Thursday, September 22, 2022

Quilting and quilting

Last weekend I put together Tilted Tiles, the quilt blocks I pieced while on retreat. I mentioned that the designer, Charles Cameron @feltlikesweets is brilliant, and I thought this all the way through to finishing the quilt top. 

Though it's difficult to see, this picture is meant to show sections of the quilt. Charles calls them "panels," and instructs that 13 panels of blocks are to be created, then joined. 

His instructions were very clear, and the top came together beautifully. It's 64" X 88" and has been set aside for quilting at a later time. By the way, this "intermediate" semi-improv pattern is free to members of The Modern Quilt Guild. 

Since finishing the quilt top, I've been quilting and quilting. At the moment I have three pin-basted quilts that are demanding my attention. Currently, this #30daysofimprovqal quilt is under the needle of my Bernina 770QE. 

The whole quilting design is improv-y. I began by doing some walking foot quilting, making waves across the quilt top. Then, I honed-in on particular sections to do some straight and curvy ruler quilting, which I then followed-up with free motion quilting. I still can't resist quilting circles. 

This quilt is about 53" X46" (wider than it is high), and I expect to finish quilting in a day or two. 

On the home front, hubs has been cooking, and making some of my favorite foods. Once again, I'm showing you his incredible pizza.  

It's made with a scratch crust (he begins making it early in the morning), and homemade pizza sauce. 

At my request, he made a batch of ham salad. You know, the one made with bulk bologna... 

...that magically becomes "ham" as it's pushed through the grinder. It also contains hard-boiled eggs, sweet gherkins, onion, and mayo with a little bit of seasoning. So-o good!

Book Recommendations

The Keeper of the Light
by Diane Chamberlain is the first in the "Kiss River" series of three books. The Kiss River is near the Outer Banks of North Carolina where an old, beloved lighthouse and keepers house have been since the late 1800s. Dr. Olivia Simon works as an emergency room doctor, and lives with her husband Paul. However, Paul's past involves a local woman, Annie. When Annie dies in the emergency room - Olivia has tried to save her - Paul walks away from his marriage to Olivia. Annie's husband Alec is bereft without his beloved "Saint Ann" who was a renown stained glass artist and the most altruistic woman imaginable. Yet, when Paul's past actions come to light, it also becomes clear that even saints aren't perfect.

While I enjoyed this story, I was also put off by what to me was unnecessary, detailed sexual escapades. Not to be prudish, but in most cases, I couldn't see how these insights were relevant to the overarching story. Hence the reason for my lower score. I'm uncertain whether I'll read the second book in the series.

Linda's score: 3.7/5.0

The Chalk Pit
, by Elly Griffiths is the 10th of 15 books in the Ruth Galloway series. Interestingly, I listened to the first book, read e-books of two through nine, and was able to again listen to the 10th book! I'm glad to have had the chance to hear the correct pronunciation of several locations and characters. Dave Clough's last name is pronounced "Kluff." Who would have guessed?!

In this book, Detective Sergeant Judy Johnson is investigating the disappearing of a "rough sleeper" (our US term would be "homeless person") when two of the men she has just questioned are found stabbed in the heart. It's time to investigate rumors of an underground community of rough sleepers who travel through a network of chalk tunnels under the city of Norwich. When a young mother of four goes missing, followed by the disappearance of Cassandra, Clough's partner (fiancĂ©), DCI Nelson, his team, Ruth, and the new department chief Jo Robinson, join to find the missing women. Meanwhile, on the home front, Nelson is coming to a new realization about both of his relationships, just as his wife Michelle (ME-shell) is also facing a new realization. 

Linda's score: 4.1/5.0

Linda

7 comments:

  1. You stuck with it and the results of Tilted look great. Also love the quilting designs you chose for the improv quilt. I like listening to books to hear the pronunciations, too. Even the Bible- the reader helps with names like Zerubbabel!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love your Tilted Tiles!!! (and hubby's pizza! Yum)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Look at you embracing all these improv quilts . . .and with great success too! Good for you. I've been going the opposite direction lately and returning to more traditional quilts. Regardless of labels, it's making what inspires that's fun.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the 13 separate panels idea! Great job on your FMQ! And that pizza photo is making my mouth water!?! I always enjoy reading your synopsis of the books you've been reading, and insights.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tilted Tiles is fascinating, interesting to see how the panels are laid on the wall ready for stitching. The pizza looks so delicious, I'm now feeling quite hungry.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh, wow! Blogger is going to allow me the privilege of commenting today! Boy, do I feel lucky! I am in love with your tilted tiles quilt, and am especially motivated by your quilting on your 30days top. I’ve kept things pretty simple this summer, but I’m ready for something more challenging. Wish I had someone to cook for me! Thanks for the book suggestions! XO

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think your Tilted Tiles has more movement and contrast than the original. Well done!

    ReplyDelete

I reply to comments! If you are a no-reply commenter, or your profile appears as anonymous, I will reply to you directly on this blog post. Please check back!

LinkWithin

Related Posts Widget for Blogs by LinkWithin