A good friend of ours from college, Jeff, sent me a cryptic note on facebook the other day, that he’d found something for me, and merry-early-Christmas. I had *no* idea what he was talking about, but kept an eye on the mail, as requested. Jeff and I had been talking about how I look to ancient architecture and art from various places for my design inspiration, and he was interested in the process I used to get from one to the other, especially since so many things lack color and pattern within them.
Yesterday, I got a box in the mail and unwrapped it to find this thing of beauty:
A Travel guide to Uzbekistan?
As nearly as he or I can tell, it’s a travel guide to Uzbekistan, published in 1959. It had its own beautifully pattern box, and the inside featured many of the grand sights of the territory, including great deal of patterned tiles and architecture. I love this book, so much, and also love that it has a note on the frontispiece, dated 1967, and dozens of signatures. Perhaps from a group on tour? Was this a gift to a professor on his or her retirement (oh, who am I kidding, it would definitely be “he” at that point). In any case, I’m beginning to get some ideas for future quilts, which was the intention. I feel very loved. Thank you, Jeff!
I love this…. I really do. I swear next to a handmade gift, a book is one of the sweetest gifts to receive- so much thought goes into picking a book for someone- it is such a personal thing. I have a very good friend Rory, who recently came by with a big coffee table book called “the Art Quilt” – he found it while thrift shopping and thought I would like it. I haven’t been able to put it down since… so much inspiration- it is amazing how the simple gift of a book can bring life changing inspiration…
I love it even more that this book has a history, you know? It’s not in one of my languages, either, so it’s even got more mystery and intrigue, which I love. I want to go lurk at the local used book stores more often, but until I have the time, I will just browse online.