Day: April 13, 2015

Turkey Tracks: April Update

Turkey Tracks:  April 13, 2015

April Update

Where does the time fly to?

I am never sure, beyond the certain knowledge that it’s moving really fast…

As you can see from earlier posts, I’ve just returned from an exciting few days of classes and viewing at the April MQX show in Manchester, NH–with friend Gail Galloway-Nicholson.

Here’s our favorite quilt from this show–and I’m sorry that I did not get the quilter’s name.

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I can appreciate the glorious work in this quilt, but for myself, I shy away from trying to make something with so, so much work in it.  I prefer a quilt that can be used and loved and washed.  Thus, I was much more drawn to this Bonnie Hunter quilt–Texas Tumbleweeds–done in a different colorway than what Bonnie did:

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Bonnie Hunter is part of the American Patchwork and Quilting Magazine’s 2015 4-patch challenge.  And as you know, I’ve been making these “Bonnie” blocks right along.  About 10 days or so ago, Bonnie showed how she was going to set her blocks.  Bonnie used aqua, and I’ve chosen a limey green:

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I’m working on the Coastal Quilter’s UFO challenge–due in May–so I’m making these blocks as a kind of leader/ender project at the moment.

And waiting to see how Bonnie is going to set them…

Look what I found along the front walk way today…

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Snow drops!  Aptly named…

 

Quilting Information: MQX, Manchester, NH–Jenny Pedigo and Helen Robinson Quilts

Quilting Information:  April 13, 2015

MQX, Manchester, NH–Jenny Pedigo and Helen Robinson Quilts

I appreciate modern quilts, but am not drawn to making them.

However, the Jenny Pedigo and Helen Robinson (sisters) display of quilts at this spring’s MQX show was really fun to see.  And I certainly enjoy the sense of “style” and the lovely quilting seen in modern quilts.

I attempted to take a picture of most of the quilts shown.  Or pieces of these quilts anyway.  Those of you who have ipads or iphones can enlarge the pictures to see the fine detail of the quilting.

And, there is at least one book from these two amazing women.

Note that modern quilts often play with the juxtaposition of straight lines and curves.

And note the use of grey here, which is very “big” right now.

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Here’s my favorite:

 

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These quilts are GRAND!  So fun.

Quilting Information: MQX, Manchester, New Hampshire, April 2015

Quilting Information:  April 13, 2015

MQX 2015

I am just back from the Machine Quilters’ Expo, held in early April in Manchester, New Hampshire.

I took four classes and really learned so much.  The teachers were Judi Madsen, Judy Woodworth, and Angela Huffman.

I used to free-motion on my domestic machine a lot.  But when I got my long arm, I settled into making the kind of quilts I love the most:  big and scrappy.  Those quilts really look their best when quilted with an even, overall pattern.  Thus, I’ve been using pantographs most of the time.

However, I do not want to lose my free-motion skills.  And I do make some quilts that would look great with more custom quilting.

So, I have a goal of improving my “front of the machine” skills this year.

Angela Huffman does it all.  She spent her time teaching us how she works.  She uses free-motion and templates.  She taught us so many patterns that I will definitely be able to use.  Her web site is http://www.quiltedjoy.com.

Modern quilter Judi Madsen’s work is so beautiful.  Here are some examples–which she broke down and taught us to do.  (Of course it takes practice.)  Quilting at this level often involves layering two wool battings to get the trapunto effects.  AND, lots of marking on the quilt, a straight ruler, and MATH.

 

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Judy Woodworth is more of a traditional quilter, but I think she can do anything she wants to do.

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Here she urges us to just have fun and experiment.

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Books: Book Club Book List for 2015-2016

Books:  April 13, 2015

Book Club List for 2015-2016

We met, we discussed, we chose…

There are 6 of us and each of us brings 5 book suggestions to the group–and the group chooses 2 of each member’s 5 books.

It works well…

Here’s our new list, which runs to April of 2016.

 

The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul, Deborah Rodriguez

From the author of the memoir Kabul Beauty School comes a fiction debut as compelling as real life: the story of a remarkable coffee shop in the heart of Afghanistan, and the men and women who meet there — thrown together by circumstance, bonded by secrets, and united in an extraordinary friendship.

The People of the Book, Geraldine Brooks 

An ambitious, electrifying work that traces the harrowing journey of the famed Sarajevo Haggadah, a beautifully illuminated Hebrew manuscript created in fifteenth-century Spain.

Leaving Before the Rains Come, Alexandra Fuller 

Memoir about the unravelling of a twenty-year marriage that began in Africa.

All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr 

Tackles questions of survival, endurance, and moral obligations during war time.  Called a “vastly entertaining feat of storytelling” in a NY Times book review.

Still Life with Breadcrumbs, Anna Quinlan

Brilliantly written, powerfully observed, a deeply moving and often very funny story of unexpected love.

Sparta, Roxana Robinson  

Conrad is a Williams graduate who flies back home to the United States after four years in Iraq to face the weird vagaries of his homeland. At only 26, he sees American life with new eyes — or are they old eyes, those of a damaged warrior.

The Homesman, Glendon Swarthout 

A haunting novel.  A haunting movie.  Many of the women on the prairie frontier go mad and have to be taken back to civilization–a journey of danger in many ways.

French Hats in Iran, Haydar Radjavi 

Presents a series of mini-tales that features characters such as: the elderly father who works in the Tabriz bazaar and runs his household according to unbending religious precepts; the resourceful mother who finds ways to enjoy such forbidden frivolities as music; the female playmate who marries at the age of nine; and, more

Big Little Lies, Liane Moriarity

A brilliant take on ex-husbands and second wives, mothers and daughters, schoolyard scandal, and the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves just to survive.

The Sandalwood Tree, Elle Newmark 

A sweeping story that expertly blends fiction and history as the author weaves together two stories which take place in two tumultuous times in Indian history. One story recounts the events of India’s First World War also known as the Sepoy Mutiny; the other takes place during the 1940’s as British rule was coming to an end in India.

Euphoria, Lilly King

The story of three young, gifted anthropologists in 1933 caught in a passionate love triangle that threatens theirs bonds, their careers, and ultimately their lives. Set between World War I and II and inspired by events in the life of revolutionary anthropologist Margaret Mead, Euphoria is an enthralling story passion, possession, exploration and sacrifice.

Wild From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, Cheryl Strayed

Memoir.  Movie.  Powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.