End of November

Although November was not a normal month, fabric use was decent and no fabric came in. I wasn't in the mood for incoming fabric anyway. 

The largest quantity of fabric used-up was in making 16 Posh Penelope blocks. I've wanted to finish making these for months - they've been weighing on me - and I'm glad to be done piecing them. I didn't find piecing to be enjoyable.

These are on the design wall today, and will be pieced into a 72" X 84" quilt top before day's end.

Other smaller pieces of fabric were used to make two Carissa pouches - a free pattern that was reworked by Becky, a friend in Big Cypress Quilters. 

The beige pouch, on the right, is made with cork (on the bottom) and fabric from a painter's drop cloth. The drop cloth belonged to my friend, Peggy whose dad "designed" the fabric. 😊 When I finished making the pouch, I gave it to my friend so she has a keepsake of her dad who passed away several months ago.

As I always do when making a bag, I add a vinyl pocket to the outside in which to display a Villages ID card. A card always has to be shown to get into a recreation center, so this is a handy spot to keep it.

Must mention that strap had been a drawstring belt through some cargo pants. I unsewed the belt, cut it down, and re-sewed it for the perfect "free" strap. Makes me happy I kept that bit of detritus that could eventually be reused.

The pouch's interior has six fabric slots for cards, and a zipper pocket. 

The other bag will also be given away, and is made with some fun fabric, and faux leather along the bottom.

The project using the least amount of fabric is this vinyl zipper pouch. Though I don't have a pattern for it, I watched an Instagram video by @centerstreetquilts and worked out how to make it. The pattern is called Sunny Side Up pouch. Love how mine turned out, and I plan to make more.

Otherwise, this month was spent crocheting to finish my Crochet Lacy Motif Top. 

I'm ready to wear it, with a camisole underneath to holiday gatherings in December. 

I was surprised at how heavy the top is, probably because it's crocheted with a 60 (cotton)/40 (acrylic) blend yarn, Bernat Softee Cotton. I actually weighed the top, and it came in at 14 ounces! As lacy as it is, I bet it will keep me warm. 

November Book Recommendations

I listened to only six books this month, the first four early-on, before Dad's funeral.

In my personal rating order, based on a high score of 5.5:

1. 4.7 - A Long Way Home, Lynn Austin
2. 4.4 - Open and Shut, David Rosenfelt - Book 1 in the Andy Carpenter series
3. 4.4 - First Degree, David Rosenfelt - Book 2 in the Andy Carpenter series
4. 4.2 - The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up, Laura Pearson
5. 4.1 - Though Waters Roar, Lynn Austin
6. 4.1 - The Last House on Needless Street, Catriona Ward

I like Lynn Austin's books as there is no swearing, and they are peppered with Scripture and Biblical truths. 

The Last House on Needless Street is about multiple personality disorder. Though it was engaging, it was also confusing... A talking cat who reads the Bible and believes in God was a little far-fetched, until the author began to reveal everything from the perspective of the person with this disorder.

 

When I came across the author David Rosenfelt, whose books were just right for my emotional condition, I couldn't help but think how much Dad would have liked them too. The storylines are linear (in chronological order) and written with a sense of humor (irony and self-deprecation), and include a golden retriever named Tara. Turns out 33 books are in this series! It's the Andy Carpenter series, and I intend to listen to every one of them. Linda