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As we began this blog with a tale of the town of Sisters, Ore., and their annual quilt show, it seems only appropriate that we end with images from this year’s wonderful fabric fest.

COLOR CAN ENERGIZE ANY SPOT IN THE GARDEN that may need resuscitation. Whether you make intentional choices based on the exterior of your house or let your garden muse inspire you, the palette of your plantings, containers, patio furniture and garden art communicates a story.

© iSTOCKPHOTO.COM

Select a specific palette. Lure the eye. Brighten a dull spot. Create a mysterious effect with sultry hues. The entire color wheel is at your fingertips, ready to explore and play with.

Try these color ideas:

Devise a harmonious scheme: Select two or more favorite colors that work well together in flowers, foliage or a structure (such as a fence, arbor or gate). Let this grouping be your “color signature.” I once interviewed a gardener who loved the high-energy interplay of red and yellow, hues that made her smaller garden appear larger. Other landscapes may benefit from a subtler scheme, relying on quiet, restful colors. I love periwinkle blue paired with violet, shades that reflect the perfect hydrangea flower.

Use foliage to unify the design: Predominantly green plants help transition and blend sections of the garden and give them interest, even when nothing else is in bloom. Highlight the palette with variegated plants and use burgundy foliage as a dramatic footnote.

Play with basic color rules: Devise an attractive monochromatic scheme (in gardening terms, this might translate into a landscape with blooms, berries and bark in similar colors, such as coral or salmon). Or use complements in which colors opposite each other on the color wheel punch up a dull spot. The horticultural equivalent of red and green might actually be burgundy and lime-colored foliage. Finally, plants of analogous colors offer a pleasing visual harmony when all cool tones (purple, blue and violet) or warm tones (red, orange and yellow) are planted together.

LATELY I’VE BEGUN TO IMAGINE MYSELF as that unfortunate character in a sci-fi TV episode with such an insatiable appetite for learning that his head expanded into its own alien being.

© iSTOCKPHOTO.COM

My topics aren’t as weighty as his. They tend toward guitar, mandolin, Photoshop, InDesign, home repair, pruning, storytelling, driving a horse trailer, technology, technology, technology, and compost.

But they are nonstop, or were until my charge card told me: Stop taking classes.

Luckily, I have a secret weapon: Friends. Instead of Friends with Benefits, I have Friends with Knowledge. Just like me, and probably just like you, these friends live in the new world largely as independent contractors. Not only are their work and hobby skills ever evolving, but they are their own technology, billing and advertising departments. They have to learn!

So we teach each other. We offer to exchange money but usually we share for free.  I’m trading beginning guitar tips with one friend for Photoshop tricks. It’s all very informal, plus we throw in a walk.

Here are some benefits:

• You learn at your own speed and learn only those parts you want to improve.
• You see how you and your friend’s skills fit together, which can lead to work collaboration.
• You get to visit and be productive.

To do it graciously:

• Remember to pay close attention to sighs. That’s a sign you’ve come too often or, worse, you’re not listening.
• Be flexible about time if the “teacher” needs to cancel.
• Take something with you: coffee, food, movie passes, an offer to pet- or child-sit or run an errand.

It’s clear we’ll never know enough to keep up with the world. At least this way, we can all grow into alien beings together.

CAMPBELL-SOUP-KID CHERUBIC FACES… The happy graphics of the golden age of radio… Grainy stills from film reels or gloriously retro album covers…

NEW VALENTINES FROM OLD

If you’re like me and adore collecting bits and pieces of inspiring treasures, whether nostalgia-inducing vintage greeting cards or old sheet music from crooners like Bing Crosby, you’re well on your way to creating one-of-a kind valentines.

Flea market forays can launch a whole new collection of valentines, created just by you. The must-haves for turning yesterday’s jewels into today’s chic greetings? A multipurpose scanner/copier/printer, along with a basic editing tool such as Microsoft Publisher or another affordable computer program. With a scanner you can copy scraps of vintage textiles, postcards, handwritten letters from the attic and more.

Got kids? Have them collect their own idea of “treasures” and leaf through a folder of finds ― joining you in picking their favorite images, photos or words to create unique valentine’s for their school-age pals and teachers. Layer and crop, zoom and colorize. Print on card stock and have the kids add glue and glitter to white and light portions of the designs, and their art will positively glow.

As will you, when you step back to share some simply sweet sentiments in an era of store-bought Sponge Bob and Bratz greetings.

SAY THANK YOU to “High School Musical” 1, 2 or 3, sing out and rejoice for “Glee” or tap a polished toe in appreciation for “So You Think You Can Dance?”: The whole country has found a song in their heart and has begun a dramatic shift from star-obsession to embracing the star-like qualities of the average individual ― even the misfit.

