Do you have a particular phrase that you say before you convince yourself to do something a little foolish? Mine seems to be "how bad could it be," a statement which was uttered before I flung myself backwards onto the lawn to make a snow angel.
On the positive side, icy snow (ouch!) does hold an image pretty nicely!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Grandparents' photo quilt (top)
DH said the quilt should be blue and brown, sort of a traditional Japanese color scheme, and masculine because it's intended to be used by his grandfather, and so it is. There are two special fabrics that I wanted to call out.
1) The ecru fabric (third from the left in the link) is the only fabric here that was actually made in Japan. It's part of the popular Daiwabo line which is based on antique Japanese prints. I wanted to use it for this reason and because (with pale blue and taupe leaves and amber-brown dots, it married the brown and blues in the quilt). The stripe in the narrow middle border and the backing were chosen to coordinate with this fabric so it wouldn't stick out too badly!
2) The deep brown border is a sunprint batik with little leaves and twigs on it. It's absolutely beautiful, and it had to be washed about 10 times before the wash water stopped leaking dye. There is a close-up here, only the color in the piece I have is ruddier, not so olive. You currently see the brown as 5 3/4"; after I sandwich the quilt, everything will get squared/trimmed up and the (black) binding will be added, so it'll end up 5" wide (same as the blocks in the body of the quilt).
Click the photo to see the larger version.
1) The ecru fabric (third from the left in the link) is the only fabric here that was actually made in Japan. It's part of the popular Daiwabo line which is based on antique Japanese prints. I wanted to use it for this reason and because (with pale blue and taupe leaves and amber-brown dots, it married the brown and blues in the quilt). The stripe in the narrow middle border and the backing were chosen to coordinate with this fabric so it wouldn't stick out too badly!
2) The deep brown border is a sunprint batik with little leaves and twigs on it. It's absolutely beautiful, and it had to be washed about 10 times before the wash water stopped leaking dye. There is a close-up here, only the color in the piece I have is ruddier, not so olive. You currently see the brown as 5 3/4"; after I sandwich the quilt, everything will get squared/trimmed up and the (black) binding will be added, so it'll end up 5" wide (same as the blocks in the body of the quilt).
Click the photo to see the larger version.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Photos for a photo quilt
Photos for the grandparents' photo quilt have been transferred - and our printer only munched up one sheet of the specially prepared fabric!
Now I have to let them sit for 24-48 hours to "cure."
Now I have to let them sit for 24-48 hours to "cure."
Friday, November 30, 2007
Wedding traditions, part 3
Yesterday I promised you that I would be touching today upon the other and most noticeable Japanese element in our wedding: the sake ritual.
The sake ritual is one of the oldest elements of the Japanese wedding ceremony, dating back to a time when sharing a sip of sake was as formal a bond as a Victorian handshake. The ritual as it is practiced today is known colloquially as the san san ku do: three [san] sets of three sips, for a total of nine times [ku do]. Starting with the smallest of three nested cups, the groom drinks a small amount of sake in three sips. The cup is then refilled and passed to the bride, who does the same. They move on to the middle cup, then to the largest. At the conclusion of the ceremony, both families drink together to signify the unification not only of the bride and groom, but of their families and traditions as well.
The sake set that is used for the ceremony, as you can tell from this description, is a very specific type. I scoured the web (pre-Google this took a bit more effort than it would today) and finally found a store in Los Angeles's Little Tokyo that had such a thing. In fact, they had two - one in red lacquer and one in black. The one we chose (lucky red, of course!), was etched with images of pine, bamboo, and plum.
At the very end of our western wedding ceremony, we had my little sister (then 10 years old), our sake maiden, pour for us. As she poured, the officiant explained the meaning of the symbols on the sake set: pine for longevity and endurance; bamboo for constancy; plum for hope. Then we walked out to our parents, poured for them, and they drank together to symbolize the joining of the families.
Afterwards, one of DH's grandmothers came up to us, beaming, and said that when she was young, she herself had served as a sake maiden at a wedding ceremony. She hadn't understood what it was all about, and had wondered many a time, but had never known for sure - until this very day.
I beamed back, too thrilled to speak.
The sake ritual is one of the oldest elements of the Japanese wedding ceremony, dating back to a time when sharing a sip of sake was as formal a bond as a Victorian handshake. The ritual as it is practiced today is known colloquially as the san san ku do: three [san] sets of three sips, for a total of nine times [ku do]. Starting with the smallest of three nested cups, the groom drinks a small amount of sake in three sips. The cup is then refilled and passed to the bride, who does the same. They move on to the middle cup, then to the largest. At the conclusion of the ceremony, both families drink together to signify the unification not only of the bride and groom, but of their families and traditions as well.
The sake set that is used for the ceremony, as you can tell from this description, is a very specific type. I scoured the web (pre-Google this took a bit more effort than it would today) and finally found a store in Los Angeles's Little Tokyo that had such a thing. In fact, they had two - one in red lacquer and one in black. The one we chose (lucky red, of course!), was etched with images of pine, bamboo, and plum.
At the very end of our western wedding ceremony, we had my little sister (then 10 years old), our sake maiden, pour for us. As she poured, the officiant explained the meaning of the symbols on the sake set: pine for longevity and endurance; bamboo for constancy; plum for hope. Then we walked out to our parents, poured for them, and they drank together to symbolize the joining of the families.
Afterwards, one of DH's grandmothers came up to us, beaming, and said that when she was young, she herself had served as a sake maiden at a wedding ceremony. She hadn't understood what it was all about, and had wondered many a time, but had never known for sure - until this very day.
I beamed back, too thrilled to speak.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wedding traditions, part 2
Our wedding celebration included a number of elements from DH's Japanese heritage as well. Our invitations had a cherry blossom motif, and we used folding fans to decorate the pews of the chapel. (Fans are symbols of the wish for future happiness and prosperity at weddings: just as the ribs of an open fan stretch out in many directions, so the couple's future unfolds before them.)
But there were two traditions that really took center stage. One was the folding of origami cranes. (The other I'll cover tomorrow.)
In Japanese-American families, it is customary to fashion lucky paper cranes for weddings. This may be due not only to the crane's association with longevity, happiness, and fidelity, but also to the belief that folding 1000 cranes will grant a wish. To make 1001 of these origami birds signifies a wish for luck "a thousand times, and then some."
Folding an individual origami crane goes pretty quickly, as you can see in this animated crane folding tutorial. Folding 1001 cranes, however, is a bit more daunting. Fortunately our mothers agreed to pitch in on the task. So we purchased packet upon packet of gold origami paper, and reconciled ourselves to devoting all of our downtime to crane making!
When the cranes were ready, we strung garlands of them from a large hoop (like the garlands of flowers and ribbons at the top of a may pole). We placed a single crane at each place setting at the reception, as an accompaniment to the chocolates we offered as favors. And even after all this, we ended up with hundreds of cranes in reserve.
Over the years, I've been tucking our wedding cranes into festive packages, and have given several batches to friends to share at their own weddings. We double the good wishes by sharing them :)
But there were two traditions that really took center stage. One was the folding of origami cranes. (The other I'll cover tomorrow.)
In Japanese-American families, it is customary to fashion lucky paper cranes for weddings. This may be due not only to the crane's association with longevity, happiness, and fidelity, but also to the belief that folding 1000 cranes will grant a wish. To make 1001 of these origami birds signifies a wish for luck "a thousand times, and then some."
Folding an individual origami crane goes pretty quickly, as you can see in this animated crane folding tutorial. Folding 1001 cranes, however, is a bit more daunting. Fortunately our mothers agreed to pitch in on the task. So we purchased packet upon packet of gold origami paper, and reconciled ourselves to devoting all of our downtime to crane making!
When the cranes were ready, we strung garlands of them from a large hoop (like the garlands of flowers and ribbons at the top of a may pole). We placed a single crane at each place setting at the reception, as an accompaniment to the chocolates we offered as favors. And even after all this, we ended up with hundreds of cranes in reserve.
Over the years, I've been tucking our wedding cranes into festive packages, and have given several batches to friends to share at their own weddings. We double the good wishes by sharing them :)
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Wedding traditions, part 1
Tradition has it that in colonial America, young women made a dozen quilt tops before they married. When they became engaged, friends and neighbors would gather to help complete the twelve tops and begin on the lucky thirteenth - the coverlet for the new bride and groom. This special quilt often included blocks with names of friends and relatives embroidered or signed in ink.
You've heard me blog about my friend's wedding, where we embroidered signatures on blocks for a quilt. At my own wedding, we provided pens and squares of white fabric for people to sign at the wedding reception itself.
Curious how well it worked? One of the grandmothers (a quilter herself) took it as her own personal mission to make sure that everyone came over and signed their squares, so we ended up with a pretty complete set! And only two people, who shall remain nameless (although my mother used to be married to one of them, ahem) managed to sign on the wrong side of the fabric.
Doing a wedding quilt instead of a guestbook was one of the ways we made the wedding more personal and expressive of us. (Branches of my family have been in this country since pre-revolutionary times, so in a way, this tradition and the choice of the historic site [shown in the Christopher Gurshin painting below] were nods to my heritage, as well as to my interests.)
I'm pretty tired tonight, so I think I'll tell you about the traditions we chose to follow from DH's heritage in tomorrow's post...
You've heard me blog about my friend's wedding, where we embroidered signatures on blocks for a quilt. At my own wedding, we provided pens and squares of white fabric for people to sign at the wedding reception itself.
Curious how well it worked? One of the grandmothers (a quilter herself) took it as her own personal mission to make sure that everyone came over and signed their squares, so we ended up with a pretty complete set! And only two people, who shall remain nameless (although my mother used to be married to one of them, ahem) managed to sign on the wrong side of the fabric.
Doing a wedding quilt instead of a guestbook was one of the ways we made the wedding more personal and expressive of us. (Branches of my family have been in this country since pre-revolutionary times, so in a way, this tradition and the choice of the historic site [shown in the Christopher Gurshin painting below] were nods to my heritage, as well as to my interests.)
I'm pretty tired tonight, so I think I'll tell you about the traditions we chose to follow from DH's heritage in tomorrow's post...
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Fierce white tiger
It's been 2 1/2 years since Finny was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and 6 months since he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.
And yet, the cat himself is currently purring away on my lap, 3 lbs lighter and quite a few whiskers short (side effect of the radiation on his thyroid gland), but otherwise the apparent picture of health, especially for a nearly 16 year old kitty.
Worry and fear are supposed to compromise the immune system, right? So does the fact that he doesn't know (and can't ever comprehend) that he is "supposed" to be sick help keep him from manifesting symptoms?
Or is the old macho wildcat lineage rearing its head in my gentle little housecat?
And yet, the cat himself is currently purring away on my lap, 3 lbs lighter and quite a few whiskers short (side effect of the radiation on his thyroid gland), but otherwise the apparent picture of health, especially for a nearly 16 year old kitty.
Worry and fear are supposed to compromise the immune system, right? So does the fact that he doesn't know (and can't ever comprehend) that he is "supposed" to be sick help keep him from manifesting symptoms?
Or is the old macho wildcat lineage rearing its head in my gentle little housecat?
Monday, November 26, 2007
The thrill of victory and the agony of the feet
DH and I have gotten into this friendly competition over what we can do on the treadmill. He automatically gets a better workout when we do the same thing because he's bigger; however, I have a very important advantage, and that is that my knees can take walking on an incline. So I can ultimately do as much as he can in the same amount of time (although I'm having to do it all uphill).
We've been one-upping each other every day, just to keep it a little more challenging. This game was all well and good until I made the decision to do about 150% of the previous day's workout. I had a reason for it that didn't pertain to our game, but I forgot to mention it to him.
When he saw the number I put up, he was very unhappy indeed. He retreated to the basement (where the treadmill is housed), and I came upstairs to check my mail.
Slightly more than an hour later, he came back upstairs and I checked with him to see how it had gone. He broke into a big grin, and announced that, once again, he had one-upped me.
RATS! Now I have to do more (not looking forward to that on today's blisters) or be the wimp who throws in the towel. Why, oh why, did I not announce I was calling the game off - back when I was still ahead! ;)
We've been one-upping each other every day, just to keep it a little more challenging. This game was all well and good until I made the decision to do about 150% of the previous day's workout. I had a reason for it that didn't pertain to our game, but I forgot to mention it to him.
When he saw the number I put up, he was very unhappy indeed. He retreated to the basement (where the treadmill is housed), and I came upstairs to check my mail.
Slightly more than an hour later, he came back upstairs and I checked with him to see how it had gone. He broke into a big grin, and announced that, once again, he had one-upped me.
RATS! Now I have to do more (not looking forward to that on today's blisters) or be the wimp who throws in the towel. Why, oh why, did I not announce I was calling the game off - back when I was still ahead! ;)
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Comforter
While we have a perfectly serviceable guest bedroom, we've never had a comforter for the bed. It wasn't too much of an issue, as smart guests head south in the cooler months. But when the odd winter guest did come to stay, we'd pull out random blankets from storage and present them with a pile of lime green, cotton candy, and periwinkle blue. (Ugh!)
And yet, despite the pile, anyone who didn't bring a spouse or partner would invariably end up feeling chilly at night unless we turned the thermostat way up.
This fall, we had enough company that we had to come up with a better way. So we set out for the store with our paint swatches and fabric samples, and went through every last comforter or duvet cover in the place.
Finally, in the very last row, we found it: warm and snuggly, and a shade of red that, for the first time ever, did not actively clash with the other colors in the room.
We got it back and spread it out... and it was True Love for the kitties. They congregate there during the day, and sneak in at night to luxuriate in the warmth and softness. If you try to keep them out, they sit in front of the door and cry.
While I do want the comforter to be warm and lovely for our guests, I cherish the hope that they won't be quite as fanatical about it as our connoisseurs of coziness.
