CROSS PILLOWS OFFER STYLE AND COMFORT…and it’s time for a GIVEAWAY!
I want to share some CROSS pillows with you. The cross as a symbol has been around for along time and I thought it would be fun to delve into its meaning. The bold colorful ones below are not of a religious nature so much as a comfort/first aid nature. Technically I am referring to a Greek Cross, which is a cross with 4 arms of equal length. A common sign in ancient Greece, in pre-columbian America, in the near east, and in the euphrates-tigris region around 1500 B.C., according to an article written about crosses by DesignBoom.com
With the recent legalization of marijuana in Oregon, green cross signs are around every corner, offering medicinal herbs to those in need so maybe it had some subliminal effect on my interest. In honor of Oregon’s new law, I made a green on white cross pillow that offers comfort in the form of soft linen with a down insert.
Green and White Cross Pillow
This is also available in a few other colors:
Citron Green Cross Pillow
And the classic and most iconic, would be the red:
Red and White Cross Pillow
According to wikipedia, the red cross symbol is the international sign for medic. It is associated in the U.S. with the American Red Cross, a nonprofit aid agency that helps those in need, regardless of their ability to pay. The cross was one of many symbols used to signify medic until the introduction of fire arms to battle and the increase in casualties. Henri Durant designed the red cross as we know it today after witnessing tens of thousands of soldiers left dying on the battlefield with no one to help them. Here’s the link If you want to read more: http://www.ehow.com/facts_6761604_meaning-red-cross-symbol_.html And, here is the skinny on the founder of the Red Cross and the symbol: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Dunant
The pink and white is a gentler version that would be nice in a nursery:
Pink and White Cross Pillow
I saw a pillow like this one in the DC Designer Showhouse 2015. The designer of the nursery was Nancy Twomey and she created a lovely room, with an animal theme, as well as a Scandinavian airiness with the colors and calmness of the space.
Nursery by Designer Nancy Twomey
(photo by Michelle Goldchain)
I love the pink cross shelves!
Nancy Twomey
(Photo by Angie Seckinger)
And I came across many wonderful Pendleton Fabrics featuring crosses. I have made some of them into a few different pillows:
Gray and Cream Cross Pillow made from Pendleton WOOL.
Here is the back side:
Back of Pillow, also a Pendleton Wool.
Here are two other pillows from STUDIO TULLIA using the Pendleton’s San Miguel cross fabric, featured in a wonderful room designed by Leyla Bowden Jaworski @designshopinteriors
Room by Design Shop Interiors
Room by Design Shop Interiors, Designer Leyla Bowden Jaworski
These cross images in different forms are also evident in Pendleton Wool fabrics which are often derivative of Native American imagery and symbols. These cross symbols often symbolize the Four Great Primary Forces and their interaction with the sun.
Fabric by Pendleton Wool.
Pillow by STUDIO TULLIA.
Here are a few lovely Pendleton patterns with crosses. They have names like Mini Chief Joseph, San Miguel, and Walkiing Rock…
CrossRoads Blanket by Pendleton.
The description for the above blanket in the Pendleton Catalog reads as follows:
The Crossroads design reflects First Nations teachings and the power of the four directions – the number “four” is sacred among many Native American tribes. East represents the physical body, the realm of the Warrior. West represents the heart and the path of the Visionary. North is the region of the mind and the wisdom of the Teacher. South represents the spirit, enlightenment and the realm of the Healer. Balance and harmony are achieved where the directions meet at the center of the Medicine Wheel. Crosses in this jacquard pattern symbolize the crossroads where the paths meet – the place where an individual becomes whole.
How’s that for some food for thought around crosses and their sybolism in art and design?
Now, for the DETAILS of the GIVEAWAY!!! Go to either my Pinterest page at https://www.pinterest.com/sfortescue/ or my Instagram page at https://instagram.com/studiotullia/, click on follow, then come back and tell me where you might want to use a cross pillow. The winner may choose one of Studio Tullia’s new linen cross pillows: green, citron, red or pink. The winner will be announced on November 2nd.
Thanks for reading! Until next time,
Best,
Suzanne