10

This post contains two tens, both courtesy of Flatmate Alice.
The first ten (above) is what ten pounds will buy, if sent to America with a willing and able flatmate. Last November Alice went to a conference in the US, and then on a mini visiting tour. She owed me ten pounds for some domestic reason or another, so I asked for it back in crafty goodness instead of cold hard cash. She scoured the country's finest craft emporia for bargains and came back with what you see (there are three whole yards of the blue floral cotton!). Thank you Alice!

The second ten is a piece of chain-mail goodness: Alice tagged me for a "You Make My Day Award", which has been doing the rounds of the knit-blogosphere. The rules demand that I pass on the warm fuzzies by selecting my own list of 10 blogs which "bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blogland". An arduous task, but one which I shall bravely embrace.

Of course, I will start with a big fat cheat. I have disqualified both Slipped Stitch (as she tagged me) and Tres Chic Veronique (as she tagged Alice)- and I would also like to take this opportunity to clear my name: I do too read Slipped Stitch! I just rarely comment- since I have usually already said whatever it was I would have typed. So, without further ado (and alphabetically):

Blue Garter: Sarah publishes engaging, beautifully photographed posts about things I really wish I'd knitted, with plenty of "real life" titbits too.

Dab Hand: It turns out I actually (sort of) know Ingrid- we met once at a wedding, both as our partner's plus ones, and I very much enjoyed her company. She got in touch when she recognised me in a picture of the Wonder Woman Jumper and I've been hooked on her beautiful blog ever since.

Fehr Trade: Melissa is the most fabulous seamstress/designer that ever lived in a Thames boat. And why, yes, that was her you spotted in the Ikea shower curtain dress.

Green Kitchen: I came across this image of Michelle's Wool Felt Cloche Hat, and fell in love with her work- it's the colours she uses that really get me- dark and faded and beautiful.

I May Be Knitting A Ranchhouse: with that title, what's not to like?!

Needled: This is intelligent, mindful crafting at its best. Kate writes thoughtful essays which hold your attention, and makes the most beautiful things.

Oxford Bluestockings: This is such a cheat! I get seven blogs for the price of one here. Geography and logistics have had me miss more Wednesdays than I would like lately, but I still very much consider myself to be part of this group.

Soulemama: Amanda chronicles her crafty, creative family life in this beautifully photographed blog. It's gorgeous, inspiring and well written. I'm sure she's been nominated by any number of people, but checking Soulemama is so much a part of my daily routine, it would be dishonest not to list her here.

Ysolda: Do you know that if you type "ysolda" straight into the address bar in Firefox it sends you here? This pleases me no end, as, of course, do Ysolda's posts and patterns.

Zeitgeist: Kate is a grad student studying textile design- I love her colour-work, and I really enjoy seeing machine knitting in a blog.

Ouf! That was hard! More pure knitting blogs crept into the final 10 than I expected, but I think that's a reflection of the blogosphere- knitting does seem to be exceptionally well represented. Or maybe I am not enthusiastic enough in my exploration of sewing blogs- guidance gratefully received!

The Rules: Give the award to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blogland. Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times.