While on the surface this may seem to recall the idea of the infamous 15 minutes, the abundance and popularity of this particular type of programming is much more about the ability for her to dream about a different tomorrow and realize she is personally responsible for making the transformation happen. It’s Julia Roberts in “Eat, Love, Pray” (2010) not Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman” (1990). Thank goodness.

In other words, enough about Miley, Britney, Lady Gaga and Fergie. Forget Babs, Madonna and all the what’s-their-name women of Tiger.

In 2010, the woman you will count on is the one who was there when you needed her the most this past year: the mom, the sister, the BFF. They are the role models of choice.

In addition to “bringin’ home the bacon and fryin’ it up the pan…,” she’s also plantin’ the veggie garden, bakin’ the cupcakes and ready to hold your hand. Oh, and, she knits her own clothes, makes her own jewelry, and blogs to tell about it.

No, let’s be real ― she’s not doing all of the above, but she’s picking and choosing. The metaphor is the message here: She imagines creating a better life for herself and those she loves. One that is about substance, not just style.

Yes, she’s ready to dream again, but with her feet planted firmly on the ground.

_________________

EXCERPTED FROM 10 INSIGHTS FOR 2010 by Lifestyle Insights.
For more information: robin@robinavni.com.

© 2009 robinavni | lifestyle topics, insights & trends llc. All rights reserved. No part of this material may be duplicated or redistributed in any form without written permission.

Edited by MOLLY MARTIN; image source: iSTOCKPHOTO.

HAVING GROWN UP IN THE DEPRESSION, MY MOTHER-IN-LAW ALWAYS SAVED ribbons, bows and gift tags from one year to the next. It wasn’t that she was being “green” — she was just being frugal.

GREEN WRAPPINGS © ROBIN AVNI

One of the biggest waste factors at holiday time is gift wrap. The Japanese have traditionally wrapped gifts in Furoshiki, a wrapping cloth that can be made out of any fabric.

Really, anything reusable can be used creatively to wrap a gift. We have a jute wine bag that we received with two bottles of wine in it, and now we use it all the time as a wine tote.

Want to to keep your wrappings green but can’t quite go the Furoshiki route? Here are a few ideas:

• Thrifty. If Furoshiki and wine totes are out of budget range, check your local thrift store for scarves, fabric and vintage trimmings.
• DIY. Head to your local fabric store for remnants and ribbons. Remnants are often seriously marked down and you should be able to pick up some gems for next to nothing. And real, woven ribbons can be ironed and reused year after year.
• Post-consumer. Can’t quite do the fabric thing? Like the crispness of paper? Look for 100% recycled post-consumer paper.
• Renewable. The Koreans have been doing it for centuries. Their traditional Hanji paper is made from the bark of mulberry trees and, hence, is a renewable material. Other renewable wrapping paper fibers are harder to find, but include bamboo, banana tree bark and Lotka.
• Compostable. Don’t forget the trimmings. Raffia ribbon can go in the compost pile, as can small pine branches, branches of holly berry, and other decorative plant material, depending on what part of the world you live in.

Happy Holidays!

I WAS JUST BEING POLITE, REALLY. My friend was inspired by the best-selling book The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs and wanted to get a group of ladies together to learn how to knit. I didn’t really see the point, but apparently she isn’t the only one. Julia Roberts has secured the rights of the popular novel and has a movie in development about the group of fictional N.Y. Upper West Side women who meet every Friday night in a yarn store to knit 1, talk, perl 2, and bond, despite their many differences.

© iSTOCKIMAGE.COM

Yup, that’s what knitters do. They meet in yarn stores, living rooms, retreats, even retail shops like Anthropologie to cast on and create. Knitters range from those with indie spirit fashioning wool into creative works of art to grandmoms knitting pale-blue baby sweaters. There’s even a new online community where you can organize your projects, show your work and discover yarns, patterns and those of like inspired spirit.

Knitting has seen a dramatic increase in growth, along with other crafting activities, but what is somewhat unique about knitting is that it has mass cross-generational appeal and combines universal, time-tested techniques with au courant personal expression.

And the laughter. Even the most polished professional can’t take herself too seriously after she’s dropped a stitch or two or three. Even the very best knitters have to rip out rows because of a mistake. You laugh, ask for help … and begin again. The wonderful thing is the yarn is very forgiving and springs back into action ready to be woven back into your next knitted vision.

I was surprised, I actually liked it. And the group said I showed some talent!

