Friday, May 25, 2012

To Read or Quilt, that is the question

Some days it is a struggle to decide how to spend free time, (with school winding down, free time is something that I don't have a lot of now)  do I read or do I quilt.  Lately the reading has been winning the contest.  I have read several really good books and a few just ok ones.  My friend Becky loaned me Quilt by Assocition by Arlene Sachitano, it is part of the Harriett Truman series.  Last year while in Houston, Becky and I met Mrs. Sachitano; I purchased one book, the first in the series Quilt as Desired, while Becky got this one.  We are just now getting around to trading.  I like this series, it is one that you can read and really not have to think about.  (believe me at this time of year that's a good thing.)  Harriet Truman, a widow, has moved into her Aunt's home and taken over her long arm quilting business.  It doesn't take Harriet long to find her niche in the community, especially when she becomes involved in solving a murder. 


I also just read Red Mist  by Patricia Cornwell.  I have to admit this was not my favorite Scarpetta novel.  At one time I was a huge fan, but the last few in the series haven't been able to hold my attention. For me,this one was too long, and moved way too slow.  After I read it a friend told me that you really needed to read the prior one in the series before you read this one.  Of course I haven't read it.  If I  had I might have liked this one better.   This one has the usual cast of characters, Kay, Marino, Lucy, and Benton.  Kay is looking into the death of a former colleague, Jack Fielding.  Don't want to give too much away, if you like this series and read the one before this, you will probably like it.  However,   I think I will take a break from the Scarpetta books for a while.


I really, really enjoyed Fall from Grace by Richard North Patterson,  it is a good old fashioned mystery.  The book opens with the main character Adam returning to Martha's Vineyard after the death ( or possible murder) of his father, a famous writer.  After the funeral Adam discovers that his father disinherited his wife, brother, and uncle in favor of his mistress, and Adam's former college girlfriend.  Adam,  the executor of  the will decides to stay long enough to find out why his father changed his will and why.  The book is full of surprises and several different twists and turns.  Would make a great beach read.
I discovered this series by accident a couple of years ago and have become quite attached to Theo and all of her crime solving friends.  In this installment Theo is falls under suspicion when her former flame, Parker is found dead in an aquarium.  It doesn't take her long to realize that she must try to solve the case or end up in prison.  Great summer time read.
What is not to like about this book.  It is one of those books that makes you feel good when you finish reading it.  The book opens on Margot's 40 birthday, not a great day for her since she is still single and desperately wants a family.  Her friend Abigal starts playing matchmaker, and you know that all will turn out well in the end.  A new character is introduced, Phillipa, the new minister in town.  Phillipa is a widow, daughter of a very famous minister, and not a great speaker.  The two women become friends as they face life's difficulties. 

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Who knew that Winston Churchill was a pig fan?

Monday, May 21, 2012

Giveaway time!!

Sew Mama Sew is having a great giveaway day.  This is the first time that I have participated in one of her giveaway days.  I had been thinking about doing a giveaway this summer and decided to take advantage of this blog adventure. 

My give away is a copy of The Kitchen Linens Book by Ellyn Anne Geisel.  The book comes with vintage transfer patterns for kitchen towels.  The giveaway is open until May 25.  Leave a comment and the winner will be selected by random number.  Good Luck.  Stop over at Sew Mama Sew and check out the great blog giveaways.

Design Wall Monday

Finally all of the sections of Comfort and Joy are sewn together.  If you look really close you can seethe dark green border on the left hand side.  I wanted to finish the inner border so I can get started on the applique for the outer border.  However, yesterday was one of those days.  First I sewed the Santa section on upside down, had to take that off, then I cut the borders wrong, then my sewing machine started misbehaving.  I decided then it was time to stop and pick it up anohter day. 

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

(almost) Wordless Wednesday

Not a great photo, but the best advice in the world.

Smile!!!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Shhhhh!! Don't tell

Shhh, don't tell, is the name of the mystery quilt from Pat and Debbie for our Silver Thimble group. I knew that if Debbie and Pat designed it I would definitely have to make it, but what to make it out of?  I struggle with choosing colors for quilts, especially mystery quilts. You never know what you are going to get, I guess that is why it is a mystery!!! One need one constant fabric and the other color needed to be one with a high contrast to the constant.  My first thought was red and then I realized that I have way too many red quilts, if that is possible.  My next thought was blue, but I couldn't decide what color to use with it.  I wanted to use as much from my stash as possible.  After looking at what I had  I decided to play it safe and go with a black constant fabric and neutrals as the accent fabric.    I guess you can't go wrong with neutrals.  Now to get started cutting the pieces and making the blocks.
I have all of the neutral fabrics cut for the first month, now to get the black cut and all of the half square triangles made.  I really like Pat's method of making half square triangles, where you make them bigger then cut them down to size.  Can't wait to see what colors everyone has picked.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Design Wall Monday

I am moving at a snails pace, but getting there.  I have one more section to get together before I can put it all together.  I am anxious to get it together so I can start working on the borders.  There is a narrow green border before the applique border.  I thought I had picked out the fabric for the first border but the more I look at it the more I have decided that I really don't want to use it.  I need to look for something else.  This time next week it will definitely be finished.


Sunday, May 13, 2012

Stash Busting

This week:

Stash in:  0 yards
Stash out:  0 yards

This year:
Stash in:  57 yards
Stash out:  31 yards

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Almost wordless Wednesday

Amaryllis in the flower garden
.

Monday, May 7, 2012

I won something

Last week I was lucky to find out that I won the Christmas Through the Year give away for April.  I was so surprised, because I never, and I mean never win anything.  When I saw the package in the mail, I couldn't figure out what it was, because I had forgotten all about winning. 


When I opened the package, I saw this cute Christmas stocking.  It is Christmas through out the year. 
Inside the stocking was this very cute bowtie quilt made from 1930's repro fabrics.  Thanks so much for the cute little quilt.  It is going to be a table topper for my kitchen table. 

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Stash Busting

This week:

Stash in:  2 yards
Stash out:  0 yards


This year:
Stash in:  57
Stash out:  31

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Design Wall

I'm getting there.  I had hoped to get all of the segments of Comfort and Joy sewn together this week, however I haven't finished yet.  I have three more segments to go.  I would have finished, but I wasn't paying attention and sewn some of the sections together incorrectly and had to take them apart. I also sewed two of the star blocks together the wrong way.  Needless to say it was one of those sewing weeks.  Nothing went right.  I think it was a carry over from work.  All week I had to proctor for the CRCT,  that is absolutely no fun.  I probably walked an average of  5 miles each day in the classroom.  Oh, well it is over with now, and the countdown for the end of the year has begun!!!!