What was my first love? Books. I was a 3 year-old wishing someone would teach me to read already. It was a pop-up book about the seasons. I fell hard and am still giddy over the stories, the ideas, the images, the characters, and the cover art.
Penguin has been publishing many classics in beautifully designed, cloth-bound hardcovers. Once I discovered this edition, I wasted no time starting a collection of my favorites: Pride & Prejudice, Alice in Wonderland, Little Women, Jane Eyre, A Christmas Carol, Tess of the d'Ubervilles.
Then I discovered the Rolls Royce of books: Penguin Threads Deluxe Classics. Penguin commissioned illustrator Jillian Tamaki to design and hand-embroider covers for The Secret Garden, Emma, and Black Beauty. A few years ago, we sold limited-edition journals covered in vintage embroidered handkerchiefs. These Deluxe Classics tower over our little journals. The detail is just astounding. Look at the rich tones, nuanced shading, the texture, and 3D-like effects. The work continues on the back covers! How did Jillian not go blind on this project? Consider me first in line at the door of the Jillian Tamaki fan club.
O t h e r E m b r o i d e r y P r o j e c t s
This Monster Quilt was Jillian's first embroidery project, which she completed 5 months before embarking on the Penguin commission. That isn't right. I can barely sew on a button. Well, I can, but the utter boredom prevents me from doing so. I prefer to attempt minor-league embroidery, such as the gift I crafted for a friend who loves ice skating and hedgehogs. (see etsy artist's pattern last image below)
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| images of Jillian's work are ©Jillian Tamaki |
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| Nicole Vos Van Avezathe |
l i v e e x u b e r a n t l y™
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