vegetarians.
The bar is a perfect spot to enjoy happy hour with a board of charcuterie and cheese.
The Cubano sandwich is a popular choice for lunch, or try their Coffee Lomo, a Spanish-style pork loin rubbed with wood-roasted coffee and chile that is cured for four months-yummy. Do you need any other reasons to try this place?
We've had so much fun experimenting with dyes and paint on fabric. It's been a learning process with a lot of trial and error. I have some more designs in my head that I want try, but for now at least there are two finished pillows.
After many attempts, here is one of the final pillows.
The possibilities seem endless, and I'm anxious to try another design. Painting on fabric is not as easy as it might look, but I think the results are worth it.
