I made it

Last night I finished book number 50 for this year. It was a meandering tale of the history of apples. A non-fiction title, not my usual fare. This is the fifth year I have accomplished the goal and that pleases me. I am up to my neck again in pattern testing and much of it is "secret" or "top secret" sewing. So you will have to take my word for it I am sewing. Using my new machine while my regular one is at the spa for it's annual treatment. Getting a new 1/4" seam organized. etc. etc. etc.
Boys were here for the weekend and I can now say I have seen Thor, Ragnarok. It wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. Better than Bad Mom's 2 that I saw earlier this week with my neighbour. We seem to have recovered from our 16 hours without hydro. Piecefully, Joanne

Playing with strings

I have been playing with some black with white and white with black strings in between other tasks. I 24 of these blocks done and the second 24 are well on their way. I do however wonder how the bag full I started with is still essentially full.I have really been doing a lot of quilt pattern testing and that requires for the most part nothing be said or shown until the pattern is released. So the cone of silence will remain in place.
Last year at the end of the year I looked back at my favourite book for the year. I did look over my "books read" for 2016 and find that I do not have a favourite. I enjoyed many of them and some were Book Club reads that I managed to finish. I have signed up for Harper Collins 50 Book Pledge again this year. I find it a fantastic way to keep track of books read and authors enjoyed. This is my 4th or 5th year and you can look back over the previous year's book shelves if you need to find something.
The first sewing task this morning is some mending. Not glamorous but necessary. Then back to my testing. Linking up with Cynthia for Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun than Housework (here) Piecefully, Joanne

Dear sadly neglected Blog, I'm sorry

I have no stopped stitching, I have just apparently stopped talking about it here. It is that time of year when we look back and plan ahead. Looking back over 2016 involves some challenges met and others dropped by the wayside. Getting my total knee replacement at the end of April really took a big hole out of the year. Physio twice a week for 4 months kept me on the road. thankfully the road was short, just to the next small town and I cannot say enough good things about my physiotherapist. He was amazing. Even had me convinced to try Acupuncture. (And I think it helped). I got quite a few books read this year. But I did not have a favourite that stood out above the rest. Usually there is one but I have reviewed my 50 Book Pledge book shelf and did not find one I really really liked and would recommend without reservation. I must say I really like the 50 Book Pledge run by Harper Collins publisher. This is the completion of my fourth year of taking the pledge. I read 58 books this calendar year.
I have been doing a lot of testing for quilt pattern designers and that is partially the cause of my cone of silence. Most do not want anything seen or said until the pattern is released.
I treated myself to a new sewing machine last week. I did not see it as a christmas gift, more a necessity if I am going to be able to finish the huge backlog of quilt tops I find myself looking at. I purchased a Janome Memory Craft 9400 QCP. It has a very large harp and I have started quilting my first of I hope many.
As to next year, I hope to post a bit more regularly. Instagram has taken over the need to "show off" what I can show. The blog however provides details and depth that does not come with Instagram.
What I would really like for 2017 is to be able to continue doing what I love, namely making and donating scrap quilts to those in need, to read a bit of fiction and to learn a bit from non-fiction, and to maintain my limited gym schedule. Piecefully, Joanne

Reflecting on 2014, Looking forward to 2015, Focusing on a glass half full

As I rev my engines (slowly) for a new year I like to reflect back on the year just finishing. I completed 42 quilts, most of them have found new homes with the local Scrapbag group of through Project Linus. I am still enjoying doing that type of sewing and certainly plan to continue that. DH really wants me to reduce the stash so it can be a win-win. Several other projects of the "secret" variety were done and they are not included in my total. I have found that I really enjoy testing quilt patterns for other designers. I know I will never be a designer but I can follow directions and proof read well.
I met and then exceeded my target of 50 books for the 50 book pledge. The next question is which book did I like the best. That is almost the impossible question. I enjoyed The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi and In the Shadow of the Banyon by Vaddey Ratner. Both these books give the reader insides into another culture.
The photo for today's post is some of my Christmas break sewing. Grandson #1 brought his new "stuffie" with him when he came for the holidays. First he wanted a sleeping bag for his stuffie, then a pillow, then a stuffie for his stuffie and then a suitcase so his stuffie could carry his stuffie. Are you still with me? I drew the line at a hat for the stuffie. So a little piece of minkee made a little fish for the cat and scraps of cotton came in handy for the rest of the items.
As to the glass half full. I was thinking that as I stitched a new binding onto a quilt sized quilt. This poor quilt had been loved to bits over the last 15 years and was literally falling apart. I repaired it as best I could and then spent most of a day sewing the binding in place. It isn't perfect but it has a few more years to give some warmth. The glass half empty person would say throw it out, the glass half full person would be happy the quilt is still in use and the owner does not want to part with it just yet.
Wishing all the best for my followers and anyone else who stumbles across my blog.  Piecefully, Joanne

Reaching a goal....priceless

I reached my goal of 50 Books read in the 50 Book Pledge. There are so many talented writers out there and my local public library is terrific. I even have a few more weeks of reading time available. I hope Harper Collins continues to do this promotion. You have your own book shelf and a place to add a brief review. I don't do Twitter but I suspect the length of your review is the length of a Twitter comment. Just enough to remind you about the book if you are looking back. I have done this for two years now. It helps me keep track of what I have read, especially titles connected to authors if you are making a suggestion to a friend. Piecefully, Joanne

Earlier this year I found this challenge. I love to read but I feel as though I( am the world's slowest reader so I was a little reluctant to post the button. I did however make a list as I read this year. As of Decmber 1st I had read 56 books and that does not count quilting books. So maybe if they post a similar challenge next year I will not be as nervous about taking the challenge on publically. Joanne