Category Archives: Colours

All the miscellaneous bits and pieces

Posted on by
2

Dear Vi,

Today I sent out another query letter for Holding Space. That makes nine. Out of the nine, I’ve received two rejections and one request for a Full. That means the agent liked the query enough to want to read the full manuscript. That’s pretty exciting. Even if she decides it isn’t for her, it’s a huge boost to my writerly self esteem.

And I’ve got a short story out on submission, but I won’t hear for awhile yet.

Meanwhile, I’m working on two new manuscripts. This is a bit discombobulating –  I need to settle into one. Instead, I dither, going back and forth, unable to totally immerse myself in either.

I’ve been busy in other areas, too: I’ve got one quilt ready for binding and another one sandwiched and ready for quilting, and socks on one set of needles and a sweater on another set. Lots of busy going on in that area, as evidenced by the gawd awful mess of knitting and hand sewing paraphernalia next to my side of the couch.

And then, as if things weren’t messy enough,  I decided that most of the pieces of clothing I’ve made up to now are not acceptable. They looked good in the initial trying on, but once I started actually wearing them – out in public, like – their flaws started showing up. Three dresses have been tossed into the recycle bin. There’s enough fabric in the skirts to use as a muslin for a couple of tops I want to make. It’s all a learning process.

Sam and I have really been enjoying the autumn colours this year. Somehow, they seem even more vivid than usual.

What about you? Anything interesting to report?

Disappearing 9-patch

Posted on by
10

001

I wanted to make a quilt for my aunt, who has always been a very special person in my life. But time passes and things don’t get done and you know how it goes. (sigh)

017

So one day last spring I was sorting my sewing room and I came upon an unfinished quilt top. It’s one I started way back when. Before I had (mostly) mastered the art of matching corners, lol.

003

I’m not sure why I put it away and didn’t finish it. I think maybe I felt (at the time) that the colours were too bright, or maybe I didn’t like using grey for the background neutral. I really have no idea.

quilt2

Anyway, it was spring when I pulled it out and all the spring flowers were in full bloom. I carried it out and took some pictures with the tulips. And oh my gosh…the quilt just sang!

quilt4

Suddenly, every spring colour just jumped out at me, and I realized that every single colour was in the quilt. It screamed Spring!

026

That’s one of the things I love about Kate Spain’s fabrics. She really captures the colours in nature.  🙂

020I looked at the grey background and thought of the soft spring rain that comes and melts all the snow, and makes the flowers bloom.

onion

And I thought to myself, this quilt belongs to my aunt, whose favourite season just happens to be spring.

FullSizeRender-1

Mine, too!

021

This is a lap-sized quilt made from the Cuzco collection by Kate Spain. The backing is cream flannel and it was hand quilted in a clam shell pattern. I didn’t wash and dry it before I sent it, but when she does, it will shrink a wee bit and pull around the stitches, creating that wonderful crinkly look that makes a quilt so soft and snuggly.

002

 

Perfection! …and some poses that start with the letter P

Posted on by
3

This morning I decided to finally sew the borders onto a quilt top that I made a few years ago. (Yes, yes, I’m a very s.l.o.w. sewer. You knew that, right?)

quilt6

the sun was so bright, the picture is a bit washed out!

Anyway, as I was ironing the top, I got to thinking that maybe it was a bit clownish looking with all the bright colours. I mean…I like bright colours. I like them a lot! But maybe the person who I want to give this quilt to won’t like them so much.

quilt2

the tulips opened this morning!

But then I remembered how much she loves spring.

quilt3

And then I remembered the pictures I  included in yesterday`s blog post.
And hey!
The colours are exactly the same!
Exactly!

quilt4

Dilemma solved, I spent the afternoon on my hands and knees basting top, backing and batting together.

quilt5

This one will be hand quilted as it is for a Very Important Person who is long overdue for some quilty love from me. ♥ It’s a nice lap size…perfect for snuggling up with a cup of cocoa and a good book.

quilt1

 

PAnd now for your yoga pose of the day.

Oh my gosh, there are a lot of poses that begin with the letter P. Which one to choose???

 

 

PeacockThere’s the Peacock pose…there’s no way I can do this, but what a fabulous name it has! I love peacocks. Except they sure don’t sound as pretty as they look.

I would give my eye teeth to be able to do this. Doing arm balances some day is my goal. Maybe not this particular one, though…

plowposeAnd then there’s the Plow…I used to do this but I never liked it. Now that I’m older, I’m too afraid of taking risks with my neck.

So here’s a yoga tip from me:There are NO YOGA POLICE telling you that you have to do something that you don’t feel secure trying. Like standing on your head. Or doing the plow. Listen to your gut and work with your own personal abilities.

plankHow about Plank? This is one I can do. In fact, I do it in every single yoga practice! I love plank! I can’t hold it for very long, but I love how it makes me feel strong. It’s great for getting strong all over. Arms, back, legs, and especially the middle. I don’t know about you, but I can use all the help I can get in the middle…