Peace

Peace.

Both a complex and simple thing. We all know we need it and it is about the hardest thing to create.

As a quilter, a creative soul, I find peace when I see, cut, play, sew, and even fold my fabric. I get inspired by the creations of the designers or other quilters. And when I get those moments - whether they are stolen in the early mornings, between naps and loads of laundry or I am luxuriating in an entire morning of hot tea and a pile of fabric - I find my peace.

Sure, there are many among us who love and adore solid fabrics and revel in the quiet energy they reveal in a quilt. I am not one of them. I love exploring the patterns and concepts that designers put out there. I love playing with the patterns, mixing it up and seeing who plays nicely together. I like creating order from that potential playground catastrophe.

there is peace in pattern

My jumping point for the fabric selection, and the inspiration for this piece definitely comes from this stack of Architextures from Carolyn Friedlander and a strong compulsion to create.

Free pieced letters, a la Unruly Quilter. Slabs upon slabs as we outline in Sunday Morning Quilts. A design wall to bring it together.

And there was peace.

The Red House (Weekend Reads)

Well, I did manage to get a bit of reading done on our recent vacation. Not as much as I expected, but that's okay. I only got the chance to read during N's naps. But that would also be the time Hubby and I had alone so we often spent those three hours on our balcony chatting and drinking beer. I brought 3 books with me and only finished the one I'd started before we left: The Red House by Mark Haddon.

Haddon is a writer and artist. Take some time explore his works and blog. Fascinating at times, honest, and visually quite inspiring, especially for us quilters.

I was really looking forward to this book. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time is one of my all-time favourite novels, also by Haddon. But the writing style that is so perfect for that novel was not as great when it came to The Red House. It is written from the point of view of every single character, jumping from each one constantly. Rather frenetic and it takes some getting used too. Kind of like reading thought bubbles in a comic book. Effective in telling the character's story, which is what this novel is about.

This is a novel of family history, family drama. There are certainly parts that many readers could identify with, and others that seemed completely incredulous. Then again, I'm not a hormonal teenage boy (one of the characters). It is also a novel of shortcomings, that is, of the characters discovering, accepting, and trying to overcome their own. It is like Modern Family without any of the humour.

It is a compelling read, perhaps not for vacation, but still worth finishing.

I refuse to waste my time finishing books I don't find interesting. I've got little time to enjoy reading so I like to make the most of it. It took me years to come to this conclusion but I am much happier for it.

Thank-you so much for the book recommendations too. I've read a number of the novels you suggested and have noted the others for 2013 reading.

Five Little Things

In anticipation of Quilt Con - which is only 3 weeks away folks! - The Modern Quilt Guild asked folks to share 5 little facts about them. This is so when you see me on the show floor or are taking my class you can accost me with these random facts and I'll wonder how the hell you know these things about me.

I'm fairly open here and if you've been reading for a while you'll know plenty about me, including these tidbits from almost 5 years ago (I can now make rice krispie squares). That's why I had to dig deep for these five things.

1. I never wanted kids
Hubby married me knowing this. The moment I changed my mind came after a few too many beers and watching Adam Sandler's movie Big Daddy. Sad, but true. Look at me now.

2. I have a third nipple
So do other members of my family, our lovely genetic quirk. So when Friends was on and Chandler was teased about his, we knew what he was talking about.

3. I swear like a trucker
Having kids has tempered that tendency, a little. But it is a daily challenge to keep my language in check around other people.

4. There are at least 7 more books brewing in my head
I could work full-time on writing books and be deliriously happy, but I do need to pay attention to those kids I decided to have.

5.Seventies music rocks
Being born in the mid-70s, I was too young to remember the music specifically, but I have a weird obsession with having 70s music on whatever music channels are available. Even the soft rock stuff.