When my son was born I had several kinds of swaddling blankets, but the ones that worked best for us were single layer flannel blankets - they were keeping my son snuggled without overheating him. Also, at 30 by 30 inches they were the perfect size - just enough fabric without bunching up. And, after the swaddling period, I would take them anywhere with me because they fold neatly and fit in almost any bag... You know, you always have to have a blanket on hand when you leave the house. Also, lightweight blankets are good for those of us who live in the warmer climates. As I went through my fabric stash, I ran across flannels I almost forgot about. I made a few for the new baby (yes, coming in March, I haven't written about that at all...) and then I made a few for the shop... 

I picked up a magazine today at the grocery store because I liked the front page! I don't do it often, especially without browsing through it - but I did not have much time. It is the winter issue of Do It Yourself - they really do have some interesting ideas and actual plans for some of the projects. Their website is also worth visiting - the picture above shows a storage bench they have free, downloadable plans for. And I was actually looking for a bench like this for our entry. All of the plans I have looked through are for beginner or beginner/intermediate woodworker, but they seem to require some heavy duty tools. But still, this will be on my to-do list.

Some recent quilts from flickr... I haven't done much quilting since we left for europe in July. And since we came back, with all the housework (after remodeling) and other hings happening, I was busy, and my thoughts were elsewhere. But this week I have actually added some new fabric to my stash (which is in dire need of reorganization) and I started thinking about and visualizing new projects... more to come...

 

Lisa Congdon is making little drawings every day - a cuple of minutes, a few rules and a post-it. Every day since 1/1/2007. Good work. Simple, does not involve a lot of time - good recipe for something that you can keep on doing every day.
I wanted to do a post every day, but it always seems very time consuming and compilcated. But,  if I can keep it short and simple, keep a common theme - maybe I can make it. I am working full time again, so I don;t have very much time to write posts but I would like to keep track of little things I find or think about that inspire my crafts.
So, with this post let me anounce a month of one-a-day inspiration notes. And what happens after 30 days? Well, they say that if you can keep doing soething for 30 days that it will become a habbitt. So if I can do it for 30 days, I can do it for a year, right?
First post: this is a book I received in mail yesterday. I got a copy from the library some time ago and I loved it so much I had to have it. I got it from half.com (hardcover, brand new) for $4.95+shipping, about $9 altogether - a steal! Half.com is not as cheap as it used to be (got bought by ebay and then the cost for sellers started going up) but you can still find good buys, especially if you don't mind a used book. Quilts are simply gorgeous and I really like the instructions. You can not only learn how to construct a similar quilt but you can learn a lot about how to work with color in your quilt. Amazing pictures. A good buy.

No, this is not going to turn into a fashion blog, but these two have caught my attention over the last week. It surprises me every time when I see fashion trends two! seasons ahead. It is not even Spring and we are looking into Fall 2007 already? Where can I see what's new for this Summer?

Both of these images are from LA Times - the first one is a scarf(?) from Giles Deacon (London Fashion Week). Talking about chunky knits - what size needles to you need for this kind of yarn? Looks fun and I love the color, but you would almost need a separate closet just for the shawl...
The second is from Milan Fashin Week and features a neck wrap from Clare Waight Keller, a british designer. Very elegant and cosy - it would be really fun to make!

Sixties fashion back in? Funny how these things come and go - every few years there is a new take on sixties, or seventies or... This is a free downloadable pattern (all three items) from Burda. All three items are very simple - even the dress. The top part is a t-shirt that you cut just below the bust line. And then you add the bottom part. Easy.
Burda paterns come in european sizes, so here is the conversion and sizing chart, in case you need it.

I have also finished watching the first season of Northern Exposure. I really, really, really like that show (by the way, the 6th - the final - season will be out on DVD this March). But I was thinking - is it just the show? Or is it also the memories it brings when I watch it? When I was watching it again this time, I was remembering things and thinking about stuff I have not been thinking about in a long time. I first saw it when I was back home, in Croatia, living with my parents, going to college (yes, that's what we typically do, we stay home while in college. And it was fine, actually I would not change it...). I remembered studying, and then waching Northern Exposure late at night. I remembered taking the bus to go to class. I remembered taking exams. And I remembered discussing Northern Exposure with a friend (who I had a crush on, hmm...) between classes and when we happened to walk together back to the bus stop (and it was a rather long walk). And I remembered so many other things, times that were hard but actually worry free and happy (not that these days are not happy, but they are definitely not worry free).

