If you haven't discovered selvedge magazine already, I would be writing a strongly worded memo to you about getting a copy of this fantastic publication. (In fact, why not just order the entire back catalogue)
selvedge is focused on textile design and inspiration and just has me breathless at every page turn. My dear friend Eileen passed on one of her precious copies to me and I just can't put it down. Its so beautiful.
Just get it. It's so worth it.
On the weekend, I rearranged Miss M's playroom and added an Expedit bookshelf and dragged some Lack shelving from the TV room in. I added this playful rug and inspired by this book, really like the result. So does Miss M too! I tried to divide the room into activity areas - a cosy nook for reading and puzzles + a more stimulating activity centre with chair and table. I managed to get all of Miss M's stuff into one room, rather than spread across the house, so I am very happy with that! I've reclaimed the TV room as adult space!
Here's some pics...
Reading and puzzle nook...(maybe will add some nice big pillows!)
And the activity corner - still a little cluttered for my liking, but what do you do with all that random stuff...?
(Any suggestions for improvement most welcome!)
Do your remember when you were a kid and Christmas was just a few days away, and that tingling feeling of anticipation would start in your fingers and move to your tummy? After a few days the adrenalin would kick in and you almost hyperventilated in anticipation of the big day?
That's how I feel right now. Because I just found out that this amazing book I pre-ordered months ago is being shipped right now.
Yep. Right now. To my house. In all it's Amazon-brown-package-glory.
So every morning from Monday, I'll be preoccupied with the front door. Waiting for a glimpse of 'the delivery man' who will thump down my precious on the doorstep. And I will pretend that I didn't hear it. And when I've heard him drive away in his van, I will run, yes run, to the door and clutch my package close to my chest like a hidden secret. I'll then take it to the dining table where I will carefully (who am I kidding) unwrap my new book, promptly pop it on top of my handbag, complete the morning chaos and get to my bus stop for work. I never peek at my book until I'm on the bus. And I wait until there is a bus with an empty seat. Not just one seat. But the whole seat. With no one next to me. And I smile extra nice at the bus driver, sit down, take a breath, open to the first page, smell it (and I don't care who sees me), smile a broad smile and begin to read.
This is my new book ocd routine whenever the glory of internet shopping manifests itself on my welcome mat.
My fingers are tingling already. I can't wait.
Because Susan sent me a link to the Book Depository and a 10% off code, of course I had to try it out and bought this much lusted after follow up to Material Obsession - Material Obsession Two! (FREE shipping worldwide - whoo hoo!). Even after the exchange rate, I purchased this book for over AUS$20 less than what it is available here - and it arrived on my doorstep in a nice brown cardboard packet!
The idea of this book is 'shared inspiration' - there is a common block, colour or theme and each of the authors, Sarah Fielke and Kathy Doughty, each give their interpretation for completely different, but equally delightful results.
The quilts in this book look a lot harder than in the first book, but there is again a section at the back that gives excellent technique instructions.
As with the first book, even if you don't ever make a quilt - this book is a goldmine for craftspiration.
Such creative blends of fabrics with some surprising results!
Modern and traditional - but all beautiful.
So inspiring!
You may remember that for my birthday, Mum and I went to Peppermint Stitches and she bought me this gorgeous jelly roll of Objects of Desire by Sandy Gervais for Moda for my first foray into a 'real quilt'.
Well a few weeks ago, I finally purchased Jelly Roll Quilts by Pam and Nicky Lintott and I am so happy to say it is a beautiful book full of glorious patterns (easy and more difficult) to turn my lustful jelly roll into a beautiful quilt.
Although I LOVE the quilt on the cover of this book, after reading the fine print, it could be more than a little ambitious for a first time quilter. So after some crafty discussion with Susan (I can never make these kind of decisions on my own), we decided I should have a go at the Garden Trellis pattern which should look a bit like this...
It is described as "a quilt that comes together very quickly and, although you have to handle the bias edges with a little respect, it is a quick and easy choice if you need a speedy present for a special friend".
Sounded good to us.
Don't hold your breath for me to start it just yet as I need to save up for some quilting equipment...but at least now I have a plan!
It's really not my cup of tea in a delicate china cup, but I couldn't help but mention this find at my local bookstore today... Jane Austen's Sewing Box. A craft book inspired by Jane Austen books by Jennifer Forest. Yep. Who would have thought.
