One Step Forward Two Back....

Hello friends.  Hope you are all staying well.  I changed course on my Whig Rose quilting design.

Throughout the LONG process of making this quilt I had planned to use the feather stencil (bottom), but it just wasn't working.

 

I tested the design on paper first.

I've never used this one before and low and behold, it was Jill's and I must have inherited after she passed away.

 I extended the feather pattern outward to the corners.  It fit beautifully with no adjustments and no need to have any awkward corners.

 What do you think?  I will do radiating lines (as I almost always do) to fill the background.

 After attaching the HST borders I realized they were not lined up properly.  😡😩😭  So I took them off (a couple of times actually).

 So using a ruler I forced eased them into proper spacing.

Things are about to get worse so let's take a puzzle break.....
this is where my Frida puzzle was on Friday.  It is a Challenging one!

 Hooray!  Completed on Sunday!  1000 pieces.

 See how I'm pinning this?   I want the red edge to be on  the outside so I can have red binding.

 You okay Mom?  There was a lot of loud and angry self admonishments going on in the sewing room.

 sometimes you just have to walk away and take a break....

 Making these feed in staight isn't easy, but my handy flat seam ripper helps.

 AAAhhh, finally this is right and straight.

 I have one more side to attach today.  I'm not sure I go with the outside corner and may play around with a HST.  What do you think?

 Tenacity is our family motto and I will prevail.

To end on a lighter note.  I found this at Bed, Bath and Beyonce and my husband said:
"is that a dish drainer?" and I said "No, it's for my butt"

 My cute sewing chair offers no back or spine support.

 It may look funny, but my back thanks me!

 Hooray for my little state of Connecticut.  On friday it was the only decreasing covid state in the country.

My friend, Cynthia's last post put me on to this funny podcast.  You may know Mel from The Great British Baking Show. 

Give it a listen.  We all need a giggle.
Take Care!
xo

Flowers Flowers Flowers

Back on my wall - Whig Rose

 I have finished all the HST and I've attached 3 of the borders. whew 😅

I marked the center with a very traditional cross-hatch.  I want the applique to be the star of the center section.

 I will probably do outline quilting as well as the cross hatch.

Here are some of my flowers in real life.  These petunias match my quilt!

Most of my gardening is in pots because I live on a rock ledge.

One of my favorites is portulaca or moss rose.

Very traditional plants for in my front urns.  I bought these new this year at Home Depot.  They really look like iron but are composite.

Barbara S. often posts photos of pretty wild flowers.  I admire her knowledge of these little beauties of nature.  See her recent post here.

She shared photos of this charming book.  I found myself thinking "I'd like a book like this..."

I took coco to Cinton, CT for a stroll and deposited 2 books in this  Little Library.  Low and behold, look what I found?   Isn't that something?  Thank you universe!

On our walk we spotted these flowers which I will try to identify.

 We visited the Historical Society's Garden.  It is so charming!

Awe, I adore foxglove.

 My new book is right at home in this timeless garden.

 Here is my herb garden.  It is the sunniest spot I have and just few steps from the kitchen.  Needs must.

One of our favorite things in the summer is what we call "Green Bread".    It is a great way to use up leftover BBQ buns.

I use all the herbs.  Here's how I make it:

Fresh rosemary, oregano, chive, basil, thyme and parsley; minced.

softened butter

salt and pepper

garlic powder

grated parmesan cheese

mix into a spread

 I sprinkle a little extra cheese on the top and toast it in a 450 oven for 8-10 minutes - watch closely.   It is delicious on Italian bread with a pasta dinner 😋

 I served it with an Asian Ramen Chicken Salad.  perfect summer dinner.

I'm working on an unfinished applique' project of Jill Reids.  More on that next time.

I hope you are all staying safe and well.
xo

Best of Times - Worst of Times

What a week!  We celebrated my Birthday and it was so wonderful to have everyone here.  Cheers to 58 Years.

 

Kelly sent me this wonderful book and fabric pack.  I look forward to making something soon.  Isn't that the sweetest gift card?  Kelly painted it herself.

I received gorgeous flowers.

Some really unusual blooms.

My Birthday is the anniversary of our bringing Nutmeg home.  It has been one year and we adore her even though she is spicy.

I received a special candle of Abundance.  You state your intentions for what you want more of in your life and you light it.   It smelled like cinnamon and wood.

After 2 1/2 days, two beautiful crystals are revealed as a keepsake.

Hanna celebrated her Birthday a few days after mine.  David's gift was this unicorn pool.  Silly fun!

David and Hanna also became engaged!  It was low key as you can imagine in the time of covid.  We are thrilled and have felt David is already part of family.  No plans yet.

Hanna is wearing an Opal and Gold ring that David's grandfather made.  Her Diamond Engagement Ring (also made by his grandfather) is in Cincinnati with David's family until they can visit.

It was also a week of the worst of times.  I am journaling some it here for my historial record with no editorial comments.

Everyday was a heartache.  Everyday last week made me question everything about who we are as a country.

I was gladdened to see this humble sign in my privileged white CT shoreline town.   Reassured me that I am not alone.

I did very little sewing which is fine, but I realized that there may be a reason I have stalled on my African fabric project.  A creeping feeling of unease "Cultural Misappropriation".

Cultural Appropriation

"Cultural appropriation, at times also phrased cultural misappropriation, is the adoption of an element or elements of one culture by members of another culture. This can be controversial when members of a dominant culture appropriate from disadvantaged minority cultures."

So I decided yesterday to clear it from my design wall for now.

Sometimes you just need a fresh start creatively and emotionally and that's okay.  We'll be OKAY.

Thank you to my friends and family for all the well wishes this week for the Birthday Girls and the Betrothed. 

I have so many things to be grateful for during these troubled times.  Among them are you, my blogland community.

Thank You - Stay Well. 

xo