8.1.09

Welcome new year of fabric play!

Hello blog! I've been looking forward to this moment, but at the same time it is hard to decide where to start after a long break. The last two months of 2008 were very hectic and the theme seemed to be "one flu a week", so I decided to take a break from work to get well, be a full-time mum and recharge my batteries. It seems to have worked, even the weather is on my side this year, it is freezing and sunny so I think I will have to take a walk at lunch to catch some of the beauty before it disappears!
It has been a challenge to stay off the sewing machine so I have had to express my creativity in other ways. Big E got a very nice cookbook published by Unicef for Christmas so I have enjoyed exploring kid's favourite foods from different corners of the world. So far our favourite is adobo, chicken from the Philippines. We celebrated New Year's Eve at my parent's place and I didn't even bring a ball of yarn with me! Luckily my mum is a knitter so I made Big E a winter cap, I got to take a pic when she gets home (she actually wears it to school, which must mean it is a success)!

I also took up my crocheting hobby again, the progress is slow, but the blanket is already warming my knees at night :) I am using this pattern for my hexagons, but I'm sure I would have used the pattern from attic24, if she had written it down when I started, the progress would be much faster! Explore more loveliness in her flickr album. I use thin washable wool yarn instead of cotton, because I wanted to make a warm lap blanket, that wasn't too heavy.
And since I am know officially allowed to play with fabrics again I started planning a quilt inspired by the lovely piece of bird fabric I got in a Christmas swap with Anna. Can you spot the red fabric with the flying white birds? I found that at the fleamarket the other day! I love it so much! I think it might be made in Finland, probably in the early 80's. You rarely find fabrics with small patterns second hand so this made me really happy, I would probably have bought this if I had found it in the fabric store too.

And of course I had to join Katy's FQ swap!

Wishing you all a joyful and crafty year of 2009!

23 comments:

Cele said...

Welcome back. The blanket looks beautiful.
Happy New Year.

dutchcomfort said...

Good to see you’re back Kajsa! The bird fabric is made for you!!

Anonymous said...

So great to have you back! I've missed you and your amazing crafts! Hope your new year is very happy and has absolutely no flu in it. (The flu got us over christmas too).

Your crochet looks amazing and can't wait to see your quilt coming together - those are lovely fabrics.

sfer said...

I love the white one with the birds in red and pink and the black flowers... Any clues as to where I might find some of that one??

(I wish I had learned crocheting before I learned knitting. I have the feeling I would enjoy it much more.... The blanket looks just great!)

Apryl said...

I can't crochet to save my life but I can knit simple objects that don't have evil patterns... the fabrics look lovely though I can't wait to see the finished quilt...

I would have joined Katy's fabric swap but as I'm new to sewing I don't actually have a stash yet.. *smile*

Gina said...

It is good to see you back. I love the hexagon blanket - it looks very complicated. Wishing you a happy and creative new year.

jacquie said...

kajsa, i'm so glad you joined project improv! drop me your email addy when you have a minute. i know i have it somewhere, but for the life of me i can't find it. thanks,
jacquie

Karen said...

Your fabrics are fabulous and so is your afgan;)

Anina said...

Welcome back! I can't wait to see what you do this year.

Mrs Moog said...

Happy New Year Kajsa!! I'm glad you had a lovely break.

Your hexagon blanket is beautiful. Thanks for the links too - I have a feeling I may have to make one when my ripple blanket is finished!

I love the bird fabric - it's so perfect for you too :-)

xxx

periwinkle said...

glad to see you back, your crochet blanket looks just lovely - happy new year too
lisa x

Victoria said...

The blanket is beautiful!
Thanks so much for your insightful comment on creativity and the roles schools play in this matter, I absolutely agree. Wishing you a wonderful, and healthy New Year! Enjoy playing with your fabrics!

Di said...

Happy New Year!! I hope that 2009 is a good year! Loving the crochet blanket!

sewkalico said...

Happy 2009 to you and yours! I love your crochet blanket!

Katy said...

Welcome back, and thanks for the links to the patterns/tutorials. Your blanket looks great! I'm inspired!

Attic24 said...

Hello Kajsa, HAppy New Year to you!
I am love love loving your hex blanket,and it looks so stunning on that red chair too.
Thanks so very much for mentioning the Attic and the hex pattern etc, I've had some lovely visitors come find me through your blog.
Looking forward to following your creativity through this year, your work continues to inspire and delight me ((thank you))
Lucyxxxxxx

annax said...

Welcome back Kajsa! You have been missed.
I have had a hard time "returning" too, and am slowly getting there.
I might give it a go to crochet later on this year, yours just looks stunning.

Wishing you goodness!
Anna x

LPFish said...

oh welcome back - blog more, blog more, blog every day!!!! x

Apol said...

Adobo!!! I love it, too :)

Greet said...

I wish you a year full of happiness!
and thanks for sharing the crochet tutorial, I like crocheting, but really don't have time for a whole blanket! Ah well let's start with a little flower maybe?

Hannah said...

The bird fabric is great (both of them)! Isn't adobo the best?! I grew up in the Philippines. It's made differently regionally, but the core ingredients are always the same and I haven't had a version I didn't like!

Tamara said...

Well hello there...just loving your crochet work...I am making one too:) I am using Lucy's pattern though...your looks amazing! Tam xo

fantasia said...

Beautiful blanket!!! I love the colors! I also started crocheting a few months ago and I just can´t stop!!!!!!
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Susana Alves

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