If you missed the beginning of this story, you can read part one here and part two here.
And so, after a dream.
After driving 1,400 miles round trip.
After turning an internet friend into a real life one.
After taking a risk.
We started to create.
We are turning a very special stack of found quilts into—COATS.
We believe strongly in only using quilts that have damage or wear that would otherwise have deemed them less collectible or usable.
(We can’t bring ourselves to cut into the good ones...)
Sarah has hand washed each and every one naturally and laid them out in the Alabama sunshine.
We both put in the work of planning and dreaming out each and every quilts new life.
Each will be thoughtfully cut and pieced together to make a heritage piece that is in and of itself a layered work of art.
A story of making something old new again.
A garment that will last your lifetime.
Sarah’s doing the sewing—then we’ll be meeting up to exchange them and I’ll bring them back to Virginia to do the photographing, story telling and listing for you all in a few weeks (they’ll certainly be well traveled and steeped in narrative by then!)
We will have a variety of sizes and lengths, but this will be a small collection for now.
We don’t know where it will lead, but we are enjoying the process and the opportunity to create something together out of a shared passion and love for old textiles.
We’ll be sharing more as these quilt coats are created!
Thank you all for your excitement in this project with us. It’s one of hope and redemption.
You’ve been spurring on two women’s dreams.
And if we’ve learned anything from this project of ours... it’s to listen to the dreams.
Collaboration
A Beautiful Unfolding
If you missed part one of this story, you can read it here.
This is my friend Sarah (also known as @potters.daughter on Instagram).
Between us is a stack of quilts that we spent the better part of a month finding and rescuing all over the deep South. Most of these were found on my way to meet Sarah actually. That’s right—we’d never met in person until this day. Until this moment we were, as they say, just Instagram friends. But a dream Sarah had— not even three weeks before this photo was taken— led me to driving over 700 miles, with a car full of quilts, to meet her. Because we share a love of projects.
And a love for old textiles. And for not only *seeing* but *sharing* the beauty of imperfect and cast-off things and believing in their ability to still have life left to live. Additionally, we recognize that there is a lot of beauty to be found in partnering with someone to create something.
As much as you may want to do and create and be all of the things all by your lonesome, there is a special kind of magic that comes in choosing to join together with someone to share in the creation of a work of art.
That’s what this story is about... Collaboration.
But not in the millennial sense of the word. A surface level, here’s-a-thing-created-by-one-person-and-sponsored-by-another.
But a true equal partnership of deep exploration into the possibilities of the unknown and working together side by side in equal standing. To create something that feels layered and meaningful. To trust in the divine and in something bigger than ourselves.
I hope you’ll stay tuned as we keep unfolding the rest of this journey.
(I wasn’t trying to make a pun, you know, with quilts and all, but I kind of feel as though that’s a good title for this chapter of this story: A Beautiful Unfolding.)
Slow Living | Mr. Draper
Today's post is brought to you by a new friend of mine over in Australia.
Alistair of Mr. Draper makes the most lovely linen goods, and what's more, he is so passionate and enthusiastic about what he does, which makes his work all the more beautiful.
He sent me one of his doona's, (for us American's that's the Australian name for a duvet cover) and I honestly don't know that I've ever loved a handmade piece for my home more than this ocean of blue goodness.
(You can see early photos on Instagram here and here as well)
It's so soft and the color is incredibly rich and gorgeous. It transformed my bedroom into that calm, cool and inviting place I'd been dreaming of almost instantly.
Not to mention I'm head over heels for his branding and packaging.
Alistair is such a kind and wonderful person to collaborate with and support and I hope that if you're in need of any linen you'll check out his shop! He also makes sheets, tea towels and pillow cases as well as other home accents.
I'm also in love with his practice of repurposing your worn out linen.
Slow living and mindfulness encouraged in your home? Check.
"The core principal behind Mr. Draper's products is to not just buy and toss stuff every few years. Rather, make a considered purchase that will be with you for many years to come."
This post was sponsored by Mr. Draper.
You can shop through their online store as well as connect with Alistair on Instagram.
If you're interested in sponsoring a post or collaborating, shoot me an email: agirlnamedleney@gmail.com
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Other artists and makers I love whose work was featured in this post include...
Nanin - Palo Santo + Desert Rose Candle
Willow Knows - Scarf
Oldtime Feeling - Floral arrangement
Matt Johnson - American Hearts Book
Alex Elle - Note 2 Self Journal
Yesterday's Heroes - Sheep and Shepherd framed art
The Rootless Spruce - Travel Journal
I'd Like To Walk There Again
I’d like to walk there again. It was so lonely— a nice kind of loneliness, and all grass and clover and soft sea air. — The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
Shirt courtesy of Colo/Palo, photographed in The Burren, Ireland
Travel Essentials
A good leather bag
Lots of little pouches and purses to organize bits and pieces that are brought along as well as bits and pieces newly found
A scarf - this one is my usual go to but I've also fallen in love with this cotton one I found in Barcelona over the summer
A book to provoke new thoughts
A bit of simple jewelry- because it can often make me feel pretty and put together even if I haven't showered in a few days on the road and have been wearing the same shirt for more days than I want to recollect
The Adventure Hat
A sweet smelling fragrance
Music- whether that's in the form of CD's, a home made mix tape, an iPod or Spotify on your phone
A travel journal- never go on a trip without one. You never know what you'll find that warrants documenting
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Pieces shown courtesy of
Always Rooney
Rosewood Clothing Co
Molly Virginia Made
Brittanny Chanel
Olo Fragrance
The Rootless Spruce
Collaboration | Brittanny Chanel Jewelry
Brittanny sent me with some of her lovely jewels earlier this year for me to photograph during my trip to Iceland.
