I went to my local fabric store and came home with this skirt kit (as you do).
So many new projects and nothing is getting finished – I am working away on my quilt and the spiral blanket!
Category Archives: Inspiration
Demise of Notebook Magazine
I was sad to read about the end of Notebook magazine. It’s such a positive magazine with a lot of great craft, home and food ideas.
Filed under Inspiration
Roses
Because it’s Friday and I haven’t had time for craft. We did, however, go and see The Gruffalo – it is fabulous!
Filed under Inspiration
Knit Store Excursion
I went to Knit, which is Jo Sharp’s yarn store. It’s a great store – quite small, but the staff are helpful and they have made up versions of their patterns that you can try on and then decide if you want to knit them. Such a good idea – saves you spending all that time knitting something only to discover it doesn’t suit you at all.
Fortunately I didn’t purchase any yarn – my stash is reaching unmanageable proportions. I did, however, pick up a copy of Knit Issue 2.
I’m quite interested in knitting the bolero (last image on the right below).
Filed under Inspiration, Knitting
The Gentle Art of Quilt Making – Jane Brocket
I’ve been very unproductive the last week or so and as it school holidays for the next two weeks I don’t think that is going to change. However, I have bought The Gentle Art of Quilt Makingby Jane Brocket.
I have her Gentle Art of Domesticity which I loved (I’m sure she is living the life I should have had!) So I had to have this one.
Once again it is beautifully presented. It contains 15 quilts and a description of in the inspiration behind each quilt. What Ms Brocket does really well is to take away the paralysing effect of perfection – it’s all about having a go and making something usable (and beautiful). Most of the pieces are squares or strips (much easier to cut and sew) and the wow factor is produced by the fabric selections. Who would have thought squares on point could be so spectacular (see the cover image above).
Here are three of my favourites …
Beach Hut (Ice Cream)
Amarylis
Purple Rain
Don’t let my dodgy photography put you off. I think this book is designed for quilters of all levels.
Filed under Book Review, Inspiration, Quilting
Selvedge Magazine
Selvedge is a beautiful magazine with fabulous photography. As it is also very expensive ($30 Aus), I don’t buy it very often. Maybe once a year when I’m in desperate need of a treat. Yesterday I picked up a copy.
I find it amazing (and lovely) that there can be an entire magazine on Textiles. I even find the adds interesting. Definitely worth a look if you are at all interested in textiles (quilting, knitting, embroidery etc.)
Filed under Inspiration
Spiral Knitting
I’ve been working on my spiral baby blanket. It is very relaxing (almost meditative) knitting. The colour is beautiful and the yarn (surprisingly) lovely with which to work.
While knitting I’ve been watching Emily of New Moon. I don’t think this was ever shown in Australia (I bought it from DVD Scene and they were fabulous – very quick service). I’ve only watched two episodes and I have to say it is very different from the novels. I do, however, like it. It’s very dark with quite adult themes – where did the beating of the little Indian boy come from? The scenery is spectacular and I’m hoping for some good interior domestic scenes.
Filed under Inspiration, Knitting
Australia Day
In the true tradition of Australia Day (26th) I made a pavlova
I had been led to believe they were difficult, but it was surprisingly easy. I used the recipe from Nigella Lawson’s How to Eat. The recipe is very similar to this one.
I thought I would include a few Australian facts:
- Australia is the largest Island – it is the 6th largest nation (after Russia, Canada, China, USA and Brazil).
- We invented the black box flight recorder, pre-paid postage, the bionic ear, the electronic pacemaker and the cure of 80% of stomach viruses (by using antibiotics – bacteria caused the ulcers).
- We were the second country (after New Zealand) to give women the vote.
- We have the most poisonous snake – the Inland Taipan.
- We also have the most deadly marine creature (the box jellyfish) and the most deadly spider (the funnel web).
- We are the only country that is also a continent.
- In 1967 our Prime Minister – Harold Holt- went for a swim and never returned.
- Per capita we read more newspapers than any other country. We also spend more gambling than any other country.
- Our population density is 2.9 per square kilometre (China is 18534, USA 32)
- Our national anthem Advance Australia Fair only became official in 1984. It has the word ‘girt’ in it. It use to start with ‘Australia’s sons let us rejoice…’, but now it is ‘Australians all let us rejoice…’
- 24% of our residents were born overseas.
- Australia has the lowest rainfall of any inhabited continent.
- Australians have competed in all 26 Modern Summer Olympics.
- Our money (notes) is plastic. We’re the first country to do this.
- We have the longest fence in the world (5530 km).
- We have universal health care.
- Australia was one of the founding members of the United Nations.
- Australia held the first Surfing Championship.
- We have the highest literacy rate in the world (100%).
- It is compulsory to vote.
Filed under Baking, Inspiration
New Knitting Books
I’ve really been enjoying my knitting – there is something analytical but also creative about it. I decided it was time to get some resources. I wanted a Stitch Dictionary, but I couldn’t find such in my local book stores. Instead I bought How to Knit and The Best of Vogue Knitting.
The first is in two halves; techniques and then patterns. It also has a small stitch gallery at the end. I think it will be perfect for looking up things like all of the different types of increases and decreases.
The second is articles lifted straight from the Vogue Knitting magazine. It is split into thirteen sections and covers things from basics to expert finishing tips and tricks. The articles are written by a range of people from Elizabeth Zimmerman to Melanie Falick. I don’t think it is the type of book you read from start to finish, but just pick an interesting article and read it.
Filed under Inspiration, Knitting
The Knitter Magazine
I bought Issue 7 of The Knitter magazine.
Here are some of the designs I like …
Damask Flower by Kaffe Fassett
Rosa Alba – Martin Storey. I don’t really like the rose neckline, but the cardigan itself is lovely.
Filed under Inspiration, Knitting