Today I have a hodge-podge of things to show you, beginning with the title page for the quiet book that I promised to show you...
Next, is a picture of the beautiful amaryllis my friend MEK gave me for Christmas. Four massive blooms that brightened my life for awhile. Thank you MEK!
Lastly, I needed a project to do throughout the 'computer withdrawal' phase so I picked up one of the UFO's I've been storing for far too long. Some of you might remember that I took an online course from Rhonda Dort several years ago that utilized some of my stash of hankies, doilies and laces. The poor project has languished in my sewing room needing to be quilted. I am SO not a quilter!! But, being quite desperate for something to occupy myself (although I could have started the next landscape I guess) I hauled it out and unearthed my embroidery/quilting frame and set to work. I thought hearts would be a good design choice.
I managed two rows of quilting before my hands (and my neck!) decided enough was enough for the time being. I simply cannot imagine how ladies can sit for hours in front of a quilting frame - most definitely a yawn-worthy enterprise if you ask me! I would have coughed up the bucks and had this one done by a longarm quilter but there's too much lace and 'gee haws' that would most likely mire in their machines.
A closeup to show the quilting design
Today, the quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson...
It's so good to see you back in action. And now we can see the book cover and Isla's name. That was a lovely artwork/toy.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of catching up to do on the computer - amazing how things pile up when you're missing in action for a bit!
DeleteJust a lovely book cover you finished making;))
ReplyDeletethanks for the charts--really handy for knitting...
Have a great weekend
hugs from beneath my umbrella Julierose:D
Thank you Julierose! Stay warm and dry under that umbrellla.
DeleteYour sweet Isla (love the name) will soon be happily turning pages in her oh-so-special quiet book. I remember admiring this quilt before when you were piecing it. It has such a lovely vintage look. I do think it would be a shame to put it under the long arm.
ReplyDeleteI love her name too - not one you hear of very often. Long arming the quilt would definitely be a faster process but it does lend itself to hand quilting I think.
DeleteThe hearts are nice.
ReplyDeleteCritter patterns' link...I want a flying squirrel pillow for my sofa! That pattern is adorable.
The flying squirrel is rather cute! You should make one, just for the fun of it.
DeleteAs one who loves the process of slow hand quilting, I am glad you quilted your beautiful linens quilt. The quilted hearts make it even more lovely, if indeed, that is possible. The cover for Isla's book is sweet. Isla will spend many fun hours exploring her fabulous book.
ReplyDelete'Quilted' is not quite what's happened tho - it's still in the 'quilting' phase and will be for a very long time to come I expect. I must admit to wrestling it through my sewing machine to do the straight lines between the blocks but couldn't manage it for the hearts so by hand it is. All this is serving to remind me just how much I don't want to ever sane quilt!
DeleteI raised a lot of amaryllis in my classroom. A different child each day measured the height and we reported it on a bar graph, later changed to a line graph. It grew so fast that it kept interest. Then always the blooms amazed us all. I loved the red ones.
ReplyDeleteAnd whats with our necks these days? It tires out on me now while working or reading before my hands or eyes do.
Your book is going to be amazing. Sweet name too.
I've learned that marathon sessions of this type of stitching isn't good for my body. I think a lot of it might be how I have to tilt my head in order to get what I'm stitching into focus with my glasses.
DeleteAnd yes, I think the red amaryllis are my favourites too.
I have missed you dear. Isla’s fabric book is adorable…just like she is. Hearts embroidered on your hanky quilt will be perfect. A true Labor of Love. It takes as long as it takes…
ReplyDeleteYes it will definitely take me time to finish that quilt, all the while muttering about the folly of having undertaken it in the first place. Reminding me again that I am so not a sane quilter!
DeleteOh Mary Anne... that is a beautifully pieced quilt. And your hand-stitched hearts make it even more special (if that's possible). Yes, it's possible. I hear you on the strain it is, though. I think the underlying cause of my thumb pain is holding onto my stitching pieces when I cross stitched. And my neck and shoulder would get stiff, too. I am so terribly sad to contemplate that because I want very badly to do more. Sigh. Time will tell if I pick it back up.
ReplyDeleteI guess as we get older we need to keep reminding ourselves that we should do everything in moderation and no longer think marathon sessions of stitching/knitting/creating are such a great plan. Hard to change our lifelong mindset though!
DeleteQuiet books are so much fun. I missed out on getting myself an Amaryllis this year. You got a good one. Seems like this is the year for UFO finishes. I just finished a top. Too many other things to do so it won't get quilted for a while (along with others.)
ReplyDeleteI lucked out and ended up with two amaryllis bulbs so I had double the joy. I have decided from now on I will buy myself one every year, just for the fun of it.
DeleteThe book cover is adorable! It will be quite loved for sure! Hand quilting is something I don't do. Tried it years ago and figured that if my grandmother had a machine, she would not have quilted by hand. My rant for today (grin).
ReplyDeleteMy grandmothers both quilted by hand although I know my maternal grandma had a treadle Singer she used for piecing. I don't remember what my paternal grandmother did but I do remember her having quilts set up on giant quilting frames.
DeleteI love your UFO quilt, it is very pretty... and I can feel your hand and neck pain! But it is going to look great, so don't give up :) xx
ReplyDeleteI'm hugely relieved that the quilt isn't bed-sized because it would end up being a life's work to quilt I'm sure.
DeleteLove the little mermaid - she's going to have so much fun with that book. Your amaryllis is beautiful. We love them too and wish they'd last longer. We've had a little success getting them to rebloom the next year. I love the quilt also - anything with hearts is a go for me.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's the sad thing about an amaryllis. I've never had any luck in getting them to rebloom so it's worth it just to buy a fresh one.
DeleteSo glad that you are back on line! The quilt is beautiful. Maybe one heart a day will get it done for you.
ReplyDeleteI've actually been thinking about trying that, although it's a right royal pain to get the thing out and set it up every day. No extra room to leave it set up in my sewing room unfortunately.
DeleteLoved the title page of your book and I am sure Isla will love it too! Christine xx
ReplyDeleteIsla will have to get a wee bit older before she appreciates it, but at least it will be waiting for when she is.
DeleteA truly wonderful book cover. Isla is a lovely name. You have achieved a lot this year, not just stitching. There's the new computer,Phone, the Xmas gifts finally arrived, a visit from Son and family,the beautiful amaryllis to brighten the room, meeting outdoors with a friend and plans for new landscapes. I recall the doiley/ lace quilt in the making and enjoyed each. There's no rush to complete the quilt so maybe even 15 minutes per week would shorten the finish time. You can do anything MaryAnne!! xxx
ReplyDeleteGosh it's nice to know you have faith in me! Your comment about doing anything in 15 minutes is a good one and reminded me about a book I read once that suggested the same thing. You're right that there's no rush to complete the quilt, beyond my wanting to get it out of my sewing room to make room for other things.
DeleteSuch a pretty mermaid, yay!
ReplyDeleteThe quilt looks lovely, I like the hearts with it. I would not have the patience to make quilts, you're doing a great job!
Coloring page to the rescue for the mermaid. And I don't have the patience for sane quilts either - the only reason I have this one is because I wanted to use up some linens I had in my stash.
Delete