End of September

The end of September snuck up on me! Guess that's how time flies when you're away for a week and return home to a bunch of to-dos. But I'm happy to tally my September fabric use because again, I used-up more than I took in. 

7.74 yard used; 0 fabric brought in. 

Outgoing fabric included making Like Totally BOM blocks; finishing 100-days of making Quilt Your Life blocks; finishing Pot Luck, the modern potholder quilt; and retreat accomplishments.

Thirty more Sunny blocks, a foundation paper-pieced design by Tara Faughnan, brings my total to 50 blocks made; I needed 90 blocks.

One more Dayna Pack (a cross-body bag pattern I'm mentioning with a warning about poorly written instructions) is finished. Due to having forgotten to cut tabs for D-rings, I was unable to complete making two more Dayna Packs.

Curvelets. I made 170 curvelets (1½" X 1½") in August, and I'm well on my way to making as many more. The two containers on the right are full of cut, seam allowance-marked, and glued curvelets, ready to be hand-pieced.

Keeping curvelet supplies in this case makes them very transportable.

Weaving another selvedge rug (my third) has been high on my list of something fun. For many months I've been saving the UNprinted selvedge side of yardage, cutting them off ¾" wide. Using a very short machine stitch length, I joined them by overlapping ends, and then rolling them into this 8" diameter ball. 

After recently watching a YouTube video about how to create a warp that's thicker than just a single cord (see the single hole in the peg), accordingly I strung and knotted a narrow ribbon through each small peg hole. Then I measured multiple lengths of cotton cord for a thick warp. Using a half-hitch I lashed the cords through the ribbon. All was going well until I ran out of cotton cord after preparing only 13 pegs. Since I want a rug as wide as my 24-peg loom,  I need to order cotton cord so I can proceed. 

One big retreat accomplishment was to join 152 Glitter blocks I'd finished in March. Over a couple years, I pieced each block with a combination of machine-piecing (center section), and hand-piecing (four outside corners). This quilt is in the book Quilt Lovely, by Jen Kingwell.

Assembling blocks was tedious! It took lots of pinning to match all the points, and even after joining and checking every seam, I ended up unstitching and restitching about 30 of them. It took a whole day to piece the top, unstitch and restitch, and finally press.

The top measures 67" X 75". I'm happy to say I anticipated this finish and already have a wideback for sandwiching. 

September turned out to be a slow, six-book reading month. Here are reviews for two of them. 

Book Recommendations

Recently, earthing and reading the book Earthing, has captured my interest, prompting me for several weeks now to spend 80 to 90 minutes daily with my bare feet on the ground. Knowing of my interest in how our bodies interact with earth, two friends suggested I read Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

It's a non-fiction book about our relationship to the land as told from the author's perspective as a Potawatamie Indian. Ms. Kimmerer, who also narrates the book, relates how Native Americans have historically respected the land, even as they've repeatedly been relocated. She combines her heritage with a doctorate in biology to give a unique and sensitive perspective about ecology and our relationship to nature. Specifically she talks about wild strawberries, cedars, sweet grass, leeks, algae, and marshland, among other topics. In particular it was disturbing to learn about the 1930s desecration of the Onandaga River (New York) by Allied Chemical Company's dumping of chemical waste into the once-beautiful and revered river. After reading the book, I Googled the river and found photos that confirm what happened there.

This book is interesting, informative, well-written, and sweetly narrated.  

Linda's score: 3.9/5.0

After being delighted by Charles Martin's "Keeper" book series - The Water Keeper; The Letter Keeper; The Record Keeper - I was happy to learn he had written another book!

The Last Exchange was published in 2023 and is the story of Jo, a Hollywood waitress waiting to be discovered. When her big acting break comes, it turns out she's a natural. Not only does she excel in every role she plays, but she's genuine. Honest. Fans love her. But Jo needs protection. That's when Pockets comes into her life. He's a Scot who's former military (he can't talk about it) and tough. He's the professional bodyguard who will keep Jo safe. But Jo's enemies and demons are near. There's her famous movie-star husband; her feelings of hopelessness about having a baby; the hair and make-up artist she befriends: and her addiction to drugs. Pockets is the person who can keep her together... until she's kidnapped. 