And yet, despite the pile, anyone who didn't bring a spouse or partner would invariably end up feeling chilly at night unless we turned the thermostat way up.
This fall, we had enough company that we had to come up with a better way. So we set out for the store with our paint swatches and fabric samples, and went through every last comforter or duvet cover in the place.
Finally, in the very last row, we found it: warm and snuggly, and a shade of red that, for the first time ever, did not actively clash with the other colors in the room.
We got it back and spread it out... and it was True Love for the kitties. They congregate there during the day, and sneak in at night to luxuriate in the warmth and softness. If you try to keep them out, they sit in front of the door and cry.
While I do want the comforter to be warm and lovely for our guests, I cherish the hope that they won't be quite as fanatical about it as our connoisseurs of coziness.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Giving and receiving
It must be that time of year again, because we got our first question today about our gift lists.
Once my computer rejoined the world of the living, I spent some time going around the web trying to find budget-friendly items to put on a list. And as time went by and I continued to draw a blank, I got to the point where I was wishing that there were some other way of doing this.
I don't really need anything. And the sorts of things that I want are either intangibles (peace, contentment, etc.), or the outcome of seriously time-intensive endeavours. Neither of which would really fit easily on a list.
Which is not to say that I'm not trying anyway. I have been telling my mother for a couple of years now that I would love to have her write down her memories in autobiographical format. (I'd like my father to do this as well, only I've been too scared to ask him.) This would be priceless both to me and to future generations of our immediate and extended family.
All the same, I am sure my parents would give a lot of money not to have to do it. So in a way it's probably too much to ask.
If the only thing I want is too much... what do I do when they ask and keep asking for a list? They aren't going to accept "nothing" for an answer.
Maybe this is why edible gifts are increasing in popularity. (At least food gets used up!) Too bad nobody's close enough that I could just request a home cooked dinner or dessert (which I think would be enjoyable for both giver and recipient). :)
Once my computer rejoined the world of the living, I spent some time going around the web trying to find budget-friendly items to put on a list. And as time went by and I continued to draw a blank, I got to the point where I was wishing that there were some other way of doing this.
I don't really need anything. And the sorts of things that I want are either intangibles (peace, contentment, etc.), or the outcome of seriously time-intensive endeavours. Neither of which would really fit easily on a list.
Which is not to say that I'm not trying anyway. I have been telling my mother for a couple of years now that I would love to have her write down her memories in autobiographical format. (I'd like my father to do this as well, only I've been too scared to ask him.) This would be priceless both to me and to future generations of our immediate and extended family.
All the same, I am sure my parents would give a lot of money not to have to do it. So in a way it's probably too much to ask.
If the only thing I want is too much... what do I do when they ask and keep asking for a list? They aren't going to accept "nothing" for an answer.
Maybe this is why edible gifts are increasing in popularity. (At least food gets used up!) Too bad nobody's close enough that I could just request a home cooked dinner or dessert (which I think would be enjoyable for both giver and recipient). :)
Friday, November 23, 2007
Treadmill
In the everlasting quest for the ideal exercise gadget, DH recently purchased a treadmill. I tried it out for the first time today. It was my first treadmill experience.
In the past, I've done stair stepping, which is pretty hard on the knees if you use the step at any height at all. Plus, stepping backwards off a step isn't exactly a natural sort of movement for your body (although stepping backwards onto a step is harder!).
In comparison, the treadmill was just so easy. I was on for about 50 minutes, at a very brisk walk, and ended up stopping not because I was tired, but because I was just kind of bored. (I think I need to queue up an engaging movie and just see how long I can keep at it.)
This evening (yes, I came back later to add this!) my computer decided that it no longer wanted to go online. This may be just the incentive I need to redirect some of my time towards pursuits that are a little more physically active. Huzzah!
In the past, I've done stair stepping, which is pretty hard on the knees if you use the step at any height at all. Plus, stepping backwards off a step isn't exactly a natural sort of movement for your body (although stepping backwards onto a step is harder!).
In comparison, the treadmill was just so easy. I was on for about 50 minutes, at a very brisk walk, and ended up stopping not because I was tired, but because I was just kind of bored. (I think I need to queue up an engaging movie and just see how long I can keep at it.)
This evening (yes, I came back later to add this!) my computer decided that it no longer wanted to go online. This may be just the incentive I need to redirect some of my time towards pursuits that are a little more physically active. Huzzah!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Thanksgiving
This evening we tried something a little new for Thanksgiving - eating out. We have no family in the area (although as I noted before, I'm still hoping that may change!), and spending all day in the kitchen laboring over a feast just for the two of us seemed a little silly. So we looked on Opentable last night and found that a few local places still had availability.
We ended up at a restaurant in the city where I got to try a few things that I'd only ever heard about before - some amuse bouches, a foam, and a gelée. Very Top Chef in a way ;). I admit that I had a hard time with the gelée (which was sort of a savoury lobster item with the texture of jello), so that is apparently not my thing. But then, I don't love the texture of jello either, so at least I am consistent! More specifics available on request...
At the end of the meal, DH turned to me and said that we should make this a Thankgiving tradition. Sounds good to me!
We ended up at a restaurant in the city where I got to try a few things that I'd only ever heard about before - some amuse bouches, a foam, and a gelée. Very Top Chef in a way ;). I admit that I had a hard time with the gelée (which was sort of a savoury lobster item with the texture of jello), so that is apparently not my thing. But then, I don't love the texture of jello either, so at least I am consistent! More specifics available on request...
At the end of the meal, DH turned to me and said that we should make this a Thankgiving tradition. Sounds good to me!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Book review: I Love You like Crazy Cakes
I had noticed "I Love You Like Crazy Cakes" in my local bookstore before Sandie began her adoption journey. The lovely, peaceful watercolor illustrations caught my eye every time I went past the display, so when I had the excuse of this blog, I jumped at the chance to purchase a copy.
I put it away for a while, intent on other projects. But this summer, when I saw some of Anna's watercolors, I felt they were vaguely reminiscent, and mentioned the book to her. My comment was met with astonishment and delight, for it was, in fact, one of the very books she had referenced.
So the book has been here waiting patiently for me to post about it for a couple of months. And now, flailing about trying to find something to say in the longest November on record, I turn gratefully to it once more.
"I Love You Like Crazy Cakes" follows the story of a woman who adopts a baby girl from China. It is based on the author's own adoption experience, and is written as if in response to a question from her young daughter about how they came to be together.
As you would imagine from this description, the mother simplifies a fair bit for her young listener, so the whole adoption goes off lightning fast and without a single hitch, and the baby takes to her immediately. (Ah, poetic license.) With its simple and direct language, the book works well as a story to read to a young child.
Now, I know that Sandie prefers that the adoption stories she purchases show a family situation as close to her own as possible, and this one does feature a single mother and no siblings. I thought about this when I chose to purchase it, as I'm fully expecting to pass all of these books over to her in time. And I concluded that, while the book focuses specifically on the relationship between the mother and the daughter, it doesn't necessarily exclude the possibility that there may be other members of the family. If one wanted, one could easily add more family members into the list of people who come meet the baby once she's off the plane. (I always felt free to add and change things in the picture books I read to my little brother when he was young. He never called me on it! Authors, please don't kill me for this!) However, Sandie, if you feel hesitant, I'd be happy to keep this one with me. It really is a very pretty book and I wouldn't at all mind having it for my collection.
Buy this book (or just read more about it):
I put it away for a while, intent on other projects. But this summer, when I saw some of Anna's watercolors, I felt they were vaguely reminiscent, and mentioned the book to her. My comment was met with astonishment and delight, for it was, in fact, one of the very books she had referenced.
So the book has been here waiting patiently for me to post about it for a couple of months. And now, flailing about trying to find something to say in the longest November on record, I turn gratefully to it once more.
"I Love You Like Crazy Cakes" follows the story of a woman who adopts a baby girl from China. It is based on the author's own adoption experience, and is written as if in response to a question from her young daughter about how they came to be together.
As you would imagine from this description, the mother simplifies a fair bit for her young listener, so the whole adoption goes off lightning fast and without a single hitch, and the baby takes to her immediately. (Ah, poetic license.) With its simple and direct language, the book works well as a story to read to a young child.
Now, I know that Sandie prefers that the adoption stories she purchases show a family situation as close to her own as possible, and this one does feature a single mother and no siblings. I thought about this when I chose to purchase it, as I'm fully expecting to pass all of these books over to her in time. And I concluded that, while the book focuses specifically on the relationship between the mother and the daughter, it doesn't necessarily exclude the possibility that there may be other members of the family. If one wanted, one could easily add more family members into the list of people who come meet the baby once she's off the plane. (I always felt free to add and change things in the picture books I read to my little brother when he was young. He never called me on it! Authors, please don't kill me for this!) However, Sandie, if you feel hesitant, I'd be happy to keep this one with me. It really is a very pretty book and I wouldn't at all mind having it for my collection.
Buy this book (or just read more about it):
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Snowflakes
In celebration and recognition of our first snow of the season, I present a link to a site on snowflakes, run by the gentleman whose snowflake pictures appeared on the 39 cent snowflake stamps back in 2006. The site offers gorgeous close-up photos, snowflake facts and physics, and some ideas of snow-related activities for kids and adults.
If you become inspired here, you can seek out Paula Nadelstern's "Snowflakes & Quilts," to learn how to make amazing snowflake quilts. (The book is out of print, but I was able to find it last year at a quilt store for its original price. I include the link to Amazon so you can read a little about it; I'm not recommending that you purchase it at that inflated price!) Or just take the easier and more economical route and go goggle at the quilt gallery on her website!
If you become inspired here, you can seek out Paula Nadelstern's "Snowflakes & Quilts," to learn how to make amazing snowflake quilts. (The book is out of print, but I was able to find it last year at a quilt store for its original price. I include the link to Amazon so you can read a little about it; I'm not recommending that you purchase it at that inflated price!) Or just take the easier and more economical route and go goggle at the quilt gallery on her website!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Doctor Who
Lately I've been revisiting the newest Doctor Who series. These episodes, starting in 2005, are a far cry from the old time Doctor Who, with the low budget monsters and wobbly sets. Today the special effects are decent enough not to call attention to themselves.
I love that the characters travel in time, but we don't have to get all hung up on the details of the technology that allows them to do this. No super-hyper-mega-warp-schmarp-burp drive like they'd have on Star Trek. It's funnier than Trek, and more history-friendly too. (Stories include characters like Shakespeare and Dickens and Queen Victoria.)
Most of all, I love that the main character is a big old geek who takes a childlike sense of wonder and joy in life and adventure and all of the little things that make people (and other weird creatures) work. It's that joy that makes the character (and the series) so much more attractive to me than someone like Spock.
But don't tell my stepmother I said that. She's a huge Spock fan, and this would be tantamount to blasphemy.
I love that the characters travel in time, but we don't have to get all hung up on the details of the technology that allows them to do this. No super-hyper-mega-warp-schmarp-burp drive like they'd have on Star Trek. It's funnier than Trek, and more history-friendly too. (Stories include characters like Shakespeare and Dickens and Queen Victoria.)
Most of all, I love that the main character is a big old geek who takes a childlike sense of wonder and joy in life and adventure and all of the little things that make people (and other weird creatures) work. It's that joy that makes the character (and the series) so much more attractive to me than someone like Spock.
But don't tell my stepmother I said that. She's a huge Spock fan, and this would be tantamount to blasphemy.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Liam's recital
My brother-in-law is in town to interview for a potential job. (Who knows, they could actually be back here next year. I am keeping my fingers crossed!)
My sister took the opportunity to send along with him a CD of my 5 year old nephew's recital. Liam's performed with other kids before, but I believe this was his first solo recital. It covered all of the material found in the Suzuki violin book 1.
My sister started Suzuki group lessons when she was 3 years old. I don't know how old she was when she was playing the book 1 tunes, but I remember every one. (Not by name, but by melody. The human brain really seems to be wired to respond to and remember music and rhythm very well, which makes me wonder if maybe we shouldn't be integrating more music in the teaching of other subjects. Imagine the possibilities.)
I enjoyed revisiting all of the pieces, but my favorite moment was listening to my sister duet with Liam on three of the minuets. It gave me such a sense of continuity, the passing along of something important from one generation to the next.
Maybe in 25 or 30 years, it'll be Liam playing the harmony for his child in her/his first recital. And the rest of us, very old and gray by then, will be sitting in the audience, remembering...
My sister took the opportunity to send along with him a CD of my 5 year old nephew's recital. Liam's performed with other kids before, but I believe this was his first solo recital. It covered all of the material found in the Suzuki violin book 1.
My sister started Suzuki group lessons when she was 3 years old. I don't know how old she was when she was playing the book 1 tunes, but I remember every one. (Not by name, but by melody. The human brain really seems to be wired to respond to and remember music and rhythm very well, which makes me wonder if maybe we shouldn't be integrating more music in the teaching of other subjects. Imagine the possibilities.)
I enjoyed revisiting all of the pieces, but my favorite moment was listening to my sister duet with Liam on three of the minuets. It gave me such a sense of continuity, the passing along of something important from one generation to the next.
Maybe in 25 or 30 years, it'll be Liam playing the harmony for his child in her/his first recital. And the rest of us, very old and gray by then, will be sitting in the audience, remembering...
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Birds
I keep seeing a bird (sparrow?) motif in fabric and decor, like this Joel Dewberry print
When we were out and about the other day and wandered into various design shops, I thought for sure I'd see whole aviaries full of bird prints and other material... but I saw just one, in the very first shop.
Now I am wondering whether this is a trend whose time has come and gone, whether it's only just begun, or whether the whole thing was always only a flight of fancy to begin with.
Idle question, really, as I don't especially care for birds. It's just interesting and mysterious to me to see what floats in and out of style, and try to guess why.
