Pony, and Ukulele Case

I'm calling my stable "full" since finishing this Patchwork Pony (pattern by Jo Avery, here). This pony is the easiest one I've made, being a single piece of upholstery fabric that I quilted onto batting to give it structure. Once again, I happily chopped up leftover batting pieces to put inside it. Mane and tail yarn are a combo of Sugar 'n Cream (cotton) yarn and someone's leftover of a knubbly white polyester yarn. 

Here are the four ponies I'll be donating to Children's Home Society of Florida at our Big Cypress Quiter's November 8 baby shower. Hubs saw these on the entryway bench and commented, "It looks like a stampede!" I just think making a pony is the best way to use up batting scraps!

Being able to return to "regular" sewing since completing my QuiltCon entries, I got busy making a strap for my new tenor ukuelele. 

Then I began measuring my uke to make a pattern for cutting a case.

The main body pieces to cut were: 1) exterior fabric; 2) fusible fleece; 3) Flex-Foam 2-sided fusible stabilizer; 4) extra-firm stabilizer; and 5) fabric lining. 

After layering and quilting the two exterior pieces, I made and sewed onto the case edges 132" of bias-covered cording, using the aqua accent fabric which will also be the case lining.

Print fabric is "Sunshine Blvd" by Damask Love, by Riley Blake Designs. I walking foot quilted with 40-weight Aurifil to make a one inch cross-hatch pattern. 

Due to arrive Thursday is a 40" two-ended (two pull tabs) zipper ordered from ZipIt on Etsy. I should have a finished case to take to Peace, Love and Ukulele Club next Monday!

Book Recommendations

The Stone Circle is the 11th book in the "Ruth Galloway" series by Elly Griffiths. I have become so enthralled with these books that I've slowed down reading (print) them, wanting to savor each one as I approach reading books #12 and #13 - the end of the series.

Another archaeological dig is taking place out on the salt marsh, and another body is found after DCI Nelson receives a threatening message. It's learned that the body is that of a young girl who went missing about 20 years ago. Ruth is asked to examine the grave and investigate DNA, which she does, determining that soil traces indicate the girl has recently been moved from another burial site. 

Nelson's wife, Michele, is due to delivery their baby, and as Nelson and his team are investigating the recently-found body, another baby goes missing. 

Linda's score: 4.0/5.0

Since reading the most wonderful book - When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin - I've looked for more of his books and read these two great titles.

The Dead Don't Dance is the first book in a two-book series about Maggie and Dillon Stiles, a young, happily-married couple who are anticipating the birth of their first child. After lots of shopping, planning, and great expectations, Maggie goes into labor... and ends up in a coma. Dillon is lost, yet his friend Amos, and an unusual former military man, Bryce, try to keep him on an even keel. Since the farm Dillon and Maggie live on isn't covering all their bills, Dillon begins teaching at a local junior college. He inspires his students, and teaches life lessons that make both his students and himself better people. Later, he is called on - and he calls on God - to help save Amos and a student who has cared for his wife in the hospital. 

Once again, Charles Martin has used beautiful, poetic language to writers a beautiful story. I really appreciate his descriptive language - Maggie has "Audrey Hepburn hair and Bette Davis eyes." Mr. Martin also and weaves God and wrestling with faith through Dillon's experiences.

Linda's score: 4.1/5.0

Maggie is Charles Martin's book that's the sequel to The Dead Don't Dance. Once again, Dillon and Maggie Stiles are dealing with new life challenges. They decide to adopt a child, but the process is proving difficult what with Dillon's preference for driving an old pick-up truck, and their lack of money. Suddenly, a new reality threatens all of them. Pastor John's past returns to haunt him; he's attacked and his church is torched. So is Amos's home. When, for some unknown reason, Maggie is attacked in the Stiles home, and then Amos's wife is abducted, Dillon, Amos and their friends gather a team of coon-hunters to find the arsonists and abductors.

Linda's score: 4.0/5.0

Linda