August 22, 2021: “Red and White” progress; updates, etc.

Greetings dear readers. I have started to focus almost exclusively on the red and white quilt I am making for the Cocheco guild show in mid October. There will be an exhibit of red and white quilts to celebrate the guild’s 40th anniversary. I have 50 days to get it done and there’s lots to do! I wavered for months before deciding to participate in the exhibit and that indecision has left me with some pressure to meet a deadline – a situation I try to avoid whenever possible!😐. Here’s where I am now (this is crib size – 35.5 X 45.5 inches):

Leaves are all made with edges turned and almost half are appliqued to the background. All the vines are appliqued. I am planning to add hand embroidered embellishments to all the leaves. I tried a practice one to see what it would look like:

The center line is #8 embroidery thread (DMC) and the veins are #12 Aurifil thread. I started a line of the latter thread along the leaf edge and I think I like the look – still deciding. It’s the quilting that has me nervous about finishing on time. I don’t think I trust myself to machine quilt it and it’s likely too late to find a long armer with time to fit it in before the show. Besides, I’d really like to try and hand quilt it. So….I may not get a lot else done over the next few weeks! However, I’m sure I have “QADD” – quilter’s attention deficit disorder – which means I’ll probably sneak in some work on my other projects too 🙂.

When I can’t stand looking at just red and white and need some COLOR, I’m continuing to work on Stormy Weather and have only 20 leaves left to make for the third border:

A couple months ago I purchased a fat eighth pack of the 20 newest Tilda fabrics and pieces from many of those have made it onto the third border:

I think I’m officially a Tilda addict and there’s another new line coming out this fall – oh no!

With all the rain we’ve had this summer, I’m seeing a lot of mushrooms, fungi, lichens, mosses, etc. on my walks. Really enjoying the shapes, forms, and subtle colors:

On a tree, from above:

And looking at the same from below:

I like the golden color of this fungus:

Closer, for the texture and the “stalagmite-like” or even coral-like shapes:

A couple more amazing trunks from Cape Cod; this tree was hugely spread out!

Closer:

The leaves on this look like rhododendrons, but I’ve not seen trunks quite like this – very sculptural!

The 2 anthurium plants on my screened porch are doing beautifully – love the bright red and green colors and the interesting patterns on some of the leaves:

This month marks a milestone for me – five years since I retired! It has gone by incredibly fast. I have no regrets. I worked very hard for 45 years and am very, very happy to currently be the master of my own time (mostly!) I love using my brain for creativity in different ways than I did in my work as a physician. I enjoy the freedom to read everything but medical information without guilt!🙂. I feel so lucky that I am getting to enjoy this time of relative freedom while I am still healthy.

Meanwhile, it is hard to be cheery and positive when there’s so much suffering in the world. Especially when there’s not much we individuals can do to help. Donate money (sometimes quilts!). Be kind, thoughtful, and helpful. Pressure our leaders and politicians to be empathetic and do the right things for people and communities, not corporations. Do what we can to mitigate our negative effects on the climate. Wear masks and get vaccinated!! Volunteer when we can. But much is out of our control.
I found this quote this morning and it really spoke to me about how to be at peace, day to day:

“I don’t ever crave extraordinary moments any more. Just small, gentle hums of beauty streaming from below, above, and beyond simply from paying attention. Sound. Light. Shadow. Art. Warmth. The night. The morning. Dreams that are not faraway but exist right here – already in my days, hands, and heart.”
Victoria Erickson, author of Rhythms and Roads

Wishing you as many peaceful, gentle days as possible.

Be kind, be grateful, and cherish each day, Gladi