Hello creative dabblers and thanks for reading (maybe that’s premature to assume you’ll continue reading since this is the first sentence). I hope, though, that you will carry on!
I’m typing this with a keyboard that has certain keys sticking. It’s mildly annoying but it seems to give my keyboard a personality, as if it’s giving preference to certain letters over others. I like that. We’ll see how long I feel the same way before I hurl the keyboard at the floor in frustration.
Quilts
I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that I have too much furniture and quilting paraphernalia for a single room. My previous studio area was much larger and, unless I knock down a wall here, I won’t fit everything in one space. It’s a relief to accept this reality.
So, I’ve moved my sewing machine and a large table into the room next door and they live comfortably with the ironing board and iron nearby. It’s amazing what a difference this makes. It’s beneficial that I have to get up and walk between rooms, too.
Now I have my desk and computer, bookshelves, fabric storage, hand-sewing table and cutting table in one room. It’s comfortable and doesn’t feel cluttered anymore. I think that’s important, don’t you?
My productivity has increased. There’s one quilt pin-basted and ready for hand quilting, an appliqué block with pieces glued, machine-pieced blocks waiting for more to join them, a six-pointed star hand-pieced top nearly finished, and three new patterns waiting to be started. So much sewing to enjoy!
Did you read about Ellen Harding Baker’s 1876 Solar System quilt? Such an interesting story here.
Gardens
It’s heading towards the middle of summer and, so far, it’s been a disappointing season in my garden. We’ve had mostly cloudy days and the lack of sun has delayed flowering of many plants, mostly my dahlias.
Five of my tubers haven’t sprouted at all this year. They’ve probably rotted in the ground, given all the rain we’ve had since last autumn. The others have taken their time to sprout and certainly don’t have any flower buds yet (I look most days). It’s not a proper summer in my garden without my beloved dahlias. Here’s hoping for sunnier days.
The first of the spring nursery catalogues arrived a couple of weeks ago. I won’t be buying any more tulip bulbs this year, since I have a bag full waiting in the fridge. Perhaps some paperwhites? They are always cheery. It’s always best to order bulbs early so you can get the best selection.
I’ve noticed that lichens have been prolific in my area. Here’s an interesting article about them and why they have thrived in the rain.
Writing and books
You may have noticed I’ve spruced up my website, giving it a fresh look and adding a menu at the top of the page so you can find information more easily.
In case you missed it, I wrote about having quilters as friends, a book review of The Only Suspect by Louise Candlish, and poppies in the garden.
I’ve just finished reading books 2 and 3 in Elly Griffiths’ Harbinder Kaur series and book 18 in Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series. All excellent reads and I’ll review them at some stage.
Not a book, but a TV show. Last week I enjoyed a show about the restoration of Kelmscott Manor. It’s on SBS here. I was particularly fascinated by the process of recreating William Morris’ handblocked wallpapers. Such a meticulous process.
What are you enjoying? Are you making quilts, nurturing your garden or reading good stories? Please leave a comment if there’s something you’d like to recommend.
