Homework

I haven't had dead-line "homework" since I did post-grad study over 11 years ago (oh, how I miss using the brain I once had!). This year I decided to finally do a beginners patchwork course at my local quilting store. I have an evening class once a month then actual sewing homework to finish before the next one.

The big girl is impatiently awaiting her finished sampler quilt. She will be waiting a wee while. I'm using Amy Butler's new Love range in Soul.

Spring Has Sprung

Spring has definitely sprung at my place. The winter knitting has been put aside and the sewing machine fired up as inspiration hit with Soulemama's new book, Handmade Home arriving. Did anyone else have the Reader's Digest Needlecraft book growing up? Mum had "disposed" of our old copy so I was super excited to find a copy for M (gonna be 10 in the weekend).

I put to use some Amy Butler decor weight scraps I'd scored and whipped up a pretty new mousepad for my ugly puter desk. Playing around with a bit of patchwork encouraged me to sign up for a beginners quilting class at my local fabric store for next year. Hubby and I are always keen to pick up new skills, particularly those we can pass onto the kids.


I replenished my supply of mama pads with some thrifted sheet remnants and gifted bamboo fleece. I'd already made my little sister and I matching "sheet pants" from the sheets. We were able to wear our pants and share a bed in a fancy schmancy hotel during a girl's weekend away recently.

The kids and I discovered a summer coloured candlewick bedspread and matching pink'n'yellow sheet to be turned into a Beach Blanket to Go.


I'm nagged by the thought that some of this creative energy would be better spent in a much needed spring-clean of our house. Oh well.

My First Velma

I've had the pattern for this Amy Butler Velma bag for well over a year now. I plan to use some of my new Ginger Blossom fabric to make one for myself. In the meantime I whipped one up for a friend who turns 40 on Monday. I really wanted Amy Butler fabric but my local quilting store didn't oblige so I grabbed this bright summery look (fingers crossed Lisa likes it!).


In my usual moronic way I'm feeling the hand-made inadequacy so am hoping to get to Wanda Harland tomorrow for something extra to pop in it. Yes, yes, I know I need to get over myself...but still...

In my defence (Part II)

I'm not really convinced there is a defence for my current consumeristic budget blow out. I've used the justification that a woman needs the right tools for the job, and that it's good to have hand-made decorations and that you can never have too many good books in a house. Does that fly?

First, it was all about the Knitting. I'd gotten sick of seeing cool patterns, each with widely varying needle sizes, none of which I owned. So I decided that Denise Interchangeable needles were a necessity at our house. PINK Denise Interchangeables, of course. I have a hankering to knit this gorgeous nativity set for this Christmas. I think I'll need to start now to have it finished.

Then it was all about Amy Butler. I am a huge fan of hers and had been coveting her book In Stitches for ages.

How did Amy know of my Apron Love?

Now, to find that elusive thing...crafting time! And a place to stack all these crafting books I'm collecting.