Living the Dream?

There are many blogs on the Internet where the 'blogger' appears to be 'living THE dream' whereas I have been 'living IN A dream'  for more years than I dare to count.  For too long I have tried to convince myself that if I was surrounded with images of the lifestyle I aspire to it would somehow come true.  In fact it has had the opposite effect.  After years of keeping so many back issues of magazines taunting me of what could have been, today I decided to liberate them to the recycling bin.

I have spent literally hundreds of pounds over the last few decades on County Living Magazine, Martha Stewart and a whole plethora of craft and needlework magazines.  I feel as though I have wasted so much time and energy on them yet at the time they were a quick and relatively cheap fix to fulfil a need.

I think I am an addict of sorts but thankfully my addiction is only magazine related.  I bought my last magazine of 2012 yesterday, the Christmas issue of 'The Simple Things'. I am not going to buy any magazines in 2013.  In retrospect they have left me feeling empty and dissatisfied with 'my lot' in life.

After the magazine cull I am feeling slightly bereft as though I am parting with my dreams.  Now that my paper perfect life has been designated to the bin, maybe I can get on with my real life?

Magic Patch Magazine Winner

Thank you for all your suggestions where Veronique could open a shop in the UK. I will forward the suggestions on to her.

Well, eight names went into the hat and my son pulled out the winner's name.

Congratulations to Debbie of debbies-english-treasures! I am sure you will find something to inspire you within the magazine.

Born to Quilt and a Giveaway

I was looking through the craft magazines on a recent shopping spree and was bored by all the usual card making and sewing magazines until I picked up a special copy of 'magic patch' called 'Born to Quilt'. The reason this magazine is special is that the whole issue is dedicated to Veronique Requena the Franco-Canadian artist who is the owner of the Born to Quilt shop in France. Her shop recreates the atmosphere of American quilt shops.

I cannot praise this issue of the magazine highly enough. I am so inspired by the words and pictures that I really want to become a quilter NOW!!!

I should think there is something in the magazine to please everyone. There is a sewing machine cover, quilted notebook covers (shown below), quilted cats, bags, quilts, wall hangings etc. There are large projects and small projects for beginners to the more advanced quilters.

The photography in this magazine is superb. I only wish my pictures could do it justice.

The beautiful quilt above is at a level for beginners. I love the soft and muted shades.

The quilt featured above is for more advanced quilters.

The pretty little piece above is a doiley. This may be one of the first projects I attempt from the magazine.

A huge plus factor about this particular issue is that all the patterns are given as full sized so there is no photocopying or scaling up required. Have I told you how fantastic this magazine is?!!! Edited: some of the patterns require enlarging but most are full sized.

In addition to all the lovely projects (I think there are 15 in total) there are beautiful pictures of Veronique's home and shop and of her handsome Chocolate Labrador named Jules.

I love this magazine very much (could you guess?) and it has already become very well-thumbed through. I had to share all this gorgeousness with you so I bought another copy.

Would you like to be in with a chance of winning it? If so, then leave a comment here suggesting where Veronique could open a shop in the UK where it is easy to get to and from Dover or just a comment in general and I will draw a name out of a hat (or similar) next Wednesday. Good luck! By the way if you would like to visit Veronique's website it is http://www.borntoquilt.fr/

The competition is now closed. I will be drawing a name later today!