Wednesday 19 February 2014

Half term holidays, half way through

OK, so it is a universally known fact that the days where you don't have to go into work go by twice as fast as the days where you do.  Which is how it is already Wednesday afternoon and I am officially half way through the half term holidays. 
Don't get me wrong, I have been busy working ...
and I am now itching to start a new project - what to do?  Decisions decisions.  I think a cushion cover may be next in line.  I have also made and sent off the next Friendship quilt block to Amy, but won't share it here until she receives it there.  How long does the post take to get from the UK to Australia - I'm not sure! I've been trying to keep up with the Block of the Month in my quilting magazine and I had been putting off last month's as it was circular and had lots of segments but I stuck with it and so long as you look at it from a distance with your eyes kind of squinty it looks OK.  Let's just say I won't be rushing to make a whole bed quilt from that design!  The top 'twirling baton' square was fun to make and only took an afternoon to do from start to finish so that was a relief and I'm all ready and waiting for the March edition to arrive.  I've also made a small project from one of the earlier editions but that is going to be sent onto someone who may read this and I want to keep it a secret!   As you can see, I've also bound and finished the quilt for J's old bedroom - just ready for his visit home at the end of next week.  When I mentioned wondering how I would 'sash' the finished square, Deb said that that 'was the easy part.'   I was a little dubious to say the least but hey, Deb, you were right! 
So what else have I been up to.  Well, we've booked our summer holiday.  Shall I give you a clue?  Well, where is famous for it's pasta, prosecco and ice cream?  Yup - it's going to be 'Ciao Italia' for us this year.  We've booked for Lake Garda.  In a small hotel, just 36 bedrooms in a converted country house and it looks lovely.  I'm counting the days already.
The weather seems to have calmed down a bit this week.  A lot of trees have come down around our town, in the recent storms and I've used these for a 'zoom in, zoom out' collage
This one had fallen across the boundary of someones house, through their hedge and onto a pathway leading to the church. It must have made quite a noise as it fell as the photo does not do its size justice - it was a really large old tree.  The 'zoom in' part is on the splinters of wood from the trunk; hard to believe that a tree which was so mature and gnarly on the outside had such a bright, light heart inside it.
Hope everyone else is keeping safe from the weird and wacky weather conditions that the whole world seems to be experiencing.  As for me, I can't wait for Spring!

 
 

11 comments:

Ruth said...

That's a great Zoom In shot!

scrappyjacky said...

Loving the look of your quilting.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful quilt blocks and fabulous zoom shots.

Abi said...

I am in awe of your lovely quilting Deb. I like that design in the pink and purple.

Amy said...

Man ... I am so jealous of your proximity to Europe .... sigh!

Post times surprise me ... sometimes it takes a very long time and yet other things I've sent seem to arrive within a week ... there is no telling what will happen. I'll send a sentry out to the letter box!

helena said...

fabulous masculine quilt - so bold. so sad to see trees brought down by the storms - but I love the philosophy you found in zooming in on the inner wood

Beverly said...

I am always in awe of the projects you not only start but complete! I need to channel you somehow! I was surprised at how light the inside of the tree was as well. Enjoy and savor the second half of your break :)

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Oh just look at all that yummy quilty goodness!!! And man, I love reading the words, "Deb, you were right!" Haha. Glad you are at the half way mark. Keep on keeping on! xo

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

It's always lovely to see your quilting progress Deb. The finished article looks brilliant. I was looking at that twirling batons block in my mag, you've done a great job of it.

alexa said...

Lots of lovely things to admire here, from your super quilt (and that circle looks very complex with all those segments) to your great description of the outside and inside of that tree - hope I am like that when I am very old too! Oh, and a great pair of photos ...

Sian said...

Now that "viewmaster" style quilt block looks very good indeed. very clever! I've been doing a bit of crochet this week, but more quilting is also on my list. Think it'll be a while before I reach that kind of pattern standard though!