A Germ of an Idea--post one

Panel for the project

Goal number eight on my March list was to figure out what to do for our next book club quilt. We are reading "The Dressmaker of Khair Khana" by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon. I had read the book a couple years ago. RecentlyI listened to it through my library's Libby app. I tried to become inspired. Some books are easier than others. This story is about a woman who figures out a way to thrive under the Taliban rules for women in Afghanistan.

I was inspired by the color green because it was the green gate that was outside their home. Crossing through it meant they were safe at home. I was also inspired by the tiny flower the dressmaker made on her first project. I thought about all the handwork the women did. Perhaps, I could incorporate some beading and embroidery in this piece.

I'm trying to use from my stash. A couple years ago during a Zoom sew session, a friend shared some panel prints that she hadn't done anything with and was ready to let them go. I said I would like them. She gave them to me. It cost me the trip of driving into Portland to pick them up. 

Backing fabric for panel

At first, I was going to use them all in one piece. . .then, I thought of other options until nothing came to me and I stored them . . .out of sight, out of mind. . .until, I thought about a project for this book! This print with the green background is "it."

I have a backing fabric and will need to quilt it as the beading and embroidery will be embellishment. I was going to use a Warm and Natural type of batting. Instead, I will use wool batting because it will be easier to add the embellishments. I may call it "Fleur." I have other projects in the works---as is usual for me--so I may need to let the idea percolate for awhile. At least I have the germ of an idea! 

While I'm on the subject of books, my two favorite reads/listens this month were "Good Night Irene" by Louis Alberto Urrea and "Women in White Coats" by Olivia Campbell. I am reading/listening to Patrick Taylor's series which begins with "An Irish Country Doctor." 

New York City--Rockefeller Square

On another note, Blogger may have changed something which makes commenting on my blog impossible. I'm sad about missing your comment. I did goggle the issue. What did we do before google? I tried changing my comment settings which had no effect.  You might try emptying your cache to see if that works for you. Please let me know if it does! Thanks in advance!

A stuffed bear

We did enjoy the granddaughters' visit last Thursday. They didn't arrive until 11am as they wanted to sleep in! I was the one who baked the cookies and the sourdough rolls to go with my homemade chicken noodle soup. They did enjoy lunch and there were enough leftovers that I could put together a care package for my friend Wendy who had come down with a nasty cold bug.

The Eiffel Tower

The younger granddaughter and I did go for a swim at Wendy's pool; but the older granddaughter had time with Papa because she was getting over a cold. We did some art. We were prompted to find an inspiration. Miss K chose a photo from her trip to New York. Miss J chose a stuffed bear. I chose a piece of pottery.

We drew a resemblance of the inspiration. Then we played with taking a shape and making something else out of the shape. We added words. It was fun and a great way to journal a trip or an activity. We spent about half an hour on the activity. While we worked independently, we chatted as we worked which was fun too!

Linking to Frédérique at Patchwork and Quilts and Cynthia at Oh Scrap!