Under the Influence

Above: Textiles of the Weiner Werkstatte by Angela Volker.

Below: Multi -Artist Coloring Book by Shabd Simon-Alexander, Christopher David Ryan, Mociun, Lena Corwin, Caitlin Keegan, Sian Keegan, and Valerian.
Purchase it here.

Current inspiration for printed textiles and design.

A good idea...

...of what the Ermie F/W 2009-10 clothing collection will look like. See more images here.

Corner View: Best Kept Secret

Directly above & below: Central Coast near Cambria & Paso Robles, 2007- 2008

Directly above & below: Death Valley- taken in 2004

Directly above: Morrow Bay, 2004.

Not feeling very inspired or original this week, dear Corner View readers!
I'm pretty much an open book. I don't like to keep secrets.

So I was thinking about this post in terms of Los Angeles. I couldn't really think of anything about the city that a zillion people don't know about already.
The best kept secret of Los Angeles is that if you drive a few hours in any direction from the city, you are going to encounter dramatic views, vast differences in climate, and some of my favorite places to visit...like Death Valley, Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, Paso Robles, Cambria, Big Sur...can you tell I wish I had a vacation coming up?

Click here for other secrets revealed!

GO HERE : Give-a-way

My friend Cheryl is giving away one of her fabulous crochet creations...this little lime bird. Visit her blog and leave a comment there for a chance to win! You have until July 31st 10:00 PST. Good luck!

Some photographs from over the weekend. The weather is scorching again.


**A bit random (but I'm posting it anyway): I loved this episode of This American Life I heard over the weekend. One of the best I've heard in a while...creepy, hilarious, sad and poignant all at once- and apparently Ira Glass and I share the same sleep disorder!

Fall

Above : J.Crew Fall 09-10

Below: A.P.C. Autumn

I love fall. I love fall clothes.
But a funny thing is happening to me this year. I'm still excited to see what is coming out for fall ...but what I have seen so far is leaving me a bit disappointed. I think it has to do with the fact that I'm making my own clothing right now, and I'm focused on that.

The new A.P.C. stuff, and J.Crew catalog came out. I'm beginning to realize what a huge factor the styling of clothing is in what I want to buy. J. Crew is really, really good at this. As is A.P.C.

With J.Crew I was uninterested in all of the pastels (Pastels??? For fall?!?) I was seeing-until I saw the styling in the catalog photos. When combined with the richer, more traditional colors for fall...the clothing just popped!
A.P.C. styling is always cool. The clothes are very, very, simple- this usually true with J.Crew, too.

So these are some of the things that I like. Like, but not love. Except for maybe that orange skirt, and that blue coat, and that black Sgt. Pepper's Jacket, and... ;)

We went to dinner in South Pasadena last night. It feels like the Midwest to me there. Quaint.
We had fresh strawberries with fresh whipped cream, with a balsamic reduction/syrup, over lemon curd topped basil pound cake. That's a mouthful (and it was delicious)!
Have a good weekend...

Palette

The fabric and palette for the Ermie Fall/Winter 2009-10 line.
Interspersed with view of an orchid that miraculously bloomed...usually we end up inadvertently killing them before they ever bloom again.
The edge of the paddle plant's paddles exactly match a shot cotton I bought that is a heathered purple...

Corner View: 7:45 PM Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Friday 7:45 PM: Harvesting Tomatillos.

Saturday 7:45 PM: Photographing the prototype dress for the Ermie Autumn/ Winter 09-10 Collection. Needs more work on the sleeves...maybe I'll take in the neckline a tiny bit...


Sunday (Monday, actually...I cheated! Sorry:) 7:45 PM:
Zankou Chicken after the beach.

Click here to see what else was going on at 7:45 PM

Tomory and I went to the beach yesterday with John and Samara. The weather by the shore was absolutely perfect.

Summer Mix

A mix of photo outtakes from the season: it's full-on Summertime!
I have the day off, I'm going to sew and try to stay cool...
Since I've been making things again I'm getting back into music. Before MP3's
I used to make mixed tapes for people all the time.
I made a mixed CD for the Summer.
To the first 4 people who leave a comment under this post: you will receive a copy of the mixed CD. Just tell me what you are listening to this summer!

UPDATE: The Winners are: Mae, Kelley, Seedstitching, Erica, and what the heck...I'll let Angelina in on this as well...since she posted and is always providing me with new inspiration like this:

** Enjoying Viva Vena Cava (via Angelina of Beklina)

And I have also been eye-ing:
Lena Corwin's updated shop with this, this, and this (everything really)!

*** To those who won just send me an email with your address (under my profile) and I'll put the CD's in the post by the end of next week :) Thanks for your summer music suggestions.

Per Jane's request: The Ermie Summer Playlist:

1. Fitz and the Dizzyspells : Andrew Bird -Noble Beast

2. You Never Know: Wilco - Wilco (The Album)

3. I'm Alive : Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) Xanadu (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)

4. The Contortionist : Pepi Ginsberg -Red

5. Evergreen: Fiery Furnaces- EP

6. Waterloo Sunset : The Kinks - Something Else By The Kinks [Bonus Tracks]

7. Myriad Harbour : The New Pornographers- Challengers

8.Caribou : Pixies - Wave of Mutilation - Best of Pixies

9. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat : Beck - War Child - Heroes, Vol. 1

10. Sleeping Turtleneck: Snake & Jet's Amazing Bullit Band - Peace Boat

11. The Sun Surrounds Me: Beachwood Sparks - Once We Were Trees

12. Nikorette : Conor Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band- Outer South

13. This Tornado Loves You: Neko Case - Middle Cyclone (Bonus Track Version)

14. Something On Your Mind: Karen Dalton - In My Own Time (Bonus Track Version)

15. Still Around: Dex Romweber Duo - Ruins of Berlin

16. Teenage Lightning : Luna - Close Cover Before Striking

17. The Dream's Dream (Remastered LP Version) : Television - Marquee Moon / Adventure / Live At the Waldorf (The Complete Elektra Recordings Plus Liner Notes)

18. Us and Them : A Camp - Covers EP

19. Oh No: Andrew Bird - Noble Beast

20. Sabali : Amadou & Mariam - Welcome to Mali

21. White White White : Pepi Ginsberg - Red

22. It's Summertime : Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots