...And after!

What a difference a week makes (168 little hours!):

It may be much cleaner and tidier, but it does also feel a little like we've moved out! David is finally moving in with his three cats and another houseful of stuff, in a couple of weeks when his house sale is completed so it won't be like this for long. Which is good because the hollow echo created in such an empty room is starting to make me feel very small!
On a semi-serious note, thank you so much for all your lovely messages after last weeks post, they reminded me  why I love blogging and made me want to get straight back into it! I managed to restrain myself though and we had a lovely computer-free family weekend.

Apart from tidying the dining room (the rest of the house is still in the same state, but one step at a time, hey?!), I decorated some T-shirts for Annie and Eliza with their initials.

They lurrrve them! I was thinking of writing a tutorial if anyone's interested because they're so easy and they got such a joyful response from the girls. I'm having to wash them every night  so they can wear them again the next day!

I've also been fabric shopping and have amassed the following fabric stock for the bird in a tree apron:

And beautiful, multi-tonal thread:

Much to David's bemusement as I already own all of these:

They're obviously not the same though, are they...?!

I also bought Invisible Machine Applique by Dawn Cameron-Dick to try out on the apron.

As we all know, there are two distinct types of crafting books, the beautiful, eye candy, lust after type like Amy Butler, Lotta Jansdotter and the quintessential example of this type; Japanese crafting books, all inspirational style but no English instructions! And then there's the informative, educational, show-you-how type. This book falls into the second category, I'm not particularly moved by any of the projects, they're just not me. But the technical info is amazing. I sat with this book for hours on Sunday evening ooohing and ahhhing and saying, "well, I didn't know that", "Ohhh, I see", "well I never!" (all very irritating for David who was trying to concentrate on Lost and 24). It's very well-written; the instructions are so clear and simple I feel really confident about trying her technique out.
Sounds like famous last words.... I'll update you next week with some samples hopefully.

Until then, blogging friends, happy crafting and have a good week!

Comments

[Ruthanne]

Great post! I can see your week away has refreshed your enthusiasm and can't wait to see how you get on with that apron, great fabric colours by the way. I feel bad and am off to tidy up now...

[Mum & Dad]

I don't belieeeve it!
When we visit next we'll need a guide to show us our bedroom!

T Shirt please with G on front - no it's not Grandad - it's GREAT GRANDAD! or if you prefer GG - not the horse either or on second thoughts a real thoroughbred

[Sonya]

Wow - that thread is amazing. I love it! I think I will be moving towards that direction with some of my yarn. As far as books go - the same can be said for knitting books, I am a technical geek, but oh how I adore those sumptuous photo spreads.

[Kelli]

Your house looks great! I bet that feels great too. And I would love that tutorial and any other you might want to create for the tree. So pretty!
You started with a drawing and went from there? Wow. Such pretty colors and incredibly detailed work.

[Vanessa V]

That apron is going to be incredible. The fabric colors are unreal. Will it be for sale?? Your place puts mine to shame. I can't stand the disasters around me. I walk around piles of drawings and plates and all kinds of stuff that has no business in certain rooms...It just trickles in on its own, it seems? Oh, I love seeing the girls. They are always doing fun things or happy things. xxxooo, V