We have turned the calendar page to a new month and seemingly a new season. March marched out with an attitude and the blustery winds continue. *sigh* None the less, it is my birthday month and I'm going to celebrate it as often as I get a chance! Sixty some years ago I arrived on Easter Sunday, and I am celebrating by getting ready to go camping. While my birthday is later in the month, I still celebrate on Easter. I hope that your Easter-Resurrection Day is blessed.
But before I get into talking about our trip let's take a look at this week's Sew & Tell feature - Linda at Texas Quilt Gal showed off her Stay At Home Round Robin flimsy. It was clever to make the squares in pairs for the various prompts and using the same block for the corners. Turning them on point with two different fabrics for the inside and outside helps to frame the center panel just perfectly. Be sure to visit Linda's blog to get all of the details.
It seems that it has been forever since I've offered an update on my bookish journal blocks... But, really, it has only been two weeks!
Send for me was a historical fiction that moved between Germany on the eve of WWII and present-day Wisconsin.
The story explored the relationships of mothers and daughters and the duty and obligation for them both and how they shape one's personality and the way they handle change.
Honestly, the story was a little uninteresting to me until the young woman, Clare, named for her grandmother, stumbles upon a trove of her grandmother's letters from Germany... that had been stored in some old purses.
Funny thing... the letters from the former German POWs that were sent to my grandparents were stored in an old purse! That was the turning point for me. Clare had to have the letters translated in order to learn of the messages they held. I also needed to have letters translated...
Through the letters she sees the history of her family's sacrifices in a new light and is suddenly faced with an impossible choice: the past, or her future.
Christmas at Carnton was an enjoyable Christmas romance that unfolded amid the Civil War and tells the story of hope renewed and faith restored. It was set against the backdrop and history of the Carnton Plantation in Franklin, TN. I'm not sure if it was a prequel to With this Pledge, or a sequel. There were familiar characters in addition to the setting.
Up next was A Clearing in the Wild. A Christian fiction about a young woman (Emma) from a Bethel community in Missouri, her new husband who is actually nearly old enough to be her father and their journey on the Oregon Trail in the 1850s.
Emma was a passionate and independent thinker and finds it difficult to rein in her tongue when speaking with her husband and the other leaders of the community.
There were times I couldn't believe she spoke out and others that I thought she was right for doing so. I enjoyed hearing/seeing how she had matured and how some of the other leaders grew to respect her opinion.
By the Shores of Silver Lake was a sort of "homework" assignment for me. I always enjoy a book from the LIW series. It was a short listen... just 6 hours.... which I enjoyed as I quilted my Ribbons quilt from the retreat.
I quilted 1/4" from the ribbon seams, as well as the individual blocks. The effect was a lovely plaid design.
While the colors and style are outside of my comfort zone I do like the quilt. It's not one that I feel I need to keep for myself but am happy with it. It is bright and cheery and makes me smile.
While at the retreat one quilter showed us how she was making a unique disappearing 9-patch. Rather than cutting the 9-patch in four straight quarter sections they were cut on both diagonals.
Since I had time and had extra 10-inch blocks I gave it a try.
Joella and I messed around with a layout but were not impressed with any of them.
After getting home I pulled out the extra jelly roll strips I had from the same fabric collection and started laying everything out. It's a very different backing... But I like it! I like it nearly more than the front. It's a "modern" look... the fabrics, the layout, the lines, the colors and prints. All of it is so "Modern."
I have attached a black-ish/grey flanged binding and will be sewing it down as we travel for our spring camping trip. I'm still not sure if I will be using black thread for this or if I want to use a variegated cotton thread that is pink/orange.
This beauty will have the opportunity for its photo shoot to take place in and/or around Moab. Watch for them.
Since we're in a new month, this means that there is a new color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. It is pink! I have a good supply of pink scraps... light pink, bright pink, darker pinks that begin to tip toward reddish-brown.
Positive and negative wonky scrappy star blocks are completed...
One last photo... here are all of the Bookish Journal blocks for the first quarter of the year... 30 to date.
That's all for this week. Time to get serious about packing the camper. Woohoo! I'll be doing laundry and planning meals. It is somewhat challenging to be able to pack enough food for 2 weeks, but by staying flexible and sticking with some meals already prepared and frozen, it makes it easier. If we find that we need something... there are always grocery stores to be found.
We'll be exploring Arches and Canyonlands and probably Dead Horse State Park while around the Moab area... and who knows where else! It has been far too long since our last camping trip.
Are there any quilt shops on the path of our tour?
Pagosa Springs, Durango, Cortez, Moab and Grand Junction?
If you know of any, let me know... I'd love to be able to stop by, if time permits and they are open. Party on!
Keep Piecing,
Melva
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