easy come, easy go

We have an unexpected change of plan this weekend. We were looking forward to seeing some good friends but it's not to be. Lurg has laid R low. We must stay at home. Although disappointed, I find myself looking forward to forty eight hours of home-time. The kids helped me with the food shopping today. We have barbecue food for tomorrow. I don't actually need to leave the house until Monday morning. If our British weather can be consistent and do as it's told, it will be possible to spend the entire weekend at home.

I have plans:

- stick the colour-coded magazine clippings, cards and found stuff into the square sketchbooks I seem to be attracted to and get some mood boards going
- draw our new chickens
- make an embroidery sketchbook
- knit more lopi wool felt swatches
- do a little plan for my summer of creativity
- craft myself a little health and vitality book so that I can start my 40 days of health and wellbeing on Monday (see projectforty)
- work out what the point of twitter is and why I have felt compelled to sign up
- enjoy a little family time
- take some photos (apologies for repeat showing of the above!)

Let's see how I get on shall we? Will check back on Monday...enjoy the sunshine

buttons, badges, ribbons and hens

Buttons on my mantelpiece.

Chicken on my windowsill.

Badges on the lintel above my cooker.

Harmonious patchwork strips on my sewing machine.

Handmade comforter for O on my kitchen worktop.

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My creative life has taken a somewhat chaotic turn. One day I draw. The next I sew. I knit in the evenings and I'm in the middle of what I am calling my 'great aunt makes'. I spent an enjoyable day yesterday with 6 other ladies on a workshop entitled 'harmonious patchwork strips'. We died calico, cotton and silk along with threads and other embellishments and stitched them together to make tonal wall hangings or pictures. I would like to make mine into a book wrap but with the current demands on my time, this may take a while.

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It was fantastic to spend a day playing on my sewing machine. I can't be a proper stitcher as my sewing machine is not a Bernina. As with all hobbies and activities, the hierarchy of kit and equipment is immediately evident. I became increasingly covetous yesterday of P's collection of bobbins, pre-wound in a rainbow of shades.

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I estimate I sewed for a total of 3 hours out of the 6. The longest I've spent machining, well, ever. I managed a few straight lines but my technique is, how can I put it? Organic. Possibly eclectic.

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Today I made a ribbon blanket comforter for O. I hope he likes it. Or rather, I hope his parents like it. I learned of them at my knitting group. The babies like to feel the satin ribbon and the softness of the fleece. I have fabric left for more. I just don't have other babies to give them to. I'm off to have a trawl through my sewing magazines. I think knitting maybe about to have a summer break.

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I have to snatch my crafting time from the jaws of other demands. I'm actually quite enjoying it. It makes me do more and it makes me appreciate the things I get to see or go to. I am finally beginning to accept that the more I have to do, the more I get done and the more 'free time' I have, the more space there is for procrastinating. What I need now is a little creative focus.

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random acts of craftiness

I love How About Orange and this endpage of a book I stole from my friend S (she saw it first at the jumble sale) reminded me of all the lovely things on Jessica Jones' blog.

I also love wool/fibre/yarn and find it impossible to resist new-looking-stuff. Hence the purchase last weekend of some 100% Icelandic Lopi Roving which, according to its label is 'unspun' and 'fragile'. I have to say, I think it's found its natural home in my house. My plans for it are also a little unspun and fragile although I think they involve bowls and felted baskets. Who knows? I am now at the point of project-overload with plans and ideas a-plenty and zero time to accomplish anything. Recognise that little scenario?

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Inspiration has come from many sources this week and here, my friends, is a list....

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my fabulous Aunties (we went for a beautiful walk with S at Westonbirt and saw this)

- ferns (the beginnings of which punctuated our walk)

- the Stroud textile festival where I saw some amazing new work by Michael Brennand-Wood and gleaned some good ideas from the vintage shop in Stroud and their collection of beaded and beautiful dresses.

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