It's been one of those mornings where I have done nothing but faff around. It did start off well though - by 7.30am I had packed three lunches and made a rather wild looking May crown for Raj:
After watching the maypole dancing at school I trekked home but got side tracked by these chaps who looked like they were trimming the hedge the natural way:
I walked in at about 10.15am and then had some breakfast. My plan this morning was to make some of these that I had seen on purlbee's blog. It seemed like a good idea at the time as they say. I got out my embroidery hoops and spent the next hour arranging and re-arranging the combinations:
I don't know if I posted this pic up before but I have quite a bit of William Morris fabric in the form of curtains. I've pulled two of them apart and washed the fabric and now I'm waiting for inspiration - which doesn't seem to be coming!
From left to right they are blackthorn, blackthorn minor, seaweed and lodden which is a liberty print. I've pulled apart the two end pieces and may use the other two as curtains although Amber fancies blackthorn minor as a 50's style dress.
Anyway, back to the embroidery hoops. I tried permutation:
after permutation:
after permutation:
(Isn't permuation a lovely word - it just rolls off the tongue)
Anyway, an hour later I gave up. I can't decide which combinations go together and I can't bear to cut any of the fabric up. Well, that was a productive morning!
If any of you good folk out there have any ideas for what to do with those bits of curtain I'd love to hear from you. I thought about bags but the pattern seems to be so busy and I don't just want to use it for lining. By the way I'd be very happy to swap some of it too.
Talking of swaps I must do a post and show you some of the lovely things I've received as swaps for the books that I didn't want anymore. I've had magazines, delicious chocolate chips that are nicer than anything we have here, sizzix paddle punches, doll-making fabric and patterns - people have been so generous. I have a couple more books left if anyone is interested in swapping for them. They are:
click here to see inside the dyeing book.
inside view here and finally
As usual I' be happy to have some yummy things to eat from across the pond, fabric, dollmaking supplies, any copies of that wonderful Interweave Knits, sock wool to name but a few things. Leave me a comment or email me if you are interested.
I've gotta dash now - my morning is finished and Raj needs to be picked up from school in 20 minutes. What a morning - sorry I haven't been as inspiring as I would have wanted to.
Perhaps plain bags, with a dash of the fabric as a pocket? I do this when I don't have enough fabric, and it feels quite minimalist and inspiring.
Posted by: Reethi | May 01, 2007 at 01:40 PM
Well, I absolutely LOVE William Morris fabric and have a hard time finding it here. I'd be interested in a swap--a care package of some Vermont goodies perhaps? sarah
Posted by: Sarah | May 01, 2007 at 01:46 PM
I love Liberty prints and William Morris too - but also wonder what to do with the busier ones. I've seen it used as a soft cover for a journal or notebook, and it looks lovely.
Posted by: Flibbertygibbet | May 01, 2007 at 03:47 PM
is the floral healer a good book? it sounds lovely and i would be interested in it.
Posted by: ramona | May 01, 2007 at 07:38 PM
What a delicious post! That May crown is so fetching...love May Day celebrations & rituals. LOVE all the splendid pieces of Wm. Morris fabrics! Since I lovee making bags myself, bags come to mind as a suggestion. Reethi's idea, above, sounds terrific. Keep it simple. Maybe go a little "wild" use bits as pockets on a skirt in a complementary solid color...Such possibilities...
Posted by: Tracy | May 01, 2007 at 07:51 PM
the crown is so beautiful. I love the photos of the hedge trimmers. I've always liked anything by William Morris. Hope Amber gets her dress.
Jodi Lenz
Posted by: Jodi | May 01, 2007 at 09:44 PM
I would love the natural dye book as well as the Kaffe Fasset one! I worship Kaffe Fasset, hell I want to be Kaffe Fasset. Shall we swap? What is your fancy? And speaking of words, I love the word faff - onomatopoeia at its best.
Posted by: Sonya | May 02, 2007 at 12:30 AM
In the town where I spent most of my teen years we had a shop full of these fabrics made up into all sorts of gifts. I used to go there every week to look and smell the shop.lol.
Anyway, what about aprons, with some pretty detail - I'm sure you could extend the theme somehow too?
Posted by: shukr | May 02, 2007 at 10:03 AM
That May crown is so lovely. I see the Dye book has already been spoken for, but if you ever want to swap anything else, let me know. I love doing international swaps!
Posted by: Tara | May 02, 2007 at 06:42 PM
What a beautiful May crown for Raj! I loved reading about all the latest events in your life. I think those fabrics are beautiful and can't wait to see what you very creative mind decides to do with them! Something beautiful and inspiring I expect!
Posted by: Marie | May 03, 2007 at 07:32 AM
What a beautiful May crown for Raj! I loved reading about all the latest events in your life. I think those fabrics are beautiful and can't wait to see what you very creative mind decides to do with them! Something beautiful and inspiring I expect!
Posted by: Marie | May 03, 2007 at 07:34 AM
I think Raj's crown looks great. I love the pics of the cows too, so sweet. I hope you find your inspiration for the fabrics too, what about some cushions.
Posted by: Sue | May 04, 2007 at 12:59 AM
When I saw the first picture at a glance it looked like lids to cloisonne trinket boxes! I love the fabrics...
... What sorts of goodies do you like from the states? We might could do a trade for the DYE Plants book if there are things I can get for you here
Posted by: Lea | May 04, 2007 at 03:04 AM
Loved the jute baskets, I can do crochet stitches but I can't follow a pattern too well, I've been buying some funky fat quarters of late but they havent found the right project either, although since Summer is coming I've been thinking about making some simple hats, in a patchwork/boho style, who knows!
Posted by: Jo | May 04, 2007 at 02:12 PM
hello there,
i found your blog via flickr and like it a lot!!
hope you don't mind if i come over more often for a visit? ;o)
i love the flower crown you made for your son.
greetings
mela
Posted by: mela | May 05, 2007 at 03:32 AM
I too have my eye on that dye book, and the Fassett one too....as well as the Floral Healer. I can offer a bundle of vintage summery fabrics, delicious California treats (all organic!), the latest Interweave Knits, and two skeins of merino sock yarn I'll probably never get around to.
All of your permutations look particularly pretty to me. : )
Posted by: Aurora | May 05, 2007 at 07:39 PM
Raj's May Crown is so beautiful, I'd like one too please:) I love the photos of the cows browsing the tops of the hedges, such a very English scene. Why didn't you like the swatch portraits? I thought the three on the right were lovely especially the two lodden ones. They would make a nice grouping on a bedroom wall.
Posted by: Rowan | May 05, 2007 at 09:22 PM
Hi there, I'm probably late on the uptake here but just found your blog tonight, I have complete book envy over all those wonderful shelves crammed with childrens books, your children are so lucky! I can only dream that my kids rooms will be like that someday. I totally get you in this respect, I am a complete book fiend too. About the knitted toys book if it is still available I'm very interested in a swap. I'm in Australia so if there is anything in return that you may have in mind from this neck of the woods please let me know.
Posted by: Ness | May 10, 2007 at 12:57 PM