Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Moving Along . . .

I've been messing around with flowers tonight--I prepped some applique pieces for the baskets and I thought I'd show you.


As far as the design process goes, I took a cue from the floral fabric with the black background that I showed you the other day, and drew a few flowers in keeping with that feel.

I cut the pieces out of freezer paper and laid them out in position on the basket; then I started selecting fabrics for each piece, ironing the fabric to the paper, and basting each piece. I might move the pieces around a bit, but maybe not. Still, at this point these pieces are just roughly positioned.

So far, my plan is to use the same flower designs for each basket but move the flowers into different positions and use different fabrics. I might add another couple flowers to the mix as I go.

Enough of that though. Last week I mentioned going to bed with a good book and someone asked what I was reading. Around this time of the year, when there's a lot to do, I like to read "light" books--books that are entertaining enough but not so much so that I can't put them down to do the things that need to be done. Last week I was reading a Nora Roberts book called Tribute; this week I'm reading a Jonathan Kellerman book called True Detectives. Both are nice books but probably aren't something I'll be thinking about a month from now.

What have you read lately that you can recommend? Now that the holidays are nearly over, I'm ready to pick up something more attention-grabbing. And I really need to update the reading section in my sidebar, but I just haven't been enthusiastic about anything I've read lately. So what's new and good?

28 comments:

Orcsmom said...

Can't wait to see the finish quilt! See ya soon!

Hugs!
Pam

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

Love the baskets..and I'm not sure I can help with the books..it's the time of year when I go light and reread the favourites...so there's a bit of Janet evano going down!
Happy belated Christmas to you and your family, love Tracey

Heckety said...

Oooh! Love the way you are doing the baskets. I've wanted to do a basket pattern for a whitl but they all look so exactly the same it puts me off, now your idea sounds much more do-able, thank you!
Books...hmmm...the Hub got The Charm School by Nelson deMille for Christmas, which I've nicked and started, political thriller set during the Cold War, newly reissued I think. Also a historical Bernard Cornwell...which he seems to have hidden from me as I really enjoy his writing! Selfish or what!!!

Kim said...

I would always recommend a Jodi Picoult book. Some of hers that are my favorites are: Mercy, Change of Heart, My Sister's Keeper, 13 Minutes, and The Pact. You might check out Booker Babes(you can find it in my sidebar), which is a blog I do for our book club. Our all time fav, which isn't new, is The Memory Keepers Daughter. Happy Reading!

Shelley Dionne said...

Wow, I'm liking it!

Betsy said...

Kim your flower basket quilt is going to be beautiful. I love how you are making the flowers unique.

Nancy said...

I just finished firefly lane by kristin hannah... wonderful book of the friendship between 2 friends over the course of their lifetime....

Kim H said...

Love your flower baskets. Also love reading your blog every morning, it gives me a good start to my day as it's the first thing I read when I get to work. (Uh oh, did I say that??) As for books, I just finished James Patterson's "Swimsuit". His books are such fast reads and with his short chapters he really keeps your interest.

MichelleB said...

I finished The Condition by Jennifer Haigh not too long ago - I liked it. She also wrote Mrs. Kimble - which I really liked. I'm reading the Guernsy book (hate the title, I can't ever remember how it goes - it has Potato Peel Society in the title, too). I'm also reading Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger - I really like it, so far. Some books that I've heard are good and want to read are The Nest and The Lace Reader - but I need to wait until they come out in paper back. Also, I heard good things about The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane. Hope that helps ;)

Anna said...

Love the flower baskets. I'm reading Nineteen Minutes by Picoult ,it has kept my interest but is not her best imho.

Tamara said...

The flower baskets is going to make a beautiful quilt can't wait to see this quilt through out the stages and then finished. I currently am reading Quilters Holiday by Jennifer Chiaverini great book for the the holiday season to read.

Anonymous said...

