From Where I Sit

So, I couldn't come up with anything good for For You Friday but I am on it.  Maybe tomorrow (insert quirky Saturday title here - can't come up with anything good for that either).

Anyhow.

This is me.  Right now-ish.  I am in the planning stages of my Pillow Swap 3 pillow.  And I am making lists about all the Bee blocks I need to do this weekend.  I am kind of glad for the not-so-nice weather (read SNOW) because then I don't feel bad about staying indoors.

So, want to know what is in the picture?

1. Jewel tone fabric for the pillow.  And a mix of textures.  Please tell me you think these are jewel tones.  Jewel tones are not my forte.  Also for said pillow,  Denyse Schmidt's Quilt book.  That's all you get on that though.  Don't want to give too much away.  
2. On the right, my sketchbook that I got from art class today.  Pen sketching today.  Didn't not like it at first (so hard).  Am liking it more.  And found some inspiration on flickr and am going to do pursue it and see if I can combine the pen drawing with fabric - might be a way to like it more.
3. Coffee cup - have I told you how many blocks I need to finish this weekend?  Enough said.
4. Clutch from Emerson Made and bracelet from Hermes.  Obviously I have a little tidying to do as these should not be on the dining room table.
5. Sketch done by one of my classmates.  She did it in about 3 seconds.  I stole it.  It is gorgeous and I am going to frame it - crease in the middle and all.

I know all my American friends have a nice long weekend ahead.  Hope it is enjoyed by one and all.

L xo

PS - Do you like how I didn't add any links to this post.  I am that lazy today.  Forgive me.

For You Friday

Well, the posting hasn't been all that this week, has it? What with a new dog, a garden that needs some sprucing up, a job, and two children pretty much done with school even though we have 18 school days left, there hasn't been much sewing happening. But, there has been a little reading about sewing and knitting - right before bed with a 3 pound ball of loveliness beside me (that's Chester, in case you didn't know).  Pretty good way to end these busy days, I think.

So this Friday, thanks to my late night reading, I am sharing some crafty book goodness.  NOW, before you think I broke with the book plan, let me tell you that these were pre-orders (thank goodness for pre-orders or else my withdrawal would be even worse).  No new books, fiction or non-fiction were purchase by me for me this week.

Anyhow, here are my new favourite crafty books (in no particular order)  ...

Oh my gosh, it does not get cuter than this book.  The little birds are beyond sweet. There are patterns for mini quilts and embroidery and a whole bunch of other birdy goodness too!  Love it.

 

I bought this book on a whim and I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised.  And unlike most craft books I buy, I think I could make practically everything in this book (I am an overachiever, in case that hasn't been made clear yet).  There are 35 projects, just so you know.  This book is full of great ways to use up all those fabric scraps.

I am back at loving knitting right now.  It is easier to watch tv with my husband when we are both in the same room and I am not in front of a sewing machine.  (TV season is almost over though ... more sewing, perhaps? Probably not as the weather is too good to be inside).  This book is full of lovely "take with you" projects.  Since it is very difficult to take a sewing machine wherever I go, taking knitting fulfills my incessant need to always have something crafty in my hands.

So there you go.  Some crafty goodness for your Friday.

L xo

PS - Little Birds book is published by Stash Publishing.

PPS - Sewing Bits and Pieces  is published by Wiley

PPPS - Kntting 24/7 is published by Melanie Falick Books.

For You Friday

[photo courtesy of Saffron Craig]

This week's For You Friday actually has something to do with fabric.  This is the Elk Landscape fabric from Saffron Craig's new fabric line - Forest Elementals. 

Purple isn't usually my thing but I am liking it more and more.  Especially in this fabric.  And from what I have been reading, purple is HUGE for Fall.  (Aren't I just on top of it or what?).

Saffron has done up a gorgeous quilt in her new fabrics.  And it is available as a kit.  (I am an enabler, I know).

And Kate Conklin did up an amazing one too!

So there we go.  A For You Friday that is actually tied into the blog.  Now go get some fabric!

L xo

For Your Friday

This is for you. Because it is For You Friday. This is the best idea for people who want to write down their lives but have no time to do so. Or maybe they have the time but they don't want to spend it all writing stuff down. Or maybe they don't have something to write every single day. I am an "all of the above" girl. So this is the best journal, in the history of all my sorry attempts to journal, for me. So I thought I'd share it with you.

Go take a look at the Simple Diary website. It is pretty awesome (that's a tie in from last week - wink wink). Order one up. You won't regret it.

L xo

PS - I got mine while I was at Anthropology in New York. I also got a few other things while I was there. Let's not talk about it. I am sure the bills are in the mail already.

For Your Friday

On the heels of Music Mondays, we here at Quilts A Bit brings you For You Friday. Yep. This is for you. Isn't that a great way to start your weekend? With something just for you? This For You Friday is a book recommendation. Who knows what you'll get next week.

This is a good book.

Because it is about all those things in our lives that are awesome. It is a long list. And this list is full of things that I can honestly say I overlook all the time. Which is a shame. There is a lot of awesomeness out there, and you don't even have to look for it. You just need to stop overlooking it.

And the commentary in the Book of Awesome is lovely, in a "make your day" kind of way.

Some of the things in the Book of Awesome include:

1. Bakery Air
2. The Sound of Scissors Cutting Construction Paper
3. Seeing Someone Laugh in Their Sleep.

The book has lots more awesome things. I swear it will make you smile. Really.

So, from me to you, The Book of Awesome. Enjoy.

L xo

PS - The Book started as a website - 1000 Awesome Things.

PPS - The author is Neil Pasricha.