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

Crocheting with Thanksgiving

In September, I happened to see an Instagram post by Debbie @bluebellrighthandworks. She shared pics of a fuchsia-colored Crochet Lacy Motif Top that she'd made. I was smitten. 

After ordering Bernat Softee Cotton Yarn from Herrschners, I got started. It was a great project to work on while sitting with Dad in a rehab center. After spending considerable time trying to work out the stitches and motif, I got pretty good at them after making 65 squares. Each square took 20 to 30 minutes to crochet. 

While going to/from Kansas City for our family gathering and Dad's funeral, I spent car time productively burying starting and ending yarn tails

Upon returning home, I spent several days pinning, steaming and blocking each piece, eight at a time. 

After laying a warm wet towel over blocks, and holding heat over them... 

I left them to to cool and dry for hours, or overnight. 

Sixty-five squares and six half-square triangles - ready to be joined.

I've joined the front.

The back is ready to be joined.

Then, I'll join squares to make two sleeves. Following that is joining the parts and crocheting around the edges. I have no doubt that when wearing this top, I'll be remembering my last days with Dad, and grieving that followed. 

Diamond painting is coming along and I'm about two-thirds done with this palm tree ocean sunset.

Though I'm enjoying working on it while listening to an audiobook, the quality of this kit isn't very good. Not only are many diamonds misshapen, but numerous diamonds have fallen off after being pressed-on, and rolled with a wallpaper roller. I have to glue them back on. That tells me the canvas adhesive isn't the best. Though it's a pretty design, you who diamond paint might want to steer clear of ordering kits from an Etsy shop. 

During my Tuesday morning walk I crossed paths with sandhill cranes. 

They're always seen in pairs, but this time there were four of them! They stroll through yards and across driveways like they're residents. 

Tomorrow, Americans are celebrating Thanksgiving. We will honor tradition with a homemade meal of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberries, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie.

Gratefulness is in my heart for God's unfailing love and goodness. I also appreciate the beautiful place we live. This foggy morning photo with our plumbago in the foreground was taken out our front door.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! Linda

Journaling

Since Dad's death on November 5, life hasn't been normal. While trying not to feel guilty about not making that last phone call to Dad, and thinking about him dying alone, I've been working through my emotions through Scripture-reading and spiritual reflection. 

One activity that was previously on my schedule was to go to a Junk Journaling club meeting with my 4-H Club volunteer-friend, Karen C. I had thought not to go because Dad had died two days before, but I was encouraged to do something to take my mind off my sadness. I'm glad I did. Making these journals proved therapeutic, as I made them for family I saw while in Kansas City for Dad's funeral. 

I made six journals. The first one was for myself - top right, with my initial "L." I used a plain aqua 12" X 12" sheet, and glued fabric scraps to it. 

Though I've been calling these junk journals, in fact the YouTube video about how to make them is: Quick Journals Using 12 X 12 Paper by Natasha of Treasure Books. Her instructions are excellent.

I have very little in the way of paper supplies, so a couple 12" X 12" sheets from Michael's, a few more sheets from a paper-craft estate sale, and a few pieces from Karen (she was formerly a Creative Memories consultant) gave me plenty of exterior cover stock to work with. 

You can see the inside of each journal has a front and back pocket, so it's extra nice if you can make the journal with two-sided stock.

The interior is made with 10 sheets of paper called "the signature." When each sheet is folded in half, then stitched into the ¼"-wide cover spine (your #8 perle cotton stash will come in handy), the journal has a total of 40 pages to write on. 

For the signature, I used what I could come up with here at home - several sizes of graph paper, construction paper, transparency paper, and of course printer paper. I didn't buy anything. It was fun to choose papers for each journal. 

I recently learned about Lectio Divina, a four-step method for reading Scripture and understanding a "divine reading." It's been helpful during quiet time with God, and my journal is where I'm taking notes. 

