Becca & Bella

Quilt in Process

So, I have very imperfectly finished piecing my first baby quilt. I love the fabrics ... the bali batiks, the soft pink toile, the shiny pink and apricot "fairy" fabrics. I am pleased with the way they have meshed together. Don't look too closely ... not all squares have evened up perfectly ... but my mother-in-law, Ann, who has taught me what I know of quilting quotes the Amish "quilting is a human art. And humans are not perfect. Humans make mistakes." In fact, the Amish will sometimes intentionally make a mistake in order to encourage humility.

Quilting is soothing and quiet ... but also time consuming ... and I was missing my reading. So, I downloaded The Waves by Virginia Woolf on my Ipod and have listened to half the book while contentedly stitching away. Then, in the evenings, I read the book before bed. It's interesting how hearing the words and then reading the text helps me understand the book better. I love this Virginia Woolf ... an amazingly clever book by a brilliant author.

Now, I will decide whether to take the little quilt to the Amish to hand quilt or have local artists, who machine quilt beautifully, finish the project. I am torn between the two. I am told that the machine quilting is better with batik fabrics and the artists will do an all-over pattern which may minimize the mistakes in matching squares. But, Ann has a wonderful Amish lady who quilts all her beautiful quilts, and Barbara is excellent at which she does. I am still trying to decide.

Nature as Inspiration

I have been inspired by artists who use nature as their muse. Herman Yu's work is beautiful and I have been reading a book on William Morris - an exceptional artist and designer who used nature as a model for almost all he did. Morris' design work is brilliant.

I have decided to return to the quilt shop tomorrow to find additional fabric for my quilt. Clearly I need material with much more pattern, design and color to it. I have done a bit more quilt research and really admire Kaffe Fasset's and Amy Butler's work).

A Grand!

What is it about receiving marvelous news - that you will soon have your first grandchild - that literally launches one out the door in search of a quilt shop? Never mind that, in the past, you have always been pretty poor at quilting. Forget completely your recent decision to stick to one project only (needlepoint) in which you feel fairly adequate. No ... baby quilts are now "in." We're so delighted.  (Of course, since I am now making the quilt, I also have to take lessons in order to figure out how. For instance, I have no idea how to bind a quilt ... so I am learning by piecing and finishing the project in photo 2 as a tote bag).

Herbs & Flowers

I suppose it is only natural to be thinking Spring in the middle of Winter. Flowers just seem to brighten up my life ... and really, in my opinion, no one does flower arranging better than the British who not only have a wonderful climate for growing herbs and perennials, but, then they do such magical things with the blooms and greens! The Real Flower Company in Petersfield, Hampshire and Petersham in Richmond, Surrey are two extraordinary places. If you need to smell the flowers today (as I do) then you might stop by their websites and be encouraged. I hope all of you are healthy, cheerful and surviving the cold.

New Persephone Books

Several of you have asked which three new Persephone books I will choose and I believe they will be The Far Cry by Emma Smith (recommended by Passementerie - her blog is fascinating). Both Elizabeth Bowen and Susan Hill have also recommended it  - two authors I greatly admire.

The second book will be Every Eye by Isobel English because of the recommendations of John Betjeman and Muriel Spark ... and also, right now, Ibiza sounds wonderful.

The third book will be Greenery Street by Denis Mackail simply due to the quote by  a dearly beloved author, " so good that it makes one feel that it's the only possible way of writing a book, to take an ordinary couple and just tell the reader all about them." (P.G. Wodehouse). I am currently re-watching the entire BBC Jeeves and Wooster series - to cheer up cold nights. Occasionally, Geoff watches with me and comments,  "I am not so sure what is so funny about this." "Everything, darling!" with tears running down my cheeks.

Right now, I am reading all things  Virginia Woolf (her novels and biographies of her - I am very late in doing a thorough read of the Bloomsbury crowd) and  The Fortnight in September by RC Sherriff. I am enjoying all of this very much. It seems I should be very thankful indeed for Persephone Books. I intend to read and build a library of many of their publications over the next few years - now there is a New Year's Resolution I may  be able to keep. (photo of Emma Smith is from Persephone's site and the bust of Virginia Woolf is a National Trust photo).

House Bound & Happy New Year

Clearing out the Christmas decorations already. It feels so great to clean up, create order and white space again.

I have so enjoyed new Donna Hay cookbooks and have especially loved a new warm olive oil, walnut and rosemary dressing for arugula and spinach salads  (my simple interpretation of the dressing:  pour a good bit of excellent olive oil in a saucepan, a handful of finely chopped walnuts, and two teaspoons of finely chopped rosemary. Let this gently simmer for up to 20 minutes. Add a large squeeze or two of fresh lime juice and a pinch of sugar before serving over salad  greens).

I also finished yet one more marvelous Persephone book, House-Bound by Winifred Peck (photo). It's another story about life during the war years. Rose is a privileged wife and mother with an "unmanageable house." There are no more servants to be had - the home can no longer be "suited" - and the story is of the tremendous challenges not only to be met overseas by the men on the battlefields but by the women at home and in the home. Managing a large house alone is one of the least of the challenges (though heavy going for those who never learned whether washing potatoes required soap). Surviving family tragedies and sorrow are life-changing. Rose copes with it all honestly and admirably. But, this is not a depressing novel ... far from it. It is a story of hope and courage, change and coping with change. It is a story of a family with real issues and real love. The tale rings true. Rose is a lovely woman whom you will not soon forget. (One of my Christmas presents from my son and his wife in England is a gift certificate for 3 more Persephone books ... what joy)! AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all of you ... all around the world. Peace be with you!

"Faith is a reasoning trust, a trust which reckons thoughtfully and confidently upon the trustworthiness of God." John Stott

"We consider Christmas as the encounter, the great encounter, the historical encounter, the decisive encounter, between God and mankind. Let (us) rejoice."  Pope Paul VI

Waiting to Play

Finishing up work before a week of Christmas. I have just assigned a "wildly creative" project to my students and while trying to describe what I meant by "wildly creative," I came across the coca cola Ireland site where there were several fabulous M5 videos. They're not very Christmas-y but they are fun and impressive. Thought you might like a link to them.

Dame Wendy Hiller

Having read the book, All Passion Spent, I am enjoying for a second time the PBS series featuring Dame Wendy Hiller. Her life is interesting and inspiring. The book is very good ... the PBS series nearly as strong as the book.

 

Reading Weekend

You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.   C.S. Lewis 

I am finishing up All Passion Spent and Portrait of a Marriage by Vita Sackville-West and enjoying every minute of it. What an excellent author. Having just finished several books by her contemporaries, in sheer writing skill, she surpasses them all.

A little reminder that Gretel from Middle of Nowhere has lovely Christmas cards. I had her "three french hens" and her "nelliephant" out last night at a Christmas party and friends just loved them. But, for other extraordinarily imaginative Christmas cards, visit Linnea Designs.