Sunday, June 3, 2007

Sewing Sunday



Yep, that's carrot bread again. It came out a little better this time, but I think there's still something wrong. It seems to be a much darker bread than what I've gotten at Mimi's and I'm really thinking Mimi's doesn't use molasses (probably because I don't much like molasses and it just doesn't taste right--plus the molasses would make it dark like this). The recipe I have is off the internet and I found a couple versions, but this one appeared most often, so I figured it was more likely to be "the" receipe. Maybe I'll check again and try the other one. Maybe I'll just give up and go to Mimi's. Yeah, that's probably what I'll do. Zuchini bread though--I'm good with that. Maybe next weekend.

Okay, here's what I'm working on. These are the blocks I started with and there's a little story that goes along with them:



Several years ago, I joined an online Thimbleberries group and met Diane. We soon became good friends and chatted online quite often, usually exchanging a couple e-mails a day. Both of us collected older Thimbleberries fabric, and one day I came across an eBay auction for something like 20 or so blocks, a book of different patterns for 8" blocks, and a bunch of fabric from the old Blue Skies line. Diane was also interested in the auction, and since we had an agreement not to bid against one another, we decided that we would split the blocks and fabric if we won. Well, we won and split everything up, but several months later, I received Diane's share of the blocks and fabric in the mail as a birthday gift. What a dear friend! I have to admit that the fabrics in this line are kind of odd and I'm not a huge fan of that teal/blue color, but as a collector of "vintage" Thimbleberries fabric, I appreciated the blocks nonetheless.

A few months later, Diane was diagnosed with cancer and died within a couple weeks. The blocks and fabric have sat underneath my sewing table, along with some of the other fabrics from the line that I've collected over the past couple years, and I finally decided it was time to put them into a quilt. I had co-hosted a year long swap of 8" star blocks for my group, and I used some of the Blue Skies fabric to make up sample blocks, so when I pulled out all my blocks this morning, I found I had 30--just enough to make a quilt that is 5 columns by 6 rows. The only problem with these blocks is that some of them weren't constructed very precisely and the block sizes were a little off. I had recently been looking at Sharyn Craig's Twist 'n Turn book, which presents some excellent solutions for somewhat mismatched blocks, so I decided to try the method out. Here's what I have so far:



I'm not sure whether I'll keep the blocks in this same configuration or change things around a bit. I also haven't decided whether I want to add some sashing between the blocks or leave them "as is." I'll have to look at them a bit and play around some.

The weekend's over and it's back to work tomorrow. I'd much rather stay home and play with fabric but no one seems to want to pay me to do that. So sad. I must go get some tissue so I don't cry all over my keyboard!

10 comments:

YankeeQuilter said...

What a great quilt top and what moving story to go along with it.

Water on the keyboard can be dangerous...ask me how I know - darn there goes the coffee cup again...

Melanie said...

Great post...what a memory. I love the setting of the blocks. I bet it was tough stirring up memories of a lost friend.

I too, love the vintage thimbleberries stuff. My two favorite books no-- make it 3-- are the the 1st book, a thimbleberries book of quilts, Cozy Cabin Quilts, and My Best. Which are yours????

I had really burnt out on Thimbleberries stuff, but you bring back good memories.

Kairle Oaks said...

Great setting, Kim! Such a good idea for those inconsistantly sized blocks.

I think of Diane often and am so grateful that we had the chance to know her, even if it was for such a short time. I'm sure she's smiling down from heaven.

Valerie said...

Awww, I'm so sorry about your friend Diane. Sounds like she was truly a friend that was meant to be in your life, and how sweet that she sent you the blocks as a gift knowing how much you would enjoy them!

I really love anything thimbleberries - Lynette Jenson's quilts really inspire me to quilt! :) I think what you did with the blocks looks great, can't wait to see the finished project! :)

The Chicken Lady said...

Gosh, I'm so sorry about Diane, too, but I'm glad that you had her in your life for a moment, anyway! Love the quilt blocks and the story behind them. What a treasure. :)

Granny said...

Love the way the blocks look with the "twist" on them. That's a neat, although sad, story about your friend, Diane. I'm glad you two got to know each other and I know that quilt, even though maybe not your very favorite colors, will always be special to you. Congrats for getting this far with it.

Forget the carrot bread! Go out to eat and get it at Mimi's!

Darlene said...

That's an story of friendship! I'm so sorry about, Diane!

I think we may have a small connection - is this Diane B? I'll have to send you an e-mail if so.

Lisa D. said...

Those blocks are beautiful - love the setting you're doing. What a wonderful memory you will have of your dear friend Diane.

Laurie Ann said...

Wow, using those settings really make the blocks pop and I love the look. What a difference! Great idea!

MichelleB said...

You have the best stories - even if this was a sad one. I love the twist.