When we were out and about the other day and wandered into various design shops, I thought for sure I'd see whole aviaries full of bird prints and other material... but I saw just one, in the very first shop.
Now I am wondering whether this is a trend whose time has come and gone, whether it's only just begun, or whether the whole thing was always only a flight of fancy to begin with.
Idle question, really, as I don't especially care for birds. It's just interesting and mysterious to me to see what floats in and out of style, and try to guess why.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Brownies
Two weekends ago, DH had to go into work all day Saturday to help conduct interviews for potential college hires. I decided I should bake him something nice to make up for it, so I took some of the peanut butter cups left over from Halloween, chopped them into wedges, and folded them into some homemade brownie batter.
When they came out, I tasted them - delicious! I let them cool, put a bunch into a plastic container, and left a half dozen or so on a plastic-wrapped plate on the table.
Some time after dinner, I wandered back through the dining room and was shocked to find one of my cats on the table hunched over the plate stuffing her face!
I burst into laughter at the guilty look on her fuzzy little face - even while I began to worry, knowing that chocolate in quantity is toxic to cats. The question was, how much was too much?
DH googled for information. And, after I gave him the amount of chocolate in the recipe, and the weight of the greedy kitty, he concluded that she was right on the border. So I got on the phone to animal poison control, and, ultimately, they suggested we'd better take her in to the emergency vet.
We knew we'd be about 3 hours in the waiting room, if they were as busy as they'd been in the past, but there was nothing to be done about that. We loaded the guilty party into her box, and headed off to the vet.
Not 3 minutes before we arrived, my husband the engineer almost stopped the car: "Wait... did I get the math wrong? I think... I think I multiplied instead of dividing at the end!"
Sure enough, he re-ran the numbers and confirmed it.
We called poison control back while sitting in the emergency vet parking lot. As he suspected, they told us we could just go home. Sigh. (At least we figured it out before they put kitty through some unpleasant procedure. The car ride she didn't actually mind.)
Tomorrow DH goes in to do another round of interviews. I'm thinking maybe this time I'll stay away from the baking...
When they came out, I tasted them - delicious! I let them cool, put a bunch into a plastic container, and left a half dozen or so on a plastic-wrapped plate on the table.
Some time after dinner, I wandered back through the dining room and was shocked to find one of my cats on the table hunched over the plate stuffing her face!
I burst into laughter at the guilty look on her fuzzy little face - even while I began to worry, knowing that chocolate in quantity is toxic to cats. The question was, how much was too much?
DH googled for information. And, after I gave him the amount of chocolate in the recipe, and the weight of the greedy kitty, he concluded that she was right on the border. So I got on the phone to animal poison control, and, ultimately, they suggested we'd better take her in to the emergency vet.
We knew we'd be about 3 hours in the waiting room, if they were as busy as they'd been in the past, but there was nothing to be done about that. We loaded the guilty party into her box, and headed off to the vet.
Not 3 minutes before we arrived, my husband the engineer almost stopped the car: "Wait... did I get the math wrong? I think... I think I multiplied instead of dividing at the end!"
Sure enough, he re-ran the numbers and confirmed it.
We called poison control back while sitting in the emergency vet parking lot. As he suspected, they told us we could just go home. Sigh. (At least we figured it out before they put kitty through some unpleasant procedure. The car ride she didn't actually mind.)
Tomorrow DH goes in to do another round of interviews. I'm thinking maybe this time I'll stay away from the baking...
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Halfway point
It's the midpoint of November, which is the halfway point in the blogging project.
The whole experience has been very... different. Unless I have something of a factual nature to report, I don't tend to write a lot. Having to sit down every single day and write, whether or not I have anything to say, has been both challenging (in a good way) and frustrating for me.
Today, I am feeling the obligatory nature of the project very much. With the time off, we've been gallivanting around the city quite a bit; as a result, no fabric has been purchased, no design decisions have been completed, and no quilting progress has been made. So there just isn't much to say.
It's never bad to write for the sake of having written; to just sit down and make yourself do it anyway. I just question whether it's necessary or desirable to go ahead and put it out there in a public place. (Of course you all always have the option to scroll down, and that grants me a certain measure of relief.)
Will it have been a good experience in the end? I think it may be one of those things that I will be glad that I've done. Waiting a few weeks for a sense of accomplishment... well, that's not so bad, is it?
The whole experience has been very... different. Unless I have something of a factual nature to report, I don't tend to write a lot. Having to sit down every single day and write, whether or not I have anything to say, has been both challenging (in a good way) and frustrating for me.
Today, I am feeling the obligatory nature of the project very much. With the time off, we've been gallivanting around the city quite a bit; as a result, no fabric has been purchased, no design decisions have been completed, and no quilting progress has been made. So there just isn't much to say.
It's never bad to write for the sake of having written; to just sit down and make yourself do it anyway. I just question whether it's necessary or desirable to go ahead and put it out there in a public place. (Of course you all always have the option to scroll down, and that grants me a certain measure of relief.)
Will it have been a good experience in the end? I think it may be one of those things that I will be glad that I've done. Waiting a few weeks for a sense of accomplishment... well, that's not so bad, is it?
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Art appreciation
We were out and about today (a day off). We stopped off at the MFA and bought a membership, but didn't stay; instead, we headed off down to the south end, where we walked about and wandered in and out of shops and just generally looked around.
One of the shops featured an exhibit of the paintings of an artist by the name of Oana Lauric, and DH took quite a fancy to some of her work.
Ultimately the subject turned to how someone can guess whether any given piece of art might appreciate or not. I told him that unless you are loaded and can hire an expert, you can investigate where an artist has shown (to see if these are prestigious or come-as-you-are shows), and you can do a little research, but ultimately you probably just buy what you like. And if it ends up appreciating, well, that's a side benefit. (Hey, it worked for Gertrude Stein! I don't know how many misses she had amongst the hits, though.)
But to tell the truth, I haven't a clue. Any hints, Tam? Or should I just start googling?
One of the shops featured an exhibit of the paintings of an artist by the name of Oana Lauric, and DH took quite a fancy to some of her work.
Ultimately the subject turned to how someone can guess whether any given piece of art might appreciate or not. I told him that unless you are loaded and can hire an expert, you can investigate where an artist has shown (to see if these are prestigious or come-as-you-are shows), and you can do a little research, but ultimately you probably just buy what you like. And if it ends up appreciating, well, that's a side benefit. (Hey, it worked for Gertrude Stein! I don't know how many misses she had amongst the hits, though.)
But to tell the truth, I haven't a clue. Any hints, Tam? Or should I just start googling?
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Practice, practice, practice
When my mother was out visiting, she and her friend got me started on hand quilting. She gave me a special thimble and an embroidery hoop with a little lap stand, too, so now I am all set to start a hand quilting project using proper hand quilting - once I can truly figure out what it is I'm doing.
(Proper hand quilting isn't exactly intuitive. Take a look at the stitch here Confused yet?)
I've done enough to realize that it'll take a lot of practice before I'm confident enough to do it on a real project. So I have a hoop set up with some scrap fabric and batting so I can try to get a few stitches on a needle at a time without having my stitches be an inch long. And in the meantime, I'll go back to "cheating" and finish up an in-progress project using my nice old familiar stab-stitching method. Only another quilter would be able to tell ;)
(Proper hand quilting isn't exactly intuitive. Take a look at the stitch here Confused yet?)
I've done enough to realize that it'll take a lot of practice before I'm confident enough to do it on a real project. So I have a hoop set up with some scrap fabric and batting so I can try to get a few stitches on a needle at a time without having my stitches be an inch long. And in the meantime, I'll go back to "cheating" and finish up an in-progress project using my nice old familiar stab-stitching method. Only another quilter would be able to tell ;)
Monday, November 12, 2007
Value judgments
DH has given me a little input on the sorts of colors and values I should be using in the photo quilt for the grandparents-in-law. This is group of potential fabrics we're considering - blues, browns, and neutrals that are generally medium to light in value. (I think he would rather that I not include the two darks on the right end at all, but I should be able to convince him with the ruby beholder.)
The photos scanned and printed on fabric will for the most part also be medium to light in value. That means you have a very low contrast quilt, so you need to look for a pattern where the blocks can be similar in value, rather than one that only works if there is significant value contrast. Like the snowball pattern. (uh oh)
Look at the examples here. In the ones with high contrast, where the snowball is significantly lighter or significantly darker than the surrounding squares, it stands out nicely and gives a nice crisp look. In the ones with low contrast, the pattern becomes a big muddle of slush.
I think this means we go back to the drawing board on the pattern here. :-S
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Painting's a pain
Since we were getting someone to paint the outside of the house this summer, and because we have some water damage in a few rooms indoors, we decided to go ahead and get the same company to fix up a few spots inside too. Picking a color for the kitchen walls has been a major pain.
Here is how it looks now with the original white walls. The granite is new as of this summer; we changed up the knobs (originally brass) to coordinate better with the counters.
The paint guru at the hardware store was enthusiastic, for some reason, about a sort of drab greyish pink color which was about as attractive as that description sounds. We ruled out that color - and nearly everything else for various other reasons - and ultimately arrived at gray.
But even when you narrow it down to gray, you have to pick exactly which shade and value you want (one for above the chair rail, one for below), and Benjamin Moore has so many that a person can get a little lost.
Over a few visits to the hardware store, we picked up a bouquet of paint chips in just about every shade of gray they had. We've finally played with them enough over the past few days to narrow down the combinations to two:
1) Bunny Gray above the chair rail; Pike's Peak Gray below.
2) Sterling above the chair rail; Adagio below
(You can view them here)
DH has gone to get some quarts so we can see how these really work together in real life on our real life walls. Eep. The moment of truth!
Here is how it looks now with the original white walls. The granite is new as of this summer; we changed up the knobs (originally brass) to coordinate better with the counters.
The paint guru at the hardware store was enthusiastic, for some reason, about a sort of drab greyish pink color which was about as attractive as that description sounds. We ruled out that color - and nearly everything else for various other reasons - and ultimately arrived at gray.
But even when you narrow it down to gray, you have to pick exactly which shade and value you want (one for above the chair rail, one for below), and Benjamin Moore has so many that a person can get a little lost.
Over a few visits to the hardware store, we picked up a bouquet of paint chips in just about every shade of gray they had. We've finally played with them enough over the past few days to narrow down the combinations to two:
1) Bunny Gray above the chair rail; Pike's Peak Gray below.
2) Sterling above the chair rail; Adagio below
(You can view them here)
DH has gone to get some quarts so we can see how these really work together in real life on our real life walls. Eep. The moment of truth!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
First group project
The first group quilting project took place not long after I first learned to quilt. Our quilting teacher was getting married - what better gift than something quilt related?
My partner in crime concocted some relatively plausible excuse to procure the entire guest list, with addresses. (I'm still not sure what she said, but it worked!) Then we sat down and wrote a note explaining the project, asking each person to sign an enclosed muslin square and return them to us before the date of the wedding. We would embroider all of the signatures and present all of the squares to the couple on their wedding day. (We didn't have a lot of time, so we were aiming just to have all the squares ready; they could be assembled into a quilt after the big day).
Incredibly, we had full participation. Everyone sent signed squares. More than that, even, because the bride's best friend found an old letter from the bride's father (who had passed away), and copied that onto a square too. (They had been very close, she wrote to us, and she knew that the wedding quilt wouldn't be right without him.)
This is a shot of some of the ones I worked on first. Unfortunately I don't have a photo of the finished set, but I hope it'll give you a taste of the project.
On the wedding day, we arrived at the reception just a few minutes before the bride and groom, but it was enough time to lay out all of the squares in a row. We'd divided the blocks in half and had each tackled the embroidery on our half individually, so we were seeing the whole batch together for the first time. It was pretty exciting!
But our excitement was nothing compared to that of the bride and groom. They went down the line (accumulating quite a following of guests behind them) and read each and every message. And then we pulled out the pièce de résistance - the square from her father, and there was not a dry eye in the house.
My partner in crime concocted some relatively plausible excuse to procure the entire guest list, with addresses. (I'm still not sure what she said, but it worked!) Then we sat down and wrote a note explaining the project, asking each person to sign an enclosed muslin square and return them to us before the date of the wedding. We would embroider all of the signatures and present all of the squares to the couple on their wedding day. (We didn't have a lot of time, so we were aiming just to have all the squares ready; they could be assembled into a quilt after the big day).
Incredibly, we had full participation. Everyone sent signed squares. More than that, even, because the bride's best friend found an old letter from the bride's father (who had passed away), and copied that onto a square too. (They had been very close, she wrote to us, and she knew that the wedding quilt wouldn't be right without him.)
This is a shot of some of the ones I worked on first. Unfortunately I don't have a photo of the finished set, but I hope it'll give you a taste of the project.
On the wedding day, we arrived at the reception just a few minutes before the bride and groom, but it was enough time to lay out all of the squares in a row. We'd divided the blocks in half and had each tackled the embroidery on our half individually, so we were seeing the whole batch together for the first time. It was pretty exciting!
But our excitement was nothing compared to that of the bride and groom. They went down the line (accumulating quite a following of guests behind them) and read each and every message. And then we pulled out the pièce de résistance - the square from her father, and there was not a dry eye in the house.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Timing...
I was talking to a friend about our project, and mentioned that we were discussing the schedule for the project.
I mentioned that I thought setting a date too far out would be risky because people would be likely to forget… but setting a date that came up too soon would annoy people because they would feel like they didn’t have enough time.
The response? "If [Sandie] doesn’t expect that she’ll even have the baby with her for a few more years, why would you guys even need to start thinking about this yet?"
(I think the real answer to this is "Because we’re excited!!!!!" right?)
So how much time would you want/need to shop for the fabric for your wish square?
