The water is back on. Exhaustion has caught up with me. My eyes feel very, very heavy and sore. If you're visiting from The Age or the Sun Herald article in Sunday Life, Hello! Welcome! I would like to thank everyone who sent support wishes over the last few days. Sometimes, lots, and lots of small things can be just as overwhelming as one giant thing, but I will leave the how and why for another day - there are things I want to say, I just need to find the right words to say them.
Finally, though, I can show this off + a simple quilt along the same lines as one I made for Pia last year, but this time for Di (have a look at her flickr photos for all the details): imminently ready for baby to arrive, and she's taken much better photos of the finished piece. A linen base, with sashiko embroidered abstract trees to match the Ikea canvas top. Along the middle runs a line of squares contributed by Blossom, Kirsty and myself - a lovely mix of cashmere, cottons, wools, linen printed tape by Abbytrysagain and ribbon tags to hang toys off. A little dog even made it into the package as well using more donated materials and left over Echino Estuko Furuya fabrics and wool...I popped a little bell inside so it rattles too (pattern in this japanese craft book). Woof.
Belinda - from the comments to this post, suggested I go buy fabric. So I did.
Speaking of babies, Hillary's little bundle arrived - Congratulations!
Thank goodness you have water again.
How does a mother of a 4 year old and a baby function without water- sticky fingers/faces, nappies/bottoms to wipe, vomit... the list goes on???
Good grief!
Gorgeous quilt and little dog; and CLOTH fabric- swoon. Sublime choice Alison.
Kudos on the age article also, boy I'm worn out just thinking about your last week.
I think I need some chocolate and fabric purchasing now too, what the hell.
Posted by: belinda | June 10, 2007 at 05:08 PM
wonderful article in the sydney paper today!
Posted by: corrie | June 10, 2007 at 07:27 PM
Once again a beautiful quilt - such a lovely gift!
Posted by: Rebecca | June 10, 2007 at 08:10 PM
Retail therapy - that was a good idea.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | June 10, 2007 at 09:20 PM
good energy to you to find your balance again.
be well
Mary
Posted by: Mary | June 10, 2007 at 09:22 PM
Just reading your post made me want to *sniff* cry. I don't 'rough it' too well; you are evidently made of some pretty stern stuff. The quilt is beautiful, elegant in it's simplicity, and patch-pup is a riot... he's terribly spiffy. Hope y'all are back to better, or at least cleaned up and resting comfortably. (and I loved your word "unsticked" btw...) Knitter/quilter hugs from across the big, blue ocean. Cami
Posted by: Cami | June 10, 2007 at 10:13 PM
HEY AL!!
WE'RE FAMOUS!!
TOP THAT!!
Posted by: shula | June 10, 2007 at 10:41 PM
oooooh. another amazing, beautiful quilt.
Posted by: joanna | June 10, 2007 at 11:41 PM
your quilt is stunning, as usual...
we just had big storm in toronto, no power for 24 hours...kind of tricky...
love your new fabric !!!
Posted by: karen | June 11, 2007 at 02:03 AM
This is just to say how I admired your drive. I seem to have lost mine. My little shed is crammed with fabrics, wool etc but grandchildren and family commitments just get in the way. Maybe I'm just letting them. Need a go button pressed and your blog sight might just be the thing to do it. Wonderful work even with two small children. Congratulations
Posted by: lilian woodcock | June 11, 2007 at 01:03 PM
This is just to say how I admired your drive. I seem to have lost mine. My little shed is crammed with fabrics, wool etc but grandchildren and family commitments just get in the way. Maybe I'm just letting them. Need a go button pressed and your blog sight might just be the thing to do it. Wonderful work even with two small children. Congratulations
Posted by: lilian woodcock | June 11, 2007 at 01:03 PM
I'm with Mary on this one. You managed to inspire all of us with your beautiful work during a really bad time. I can't wait for one of your really great times! Those kids have a great momma.
Posted by: Christie | June 11, 2007 at 08:26 PM
Did I miss something?
Posted by: Carson | June 12, 2007 at 08:43 AM
Good luck with the clean-up/catch-up on sleep! I wish you all the best and look forward to seeing more of your lovely posts in the future.
I've only just started getting into crafty things and I'm hugely inspired by your lovely site :-)
Thank you!
Posted by: Juddie | June 12, 2007 at 09:02 AM
hey, nice blurb & comments in Sunday Life mag - good on you! you are certainly an inspiration to me. also feeling your pain re no water- aaarrrrggghhh!! horrid. i am hoping this may be a better week on all fronts for you. :)
Posted by: kirsten | June 12, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Beautiful quilt and toy!
I'm glad you have water again. I know what that's like - no water, 2 dirty & messy kids = v stressful life. I hope you take your own advice and take it easy. Exhaustion is no good! Tomorrow is another day.
Posted by: ling | June 13, 2007 at 07:26 AM
love the quilt and you know I have a soft spot for Doggie (and Croc) especially when I recognize a piece of my most favorite fabric! The polka dots? same fabric that's in the banner of my blog! I also have to reiterate what several posters have said, you are such an inspiration! Sending hugs from across the big pond...
Posted by: Heidi | June 13, 2007 at 08:13 PM
yay! for hot water. not sure i would have faired as well as you home alone and all...
the quilt is divine. and the pup too cute.
but what i REALLY want to know is: is there Prada in your future? ;)
Posted by: girlh | June 14, 2007 at 12:11 AM
this is the most amazing quilt. i love that it's a collaboration. it's so sophisticated. and refreshing.
was thinking of this yesterday when i saw in a British Bazaar magazine Kate Moss wearing a shirt that looked like it had simple straight stitch doodle like embroidery on the sleeves. very unusual looking, hard to describe. but reminds me of some of your work. i'll photograph it for you and send it over.
Posted by: michele | June 14, 2007 at 06:34 AM
Hi Gorgeous Quilt and great blog. Ive just started mine and would love to add you to my faves if thats ok?
Kind regards
zoesquid
Posted by: zoesquid | June 17, 2007 at 10:22 AM
Hey there, thanks for the advice on the travel cots, I thought that would be the case. Hope your water supply is back in action and the weekends recent deluge didn't set you back again. Who would believe two weeks in a row. Thank heavens we don't live in Newcastle!
Posted by: Ness | June 17, 2007 at 09:57 PM
the quilt and dog are so good alison. i love the sashiko echoing the top fabric, the linen, the tags... perfect. and the colors + textures in the pup are wonderful.
Posted by: amisha | July 10, 2007 at 05:52 AM