Oops!

 Studying the last photo I took of "Windows" in progress, I just spotted and error: last row, last two quarter block at bottom right are turned the wrong way. Easy fix. I have a fear that this is going to happen when the whole thing is put together and, worse yet, quilted. That's why I keep checking so often.

September Reading

 So far, I've read only two books this month, but I'm working on two more. One is The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker, which is also a limited series on Amazon Prime. I want to watch the series, but I wanted to read the book first. The other book I'm reading is Not My Type by E. Jean Carrol.  I'll review both these books here when I've finished them.

The Fall by Michael S. Vassel is an apocalyptic story that takes place a year since Earth's last pandemic. But something strange is happening to people. Births have slowed to a crawl and animals are becoming extinct. In addition, people all over the world are beginning to act strange, going on wild tirades, and destroying everything in sight. Some just curl up in place and die. As society crumbles, Paul and his wife Lorie leave their Ohio home in search of electricity and normal people, people like themselves unaffected by "the surge."

The Surrogate Mother by Freida McFadden tells of a married couple, Abby and Sam, who are struggling to become parents. Pregnancy has ended in miscarriage, and attempts at adoption have fallen through. They have just about given up hope when Abby's assistant Monica offers to become a surrogate for them. What a generous offer! But, of course, Monica's motive is not as unselfish as it seems. Nor is Monica all that she seems to be.

Both of these books were entertaining and kept my interest. I recommend to anyone who likes thrillers.

Proof of Work

 

Yes, I have been working on the Windows quilt. The past few days have had too much going on to be able to quilt. But last week and today, I got two more rows finished, the bottom two. They're just pinned to the design board now, not actually joined. I also got another batch of quarter-blocks sewn, and tomorrow (maybe) I'll work on the next row.

I'll be so happy when this one is finished. If my long-dead grandmother, either of them, were to appear and ask that I make another quilt like this for her, I'd say no. I think I'm pretty smart and creative, but I definitely do not do well with logistics--or whatever you call it.

If is important to the successful assembling of this quilt that every little 4 1/2-inch quarter block be turned exactly the right way and that the color combinations (i.e., the windows) be properly placed. It's maddening, I tell you. I believe I've actually ripped out more seams than I've sewn. Is that even possible?

I'm comforted to know that I'm not alone in this shortcoming. The creator of the pattern definitely has similar problems. Some of the pieces in the photo of her quilt are actually turned the wrong way. But I know in my heart that if even one piece turns out to be positioned wrong in my finished quilt after it's too late to fix it, it will bother me forever.  I'm a little OCD in that regard. That's one reason this piece is taking so long. All the sewing and checking and seam ripping and resewing is time consuming. And all the matching of points on this itty bitty pieces, oodles of them. 

So no, I don't plan to ever make this quilt again. This is a one off, a term that has wiggled its way into our vernacular to irritate me.

Bye now.

I Call Them Pinkies

 

I volunteered to make dessert for Tuesday's book club meeting. The night before the meeting, I found I didn't have much on hand in the way of dessert ingredients. I didn't want to make a trip to the store, and I found I was in luck. In the pantry were all the supplies necessary to make one of my favorites (and easiest) treats. 

Online you'll see that they're called Strawberry Brownies, but I call them Pinkies. If you tell folks you're bringing strawberry brownies, they expect chocolate brownies with strawberries mixed in (which would probably be good also). I served my pinkies with fresh strawberry halves on top. Next time, I think I'll try crushing the fresh strawberries and adding them into the batter. (You'll find my recipe if you click on the "Recipe" button at top of this page.)

The book that we discussed on Tuesday was Lost Boy Found by Kirsten Alexander.  You'll (eventually) find my review of the book under the "My Book Reviews" button above.

Remember, only 12 more days until Typepad, home of the old (original) Blackberry Creek Home Arts blog, shuts down. We're up and running here though, thanks totally to my nephew Jed. 

Getting There

The new Blackberry Creek is getting close to completion. Thank you, Jed for all your work. I've finally found a minute to get still and learn to post. Doesn't seem too difficult. When all the old posts and photos get transferred, we'll start working on the layout. Today, I'm going to attempt to scale the stairs and do some work in the sewing room. I'm falling father and farther behind on my schedule to get things ready for the June 2026 quilt show.