I mentioned that I thought setting a date too far out would be risky because people would be likely to forget… but setting a date that came up too soon would annoy people because they would feel like they didn’t have enough time.
The response? "If [Sandie] doesn’t expect that she’ll even have the baby with her for a few more years, why would you guys even need to start thinking about this yet?"
(I think the real answer to this is "Because we’re excited!!!!!" right?)
So how much time would you want/need to shop for the fabric for your wish square?
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Pantographs
I realized when I looked back at my posts on The Machine that I had glossed over some of the details of how it works. Don’t worry, I’m not going to bore you with obscure technological details. I just want to tell you about its pantograph system.
You may be familiar with a traditional pantograph, a very old device for copying and, optionally, changing the scale of a two-dimensional drawing.
When you trace the drawing with the pointer, the pencil mirrors your movements and creates another image of the drawing. By adjusting the relation between the pointer and the pencil, you can change how large the copy will be. (Click for more on pantographs. This site is where the drawing above originates.)
On The Machine, the pantograph works on the same principle, only here, you trace the drawing with a laser pointer, and the sewing machine copies your movements in thread!
How on earth does that work? You move the laser pointer using heavy steering handles that are attached to a rolling shelf on which the sewing machine sits; thus, when you steer the laser pointer over the drawing, you are also steering the sewing machine over the quilt.
As long as your sewing machine is turned on and threaded, every movement you make, for better or for worse, will appear on your quilt.
You may be familiar with a traditional pantograph, a very old device for copying and, optionally, changing the scale of a two-dimensional drawing.
When you trace the drawing with the pointer, the pencil mirrors your movements and creates another image of the drawing. By adjusting the relation between the pointer and the pencil, you can change how large the copy will be. (Click for more on pantographs. This site is where the drawing above originates.)
On The Machine, the pantograph works on the same principle, only here, you trace the drawing with a laser pointer, and the sewing machine copies your movements in thread!
How on earth does that work? You move the laser pointer using heavy steering handles that are attached to a rolling shelf on which the sewing machine sits; thus, when you steer the laser pointer over the drawing, you are also steering the sewing machine over the quilt.
As long as your sewing machine is turned on and threaded, every movement you make, for better or for worse, will appear on your quilt.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Return of The Machine
I’ve taken a look at the stack of quilt tops waiting patiently in my studio, and have come to the conclusion that I can no longer avoid firing up The Machine.
I've been putting this off because running The Machine is a bit stressful. You can't entirely see how things are going til you're done (by which point you are not at all interested in the thought of ripping out all of those stitches). Last time I got to the point where part of my routine included not only popping in a fresh bobbin and making sure the quilt was rolled into the proper position, but putting some lavender oil into the diffuser and turning on a CD of calming medieval chant music.
But I do believe it'll go more smoothly this time - after all, we have a better idea of what to expect!
First up is the flower boxes quilt, since its backing is good to go. I’ve chosen a wildflower pattern for the quilting. (It seems fitting!) If it looks as pretty in thread as it does on paper, I'll be very pleased :)
I’ll keep you posted...
I've been putting this off because running The Machine is a bit stressful. You can't entirely see how things are going til you're done (by which point you are not at all interested in the thought of ripping out all of those stitches). Last time I got to the point where part of my routine included not only popping in a fresh bobbin and making sure the quilt was rolled into the proper position, but putting some lavender oil into the diffuser and turning on a CD of calming medieval chant music.
But I do believe it'll go more smoothly this time - after all, we have a better idea of what to expect!
First up is the flower boxes quilt, since its backing is good to go. I’ve chosen a wildflower pattern for the quilting. (It seems fitting!) If it looks as pretty in thread as it does on paper, I'll be very pleased :)
I’ll keep you posted...
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Green, no, blue!
What is your favorite color? What does your favorite color say about you?
I have said for many years that my favorite color was green, but if there is any validity to these descriptions, I am not so sure:
I can hear a couple of you laughing at some of this from here! ("Too patient" especially amused me.)
Perhaps I need to rethink this favorite color thing... ;)
I have said for many years that my favorite color was green, but if there is any validity to these descriptions, I am not so sure:
Green: The color of harmony and balance, Green symbolizes hope, renewal, and peace, and is usually liked by the gentle and sincere. Greens are generally frank, community-minded people, fairly sociable but preferring peace at any price. Green people can be too self-effacing, modest and patient, so they may get exploited by others. They are usually refined, civilized and reputable.
I can hear a couple of you laughing at some of this from here! ("Too patient" especially amused me.)
Perhaps I need to rethink this favorite color thing... ;)
Monday, November 05, 2007
Serendipity
Now that I have a studio with a door, I can keep the cats away from my fabric. But back in the day, I lived in a studio apartment with a youthful Finny, and there was no cat-free place to sew unless I wanted to move my sewing machine into the shower.
Finnegan always had a lot of dignity, even as a kitten, so this was not usually too much of an issue. He would make a little nest in my scraps, or would come over and supervise from a respectful distance; and I was lulled into believing he wasn’t interested enough to mess with anything.
So when I couldn’t get one layout quite right, I went ahead and left it lying on the floor. It looked like little boxes, and was pretty neat, but… I just wasn’t quite satisfied. I couldn’t put my finger on it. Each time I went by, I’d stare at it, move a block or two, and then resolve to figure the rest out later. I was well and truly stuck.
Finally, I guess, the intelligent one in the apartment had had enough of the dithering. He went tearing through the room, galloping across the bed, stampeding through the papers on my desk, and – you guessed it - rocketing through the middle of the blocks on the floor.
When the proverbial dust settled, my blocks were lying every which way. I couldn’t remember where any of them had originally been. I was so disappointed.
But, serendipitously, he had actually done me a favor. Once I had put the blocks into the box formation, I had pretty much locked myself into that configuration. Finn’s wild rumpus shook things up and made me start over from scratch. The freedom of beginning afresh was exactly what the quilt needed, for it enabled me to find a layout I finally loved.
Finnegan always had a lot of dignity, even as a kitten, so this was not usually too much of an issue. He would make a little nest in my scraps, or would come over and supervise from a respectful distance; and I was lulled into believing he wasn’t interested enough to mess with anything.
So when I couldn’t get one layout quite right, I went ahead and left it lying on the floor. It looked like little boxes, and was pretty neat, but… I just wasn’t quite satisfied. I couldn’t put my finger on it. Each time I went by, I’d stare at it, move a block or two, and then resolve to figure the rest out later. I was well and truly stuck.
Finally, I guess, the intelligent one in the apartment had had enough of the dithering. He went tearing through the room, galloping across the bed, stampeding through the papers on my desk, and – you guessed it - rocketing through the middle of the blocks on the floor.
When the proverbial dust settled, my blocks were lying every which way. I couldn’t remember where any of them had originally been. I was so disappointed.
But, serendipitously, he had actually done me a favor. Once I had put the blocks into the box formation, I had pretty much locked myself into that configuration. Finn’s wild rumpus shook things up and made me start over from scratch. The freedom of beginning afresh was exactly what the quilt needed, for it enabled me to find a layout I finally loved.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Notes from my pensive citadel
This is the snowball quilt I mentioned below. Here, I've set the snowball block in alternation with a simple nine-patch. These are both very traditional blocks, technically straightforward to construct. The idea of combining them is not especially earth-shattering either.
I took the traditional blocks and then sort of played inside them with color and value to try to make something that doesn't look all that traditional.
I wish the angle on the picture were better. You can see the light tricks in the center and some of the dimensional things going on near the corners. But if you saw the quilt top straight on, you would see the thing I like best in this one, which is that the center snowball feels visually like it must be smaller than the ones that surround it. (In fact, it's precisely the same. I don’t how the illusion works, but it makes me want to find out!)
When I look at a lot of my works-in-progress, I see over and over this preoccupation with creating illusions - transparency, dimensionality, glow, optical tricks, etc - within traditional patterns.
(I can cite Wordsworth without sounding pretentious, because everyone is made to read him, right?) This makes me think of the "Nuns fret not..." sonnet, which speaks of "Souls/ Who have felt the weight of too much liberty" finding "solace" in the act of composing within the confines of traditional forms. There is something about that that rings true for what I am doing here.
What this realization means for what I'll make in the future, I'm not sure. But it may mean I should be thinking about it...
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Clear as mud?
I wrote up a draft of what we'll need from participants. (Sandie's explanation of the project will be grafted onto the top of this.) Could you guys read this and tell me if there's anything that is unclear to you? Would you understand what you needed to do if you read this letter? Would you have any additional questions? I don't want people to be scared off of participating because the instructions are confusing.
Sandie, there are two places where I have questions for you. Please let me know your thoughts.
If you would like to participate, here’s what to do:
1) Go to a fabric store locally or online, or plumb the depths of your scrap bag, and select a 100% cotton fabric that you love. If you are buying new, a quarter metre/yard should be more than sufficient. [Have we reached any decisions about colors? Is doing a "gendered" color like pink too risky? What happens if you do get a boy?]
2) From your chosen fabric, cut two pieces:
a) a large square measuring 9" x 9" (23 x 23 cm). This piece will be used in the quilt. (We will wash and square up all the pieces when they arrive, so your cutting does not need to be perfect.)
b) a second small swatch about half the length of your thumb. This piece will be included in a wish scrapbook for our little one.
3) Take this swatch and glue it to an index card or small piece of paper. Next to the swatch write your wish. Use all your own words, or incorporate a quotation, verse, or anything that is meaningful to you. The sky’s the limit!
4) Mail the square and the wish card to the location nearest you:
* In Australia: (Sandie's address here)
* Outside Australia: (My address here)
Sandie, there are two places where I have questions for you. Please let me know your thoughts.
If you would like to participate, here’s what to do:
1) Go to a fabric store locally or online, or plumb the depths of your scrap bag, and select a 100% cotton fabric that you love. If you are buying new, a quarter metre/yard should be more than sufficient. [Have we reached any decisions about colors? Is doing a "gendered" color like pink too risky? What happens if you do get a boy?]
2) From your chosen fabric, cut two pieces:
a) a large square measuring 9" x 9" (23 x 23 cm). This piece will be used in the quilt. (We will wash and square up all the pieces when they arrive, so your cutting does not need to be perfect.)
b) a second small swatch about half the length of your thumb. This piece will be included in a wish scrapbook for our little one.
3) Take this swatch and glue it to an index card or small piece of paper. Next to the swatch write your wish. Use all your own words, or incorporate a quotation, verse, or anything that is meaningful to you. The sky’s the limit!
4) Mail the square and the wish card to the location nearest you:
* In Australia: (Sandie's address here)
* Outside Australia: (My address here)
When we receive your envelope, we will note its arrival on our quilt page, http://lobster-quadrille.blogspot.com, so be sure to check in and follow our progress online!
Deadlines are, alas, a necessary evil, without which the world would cease to function. We would therefore like to ask you to mail your envelope by [What date would we like to give them?].
Friday, November 02, 2007
The first quilt
During college, there were two teaching assistants whom I got to know well. One I wish I hadn’t. The other was my Shakespeare TA. She was only a few years older, and when a couple of us chatted with her after section, we discovered that the conversation would drift from assignments to common interests. When we learned that she had cats – not fey visitors like the strays we surreptitiously fed on the back porch, but actual pets – and was willing to let us come meet them, the bond was cemented.
On the day of the kitty playdate, we discovered not only cats but also quilting. Displayed on her wall was a brand new, handmade patchwork quilt. We were fascinated. "You made that yourself?" we asked. Oh yes, she had taken a class. "You wouldn't, maybe, be willing to teach us how to do it too?" It turned out that she was.
So at the start of the new term, we made a pilgrimage to the local fabric store to pick out supplies for our new adventure. It was a crazy quarter academically, and we were working like fiends. But every week, we set aside one day to go on retreat. Our friend would pick us up at our dorm, and we’d bring along treats we’d concocted in our kitchen the previous night. We’d go to her apartment, sew and nibble and play with the cats all day, and then, before we went back, she would feed us one of her hot, home cooked meals. The food at our dorm was edible enough, but it never measured up to these cozy dinners amongst friends.
Friends, cats, and food... with such positive associations, is it any wonder I’ve stuck with quilting for all these years?
On the day of the kitty playdate, we discovered not only cats but also quilting. Displayed on her wall was a brand new, handmade patchwork quilt. We were fascinated. "You made that yourself?" we asked. Oh yes, she had taken a class. "You wouldn't, maybe, be willing to teach us how to do it too?" It turned out that she was.
So at the start of the new term, we made a pilgrimage to the local fabric store to pick out supplies for our new adventure. It was a crazy quarter academically, and we were working like fiends. But every week, we set aside one day to go on retreat. Our friend would pick us up at our dorm, and we’d bring along treats we’d concocted in our kitchen the previous night. We’d go to her apartment, sew and nibble and play with the cats all day, and then, before we went back, she would feed us one of her hot, home cooked meals. The food at our dorm was edible enough, but it never measured up to these cozy dinners amongst friends.
Friends, cats, and food... with such positive associations, is it any wonder I’ve stuck with quilting for all these years?
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Day 1, and drafting a letter
Look at how many posts we average per month. Now try not to laugh when I tell you that I will be attempting to make a post a day during the month of November in honor of NaBloPoMo Really there is nothing to lose. Even if I don't make it all the way through, it will be a good, much-needed kick in the seat in the pants for my posting frequency. So, why not?
I wanted to begin by updating you on where we are on the Good Wishes quilt front, as there has been a bit of news that we haven't posted. To wit: since Sandie and her family have been approved, she has said that she now feels ready to start planning the quilt!
The first thing we need to do is to draft a note that we can send out to potential participants. This note should explain:
1) what the project is
There are countless examples online from other families who have created Good Wishes quilts. I think we can simply look at a few of them and adapt this amalgam as necessary to our own version of the project. Would you take the action item, Sandie, to do this and send me a draft?
