Hasta La Ideas

I took way more photos of tape than I needed for “A Field Guide to Tape” but I was having too much fun!

Washi tape sources: Pretty Tape, Cute Tape, Omigaye

photo by Beebee
Issue 12 has a fun article called “A Field Guide to Tape”. Written by our youngest contributor so far, I met Beebee at last summer’s Renegade fair in LA. I had been planning this article for a while, but after seeing Beebee’s blog and zines, I thought she would do a nice job on the topic of tapes. She’s quite an expert!

As editor, one of the exciting and fulfilling things about UPPERCASE is inviting people who have never been published before to contribute in one way or another. (It doesn’t matter that you’re not a “real” writer or “professional” artist—if you show passion and talent, that’s all I need.)

photo by BeebeeHere’s a closer view of the illustration by Michael Mateyko that accompanies the article. I love how his Scotch tape pattern makes a great suit for this snail/tape creature.

illustration by Michael Mateyko

photo by the workroom

I have a crush on Lotta Jansdotter and everything she does. Her patterns always look for fresh and unlaboured. the workroom in Toronto just got Lotta’s new fabric line, Echo, in stock. Lotta was recently featured on Design*Sponge, if you haven’t already seen it!

images submitted by Deanne Fitzpatrick to the wips poolI’m enjoying the diversity of submissions to the Work-in-Progress Society group pool. These process shots of hooking rugs by Deanne Fitzpatrick are interesting. I especially like her painterly approach and looking at the rugs closeup to admire the colour, texture and detail.

If you’d like to learn how to hook a rug, visit Deanne’s extensive website, sign up for a workshop in her Amherst, Nova Scotia studio or purchase a dvd, kit or supplies from her shop.

images from the Harvest blog
There’s an intriguing collaboration going on down under: Clara Vuletich (profiled on one of the early issues of the magazine) has spending time at Harvest Textiles this month.

The residency will explore the concept of ‘local textiles’. Clara hopes to combine her knowledge of sustainable textile print and dye processes with her interest in new forms of design and community activity that promote ‘home-grown’ knowledge/skills and encourage well-being.

“We live in a globalised world where most of our clothing, textiles and objects are made abroad and we are disconnected to the making of most of the products in our lives,” says Clara. “How can we re-connect? The idea of ‘local’ has gained prominence in most urban cities with slow food, farmers markets, the sprouting of an urban agriculture movement and the re-emergence of independent retailers and companies, who offer us trust, loyalty and a sense of community. But what does this mean for textiles?”

(I’m excited to receive a package from Harvest to feature in issue #13.)