Here's a nice description... Jane Austen's
Sewing Box opens a window into the lives of Regency women during a
beautiful period in arts, crafts and design. Jennifer Forest examines
Jane Austen’s novels and letters to reveal a world where women are
gripped by crazes for painting on glass and netting purses, economise
by trimming an old bonnet, or eagerly turn to their sewing to avoid an
uncomfortable conversation. Based on Jane Austen’s novels and with illustrated step by step
instructions for eighteen craft projects, this beautifully presented
book will delight Jane Austen fans, lovers of history and literature
and craft enthusiasts alike. ISBN: 9781741963748 I like the bit about turning to sewing to avoid an uncomfortable conversation! I think you'd have to blush coyly as well and prick your finger with the needle in the midst of your trembling discomfort.
I bought this a few weeks ago, but better late than never, here's my favourite 'spreads' from the March 2009 edition of Marie Claire Idees (the Easter/Spring edition)!
I love how they've made the fridge look like a milk carton! Albeit a very nice art directed one.
Easter! Fondant bunnies....mmm...what big ears you have...
Covering all sorts of items in delightful floral fabric. Then putting them in the garden.
See that checkerboard on the left there, its a door painted with different coloured blackboard paint as a calendar! I love it! I might need one.
As usual, the little girl rooms you always hated growing up, then in adult life, wished you had (OMG look at that quilt!)
Owl feature! Woot!
These aprons are so sweet, they make my teeth hurt.
Who knew you could do all this with a bloke's TIE!
I think one of my friends who has a little boy should make their room Western theme. I can live vicariously. Giddy up!
(Geez Louise, I wish I could read in French.)
Yesterday Mum and I went to Peppermint Stitches for a bit of early birthday present shopping. I've been wanting to investigate this store since I saw them at the Craft and Stitches Show last month. My goodness, what a candy store for crafters! I carried around various fat quarters like a security blanket throughout my visit, but finally we settled on this gorgeous jelly roll of Objects of Desire by Sandy Gervais for Moda for my first foray into a 'real quilt'. But I simply cannot start until I save up for this book!
But my early birthday goodness did not stop there! This lucky girl fell a bit too weak at the knees (actually I even felt a bit physically ill with delight) at this Kokka fabric (Push Pin - Lolo) and received one glorious metre!
One side (even the selvedge is to die for!):
Other side:
Sorry about all the creases, but I simply could not wait to show you! Miss M will get two lovely Summer skirts out of this! Lucky girl! I want one too!
And then I could not resist the softest and most glorious flannel jelly roll of eight large strips (30cm wide) that I had to spoil myself with...
I've already sewn them all together (just simply along the strips) in readiness to make into a lovely quilty throw.
My goodness I'm so lucky. And excited!
While I was away I treated myself to this book which has been on my Amazon wish list for a long time...
by Sarah Fielke and Kathy Doughty.
I seem to be slipping into the whole quilting thing at an alarming rate. Not that I've actually made a proper one with any proper technique. But I think I am loving it because I love fabric and this is a bit of textile design - putting colour against colour and pattern against pattern. In pleasing aesthetic shapes and combinations. This glorious book is all that and more...
From easy peasy quilts (well, I haven't yet had a go, but I'm sure I'd find them more than challenging..!)
To intermediate skill levels...(hmmm, they look hard to me! But how adorable are those little houses!)
To advanced (ok, now that's just scary!)
But what I REALLY liked was the very easy to follow basic quilting techniques with nice clear photos in the back of the book and the glossary for all those terms that seem so freakin confusing!
The photography is just glorious. Even if you never make a quilt, just looking at these would give a lot of pleasure!
Spoil yourself and get it. It's fabulous.
And then save up for their second one too. I am.
OK, so Mr B said...sorry no camera, use your webcam! You so smart Mr B!
So here's some pics featuring one of the most lovely books I've ever laid eyes on, so generously sent to me by the gorgeous Jacqui (BTW, how gorgeous is her Karate Kid!?).
The book is by Emiko Takahashi - and the only English I can read on it is the ISBN - 978-4-576-07249-4.
Ah HA! I just found this! It is called Inspired by Children's Picture Books. So there you go!
It features numerous children's books and craft projects inspired by them - including Alice in Wonderland with the most DARLING white cotton over apron...
Hansel and Gretel (with gingerbread house!)
And a sweet, sweet book about an old man, his animals and a strawberry patch with corresponding tote and strawberry embellishments...(I think these strawberries need to be a brooch for winter)
This book is so good it makes my teeth hurt.
Scuse the dark circles and bags under my eyes (although they seem to be a permanent fixture these days!) I had to concentrate a whole EIGHT hours at a training session on Employee Engagement for Business Excellence today. That was about seven hours and forty minutes longer than my personal best. It was really great. But wore me out big time. Thank goodness for red lipstick after 2pm. And bottomless coffee.
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