I'm slowly moving forward on other incomplete projects, and that's providing peace too. Linda

In Memoriam of Dad

On Wednesday, in the early morning, my dear 95 year-old Dad died quietly in bed, in his assisted living apartment. 

From September 28 to October 9, I visited him in rehab and through his return to assisted living. I'm so glad I did. As challenging as those days were, I have wonderful memories because of the time we spent together, generally chatting and visiting throughout each day.

The past week has been difficult, though every person I've been in contact with has been supportive. Just don't be too nice to me, or I will cry more, as I did when my virtual Bible study sisters (we meet weekly on Zoom) at Lutheran Church of Hope (West Des Moines, Iowa) sent this bouquet Wednesday afternoon. So thoughtful, and tear-inducing. 

Though I've felt conflicted about whether to write about my Dad in a blog post, I also want to honor him here because he was a loyal FlourishingPalms blog-reader. When we chatted every Sunday afternoon, he would sometimes remark about something I posted about, and we'd talk about it. Several years ago he told me:

"I know more about quilting than most men!"

Dad, you make me laugh. 

Most often our conversations revolved around books. When his vision began failing, several years ago I encouraged him to get a public library card and begin listening to books. From that point on, he listened to audiobooks on his computer, finishing each title at a rapid rate. I would often suggest titles and authors he might like; he didn't care for storylines that jumped around, like from "now" to "then." He particularly enjoyed two authors: Spencer Quinn who wrote the "Chet and Bernie" stories (about a dog and a detective); and every book written by William Kent Krueger. I think Dad liked WKK books because many take place in an area of Minnesota Dad was familiar with, from his days working in agriculture sales for Monsanto. 

Dad enjoyed watching vlogs (YouTube video blogs) about agriculture and farming, and subscribed to several of them. I sometimes knew more about happenings with the Millennial Farmer and Welker family than I did about our own family!

Having similar political views, Dad and I would amicably talk about politics. He also liked talking about his favorite football team, The Ohio State Buckeyes. Being an OSU graduate, he was a lifelong fan. He only despaired about my lack of interest in the Buckeyes, or any football games. He would often say:

"I don't know where your Mother and I went wrong."

I am the oldest of us three "kids" and have many good memories. As well, I have an insider's view of his entire life, having been Dad's editor when he decided to write and publish his autobiography in 2020. 

This saying rings true, and makes us glad Dad wrote about himself.  

When you're young, your grandparents try to tell you their history, and you don't care because it doesn't interest you at the time. Later on, you wish you'd written down what they said. 

I wrote Dad's obituary. 

After many months of declining health, and him knowing his physical body was failing him (his mind never failed), I am grateful Dad is at peace now.

"Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest," said Jesus. "... and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29 

I am also imagining the reunion between Dad and Mother, who passed away 23 years ago. Maybe Mother is saying, "I've been waiting for you. What took you so long?!" 

Still, losing him is painful. 

Linda

End of October

Here's a brief post to tally-up fabric used, and books read during the month of October.

Simply, this is the grand sum of fabric I used in October - all of it used to piece the Filmstrip Quilt backing and binding. 

I didn't make the eight Posh Penelope blocks I have cut and ready to sew, and have determined I must stop setting goals for myself. Failure doesn't feel good.

On the positive side no fabric came in. I am feeling greater determination to raise output in November. 

Book Recommendations

Six audiobooks are on my October listening list. In order, according to my rating with 5.0 being "the best," here are the titles and authors:

•  4.4 - Last Night Over Galveston, Jennifer L. Wright
•  4.4 - I Am Still Alive, Kate Alice Marshall
•  4.3 - A Killing Cold, Kate Alice Marshall
•  4.3 - What You Wish For, Katherine Center
•  4.2 - The Wedding Vow, Dandy Smith
•  4.2 - Write Me for You, Tillie Cole

And one book I couldn't finish: The Innocents, by Francesca Segal. I very rarely don't finish a book, but this simply could not keep my attention.