"the Physick Book of Deliverence Dane" by katherine Howe. Excellent book, I could hardly put it down. Story goes back and forth from 1692 Salem to 1991 Harvard. I was in Salem in October and am fascinated with that period of history so this book was one of the best historical fictions I have read! Check it out Kim!

Your quilt is going to be beautiful...love the color combination and am very impressed with how efficient you are with your time management! When I get home from work, I collapse ...I do "think" about quilting but that's as far as I usually get! LOL!

Love reading your blog each night!

Thanks for sharing....

Hugs,

Elaine in SLO, Ca
Faithfulquilter: Elaine's Journey

inese said...

I love those happy colors in your basket quilt. It's going to be beautiful.

Just started reading "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson Already don't want the book to end.

Hope you and your family have a wonderful New Year.

Belva said...

I recently read The Master Butcher's Singing Club - fantastic book - and The Art of Racing in the Rain - another wonderful book.

Cathy said...

I like how your quilt is coming along. Thanks for giving us the blow by blow of how you came up with the design and are executing it.

I am a big reader. I just finished The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein and recommend it highly. It is the story of a race car driver as narrated by his dog. I have no interest in racing and not much in dogs (other than my own) but somehow it works and is a touching story. I also liked The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo (very gripping) and U Is For Undertow by Sue Grafton (a series so start with A is for Alibi if you haven't read it yet).

floribunda said...

books: The Help by Kathryn Stockett and A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick.

Anonymous said...

This isn't a new book, but probably one of the best I have ever read. It is "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett. It is a big book, and riveting. Love your basket blocks, what an ambitious undertaking. Hugs, Cathy T

Joyful Quilter said...

Wow, your design is going to be beautiful. I'm still scared to death of applique.

Books - I think I've read all of David Baldacci's books. Especially like the Camel Club series. Very suspenseful. Another good one is Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.

quiltmom anna said...

Kim,
Your new quilt is lovely- I can see you have had a productive time as well as an enjoyable festive season.
I really enjoyed the book " The Help" by Katherine Stockett. I also really liked " The Friday Night Knitting Club" by Kate Jacobs and I am now reading the sequel called Knit Two.

Wishing you and yours all the best in 2010.

Warmest regards,
Anna

Sinta Renee said...

I love your red and white baskets! The handles are so cute! I love using ric rac! I can't wait to see the next step, when you decide on the flowers/design. I have been attempting to read Wicked, both books. I know, nothing new, but one I really want to read!

strawberrycream39 said...

You probably read this already, but I just finished "The Friday Night Knitting Club" which was really good. She's got a new novel out, if I'm not mistaken. Anyway I want to get that next.

Your basket quilt is really going to be beautiful. LOVE it!!

flowers said...

I love seeing how illustrators use their own set! And I love seeing such out of the ordinary ideas! Love this

Wendy said...

How adorable!!!

Paula, the quilter said...

I am currently reading Playing for Pizza by John Grisham. It is about a 3rd string NFL quarterback playing for an Italian football team. I have always enjoyed his books and this one is no exception. It is a little lighter fare than previous books.

Debby Brown said...

that quilt is absolutely adorable.

every year, i enjoy re-reading all of Jane Austen's books. my family doesn't much like my daily updates, though. "Honey, Mr. Darcy just proposed to Lizzie but she turned him down."

Shirley--Knot-y Embroidery Lady said...

I see light and life in your basket!
Reading - not much lately - family house guest....
I did manage to read a very light Debbie Macomber "Small Town Christmas" which I had saved to read during the holiday period.

Cornbread and Beans Quilting said...

Hi Kim!
If you haven't read The Sugar Queen and Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen ....you MUST! They are delightful.
Here's a link to her site so you can get a feel for the books: http://www.sarahaddisonallen.com/index.html
Happy reading and basting flowers! =)
melissa

MARCIE said...

Hi Kim! Love your red and white baskets! I just finished reading Water For Elephants.It has been sitting on my shelf for over a year and I had to force myself to read it. Honestly, I loved it! Wonderful story and great ending!
Happy New Year to you!