Ready, Go!

This is week three of Jo Avery's Patchwork Pony Sew Along. The week of February 14th is meant to be about adding the mane and tail. My two ponies now have both.

Initially, I'd thought I'd have to ask friends for some leftover yarn (not being much of a crocheter or knitter), but I looked through my Sugar and Cream dishcloth yarn (yes, I do knit dishcloths) and found colors that seemed to be meant for my ponies.

Red yarn, and a little bit of cream variegated yarn, for the denim boy. And a combo of aqua and orange yarns for the Florida-looking girl. 

For me, this post is also week four of the Sew Along -  Sharing! 

My ponies have eyes now too! Thank you to my friend Lynette who gave me some white felt for eyes.

The black part of each eye is stitched with embroidery floss.  

I couldn't be happier with how these turned out! I'll be donating them to my Big Cypress Quilter's adopted charity - Children's Home Society of Florida. I only wish I could see the faces of the boy and girl who receive these... or maybe get to pick for themselves? 

Ponies are so much fun to make! I've left the pattern out in my sewing room, and some already-prepared batting, so I can make another one or two. Jo includes a pattern piece for making a horn, so a pony can be turned into a unicorn. Wouldn't that be cute? 

This is a great pattern, and Jo has made videos to go with it. So if you're interested, stop by her shop for the pattern. 9￡converts to $12.18 USD. Tell Jo I sent you! 😀 I'm not sponsored or compensated in any way... I just want you to enjoy a fun make!

Another thing that's made me happy this week is finishing the quilt top for the Central Florida MQG "Architecture Challenge."

This 70" X 80" quilt top was inspired by a photo I took of the Miami Children's Museum.

You can see I used the most vivid colors - nine colors of Painter's Palette solids - and 60° roof line angles. 

Piecing - improv style 😀 - was more than a little fiddly, and very time-consuming, but I'm satisfied with the result. 

Whatever I quilt is going to "make or break" the design. At this time, I'm planning to use several different thread weights and colors to make the negative spaces "say something."But, I won't touch the quilt top until I return from QuiltCon where I'm hoping to find quilting design inspiration, and different weights of Aurifil thread (like #40 and #28) with which to quilt it. 

Book Recommendation

I'm always happily surprised when I listen to two good books in a row! Such was the case with Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley. What I assumed was that I'd be hearing a story about a fire-fighter's daughter. I couldn't have been more wrong! 

Daunis Fountaine is half-American/half-Indian living in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. She's learned tribal ways from her father's family - the fire keepers - yet her pale skin gets her into places her friends can't go. The community lives and breathes hockey, and as the team's first female player, Daunis has earned the respect of her community, and the elders to whom she gives great respect in return. 

When a new, first-season 17 year-old, Jamie, joins the hockey team led by Daunis's half-brother, Levi, Daunis can't deny her attraction to him. Yet Jamie isn't forthcoming about himself, and that makes her suspicious. When two tragic deaths occur, Daunis finds herself unexpectedly in a situation where she can help her community, but it has to be kept quiet. What must Daunis sacrifice to keep her activities secret?

This riveting book educated me about some of the cultural aspects, beliefs, ceremonies, and language of the Ojibwe tribe, and how alcohol and methamphetamine can become a problem.

Linda's score: 4.2/5.0

On last Friday afternoon's power walk, I was so intent on my book (Firekeeper's Daughter, above) with my head down, that I nearly walked into this couple! They were leisurely strolling down the street! 

Sandhill cranes are a Florida protected species. They're so large - regal - that one can only stop and watch them with respect. This couple apparently is not afraid of people. 

So, I'm heading to QuiltCon! I can finally say that!

The much anticipated start of the big event - February 16 through 20 in Phoenix, Arizona - is nearly here. I'm ready to:

• see my three quilts in the show: Temperature Quilt; Illusions of Victor; and Playin' Around
• attend lectures
• see stunning modern quilts
• take a "Piecing With Templates" workshop with Melissa de Leon Mason
• shop the vendors
• attend a "Leader Mingle," for anyone in a leadership position in an MQG chapter
• attend a reception for those who have taken a workshop with Maria Shell (I've taken two virtual workshops)
• and generally have fun meeting-up with Instagram #friendsinmyphone

This is your friendly reminder that you can watch the QuiltCon Awards Ceremony as it's live-streamed on Wednesday, February 16 at 7 pm Mountain time - that's 9 PM for my friends in the Eastern time zone. Go to the QuiltCon website to view it here. 

When I return, I anticipate dedicating a couple blog posts to a QuiltCon review. If you're interested, stay tuned! Linda