knitting, nature and living with autism in the family
The onset of Spring brings thoughts of Easter and choccie eggs. So I thought I’d design an egg cosy for boiled eggs if you’re so inclined or chocolate ones if (like me) you prefer!
I hope to have a few of these for sale the next time the shop goes live.
Something that I read over at Quilt While You’re Ahead recently got me thinking. Monica was pondering her inspiration behind choosing colours for a for a quilt project and it occurred to me that how we all see things may be similar but our perceptions of them may be wildly different. I thought a similar thing recently when reading a post over at Melly and Me. Melly and Rosalie are fearsome thrift sorters and they have amazingly creative eyes for seeing potential in an item. I was so amazed with a wonderful bag that they created, part of which started out in life as a pair of shorts. It’s a real gift to be able to look at something and envisage what it could become with a magical sprinkle of creative input. That’s what I love so much about browsing all the wonderful blogs out there – everyones different creative perspective, the range of beautiful work being created from all kinds of diverse materials is definitely inspirational.
It’s great that blogging gives us all a forum for open exchange of creative ideas and inspirations. The best thing is that the community is growing daily and every time I go browsing I find more and more lovely sites packed full of wonderful work. So on that note I’ll offer you some links to some of my favourite new places to visit. Go grab a cup of your favourite brew and have a browse.
Elfie & me French Knots Suzie Sews
And as for my inspirations. Well, this week I have been mostly knitting rabbits (nothing new there then!) I love the fact though that they all emerge differently even though they’re all knitted up the same and when it comes to colours for clothes there aren’t many limits. I suspect that I may be inspired by some of my lucky charity shop finds this week – a little French letter rack (a bit battered but cute shape and lovely gold stars) and a 1930’s Colclough afternoon tea-set (only 3 cups and most of the gilt worn off but lovely acorn design and such a pretty colour):
So if you shortly see a rabbit with an acorn design turquoise & white jumper you may just guess where the idea came from.
Have a fun and inspirational weekend everyone!
When I went over to the Hali site to follow the link on my previous post, I noticed that a record auction price was recently reached for an antique sampler. The piece was created in 1797 by Betsy Wardwell and sold at Christie’s New York textile sale for $329,600! It got me thinking – I wonder what antique auctions will include in another 210 years? Maybe a vintage Raspberry felt piece, a much-loved Molly Chicken bear, an antique Flibbertygibbet quilt? Well, you never know. You can bet your lucky pants that Betsy Wardwell never imagined that her beautifully fine stitching would ever become so sought after. She created her work with humility and grace:
"May spotles inocence & truth my every action guide and guard my unexperienced youth from arrogance & pride”, “BETSY WARDWELLS WORK PROVIDENCE 1797”.
I wonder what she’d make of it all?
I’ve written up a little free pattern for knitted flowers – same as my cake toppers (it’s over on the side bar). These could be used for decorating any number of objects. I’m making a little hair thingy for Amy with 3 contrasting flowers on – will post pictures when it’s finished.
little cotton rabbits 
