one of my earliest childhood memories was of this marimekko tuuli print.  it was a 4' x 5' piece of fabric that my mom stretched and stapled to a wooden frame.  i'd stare at it for what seemed like hours, getting lost in the bold, graphic tree branches.  when i moved away to college, it was the only piece of art i took with me.

marimekko's vivid colors and exuberant designs continue to be amongst my favorites.  i dream in shades of pieni unikko and kaivo.

the finnish design company first came to america in the 50s, but it wasn't until jackie kennedy sported several merimekko fabric dresses during her husband's presidential campaign that the op art patterns really took off.

thanks, jackie.  but, most importantly, thanks, mom.  you're truly mod-tastic.