Saints alive, that was hard work! My two hours of post-purging yesterday ran to something more like four, and by the time I’d eventually whittled 5327 down to ), the warm glow of blog-loving had well and truly gone cold. By 6 o'clock yesterday evening, I'd have been perfectly happy to never clap eyes on another blog again.
Today, though, I’m back to something near
normal. That lovely, round ‘0’ of unread posts has already morphed into a ‘26’,
but it seems a much more manageable number. Inviting, even.
One thing that really hit home yesterday was how
overwhelming so much inspiration in such a short time can be. Skimming through
post after post of beautiful images and clever ideas, all put together by
super-talented artists actually made me feel more inadequate than inspired –
like I should give up making stuff here and now because I’m not, and will never
be, that good or even good enough. That’s really not how it’s supposed to work.
In small quantities, the wishing and hoping to maybe, possibly, hopefully come
somewhere close is what drives me. In bigger doses, apparently, it’s more
likely to cause drowning. Lesson learned, order (thankfully) restored.
So, what of the favourites list I promised? Clearly, there were way more than twenty noteworthy posts in such a huge pile, but I’m nice – I’ve done some hardcore honing, so you’ll hopefully have a much easier time of things. These are a few of the things I especially loved:
1. As a girl who never leaves the house without a hat during the winter (and misses them like crazy when it's too warm), it was inevitable this post would catch my eye as I skimmed through the super-inspiring sfgirlbybay.
2. How can you not love anything involving the
words ‘applique’ and ‘free’? Pattern, tutorial and some useful applique tips
from the ever-adorable Kasja at Syko (via Sew Mama Sew).
3. I think one of these tiny sock bunnies may have to join my socktopus family. They’re so sweet it’ll drive your dentist to drink. Tutorial by Meg at Elsie Marley.
4. Considering the damage these wretched creatures
have wreaked on my garden over the last twelve months, it takes a very special
kind of person to make me see beauty in a fox.
5. I’m seriously gaga over this freestyle sampler by
Pam Garrison, and she’s still only calling it a work in progress. Imagine the
deliciousness when it’s all finished. Oy!
6. Scrapbook layouts by two of my favourite artists, Amanda Johnson
7. . . . and Kara Haupt.
8. I am determined to make a quilt for our sofa
this year, which is maybe why I dropped this post by Alicia at Posy Gets Cozy
into Google Bookmarks, quick smart.
9. Make a small-but-beautiful pocket mirror with this free tutorial from Rashida at I Heart Linen.
10. And, if you’ve ever wanted to learn more about
embroidery, Amy at Early Bird Special has a whole series of free lessons, complete with useful video clips and cute patterns.
11. Remember this? I love assemblage, and am really itching to try another piece, but it would never have occurred to me to make assemblage jewellery. I’m pretty sure Katie Runnels (The Constant Gatherer) is a genius.
12. I want to work here. Or, at least, demand that Sharilyn at Lovely Design (which it really is) comes here and makes my workspace look just as pretty (and ok, as tidy, too).
13. I think I may have mentioned before how much I love Sweet Jessie. This project-packed post proves she might just be the most aptly-named blogger on the whole of the internet.
14. As much as I adore this idea (by crazy-talented
Liz Tamanaha), it’s one I almost don’t dare to start. So many books, so little
time, so much chance I'd get completely carried away.
15. I haven’t owned a bicycle in over 15 years, but
Jill McDonald is making me wish I did.
16. This post (by Larissa Holland from mmmcrafts) probably made me smile more than any of the others. I am the biggest fan of Lauren Child, and Larissa’s 3-d adaptation of her Pippi Longstocking illustrations is just perfect.
17. Oh, for goodness sakes, how cute are these? And
baking whiz, Natasha (from Amelie’s House), is even sweet enough to show you
how to make them for yourself.
18. I’m very shallow. The reason I like this post
is quite simply because I need a new clock for my office, and I want it to be
this fabulous vintage one, as found by Gina from doe-c-doe.
19. Be still my beating Magimix. The most amazing collection of kitchen images and ideas, thanks (again) to sfgirlbybay.
20. Last, but most definitely not least, crochet (obsessed much?). Yvestown’s Yvonne always uses colour – whether it’s paint, fabric or yarn – in the dreamiest way. Plus, look closely at her pretty post, and you'll also find a link for a free pattern. I'm smitten.
x