Last Light Over Galveston is historical fiction, about the 1900 storm that decimated Galveston, Texas. I learned that this "never-could-happen" storm was a hurricane that cost the lives of 8,000 to 10,000 people, and is the largest natural disaster in US history. The story is told from the perspective of a young woman who has run away from her home in New York, where her domineering father is using her as a pawn for his financial gain. She ends up at an orphanage where she makes friends and is deciding what to do next when the storm hits. In this book, you'll learn a little bit about the history of weather-forecasting too. 

Ironically, the next book I chose to listen to was What You Wish For, and it's a story that takes place in... Did you guessed it? - Galveston, Texas! It's present day though, and is about a private elementary school and the school librarian who - at one point in the story - tells children about the 1900 hurricane. I couldn't have picked out such a story if I tried! The book's focus is on the school's new principal who has railroaded their traditions, changing everything to emphasize school security. 

I think I pretty much like anything written by Kate Alice Marshall. While her story themes may be a bit far-fetched, she's very entertaining.

For example, in I'm Still Alive, we're following a teenage girl, Jess, who has been left stranded in the north woods of Canada. Winter is coming, and she must remember everything she's been taught, and has yet to figure out, about how to survive on her own. 

The Wedding Vow is an exciting read from the perspective of a young wife who's learning that her beloved dead husband was a conniving philanderer. It's one of those wonderful stories where the author leads you through the book by a nose ring - sure you know who the real culprit is - and then brings you up short.

Dandy Smith is another good author. Thanks Karen E.! 

As for the book Write Me for You... boy, is it heart-wrenching! I mean, I'd rate it higher because it's well-written, but the topic is difficult.

Teenagers June and Jesse meet at a special hospital - a lovely Texas horse ranch - to participate in a drug trial meant as a last ditch effort to save people with acute myeloid leukemia. They become the focus of a beautiful love story.

Take a screen shot, shown in rating order, so you'll have it the next time you're looking for a book. Enjoy!

Linda

Filmstrip Quilt Tutorial

So many quilters have asked me questions about how I made my Filmstrip Quilt (I gave it its name based on the width of the strips) that I thought you'd enjoy having a little guidance when you decide to make your own. 

First though, allow me give credit where it's due. My friend Cindy @cbubblesnsews was working on her strippy, scrappy quilt while on our Central Florida MQG retreat in May.

At right is my photograph of Cindy's top.

Cindy is quick to credit our friend Janice for the idea. Below is Janice showing one of several she has made.

I'm happy to share what I know and learned through the making process. The concept and "rules" for this design are straightforward: 

1. All strips are cut 1½" wide, and are pieced end-to-end with a shortened stitch length.
2. Every print wraps around a corner. 
• Choose prints with value contrast. The greater value difference, the better.
• Don't hesitate to add neutral/low volume prints. 
• I did not use any solids in my quilt, though you may!
3. Press each seam - every time - after it has been sewn, to ensure your quilt lays flat.
• To reduce bulk, I pressed open seams because I knew I'd be quilting on my home sewing machine.

When cutting the length of the first 1½"-wide, know this:

The length of the first center strip determines the difference between the length and width of the quilt top.

For example. My center strip is 5½"-long, so my quilt top is 64" X 69" - a difference of 5". 

Another example: For a quilt top that's 52" X 60", start with a 8½"-long center strip.

And another example: For a quilt top that's 60" X 70", start with a 10½"-long center strip.

A ½" is added for the seam allowances. Get it?

• I began with a 1½" X 5½" strip;
• then sewed a 1½" X 1½" yellow print square to the top of the 5½" strip;
• then added a 1½" X 6½" yellow print strip to the right side;
• then added a 2½"-long aqua print strip to the bottom; 
• then continued with the aqua print on the left side;
• and so on.

I never first measured the length of a side, cut the strip that length, and then sewed it. I always sewed first, then cut off at the end. That's certainly contrary to what we've learned about joining a border to a quilt center but... 

