December Reading

I have a huge weakness when it comes to resisting new books and magazines and as a result enjoy my extensive craft  book library, where not only can I be as noisy as I like, but also drink a cup of coffee with biscuits on the side.

The latest addition to my library is Gourmet Crochet  by Christen Haden and Mariarosa Sala published in Australia by Penguin books.

Step aside Granny Square and take a walk on the wild side!  This whimsical crochet book has over 60 straightforward patterns covering all of your nutritional requirements.  

From platters of vegetable dip and sushi to stir fry, tomato sandwiches and sweet treats, each chapter is accompanied by detailed and easy to follow patterns suitable for beginner crocheters.

There's something for everyone, no matter what your tastebuds prefer.  From savoury ....

Images from Gourmet Crochet

to sweet:

Images from Gourmet Crochet

Delicious ~ without the calories!

Last week, by chance,  I also discovered the magazine publication Frankie, and what a happy find!  I thoroughly enjoyed reading a rather old issue which I picked up whilst waiting for an appointment and not only did I go out and purchase the current edition but have also treated myself to an annual subscription!

Frankie Nov/Dec 2010

Frankie magazine is a national bi-monthly magazine from Australia with a difference. Frankie is filled with fashion, art, craft, music, cuteness and real-life inspiration and is dedicated to uncovering the newest trends and celebrating the latest creative talents.

Images from Frankie Magazine Nov/Dec 2010

You won't find celebrity gossip or the latest diet in Frankie magazine, instead it features emerging artists, musicians, designers, crafty people and stories with cultural and DIY content .  It is witty, funny and beautifully illustrated.

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Fox in the Bed Quilt pg106 Frankie Magazine Nov/Dec 2010

 Frankie is about real people, for real people.

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Image from Frankie Magazine Nov/Dec 2010

Inspiration galore!

Do you have (or wish for) a new crafty favorite book or magazine ~ one that would also make a great Christmas gift?

Quiltmania

Whilst Quiltmania Issue 79 arrived in the UK early October, (as seen here - Mrs Schmenkman Quilts), Issue 78 arrived at my Newsagent this week (someone please tell me why it needs to take so long for magazines to arrive downunder?). 

Blueburst by Aline Vandenbuleke

I don't buy a lot of magazine anymore but this one really caught my eye and made its way home with me.  Quiltmania #78 has some really interesting and colorful projects; including a good mix of easy and more complicated quilt designs using various piecing techniques. 

Wagon Wheels designed by Kandy Petersen, pieced by Sandy Klop

Goodness I love this magazine, even the advertisements are interesting!

The other arrival this week is a long awaited FQ bundle of City Weekend fabric (Oliver + S for Moda),

and as I was keen to play with both the City Weekend fabric and the  Wagon Wheels quilt pattern from Quiltmania magazine (as pictured above), I traced and photocopied the arcs for paper-piecing:

Then I carefully traced the pattern sheet and cut out the remaining templates using cardboard.  However, it wasn't all that much later that I worked out that whilst the arcs included seam allowances, the templates did not.  It helps to read the pattern sheet, it would have saved quite some frustration.

I was determined to finish the (one) block, and although I love the design and the fabrics, I didn't enjoy the piecing process.  Alas, it will be a lone block and will join the block stash.  

Happy magazine, fabric and block stashing!

  City Weekend by Oliver + S available from Fresh-Squeezed Fabrics
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Reading

I never tire of browsing through books and magazines for inspiration, and both these publications have been close companions this week:

The Gentle Art of Quiltmaking by Jane Brocket   is a book in the spirit of Kaffe Fassett, filled with colorful inspiration; where to find it and how to use it. 

It is a guide for making personal quilts, simple in design and technique using stunningly beautiful fabrics.  Most quilts pictured use an abundance of Westminster, Heather Bailey, Amy Butler, and Denyse Schmidt fabrics. No wonder I love this book!

The cover of the UK edition is lightly textured, the yellow cuff removable, and features the Hydrangea Quilt.  Oh! So beautiful.

I regularly stop by Jane's blog (Yarnstorm) for a dose of tranquility and color.  It is obvious that Jane's love of flowers has influenced her use of fabric and quilt design. 

A gentle nudge by Amy from Mrs Schmenkman was all the encouragement I needed to order my own copy of the Quilt edition of Selvedge magazine (a UK publication).

Lovely images (I even find myself trawling through the advertisements) and craftiness, but indeed rather pricey.  Way pricey.  Like Amy, if you're into quilts and want to check out the Selvedge magazine this is definitely the one issue of 2010 to splurge on.  I have devoured it.

Have you got a new favorite book for quilty inspiration?

A new Project

My next project is inspired by a picture of a bag project in Down Under Quilts Issue 129.   This is a great Australian Patchwork and Quilting publication of which a digital publication is available and a six months digital subscription is free of charge simply by subscribing to their newsletter!

Cropped image from Yo-Yo Go-Go Tote by Kirsten Duncan

Down Under Quilts Issue 129, 2009

Kirsten Duncan

www.kirstenduncan.com.au

Although I am not a yo-yo person, nor a great fan of purple, I could see great potential in turning the foundation of this bag into a quilt.  Things are well on the way:

 

A flurry of fabric gathering, including adding more variation to the solid fabrics.

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Chain piecing - and the usual trimming which I still cannot give up!

125+  Four-Patch Blocks finished and ready for the design floor.

I can't wait to see how this quilt looks on the design floor, hopefully it will look just like I have had it pictured in my head. What's on your design wall/floor?

Sunday Stash #28

Definition: To fussy cut is to target and cut a specific motif that's printed on fabric, rather than randomly cutting yardage as we normally do.

 

I found these fabrics at Patchwork House in Melbourne last week, and immediately thought they would not just be a great addition to the fabric stash, but also perfect for fussy cutting.  These Japanese fabrics are manufactured by Lecien and are from the My Folklore range.

I also love to stash magazines, and was happy to get my hands on a copy of Quilting Arts Stitch Magazine Fall 2009.  I might even try my hand at sewing something other than a quilt.  Maybe?  Purchased from the Crafty Girls Workshop on Etsy.

Enjoy Sunday!

Strips and Bricks Quilt

Last week I found the April 2009 issue No. 5 of Sew Hip at my local newsagent. Although I had heard of this magazine, I had not actually seen a copy of this magazine before in my part of the world. (It seems to take a very long time for magazine to arrive here from the US or the UK!) I had a quick flick through it, and when I spotted a quilt in it that I liked, I was convinced to bring a copy home!

This is a picture from the magazine:

This quilt is designed and made by Malka Dubrawsky, who also happens to be the amazing quilter behind the Stitch in Dye blog. Malka is a very inspirational fiber artist whose work with fabric dye and quilts I have long admired. (If you have not heard of Malka before, be sure to check out her work, you won't be disappointed!)

I loved the look of this quilt immediately. It is made from a combination of linen and cotton fabrics, with just a splash of color. Just how I like it! The pattern is very well written, and Malka gives great guidance on fabric choice. Knowing that I had quite a few fabrics in my stash that are just right for this quilt, I made my own.

Most of the rectangles were cut Friday night (a great stash buster!), and I pieced the top together on Saturday.

I love how it is has turned out. It does look very similar to the picture in the magazine. I can't wait to get started on the quilting. My aim for today is to piece a back for this quilt. Something simple, in keeping with the overall look of the quilt.

Despite the fact that I had to go to work (at my paid job), I had a very productive weekend! : )

What about you?

RELEVANT LINKS:
The Finished Strips and Bricks Quilt