Creative flounder (fishy pun intended)

I have so much to post about...and nothing to post about! I have made lots of progress on several projects with few completions to show....until now.

BEHOLD! (Another!?!) patchy baby blanket.

It's for a work colleague. She is very stylish and bohemian - a perfect fit for some fabric from the fabulous Anna Maria Horner. (Yes pink lovers, she is having a girl!).

The patchwork and quilting happens to be a repeat of a quilt that I made for another work colleague. I really love making simple patchwork quilts. Does a production of two quilts make it my trademark-go-to quilt???

I was especially happy with the back. Some vintage linen (that was purchased at the Fabric Flea Market last fall) and a tiny strip of patchwork. I do like a little "surprise" on the back of a quilt.

Now that the weather has turned colder, my thought are starting to turn to Christmas projects. Too early???! When do you start tackling your Christmas list?

Loveliness...

I'm sure that you have heard by now that the Victoria & Albert Museum (in London) is having a quilting exhibit.

When I travelled to London a few years ago, missing the V&A was high on my list of "Oooo....I wish that I had more time so that I could have seen that!" regrets. I am practically frothing at the mouth now with all of the exciting details of the quilting exhibit!

I followed the links to the V&A on-line shop. Loveliness! I am particularly taken with these scarves, which are crocheted, not quilted, but remind me of all of the hex-y love that is happening in the quilting world.

link to scarf in the V&A shop

Too early to be excited?

(source)

I believe that I have mentioned before...I llllllooooooooove me some hand stitching. Isn't it exciting that Alicia Paulson (Posie Gets Cozy herself) is releasing an embroidery book this summer?

A new obsession...

As you can see, I have invested NO time in weaving in the ends...but I will. It has been so much fun coming up with colour combinations from the selection of yarn that I treated myself to during my greedy post Christmas excursion (posted about here).

I have been obsessing a little bit over the idea of this afghan for quite some time now. A small search of the internet shows me that I am not alone in my obsession. There are quite a number of lovely and helpful tutorials for a beginner (like me!).

1. yvestown blog
2. 1/4 of an inch
3. Posy (this is a lovely blog that I have followed for quite some time now - check it out!)

Don't you just love it when something is sooooo beautiful that it inspires you to try to master a new crafty skill??

I hope that you are all managing to carve out some peaceful, crafty time during the holiday. I must admit to many evenings in my pyjamas puttering through projects while watching TV. Truly enjoyable! Especially when you add in a glass of red wine and some Christmas treats.

Happy New Year one and all!

She did it!

Remember when I (in my undignified way) declared my crafty crush on Martha's fantastic ABC embroidered quilt top?


Well - UPDATE - she finished it! Go check out the gorgeousness on her blog.

Uh oh...

Look what is coming in December! Amy Butler's new fabric. drool. I think that I feel another crafty crush coming on...

Dearest Santa,

Please bring me some pretty new fabric and many of the free hand drawn little dot fabric (which I feel certain will be perfect for all binding!).

I promise to be extra good. This morning I gave my seat on the bus to an old lady...and I will try to pet some puppies on the way home. Thank you for your kind consideration.

Love & Ho Ho Ho,

Holly

Crafty crush...

WOW! Look at this fantastic alphabet quilt.

Embroidery, quilting, variegated floss and vintage fabric?? I think that I am in LOVE!

Martha has even (very generously!) posted the templates she has used for the alphabet embroidery. Just in case you can't resist undertaking this ENORMOUS project...