Flu. Bed. Books.

I'm done with being sick (I think). I can sleep easily, I can breathe, and walking a block doesn't tire me out. I've managed to step out a few times to our favorite French cafe on the strand (Nonnahs, you know which one) and eat a whole raspberry chocolate chip muffin. Little things. Be thankful if you're healthy!

While in bed, I did some reading:

1: Destined for Destiny: The Unauthorized Autobiography of George W. Bush, Scott Dikkers and Peter Hilleren. I'm not through with this yet. It's very silly; the pictures with J. Christ are funny but overdone.
2: The Greatest Story Ever Sold: The Decline and Fall of Truth from 9/11 to Katrina, Frank Rich. Interesting book. It's a pity that you have to pay to read the good editorial articles in the New York Times.
3: Enchantment: The Life of Audrey Hepburn, Donald Spoto. Perhaps it was my Harper's Bazaar issue with Natalie Portman dressed in Audrey Hepburn's iconic Breakfast at Tiffany's black dress (shot by Peter Lindberg, btw) that sparked my interest (the cover with the white background offers more contrast). Anyway, I've always liked Miss Hepburn's style.
4: The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel, Diane Setterfield. Brings to mind Zafon's The Shadow of the Wind.
5: Nigeria, Patricia Levy. Part of the Cultures of the World series. Good pictures. Makes me feel nostalgic.
6: Voices from the Mountains, Stephen Venables. Forty true stories of mountaineering and rock climbing. I know I have a streak of crazy/reckless/boldness in me, but some of the people in this book are certifiably nutters.

My mom's commissioned my sister and I to develop a interior theme for her house. My sister's thinking formal, I'm thinking casual but not too floofy. Design ideas, here:
1: Flea Market Style: Decorating with a Creative Edge, Chris Mead and Emelie Tolley.
2: Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Treasure Hunting and Decorating Guide, Rachel Ashwell.
3: Shabby Chic, Rachel Ashwell.

It was inevitable: quilting. Pictures like Julia's Friendship Quilt, Angela's modern quilt, Wee Wonderful Hillary's quilts, Shim + Sons Sally's colorful quilted projects, and all of Yarnstorm Jane Brocket's quilts inspired me. I sketched my first three quilts in one day. Wishful thinking!!!

1: The Quilters Ultimate Visual Guide, edited by Ellen Pahl. A good resource.
2: Passionate Patchwork, Kaffe Fassett and Liza Prior Lucy. Mr. Fassett's famous for his fantastic color jumbles. They're a bit overwhelming; however, I came away with a sense of mixing patterns. Another good resource.
3: Quilted Bags in a Weekend, Ellen Kharade. For the inevitable scraps.

I'll be updating the Stranded KAL roll call this week. I'm continually inspired by everyone's projects!