Wednesday 18 January 2012

Cabbages & Roses

So we`re still trying to get into some semblance of routine now we`re home.  It`s been raining the last couple of days.  Morocco desperately needs rain in the winter months and things had got so bad they were praying in the mosques for a healthy downpour.  It seems the prayers were answered, or as my husband joked, I brought it back with me from England. *wink*.


While we were back in England, I made sure that while Zaki got his fair share of visits to playgrounds, dinosaur museums and got the odd treat.  I also made sure that mummy got treats of the quilty kind.  While we were visiting my aunt and uncle in Warwick,  I bought this Cabbages & Roses layer cake from Moda.  It is a layer cake of muted pinks, greens and blues and puts me firmly outside my comfort zone. I usually go for much bolder and more colourful designs and so this will be a challenge for me but that`s one of my sewing resolutions this year (and yes, I plan to do the `Resolved to Sew` over at Very Berry Handmade) is to challenge myself creatively and try different things, so I`m looking forward to cutting this up.  I also bought a new and much larger cutting board, some gorgeous perle cottons which were two for one, and a 12.5 inch square ruler so things should be easier in the cutting and squaring up department!


As you can see, I have always loved quilting books (am I the only one who reads them in bed at night?) but the top 4 are all new.  Yes, lucky me!  Santa (aka my mum) gave me The Japanese Quilt Inspiration and Modern Blocks book, which are both hugely inspirational and real eye candy.  I bought Material Obsession after Sarah recommended it in her recent series for new sewists and it`s fabulous, as is her series.  The top book is an FMQ book, which was part of a prize I received from Rhonda as part of the Duo QAL.


Notice the huge spool of gorgeous variegated Egyptian cotton?! I have only dabbled in FMQ so I can`t wait to read this properly and try out the tips using that lovely thread.  Rhonda does amazing free motion quilting so the book is bound to be a great resource.  Thanks Santa, Rhonda and oh, me!

There is a great discussion thread here on flikr about books which are coming out soon (certainly in the States...the UK may have to wait) if you love quilting books as much as I do.

Am I the only one finding it to comment on some blogs?  I`m hoping it`s that silly Blogger misbehaving and not some nasty virus...of course if you have the same problem, you may not be able to comment!

So my question to you today is, how do you like to treat yourself?

11 comments:

Catherine said...

I'm glad you mentioned the bit about leaving comments: I tried several times to leave you one on your last blog, to say welcome home and it wouldn't let me!!
My latest treat was my ticket to the reatreat in June, but anything material related!

Lynn said...

Many folks are having comment issues. You can try signing out of your google account then signing back in. That has worked for me in the past, but not always. Another comment I have read is to comment anonymously, just sign your comment and include an email or blog address.

linda said...

usually a "bit" of fabric just bought 5 1/2 yards from brenda at http://www.etsy.com/shop/pinkcastlefabrics, nice to see you home .

tusen said...

mmm, new fabric, new books (paper, ebooks or audiobooks) - these are my treats. Funny thing is I don't have any quilting/sewing book yet. I'm curious what you are going to sew with the Cabbages & Roses.

Unknown said...
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www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

I am my #1 priority right now. I am spoiling myself like crazy. I just decided that this is my year. Selfish, yes, deserved, yes, but I tend to buy things in spurts. Right now I just bought everything I liked of Malka Dubrawsky's new fabric...a Stitch in Color. oh, I liked it all. I also do whatever i want all day. I can do that now because the kids are gone and everyone is ok...I'm not needed and that's fine with me...for a while. Boy, I sound like a spoiled brat...but you have to know me better. This is so out of character for me I am having heart palpitations not helping my kids and mom. But they all gave me the go ahead to have my year...so 2012, look out!

Anonymous said...

Oh the Cabbages & Roses fabrics are delicious!!! My favorite treat is a wonderful blowdry - makes me feel so much better, oh and buying a little bundle of delicious fabrics.

Katy Cameron said...

Oooh, yummy book pile! I'm interested in that Japanese one, what sorts of things are in there? (Or do I have to bring my dad over to find out? ;o) ) As for the commenting, it's another Blogger update, and IE is not a fan of embedded comment forms (like you have) so, for example, I'm sending this comment home to myself as I can't comment at work...

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Right now - a big bundle of lottery tickets please!
Love your books xxx

Leanne said...

Great books and fabric. Try using google chrome instead of internet explorer as your browser.

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

There's no way I can read quilting books at bedtime (not that I have many!) - I made that mistake last night and didn't get anywhere near enough sleep as ideas were whizzing round my head!! Not sure what I do to treat myself but I do like a little bit of fabric and/or an audio book/new book from my wish list!