Linda's score: 4.3/5.0

Here are all six September books read, in score order out of a possible 5.0:

Earthing, Clint Ober, Steven Sinatra, Martin Zucker - 4.5

The Existential Worries of Mags Munroe (Book 1), Jean Grainger - 4.3

Growing Wild in the Shade (Book 2), Jean Grainger - 4.3

Each to Their Own, (Book 3), Jean Grainger - 4.3

The Last Exchange, Charles Martin - 4.3

Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer - 3.9

Linda

QuiltFest JAX (Jacksonville)

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, September 19-21, 436 quilts were on display at the Prime Osborne Convention Center. I had the privilege of attending on Thursday, and spent all my time viewing 77 quilts in the Modern Category (a new category this year), spending time with a few friends, and shopping from my list among vendors. 

The first place modern winner was made by Janel Bendis of Jacksonville.

In the modern category, second place, third place, and honorable mention were awarded to my friend Candi Lennox @candipursuits, a member of the JAX MQG.

The judge was impressed with Candi's domestic machine walking foot quilting. Candi said it's a design in Jacqui Gering's book Walk 2.0.

On the right is one (of two) quilts for which she didn't receive a ribbon.

Candi was also awarded a ribbon in the Small Quilts category. 

It was special seeing again friends from a relatively new MQG chapter - Palm Beach MQG. Sherry made this quilt during a Modern Quilt Studio (Single and Kerr) quilt along. 

Susan Skatoff is the founder and president of the Palm Beach MQG, and this is the first quilt she's ever entered in a show! She won a "Judges Recognition" ribbon. 

Along with three other members of Central Florida MQG, we entered a total of six quilts in the show. Two of them were mine. Neither won a ribbon.

This is Alternate Route made in a "Dancing With the Wall" workshop with Irene Roderick. It was a 2024 QuiltCon "reject." 

Feelin' Groovy is my maximalist quilt that did appear at QuiltCon 2024 in Raleigh. 

I really appreciated receiving the judge's (Mary Garda) thoughtful comments. I learned that both of my quilts made the "first round" and were among 30 quilts designated "hold" for reconsideration. And my Feelin' Groovy maximalist quilt went through a second "hold" for "stationary quilting." 

If you'd like to see more show pictures, including a link to all QuiltFest winners, go HERE.

From show vendors I picked up a few needed items: Aurifil thread, glue stick refills, and two packages of purse zippers with tabs. Only one piece of fabric, a black and white stripe, came home with me. 

What I found fascinating was a new (to me) product: Carolina Moore Glow Ruler. This 6½ square ruler actually has an LED light that lights up lines and numbers. And it's rechargeable! With a $58 price tag, I'll pass. What will quilt makers think of next?!

A quilt retreat is in my near future. I've made a list, and six projects will accompany me. Three of them are no-sewing-machine projects. Let's see how much I accomplish! Linda

Pot Luck Finish

I've been tinkering in the sewing room all week, not accomplishing a whole lot. Though happily, I did finish Pot Luck. I don't have any pretty, styled photos of the quilt, but this is what it looks like pinned to the design wall - pinned because it's pretty heavy! Guess all bound blocks added extra weight to this 56½" X 56½" modern improv potholder quilt. 

As you can probably see, instead of binding the outside edges, I faced them (Thank you Patty @elmstreetquilts for your suggestion!)

Here's the back of the quilt, which is almost as interesting as the front. I like those spots where a bit of Pewter solid appears in the binding. On the front, those connect to other Pewter insets. 

I have 15 quilt makers to thank for participating in this group project!

Local makers: 

• Karen E
• Jane G
• JoElla M
• Betty S
• Rosemary V

Out-of-town makers:

• Cassandra B
• Kathy C
• Maureen D
• Patty D
• Debbie J
• Candi L
• Charlotte N
• Sherry P
• Elizabeth R
• Clara S

I'll be taking some "good" photos soon, to submit this to QuiltCon, Phoenix. We're all hoping to see Pot Luck hanging there next February. 