2) what we need from participants.
For this second item, we need to start by figuring out what we do actually need. I can take it as an action item, and then can fold the information into the draft you send me.
Does this sound doable? Feel free to make countersuggestions if you have other ideas!
P.S. In order to figure out what size squares to request from participants, I do need a general sense of how large you would like the finished quilt to be. Are you thinking you would like a quilt she can cuddle up with, or a quilt that can cover her twin sized bed? Let me know!
I wanted to begin by updating you on where we are on the Good Wishes quilt front, as there has been a bit of news that we haven't posted. To wit: since Sandie and her family have been approved, she has said that she now feels ready to start planning the quilt!
The first thing we need to do is to draft a note that we can send out to potential participants. This note should explain:
1) what the project is
There are countless examples online from other families who have created Good Wishes quilts. I think we can simply look at a few of them and adapt this amalgam as necessary to our own version of the project. Would you take the action item, Sandie, to do this and send me a draft?
2) what we need from participants.
For this second item, we need to start by figuring out what we do actually need. I can take it as an action item, and then can fold the information into the draft you send me.
Does this sound doable? Feel free to make countersuggestions if you have other ideas!
P.S. In order to figure out what size squares to request from participants, I do need a general sense of how large you would like the finished quilt to be. Are you thinking you would like a quilt she can cuddle up with, or a quilt that can cover her twin sized bed? Let me know!
Monday, October 29, 2007
Yardage or quilt?
I made some patchwork for Anna to use for her bags, but when I showed her the yardage, she said she didn't want to cut it!
What do you guys think, should I try to convince her, or should I make it up into a lap quilt instead? Is there enough contrast in value to make it interesting as a quilt if I add a border?
(Click photo to view it larger)
What do you guys think, should I try to convince her, or should I make it up into a lap quilt instead? Is there enough contrast in value to make it interesting as a quilt if I add a border?
(Click photo to view it larger)
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Kira's Pictures
I purchased some software to turn the Kira's Castle illustrations into a slideshow for Anna.
I'm not feeling up to writing a big introduction right now, but I think you'd rather just get to the good stuff anyway, wouldn't you? :)
I'm not feeling up to writing a big introduction right now, but I think you'd rather just get to the good stuff anyway, wouldn't you? :)
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Mango and snowball
I am waiting for the weekend to pick up some variegated quilting thread, probably in "Mango," to start quilting the flowerboxes quilt. (The quilt store isn't open very late most weeknights.)
In the meantime, I'm doing some background prep work. One of the things I am going to be working on for the holidays is a photo quilt that DH's parents have commissioned for one of the sets of grandparents. I have the photos, but I haven't gotten the size specs yet, so instead I am trying out some blocks I am considering using.
The one I am doing now is an octagon (known as a snowball block) that works very well in alternation with other blocks, as it creates interesting secondary patterns. It's a great block to have in one's repertoire.
If you queue up all your snowballs, paper piecing turns out to be the ideal method to use when you have a determined lap cat, as you can sew for a while without having to dethrone the little empress: patterns as articles of diplomacy.
In the meantime, I'm doing some background prep work. One of the things I am going to be working on for the holidays is a photo quilt that DH's parents have commissioned for one of the sets of grandparents. I have the photos, but I haven't gotten the size specs yet, so instead I am trying out some blocks I am considering using.
The one I am doing now is an octagon (known as a snowball block) that works very well in alternation with other blocks, as it creates interesting secondary patterns. It's a great block to have in one's repertoire.
If you queue up all your snowballs, paper piecing turns out to be the ideal method to use when you have a determined lap cat, as you can sew for a while without having to dethrone the little empress: patterns as articles of diplomacy.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Nope, I got it after all
I was second-guessing myself far too much. Thanks to Anna's confirming eyes, we have a border decision. With fabric, after all, from the stash:
(Sorry about the unironed state - my iron is kind of on the fritz. Those really are squares!)
(Sorry about the unironed state - my iron is kind of on the fritz. Those really are squares!)
Flowerboxes redux
When I moved the quilting machine into my studio, I had to move a lot of other items out to make room. Almost all of the works in progress migrated to the guest bedroom closet.
Last night, after running up against a roadblock in another quilt, I girded up my loins and opened up the closet of unfinished projects.
I pulled out the Flowerboxes quilt, and started to re-audition it with potential border fabrics. Unfortunately it is not really seeming content with any of the things I am pulling out from my stash.
This is one of the ways the stash grows: when you don't find something that works, you go to the store and buy a few possibilities, plus some pieces of other things you fall in love with, plus a bit of whatever's on sale, etc., etc., etc., Soon it becomes the stash that ate New York. And still, against all odds and logic, you can never really find exactly the fabric that you need when it comes time to choose a border...?!!
Last night, after running up against a roadblock in another quilt, I girded up my loins and opened up the closet of unfinished projects.
I pulled out the Flowerboxes quilt, and started to re-audition it with potential border fabrics. Unfortunately it is not really seeming content with any of the things I am pulling out from my stash.
This is one of the ways the stash grows: when you don't find something that works, you go to the store and buy a few possibilities, plus some pieces of other things you fall in love with, plus a bit of whatever's on sale, etc., etc., etc., Soon it becomes the stash that ate New York. And still, against all odds and logic, you can never really find exactly the fabric that you need when it comes time to choose a border...?!!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Kira's story
In June, my mother mentioned that she was making a castle wall hanging for my little niece. She often will write stories to go along with the gifts she gives the kids, and started bouncing some ideas off of me.
I responded back, and suddenly found that I was in charge of writing the story!
While sharing a draft of Kira's Castle with a friend, it occurred to me that, hey, she knows how to draw. So I asked if maybe I could hire her to illustrate the story.
After drafts and exchanges of images and words, and editing to fit the pics (and vice-versa), about a month after we got started, the whole thing is written, illustrated, printed, and bound. It is now wending its way through the mail on the way to my niece. I have also been thinking vaguely about "publishing" it via lulu or something for a lark. :)
Meanwhile, my mother's closing in on finishing the wall hanging. This is how the pre-quilted top looks:
I hope Kira likes her birthday gifts! :)
I responded back, and suddenly found that I was in charge of writing the story!
While sharing a draft of Kira's Castle with a friend, it occurred to me that, hey, she knows how to draw. So I asked if maybe I could hire her to illustrate the story.
After drafts and exchanges of images and words, and editing to fit the pics (and vice-versa), about a month after we got started, the whole thing is written, illustrated, printed, and bound. It is now wending its way through the mail on the way to my niece. I have also been thinking vaguely about "publishing" it via lulu or something for a lark. :)
Meanwhile, my mother's closing in on finishing the wall hanging. This is how the pre-quilted top looks:
I hope Kira likes her birthday gifts! :)
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Allocations!
It's referral time again! If you'd like to get clucky over some babies, check Rumour Queen for the list of new referrals.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Makindu raffle is live
The Makindu raffle is now live, but... so far, no photo of the quilt, no dimensions, no vital stats of any sort, so I imagine they're probably still getting things organized over there.
However, I have a photo I can share, in case anyone is trying to decide whether they might want to buy a ticket. (Sorry, the humans aren't part of the package.)
However, I have a photo I can share, in case anyone is trying to decide whether they might want to buy a ticket. (Sorry, the humans aren't part of the package.)
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Star quilt top
I've never done a .5" border like the orange one before, and was worried that it would look all wavery, but it actually turned out fine! Finished size will be around 60" square (thus, lap quilt or quite a generous baby quilt).
Now I have to deal with the quilting machine to finish up.
Click for a larger view:
Now I have to deal with the quilting machine to finish up.
Click for a larger view:
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Makindu inspiration
There is a reference at the bottom of this article to the quilt my mother and her friends made for Makindu. This is the story behind their inspiration, it seems.
It looks like the Makindu auction goes live on July 1, and I'll be linking to that page when it is available.
It looks like the Makindu auction goes live on July 1, and I'll be linking to that page when it is available.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Allocations!
Referrals have just been made for files logged in at the China Centre for Adoption Affairs up to 7 November 2005. This site - http://chinaadopttalk.com/2007/06/08/june-babies/ - lists a few blogs of waiting parents who have just received their allocations. It's so lovely to read their excitement.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Friendship star progress
I haven't been in the studio to work on quilts recently, but I do have this on the floor waiting for me when I'm ready.
It's what I have so far for the National Stillbirth Society quilt, and yes, it looks pretty different from the way it looked in the mockup. Playing around with it on my Electric Quilt program, I found that the logs and squares construction for the alternating blocks conflicted with what I wanted to do with the colors. So I ended up alternating stars and ninepatch blocks instead.
Becca also has a group of the stars we made and is working on one for another group using the logs and squares as alternating blocks. She also ended up with the gold star that you saw in the previous post. I put a different orange in my star, to play off the purple fabrics I was using.
It's what I have so far for the National Stillbirth Society quilt, and yes, it looks pretty different from the way it looked in the mockup. Playing around with it on my Electric Quilt program, I found that the logs and squares construction for the alternating blocks conflicted with what I wanted to do with the colors. So I ended up alternating stars and ninepatch blocks instead.
Becca also has a group of the stars we made and is working on one for another group using the logs and squares as alternating blocks. She also ended up with the gold star that you saw in the previous post. I put a different orange in my star, to play off the purple fabrics I was using.
100 good pinks
Just to help you visualize...
That's 8 x 12, or 96 squares in the body of the quilt, plus 4 squares in the corners to make 100. We could also do 10 x 10 with no corner blocks. (If you intend this to be used on a small bed, the rectangular shape is more practical; if it is more of a lap/snuggle quilt, anything goes!)
That's 8 x 12, or 96 squares in the body of the quilt, plus 4 squares in the corners to make 100. We could also do 10 x 10 with no corner blocks. (If you intend this to be used on a small bed, the rectangular shape is more practical; if it is more of a lap/snuggle quilt, anything goes!)
Friday, June 01, 2007
More on colour options
The idea of 100 different pinks is actually quite appealing to me, the more I think about it.
I'm interested to know from the people who read this blog whether you would find that limiting. If someone said "send me a square of fabric in some shade of pink" is that significantly harder than just "send me a square of fabric."
Or do you think it's better to just let the quilt evolve organically and just be what it is?
I'm interested to know from the people who read this blog whether you would find that limiting. If someone said "send me a square of fabric in some shade of pink" is that significantly harder than just "send me a square of fabric."
Or do you think it's better to just let the quilt evolve organically and just be what it is?
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Colour options
For the Panda's quilt, do you think we should work to a colour scheme? The reason I ask is that I had always assumed we would just get whatever people wanted to send, but after watching you put those quilt kits together I realise that I prefer the quilts with certain colour schemes - the pink & green, and the Neopolitan come particularly to mind.
But does that just make it too hard?
But does that just make it too hard?
Friday, May 25, 2007
Some progress
I ended up having second thoughts about that last one, so reverted back to a previous version of the kit. That troublesome yellow!
Once finished with the kits, I made us a version of one of the kit quilts, as it looked so good in my living room. We have a sage colored couch, so I chose a green border and green ties. The couch is very pleased with its new friend.
Once finished with the kits, I made us a version of one of the kit quilts, as it looked so good in my living room. We have a sage colored couch, so I chose a green border and green ties. The couch is very pleased with its new friend.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
And then there were 10
The focus fabric for this one was a real challenge, a yellow with a greyish green cast to it.
I put together a quilt that had a lot of promise - to the extent that DH said I should make a copy of it myself, "but without the doggie fabric." And that was the crux of the problem: it looked okay, but it looked better without the fabric I was supposed to be highlighting!
I went back to the drawing board, pulled out the blue, and put in the green that the yellow "wanted". I'd been resisting it because I'd already made a kit that had these sorts of colors in it. But that was a silly mental block.
So, here is #10, with its green and with the only pale colors in the corner that didn't make the dog fabric look wretched and wan. (Note to fabric designers: just don't use that yellow. Please.)
I put together a quilt that had a lot of promise - to the extent that DH said I should make a copy of it myself, "but without the doggie fabric." And that was the crux of the problem: it looked okay, but it looked better without the fabric I was supposed to be highlighting!
I went back to the drawing board, pulled out the blue, and put in the green that the yellow "wanted". I'd been resisting it because I'd already made a kit that had these sorts of colors in it. But that was a silly mental block.
So, here is #10, with its green and with the only pale colors in the corner that didn't make the dog fabric look wretched and wan. (Note to fabric designers: just don't use that yellow. Please.)
Friday, May 18, 2007
Quilt kits 6-9
I am pretty stuck on the 10th (and final!!!!!) kit, as the fabric is a yellow that has a greenish grey cast, which makes it pretty hard to match. But, in the meantime, here are #6-9.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Quilt kits 1-5
Since there were leftovers from the fabric pieces we ordered, I offered to put together quilt 'kits' for people so they could sew their own quilts. (I like the designing better than the sewing, so this was pretty fun!)
I ended up making 10 of them. Each had to contain the fabric the individual had chosen for the Sub Rosa quilt; beyond that, I either matched colors in that "focus" fabric, or took suggestions on what else they'd like to see in their kit.
Here are the first five. (Click on the photos to see larger versions; mouse over for identification of the focus fabric.)
I ended up making 10 of them. Each had to contain the fabric the individual had chosen for the Sub Rosa quilt; beyond that, I either matched colors in that "focus" fabric, or took suggestions on what else they'd like to see in their kit.
Here are the first five. (Click on the photos to see larger versions; mouse over for identification of the focus fabric.)
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Where now?
What next? Now that Becca and I are done with the quilt and scrapbook for Jessica (and I can name names now because she's received them), we'll be returning to our star quilt - or, quilts, actually. We made enough extra stars that we'll be able to make two quilts - one for the Stillbirth Society, and one for another charity.
