Link Love: Travel Makes for a Tired Gnome

Did you miss me last week? (It’s ok to say no, I won’t be crushed… *sob*) I got home from teaching at Amitie Textiles last weekend and just died. It was such an amazing trip and I had so much whirling around in my head after it all that I needed to take the week to just let things settle. It’s been a big year and it’s only the end of February. Some things are going really well and then other things are taking a turn for the…. unexpected. Last week I decided to delay my big project for this year (my second book) due to a number of factors. It’s disappointing that I’ve felt the need to do it but sometimes you have to listen to your instincts. It’s a lesson I’ve learned the hard way over the past 18 months. While I’m disappointed that things have taken this route I’m somewhat grateful for the reprieve. I’ve been drowning under the weight of deliverables and letting some things slide, so I’m looking forward to being able to focus on getting them back on track (can you say “Elizabeth Hartman Sew-along“?).

Despite some setbacks on the work front things are going really well in the gnome home. The Little Man is settling into his new school routine and I’m loving having time each day to work without guilt. I’ve also spent some time playing around the house and getting a few things uncluttered and sorted. I’m planning on doing a big destash in March. I have so much fabric, notions, patterns and other things that I’m just never going to use that I’d love to find new homes for so that someone else can give them the love that I’m struggling to provide. It’s been so funny to sit and go through the items I’ve accumulated. I’ve found little pieces of fabric treasure hidden throughout the two rooms that I work across and now I’m trying to plan a quilt that I can use them all in.

I hadn’t realised how heavy the pressure of Book 2 had been weighing on me and now that there’s a pause in production I’ve felt a spring return to my step. For the first time in what seems like a long time I’m excited to get back into the sewing studio and make things that make me happy. However, if I don’t get off this computer I won’t be making anything! Wishing you a fabulous week filled with love, laughter and fabric fondling!

I love this Flying Geese Arrows Quilt free pattern from Emily at Quilty Love. It’s a great one for using those low volume fabrics you’ve been hoarding (or you might like to buy while window shopping – see below). Click here to read more.

••••••••••••••••••••••

I love a cute project and this free pattern for Sock Kangaroo Plushies from Craft Passion is just perfect. Click here to read more.

••••••••••••••••••••••

Looking for a bold and fun way to use those scraps you’ve been accumulating, check out this free pattern for the Haphazard Quilt by Cinita at My Poppet. Click here to read more.

••••••••••••••••••••••

I’m loving this tutorial for making rope baskets from the team at Lia Griffith. Click here to read more.

••••••••••••••••••••••

Susie at Loganberry Handmade has a great tutorial on how to make these iconic chicken pincushions. Click here to read more.

I love to share the cool things that I find during my week of surfing the internet window-shopping and splurging. Here’s my top 4 from this week:

A. I’m stashing: Looking for a quick fussy cutting stash boost? Check out this Fussy Cut Chubby Roll of 20 fabrics. Click here to purchase this on Etsy.

B. I’m sharing: Low volume seems to be the background fad that just won’t quit and this is a great starter bundle. Click here to purchase this on Etsy.

C. I’m chuckling: This print is called, and I kid you not, “Bad Boy Cat”. Totally adding some of this to the collection. Click here to purchase this on Etsy.

D. I’m finding: A class student recently asked me about this print and I found someone selling yards of it so I thought I’d share the details in case you want it too. Click here to purchase this on Etsy.

Have you got an event, a charity drive, a pattern release, a class schedule or something else that you think my community would be interested in hearing about? Why not drop me a line and let me know – I’d love to share it with my readers. Click here to email me.

Elise from Elise & Emelie is hosting The Purse Clasp Book Sew Along and it kicks off on February 19. There’s heaps of prizes, some great skills you can learn and some fun projects to make. Find out more by clicking here.
The Naples Quilters Guild (in Florida) is hosting it’s annual quilt show February 23 – 24. The Guild consists of 320+ members and has been around for 30+ years. The event looks like fun and they’re also raffling off an amazing version the “Quilter’s Patch” quilt designed by Laundry Basket Quilts. Download the show flyer by clicking here.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a very small commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link, in fact in some cases I can offer you a better price via an affiliate link. I will not recommend something that I do not use myself. These commissions help me keep being able to provide you with great content for free. Thank you, in advance for your support!