I’ll admit it, I’m a little overly keen on stationery. And if I can combine that love with some favourite fabric choices, I’m even happier. So, after these first attempts I’ve been at it again, sewing more pencil cases for any and all who will use one; this time, with a little shameless branding included..
There’s something about new babies that seems to get people knitting. Maybe the tiny size makes a project seem achievable, or maybe little ones just bring out the granny in us all. Certainly, knitting hats is always my quick and easy go-to baby gift. This works great, provided people have the good sense to have their babies in the winter. Come June, covering a little head in merino doesn’t seem such a great idea. So, inspired by this beautiful book (which is worth putting on your wishlist right now) I attempted something a little more seasonal for my friend’s little chick. This bird doesn’t look quite delicate enough to fly, but the sentiment is there. Knitting hats is definitely easier.
After years of spilling boxes of pins and cursing my lack of a pincushion I’ve finally got around to rectifying the situation. Years of procrastinating resulted in only minutes of stitching. I’ve spent longer digging pins out of the carpet than I did making this; I probably should have got around to it a little sooner. But, I am a procrastinator and these fabrics have been sat in a pile on my desk for over a month.
So today I threw out the tape measure and rotary cutter in favour of wonky lines and speedy completion. I love the haphazard appearance of Denys Schmidt‘s designs, although I suspect her patterns are a result of a little more planning than this. A little order and tidiness is great at times, but there is also a lot to be said for a project that is finished in the time it takes to bake banana muffins.
It’s been a while since I did any patchwork quilting. The fiddly pieces of fabric and worry over matching up corners puts me off a little. And unlike knitting, there’s no way you can do it on the bus or in front of the telly. But making this gift at the weekend got me back in to the swing of things. Ever since, I’ve been pulling quilt books off the shelves and revisiting favourite Anna Maria Horner fabrics and Denyse Schmidt designs. I’m not sure I have the attention span for a whole blanket at the moment, but I’m sure I’ll be stitching a few more patchwork pieces soon.
In one of my favourite songs Alela Diane sings of her mama giving her melodies that she will one day pass on to her own daughter. I love the thought of sharing and passing on the things we love best. I have many happy memories of baking and sewing with my mum as I grew up, and many more of us exploring new places by bicycle. So it seemed fitting this Mother’s Day to meet my mum at a favourite cafe, mid-bike ride, and give a hand-sewn gift.
Bikes, stitching and cake; three of my favourite things. And only a few of the marvelous things that my mum has passed on to me.
I’ve spent this sunny afternoon sitting in the garden and mulling over these new fabrics, found yesterday at the eternal maker. I travelled up to Chichester to visit my friend Kate, who introduced me to this treasure trove of fabric, buttons and trim.
I have often bemoaned the lack of any really great fabric shops in this country. Very Berry did a marvelous job, posting this comprehensive list of fabric sites online, but I still missed the inspiration of wandering through a place, touching the fabrics, and flicking through patterns. Whenever I visit Fabric Temptations, in my Grama’s home town I end up having to buy a larger suitcase for the journey back to England. So, you can appreciate my delight in finding a real-live bricks and mortar fabric shop (relatively) close to home!
The eternal maker could have claimed commission from Kate’s three-year-old daughter who led me round the place with delight and excitement in every button, zip and ribbon. We marvelled at the robot quilts, butterfly buttons and felt-sewn garden tools. Stacks of gorgeous fabrics fill this building, including japanese prints in rich colours and thick cotton. I refrained from any big spending, but couldn’t resist these few bright prints, to add to the ever-growing list of Things To Make Next.
Last year I gave Tom this pencil case for his birthday. I’m pleased to see it get plenty of use, and find myself regularly pinching things from it.
There is no doubt, a pencil case is a useful thing, and yet for years I’ve languished in a muddled mess of digging around in the bottom of bags or sheepishly borrowing biros from strangers. For someone with a long-standing love of all things pencil&paper, I have a funny way of showing it. Today, with rain clouds looming, and every excuse to stay indoors, I set about remedying my state of inky limbo.
This was made thanks to another easy pattern courtesy of design*sponge. Honestly, it took me longer to uncover my sewing machine from the mess of my desk than it did to stitch this up. I now have renewed vows to keep the study tidy so that I spend more time stitching and making, than clearing and tidying.
Tomorrow I’m headed outside. Sunshine is promised and Tom and I have had the map spread out on the floor, planning long routes and pub stops. The camera will be packed, along with plenty to eat. And maybe this time I’ll take some pencils too.
Ramblings from an Island life.
rusty rambles 