Does this put me ahead?

Journal

Monday, January 22, 2024

I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoons last week as I concentrated on reading. I made good progress on my pile of books – two finished and returned to the library but another one picked up today. It is thick and I was hoping it was a large print book but I don’t think it is. I have no recollection of why I wanted it but it is set in Ireland so that’s probably all it was.

I finished the Alias Grace block that was giving me so much trouble over the last few days. It is better, not perfect, but I can live with it. I finished another one in the series today. I didn’t have a pattern for it either but I had two pictures and a tutorial so it went well. Two more left in the series; one is easy to figure out from the picture and I have a pattern for the other one. This is my UFO project for the month and, given good luck, I might just get them done.

I’d like to start spending my afternoons hand stitching but that isn’t going to happen today. I had a few errands to take care of – post office, library, bank and groceries. I’m hoping my tablecloth will be finished before the Canucks finish for the season. This last round seems to be taking forever and then I’ll have to do the edging. I guess I have nothing better to do with my evenings while we watch TV. With what is left of the afternoon I’ll start cutting another block.

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!