Live from the Improv!

I have decided to look at some improv quilting this year and have joined a FaceBook group The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters. It is based on Sherri Lynn Wood's book by the same name. I have to admit I have been feeling a bit stifled creatively lately as most  all of my current projects are pattern based. Don't get me wrong - I love them all but it seems that the maximum creative input I have is colour and fabric selection. 

So I've decided that Sunday is Improv Day. It is the one day of the week when I don't have to be anywhere or do anything requiring me to get out of my pyjamas - in other words "my time is my own". I'm not sure I can commit to every Sunday - but I did sit down today and started (which for me is 99% of the battle journey).

I also wanted something to actually "show and tell" today. So here is my Improv Handbook Journal Cover. Sherri Lynn encourages us to keep a record of our thoughts, ideas, sketches, project insights and critiques, so we also have something written in our own voice. We are the authors of our own stories.

Granted it is a bit of a mish-mash as I pulled the fabrics out of my scrap bag and just glued them on the cover of a notebook. But -  I really didn't want to "over think" it as this too is own of my biggest obstacles. So I thought "no judgement" just glue it on. Once I was done - I realized that the workbook I had selected felt too small - too confined -  already cramping my style. Since I was on a bit of a just do it binge I cut the cover off and glued it to a larger journal. And now it feels just right!

Happy Stitching!

... and still I stitch... (in praise of letting projects languish)

A few weeks ago I pulled my " Labour of Love" hexagon quilt out of hibernation to take to a Quilt Along at my LQS. I was looking for some ideas as to how I could start transitioning to the borders on my quilt. I had kicked a few ideas around before, but this time I came to the conclusion that this was indeed going to require more hexagons (ohhhh! nooo!)

So I've cut 48 more templates from freezer paper,ironed them on, basted and resumed whip stitching. And you know what? I'm enjoying myself! Which just goes to show - when good projects get stalled - just let them hibernate - percolate and lo and behold - they rejuvenate!

... and still I stitch... (in praise of letting projects languish)

A few weeks ago I pulled my " Labour of Love" hexagon quilt out of hibernation to take to a Quilt Along at my LQS. I was looking for some ideas as to how I could start transitioning to the borders on my quilt. I had kicked a few ideas around before, but this time I came to the conclusion that this was indeed going to require more hexagons (ohhhh! nooo!)

So I've cut 48 more templates from freezer paper,ironed them on, basted and resumed whip stitching. And you know what? I'm enjoying myself! Which just goes to show - when good projects get stalled - just let them hibernate - percolate and lo and behold - they rejuvenate!

Happy 200th!

" However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters."

And so gentle readers it began. Today is a very special day. On January 28th, 2013 we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice".

I am not sure when I fell victim to the P&P mystique but I strongly suspect it had something to do with Colin Firth's portrayal of Austen's Mr. Darcy. Since then I've listened, read and watched several renditions of Jane's book. And loved each and every delicious moment.

“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.

“I have faults enough, but they are not, I hope, of understanding. My temper I dare not vouch for. It is, I believe, too little yielding— certainly too little for the convenience of the world. I cannot forget the follies and vices of other so soon as I ought, nor their offenses against myself. My feelings are not puffed about with every attempt to move them. My temper would perhaps be called resentful. My good opinion once lost, is lost forever.” 

And so... today I am celebrating. I rise early, pack lunches and send every one out the door. I will assemble my threads, fabrics, needles and thimble. I will clip the crusts off my cucumbers sandwiches and sip tea.

I have the 1995 BBC miniseries on DVD (with Colin Firth of course). Let the Pride and Prejudice marathon begin!

Happy 200th!

" However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters."

And so gentle readers it began. Today is a very special day. On January 28th, 2013 we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice".

I am not sure when I fell victim to the P&P mystique but I strongly suspect it had something to do with Colin Firth's portrayal of Austen's Mr. Darcy. Since then I've listened, read and watched several renditions of Jane's book. And loved each and every delicious moment.

“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.

“I have faults enough, but they are not, I hope, of understanding. My temper I dare not vouch for. It is, I believe, too little yielding— certainly too little for the convenience of the world. I cannot forget the follies and vices of other so soon as I ought, nor their offenses against myself. My feelings are not puffed about with every attempt to move them. My temper would perhaps be called resentful. My good opinion once lost, is lost forever.” 

And so... today I am celebrating. I rise early, pack lunches and send every one out the door. I will assemble my threads, fabrics, needles and thimble. I will clip the crusts off my cucumbers sandwiches and sip tea.

I have the 1995 BBC miniseries on DVD (with Colin Firth of course). Let the Pride and Prejudice marathon begin!