February 15, 2011

A Walk Through the Park

If you've already joined the Drawing Board mailing list and currently receive our newsletter, thank you! You might remember going on this "walk" together last month...but since there are so many new people joining us, i thought it would be nice to show them around
Central Park a bit...

How about we take a more complete look at the color range for the collection? There is quite a spectrum of possibilities for color combinations and prints that lend themselves to everything from children's clothes and quilts to pillows, throws and all sorts of accessories. There are nine prints that also come in laminates that are perfect for reusable grocery store totes or summer beach bags. I'm sure you'll have so many other great ideas, so please be sure to share them in the Central Park flickr group. Looking forward to seeing what you make!

Since we're all eager for spring and warmer days ahead, let's dream of a sunny day in the Park that begins by taking a peek at the "Metro" and "Sunshine" colorways. Both are bright and saturated with a mix of florals and stylized prints that just make me so happy! Pick a linden tree to sit under and enjoy the flowers in the North Meadow:
"The Great Lawn" is the name of the sprawling field in the middle of the Park — a perfect spot for an afternoon picnic. The sun is shining brightly on the yellow-greens of the "Lawn" colorway, and there are cobblestone paths that meander along for a leisurely stroll...
or a visit to the Zoo!
If you've ever been to Central Park in NY, you may have walked around the enormous reservoir and perhaps been passed by horses on the bridle paths. Hard to imagine in the middle of a city, but it's a past-time that harkens back to the park's earliest days. This blue colorway is for all the glorious fountains, lakes and ponds that are a haven for the Park's wildlife:
The setting sun brings the day to a close and a purple cast overtakes the shadows in the "Plaza" colorway. I love the transition from day to evening in NY; when all the lights of the city define its landscape. There is still time for one more ride on the Carousel, though! Did you know there have been 4 carousels built in Central Park since 1871?
All in the same location.
Here's a little more trivia (and maybe you know this already): In 1890, there was an eccentric New Yorker and Shakespeare buff named Eugene Schiffelin who decided he wanted to introduce all the birds mentioned in Shakespeare's writing to the United States. He brought 60 starlings over from Europe and let them go in Central Park. One of the first nests was spotted under the eaves of the Museum of Natural History. The birds took so well to North America, that their population today is somewhere around 200 million!!

Finally, i wanted to congratulate Claudia for being last month's winner of the first-ever newsletter-subscriber-only giveaway! She won a jelly roll of Central Park. You might just want to subscribe too. The March newsletter is in-the-works.
(if you know what i'm saying *wink, wink*)

28 comments:

  1. Wow - what interesting information about Central Park! I live out west in Nevada and have always wanted to visit New York but have not made it so far - it sounds just wonderful!

    I also love the color groupings in this blog. As I scrolled down, each color grouping that popped up seemed to be prettier and prettier. Beautiful fabric line!

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  2. Those fabrics are just awesome....

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  3. Thank you Kate. I love it all! I'd love to visit NYC some day. I'd spend a whole day in Central Park.

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  4. I'm a new quilter, just bought your fabric fandango and finished my first quilt. I love your new fabrics, so colorful

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  5. Hi Kate, I LOVE all the colourways but Metro and Sunshine are my very favourites - they remind me of the light here in Marrakech. I have been fortunate enough to visit New York twice but both times it was snowing. Central Park looked just gorgeous! Now I need to go find a stockist...

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  6. Those yummy yellows and oranges, looks like spring to me! And the cool water colors. Love them all.

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  7. I have the purple colorway and am loving working with it so much! It is so neat to read your thoughts behind the creation of each print and color choice. LOVE it all!

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  8. This is such gorgeous fabric!! Love love love it!! Especially since it reminds me of some lovely visits to NYC!

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  9. I'll be visiting New York for the first time in a couple of weeks and I'm looking forward to seeing Central Park! Thank you so much for giving me some context. I've been a fan of your Central Park fabric line since I first saw it (and have yet to get some, though I've requested it from our local quilt shop and am waiting impatiently). Making a quilt with it will hold special meaning for me after having visited New York.

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  10. I just love this fabric in the kitchen- it makes such beautiful aprons, as well as tea towels, and pot holders- the bright colors are a natural choice for kitchen textiles and are so cheerful. Thanks so much Kate for this great little insight on your inspiritation, It makes me love these gorgeous fabrics even more!

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  11. I did not know that about starlings. Do you suppose I could get some some of restitution from his family cause those bids are tearing my house apart from trying to move in the walls. Good thing I have a hubby who is dedicated to bird removal.....I would love to see central park one day.

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  12. Very cool trivia - the colorways are all to gorgeous. Glad I don't have to pick a favorite LOL!

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  13. Love the designs and colors in your new line!!

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  14. Kate, I love love love this fabric line! I am planning to pick some up soon and have been having a hard time deciding which colors to get so this is a help :). Thought I had signed up for your mailing list last go round but I think it didn't take, so I did it again.

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  15. Love the fabric. We have it in the LQS that I work part time at.

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  16. At least I know who to blame for importing starlings. Really they are always fighting with each other and other birds.

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  17. I live just 3 short blocks from Central Park, so I consider it my backyard. I'm happy to see how you've interpreted the landmarks and colors. And the names of the prints are great, too! I've got my big fat quarter pile sitting here just waiting to be cut into!

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  18. Love that starling story!

    There is a such a broad range in this line, I love it.

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  19. Just purchased my first online fabric order...your Central Park line, a Jelly Roll and 2 Charm Packs. As soon as I saw the fabric I knew I had to have it. Can't wait to get it. Beautiful Fabric.

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  20. I just received my Central Park order this week and OH MY!!! I'm in love and have already decided that I'm gonna have to have more! Gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your gift and talent this way....very inspiring!

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  21. Hello
    Love the fabric very much and yes all your project featured on Pleasant home your new follower too
    Hope you will enjoy your visit if you can spare a little bit to see some napkin folds
    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
    Love
    Farah

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  22. I just finished a baby quilt with Central Park and it was so yummy to work on. The colors are bright and cheerful and the designs so intriguing. And I loved the fabric itself. It has such a lovely hand and my quilt went together like a dream!

    Thanks for creating such lovely fabric!

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  23. I just love the bright colors of this line. Where can we find out which closest shops have this?

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  24. Kate,
    I really, really love your fabrics! You are one of 3 designers who make me wish I weren't boycotting Moda!!
    Maybe one of these days :(

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  25. Good Luck! I am not sure which colour-way is my favorite, they are all just lovely.

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  26. What great colors this line has. Colors just pop out and each grouping complements the other.

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  27. Sunshine is my favorite; it's a happy line. I used to live in Brooklyn, NY and have been to Central Park many times.

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