Becca's sending me her stars in the mail, and the plan is to mix them up with my stars and find the combinations that look best together. Then I'll send one group of them back to her, keep the other half here, and we can work on our two quilts simultaneously.
Doesn't it all sound refreshingly simple?
Becca's sending me her stars in the mail, and the plan is to mix them up with my stars and find the combinations that look best together. Then I'll send one group of them back to her, keep the other half here, and we can work on our two quilts simultaneously.
Doesn't it all sound refreshingly simple?
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Tip for machine quilters
As I may or may not have mentioned, the quilting machine doesn't really come with instructions on how to use it. (In fact, both the marketing brochure and the women on the "instructional" video set it up a little incorrectly. Nice.)
Apparently the place to go to get tips from people who have actually used the machine is the Yahoo group on the Grand Quilter. We've already learned a few ways we can do things better next time around.
Apparently the place to go to get tips from people who have actually used the machine is the Yahoo group on the Grand Quilter. We've already learned a few ways we can do things better next time around.
Unframed
After more equipment issues than I care to enumerate, the quilting on the Sub Rosa quilt is finally done. We took the quilt off of the frame tonight and it looks nice - which means (oh joy!) I don't have to pick out 27 rows of quilting. Whew!
We took some photos tonight right after we got it off the frame, but I'd rather wait and show you a shot after the excess batting and backing are gone and the borders are squared up.
In the meantime, these are some in-progress photos from this last week, for your viewing pleasure.
And here is the backing (which I snapped while lying on my back on the floor looking up at the quilt in the frame. Yes, I spent a lot of time under the quilting frame for various reasons. Good thing I am fairly flexible.)
I should mention, also, that the scrapbook (with letters, photos, and fabric swatches) was essentially finished this last week, so we are definitely making progress here!
We took some photos tonight right after we got it off the frame, but I'd rather wait and show you a shot after the excess batting and backing are gone and the borders are squared up.
In the meantime, these are some in-progress photos from this last week, for your viewing pleasure.
And here is the backing (which I snapped while lying on my back on the floor looking up at the quilt in the frame. Yes, I spent a lot of time under the quilting frame for various reasons. Good thing I am fairly flexible.)
I should mention, also, that the scrapbook (with letters, photos, and fabric swatches) was essentially finished this last week, so we are definitely making progress here!
Friday, April 20, 2007
Spare a square for Emma?
Whee, Emma in Australia got my square for her baby's Good Wishes quilt! If you have a little spare fabric that would look sweet in a baby's quilt, you might consider sending a square and a wish her way too. She and her mother were hoping to start the quilt next month, but it looks like they have an awfully long way to go before they have enough fabric :(
Take a peek at her page to get the details.
Take a peek at her page to get the details.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
The quilting machine
No, I'm not stalled out on the project quilt. I am learning a new skill so that I can move forward with confidence.
We picked up a Pfaff Grand Quilter and Inspira quilting frame (You may have seen the metal legs of the frame in some of the other pictures taken in my studio) and I've been learning how to use it.
What is it? It's a sewing machine that's been altered to be optimized for the process of quilting (stitching through the three layers of top, batting, and backing). Instead of trying to smush a quilt under the arm of your regular machine, you roll out the layers of your quilt and you steer the sewing machine (sitting on a rolling bed) so it glides over it while stitching.
The machine was a real nightmare to set up (we were at it for multiple hours, puzzling our way through some completely inadequate instructions). And there was very little in the way of information on how actually to use it once it was set up, although the internet helped with that. But all of that is behind us now.
Here is the machine loaded with a test quilt top, batting, and backing, all ready to go. The black frame you see in front of the machine is part of the steering mechanism:
The top, batting, and backing are all on their own separate rolls, and getting them on correctly so they roll evenly is key. The inherently stretchy quality of batting does not help!
Here you can see these rolls:
I made about 13 passes over this small quilt top, and ended up with a pretty good result! Here is a close-up of the quilting (the white thread designs over top of the fabric). Please click to see the details.
My wrists are aching today but I know if I were wrestling a quilt under the regular machine, it would be much worse, and the results wouldn't be as satisfactory either.
This little charity quilt for Project Linus is about 43" square, and the project quilt is about 54" x 72" (before it's trimmed), so it'll be more of an undertaking, but I am feeling a lot more confident about embarking on the endeavor now.
(Oops, just measured and I think we may have to extend the quilting frame out to full width before we can do this, as the half-width frame can't handle the larger quilt. Grr!)
We picked up a Pfaff Grand Quilter and Inspira quilting frame (You may have seen the metal legs of the frame in some of the other pictures taken in my studio) and I've been learning how to use it.
What is it? It's a sewing machine that's been altered to be optimized for the process of quilting (stitching through the three layers of top, batting, and backing). Instead of trying to smush a quilt under the arm of your regular machine, you roll out the layers of your quilt and you steer the sewing machine (sitting on a rolling bed) so it glides over it while stitching.
The machine was a real nightmare to set up (we were at it for multiple hours, puzzling our way through some completely inadequate instructions). And there was very little in the way of information on how actually to use it once it was set up, although the internet helped with that. But all of that is behind us now.
Here is the machine loaded with a test quilt top, batting, and backing, all ready to go. The black frame you see in front of the machine is part of the steering mechanism:
The top, batting, and backing are all on their own separate rolls, and getting them on correctly so they roll evenly is key. The inherently stretchy quality of batting does not help!
Here you can see these rolls:
I made about 13 passes over this small quilt top, and ended up with a pretty good result! Here is a close-up of the quilting (the white thread designs over top of the fabric). Please click to see the details.
My wrists are aching today but I know if I were wrestling a quilt under the regular machine, it would be much worse, and the results wouldn't be as satisfactory either.
This little charity quilt for Project Linus is about 43" square, and the project quilt is about 54" x 72" (before it's trimmed), so it'll be more of an undertaking, but I am feeling a lot more confident about embarking on the endeavor now.
(Oops, just measured and I think we may have to extend the quilting frame out to full width before we can do this, as the half-width frame can't handle the larger quilt. Grr!)
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
...and with the borders
The inner border is a 1.25" strip of black fabric with a copper metallic pattern. (I think it's pinecones amongst long pine needles, but I found it described online as starbursts. You be the judge.)
Fabric companies make lots of fabrics that include gold metallic or silver metallic, but copper metallic is pretty unusual.
So why use something so rare on a quilt for someone who most likely won't ever know how special the fabric is? I love including little references and secrets in quilts. I think there should always be something else there waiting to be discovered.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Sneak peek at the Sub Rosa quilt
The layout is done and the sewing has begun!
It was an interesting challenge to try to coordinate the squares people chose.
There is extra fabric, of course, so I offered to put together kits of squares for the participants so they can make their own quilts. I've done four such kits so far, and I am so enjoying it that I am using kit making as a 'reward' for myself for having made progress on the project quilt ;)
It was an interesting challenge to try to coordinate the squares people chose.
There is extra fabric, of course, so I offered to put together kits of squares for the participants so they can make their own quilts. I've done four such kits so far, and I am so enjoying it that I am using kit making as a 'reward' for myself for having made progress on the project quilt ;)
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Speaking of deadlines...
Yesterday I looked up from the project long enough to realize that, not only had I not paid my credit card bill, but it hadn't even occurred to me that there was any such thing sitting on the table as a credit card bill that needed to be paid.
I have had this card for about 20 years now (co-signed with my mother way back when because she wanted me to start building a credit history early on) and have only paid late once before.
This does makes me wonder a little...
I have had this card for about 20 years now (co-signed with my mother way back when because she wanted me to start building a credit history early on) and have only paid late once before.
This does makes me wonder a little...
Saturday, March 24, 2007
The whooshing sound
"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by." -- Douglas Adams
Project Sub Rosa is the third project I have led for this group of people. No, scratch that: it's the third project that involved exchange of money and resulted in a physical product at the end. There were at least two other coordinated activities beyond that.
It is human nature for people to wait until the last moment that something is due; and so you set specific deadlines, even when there's nothing special about the date, or nothing will ever get done. Still, you get stragglers. And having to remind people ahead of time (to minimize the number of stragglers) and then bugging the stragglers is absolutely my least favorite part of any project.
The trouble with having a two-part deadline, we discovered, was that the sense of enthusiasm that carries people through the first part of the task may not last to carry them through the second too. So our second deadline came and went, and eight people still had letters to turn in for the scrapbook. 8 of 20-odd makes a pretty loud whooshing sound.
Added later: As of Monday eve, we are down to: 1 missing contribution, 1 missing piece of fabric, and 2 missing photos (due Thursday). That's not so bad, is it? Especially for a project that doesn't actually have to be done by any particular time.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Project Sub Rosa
NB: I am speaking in general terms here as this project is still ongoing.
A group of us decided to make a quilt for a friend who was in a tough spot. After I put out the call for participants amongst our larger group of friends, 22 people responded. This was going to be a pretty ambitious project - not because of 23 quilt squares (including my own), but because of 23 personalities.
(At a loss for a name, I am referring to this project under the nickname I gave the place where we discussed it, Sub Rosa.)
We initially asked participants to provide several things: 1) a piece of fabric, 2) a bit of money to help out with costs, and 3) a note to the recipient that explained something about the fabric. The plan evolved as it went along; and the idea of writing notes expanded into making a scrapbook that would hold the notes, fabric swatches, and 4) photos. (The scrapbook was picked up by one of the other women in the group, who has made scrapbooks before. No names here, in case the recipient somehow stumbles across this page, but this is someone with whom I have worked before, and know to be extremely conscientious, an excellent project partner. I felt glad to know that the scrapbook was in her hands!)
I had set the general deadline 2 weeks from the day of the announcement of the project, knowing that people needed time to find fabric and mail it to me. It turned out, though, that most of the people in the group were not fabric store habitués; and in the end, everyone chose to have me order the fabric of their choice from a store online.
Knowing that it would take about a week for fabric to arrive here, I set an interrim fabric ordering deadline of Friday, a week after the start of the project. Much of that first week was spent conferring with people about their fabric choices. Trying to capture an idea or a personality in fabric can be tricky, especially if you are trying to stick to a certain color scheme. (One Barbie pink square, reflective of a personality though it might be, could be a color fiasco amidst the autumnal colors we wanted.) So there were negotiations and compromises, and a whole lot of searching, which ended up being more time consuming than I would have guessed. It came to occupy most of my waking thoughts. I would lie in bed at night brooding about fabric, and would shuffle out of bed in the morning, still thinking of fabric. By the end of the week, I was getting a little loopy. But in the end, we were able to come with a set of squares that reflected us, and looked good together.
(No photos here just in case!)
Once the fabrics were ordered, it was time to turn our attention to items 2-4: contributions, letters, and photos.
A group of us decided to make a quilt for a friend who was in a tough spot. After I put out the call for participants amongst our larger group of friends, 22 people responded. This was going to be a pretty ambitious project - not because of 23 quilt squares (including my own), but because of 23 personalities.
(At a loss for a name, I am referring to this project under the nickname I gave the place where we discussed it, Sub Rosa.)
We initially asked participants to provide several things: 1) a piece of fabric, 2) a bit of money to help out with costs, and 3) a note to the recipient that explained something about the fabric. The plan evolved as it went along; and the idea of writing notes expanded into making a scrapbook that would hold the notes, fabric swatches, and 4) photos. (The scrapbook was picked up by one of the other women in the group, who has made scrapbooks before. No names here, in case the recipient somehow stumbles across this page, but this is someone with whom I have worked before, and know to be extremely conscientious, an excellent project partner. I felt glad to know that the scrapbook was in her hands!)
I had set the general deadline 2 weeks from the day of the announcement of the project, knowing that people needed time to find fabric and mail it to me. It turned out, though, that most of the people in the group were not fabric store habitués; and in the end, everyone chose to have me order the fabric of their choice from a store online.
Knowing that it would take about a week for fabric to arrive here, I set an interrim fabric ordering deadline of Friday, a week after the start of the project. Much of that first week was spent conferring with people about their fabric choices. Trying to capture an idea or a personality in fabric can be tricky, especially if you are trying to stick to a certain color scheme. (One Barbie pink square, reflective of a personality though it might be, could be a color fiasco amidst the autumnal colors we wanted.) So there were negotiations and compromises, and a whole lot of searching, which ended up being more time consuming than I would have guessed. It came to occupy most of my waking thoughts. I would lie in bed at night brooding about fabric, and would shuffle out of bed in the morning, still thinking of fabric. By the end of the week, I was getting a little loopy. But in the end, we were able to come with a set of squares that reflected us, and looked good together.
(No photos here just in case!)
Once the fabrics were ordered, it was time to turn our attention to items 2-4: contributions, letters, and photos.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Invitee list and ...30 good wishes?
Hey Sandie, how large is your list of people whom you plan to invite to participate in this quilt? Brainstorming names and assembling addresses (into a spreadsheet, if you are a spreadsheet fanatic) might be a way we could make progress while we wait...
In other news, we'll be doing what amounts to a trial version of a 100 Good Wishes quilt, with a much smaller number of donated squares in it (along with others that will attempt to make some sort of order out of chaos). It'll be interesting to see how it works out!
In other news, we'll be doing what amounts to a trial version of a 100 Good Wishes quilt, with a much smaller number of donated squares in it (along with others that will attempt to make some sort of order out of chaos). It'll be interesting to see how it works out!
Thursday, March 01, 2007
My mother's African-style quilt
Here it is, prior to acquiring its border(s). Click to see a larger view:
In other news, there are star blocks scattered all over my studio! I am finished with all the small, 6" blocks; once I finish up two more of the 9" blocks, I'm going to put this project on the back burner for a bit so I can focus on finishing up one of my other quilt tops.
