Monthly Archives: January 2024

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane

Books

Author: Lisa See

I’ve always enjoyed books by this author; I think this is the best one yet.

Li-yan is from a Chinese mountain village who strictly follow the rituals of the Akha people. When she gets pregnant her child, under the rules, is considered a reject and should be killed. Li-yan makes a long journey on foot in order to leave her child at an orphanage. The child, is adopted by an American family and lives in California. Li-yan dreams of meeting her child and the child, now known as Haley, often wonders about her “real” mother.

Although this story is interesting and very well told, it was all the rituals of the Akha people and the art of growing and making tea that I will remember.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Back to the drawing board

Journal

Saturday, January 20, 2024

I decided last night that I really couldn’t add the Solomon’s Temple block as it was to a quilt. I would always see the mistake and I would hate the quilt for only that reason.

So I got out paper, pencil and scissors today and I’ve been re-sketching the pattern. I’m in the midst of reverse stitching a couple of the rounds. I accidentally took out a seam that I shouldn’t have but I have it stitched back in again.

There is still lots of reverse stitching to do and there is no guarantee that the new result will be any better than the last attempt but at least I’ll know I tried. I’m hoping that the new measurements will be the same or slightly smaller than the first go-round as I’m short of extra fabric.

After lunch I’m going to make a batch of scones and there’s a Canucks game late this afternoon. I’ll be back to working on my tablecloth (and maybe I’ll finish the reverse stitching).

Solomon’s Temple

Journal

Friday, January 19, 2024

I finished my Alias Grace block today – Solomon’s Temple. All I had to go on was a picture so it was a struggle to get it done. Please note I said done, not right.

I did my best to do the math but when that didn’t work I added a piece here and trimmed a bit off there. I have some large blocks in this series but this is the largest. I can cut it down a bit but right now it will be a 20” finish.

I see that I missed a few points entirely and have some of the triangles pointing the wrong way but I’m not changing it. Solomon’s Temple crumbled and my version is unlikely to stand the test of time either!

Happy Birthday Will

Cards

January 18, 2024

Point Taken (from the Splendid Sampler 2 series)

You know your grandchild is an adult when his birthday gift is exactly the same as his Dad’s!

This card came out of the card bin and was sent off in plenty of time for Kathryn to tuck his birthday present inside the package. This is my kind of pattern where the points on the stars are supposed to be missing!