Her Naked Bangles pretty much haven’t left my arm since then, with the exception of when I have to take them off for airport security (which has been a frequent occurance these days…#thetravelingphotographer). They are definitely my favorite to say the least.
Her work is so beautiful so if you’re in the market for some timeless pieces to add to your jewelry wardrobe you should definitely check her out.
Pictured here:
The Naked Bangle
Selene
The Naked Midi
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This post was sponsored by Brittanny Chanel Jewelry.
You can shop through her online store as well as connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
If you're interested in sponsoring a post or collaborating, shoot me an email: agirlnamedleney@gmail.com
Roam Sweet Roam
Many of you have heard me talk about some of my favorite RVA makers, Jody and Karl of Blackbird Tees, quite a few times here on the blog.
Well, they have some awesome new designs out and it's a theme and sentiment after my own heart....
Roam Sweet Roam.
As not only fellow makers, but fellow travelers (and taco lovers), these two are somewhat kindred spirits of mine. I'm so thankful to not only have the opportunity to work with such genuine souls like theirs, but to also call them dear friends.
I mean it's not just anyone you can wander around abandoned airstreams with and make up fake rapper names with and jam out to the likes of Rick Astley...
(thanks grandma)
Okay okay, what are you waiting for?
Go see the new stuff for yourself.
And I'm not just sayin that cause I'm their model. ;)
Photos by Meagan Abell, as always.
xo
A Parisian Morning
Shadows dissipating on white walls
Construction on the street drifting up through the window
Coffee in tiny cups
Bread
Billie Holiday
Tracy Chapman
More bread
Knitting
Fans shushing
Shades of blue
French blue
More Tracy Chapman
Postcard writing
.
A Parisian morning
Glasses: Firmoo
Shirt: Colopalo
Shorts: Urban Outfitters
Jewelry: Brittany Channel
Watch: Marc Jacobs
Journal: The Rootless Spruce
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This post was sponsored by Firmoo.
Firmoo has really lovely glasses that are not only unique but affordable.
I love this pair they sent me and highly recommend their frames!
You can shop through their online store as well as connect with them on Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.
If you're interested in sponsoring a post, shoot me an email: agirlnamedleney@gmail.com
The Travel Journal
We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect. || Anaïs Nin
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I'm an avid journaler, but especially so when I travel.
I think part of the reason is because when I travel things can often be a blur. A new place here and new place there, a new thought in this moment, meeting a different person with a cool story in that one, going going going. Documenting such things, sometimes as they happen, is a way for me to live them more fully in the moment. To examine and see them a little bit outside of their original context helps me to not take them for granted and appreciate these moments and experiences for what they are.
But of course I also do it so that I can look back and reminisce once I'm back home.
I not only do this when I'm traveling but in my day to day life as well actually. I have several different notebooks and journals each with their own respective purpose. I'm constantly scribbling notes and sentences and thoughts and new words and clever lines I hear people say that I want to remember.
I don't really remember a time when I wasn't doing this to some capacity to be honest.
It's one of those things that's engrained into who I am.
The Rootless Spruce sent some their handcrafted leather goods with me on my trip to Iceland, which included this incredibly beautiful handmade journal. It's pages have since been filled with quite a few memories which I already love looking back on.
If you need a travel journal (or the perfect home for your passport) I highly recommend visiting their shop.
I also highly recommend this Air BnB place we stayed in for our first few nights in Reykjavik.
Don't know what Air BnB is? Learn more and sign up here for $25 towards your first booked trip!
It's my favorite way to travel.
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This post was sponsored by The Rootless Spruce.
You can find them in their shop as well as on Instagram.
If you're interested in collaborating, shoot me an email: agirlnamedleney@gmail.com
Collaborations For Europe
Well I announced yesterday that I'm traveling to Europe in a little over a week (!!!), so similarly to my Iceland trip, I'm reaching out to any artists, small business owners, creatives, designers etc. who might be interested in collaborating during my travels!
I will be taking some different pieces with me to Europe to photograph and promote and do some styled shoots with, so if you'd like to have any of your designs or products included let's chat!
I'll be giving some Instagram shout outs, and you'll also be included in some blog posts when I return. Plus, you'll be able to use the photos as you like afterwards (and I mean... you'll be able to say your work has been to Europe ;) )!
If you'd like to collaborate, shoot me an email: agirlnamedleney@gmail.com
I'll be taking submissions and inquires until the 12th of June!
xo