i got busy hands

I was realizing recently that I haven't posted about very much craftiness since the beginning of 2010, that is of course, aside from the quilt (which may just count for about a year's worth of craftiness).  Don't think this is because I haven't been getting my craft on, oh I have.  Speaking of the quilt, that project really got me going on handwork, mostly knitting but also some handsewing.  In fact, I think I've only turned on my sewing machine two or three times since we moved into our house at the end of October.  Now that we've finally finished painting my workspace and I can start getting that more set up to be used, I'm sure that will change soon, but still, that doesn't change my new love for handwork. 

The main project I've been stitching away at is a little dishtowel from the Alabama Stitch Book.  I picked this book up almost two years ago and am finally getting to a project in it (I know! It's criminal!).  I knew from the moment I cracked open those beautiful pages that I was going to fall deeply in love with this style of work, and I was definitely right.  I've bookmarked a number of other projects to tackle from this book after I finish my introductory attempt at the dishtowel and I can't wait to move on to something a bit more involved. 

I think Amisha has probably been my biggest Alabama Stitch inspiration, in fact last spring she and I hit up the Alabama Chanin trunk show at Barney's NY where we met (me for the first time) Natalie Chanin.  Looking at all those clothes in person was simply amazing and now thinking back on that, I can't wait to get my hands stitching up something more from this book. 

Oh yeah, Natalie Chanin also has a new book and Erin has a great interview up with her about Alabama Studio Style on her blog today.  (It's all I can do to resist buying this second book until I at least get some more projects from the first one done...)  Check it out!