This 'n that...

This'n That ... fabric, paper, mag articles, etc.

I recently read two letters in a magazine that were written by two ladies who have been crafting for decades. Both started during the 1940s - The years of war and depression when everything was rationed and you just "made do." Two things I found interesting - my first thought was it is interesting that we have been crafting for that many years - generations. Crafts like knitting, sewing and crocheting have made a comeback and are still popular today by the younger generation. The world of crafting has changed in many ways, but the stitches are still the same and have been for at least a century. My second thought was that years ago, everything was rationed and women made clothes for their families because they had to. Now, there are so many amazing products for crafting and we have so much available to us. Wow, what our ancestors would think if they were still here and could see the amount of fabric, paper, etc. available to us now compared to what they had to use and ration! They were lucky to get a printed pattern, we get dizzy looking for something to use from the abundance of patterns available! It's crazy.

Anyway, we are lucky to be living in this decade and on that note...here is a card I made for my girlfriend who recently turned 50! The patterned paper is all from a magazine and I got some great stamps from the UK magazine as well.

While we are on the topic of fabrics, I have been looking for a "coffee" print to use to make curtains for my kitchen windows for about two years. I finally found a good enough print and made these cafe curtains. My first time making curtains. I measured and re-measured for accuracy. They turned out fine - seem to be even - top and bottom! yay!

oh - and I sewed a couple of quilted tote bags for carrying books or whatever...I love cats, so used fabric called the "London Cats"...available at FabricLand.

Wherever I travel, I'm always looking for craft shops. Kenora, Ontario has a great little quilt shop called "Cottage Country Quilts." The lady that owns it is super friendly. I'm a frequent customer and she has offered to help me with any sewing project I need help on. She doesn't carry a lot of fabrics, but quality is always better than quantity - and I can always find great printed fabric in her store. Here is a sample. I don't know what I'm going to make yet, but I'll use them for some future projects - at some point...

Books I'm currently reading....

My favorite authors are usually Irish authors. I recently picked up a book called "Stand By Me" by Sheila O'Flanagan. Really good book. I find her writing comparable to Maeve Binchy.

If you like science fiction, I'm currently reading the "Halo" series. Didn't think I'd like it, but the first book "Fall of Reach" was great and left a cliffhanger at the end, so I'm on to the second book, "The Flood." By the way, my husband was so happy I was reading these books that he decided to play "Halo"...again...! Great, I'm trying to read and it's so loud here - the stove elements are vibrating from the noise in the basement! But you know what they say, "happy wife husband, happy life"... ;)

'til next time...keep crafting!

Marci