Thursday, February 28, 2013

Another literary win

related [litandlaundry.blogspot.com]
Truth Universally Acknowledged
I couldn't be more excited. It's absolutely true that Drama Girl has always made it clear how much she dislikes my favorite book.  In part I suspect it was part of a general separation from anything that mom found cool. 

But as Elizabeth Bennet would say all that is behind us now.  My pride and her prejudice have reconciled over this wonderful event.

Funny thing, the whole family kept it a secret from me that she was auditioning for this.  I knew she was trying out for a production, but she never really answered questions about it and let me think it was another student-written play.

Guess who's studying every page of the book now? 

I'm trying so hard not to gloat.  All I can say is, watch out Mr. Darcy;  if anyone was born to play the smart, bookish, opinionated Elizabeth, it's Drama Girl.

Here's another picture of the sampler hanging by my harp:


Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Off to sew!

Sew Forth

related [litandlaundry.blogspot.com]
Sew Forth
I'm leaving Friday for a six day class in machine quilting at Asilomar.  This is always so exciting for me.  Being around amazing talented women is like taking creativity vitamins.  I get inspired not just by the beautiful work that everyone does, but by their energy and their stories.  Quilters love to talk about their quilts and I love to listen. 

Here at home I have a hard time stealing hours to quilt because of our busy family schedule, but for this one week, quilting is the only job and the only expectation.  When I'm free from the demands of kids and laundry and volunteer work, my brain explodes with creative ideas and energy.

But the work I get done is only a part of it.  Meeting quilters from all over the country is great fun.  New people who all share a common love.  Conversations at dinner always start with quilting and what we've learned and sewing machines, but they soon move on to families and life and what we all share as women in the 21st century.  Quilters are the greatest people. 

Then there's the beautiful setting.  Beach and forest and no televisions!  My kind of place.

So wish me luck - I'm hoping to become better at what I love to do.  I'm so grateful to have this opportunity.


Friday, February 22, 2013

Finished for Friday: Block keeper

Some quilt blocks take a long time to put together, or embroider, or embellish.  I used to roll them up carefully or try to set them on a table between work sessions hoping things wouldn't shift around too much.  Of course some clever quilter came up with a pattern to keep blocks in progress.

I made this from an orphan block.  I made the block in an applique class years ago and it's been sitting in my pile of orphans.  Perfect size for this project.

The front and back pockets have foam core inside and a flannel surface for blocks in progress to stick to.

Here's an example of some hexies ready to go.

I'm excited today because Drama Girl is coming home tomorrow.  She's been on an extended trip through the South visiting historic civil rights sites and meeting people who were involved.  It's a huge history lesson and we've enjoyed hearing her talk 90 miles an hour on the phone about the whole adventure.  Ten days is a long time though (for me!) so I'm ready to have her come home and tell me everything in person.  I'll be a wreck when she goes away to college.  I can already tell.


Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Patriotic Quilt - Done!


This quilt is called "Celebrating Freedom" and the pattern is from McCall's Quilting May/June 2012 issue.

I'm proud that almost all of this fabric was from my stash - so the quilt was free, right?  The picture doesn't quite show how scrappy the reds are, but there are a lot of different fabrics in there.  I love scrappy quilts.  I spend a lot of time moving things around on my design wall and planning them so they look totally unplanned.

I'll always remember this quilt for the half-square triangles.  Not my favorite thing to sew up.  See all the tiny ones on the outer border?  I was brilliant enough to sew two sides of the border completely backwards.  Had to take the stitches out between every set of triangles and restitch them the other direction.  I'm pretty sure I'll never make that mistake again.

 This is a summery quilt, but it gets to stay out on display now because it's new.  I think it works well in my colorful living room.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Oh Downton!

The Sorrow We Share

related [litandlaundry.blogspot.com]
The Sorrow We Share
Oh Downton! How could you do this to us?  And yet we've known all along that under that classy, well-dressed veneer you were just a roller-coaster ride of emotions.

But I regret nothing.  I'm glad I watched despite the tears.  Because Carson with a baby?  Priceless.

I actually made this toonlet a few weeks ago after that other bad thing happened.  Seemed appropriate to post again today.

I'm off to have some tea and a sniffle...

Friday, February 15, 2013

Rabbits Prefer Chocolate - Done!

This project has been rather epic.  I started it years ago and have chipped away at it off and on.  It's an Easter quilt really, but I'm hanging it on my wall now.

The pattern is "Rabbits Prefer Chocolate" by Bunny Hill Designs.  You can get it here.  The rabbit shapes are based on antique chocolate molds.


I added a Ghirardelli chocolate ribbon as a scarf to one of my bunnies.  It's a San Francisco chocolate company, for those who haven't heard of it.  Of course I was careful to pick off all the stray threads before I took pictures and here you go - stray thread on his car.  It's gone now.

There are lots of embroidery and buttons and ribbons and ric-rac details.  I could probably go on embellishing this one forever but it's time to stop and move on to the next project.

Doing the happy dance now that this one is done!

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