London Calling Issue 3 - Time for Tea

What's the point in celebrating all things English if you've forgotten the national pastime - and what should really be considered an Olympic sport - drinking Tea!

Whilst we have some gorgeous traditional tea-stained florals, teacups and teddy bears throughout the stores currently, I'm acutely aware that it's not only my grandmother drinking tea (despite the lovely cuppa she made me on Sunday afternoon).

So for the bold and the beautiful amongst you, our ever-popular printed poplins are bringing a good old dose of BRIT-POP!
 

In teacups...get it? See what I did there?

These "London Calling" Poplins are strong and sweet - just like I like my tea (and my men - am I right, ladies?). Available in three eye-popping designs, they're fabulous fun!

London Calling Poplin, 112cm wide, $12.99m. In stores now!

London Calling Issue 2 - You know the Drill

So yesterday I got all nostalgic about what I was thinking four years ago, looking forward to the Olympics. But I never let on my little secret, something I'm looking forward to the most...


Lizzie.

Thumbs Up, Lizzie!

Yeah, she'll be there. My style guru is opening both the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games. While she always opens the Commonwealth Ceremonies, this will be her first Olympics since Montreal in 1972.

The Queen and Prince Philip in Montreal

While we don't have a Queen of the Office (though I'm sure the title is hotly contested by many), we do have Dolly, our faithful mannequin. So we're pulling on the regalia and dressing her up...

'scuse the backdrop

Dolly models here our Flag Drill Panel - a complete Union Jack for your sewing pleasure!

This season we're teaming up flags with, you guessed it... more flags! The National Flag collection has both Union Jacks and Australian flags in three sizes - including a full sized panel.
It's not exactly mink-lined robes, but I reckon anyone draped in a flag looks like they should be ruling something, right?


Right.


National Flags Drill, 100% Cotton, 112cm. In store now.

Tomorrow, The Olympic Dream continues...

London Calling Issue 1 - Quilty Pleasures

A little under four years ago, as the Beijing Olympics drew to a close, I couldn't help but think that I was more excited about the fact that the next Summer Games would be held in London.
"I'll be there," I told myself, "I'll be there to watch all the sports (especially the diving, and the athletics, and the gymnastics, and anything else involving lycra), and it'll be the best experience of my entire life!"

Cut to four years later and I'm not there, and nor will I be, but I'm here, writing to you, so let's hold hands and pretend, yes?

So I present to you, London Calling: Issue One.

With 86 days and about 17 minutes until the Opening Ceremony Kicks off, I realise we only really have about 85 crafting & sewing days to prepare. So we're getting in early to get you all excited about the games and their ENDLESS SEWING POTENTIAL.

Issue one starts with Quilting (because these things take time). As you've seen before on the blog, we have a gorgeous range of Icon Linen, but I felt it best to remind you again.

Icon Travel Linen, London, with a cute Applique bus!

And covering your Journal! (fill it with pictures of attractive athletes)

Amy over at Diary of a Quilter has come up with these awesome Union Jack quilt blocks, which you could use in innumerable fabrics and projects - aren't they sweet?

Check them out on her blog here.

We've also found a great pattern for you to make your own here.


So that's whet my appetite for a pie floater, or maybe some chips with gravy. I'm off to find lunch. But while I'm away, why don't you share with us your project plans for London 2012? Leave us a comment or leave us some love on Facebook.

In London Calling: Issue Two we'll be drilling down into the history of the games!

God Save the Queen!