So my question is, would I have liked the show as much if I saw it now for the first time? I remember when I was in a car with my dad, I must have been 12 or 13 and he was listening to some music I did not like, I thought it was so old and boring. I told myself I would never be "stuck" in time, that I would always listen to "new" music. Well, I did not really get stuck, but I do find myself listening more to my favorites - and a lot of them are from when I was younger. Or I will follow those artists that I used to listen to at "that time". Did I get "stuck" in time with Northern Exposure?

By the way - have you seen "Men in Trees". Is that a Northern Exposure wanna-be, or is it just me? I watched two halfs of two episodes recently and I have to say it has not captured my attention. All I do is find similarities with Northern Exposure, but the show's quality is far behind.

Browsing... I do too much of it... sometimes I feel I just waisted time, with all the junk out there. But sometimes, like yesterday, I find amazing information...
Did you know that the first snowflake (a single snow crystal!) was photographed in 1885? Wilson A. Bentley, a self educated farmer worked for years on adapting a microscope to a bellows camera, and finally in 1885 he photograped the first snowflake. He went on to photograph more than 5000 crystals, and he never found two that matched! Amazing! Because of his work, he became known as "Snowflake" Bentley.
So what are these images above? The first one is a collage of snowflake pictures taken by "Snowflake" Bentley. And the second one is a snowflake quilt created by Paula Naderstern. She creates amazing kaleidoscope inspired quilts. She also designs fabrics and has published several books.

And finally, let me share another amazing graphic with you. This is from the Snowflake Bentley Gift Shop - it is a Snowflake Thermometer poster. It shows different snow crystals, depending on the air teperature when the snowflakes are formed (created by Dorothy Wallace-Senft). This is a very interesting display of information - something Edward Tufte would be proud of!
I want it!

I mentioned in a previous post I had a really good shopping trip to M&L Fabrics in Anaheim and finally, here are the pictures of most of the fabrics I came home with. I had to leave many more, but they will probably be there when I visit the next time.

First of all, here are two Kaufman prints. The first one is a little thicker cotton, and the second one your regular quilting weight cotton.
I really loved the following two. The first one is actually corduroy. It was from a roll, and I though it was a Kaufman print too, but when I got home, I realized there was no info on selvages so I am not sure any more. The second one is an Alexander Henry print.
These three seem to be a set. They are all by Karen Jarrar for Marcus Brothers. I actually bought the first one on a previous trip and the last two this time. It is a very soft cotton with a little bit of texture (if you look at it from some distance it looks a bit like corduroy).
I thought that all fabric should have some info on the selvages but I found out it is not so (or I bought too little, so the cut did not include the info). The following fabric was a flat fold and I have no idea who is it from. It is a bit thicker and very crisp cotton. The second one is another Kaufman print (large print but I love it). The next two are flannels that will become baby blankets. I just realized that both have a Paris theme. The first one is another no-name, and the poodles are from Marcus Brothers. And finally, this really adorable Kaufman print.

I found these recently....

Getting Crafty in Southern California from Susan: many links for knitting, crocheting, sewing and crafting in general. I would just add that there is an updated list of fabric stores in downtown LA here. This list also specifies which store is retail and which wholesale only (or both).

I just missed the last mini craft fair of 2006 organized by Felt Club. But they also have a holiday event, and of course, more shows coming next year. (I just realized I will be out of town for the holiday event too, bummer)

Apparently there are good things to be found at the Rose Bowl Flea Market, held on second Sunday of each month. I cannot belive I missed this month, AND I will be out of town next month too.

I want to check the Japanese 98c store. I have been in Southern California for a while now, but have not heard about Marukai until a few days ago. I also have yet to visit Little Tokyo too...