STITCH LINES...... Ramblings on life as a quilter, stitcher, traveler, photographer, gardener and lover of books, cats and fine chocolate....

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Blogging Mojo, where are you?



I'm still looking for my blogging mojo. I seem to have lost it. Every blogger knows that the longer you're away from blogging, the harder it is to get back to it... I am trying... thanks for your patience!

It hasn't been the best fall. Too much illness, too many deaths, too much unrest in the world... I've never liked November, as it ushers in the winter, my least favourite season... shorter days, less sunshine, colder temps, little colour other than brown and grey. Yuch. But it's here, whether I like it or not. Gotta move on...

My fall classes are finished, nothing now on my teaching schedule until the new year. So the only "busy-ness" I have to deal with now is self-imposed. Christmas is fast approaching, so I'm chipping away at it... I have so much from the past few months to share with you, I hardly know where to start. But since I'm trying to get myself into the Christmas spirit, how's about we start with something red?





My latest miniature is called Raspberry Pie (since I was finishing it up during our prolific raspberry harvest in August.) The finished overall size is 12.25" square, and the 2.25" blocks have 49 pieces each. 796 pieces in total, made almost entirely from small scraps. The design is an old traditional one known as Pineapple, a Log Cabin variation. It is machine quilted, very simply, as is always the best choice for a miniature as it is so easy to distort small pieces with over-quilting. I prefer it hung on point, although it can be hung straight as well.









Detail shot with my seam ripper for size reference. My seam ripper is   4" tip to tip...

Sadly reds don't seem to photograph well... there is lots of variance in the shades of red which doesn't show well here.





I entered it in the KV Guild's annual show in September and was thrilled to win a first place ribbon in the Small Traditional category. And look - the ribbon matches the quilt! How cool is that?! :)
We had our first snowfall yesterday, not as much as was forecast, which is fine with me. It is melting and I expect it will be gone by tomorrow, also fine with me. Not looking forward to winter, at all. What about you? Are you eagerly awaiting the winter season and the snow?

Piece!
Linda

“In November, the earth is growing quiet. It is making its bed, a winter bed for flowers and small creatures. The bed is white and silent, and much life can hide beneath its blankets.”

~ Cynthis Rylant, In November

15 comments:

Jennifer said...

Perhaps the quiter colder months of winter will help the blogging mojo? Not so many temptations to play outside......congratulations on your ribbon, I look forward to seeing the photo!

kath001 said...

Oh my goodness, the Raspberry Pie is gorgeous! The thought of such tiny piecing gives me heart palpitations, but I love looking at yours. :)

I love fall and winter here in south Texas. Summers are so hot and dry that it is brown anyway, so cooler temps in fall are a blessed relief. By the end of February, I am already starting to dread the warming, because I know the energy-zapping heat is around the corner.

Sandi Mac said...

It is cold - I've worn jeans for 2 days now!!!! Glad to see you back.

Country Gal said...

We all seem to get into the blogging funk don't we ? I like the first few snow falls as it makes it pretty for photos but not looking forward to the day after day of cold and dampness that sometimes comes with it as these two combinations flare up my Arthritis and I am useless in this kind of weather as I am in pain from it and feel like a stiff rusty old tin man lol ! I love to be outside regardless and in the winter I have to dress in layers and can barely move lol ! Isn't getting older fun ? NOT ALWAYS !! lol ! Congrats on the first place for that wonderful craft . Thanks for sharing , Have a good week !

Karen said...

In my world, November is a favourite month, full of birthdays and celebrations...and usually a bit of snow.
Sweet quilt, Linda; congrats on the ribbon.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I think the same thing about late fall and winter. But you need an Attitude Adjustment!! Think of the winter as a great time to stitch and get lost in another book. Blog about anything!! Since I take pics with my phone now, it's lots easier to post. Everyone will be so busy this week here in USA, cooking, shopping, visiting.

I'm going to send some email out to blog friends that haven't posted in a while. It's a community that worries about our friends when we don't hear from them in a while...maybe they lost their MOJO too!
Have a great rest of the week.
xx, Carol

Pamela Gordon said...

HI Linda! Great to see your post this morning. Your miniature quilt is so beautiful and perfect for the holiday season. I can't imagine all those tiny pieces!! Amazing work and the 1st prize ribbon is well deserved. I'm glad November is almost gone but it went too fast with Christmas approaching and me behind as usual. I think we had a tiny bit more snow than you as we're higher up. The almost full moon last night made the landscape brilliant! Take care and I hope December slows you down a bit. :)
Hugs. Pam

Jeanna said...

Your small quilt is amazing! Congratulations on your first place ribbon, well deserved.

We are having above normal temps for November and many folks I know that live here year 'round are complaining about it. We would appreciate some cold weather.

Maybe you will come for another visit next year?

Sara - Villa Emilia said...

Hello, dear Linda! Your "Raspberry Pie" is amazing! You are so talented and skilful and the 1st prize is definitely well deserved. I hope you will soon find again the joy of blogging! :)

Linda said...

Raspberry Pie is wonderful! No wonder it won the prize. Hope you get your mojo back soon. I hate when that happens. I have experienced it a few times and it will return, when you least expect it. Hang in there. I just cant stand the thought of another winter coming up, especially if it is anything like last winter. Wasn't it just the worst. Big plus, I got a lot of sewing done last winter.

JennyPennyPoppy said...

Congratulations of your 1st prize win! It's a fabulous piece of quilting. A lovely quote for November.

Renate said...

Stunning, stunning piece of fibre art Linda! Congratulations on the win. Yes I know about the loss of blogging mojo. Still looking for mine. Perhaps now that you found yours, mine will come out of hiding soon too.

MissesStitches said...

This mini-quilt is unbelievable! I can't get over the many tiny pieces. Beautiful work!

Vee said...

It is obvious that I'm not getting around so much anymore...gheesh...how'd I miss this? Congrats on your win with the miniature. It is so detailed and rich in color. I can not imagine how you even accomplish them. I am sorry that it has been a rough autumn. Seems that troubles come in batches. Soon our days will be lengthening...until then, may our Christmas lights get us through.

Gwen Buchanan said...

This is absolutely stunning. Love it!!

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