That time I snuck away from Quiltcon between workshops and went antique shopping

While at Quiltcon in Phoenix back in February, I took advantage of a large chunk of free time between teaching workshops one day to go antique shopping. And I knew someone to ask for recommendations. My friend Bari lived in Phoenix for years and as I suspected, she led me to the perfect spots. I walked into Modern Manor and immediately looked up high on the ceiling to see a large needlepoint piece hanging.

Was that Vincent Van Gogh “Irises”?

In needlepoint?

Yes!

The frame it came in was pretty beat up, but I immediately knew I wanted it. I love how massive it is for a needlepoint piece, 21″ wide by 26″ long. Can you even imagine how many hours it must have taken?! The pride the maker must have felt hanging it? I had it reframed with a simple black frame and no glass. The yarn seems synthetic, which is great because I have found there’s less fading with synthetic yarn, it just holds its dye better.

I knew right away where it would hang. Just outside the bathroom in our newly finished addition. Our New Mexico house very much encompasses a mix of modern and vintage, and I really love having pieces like this, mixed with the vintage crock that the potted fig is in, in a more modern interior. I have never had so much fun decorating a house before. I think I’ve finally found my style!

And I love how my new “Vincent Van Faux” picks up the yellow from goldfinch right around the corner from it, made by local artist Geoffrey Gorman. Geoffrey uses all kinds of found materials to make his sculptures and I really love his work so much!

You can see a progression of the building of the addition onto our New Mexico home- plus the building of my studio, in the story highlight “Studio Build” over on Instagram.