1) I always use the dual feed feature on my Bernina, to ensure both fabrics were piecing as one.

2) When the quilt top was getting larger (about 14" or more to a side), I pinned seams before piecing.

3) I always pressed every seam as I progressed

Janice said she pieced this quilt top differently, measuring each side, then cutting the strip to match. She pinned only at the beginning and end.

So there you go... two different ways to approach piecing. Pick your poison! 

Once you've got a good start, it's easy to continue sewing from a fabric "reel" pieced from strips sewn end-to-end. (See how I'm using film terms to stay with our theme?) 

Not knowing how many strips I would need, my first reel was 35 linear yards of fabric. (Yes, I measured.) When piecing the first reel, I was more inclined to use shorter strips, some being only 10" long, cut from a layer cake.

My second reel was 40-yards long.

In the two pictures below you can see how I made sure each print wrapped around the corner. No print stops at a corner.

That around-the-corner look is what makes the design effective.

After sewing each strip to a side, I stepped to my ironing table to press seams open. 

Sometimes I sprayed the seam allowance with Magic Quilting and Crafting Spray, and sometimes I sprayed Faultless Niagra Spray Starch. One or the other was invaluable for ensuring that the quilt top remained flat while I pieced.

I never did any fabric trimming to straighten the edge of a strip. 

Two very important lessons-learned.

First Lesson

As you're piecing, it's sometimes necessary to remove a strip of fabric from your reel. 

For instance, if a strip you're adding ends at the end of an already-pieced strip, and there isn't enough of same-print strip to wrap around a corner... 

OR

If a strip you're ready to sew to a side is the same fabric that's already pieced to that side... 

Stop. Unpiece that strip from the reel. Sew to join the next strip. Move on. 

What I'm trying to explain is that you'll find that not every strip on your reel is the proper length or correct fabric to add to your top. So expect to pause, unsew the offending strip, and continue with the next piece. You can always join the removed strip later, to another side. 

My 1½" strips were progressively longer as my quilt top got larger. But I never used a full 40"-42" width of fabric. When I cut a 1½" X 40" strip from yardage (as I had to do to get longer strips), I always cut it into two pieces. The dashed line indicates approximately where I cut a strip into two pieces, as I tried to keep strips in random lengths.

In keeping with the scrappy theme, I pieced a backing. It's somewhat similar to the quilt top, though more closely follows the design of a Log Cabin. 

For batting I used Quilter's Dream Cotton Request, my favorite go-to batting.

For quilting on my home machine, I chose one large spiral. In hindsight, this was not a good choice.

Second Lesson

After quilting, I noticed that the quilt center seemed mashed - squashed-out - "cup-py" or "puddily" for lack of better terms. I believe that the "push" created by the presser foot moving in an outward spiral, forced all those straight seams into curves.

Sigh. 

I'll mention though that I loved quilting with Scanfil 30-weight thread! I used the lovely yellow (far right) on top, and Scanfil beige 50-weight in the bobbin. Scanfil quilted beautifully.

 It's my poor choice of a quilting design that spoiled it. Though it looks nice here!

Thinking to ease out some of the puddle-effect, after quilting I washed and blocked the quilt. Washing seemed to help, though I'm really glad I tossed two Carbona Color Grabbers into the machine! Yikes!

I'm a dedicated pre-washer, but for this quilt I used some unwashed layer cake prints - like the tone-on-tone purple and pink prints in the picture below. No doubt those are some of the colors caught in the color grabber sheets.

Binding is a fun, diagonally printed striped.

Being a fabric-tracker, I am delighted to report that making this 63" X 67½" quilt used 7.449 yards of fabric. Isn't it a good scrap-buster?

I hope this tutorial proves useful, and that you have lots of fun and success making your own Filmstrip Quilt. 

I'd love to hear how it goes for you. If you comment, be sure I know your email address. I will reply so you can send me a picture of your quilt. I'd love to see! Linda