Open Book: Massachusetts Quilts

Since this week is National Library Week, it's only appropriate that we put up a new Open Book post. Believe you/me, between all the reading and book perusing Porcelain and I do, we should easily be able to post an Open Book every single week. But then there's the photo scanning...and the fact that we're lazy...and ill-equipped... Yet the artistry displayed in Massachusetts Quilts is quite the opposite:

"Rail Fence" made by Ida Mae (Davis) Wood of Pittsfield, c. 1890

If you have ANY interest in quilting or textile design or even storytelling, please visit your local library and check out Massachusetts Quilts. This book will drop your art-lovin' jaw.

"Laurel Leaves" attributed to Betsy Rice Nims of Buckland (and/or daughters), c. 1840

I admit that I read nothing of the text and only flipped through the photos, occasionally reading the captions. But seeing all the images, drawings, and detail shots of new to antiquated quilts in this book is nothing short of inspiring. In fact, I bookmarked all these images a few weeks ago and now, after flipping through the book again for captions, I found 15-20 other pics I wish I had scanned.

Detail of "Hexagon Mosaic" made by Sarah Clark (Ellis) Ide of Milford, c. 1845

Please read this post as a teaser to entice you on the idea of Massachusetts Quilts and then go check the book out in-person to get the full experience.

"Butterflies" made by Jessie Gillies Kent of Lawrence, c. 1930

"Broken Sash" made for the Nantucket Agricultural Society, 1856

Weekend Flings

• My Ryan Gosling Crush Pays Off (seen above)
• Interspecific Kissy Face
• Our Awkward Namesake
• "19 Units...Empty": When the Recession Meets Fraud
• Not Everyone is a Graphic Designer
• Cat Nuggets!

If you're new around here and have no idea what this list means, click HERE for a brief and witty explanation.

Bonus Bone: Dora Moore Elementary School

Dora Moore Elementary, at City-Data

This weekend, I'm heading home. Home = Denver, Colorado, for all you not in the know. Even though I'll only spend about 47 seconds there before I leave on a road trip to the Grand Canyon, I'm still pondering all the places, comforts, smells, and smothered burritos that, for me, define HOME.

Many people may bring up the Cash Register building, when highlighting Denver architecture, but there is one building that comes to the forefront of my mind when I think of all the bricks and mortar that Denver has to offer. That building is Dora Moore Elementary School.

Dora Moore, 2008 House Tour

I spent about six years roaming these halls, trailing my "grubby biscuit hooks" down the wooden stair rails and ingesting the smell of glue and pencil shavings. When I was there, I was probably more concerned with penmanship and the careless glances of boys, and I certainly didn't appreciate my time there. But I, like, sure do now.

After brief research, I found out that the building was designed by Robert S. Roeschlaub in 1889 and is considered to be his architectural opus. I remember when, in 1993, the building was restored and an addition was constructed. Folks 'round the hood were nervous but, I believe, the added space retained/didn't mess with the integrity of the structure. In fact, Dora Moore was the first school to become a local landmark and I am proud to say that I learned my ABC's in this beautiful space.

B-Day Cardboard

So proud, in fact, that I recently bought a school pride T-shirt (which I never do) and wore it to my 32nd birthday/bowling party.

For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

Library Love

This is National Library Week and today just so happens to be National Library Workers Day! This means both Porcelain and I, who slave away daily over stacks of books and bar codes, deserve a nice little treat.

Maybe you'll be so kind as to order us one of these candles which, apparently, fills the air with the aromas of "antiquated leather-bound volumes...and parchment."

D.L. & Co. Modern Alchemy Ex Libris Candle, at Candles Off Main

Or (preferred option) perhaps you'll book us into a weekend getaway at "Manhattan's most celebrated concept luxury hotel," the Library Hotel.


We'll take The Arts floor - thank you - and your novel is due back in three weeks.

6 & 7

Here are our weekend photos. Visit flickr to see the entire 6 & 7 collection.

Cardboard: left, Porcelain: right

Original inspiration by Stephanie & Mav at 3191