In other news, there are star blocks scattered all over my studio! I am finished with all the small, 6" blocks; once I finish up two more of the 9" blocks, I'm going to put this project on the back burner for a bit so I can focus on finishing up one of my other quilt tops.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
What we are waiting for...
In case you are wondering how Fionn is going to fit in sewing the Panda's quilt with all her other projects, I should explain that we have decided to not start officially on the 100 Good Wishes Quilt until we are approved to adopt. For that to happen we have to go through 3 months of social worker interviews & assessment which should start in the next few weeks.
In the meantime, I have been thinking about what fabric I can contribute. (I'm allowed to contribute, aren't I Fionn?) I have a brocade vest that was part of my going away outfit for our wedding. It matched the vests that Scott & his groomsmen wore. I am going to chop that up for the quilt. I also want to find something special for Gemma & Ben to contribute. Maybe it will be a piece of fabric from a favourite piece of clothing (that they have grown out of, of course.)
I also have a large piece of pink fabric that I inherited from my Grandma. It has since become the official "Girls' Night In" tablecloth. "Girls' Night In" is a fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Foundation. The idea is that you get your girlfriends together and stay home and put the money you would have spent towards finding cures & treatments for breast cancer. My friends & I do it a little differently. We get a big apartment or a couple of hotel rooms and all bring along some pink champagne and something to share for dinner, then throw the cost of dinner into the pot to donate. We are developing other silly, funny traditions to go with it (such as the magic fortune telling fish) and my grandmother's pink fabric has become one of them. Grandma suffered from breast cancer in both breasts but recovered both times. So, a piece of Grandma's tablecloth will be going into the Panda's quilt to remember Great-Grandma Claire.
In the meantime, I have been thinking about what fabric I can contribute. (I'm allowed to contribute, aren't I Fionn?) I have a brocade vest that was part of my going away outfit for our wedding. It matched the vests that Scott & his groomsmen wore. I am going to chop that up for the quilt. I also want to find something special for Gemma & Ben to contribute. Maybe it will be a piece of fabric from a favourite piece of clothing (that they have grown out of, of course.)
I also have a large piece of pink fabric that I inherited from my Grandma. It has since become the official "Girls' Night In" tablecloth. "Girls' Night In" is a fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Foundation. The idea is that you get your girlfriends together and stay home and put the money you would have spent towards finding cures & treatments for breast cancer. My friends & I do it a little differently. We get a big apartment or a couple of hotel rooms and all bring along some pink champagne and something to share for dinner, then throw the cost of dinner into the pot to donate. We are developing other silly, funny traditions to go with it (such as the magic fortune telling fish) and my grandmother's pink fabric has become one of them. Grandma suffered from breast cancer in both breasts but recovered both times. So, a piece of Grandma's tablecloth will be going into the Panda's quilt to remember Great-Grandma Claire.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Updated stars
Here is our updated quilt diagram:
And a photo of some stars lying on fabric that will be incorporated into the non-star squares:
And a photo of some stars lying on fabric that will be incorporated into the non-star squares:
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Star quilt, Makindu, consulting
Progress continues on the star quilt. I have 6 of the large stars completed, and have procured additional white-on-white fabric to make more. (We want to have some stars spinning clockwise and others spinning counterclockwise, so I thought I would make four of each: this guarantees we'll have enough for each direction, no matter whether Becca makes "lefties" or "righties".)
I should give credit where credit is due. Part of what inspired us to make a raffle quilt for an organization that is personally meaningful to us is the fact that my mother and several of her friends are nearing the homestretch on a raffle quilt for Makindu Children's Program. (This is an organization that provides healthcare, education, and support to children orphaned in Africa.) I have seen photos of their quilt in progress, and it's pretty impressive. I hope to be able to show you pictures when they have the top finished, and will also share a link to the raffle if Makindu puts it up online.
In other quilt-related news, I am helping another online friend plan out her first quilt. (I imagine she may in part be referring back to the instructions I wrote up for Becca last year, which I will be modifying for inclusion in this blog once we get started working on the Good Wishes quilt.) She will probably post about her quilt project on our bulletin board when she gets started (this summer). It sounds like it will be very like one of the Good Wishes quilts in certain respects - but since this is her project and not mine, I'll leave it to her to talk about the specifics.
I should give credit where credit is due. Part of what inspired us to make a raffle quilt for an organization that is personally meaningful to us is the fact that my mother and several of her friends are nearing the homestretch on a raffle quilt for Makindu Children's Program. (This is an organization that provides healthcare, education, and support to children orphaned in Africa.) I have seen photos of their quilt in progress, and it's pretty impressive. I hope to be able to show you pictures when they have the top finished, and will also share a link to the raffle if Makindu puts it up online.
In other quilt-related news, I am helping another online friend plan out her first quilt. (I imagine she may in part be referring back to the instructions I wrote up for Becca last year, which I will be modifying for inclusion in this blog once we get started working on the Good Wishes quilt.) She will probably post about her quilt project on our bulletin board when she gets started (this summer). It sounds like it will be very like one of the Good Wishes quilts in certain respects - but since this is her project and not mine, I'll leave it to her to talk about the specifics.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Friendship stars
What, me, only work on one project at a time? Never!
Last year I taught my friend Rebecca how to quilt over the computer (using lots of words and lots of pictures). We didn’t know how well it would work, but she did a great job - she was very focused and stuck with the task all the way through, and her quilt looked really great when she was finished.
Well, last night we were talking on the computer and we decided that it would be fun to try to make another quilt together - but this time, we'd be working on the same quilt instead of on parallel ones.
I usually make my charity quilts for Project Linus, but this time we thought we would contact a charity near and dear to Becca's heart, the National Stillbirth Society, to see if they would be interested in doing a raffle. Becca says that some of the parents like to imagine their babies as being stars (like in Greek mythology) so she thought we could make a quilt with stars on it. She picked white-on-white stars on a scrappy blue background.
These are two sample stars I made:
And here is the layout we are working on. (She's put together a neat idea for the last two rows, using 6" stars instead of 9" stars, but I haven't diagrammed that part yet):
We haven't talked about what happens after we put the stars together... but I guess we'll see when we get there :)
Last year I taught my friend Rebecca how to quilt over the computer (using lots of words and lots of pictures). We didn’t know how well it would work, but she did a great job - she was very focused and stuck with the task all the way through, and her quilt looked really great when she was finished.
Well, last night we were talking on the computer and we decided that it would be fun to try to make another quilt together - but this time, we'd be working on the same quilt instead of on parallel ones.
I usually make my charity quilts for Project Linus, but this time we thought we would contact a charity near and dear to Becca's heart, the National Stillbirth Society, to see if they would be interested in doing a raffle. Becca says that some of the parents like to imagine their babies as being stars (like in Greek mythology) so she thought we could make a quilt with stars on it. She picked white-on-white stars on a scrappy blue background.
These are two sample stars I made:
And here is the layout we are working on. (She's put together a neat idea for the last two rows, using 6" stars instead of 9" stars, but I haven't diagrammed that part yet):
We haven't talked about what happens after we put the stars together... but I guess we'll see when we get there :)
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Names and meanings
One of the hobbies Sandie and I share is collecting names. So, while I know that she already has some ideas for her baby's name, I thought I would post this list of Chinese names for girls in case it might be of interest.
Whenever I look at a group of names from a particular culture, I can't help but think about what the names' meanings say about that culture. A lot of the meanings in this list refer to the beauty of the natural world, and the images they bring to mind are truly lovely.
Look at many of the meanings of elements in the old Germanic names (coined by my bloodthirsty naming ancestors) and you get a rather different picture. My name book, making a similar point (I swear I didn't lift the idea), cites the following meanings as examples: war, strife, battle, protection, rule, counsel, raven, wolf, and bear; adding that Germanic female names "are no less warlike in meaning than their male counterparts" (A Dictionary of First Names
, p. xvi).
Were we as a culture so single-mindedly focused on fighting back then that we really couldn't come up with anything else worth commemorating? Oh dear.
Really gives me a new appreciation for the 19th century love for flower and gem names...
Whenever I look at a group of names from a particular culture, I can't help but think about what the names' meanings say about that culture. A lot of the meanings in this list refer to the beauty of the natural world, and the images they bring to mind are truly lovely.
Look at many of the meanings of elements in the old Germanic names (coined by my bloodthirsty naming ancestors) and you get a rather different picture. My name book, making a similar point (I swear I didn't lift the idea), cites the following meanings as examples: war, strife, battle, protection, rule, counsel, raven, wolf, and bear; adding that Germanic female names "are no less warlike in meaning than their male counterparts" (A Dictionary of First Names
, p. xvi). Were we as a culture so single-mindedly focused on fighting back then that we really couldn't come up with anything else worth commemorating? Oh dear.
Really gives me a new appreciation for the 19th century love for flower and gem names...
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Qianjiaxiu: 1,000 families embroidery
Last month I wrote about the East Asian tradition of making robes for children out of 100 pieces of fabric, as referenced in a museum exhibit of antique children's clothing. Like the Good Wishes quilt custom, the Hundred Families Coat tradition incorporates the idea of sewing 100 pieces of fabric together into a lucky item for a child.
I wanted to introduce you to another tradition that overlaps with the ones we have been examining. (What's so exciting to me here is that this time, there is not only a quilt involved in the custom, but also a [general] locale where this custom was practiced, should we feel inclined to search for more information.)
Back in the spring of 2002, an article appeared in "New Internationalist" magazine about a project intended to bring attention to the importance of China’s dying folk art. A teacher and five students traveled along the Yellow River collecting pieces of cloth from farming families in the area. They assembled these pieces, 1,000 altogether, into a 350 meter long patchwork quilt which they termed "Qianjiaxiu," or 1,000 families embroidery. (NB: 350 meters of quilt would be around 230 lap quilts in a row!)
Why did these artists use patchwork to underscore the importance of folk art in the region?
I wanted to introduce you to another tradition that overlaps with the ones we have been examining. (What's so exciting to me here is that this time, there is not only a quilt involved in the custom, but also a [general] locale where this custom was practiced, should we feel inclined to search for more information.)
Back in the spring of 2002, an article appeared in "New Internationalist" magazine about a project intended to bring attention to the importance of China’s dying folk art. A teacher and five students traveled along the Yellow River collecting pieces of cloth from farming families in the area. They assembled these pieces, 1,000 altogether, into a 350 meter long patchwork quilt which they termed "Qianjiaxiu," or 1,000 families embroidery. (NB: 350 meters of quilt would be around 230 lap quilts in a row!)
Why did these artists use patchwork to underscore the importance of folk art in the region?
The idea... came from an ancient ritual in the Yellow River Valley, in which local families praying for good harvest and fortune made a quilt out of 100 embroidered pieces to please the deities. The tradition has been dying out as more and more people have left their villages for towns and cities. (Findarticles.com, "Folk fabric: Chinese villages where unsung artists dwell"; originally printed in "New Internationalist," April 2002)
If this Yellow River custom of creating lucky quilts from 100 pieces of fabric is truly "ancient," I wonder if it could possibly be the basis for the Hundred Families Coats (ca. mid-19th-mid-20th centuries), and ultimately, the basis for our 21st century 100 Good Wishes quilts today?(!)
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Flowerboxes
Here is a sneak peek at the pink quilt mentioned below. (The blocks are currently just lying next to each other, so the little ones have to overlap a bit to line up with the big ones. They'll look more regular when they're actually sewn together.) I haven't settled on a border fabric just yet, although I am leaning toward red-violet. (The blog's deep pink background does seem to work fairly well too.)
You could imagine doing a pattern like this for a Good Wishes Quilt (using the wish fabrics in the centers of the blocks) although I think you would probably have to provide the participants with color guidelines for it to work well.
P.S. Yes, those are the aggravating red and green blocks to the right in the photo.
You could imagine doing a pattern like this for a Good Wishes Quilt (using the wish fabrics in the centers of the blocks) although I think you would probably have to provide the participants with color guidelines for it to work well.
P.S. Yes, those are the aggravating red and green blocks to the right in the photo.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Quilt sighting
I always try to photograph my quilts before I pack them up to go. Sometimes sending them away makes me a little mopey, so I like to make a few visual souvenirs before it is too late. (Of course I would prefer photos of the quilts with their recipients, but that rarely occurs to people, and I shrink from asking. Somehow it feels terribly awkward, like asking for a thank you or something. It is just simpler to snap the pictures myself.)
One of the quilts that I didn’t end up photographing was one that I finished for my friend B. She began the project herself, but since she had a young baby at the time, she had difficulty finding time to come sew. Finally she lost steam altogether. So I dug through my stash to find border fabric, and finished the quilt for her. I was really pleased with the way it came out.
At the time I rationalized that it wasn’t my project to begin with so it didn't make sense to take a snapshot. But later I wished I had one anyway...
Yesterday, we went to a birthday party for B's now 5 year old son. When I came into the living room, something brightly colored caught my eye – and I saw that it was the quilt! It was a real treat, kind of like running into an old friend after years apart. I was thrilled!
Who knew that on a little boy's birthday, I'd end up getting a present too? :)
One of the quilts that I didn’t end up photographing was one that I finished for my friend B. She began the project herself, but since she had a young baby at the time, she had difficulty finding time to come sew. Finally she lost steam altogether. So I dug through my stash to find border fabric, and finished the quilt for her. I was really pleased with the way it came out.
At the time I rationalized that it wasn’t my project to begin with so it didn't make sense to take a snapshot. But later I wished I had one anyway...
Yesterday, we went to a birthday party for B's now 5 year old son. When I came into the living room, something brightly colored caught my eye – and I saw that it was the quilt! It was a real treat, kind of like running into an old friend after years apart. I was thrilled!
Who knew that on a little boy's birthday, I'd end up getting a present too? :)
Saturday, February 03, 2007
The art of writing headlines
I ran across an article on the way that news organizations are learning to rewrite headlines for their online articles to make them more search engine friendly.
