I have to say I am one of those folks who loves the run up to Christmas, the cooling weather (not the rain so much!), the fact you can stay snuggled up in doors and cooking seems less of a chore and more of a pleasure.
So whilst I am ever so slightly freaking out at the list of things I really want to get done on the run up to Christmas, I am actually okay with it all. I am starting to realise, and I've been told it many a time lately, I can't do everything no matter how much I want or feel I need to. I am trying to build up stock should the opportunity to do a craft fair crops up, but this year I am not beating myself up over it if I don't get the level that I wanted. If it comes to it I'll simply pass on it. I've had a busy couple of months and as my spare time is limited I need to ease up otherwise I'll simply not have the energy to do anything.
Weirdly since instigating this I've found myself more inspired and energised to get things done. Whatever the reason I am quite happy with this, because whilst I am making pieces of stock (slowly), I've been caught up in a quilting bug. You might have seen/read that I've fallen in love with a fabric bundle called Petite Street. I've been drooling over it for ages and finally felt I could buy it and did so last night, and since then I've been drooling some more over quilt designs/patterns. Then just like that I found myself suckered into buying more quilting fabric...such as this rather lovely Christmas design I found over on Eclectic Maker. The big panel is for a cushion but I am going to alter it to become a table mat, going to back it with cherry red cotton, just mulling over the binding.
Winter`s Lane Quilt Panel in Grey by Kate & Birdie Paper Co.
....I'm not entirely sure how my bank account is going to cope with this sudden passion for quilting (reawakened love affair - I've always had a soft spot for it), especially as it's coping with being a home owner with a picky interior style.
If your interested to know what quilt design I am going to do with the Petite Street fabrics I think I am settled on this one called Ruby, Pearl and Opal design over on Moda Bake Shop. I think I can just about manage that one, but I feel I might need to invest in a proper rotary cutter, mat and rulers to do it all properly.
As we are hurtling towards November, it's time to remind you all again, that my project for Crafty magazine is out next month. Exciting! I really, really hope you love it, and likewise as mentioned before there will be a giveaway to go with it on the blog/newsletter I've only just this week been in dialogue with the Editor to get that settled. Work sadly has gotten a little in the way these past couple of weeks, I had a trip to Stirling Castle for a Heritage conference which has thrown me out a little. I don't regret the trip though, it was fascinating and has only cemented the idea that I've had of going to Scotland for my *cough30thcough* birthday next year. I also got the chance to see the newly installed tapestries in the castle. Apologies the photo's aren't the best as I was meant to be concentrating on the tour guide...
They feature a story of the Unicorn, and are copied from the ones that are in MET in New York. They really are very stunning in person and the appliqué work above the Queen's chair is also lush, and I wish I asked who stitched the reproductions as they were rather good. I do like it when I get a spot of day release from the office to go on trips like this!
I thought I would round off this rather long blog post with a little look at a few bits I rustled up today:
A new batch of tissue holders, perfect for a stocking filler, loving my little handmade fabric labels, using my custom made stamp. Which was also used on a stack of drawstring bags which are used as part of the packaging for Christmas decorations and jewellery, so much quicker to make them up with a sewing machine than by hand. Although its a slow process if you forget half way through doing one how you sewed the one before...there was a fair bit of unpicking. Happens to the best of us!
I hope everyone is doing well, and do tell me what your up to project wise!
