24 May 2012

my creative space . . . 'Amy Butler fabric crush'

Greetings all,
In preparation for some sewing over Winter with my new hands (finally feeling creative & inspired, 3 months after bilateral carpal tunnel decompression surgery) i went a bit nuts last week ordering fabric.  I purchased the re-release range of Amy Butler's Gypsy Caravan fabrics - total flash back to what i was doing 10 years ago, at the beginning of my business, now i'm at the end.  
I discovered a passion for patchwork when i was 23, pregnant with my first baby & desperate for a whimsical patchwork quilt for the nursery - i couldn't find anything, so taught myself how to quilt.  Only in 1998 'patchwork' = spinster/ grandmother/ Amish - with dull fabrics to match.  I plodded along, then the vintage/ retro reproduction fabric print explosion started in the USA, i would beg for them to accept my Australian credit card & send me fabrics, slowly building up my product range . . . then Amy Butler launched onto the scene with the most stunning colours, patterns, styles, ideas - a fresh modern twist on traditional patchwork & i've had a crush on her ever since!!
 There is barely a fabric of hers in any colour way, i have not purchased over the last decade.  I want to create a huge patchwork quilt for Spring, in a decade's worth of her fabrics!!  That is some hard core collecting in my stash.
 What i also love about her, along with her excellent attitude, is that she works full time with her husband.  I'm about to spend the next 2 WHOLE months with my husband, i can't wait!!  He's on leave, i'm a housewife, only thing on the to-do-list is . . . purchase a property in the country.  I will not get sick of him for one moment, he's impossible to be annoyed with & this isn't just post-war-honeymoon giddiness talking!!  I will squeal out all my dreams & plans, he will nod & work out the reality, we work well together.  
 What a day - husband home (from post-war-decompression) just in time for the high school cross country at Yarralumla (among the kangaroos) & huge parcels in the mail (gear my husband sent himself from Afghanistan, fabric & goodies) + the first anniversary issue of Mollie Makes Magazine.
 It rained all afternoon, so we ducked into a cafe for a delicious lunch (quality time with the teen) then headed for primary school, all the while i flicked through my fabric & magazine.  You see, when your husband is away for months & months, you literally NEVER sit in the passenger seat, so i take full advantage when i can. 
Check out more Creative Spaces here, love Posie

15 comments:

Anne said...

Sounds like life will be good!Enjoy!
Cheers
Anne

Ady said...

How wonderful to read about you having your husband home again. I too have an unhealthy yen for all fabrics Butler. It does not help in the slightest that I have a fab quilting shop a mere 10 mins walk form my house. The willpower I have learnt to cultivate over the 20 years we've lived here astonishes even me! Enjoy your time with your husband.

Jane said...

Oh Jennie. Life over at yours is full on, as usual. So glad your Handsome Soldier is back with you. I'm looking forward to that edition of MM! J x

The Accidental Housewife said...

Two whole months together! Awesome! So pleased for you, gorgeous. Enjoy!

Polly said...

I just love Amy Butler fabrics, what is there not to love about them.

Jan Maree said...

Big welcome home to the handsome soldier and here is to a lovely weekend to kick off your glorious two months together! Can't wait to see what you create now your hands are working!

TexWisGirl said...

i truly hope you can find and purchase your dream land!!!

polkadotpeticoat said...

Inspired are you....can't wait to see the finished projects!!

Cas said...

i look forward to veiwing this summer quilt, sounds like it's going to be gorgoeus...i just recieved my mollie makes too & gushed over the amy butler story. im fairly new to quilting & glad i am as like you said theres plenty of dull, amish looking quilts out there. bring on the colour :) enjoy your husband, i had giggles of excitement for you !!

Woollybutt Hill said...

Enjoy your days together. Also enjoyed latest Mollie Makes and had to craft despite packing and moving so made a Mollie for t over lunch. I hope your dream property pops up soon. x M.

Lisa - Sweet Little Pretties said...

Cant wait to see what you create with those fantastic fabrics!

The Provincial Homemaker said...

Sounds like a brilliant day. Enjoy your new fabric and all that time with your husband!

Fiona @ Brave New Vintage said...

You made me smile. For you. I hope this loveliness continues for a long time. xx Fi

Nancy said...

Funny how fabric taste changes over time. I loved country pinks and blues twenty years ago. Now I head for yellow greens and vibrant blues. My mother had a lot of colour rules - no pink and red; no blue and green. I feel that most of them are made to be broken!! Gorgeous fabric - I love Amy Butler. Enjoy your husband - so nice to have time together to figure things out...

Marian Hazel said...

It's on my bucket list, to make a quilt. I saw a very striking red & white one. Hmmm one day.