in touch

[Lotta Jansdotter's Glimma fabrics, upside down]

I feel as though I've been out of touch for a while, with myself as much as with the world. Recently, though, I've had an early September-style rush of enthusiasm for work and making and getting back in touch. 

I'm making quilts again. Cutting out Lotta Jansdotter fabrics while watching cricket (we have a vested interest as one of Tom's friends is playing in the finals) which means I nearly always miss the spectacular moments when the bails fly off or someone is run out. The fabrics are demanding a different sort of design to one I normally do and it really hurts my brain trying to calculate and work it all out. In the end, as ever, I am just cutting out what I think will work, and will improvise if necessary. Or make it all look planned and deliberate.

[Rosa's book]

I don't read too many blogs these days, but I stay in touch with some old favourites. A little while ago I bought Rosa Pomar's knitting book partly because I thought it looked lovely, and partly because I admire Rosa's style and her commitment to her subject. Over many years of blogging (Rosa was one of the first), she has remained true to her own style and her interests, and as a result has done, and is doing, a huge amount for Portuguese handicrafts and Portuguese customs and life. The book is in Portuguese (it should be translated into English, really, as I'm sure there's a market in Portugal and elsewhere for Portuguese books in English) but it doesn't really matter (a little like the wonderful Finnish and Japanese books I have). It's a mix of Portuguese knitting history, instructions, and a number of patterns (socks, scarves hats). The photos are great, and the book goes way beyond your average knitting title.

Another blog I like is Oyster and Pearl. I met Lottie when she invited me to speak at the Malago WI, and she is an incredibly talented photographer. As with Rosa, I enjoy Lottie's blog's sense of place and the way she is so in touch with Bristol - I want to visit old haunts and discover new ones every time I read it.

[Kaffe Fassett's Quilt Grandeur]

I've also just got my hands on Kaffe Fassett's new book (the annual Rowan one), and it's a great collection this year. So many good ideas, so many beautiful quilts, such a grand setting (and it looks as though it was all great fun on the shoot). 

[right way up, the way I now feel]

I hadn't been to London for a while, but we went to see the BL propaganda exhibition yesterday. A good idea spread too thinly and too widely defined; since when have public information films stressing the need to cross the road safely qualified as propaganda? Better to stick to political propaganda (and to give visitors the choice of whether they wish to hear Alistair Campbell on an audible loop on two screens - very ironic in a propaganda that you can't mute him). It's rather cold and gloomy in there, so you need specs and a cardie, and warm-up at Princi.

It's nice to be back in touch.