In A Bookish, Quilty Mood

Mug rugs!   Family is coming this weekend, so I'm trying to finish up some projects before their arrival. Yesterday I sent out one Halloween quilt as well as a table runner and coasters. Then last night I completed the machine quilting on another blanket, attached the binding and today I'll finish the binding, then add some hand-quilting. Meanwhile I'm getting to grips with a new phone and pondering my next novel. Time waits for no one, let me just say. But there is a beautiful sweetness in what might sound like a hurried rush; last night I took a half hour break at my sewing machine when I received a video call from one of my sons-in-law on behalf of my eldest grandson, who needed help with filling out a family tree for school. Propping the phone against the throat of my machine, I answered questions while my grandson interviewed me, then wrote the responses. I shared stories of growing up on a farm; steering a pick-up set in neutral while my dad tossed hay from the back t...

  I have five chapters left of my next book to read through, then I'll make sure there are no extra spaces at the end of paragraphs. Then I will upload the final version of Gracious Mysteries , which is available as a pre-order from various online retailers. It will be released on the tenth of October, the second novel in my current series That Which Can Be Remembered . I just spent several minutes gathering notes that I cleared off my desk in yesterday's computer swap. Arranging some decorative rocks near my monitor, I wanted to put away scraps related to this collection of stories. If I really wanted to get some cleaning done, I could try to do the same on my sewing table, ahem. But pieces of paper with ideas scribbled in longhand were much easier to sort, stuffing them in a folder, then putting that in a desk drawer. Fabric scraps require more attention; depending on their size and weight on my heart, they would go here or there or way over there. Much simpler to place plot ...

I changed my mind about machine quilting this blanket, but that's another story entirely.   I spent (not wasted) a lot of time this morning swapping out computer towers, monitors, and SIM cards. My usual machine running Ubuntu died a couple of days ago, thankfully I have a second PC, but their respective monitors weren't compatible, so.... I won't even get into the whole SIM card issue, other than to say I'm grateful to have old phones hanging around. And maybe you think, "What does all THAT have to do with storytelling?" And in part, you are absolutely right in throwing such a query my way. And my answer is, "Without a computer, I can't tell any tall tales." Although my cell phone really doesn't have much to do with it, just another wrench in this morning's system.... But I will say that being connected in most manners is important; the phone is how pictures end up on this blog. Other than that.... Ahem. But without a computer, I can...

Thanks to my husband for help with this photo. Someone dear to me has been especially patient; for the past few years she's asked for a Halloween quilt and every time other projects get in the way. This year I'm going to surprise her with this beauty, making a few other shinies in the process. I'm not one for holiday comforters per se; I've made a few Christmas quilts and MANY Christmas placemats and coasters, but otherwise I steer clear of most themes. Not that I don't like bringing out special decorative items, I suppose I prefer quilts with everlasting meanings. I curated these prints a little haphazardly, it's definitely more busy than I meant for it to be. Yet it's a happy quilt, lots of smiles, dancing skeletons, and flashy bats. Spider webs aplenty and some pumpkins that look very much like nice fabric squash; I'm hoping to get some mug rugs from the scraps, as well as another quilt if time allows. I have revisions to sort, but right now I'm i...

So great to have this completed!   As of last night, the Grandmother's Flower Garden English paper pieced quilt is DONE! Washed on tap cold and dried on medium heat, I am pleased at how well the minky backing weathered, not to mention the rest of it. That backing, while adorable, was a bit of headache in how easily the nap is ruffled, but I imagine that element will be a fun distraction while my granddaughter fiddles with it when she goes to bed. The weight of it is not too heavy, another relief; I worried that between all the extra fabric each hexie possesses combined with my usual brand of cotton batting, a minky back would be cumbersome for a youngster to wrangle. Of course it will be put to the test in a few weeks, but hopefully she will find it cozy and comfortable and what more can a quilting grandma desire? Yet these two paragraphs, while necessary to frame this achievement, don't answer the question of today's title, which I pondered this morning amid stacks of dish...

A very snuggly quilt, with a little Solitaire tucked along the side. After waxing somewhat lyrically about taking things slowly, I've spent the last two days getting back into a busy-ish routine; made a binding strip and attached it, also started sewing a new quilt top. Last night I sat with the EPP project and began hand-stitching the final seams related to my granddaughter's Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt, which seems a bit odd to write but certainly felt fabulous to sew. I did two sides, then changed positions on the couch, using that blanket for myself, pondering just slightly how marvelous it was to be that close to completion. Then I found myself nodding off, so I summarily headed to bed, even if it was just eight p.m. Still catching up on rest after last week's adventures, I slept hard this past night, but thoughts swirl about a quilt that for over a year has been in the works, not a huge amount of time for an English paper pieced effort, but certainly worthwh...

Hand-quilting DONE! Now to start the finishing touches. I arrived home yesterday afternoon, grateful for the time spent with family and equally relieved to be off the road. I do enjoy a journey spent behind the wheel and it goes without saying how much I love being with my children and grandkids. However I am not the spry gal of years before, and I didn't do much once stepping into my house other than eating dinner fixed by my hubby, then managing a little hand-sewing. I plopped into bed shortly after eight p.m. and slept hard all night. Rising early, as is my usual custom, I drank my coffee and tea while chatting with my spouse; darkness enveloped the landscape not only due to when I woke, but that the sun has moved further along the horizon, the middle of September fast approaching. I'd had a grand plan to start a novel this month, but I was kidding myself; not only have I yet to choose an idea, but quilts are muscling their way onto the docket, as well as a much anticipated ...

Honeycomb Stars coming together! I'm off to see family, will be looking after my grandsons for a few days while their folks enjoy a little getaway. A road trip is thrown in for good measure, so today I picked blackberries and tomatoes; I need to remember to refreeze the berries this evening. I have read through the second novel in my current series, cut fabric for autumnal quilts that I'll start when I return. And I finished the blocks for the Honeycomb Stars quilt, although plenty of sewing remains on that project. Something for the middle of October, I'm guessing. And these triangles don't scare me at all.... I don't make this quilt how it's presented in the pattern. Instead of chain piecing groups of colours, I chain piece a row at a time. Makes for more work, but I prefer designing the quilt top, then sewing the blocks. This is as futzy as my machine-pieced quilting gets, but I'm taking some Cornflower blocks that need basting, keeping me busy when free ...

Last night's accomplishment; I love how the elephant is just peeking out and the blue heart buttons too. Despite an assertive marine layer that over the past few days hasn't permitted more than scattered hours of filtered sunshine, this morning I'm feeling good. Contented. Not quite without a care but certainly quite joyful. The last week or more angst has clouded my heart, yet while mourning lasts a night, morning dawns anew each day. While I realize some of why I've been blue, other reasons were less clear; one can grumble about the writing or more rightly what book comes next for only so long. And even if I change my mind AGAIN, that's fine. What will be will definitely be and it's not for me to waste time grousing inwardly. Too many good things in this life occur for them to be usurped by what I have no control over. If that sounds trite, forgive me. Because in this life there are many awful events, and I have no wish to be flippant. Twenty-five years ago my...