Sunday, November 11, 2007

Fall days

I just got off the phone from talking with Leiya about an hour. She sounds very good and busy. She had a lot to say about her government class, her applications to college, her part time tutoring job. I'm sure that while living away from us is hard for her at times, that this has been a wonderful three years for her and she has grown in so many ways.

Takumi sent me an e-mail a couple of days ago too. He rarely writes and when he does it is usually to ask for advice on essays and compositions and doesn't tell us much about his daily life. He sounds like he has plans but isn't going to tell us about what until all is decided. Aren't children interesting? One talkative, one very private.

I spent the afternoon sewing yesterday and devoted my time to making more hearts for the Wonky Word quilt for Tonya's class. I also spent a lot of time sitting on the floor staring at the quilt and shifting blocks around trying to figure out what to do next. I also made a dog block (it looks like a horse). I have a feeling I'm not going to get this to flimsy stage this month. That's ok.

The other quilts too are getting left by the wayside. Actually I wandered into the library and found a book on making clothes and of course got all inspired to sew myself something. No! Someone stop me! I do not have time to start another project! But I did trace the pattern onto tracing paper just in case I find some free afternoon with nothing else to do. (It's not going to happen.)

On top of that, I need to think about knitting for Tetsu. Every year for the past 27 years I've knitted him a sweater or a vest for Christmas and I really should have started by now. He has so many old ones though. If I don't make him a vest or something it would be breaking tradition so I'll have to light a fire and get going on that too. My sewing machine may not see much of me in the month of December.

Nothing to show that proves that I'm a real quilter so how about a picture of an old quilt that I have up on my wall this month? The Halloween quilt got put away and this little fall quilt is in its place. This was a quilt kit that I ordered back in 2000, from the States called Fall Splendor. I don't usually buy kits but these were all pre-cut triangles in the gorgeous batiks that I love so much but of which I have only a small assortment. I love the quilt but it looks exactly like the kit picture and I don't feel a whole lot of "me" in it. Still, the fabrics are beautiful and it brightens up the wall on a cool autumn day.

10 comments:

Quilt Pixie said...

those are great batiks :-)

Kieny said...

There might not be a whole lot of "you" in that fall quilt Tanya but I think it looks great. Succes on your knitting project.

GKan said...

Hi Tanya,
I just wanted to thank you for writing a very lovely blog. I especially love what you tell your readers about Japan.
I originally found your blog because I was trying to find ideas on how to turn nicely-patterned clothing, like kimonos, into quilts. Your blog about quilts, family, Japan, and faith, was so much more. Keep writing! Lynn

Helen said...

The wonky quilt is looking great. Love the wonky hearts!

Lazy Gal Tonya said...

I LOVE that new dog block. I don't think it looks like a horse at all. You've got one cat block in particular, and this dog, that have a LOT of character to them. You are developing a marvelous style with them. beautiful work as always.

Shelina said...

It's okay to take a break from quilting - you'll come back refreshed and raring to go.
Your leaf quilt looks wonderful. I have a couple of kits I haven't started yet, but I really liked them, and there wasn't anything I wanted to change about them. Maybe I will have to change a thing or two when I actually get around to making them, so I can feel like it is my quilt.
If you really feel up to it, maybe you can applique a bird or a cat or something in the quilt to make it more yours.

Allie said...

I've been reading your blog for awhile now, and haven't left a comment, but today I felt I had to thank you. I love reading about your life in Japan and seeing your quilts. I'm a quilter in the US [Michigan] and will probably never travel, but I feel so privileged to learn about the culture and customs of other lands through the eyes of those who live there. Thank you for creating and writing such a beautiful blog. I come here every day.
Blessings,
Allie

Elaine Adair said...

Oh girl -- I LOVE all those letters!

Beth said...

good job on the letters! I'm thinking of doing a baseball themed wonky letters of some kind for my family room. I found the magazine with the feathered star/9 patchy sashings...I will plan on working on it as soon as Christmas is over...as a reward!

atet said...

The quilt looks beautiful but I know what you mean about making quilts from kits or ones that look exactly like the pattern picture. I love all of your wonky blocks! As for adding new projects when you already have enough to do -- I'm the QUEEN of that right now. I need to get moving on my Christmas gifts!