All posts by Sherry

The Conjoined

Books

Author: Jen Sookfong Lee

conjoinedJen is an acquaintance of Pat’s; they met while Pat was volunteering at a writer’s workshop at UBC many years ago. I’ve read other books by the three members of the SPiN writer group. I read Jen’s first novel many years ago and I enjoyed it but this one is much, much better.

The novel is set in Vancouver (all the places are familiar) but it could be set anywhere. The story is about the disappearance of two young girls who are in foster care with what would seem like the ideal foster family. But when the mother dies, a gruesome discovery is made by her husband and daughter. The story goes back and forth between the time of the disappearance and the present day.

 

Goodreads Rating * * * * *

 

 

 

 

The End of East 

end-of-east

This is my review of Jen’s first book.

We know this author and I was very anxious to read her first published novel. The story is set in Vancouver so the locations were familiar. I could see and hear the characters and, to me, that is the sign of good writing.

 

Goodreads Rating * * * *

Another day

Journal

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Another day – just like yesterday! I’m not complaining, and I’m not even bored.

I had some work to do this morning as a result of our board meeting last night so I got right to it. When that was done I did my prep for the Guild meeting tonight. It would be nice if the two meetings didn’t follow one right after the other but that is going to be the case again next month.

Once the reports were done I started work on another card. I am kind of liking Stacia’s policy of working (and finishing) one thing at a time. In the past I would get two or three or more card tops done and then quilt and bind them one after another. I’ve managed three card finishes in three days; one is in the mail, one is ready for the mail, and I’ll get the third one bound this afternoon and evening.

It appears that only one of the Advent calendars will arrive on time. The other grandkids will have some catching up to do!

What a great day

Journal

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

I’m doing what I ought to be doing on a Wednesday – working on my cards. But before starting that I had to do some work for my Cranberry Hall board meeting tonight. I had some time last night to get a start on it so there wasn’t too much left to do this morning. When it was done I planned to walk up to the mailbox because I needed to get something to the mail today. Our handyman finished his work about the same time I finished. We didn’t have enough cash at home to pay his bill but it wasn’t a problem as we had given him a good down payment. He’ll stop back again tomorrow so it meant a trip to the bank. Out of habit I almost got into my car but, since the sun was shining, I pulled out a scarf and some gloves and decided to walk.

It wasn’t until this afternoon that I got a start on my card making. The one I’m working on today is done with paper piecing and, again, I wish I had time to practice the new technique. Paper piecing, when it works the first time, is quick and gives such good results. I was able to use my new tweezers (from Houston) to pick the tiny pieces of paper from the fabric. They work great and make my previous pair of tweezers look like something pre-historic!

I was close to a finish on the card top when Pat called me downstairs – there were whales out in the Strait. He was able to see them spouting water from the kitchen window, even though they were quite a way out. From their water spouts and the way they were swimming (we had the big binoculars out) we are sure they were humpbacks. I guess they were out enjoying the sun as well.

All in all it has been a good day. Let’s hope the meeting tonight doesn’t spoil it.

Back in the groove

Journal

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

I did a bit of paperwork yesterday afternoon but I was itching to get back to some sewing so I started a birthday card that is due very soon. The pattern involved half-square triangles that were then to be sewn together to make quarter-square triangles. I’ve done it before but I clearly didn’t remember how and my first attempt went into the dog pillow just as Pat called me for supper.

I was determined that today would be a better day, and it was. I would have liked to have tried some of my newly-acquired skills in invisible machine appliqué since this particular card had some appliqué on it. I thought by the time I dug out my notes, found the right paper and glue that it would take longer than doing it the old way. I improved on my zig zag stitch and I think that, in part, was from my recent class.

I also shook out some cobwebs for the quilting. I used a zig zag around the appliqué, a bit of stitch in the ditch and finished it off with some free-motion quilting. As I worked on the card I kept thinking about how great these cards will be for practice when my new free-motion templates arrive. The next time I have a card with some appliqué I will take the time to try it the “new” way. My next card is going to involve paper piecing and I wish I had time to sit down with my new book (from Houston) to try out a new technique I learned there. But just now I have projects I need to finish so I will have to stick with the tried and (sometimes) true.

I picked my car up just before heading off to the Doctor; the vehicle and I both checked out well! I have a new battery in the car, fresh oil and a gizmo that will stop the hood from falling on your head when it is open. I, on the other hand, have a couple of routine lab tests to have done but I was able to get the renewals on my prescriptions.

It feels good to be back at the sewing machine.