September...

 

...is marching on and I am slowly finding my groove after the summer holidays... The first part of September, which is always very frenzied around here with school and other activities starting up for the children, is happily done with, and now I'm revisiting all the loose ends I left prior to the holidays. To tell you the truth, I was quite happy to escape working on all my projects in my house at the start of summer because our basement renos were taking over the entire house with clutter (you have to put all that basement junk somewhere!) and just general grunginess and grime; at that point, the renos were also stalling which felt very discouraging as all of you must know who have experienced house renos... In fact, I wasn't looking forward at all to coming back home from the lake at the end of the summer in big part because I was not excited about living in our chaotic house once again! Fortunately, the work in the basement has advanced a lot lately (the new floor and windows as well as the framing are all in and the electrical and plumbing work is nearly finished), so the light at the end of the tunnel is finally becoming visible which feels so encouraging. There still is a big piano in my basement workroom which makes it very hard to move around and access a bunch of fabric, but I feel so encouraged by the recent progress in the basement that it's not bothering me half as much as it used to!

So, about those loose ends... Well, for one there is the little bedding collection I've been working on, on and off, since April which you can see bits of in the photos in this post. So far, as part of this bedding scheme, I've put together a lot of pillowcases, a woolly patchwork blanket, cushions that still need some fine-tuning and a special cushion/stuffie which is waiting for some finishing touches; I would still like to add a patchwork coverlet made from fabric and perhaps a crocheted cushion to complete the look. As soon as I finish adding the last touches to the cushions and the cushion/stuffie, I will definitely give you a first glimpse of this collection. While away this summer, it also occurred to me that it might be fun to put together some of these bedding items in a DIY kit format...

 

Before the summer, I also started working on a separate batch of pillowcases which I hope to show you photos of this coming week; the color scheme of these new pillowcases is very different from the one you see in the photos above, with many ditsy florals in blue and purple tones, perfect for this time of the year. It may seem like I am putting together a lot of pillowcases at once (which probably explains why I'm having such a hard time getting it all out!), but I couldn't resist all these pretty florals I've been spotting all over the place in the last while!

The last loose end I'm quite excited about is an instructions PDF on how to make crochet-trimmed pillowcases. I've been meaning to do this forever as you would not believe how many email requests I get for help on how to make the pillowcases; I started putting this together before going away on holidays and meant to keep working on it once back from our trip, but summer being summer, I didn't even look at it! I have to admit that I find pattern-writing painstaking work at times because it's so detail-oriented (especially if it's pictorial as well!)) and I applaud all of you, such as Annette with her recent Gypsy Blanket Pattern, who have done such good jobs putting great patterns out there... So, it's time for me to tie up this loose end by rolling up my sleeves and finish writing up these instructions!

Before taking leave of you, I have to tell you to pop by again in the coming week because I am planning a fabulous giveway for you and, no, it's not pillowcases this time (although I will have one of those coming up in the next little while as well!). This all has to do with a little secret of mine -- can't wait to tell you all about it!...

Comments

[leanne]

I think that you people out on the west coast must have more hours in your day...or more days in your week...or SOMETHING. You are a busy bee! xo

[Alessandra]

beautiful colours!!!
now I'm curious like a cat....!!!!!
happy sunday, xxxxx Ale

[Marie]

Oh, I look forward to your pattern being available. Marie

[Angela-Southern U.S.A.]

Oooh! Eye candy and a tease...all in one post. LOVE! I can SO relate with those "in limbo" times of renovations. So hard to be creative in chaos. Look forward to further posts!

[Angela B]

I can't wait for you pattern!

[Karin]

Ooooh I love the colours.....and everything else, too.
We want to make a house reno next summer, please don't encourage me!
xxxx Karin

[Marfy S]

Please let me know when your pattern for sewing a pillowcase with a flap is available. I purchased the Molly Makes Crochet book yesterday. Working on baby blankets now. Can't wait to learn how to make a pillowcase with an inner flap, then do the crochet edging with the blanket stitch as a base.
[email protected]

[n klein]

can't wait for your pattern <3