Whatever, I’m hooked. Oh, wait a minute — that’s crochet.

HAVE YOU NOTICED HOW FRIGHTENINGLY EXPENSIVE HALLOWEEN COSTUMES are for children?

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A weekend perusal found a range from $20 for a Snow White costume to $35 for a kid’s army soldier and $25 for the Michael Jackson accessory kit — sunglasses, white sequined glove, wig and hat. Another stop found that it costs $30 to be Elvis and $50 to be Martha Washington. (Seriously? Martha Washington?)

Such prices can be tough to swallow in these economic times. Especially for a one-hit wonder. After all, next year Michael Jackson will be but a moon-walking memory and your child will have grown a size.

The most obvious reason for high costume prices? Supply and demand. Manufacturers know that most consumers are too busy to make costumes. They know you’ll cave to your nagging Anakin Skywalker-wannabe, even if it costs the same as your cable bill. And they know you only have about a month to shop. (Even if you wanted to buy in March, your little one is sure to change his mind by October!)

Aside from the usual costume shop stops consider these affordable options:

• Hit consignment and thrift shops. This is the best bet for commercially-themed costumes, such as a Disney character or super hero. eBay also has a good selection of discounted costumes.
• Go (sort-of) homemade. We aren’t suggesting you get out the sewing machine and stitch an entire ensemble. Instead, shop your closets for enhancements. Your little-black-dress from seasons ago will make a great basis for a witch costume. Repurpose a bed sheet ― ghost or mummy, anyone?
• Organize a costume swap. Parents tend to save costumes from years past (great for siblings or for playing dress-up). Plan a gathering where everyone brings used outfits and the kids get to try on and “shop” for themselves. Throw in some apple cider and you’ve started a Halloween holiday tradition.

PROBABLY THE LAST TIME YOU GAVE ANY SERIOUS THOUGHT TO FELT was either that black beret you so charmingly sported for a few moments in college, or late one afternoon when you were frantically searching for the material in a craft store for one of your kids’ school projects.

Well, felt has gone a bit upscale and sophisticated and is enjoying a bit of popularity as the it fabric. This season everything from pillows to hats to chairs — even coffee-cup holders — are all getting that felt feeling.
Shedding some insight on the world’s oldest fabric known to humankind was the spring/summer museum show  of Fashioning Felt, at the Cooper Hewitt in NYC.  The small, but comprehensive show highlighted felt’s rich history — did you know that in Turkey remnants of felt have been found dating back to 6,500 B.C.? — and paid great homage to one of the most sustainable materials around.

Yes, felt is “green” and we don’t mean the color of the felt that covers the surface of  that local pool table in your neighborhood bar. However,  for the record, it is avaible in a veritable rainbow of colors.

While the Netherlands seems to be one of the key innovators in the field of felt design, those stateside are getting into the act. Blog sites and websites host a variety of felt afficiandos from those with a sense of whimsy to those infused with indie-spirit. High-end designers continue to push the edge with innovative designs ranging from serious architecture, like the auditorium at The Simon Wiesenthal Center Museum of  Tolerance, to home accessories such as curtains with cut-out motifs.

All in all, it never felt so good.

IN ADDITION TO THE FEATURES EXPECTED OF GENEALOGY SOFTWARE, my  first version of Family Tree Maker had an unexpected one: A place to enter notes for each person.

Over the years I’d heard our mother tell many tales of her parents, aunts, uncles and cousins she’d grown up with in Chicago. I could recognize stories I’d heard before — Oma, as we all called her in her later years, was very consistent in her recollections. But I couldn’t have told them on my own (I hadn’t met even one of those relatives).

So one June when my husband was on an extended work trip, I made a deal with Oma: Each night, I’d call her at 7 p.m., after dinner and before any favorite TV shows. I’d give her the name of a relative, she’d say whatever came to mind, and I would strap on my telephone headset and type like crazy.

© MOLLY MARTIN

After we made it through Uncle Mike and Aunt Delia and cousin Jackie Breen and all the rest, we started in on her life: “What’s your earliest memory?” The next night: “And then what happened?” And onwards. She told about her family, friends, neighborhoods, jobs, moves, houses, children’s births, life, lives and deaths.

Before Oma died, she’d gifted us with more than 50 stories, and I’d started pairing them with old family photos. I try to give one story to my family each Christmas, printing 20-plus copies for my siblings, their children, and now their grandchildren. I put each story in 3-hole-punched plastic sleeves and presented the first (above right) in a binder along with that person’s family tree (also via Family Tree Maker).

Oma’s nine years gone now, but her stories live on, for all of us.