There is a reason I’m not blogging at the moment.

For the last six months I’ve spent my evenings and weekends writing a book. It’s all very exciting, but also a hell of a lot of work. I figured I’d give the blog a rest while I concentrated on that. I figured you’d all forgive me.

I’ll be back to the blog in January, when the manuscript is filed. Looking forward to catching up with you all then.

(It’s called Material World, by the way, and it’s being published by Virgin books next October. I CANNOT WAIT to show you all. And, of course, it’s all about craft.)

I’m breaking my blogging rule just once …

… because these Christmas cards are the most beautiful I’ve seen on Etsy and Folksy (on an unrelated note, go see the newly-designed Folksy website design – it’s much prettier).

Buy from VickiliciousDesigns on Etsy.

Out of office

I am still around. I am still tweeting. But I have a very hefty freelance project on at the moment and, what with that and the 9-5 job at Psychologies, it doesn’t leave much time for blogging.

I will be back though, with all kinds of exciting craft nuggets as soon as I have a spare moment.

Ooh, French Connection really love knitting.

Look at the window of their Oxford Street store…

Oh, so anorexia and craft DO mix then.

Tsk.

Snooki off Jershey Shore gets her craft on.

Nice to see her embellishing her own boots (via ology.com)

Ooh, a knitted boat.

And it’s actually going to sail, according to the BBC.

A round of applause for John Lewis.

I’ve not ventured into their haberdashery for a few months (MacCulloch and Wallis on Dering Street has taken my custom because it’s 1. An indy and 2. Has a better selection of fabric.)

There’s not a hand embroidery thread in sight there, however, which meant a quick trip to JL. And what a most wonderful surprise. The haby has moved, it’s bigger, there’s more fabric and more yarn, there’s less focus on pricey kits and more on materials (something I was annoyed at last year), there are many (or seems to be more) experts on hand to help, there’s a large table in the middle so you can peruse pattern books, and there’s even a few creative flourishes (I love the knitted chair covers).

It seems there’s been a concerted effort to challenge the online stores, by creating a much nicer Real Life crafting experience.

Keep up the good work John Lewis (and make sure this this is rolled out across the country).

New Rowan shizzle.

Introducing ‘tragicrafting’, and a craft memorial to Steve Jobs.

I LOVE Regretsy.