Thursday, April 26, 2007

Inspiration

A post by Isabelle this week made me think about how blogs and boards that I visit inspire me to try new things and discover new designers. She posted a few links of places that she visits and takes inspiration from. I followed a few of the links and got some inspiration too. That for me is one of the most interesting things about blogs - they link to other blogs, which you would probably never see unless you followed the links.
I enjoy reading Isabelle's blog as she sews some lovely dresses and I enjoy reading French crafting blogs. Karen's blog inspires me to stitch things that I wouldn't have in the past and her finishing ideas are great.

This week via Isabelle's blog, I found a blog called Molly Chicken which features a lot of sewing and stuffed toy making, especially using some fabulous Japanese patterns. The bears are particularly brilliant. I've made a few bears in the past and I quite fancy trying some of the patterns as I have a few pieces of mohair in my craft stash. I ended up on Ebay buying a Japanese craft magazine and a Japanese needlefelting design book largely because of the hedgehog designs that they have in them (I collect hedgehog items) .

Another place that I am being inspired by at present is Etsy . I love the idea of a place like Ebay but that actually seems to value hand crafted items. I bought some hand dyed sock yarn a couple of months ago from a seller and I was very inpressed by them and the yarn. There is such a variety of different things being sold. I love the prints this seller has and this seller has some gorgeous fabrics, some of which are currently flying across the oceans to my house.

Meanwhile, I'm still knitting away on a pair of socks which are very spring like in colour. I'd like to finish them before April is over but that might not happen.

Opal rainbow sock 1

I have already finished a pair of socks this month but they are rather smaller than the ones I normally knit (and they some with a hat and some mitts).


Opal ladybird Hat, socks and mitts


Of course I need knitting inspiration along with inspiration for the other crafts. A forum that I visit Crafty threads n yarns , provides a lot of inspiration and links to lots of stash enhancing shopping. Claire sent me the link to the forum and also supplies regular shopping inspiration too - we seem to be able to enable each other quite easily and share a few similar opinions lol.

9 comments:

Dani - tkdchick said...

the internet inspires us in so many ways! It opens lots of doors!

Thanks for the hugs and good thoughts!

Seahorse said...

Lol! Yes, you are to blame for quite a bit of my stash! I'm very flattered that I am responsible for some of yours as well :)

I hadn't seen Molly Chicken before - she has some gorgeous things. I bought some Japanese pattern books recently too!

Unknown said...

Oh I love, love, love Etsy! I have yet to buy anything, but I'm so tempted to snatch up one of the yummy purses or totes that are sold all over. But then I think, 'I can make that' and thus nothing gets bought and I become obsessed with fabrics and patterns. *sigh* It's a vicious circle.

Aussie Stitcher said...

I love your spring like socks. I have problems with socks in my family, we always seem to lose them, or the washing machine eats them.

stitcherw said...

I love all the different things I can see and learn on the internet as well. It is such fun to be able to meet and interact with other crafters, especially since none seem to live near me to meet with regularly in person.

Your sock looks great, so bright and colorful. They will be a lot of to wear when you are done.
Sue

CraftyPretender said...

Those socks are just too cute! I am about to learn knitting, (I hope!) and want to try sock knitting too.

Patricia Lessell said...

Paula - I bet you knit as quickly and expertly as you stitch.

Please consider yourself tagged. To find out what this means you have to visit my blog which is http://tapestry-of-dreams.blogspot.com/
Love
Patti x

Sue said...

I love your socks, they're very colorful. Your Peacock stitching chair is just stunning. You're the only one I've seen who has actually stitched this. Congrats ;)

MysteryKnitter said...

Thank you for the link. I appreciate it. I mean that forum.