For some inexplicable reason, I haven’t been able to read books at my normal rate. Whether it’s distractions from the outside world, anxiety about things I can’t control, or just because I’m doing more sewing and gardening, I haven’t been able to focus on many novels in the past few months. How’s your reading progressing? […]
Archives for November 2020
Online events? Yes please!
One of the beneficial side-effects of travel restrictions and the desire to stay home as much as possible is that I have attended many more events than I would have pre-pandemic. Have you taken advantage of this? I’m grateful to the many organisations that have redesigned their programs for digital participants instead of in-person ones. […]
How to simplify life
Sometimes pulling together all the threads of our lives seems totally overwhelming. I know I often have so many decisions to make – some large but mostly small – that I become paralysed with indecision. That’s not how I want to live my life. So, on a regular basis, I simplify and pare back. It’s […]
Ruth de Vos: three questions
Welcome to the fifth in my Three Questions series, where I ask makers about their creative practices. I became aware of Ruth’s quilts over 10 years ago, when I was editor of a now-defunct quilt magazine and I have followed her work since. Ruth stitches together lots of little pieces of fabric to make bold […]
How to explode quilt block diagrams
When I’ve been writing patterns for my quilts in the past, I’ve often thought it would be useful to include diagrams that show how the pieces of a block join. I have low-level skills with graphics programs and I don’t have expensive software. I use EQ8 for my diagrams but never knew a way to explode […]
In my garden column: November 2020
Now it’s November and that means my latest gardening column is in the local newspaper. It’s a pleasure and privilege to write about the happenings in my garden, even though there’s so much to be done out there. As I sit at my desk, gazing out the window, I can see plenty to keep me […]
On kindness
Many of my friends are interested enough in their exercise programs to count the distances they walk. Technology has aided them; I see regular updates, direct from their Fitbit activity trackers, on Facebook or Twitter. We all love aids that assist us to reach our goals, keep track of our progress, or record our productivity. […]
Siobhan Rogers: three questions
Welcome to the fourth in my Three Questions series, where I ask makers about their creative practices. I first saw Siobhan’s quilt designs many years ago and have enjoyed following those and her other creative pursuits since then. For the last ten years Siobhan has created content for print, predominantly sewing and patchwork but also food and […]