I wonder if this is something we ought to take into consideration on this blog too?
I wonder if this is something we ought to take into consideration on this blog too?
Not that this means anything of course...
but we dropped our completed paperwork into Adoption Services on Friday, and on Saturday, my nephew picked a ladybeetle out of my hair...
Friday, February 02, 2007
Troubleshooting a quilt layout
Currently the floor of my studio is strewn with fabrics and blocks for not one but two quilts.
Why am I making two in parallel? Inspired by a piece by Kaffe Fassett (the world's most fearless user of color), I started working on a quilt that uses a complementary color scheme. (Technically I suppose it might be more correct to term it something like a double split complementary scheme since I am using not only complementary colors but also the colors on either side of them in the color wheel.)
This is hard to do well, especially under poor lighting conditions. (Yes, I have daylight bulbs. No, they are not accurate.) I got stuck and couldn't get a handle on what I needed to go forward, so I pushed these blocks aside aside, grabbed some of the leftover reds and their friends, and began working on another quilt.
The second quilt includes red-violet, red, red-orange, and orange, with pink (a tint of red) as the starring color. It’s been remarkably painless to make. It’s simple and happy and playful, and really a very likeable look. (Sandie, it reminds me very much of the gerberas at Aimee's wedding!)
Imagine taking these cheerful colors (sans pink) and throwing them into a pit of greens (blue-greens, greens, and a few yellow-greens). That's the first (nemesis) quilt. The contrast is so striking and so frustrating!
I’ve been trying to think of what I can do to make it better. This is the current eye-popping layout (simplified to show only a single red and green; you'll have to imagine variations there).
Last night I went to my favorite book on color and found some keys that may unlock what's happening here and give me some ideas on what I can try to fix it.
Why am I making two in parallel? Inspired by a piece by Kaffe Fassett (the world's most fearless user of color), I started working on a quilt that uses a complementary color scheme. (Technically I suppose it might be more correct to term it something like a double split complementary scheme since I am using not only complementary colors but also the colors on either side of them in the color wheel.)
This is hard to do well, especially under poor lighting conditions. (Yes, I have daylight bulbs. No, they are not accurate.) I got stuck and couldn't get a handle on what I needed to go forward, so I pushed these blocks aside aside, grabbed some of the leftover reds and their friends, and began working on another quilt.
The second quilt includes red-violet, red, red-orange, and orange, with pink (a tint of red) as the starring color. It’s been remarkably painless to make. It’s simple and happy and playful, and really a very likeable look. (Sandie, it reminds me very much of the gerberas at Aimee's wedding!)
Imagine taking these cheerful colors (sans pink) and throwing them into a pit of greens (blue-greens, greens, and a few yellow-greens). That's the first (nemesis) quilt. The contrast is so striking and so frustrating!
I’ve been trying to think of what I can do to make it better. This is the current eye-popping layout (simplified to show only a single red and green; you'll have to imagine variations there).
Last night I went to my favorite book on color and found some keys that may unlock what's happening here and give me some ideas on what I can try to fix it.
Magenta and green are nearly equal in value on the color wheel. Thus, their partnership emphasizes the optical intensity they can promote with each other. [no kidding] For visual ease, one color must be made the dominant partner…. Once you choose the dominant color, use the subordinate one to help give the design visual balance. (Joen Wolfrom, The Magical Effects of Color, p 34)
As you can see in the above sketch, the colors do appear in equal amounts. Based on what Wolfrom counsels here, I should try alternating these four-patch blocks with a patch that includes red or green, so that this one color predominates.
[U]sing complementary colors at full strength… can make a harsh visual statement that completely overwhelms the eye. Therefore it is important to control the strong pure colors with large areas of toned colors – those that have been grayed to a variety of intensities in the complementary family. (pp 33-34))
Here is one option that takes her advice into consideration. I have used the four-patch units as part of a larger block, and then have alternated this block with a plain green square. 
Easier to look at, isn’t it? I don’t know that this is "it" but it does seem to be going in the right direction...
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Book review: Over the Moon
Another adoption-related book that was recommended by Amazon reviewers is "Over the Moon: An Adoption Tale." Like "A Quilt of Wishes," this story and its illustrations were inspired by the adoption experience of its author (and illustrator!) Karen Katz. In this case, the adoption took place in Guatemala, although the country isn’t mentioned by name.
"Once upon a time," the story begins, "a teeny-tiny baby was born." The infant beams, cradled upon the softest cloud in the middle of a golden meadow. Fireworks burst around her organically, as if all of nature is celebrating her arrival.
As you might guess from this opening, "Over the Moon" is more a fairytale than a factual account of the adoption process: the child is appears as if by magic; the parents pick her up and take her home. There are no complications or delays, nobody ever frowns, and the skies are not cloudy all day. Life is very simple and very grand. (Because of this simplicity, the story would be accessible even to very young children.)
I enjoyed the text's lyrical moments ("you grew like a flower in another lady’s tummy"), but for me, it is the illustrations that really make the story. Every page overflows with beautiful, bright colors, curves, interesting shapes and visual textures, playfully dancing images, and a sense of perspective that may owe something to medieval art (size represents not distance but importance in the story – "extras" are small, named characters are medium, and our protagonists are enormous) . The pictures are a lot of fun (and would make fun folk-style appliqué quilts).
The images do more than just accompany the text: they help us to see the parents’ joy more eloquently than any words could. On the pages where the radiant parents learn their child has been born, for instance, the mother leaps into her husband’s arms. They quite literally are floating - off the ground and over the moon! Although the artistic style is quite different, I was reminded of the way happiness lifts Chagall's lovers off their feet (cf. Romeo and Juliet or Lovers with Flowers). Here too, it seems, joy is a natural law that more than exceeds the puny laws of physics.
In these pictures, Katz, quite simply, has captured the essence of joy.
"Once upon a time," the story begins, "a teeny-tiny baby was born." The infant beams, cradled upon the softest cloud in the middle of a golden meadow. Fireworks burst around her organically, as if all of nature is celebrating her arrival.
As you might guess from this opening, "Over the Moon" is more a fairytale than a factual account of the adoption process: the child is appears as if by magic; the parents pick her up and take her home. There are no complications or delays, nobody ever frowns, and the skies are not cloudy all day. Life is very simple and very grand. (Because of this simplicity, the story would be accessible even to very young children.)
I enjoyed the text's lyrical moments ("you grew like a flower in another lady’s tummy"), but for me, it is the illustrations that really make the story. Every page overflows with beautiful, bright colors, curves, interesting shapes and visual textures, playfully dancing images, and a sense of perspective that may owe something to medieval art (size represents not distance but importance in the story – "extras" are small, named characters are medium, and our protagonists are enormous) . The pictures are a lot of fun (and would make fun folk-style appliqué quilts).
The images do more than just accompany the text: they help us to see the parents’ joy more eloquently than any words could. On the pages where the radiant parents learn their child has been born, for instance, the mother leaps into her husband’s arms. They quite literally are floating - off the ground and over the moon! Although the artistic style is quite different, I was reminded of the way happiness lifts Chagall's lovers off their feet (cf. Romeo and Juliet or Lovers with Flowers). Here too, it seems, joy is a natural law that more than exceeds the puny laws of physics.
In these pictures, Katz, quite simply, has captured the essence of joy.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Twenty quilts
A selection of twenty quilts from amongst those I've made (or started) over the last few years
Friday, January 26, 2007
Personalize your fictional family!
DH suggests, given people's tendency to gravitate towards the familiar, that there might be a market for popular picture books with parental permutations. Just sketch in (or erase) a parent in the background, do a global search-and-replace on some pronouns, and the book appeals to a whole new audience!
You could imagine extending this so that potential buyers could go through a checklist to select the parent's/parents' genders, races, statures (endomorph vs. ectomorph), features, etc., and really come out with something completely personalized.
Do you think it'd sell? ;)
You could imagine extending this so that potential buyers could go through a checklist to select the parent's/parents' genders, races, statures (endomorph vs. ectomorph), features, etc., and really come out with something completely personalized.
Do you think it'd sell? ;)
Families just like yours
Sandie and I have both been looking through adoption-related books online lately. At Amazon, primarily. Amazon has more reviews than any other online bookstore I’ve seen. Many of the reviews are really insightful, and there have been several occasions where they have inspired me to revise my shopping list.
Sometimes, though, reviewers’ concerns or issues color their comments so much that these reviews become virtually useless for others.
One of the issues for some of the adoption book reviewers seems to be the composition of adoptive families. I found reviews from single mothers who, instead of evaluating a book on its merits, stated that they had simply chosen not to purchase this book because the family portrayed included a father. Likewise, I saw reviews from adoptive two-parent families dismissing other books simply because no father was depicted.
I found myself somewhat puzzled. Things like an interesting, well-written story and engaging illustrations are my top priorities for a picture book – and these are the things that I, like most readers, hope to learn about in a book review. A comparison of the fictional family and the family of some stranger on the internet just isn’t all that helpful or relevant to me.
Now, I do understand the impulse to give your child books and things that speak directly to her situation. When I visited American Girl Place last year, I was fascinated with Jess, the 2006 American Girl doll of the year, because she was half Japanese (like my own hypothetical children would be). Even though I don’t have a daughter (or even the prospect of one on the horizon), I still considered digging deep into my wallet to purchase the doll. (How often do you find a mixed race doll, anyway?) It’s important for children to see that there are interesting, worthwhile people (fictional or non-) who look like they do, act like they do, have experiences like theirs, or are similar in some other respect.
As a child, I enjoyed books like that - books where I felt like could relate to the characters. Periodically I came across a character who maintained her self-esteem even while displaying a terrible shock of ginger hair; or one who prospered even though she shared some very familiar weaknesses. It was comforting to feel that, even if I was flawed, at least I wasn’t uniquely flawed. ;)
But the characters in my beloved books didn’t have to be my Doppelgängers for me to relate to them. Even when I was very young, I, like any child, was able to make the imaginative leap between myself and the strong-willed badger heroine of Bread and Jam for Frances
, between my concerns and those of the humble little pig in Charlotte's Web
; I didn’t need to sprout a striped pelt or grow a snuffly snout to see myself in them. I loved the pioneer stories like the Little House on the Prairie
series and Caddie Woodlawn
, and I adored learning about Jewish life in turn-of-the-century New York through the sisters of All-of-a-kind Family
, even though my own life was very different.
It was wonderful to be able to visit these fictional (or semi-fictional) worlds, so different from my own, and yet so similar. How many things I learned, and how many questions followed, with so many new experiences to process. I would not have learned so much if the protagonists had been just like me.
Details of self, family, community, faith, may differ in any given book, but our human concerns, deep down, remain the same: Who am I? Where do I fit in my family and my community? Am I loved? Is there some higher or deeper meaning to my life? Will the world be a better place because I was here? It is this common humanity, the things that make us human, that bring us together.
I think there would be room in my adoptive child's library for stories that reflect her specific experiences, for stories that speak to her on a more universal level, and for stories that do a little of both. She'd miss out on so much otherwise.
Sometimes, though, reviewers’ concerns or issues color their comments so much that these reviews become virtually useless for others.
One of the issues for some of the adoption book reviewers seems to be the composition of adoptive families. I found reviews from single mothers who, instead of evaluating a book on its merits, stated that they had simply chosen not to purchase this book because the family portrayed included a father. Likewise, I saw reviews from adoptive two-parent families dismissing other books simply because no father was depicted.
I found myself somewhat puzzled. Things like an interesting, well-written story and engaging illustrations are my top priorities for a picture book – and these are the things that I, like most readers, hope to learn about in a book review. A comparison of the fictional family and the family of some stranger on the internet just isn’t all that helpful or relevant to me.
Now, I do understand the impulse to give your child books and things that speak directly to her situation. When I visited American Girl Place last year, I was fascinated with Jess, the 2006 American Girl doll of the year, because she was half Japanese (like my own hypothetical children would be). Even though I don’t have a daughter (or even the prospect of one on the horizon), I still considered digging deep into my wallet to purchase the doll. (How often do you find a mixed race doll, anyway?) It’s important for children to see that there are interesting, worthwhile people (fictional or non-) who look like they do, act like they do, have experiences like theirs, or are similar in some other respect.
As a child, I enjoyed books like that - books where I felt like could relate to the characters. Periodically I came across a character who maintained her self-esteem even while displaying a terrible shock of ginger hair; or one who prospered even though she shared some very familiar weaknesses. It was comforting to feel that, even if I was flawed, at least I wasn’t uniquely flawed. ;)
But the characters in my beloved books didn’t have to be my Doppelgängers for me to relate to them. Even when I was very young, I, like any child, was able to make the imaginative leap between myself and the strong-willed badger heroine of Bread and Jam for Frances
, between my concerns and those of the humble little pig in Charlotte's Web; I didn’t need to sprout a striped pelt or grow a snuffly snout to see myself in them. I loved the pioneer stories like the Little House on the Prairie series and Caddie Woodlawn, and I adored learning about Jewish life in turn-of-the-century New York through the sisters of All-of-a-kind Family, even though my own life was very different.It was wonderful to be able to visit these fictional (or semi-fictional) worlds, so different from my own, and yet so similar. How many things I learned, and how many questions followed, with so many new experiences to process. I would not have learned so much if the protagonists had been just like me.
Details of self, family, community, faith, may differ in any given book, but our human concerns, deep down, remain the same: Who am I? Where do I fit in my family and my community? Am I loved? Is there some higher or deeper meaning to my life? Will the world be a better place because I was here? It is this common humanity, the things that make us human, that bring us together.
I think there would be room in my adoptive child's library for stories that reflect her specific experiences, for stories that speak to her on a more universal level, and for stories that do a little of both. She'd miss out on so much otherwise.
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