As for my 100-Day Challenge to "Quilt Your Life".... these 151 blocks are being put aside for now.

That's so I can focus on the two quilt challenges I want to accomplish in the next two months! I'm actually trying to combine the challenges into one quilt. As usual, I've been struggling with my design ideas. I've drawn several designs using graph paper and colored pencils. Then I tried working-up one design in Pages, followed by trying to import and trace a design into EQ8. All attempts have ended in failure, so I may just resort to cutting out fabric to see what happens!

Anyway, I have more pressing interests at the moment. 

On Tuesday I'm doing this, virtually. I'll be speaking to the Beyond Borders chapter of the MQG about quilts I've had juried into QuiltCon. 

And then I'm going on a quilt retreat. As quilters know, there's much to prep. Supplies and projects head the list, followed by less important things such as clothing and food.

Book Recommendations

Continuing on my newfound interest in the life of Mags Munroe of Ballycarrick, Ireland, I recently finished book three in the series by Jean Grainger: Each to Their Own.

In this segment of her life, Mags is dealing with her distraught in-laws, who have reluctantly shared a revelation about their past. The ramifications impact the whole family. At the same time, Mag's and Kieran's oldest daughter is pushing her 15 year-old teenage boundaries and getting into trouble not only with her mother, but with the local garda. She has some punishment to accept and lessons to learn.

Since I've already read book #4 - Closer Than You Think - I'll next move to book #5 - Chancing Your Arm - which is the last book in the series.

Linda's score: 4.3/5.0

I don't often read non-fiction books, but after watching The Earthing Movie I wanted to know more about it. The Earthing book, written by Clinton Ober, Stephen Sinatra, and Martin Zucker, explains the science of earthing, and its health benefits, which is primarily inflammation. The book documents health improvements experience by people who are earthing (or grounded), provides the results of numerous tests, and offers testimonies from people who have successfully grounded themselves to better health. 

Linda's score: 4.4/5.0

Linda

100 Days, Finished

Quilt Your Life

Quilt Your Life is what I began June 1 as my 100 day challenge. Sunday, September 8 was the 100th day.

I started making 5½" X 5½" (unfinished) blocks, representing 10 different activities in which I regularly engage. They involve Faith, Friendship, Fitness, and Fun. This blog post gives the details, including the significance of each block. 

On Sunday I spent a couple hours making the last blocks, and clearing off my design wall (I took a virtual workshop on Saturday, and used the design wall for improv blocks) so I could fill it with the 151 blocks I made in 100 days. 

151 blocks made during 100-day challenge

Line dancing was the activity I engaged in most (31 times) followed by listening to audiobooks (26) and four-mile power walks (18 times). 

Now what?!

I don't know where to begin to put these together. 

As I sit here writing this post, I keep turning in my chair to look at the design wall. I'm totally stumped. 

It will take time and thoughtful intention to turn these into a cohesive design. And honestly, I thought I'd finish with at least 200 blocks. Several things transpired to change that:

1. we went on four away-from-home trips, totaling 16 days away from routine activities
2. weekly ukulele club didn't meet in July, and
3. weekly Bible study didn't meet in August

Still, I think I can add into this design some shapes and colors that represent those 16 days away - whether that's a block or insert that represents each day, or one representation for each trip.

It all depends on how in the world I figure out putting these all together! 

By the way, these are the three improv blocks I made Saturday during a four-hour Zoom workshop with Cindy Grisdella - "Fabulous Freehand Curves." I wanted to learn how to make those Confetti Dots (upper right). I sure did! And learned they're the most labor-intensive of all the improv techniques she taught. Still... I have a mental picture of a quilt made with lots of arcs of confetti dots. 

The "Fabulous Freehand Curves" workshop was offered through Central Florida MQG, and was the follow-up/next steps to the in-person "Fearless Curved Piecing" workshop I took with Cindy in December 2023. My plan is to make more blocks similar to those above, and somehow combine blocks from both workshops.

