Hey MLE,

Thought I'd share this amazing piece of technology I came across at the Design Museum awhile back. It is the world's first fully electronic calculator, made in the USA in 1965. Yes, can you believe only a generation before us, our poor parents did not even have electronic calculator technology? What did they do in math class? I would not have been able to do calculus at uni without a calculator (I could barely do it with one, haha). Evidently there were various mechanical calculators used in the 70s and earlier, with names such as the "Arithmometer," "Comptometer," and "Triumphator." They were very large, heavy and expensive.

How a man was put on the moon in 1969 I have no idea.

Suzan x

Suzan!

Love love love that McQueen pillow. And while we're on the topic of embroidery, you reminded me of something I've been meaning to post for awhile. There's this little design studio in Brooklyn called Haptic Lab which makes "soft maps", essentially quilted maps of cities and neighborhoods. A combination of two of my favourite things, textiles and maps! They even do customized maps on commission, which makes the possibilities endless. I must have one!! But alas, each quilt is entirely hand-made, apparently taking more than 200 hours to complete. That means they ain't cheap. Sigh. Amazing though, no?

You can check them out here and also find out more about this super interesting studio that – in addition to those beautiful quilts – also makes custom kites, architecture, jell-o molds and public art installations. Nice.

e. xx

Happy holiday Monday the MLE!

Quiet and rainy day here in London, good day to spend at the studio. Hope you're having a good day with the family in Stockholm and that you are all over the flu. Came across yet another site full of beautiful inspirational stuff I want to buy but cannot afford, thought I'd pass it along:
www.discoveredd.com

This Hummingbird Cushion by Alexander McQueen caught my eye in particular, as I have this thing for birds. It's stunning. All made by hand using traditional tapestry and needlepoint techniques. Maybe my next project can be tapestry and needlepoint rather than knitting? Hmmm...

xx