...to my new year... I am still here, but definitely working at half-speed. Year after year now, I'm noticing that my Januarys feel very alike; after all the excitement and madness of December, I spend most of January craving hibernation -- you know, settling into a soft cocoon and sleeping, recharging, waiting for spring...
Of course, the greyer and wetter January is, the stronger is my hankering for shutting down... and yes, this January in Vancouver has seemed very rainy and grey so far with only a little touch of snow. I have to confess that while reading blogs over the past few weeks, I have been so very jealous of all of you who live in cities where it has been unseasonably cold and snow has fallen in greater amounts than usual. ( I know though that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence and all of you experiencing these cold snaps are probably quite fed up with the cold and snow by now!...)
After staring at a mess of unfinished pillowcases for what seemed to be the longest time, I have slowly started to finish them up by crocheting on the trims. With this latest bunch of pillowcases, I decided to dig deep into my own fabric collection (vintage and new) and try lots of different combinations (different fabric for the top and bottom of the pillowcase). Once I've finished trimming these, I will choose my favourites and make more of these to sell in my Etsy shop. This may explain to those of you who have been wondering why I haven't listed any pillowcases yet after having promised to do so a while ago...
;
As I look at some of the finished ones, I am quite excited by the matchups of fabric, yarn and trim motif -- playing around with all the possibilities and immersing myself in this riot of color and pattern has definitely been a step towards beating my January "greys"...
I hope to show you some of my favourites very soon... Thanks for visiting and I will do my best to fight my January slump and post again before January is out!
Gorgeous fabrics. That slow start rings a bell with me. January is a tough one. :)
Posted by: Liz | January 17, 2011 at 11:19 PM
So colourful as always!
Posted by: Petit Filoux | January 18, 2011 at 12:56 AM
Yes, January is a funny old month!But you make it so pretty with all those gorgeous fabrics!
Rachel x
Posted by: Rachel | January 18, 2011 at 01:02 AM
What a lovely splash of summeriness and colour to brighten a dark month. Thank you... that nest of fabrics looks cosy enough to snuggle down into.
Posted by: maggie | January 18, 2011 at 03:23 AM
well it is snowing here again in muskoka....makes me want to crawl into that beautiful pile of candy colored fabric and stay a while. january will be over before you know it!
Posted by: leanne | January 18, 2011 at 04:59 AM
What a beautiful, colorful January post! I hope your slump passes soon -- although, from the looks of your photos, not much slumping is going on there! It's cold and rainy here today too, and like you, I'd be happy with just a ton of snow!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | January 18, 2011 at 05:36 AM
I know exactly what you mean...I've hardly made anything or done anything since Christmas. However during the last couple of days I'm feeling a little stirring of energy! I'll bottle some up and send it your way if you like. Your fabrics are very beautiful. makes me want to roll around on them! xxxx
Posted by: amanda makes | January 18, 2011 at 06:09 AM
I feel very cheered looking at these beautiful colors!
Posted by: Tiffany | January 18, 2011 at 10:16 AM
What gorgeous fabrics, those would defo pick me up. It's cold, dreary and wet in England too at the mo, so I'd love to hibernate as well.
Posted by: Joy | January 18, 2011 at 12:48 PM
Well, your photos certainly look bright and cheery, and non-slumpy! Lovely.
And dont worry, January never really starts for me until February.....
Cheers
Fi
Posted by: Teacups and Tiskets | January 18, 2011 at 02:45 PM
we had the snow and now the rain.....but these colours just chase it all away....lovely
Posted by: ella | January 18, 2011 at 11:41 PM
These pictures are scrumptious!
Posted by: Allison | January 18, 2011 at 11:56 PM
It's a long old month january! your lovely pillowcases certainly made me feel brighter though :o)
Posted by: Sue | January 19, 2011 at 11:59 PM
Thanks for posting these colourful photos. I have a half-finished bright blue and yellow quilt in my closet- I think now might be the perfect time to pull it out and finish it. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Jenny | January 20, 2011 at 10:09 AM
I see you feel the same way I do! :) I'm trying so hard to snap out of it! I too could use a little bit of wintery white! But as used to a white winter as I am, I'm also used to road crews that know how to handle it, and people who know how to drive in it...so it's a toss. :)
Your pictures and fabrics are beautiful, as always. Have fun with them!
Posted by: Erica K | January 20, 2011 at 11:32 AM
I know what you mean about January...such a dull month. I've been making lemon marmalade to try and get motivated again...the smell of lemons was lovely.
And your bright pillow cases are lovely to look at!
Posted by: A homespun year | January 20, 2011 at 11:52 AM
Happy New Year, Beata! I love your riot of colour...
Posted by: kirsten | January 21, 2011 at 11:09 PM
Oohh...I found your beautiful blog and I love it so much!! Great!
ciao Monica
Posted by: letrecivette | January 22, 2011 at 07:32 AM
Thank you for brightening my very dull and stressful (daughter's illness) January. Your fabrics and trimmings are so delightful and inspiring. I will def check out your etsy shop.
Posted by: Driftwooddreams | January 22, 2011 at 11:39 PM
The photos are such a beautiful burst of color in this dull month of January. As always you give me such inspiration!
Posted by: Patty Boyd | January 29, 2011 at 05:01 PM
What do you have lots of nice fabrics! Its no mess, its pure art!
Makkie
Posted by: Makkie | January 30, 2011 at 05:12 AM
Your photos are as usual so full of colour and show such beautiful fabrics - always uplifting and inspiring! I was inspired to crochet a pillowcase frill on a vintage pillowcase thanks to your blog and it turned out so pretty - Thank you!
Gill
Posted by: Gill | February 01, 2011 at 05:46 AM
The wind has been howling around our old house here in Cambridgeshire UK...the colours of your blog as so beautiful, thank you for cheering up the seemingly endless dull winter
Posted by: Marianne | February 05, 2011 at 03:29 PM
Your color palette is sooo wonderful! It lights up the day here in winter cold Sweden! :)
Kind regards
Inger Cairna
Posted by: Inger Carina | February 23, 2011 at 12:10 PM