Because you know... I like the headache of figuring out how to make blocks look like they belong together. 

Linda

Pot Luck Progress

I had been putting off working on Pot Luck - the modern potholder quilt I began assembling in late April after receiving blocks from 15 other quilt makers. This has been the week to get it wrapped up.  

Putting together the center section took time because I sewed binding to each block and hand-stitched it to the back, and then hand-stitched together all the blocks. But when the center was done it didn't feel finished to me. That's where I stalled until I decided to add hand-quilted wedges to each side, so as to set the center at an angle. I think it gives the whole quilt more interest.

Pot Luck, 57" X 57" awaiting last binding

But making those sides wasn't as straightforward as I thought. Though the top and bottom wedges were easy enough to make and attach, it was the sides that gave me more problems. On both of them, I had to add more fabric and more hand-stitching to make them long enough. 

However, now that the wedges are finished, I need only square it up and add binding. But now I'm wondering, which fabric for binding? Initially I thought the stripe would look best, but maybe Aruba (light aqua) is better because it allows the center to shine. Or maybe Bright Aqua?

Book Recommendations

After listening to Jean Grainger's book Closer Than You Think that was (unbeknownst to me) book #4 in the Mags Munroe series, I've gone back to listen to the first two books - The Existential Worries of Mags Munroe, and Growing Wild in the Shade.

All these stories take place in Ballycarick, a small town not far from Galway, Ireland. Mags is captain of the local garda with a force of four people who spend most of their time patrolling, selling dog licenses, and doing paperwork. 

As with such "village" type books, we meet: Mag's mother who owns the local dress shop; Mag's best friend Sharon who is trying to get over a break-up with her cheating husband, Danny; and Kieren, Mag's husband who has a roofing business; and Mag's and Kieren's two girls.

Grainger writes with thoughtfulness about the sometimes-challenging relationship between local "settlers" (Ballycarick residents) and "travelers" (gypies) who live on the nearby halting. And she writes with great humor about Mags dealing with  her "monster-in-law" Nona; Ducky a schmoozy, blustering detective; and gossipy, plotting women on the local council. 

I often smile while listening. The books are just charming!

Linda's score for both: 4.3/5.0

Lately, I've been captivated by something a friend shared with me. It's called "earthing" - the practice of intentionally spending time with bare feet on the ground to allow earth's negative ions to balance free radicals in our bodies and thereby reduce inflammation. It's a fascinating science.

If you haven't heard of earthing, I recommend watching the YouTube documentary "The Earthing Movie." It's is how I was introduced to it.  Linda

End of August

So many things to post about... 

For the past seven days, hubs and I have been in Kansas City to visit my dad (two nights), and in Ohio (two nights) to meet-up with my siblings and a half-dozen cousins.

The drudgery of travel - some of it quite unpleasant with traffic jams and accidents, and finding alternate routes - was enlightened by going-to and coming-from stops at Buc-ee's near Calhoun, Georgia. 

A Buc-ee's is our favorite enroute destination for gas. Bathrooms are immaculate; the coffee is great; and their snacks are bounteous and always delicious. Our favorite take-away is Praline Pecans.  

I took a quilt along to give to my cousin Bill and his wife Linda who let us stay with them, and hosted our family gathering in their Ohio "party barn." They're more than relatives; they're dear friends. So it was easy to pick a quilt to give them. Linda decided to put this one on one of four single beds she has in a "bunk room," where their grandkids stay when they visit.

The quilt is Satisfaction, an English paper-pieced quilt design I made last December while participating in Amy Friend's @duringquiettime quilt along. 

Since hubs prefers to do all the driving, I had 3,000 miles of seat time to spend hand-piecing. Before we left I cut lots of convex and concave shapes to make Curvelets - 1" finished Drunkard's Path blocks. I kept all the pieces and tools in a little box that I used on my lap. 

I have no doubt that if I had cut more convex and concave pieces, I could have pieced more than these 132 blocks which are now pressed and ready to be trimmed to 1½" X 1½". 

