Bramble Berries Update of sorts

Hi everyone!  I worked on Bramble Berries last night and off and on all this past week. Woke up today so discouraged---I am ready to give up. Late night border musings:

I love love love my fabrics!

And love my inspiration photos:

                                        from blog of Jane/ Snapdragon Life. 

                                                             @snapdragonlife

But try as I might I cannot imagine the naturalistic tulips I have planned being successful with folky borders of applique and traditional [yawn] pinwheel cornerstone.

I drew up  some ideas late last night for the first wide border. Big old NOoooo, looking this morning.

I also made the pattern for the pitcher.

My ironstone jugs, inspirations shapes and sizes.

I've struggled since beginning this project. I had my heart set on a toile for the pitcher. Various blog friends offered their beautiful stashed toiles. Mo suggested his most recent apres spa bandana.

But no. I laboriously pieced together the gorgeous chinoiserie blue print from QB, but No. [above, right] I dug deep in an old bin [how Audrey of me!] and found a deep blue from my Lighthouses project.

It emulates the spongeware of my best cobalt jug and creates a good sharp anchor with value contrast for the medallion's center.

But still...then what. Twee prim appliques next to my overly literal tulip bunch?

I do understand "improv"---I should just go ahead and see what happens. But I rely on my ability to visualize a project and this idea just is not gelling. How disappointing of me.

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My knitting is a Fail too. This hat cannot possibly fit a child. Maybe a man with a big head and a lot of hair, [who is willing to wear a beanie knit in pink Unicorn Dream yarn hahaha]. I'll rip it all out later. It was to be a Christmas gift--then a birthday! Now I'm shooting for Valentines Day.

Perhaps using a pattern when I knit would help? Do you knit using a pattern?

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[Gosh, my neighbor just walked by---in shorts! Old guy, no wolf whistles, please.] Today is another ''dense fog advisory'' day. I can barely discern the outline of the dunes a few hundred yards away.  But look, sunset is after 5 PM, glory be!

My nature drawing is a little blank square. My windows aren't helping, so encrusted with salt from that storm last weekend.

The trees are dripping sadly. Later I'll get a good photo of the black wet branches and teardrops  for my late January drawing in my journal. 

It could---should--be a great day for sewing. But  household chores loom. Don't you hate that? The dark days have hidden the avalanche of Mo's shedded fur---but I know it's there, along with litle salty footprints.

Have a great weekend. I am making classic beef stew.

love

lizzy

gone to the beach..

Since it's warmer--we don't mind fog---I'm determined to increase the distance for Mo's afternoon walks. Here we did a lot of ''pee mail'' sniffing and some fun fence peeking, as we walked to a further destination. Mo seems to love it, as long as I allow plenty of dillydally time.

PS I forgot to show you this amazing jacket from Old Navy. Look at that price! I got it in the dark chocolate / espresso brown. What an amazing deal---well made,  soft,  puffy, warm. Lots of sizes in stock. Hurry! [mine fits me a tad longer than on the model and I am 5'8''. ]I am seriously thinking this silver version for spring.

Quilty Folk "Bramble Blooms"

Parsonsfield Finish, Winter Gatherings, Other Ideas

 

Hello, hello! It's an iconic January afternoon, cold and grey with dandruff-y flakes of snow falling all day. Mo is puzzled, asking often to go out to play and sun himself on what he must imagine is his warm sunny deck. 

But not. He plays in the snow instead, seems happy. But then...

*I'll be doing my flowering bulbs this weekend for next week's post. I had no daytime water this week due to sewer investigations---repairs? Cannot plant flowers without water. The bulbs are happily stored by the chilly back door for now.* 

Instead I will share my first finish of '24, top only: Parsonsfield, Humble Quilts' fall sewalong. Such a sweet result, I do love it!

Mostly low volume. My mom would call this dense vanilla/ white palette: "ice cream" colors.

It had its photo shoot over the past few days.

I think it is pretty, with my heart shaped Valentine bandboxes, lower left.

Some closeups. I usually include special fabrics gifted to me, esp on small intimate quilts. And then many of the shirtings were from Temecula Quilt Company's white and cream collection of a few years ago.

Someone pointed out that my few darks are VERY dark. In my defense, they seem to photograph darker than they appear in person. Maybe once quilted and washed they'll merge better? Meld? Not changing 'em now anyway.

PF is about 22" square, I think. I don't know if I will hand quilt, machine quilt, or send to Lori C for professional quilting. That didn't stop me from looking for fun backings! You may recall I make a big deal about backs and binding [then never look at that again, lol].  I had all along planned to use the darker bud, left as the backing. This is the remainder of a piece of quilt backing gifted to me by a quilt dealer friend who sadly passed away this past year. He will be much missed and I wanted this to be his tiny tribute from me. But I don't think it is enough.

The fabric on the right is a thrifted pillow case. Sweet but the percale is too dense for handquilting. Other choices, the adorable rosebud used skimpily on the front, and a safe nonentity on the left.

Was I not good! I feel it is a "Low volume" success. Not a hint of cheddar or red snuck in.

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Recently I ordered a hard copy/ printed copy of this Quiltmania magazine. I am very impressed with the quality of this mag; so many quilts and patterns for $16.95, beautifully photographed etc. A few odd wordings as it is apparently translated from its French origins, not written in English. Not a problem, just a momentary quirk now and then. I haven't bought a magazine in probably 15 years, so I m enjoying this treat.

I bought it for this pattern by Barb Vedder. I love this and wanted to keep a pattern available on my to make list. 

This wonderful Baskets by Julie Porter is also featured.

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After Parsonsfield I spent a few days fixing Mo's outdoor sweaters for the cold ahead. He doesn't mind wearing clothes but hates putting his front paws into sleeves or armholes. I make the sweaters ''over the head then open with just a belly band. Mo was so pleased. And I made a couple of Valentine Hearts.

My etsy shop is still blocked, so maybe if anyone is interested I'll post the hearts on IG and here. Very limited quantities. A few stuffies, a few metal beach rusted, etc.

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After everything for the hols is put away I like to enjoy winter and focus on nature and quiet times. Lots of candles and winter gatherings. I am always one to enjoy the day and season I am given, as it comes---No Flags til 4th of July, No Bunnies til Easter!

Most berries are faux, mushrooms are handmade by me. I'll probably add branches of pussywillow or forsythia to the crocks if I get back to Trader Joe's soon.

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Cooking: I must tell you that meatball recipe I posted last week was delicious! I used beef, not pork, sour cream instead of buttermilk [who keeps buttermilk on hand? Can I even get it here?]. I added more spices: fennel seeds, caraway, tarragon, parsley, basil, black pepper---in addition to the dill weed. Gravy, noodles! Top w sour cream.  Exceptional on cold nights. Now I think I 'll stir up a pan of cornbread, just to make the house warm and cozy. No other plans so far. [frozen pizza, yum!] Have a great weekend.

love

lizzy

gone to the beach...