"Dear Edward"

Just popping in quickly to share my latest read, 

"Dear Edward" by Ann Napolitano. 

A beautifully written novel about twelve- year old Edward, who is the sole survivor of a plane crash. The crash took the lives of 191 people, including Edward’s parents and older brother.
Now living with his aunt and uncle, Edward is faced with the daunting task of recovering physically, mentally and emotionally. This story follows Edward's coming of age journey, as he copes with the aftermath of the crash. Woven throughout "Dear Edward" are the stories of the other passengers on the plane, from the beginning of the flight until the moment of impact. It's a heartbreaking read, a masterful study in suspense, grief and survival. 

You may need a box of tissues handy.

Until next time Linda

from my place to yours

On the design floor: When the scrap basket is overflowing I default to making a scrappy quilt. Every. time. I'm busy making making wonky, scrappy 11 1/2" log cabin blocks at present. 

I'm using lots of neutral strips and muddy medium fabrics. To avoid a really murky quilt though, I'm including light lights and a selection of dark darks too... so yep, it's a bit of everything really!

I'm using vintage blue/green for the center blocks, in a wildly scrappy quilt like this, it can be nice to have a little touch of continuity. 

Linking up with Cyndy for 'oh scrap' here. Still many more blocks to make yet, but here's a wee peek . . .

A little stash enhancement: Way back at the beginning of May I ordered an18 piece FQ bundle called Wildflower Fields Bundle, from Melanie from Meander & Make, I guess not that many planes flying back & forth between the States & NZ at present. 

However, some happy mail finally arrived this week! A sweet selection of florals & solids from various designers. I'm loving the peachy pink with gold combo! With a healthy scattering of neutrals, they could all work beautifully together {the 'moon goddess' quilt here caught my eye}.

From my Aunty: As some of you know, I've had a busy month helping my 94yr old Aunty downsize from her house to one bedroom. It's been a sad & difficult time for her, but we did have a laugh when we got to sorting out her wardrobes … so many vintage bits & pieces, and so many stories & so much history. 

She was in the RAF in England during the war, and at the end they were all given a section of parachute silk. Her mother stitched Aunty's section up into a delicate soft petticoat & matching knicker set . . .

I did see 'quilty' potential in her blouse and her green & white striped skirt though. I must pop back to LeeAnn from niftyquilts blog soon, she uses recycled clothing bits & pieces in her improv work, so inspiring. 

And Aunty's {new & never used} vintage sheets will be perfect for quilt backings, and of course she had heaps of doilies. Here's a few things I've washed so far and made a special 'from aunty' shelf in the sewing room for . . .  

Our son & his wife live in Melbourne, and it was heartbreaking to hear the news yesterday, 

they have gone back into sudden lockdown for six weeks.

To all, stay safe, sending hugs & love your way. 

Linda

#lindaslogcabin - a solo sewalong

Hello, hello. I decided to hit the overflowing scrap basket under my sewing table again and see what I actually had in there. As I sorted, I tossed up for ages about maybe making an all-one-designer quilt from my AMH strips & strings. Nah, been there, done that! 

Then I looked around at the mess surrounding me on the floor. Little scrappy strips of fabrics all tossed together, a real mix of designer, bark cloth, gingham, and a healthy dose of Denyse Schmidt fabrics, lots of cream based neutrals and muddy mediums. I loved the look, add in a few darker fabrics and it's a quilt just waiting to be made! 

And so off I went… making wonky, scrappy 11 1/2" log cabin blocks, with a palette very much inspired by Jolene from blueelephantstitches

I used my favourite shade of vintage blue/green for the center blocks. In a wildly scrappy quilt like this, it can be nice to have a little touch of continuity between the blocks.

Of course there are several layout opportunities, 

here's a few I faffed around with while I pondered my final decision. 

dark with light

light with dark

pinwheel

this way creates rows of mini mountains

fields & furrows

Love small patchwork piecing, the repetitive kind. 

Cut, stitch, press, trim … again and again.

and steadily sewing along, with four more today . . .

Aren't scraps amazing fun!

Thanks for stopping by, Linda