Sunday 24 November 2019

Art is Long and Life is Short

Margaret Atwood celebrated her 80th birthday recently. She clearly has not lost her mind because she just recently won the Booker for the sequel to Handmaid's Tale, The Testaments. She is equally as adept writing nonfiction and poetry which makes her a rare literary triple threat.
                                                          Image result for margaret atwood the testaments
This is one of her quotes taken from the Blind Assassin.
"As you ramble on through life, Brother, Whatever be your goal, Keep your eye upon the donut and not upon the hole." She also has a slick sense of humour.

C'est fini!
I tried very hard not to rush the final stitching of this piece, the one I've been calling Autumn Patchwork.  I wanted to still be willing to tweak blocks here and there so that it would be as good as I could get it. You know what I mean, not to just want it done.  It's not perfect but I am pleased. Now it will reside with the others in the TBQ pile.  I've already put my mind at rest about that growing pile by saying 2020 will be the year of the quilting! I know I will eventually get to them all. Thank you for all the kind words, suggestions and ideas on every stage of this project. It was so encouraging right to the end.
This is our monthly SAL linkup which is such a great, positive way to stay on track. Many thanks to Avis at  Sewing Beside the Sea for hosting this international group of stitchers.
AvisClaireGunCaroleSueConstanzeChristinaKathyMargaretCindyLindaHeidiJackieSunnyHayleyMeganDeborah, MaryMargaretReneeJennyCarmelaJocelynSharonDaisyAnneConnie
 I'm pleased to have another section of my own cross stitch project, Swirling Flowers, mostly finished.
I'm stitching the second motif on my table runner. This is Kantha style running stitch with batting on the back. It's looking a little Scandinavian to me and the fabric dotted with tiny gold stars is beautiful to stitch on. This is working up very quickly especially with no counting of threads!
Do you like your sewing/woolly projects to match the season? I kind of do. That's why I'm tempted to start this Redwork Noel.  I would like to see how far my December stitching time would take me.
Next post I will show you my little applique Christmas/winter stitching that I've begun. The link is here to the Quiltmania page and free patterns for you to take a peek.  Working in just three colours- red, grey and white. A very different feel after the autumn hanging.
So many wonderful things to stitch, so little time. I'm fortunate to be retired so I can indulge my hobbies.
 Art is long and life is short so we must all get on with it.
I'm happy to be linking with post with Kathy's Quilts, From Bolt to BeautyQuilting is More Fun Than Housework, Wendy's Quilts and MoreSmall Quilts and Doll QuiltsLove Laugh Quilt and Confessions of a Fabric Addict.







26 comments :

Sewing Beside the Sea said...

Wow! Jocelyn you've got so much going on! All gorgeous :-)

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Oh, your Autumn Patchwork is lovely! I do like to stitch along with the seasons, too. I've never read anything by Margaret Atwood - will have to put her on my list!

The Joyful Quilter said...

Your Autumn Patchwork came together beautifully!!

Brian's Home Blog said...

I totally agree, your Autumn Patchwork really is a great one, so pretty!

piecefulwendy said...

I started to read Blind Assassin and got a little lost. I may have to give it another go. All those perfect little stitches - so pretty!

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

Congratulations on getting the Autumn Patchwork topped! i look forward to seeing it quilted. The other stitcheries are lovely too.

Renee said...

Your Autumn Patchwork quilt is gorgeous! (If you ever get tired of it, I can send you my address! *wink wink*) Seriously, lovely work. Great progress on the Swirling Flowers. And I love the embroidery for your table runner. You do such beautiful work!

Verna G said...

I really like your fall patchwork. It seems a combination of many of your interests. Re the kantha/scanda work: is that A kit. I love the simplicity of it.

K Reeves said...

These are all so lovely Jocelyn! Your stitches in the table runner, so even and perfect, and the colors on the cross stitch are so bright and cheery!

Quilter Kathy said...

I just love all your projects! That Kantha stitchery looks intriguing!
Next year... let's finish all our UFOs! LOLOLOL

Nancy said...

Your Autumn Patchwork looks very fine. What a great mix of blocks and colors. I'm truly impressed with your kantha stitching. They all look so perfectly even!

Jenn Jilks said...

Wow. It is amazing. I just have no energy. Well done!

MissPat said...

You've been very busy. Will you hand quilt the Autumn Harvest piece. It looks like it will take a while to figure out a quilting plan for that one. Your stitchery is all lovely. I'm hoping after new glasses that I will be able to do some hand work again.
Pat

AnnieO said...

Beautiful quilt! Lots of decision making on that one's arrangement :) Love seasonal stitching, so many clever and beautiful designs out there.

Catherine said...

I enjoyed The testaments but found it a bit disappointing. I really lovely the quilt especially the handsewn blocks.

Radka said...

That is going to some quilt! So much work, no wonder you are pleased with it.
Your cross stitch is lovely too.
Recently I watched an hour long program on BBC TV here about Margaret Atwood's life; very interesting.
xx

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

Borders made the quilt! Like the stitching! Hugs

Karen in Breezy Point said...

I have to say that I love your header--the stitching is beautiful! The Autumn Patchwork is just lovely--what a fun group of blocks. I've been wanting to read the new M. Atwood book, but still need to read Handmaid's Tale first--don't know how I haven't read it before now!

beth s said...

That red cross stitch "Noel" is very tempting.... Enjoy your stitching time.

Nana said...

Your redwork is so beautiful!!!!!

Nana

Sunny said...

Jocelyn, I love your swirling flowers AND your table runner! And of course now I'm thinking how nicely that red-and-white "noel" would look ... Beautiful work!

Gun said...

You have so many great projects going on! Your quilt top is wonderful!

moosecraft said...

Beautiful stitches and great quotes! :-)
Focus on the donut and not the donut hole....Love it!

Linda said...

That quilt top is beautiful! I love the Kantha stitching. What is the fabric? It's really pretty. I do like to stitch according to season and am lamenting how our autumn is almost over.

Angie said...

Jocelyn - as always, you amaze me with all of the projects that you have on the go. I agree with you that embroidery moves more quickly than cross-stitch. I like to alternate so that I can get a sense of completion! That quote about the donut and the hole is spot on and priceless! Enjoy the rest of your week!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

So many things to stitch, so little time - isn't that the truth! I never seem to manage to so much as make a dent in my to do list because I add things faster than I get them done.