SCOUT ~ Zollie Newsletter #2

Dearest Zollie Community,

I hope this SCOUT newsletter finds you well! While I was putting together this editions round up of musings, inspirations, and links, I realized that the theme feels distinctly retro, nostalgic, and a little dreamy. From learning about the colors of bubbles to fantasizing about simple and beloved childhood crafts, I am finding myself enjoying a bit of escapism in the world of color during a time when life feels unpredictable.

Spring is finishing up its grand explosion of color, and I am right here with it just soaking in the beams of light. We're in the final stages of product development on a really exciting expansion product for Palette Scout that I can't wait to tell you about next time (sneak peek photo below), but for now lets just spend a little more time marveling at the rainbow.

SEEING

For more than a year now, bubbles have been the number one emotional regulation activity at our house. My partner and I make them - our toddler pops them. All of us are completely soothed by the activity and I enjoy getting lost in the translucent colors of the giant bubbles as they swirl through the air. Turns out I've been enjoying something called "thin-film interference." Light is shining on, and reflecting off both the inner surface and outer surface of the bubble. Apparently the two reflected waves interfere with each other, and the colors we see depend on the thickness of the soap film and the angle of the light. Who knew, thanks Google. I use this recipe by Jennifer Lang to make about a gallon of bubble soap at a time.

CRAFTING

I'm a few years off still from being able to teach my son to make potholders on a little peg loom, but I'm still thrilled to discover that there are considerably more color choices for these than there were when I was a kid. I've been eyeing these ones. Please excuse me while I match these cotton loop colors to Palette Scout cards and get these things ordered very very far in advance.

OBSERVING

Rang-ha, The Colors, a short film from 1976 by Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami is a visual treat for any color lover. This film is intended for children, and walks through different colors with loads of examples of simple, everyday objects and activities. I love the imagery. Take a 16 minute retro visual vacation through red, green, yellow, blue, orange, white, purple, and black.

UNDERSTANDING

I spend a lot of time thinking about color for work, and, despite its very fun nature, it can get stressful like any other job! Sometimes I need to ground into how amazing it is that we can see color at all, and also remind myself—what even is color again?? I love this video from the American Museum of Natural History that breaks it all down. Plus the strong 90's vibes bring me back to my youth, an added bonus. You should also check out their cool interactive color tool that lets you blend light!

TRANSFORMING

I'm really, really into the way that Swedish artist Ulla-Stina Wikander is taking vintage objects from everyday life in a bygone era and transforming them into works of art by cladding them in needlepoint. The colors, the shapes, the palettes—they are like windows into another world. Take a look through her gallery of work, and if you're feeling so inspired to start needlepointing yourself, please know that I made a beginner needlepoint kit that you'll love too.