This week, I've been a bit consumed by the stamp-carving bug. I have the crazy idea that I'd love to stamp and paint wood (wood?! There aren't heaps of that lying around here in London!) and so have been working on some "natural" stamps that might go nicely with that kind of project: a mushroom, a flower wreath, a typewriter (?).

This week, the East End WI got involved in a bit of craftivism. We joined the #imapiece campaign which is an art installation dedicated to raising awareness of the injustice of world hunger in advance of the G8 campaign. Also, there were ukuleles. Unrelated. We all met up in the Fabrications Imaginarium on Broadway Market for a bit of tea and crafting, and got stuck right in. The Imaginarium is a beautiful area below the Fabrications shop; it has the most fabulous natural light which streams in to create a bright and airy craft space - ideal for when you're stitching little letters onto fabric jigsaw pieces. Also perfect for the many workshops held there.

Do you remember the Jane Austen Knits Summer Pelisse? Well, I ran out of yarn.

I knew I would, but I still waited until the very last stitch to admit that I had to buy another ball.

Finally, it arrived by post, and I was able to finish off the last few rows on the sleeves.

The days don't have enough hours in them.

It's been a while since I last had a project to post about in my Wednesday WIP series! With so many new things on the go, there hasn't been a lot of works in progress. Must. Finish. Something.

This past week I managed to find a little time to finally finish stitching on the binding to my Garden Party Quilt.

This year, one of my New Years Resolutions was to learn more. At the top of my list was to revisit something I did when I was quite little - stamp carving. I remember carving stamps out of potatoes (does anyone else remember this?!) and lino blocks. I remember the fun of stamping all over table cloths, and making stamp prints all over wrapping paper - and the fun of knowing that the design is all yours because you carved it. Just like that.


So when I read that Gennine D Zlatkis (one of my favourite bloggers) had released her first book Making an Impression, I pre-ordered my copy. I was beyond excited.

I'm delighted to tell you now that the book is fabulous. It's everything I wanted from it : a glorious collection of paper ephemera and eye-candy. I already know how to carve stamps, but this book goes beyond that to inspire you with new designs, new ways of stamping, and new ideas.

I also ordered some of the "proper stuff" for stamp carving - speedycarve rubber blocks. They took a month to arrive, but have finally come through the letter box this afternoon.

That's some really great timing: I've been whittling away at rubber blocks for a few weeks now, doodling designs onto erasers and other carve-able materials to practice.


There have been little bits of rubber all over the house.
I've discovered some stamp-making dos and don'ts too.

Don't carve towards yourself.
Your thumb is not a rubber block. Ow.
Do get lots of plasters.
Do spend a bit more to get sharper, more precise lino blades.
Do buy 50p giant erasers for carving practice before switching to the £10 carving blocks.
Do ink your block while carving - it's good to see what the impression is going to be like as you progress.
Don't panic if it doesn't work. It's ok. Try again.

There's nothing nicer than having a few minutes to yourself to do whatever you like. 

I'm really pleased with this Summer Pelisse pattern! I've finished the left and right fronts, and the back. I cast on for the sleeves last night, but I'm about to run out of yarn so I think a trip up to the yarn shop is in order! The perfect Saturday morning treat, methinks. I'd like to think that Jane would agree, too.

The Summer Pelisse is coming along nicely - I've knitted the right front, and I'm almost done with the back. Next up: cast off the back and knit the right front before moving onto sleeves.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the first publication of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. It only follows that this year should be all-things Jane Austen-y. Even knitting.