If you're curious about how to make these little blocks, and if you're a member of the Modern Quilt Guild, you can watch Itty Bitty Curves: Curvelets by Jen Carlton-Bailey, and download cutting templates too.

As yet, I don't know what I'm doing with my curvelets, but I'm considering how I might use them along with hundreds of 1½" X 1½" print squares in my Leaders and Enders basket.

August travels really cut into my Quilt Your Life block-making, as I made only 35 blocks to represent engagement in 10 different activities. In July I made 46 blocks! As of August 31, I'm 92 days into my 100-day commitment to Quilt Your Life with a total of 131 blocks made so far. September 8 is my last day of tracking.

August Quilt Your Life blocks

All tallied, in August I made:

• 35 - 5½" X 5½" Quilt Your Life blocks
• 170 - 1½" X 1½" Curvelets 
• Like Totally BOM blocks
• pieced a backing and binding for the Bibliography selvedges quilt (finished quilt photos yet to come)
• 2 Dayna Packs (see previous post for info about that 👎 pattern) 

I used a total of 5.89 yards of fabric.

One yard came into my stash for lining Dayna Packs.

My net fabric usage for August is 4.89 yards.

I know it's not much, but fabric is going the right direction - out of my stash. 

Book Recommendations

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn takes place in 1950, in a sub-par Washington DC boarding house where women of diverse ages and personalities live under the roof of a persnickety mother of two children. The book begins with a murder, but who it is remains a mystery until the end. 

The real story begins with the arrival of Grace March to Briarwood. She accepts living in a dingy attic space, and gradually improves upon the whole house. She hosts dinners, paints flowers and vines on walls, and engages with each resident enough to draw them out so they get to know one another. Each boarder has her own story to tell, and the reader gets an inside look at every one.

It's worth listening to the author and narrator (Saskia Maarleveld) interview at the end of the book where Ms. Quinn explains her characters and where some of her ideas came from. Much of it is based on documented history. You may find Saskia's voice familiar; she also narrated The Rose Code, and The Alice Network - both wonderful books!

This was my favorite August book. Linda's score: 4.3/5.0

The Lady of Tarpon Springs by Judith McCoy Miller is a book I picked up because of the title. Tarpon Springs is a Florida coastal city on the Gulf of Mexico. It's actually the city where I had my 2013 lumpectomy for breast cancer.

The book takes place in 1905 when most people thought women were not meant to be lawyers or doctors. Yet two female characters in this story hold those positions.

Zanna is a young Greek woman, living with her parents and practicing law. Her grandmother and father would like nothing more than to have Zanna return to Greece to find a husband and begin having children. But Zanna is determined to help her female doctor friend follow-through on the doctor's deceased father's plan to start a sponge-diving business. Fifty men are on their way to Tarpon Springs where they will dive in a new, special suit that will take them to greater-than-ever depths. And they'll be diving from three boats especially made for retrieving sponges. 

When Nico arrives from Greece with his 49 men, Zanna is their Greek/English interpreter, and she must learn about the sponge business. As Zanna learns about diving for sponges, processing them, and selling them, I learned too. While their first efforts to gather sponges are successful, as the men make more trips to sea, one boat has problems. No one on the crew will tell Nico what's going on. 

This is a must-read for Floridians! Linda's score: 4.2/5.0

This month I listened to seven audiobooks. Those I gave a score of 4.0 or higher, out of 5.0, are:

• The Briar Club, Kate Quinn - 4.3
• What Have You Done?  Shari LaPena - 4.2
• Closer Than You Think (#4 in the Mags Monroe series) Jean Grainger - 4.2
• The Lady of Tarpon Springs Judith Miller - 4.2
• The Next Mrs. Parrish Liv Constantine - 4.1
• The Lost Hours Karen White - 4.1

A blog-reader and friend, Mary, emailed to let me know that she found two of my blog posts in her spam folder. At her suggestion, I'm mentioning this in case you too are having problems reading your favorite blogs. Seems that Google has done something new, and accessing posts has "gone sideways." Personally, I haven't yet encountered any problems, but as we know with Google/Blogger, technology can change quickly! Linda