Just a thought

I know I meant to be writing (and I am), but I came across this scribble in my notes. It's what I believe in with a ridiculous passion and hope that I can help people understand this thought and make the most of where they live.

 

Home is the on-going story of you. Your yesterday, today and tomorrow all happen within the boundaries of where and how you live. Your home (besides the clothes on your back) is the most visual and emotional manifestation of your identity.

Sometimes you get to choose where you live. On other parts of your home journey, you won’t. Much of the time it’s a compromise, because of either financial or emotional restrictions. But whatever point you are at in your story, there is the chance to create your sense of identity, and by extension, your future.

And that's it from me I promise!

On deadline...

I'm on deadline for my book. This means the floors need vacuuming quite badly and I'm not having leisurely strolls to my local organic butcher on a daily basis..... I also seemed to have worn the same pair of jeans five days in a roll. A lot is not getting done properly, so that I can do the projects for the book very properly. 

So I'm just going to roll with it and not get panicky that I'm not eating five a day. I'm not going to worry about writing here for the next couple of weeks and I'm going to love said pair of jeans until they take themselves to the washing machine.

See you in a little while.

PS: Nice shoot location isn't it?

Jaunting around East Sussex

Although it's a little late to book onto today's class at Charleston, there is definitely enough time to enjoy the (read my) favourite bits of East Sussex. Have a look at This is Your Kingdom - a lovely and very useful website which I wrote a piece for this week.

I'm sorry it's a picture of Lily and I, but I'm wanting you to focus on the veritable splendour of Charlestons gardens behind me... I am fairly sure Lily wasn't meant to be there...

Almost out of time!

I am not sure how this post didn't leave the draft folder......

So for this months issue of Making magazine, I designed and made a quilt. Which means this is only the second pattern I've let loose! 

The pattern and instructions are all in the mag.

You might remember the post about a quilt made out of shirts and beach shorts and pajamas. The idea of this may not initially bring up visions of beauty, but I beg you to differ now that you can see it.

This would be equally lovely out of saris, vintage tea towels, Liberty print or your daughters clothes. You can commission yourself - how exciting. If you do make it, please send me photographs as I love to see what people have made and where it ends up.

Now this issue is only on sale for another week or so, so if you want it, you had better scurry to W H Smith or click to Making here.

I have another project in the Christmas issue - it's not a quilt, but something equally as lovely and useful.

 

Nice projects

A couple of lovely quilts I'm finishing off at the moment. The top quilt is all about the tradition of Indigo. Indian, African, Japanese, Korean, American and English indigos. Again different sensibilities (and a lot of rinsing to remove excess dye) but the same technique. It's backed in African wax cloth, which when you buy a bolt of, it's the perfect size to back a standard queen quilt!

The second quilt is from clothes and scarves of a different era, combined with some hand-loomed indian cotton. This quilt makes me think of that great (and much watched) tv programme 'The House of Elliot'.

Textile kings!

So many companies doing great things with ethnic and recycled textiles at the moment. Hopefully this means, throwaway is on the wain and traditional textiles are being seen in a new light.

  I love seeing how for example Ikat, can be given a new feel by sitting within the aesthetic of designer/brand.

Toast - of course! Ikat with silk velvet, with reindeer fur, with knitted cushions and welsh blankets.

Sparrow & Co - I can't wait for Samuel to launch his on-line store. Really lovely kantha quilts in fresh new colours (I'll be getting one), welsh cushions and rare breed sheepskins. Follow him on Twitter for all the news.

I think Laviva home are magical. Laura has managed to make ethnic textiles fresh and new and relevant to modern homes.

The story behind these A.P.C quilts is just super. Using past season remnants they created modern quilts based on heritage craft. Watch the video here. Somebody sent these to me thinking I would be upset. Not at all - in fact I'm excited by it. These types of quilts have been around for a long time in every quilting country and culture. 

If it means this style of quilt is seen and loved, then I'm all for it.

And of course - Dosa. Indian, African, Mexican etc etc. Wouldn't it be great if Christina designed and made some quilts? Expensive most definately but stunning I'm sure.

All standard techniques,similar fabrics but completely different sensibilities. They'd be very lovely all in a room together wouldn't they?