As noted in the previous post, Love Letter is a lot about my little girl, Magnolia. I thought we could go over each piece and look at the details. We’ll cover a few prints this week, and the rest next week.
The Swans. (Little Loves)
First, I would like to note that I was listening to That Hideous Strength, the third book in the Ransom Trilogy by CS Lewis. It has literally nothing to do with this print, I just remember the book so vividly when I look at the print. It’s so funny how that works.
I woke up one Saturday morning and the piece was just there in my mind. I could see it really clearly, so I sat down at my computer and 2 hours later this pattern was finished. I spent a couple more hours on the colors, but it was easy. It was an absolute delight to make. Also, If you’ve placed an order with me since the new year, you’ve had Swan tape on your packages, or a full on Swan mailer. It was there all along. Right under your noses!
This print for me is about Mother and Child + the village. I think of like I feel every time I’m with my sisters and their children. And everyone is loved and fed and looked after.
This collection was built in a very similar way to Red Letter Day. Love Letter feels like it grows out of that collection in a lot of way, and these swans call back to those sweet ugly ducklings all those years ago. We’ve come a very long way.
The Wonder dot!
Y’all. When I tell you I’m obsessed.
I love this print. I would like it in 10,000 colors. The rabbits are rabbiting. Something I love about this print is that it sort of reads like a 1930’s print. Especially that overprinting on the faces. It’s a very charming print that I believe, can go the distance. How do you see using it? I can’t wait to see what the EPP peeps do.
The is one of Magnolia’s favorites. She has had this thing with rabbits/bunnies since she was born. One of my family’s dearest and longest friends/favorite people in the UNIVERSE (I’m looking at you Trish King) gave Magnolia a JellyCat Bunny right after she was born, and she has been a bunny gal ever since. When I think of it now, I realize that many of these prints started as gifts to Magnolia when she was so abruptly born.
Strawberries (Virginia)
What could be more classic than a strawberry print for all seasons?
This print is the Auntie print. Our girl has been beyond blessed to have so many women in her life that love her. From my sisters to my dearest friends, you don’t have to look too far to find someone who loves Magnolia.
Calling the print Virginia came about in 2 way.
1. Virginia B Johnson WHO WE LOVE, sent Magnolia the most beautiful needle felted strawberry mobile that Magnolia loves so intensely. It started a whole strawberry thing in her life. Virginia is also a strawberry queen. Everything is strawberries.
2. A good friend of mine used to work for corporate Liberty of London and while the names of the prints might seem arbitrary, like a constellation print called Kevin… she explained that the prints are named for the babies born of the parents who work for the company. So they aren’t really random at all, but a namesake gift. It feels very English. I like that. So this print is named for Magnolia’s strawberry auntie.
To be continued!
Next week we’ll talk about the florals and the basics. I love getting to show you these!
Do you have a favorite piece so far? A favorite color way?
Thanks so much for subscribing! I love seeing your comments and connecting in this way again. I just love it. It feels like really good old times.
I’m just figuring out Substack, but it’s a great platform and I’m looking forward to growing it.
And a very special thanks to all those who became paid subscribers and founding members. I’m truly blown away. I feel very loved, and like I’m moving in the right direction, and I can’t tell you how good that feels. I’m putting together something special for you.
It’s the stories as much as the fabric and paper goods that have brought me here. So open and full of love.
I love them all. I love seeing how everything has built upon its predecessors and how they write a beautiful tale of your life as you have grown and evolved as a woman and mother and artist. Thank you for sharing your vision with all of us to enjoy and become part of our own stories.