If you've seen any of the Olympics, you're well aware of NBC's new shows.
What do you think? Will you be watching? I'll definitely give The Marriage Ref a try, Parenthood probably not (too sappy?), and I'll check out Who Do You Think You Are if nothing else is on.
I'm sure I promised myself that I wouldn't buy any more robot fabric...but then I saw these really cute screenprinted panels and this picture of one used in a pillow. I thought that would be perfect with Luke's quilt. So I ordered some, and paired them with some scraps I had leftover to make these pillows.
Luke really likes them. Maybe I'll make one more? We'll see.
Thanks for all of the helpful comments on my scruffily quilt! I picked out a yellow (Kona Sunflower) and a brown (Kona Sable) for the back, using my handy Kona Color Card. I'm going to pair them with some of my leftover scraps for the backing. I'll let you know how it turns out! (If you're looking for a Kona Color Card, check out North Country Quilts on Etsy. She seems to get them pretty regularly and will set up a custom listing when they're available. Plus, they're less expensive than I've seen them elsewhere. She's having a great sale on her Kona solids too, so check that out if you need to stock up.)
It's a really fun and easy pattern. Perfect for a beginner.
The fabric is Simple Abundance, which I love.
So, here's my question: What should I do for the backing? I could easily use yardage from one of my favorite Simple Abundance prints (it would be hard to pick a favorite, but I think I could rise to the challenge). I'd definitely be interested in a less pricey option. I have quite a few squares left over (both the charm squares and some layer cake squares), so I could do something scrappy in combination with a solid. I'm planning on using the leftover jellyroll strips (of which I have lots) for a scrappy binding, but I could be talked out of that if they'd be better used in the backing. Thoughts? Suggestions? I'd love to hear what you think.
P.S. I love the way Liz quilted this. I'm planning on copying this for my version. Her backing is awesome too... For more Workshop in Progress, check out Naptime Quilter.
Amy Greene's debut novel is a captivating story about a cursed family in the mountains of East Tennessee. It took me a while to get into this book (there are several narrators), but after about 50 pages I was hooked. Add this one to your list.
The synopsis: Named for a flower whose blood-red sap possesses the power both to heal and poison, Bloodroot is a stunning fiction debut about the legacies—of magic and madness, faith and secrets, passion and loss—that haunt one family across the generations, from the Great Depression to today.
The novel is told in a kaleidoscope of seamlessly woven voices and centers around an incendiary romance that consumes everyone in its path: Myra Lamb, a wild young girl with mysterious, haint blue eyes who grows up on remote Bloodroot Mountain; her grandmother Byrdie Lamb, who protects Myra fiercely and passes down “the touch” that bewitches people and animals alike; the neighbor boy who longs for Myra yet is destined never to have her; the twin children Myra is forced to abandon but who never forget their mother’s deep love; and John Odom, the man who tries to tame Myra and meets with shocking, violent disaster. Against the backdrop of a beautiful but often unforgiving country, these lives come together—only to be torn apart—as a dark, riveting mystery unfolds.
With grace and unflinching verisimilitude, Amy Greene brings her native Appalachia—and the faith and fury of its people—to rich and vivid life. Here is a spellbinding tour de force that announces a dazzlingly fresh, natural-born storyteller in our midst.
Watch it: The Young Victoria Check out this movie if it's playing near you. Emily Blunt is fabulous as the young queen, and Rupert Friend makes a rather dreamy Prince Albert.
Man, I love the Olympics. If you need me in the next 17 days, you can expect to find me glued to the TV. I'm especially looking forward to Apollo Ono. And Shaun White.
I sent off this red scarf for Craft Hope's Project 6. If you haven't heard of Craft Hope, it's an organization that collects handmade items and distributes them to worthy organizations. Through past projects they've collected sock monkeys for kids at the Little Heroes Preschool Burn Camp and dolls for an orphanage in Nicaragua. They also recently raised $30,000+ for Doctors Without Borders through their Craft Hope for Haity Etsy shop.
This is for the Orphan Foundation's Red Scarf Project. The Orphan Foundation helps young adults who grew up in the foster care system make the transition to college or the workforce. See? Worthy cause. The red scarves will go into Valentine's Day care packages.
Sorry for the crummy picture. I only have my cell phone camera because my other camera bit the dust. And by "bit the dust," I mean it was dropped on the floor for the 114th time. Evidently it had a 113 drop limit.
I used the Star Stitch pattern on the Craft Hope site. The pattern was a little tricky for me, but I got the hang of it and I think it turned out pretty cool. I can't wait to see their next project!
So things at work have been a wee bit stressful recently. (Understatement of the year.)
Anyway. I've found that buying fabric lifts my spirits (although it doesn't do any favors for my bank account. Still, even an expensive piece of fabric costs much less than, say, a pair of shoes. So there.)
Here's my latest gratuitous fabric purchase. I saw this on Film in the Fridge, and all I could think was MUST. HAVE. DONKEY. FABRIC.
It arrived yesterday, and you know what? It buoyed my sprits. Consider my spirits buoyed.
What am I going to do with it, you ask? I don't know. Does it matter? The donkeys are wearing flippin' rain boots. Maybe I should just frame a square and keep it in my office....
Oh, and I bought the lambs too. Because they match the donkeys, obviously. Know what else made me smile yesterday? Seeing this.
Have you seen this year's list of Newberry Medal winners? I saw it last week and requested a few from the library. Up first, Rebecca Stead's When You Reach Me.
The synopsis:
Four mysterious letters change Miranda’s world forever.
By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it’s safe to go, like the local grocery store, and they know whom to avoid, like the crazy guy on the corner.
But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a new kid for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda’s mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then Miranda finds a mysterious note scrawled on a tiny slip of paper:
I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own. I must ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter.
The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows all about her, including things that have not even happened yet. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she’s too late.
I finished this book in just a few days. (Okay, it's written for 12-year-olds, but it's a chapter book!) It has much more suspense than you'd usually expect in a book for children. Check it out.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm obsessed with modern quilting and fabric. You'll find lots of both (and probably some pictures of my 5-year-old) here!
