Hi! It’s just me popping my head around the door to say hello! I hope this newsletter finds you all well and busy in your lives. But not so busy that you’re not getting any quilting done! I have those times, and I must say I think I suffer from withdrawal symptoms! Just recently I’ve been so busy organising and sorting and writing and all that stuff that I’ve not had time to sit and make. Sit and stitch. Sit and think!

I’ve known for a while that if I can’t get a needle into my hand during the day, the next best thing is a book! Ten minutes of flicking through my favourite quilt book and I’m sated. For a while at least. I have found that the computer and the World Wide Web is not as good a substitute for a book. With the computer you can get sooooooo distracted! And the time goes three times as fast on the computer than it does flicking through the pages of a book.

I think books will be with us for a long time to come. Sure the kindle and other electronic books are being raved about, but you’ll surely change your mind when you fall asleep in bed with a kindle in your hand. Ouuuch!!
Last week I reviewed a book that was sent to me by a very interesting fellow from the US. Dr John L Oldani has written a very interesting and informative book titled “You did what in the ditch?” Love the title.

Dr Jack (as he prefers to be known) has managed to gather the most incredible amount of data from his enormous research into the folklore of quilting in America and has filled this book to overflowing with incredibly interesting stuff. Here’s the link to my review of his book: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art171806.asp You can purchase the book at Amazon.com. Let me know what you think.

The forum has been having a bit of chat recently. We welcomed a new reader to the forum and it sounds like she’s got some great projects on the go. Here’s the link to the forum. Pop on it and have your say.
http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=43

So, as usual here’s a collection of little gems I’ve found on the web for you to browse through this week. Have fun!

http://www.craftpassion.com/2010/06/crochet-pattern-yoyo-puff-wide-brim-hat-for-girl.html this is so cute and a way to use all those Suffolk puffs (otherwise known as Yo-Yo’s), even though this pattern is for crocheting the Suffolk Puffs.

http://welovelaughkiss.wordpress.com/2009/09/02/she-says-do-it-myself-dim-lace-paper-envelope/ again, not patchwork but just a glorious idea

http://servingpinklemonade.blogspot.com/2011/01/quiet-book.html a simply beautiful Quiet Book for granny to make. It’s absolutely gorgeous.

http://thinkcrafts.com/blog/2010/12/28/diy-dog-collar/ a little dog collar for your pooch

http://theprojectcorner.blogspot.com/2010/11/scarf-weekproject-1-neck-scarf.html this is really cute, and great for those chilly days. (I know, the northern hemisphere in into spring!!)

http://appliquetoday.blogspot.com/2010/10/zig-zag-quilt-tutorial.html zig zag block tutorial

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2010/12/fabric-chain.html a cute idea to make for birthdays and other celebrations

http://www.examiner.com/quilting-in-national/gifts-for-quilters-homemade-fabric-jellyrolls Handmade jelly rolls from your stash

Well my dear quilting friends, I must away. It’s a beautiful clear sunny (chilly) morning and I’ve got washing that’s busting to get out on the line and flap about in the wind.
Take care and we’ll speak again next week
Cheerio for now

Judie Bellingham, Quilting Editor
http://Quilting.bellaonline.com

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