Reading list #2

Not much blog worthy going on in my life. Oh wait that’s because I have been reading.  Some have been very good books and some just ok. This has been the coldest, windiest, greyest April that I can remember I know it’s May but it finally feels like April after 60 some days of March.  Great weather for reading. Always look for a bright side…The scillas are finally blooming. I’ve driven past this yard a couple times and gasped at the expanse of blue, yesterday I stopped to take a couple pictures.  The house used to belong to a lady in my church, her yard and flowers were always perfect. Now it looks like a student rental and much neglected. To the memory of Mrs. C. She also taught 6th grade I didn’t have her for a teacher but a classmate told me she was the last teacher who read aloud to her class. Happy reading ~~Ann~~

1.  The American Agent by Jacqueline Winspear Maisie Dobbs book #15
2. Life in Stitches by Rachel Herron a series of essays about knitting and life.
3. The Existential Worries of Mags Munro by Jean Grainger about a middle aged police woman in present day Ireland
4. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman again for book club
5. It’s Better That Way by Debbie MaComber just fluff for fun
6. The Girl from Ballymor by Kathleen McGurl takes place in present day and 1840’s potato famine in Ireland present day art history student is researching second great grandfather who was a very successful portrait painter.
7. The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie another murder mystery 
8. A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin romance takes place during WW2 Christian novel the power of prayer.
9. My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman I had to read it again about a young girl dealing with the death of her grandmother.
10. The Consequences of Fear by Jacqueline Winspear Maisie Dobbs #16
11. Shadows Reel by C.J. Box newest Joe Pickett Wyoming Game Warden mystery
12. The Sunlit Weapon by Jacqueline Winspear #17 of Maisie Dobbs mystery series
13. Stuff by Daniel Frost a researcher looks into the minds of hoarders.
14. A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie a Miss Marple mystery 
15. Stars over Alabama by Sean Dietrich the story begins during the depression of the 1930’s with 3 different small groups of individuals, their lives finally converge the last few chapters of the book.
16. The Good People by Hannah Kent takes place in rural Ireland in 1820’s some people still believed in fairies. 
17. The 100 Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin the ages of the two main characters add up to 100 both are in a long term care / hospital for book club very good 
18. An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon book 7 of the Outlander series it ended on cliffhangers for a couple characters. Good thing there is a book #8.  Most of the story takes place in 1777 and 1778 Revolutionary War in colonial America.

Design wall

 

This quilt is kinda crazy busy and I also ran out of some of the fabrics.  What to do? Sew the star blocks first then dig in the stash to find something that will work. Another cold grey damp day here oh wait a great day to sew.  Hope you are enjoying spring where you are. It feels like March 56th here. ~~Ann~~

Start and finish

 Much time was spent knitting in late February and March. This is a Marie Green pattern knit on size 8 needles so it did knit fast. Hubby had a procedure done and is doing great, I needed some mindless knitting while he was in the hospital. The yarn is Rowan felted tweed of wool, alpaca and viscous. After it was washed it is so soft. Love this yarn!  And the spring weather or lack of is still saying wear wool sweaters.  ~~Ann~~

Something new on the design wall

 Something new on the design wall.......as I was gazing at my stacks of fabric I spied a magazine stuffed with fabrics! Some were even cut into the right size strips, half my decisions were made. Dig for a background fabric, do a little math to figure out if I have enough or need to use a couple different fabrics.  There was enough! Cut a little sew a little and cut some more, press a little, sew a little. Don’t you love it when a plan comes together with very little effort.  Cold, wind and rain a good day to sew. —Ann—

socks

 Another pair of socks finished and keeping my feet cozy warm as spring days come and go with the wind.~~Ann~~

Bow Tie

 

Bow ties are rich with fall colors, blacks and dark browns like fresh turned earth from digging root crops, potatoes, carrots, onions and parsnips. Reds like fall leaves and jars of preserves current jelly, cherries, plums and apples. Yellows and oranges like pumpkins and squash. Cool blues to match the sky and grays like the clouds threatening rain and snow to come. I was a few inches short with the backing fabric so I inserted a few leftover bow tie blocks to fill in the gap.  Another quilt done and now all those decisions to start something new.  ~~Ann~~

Pairing #3 Bow Ties

Sometimes I come across a fabric that says perfect quilt backing even though I haven’t made a quilt for the front. This light tan with the mustaches, top hats and bow ties was one of those purchases. It was kinda like choosing the side dishes before deciding on the entree. It nudged me and said make another bow tie quilt. So I did.  —Ann—