Today (Wednesday) is my day to clean the house because tomorrow (Thursday) is my day to host my quilt group for the afternoon, and, of course, that means there are piles to take care of. Not too many... but one did catch my attention this morning.
This is what you see if you look down on the floor next to "my chair" in our family room. It's the pile of stuff that keeps me busy and occupied when we are watching TV in the evenings here.
There is always a pile of books - this is my current read, High Tide Club, which I am really liking! I've never read any books by Mary Kay Andrews before, but I think I probably will read more now.
It is realistic fiction about two women - one, a young lawyer and the other, a 99 year old woman who is trying to set some things right at the end of her life with the younger woman's help.
There is also this book, Stitches from the Garden, recommended by Canadian Needle Nana, and found through my local public library.
What a sweet book it is, with pretty illustrations and lovely embroidery ideas! Although I'm not very skilled at embroidery, I think I would enjoy stitching this one -
I've also been reading this - "Quiltfolk." Have you seen this magazine, which is really more like a book? It's pricey - $24 - and comes out 4 times a year, I think. I wouldn't necessarily buy it for myself, but a friend splurged on it, and shared this issue with me.
Evidently each issue focuses on a certain place in the country, and this one is about Massachusetts.
It is a publication I will make my way through slowly, enjoying the illustrations and stories little by little.
I like this basket which is part of my pile, and holds lots of stuff! I actually made the basket myself, back when that was a popular craft, and a friend was teaching groups of us at her house.
The little piece on top is cut from one of the fabrics from Kenya that Cathy sent me recently. I'm making a little mini quilt out of it, and hand quilting it, experimenting with some simple, decorative stitching.
If you look closely, you might be able to see what I've been doing in that bottom flower.
I really do love this zipper pouch I made a few years ago, from a pattern by Sandra at mmmquilts. The directions can be found at Moda Bake Shop, here.
I like that it is the perfect size to hold my ongoing EPP project!
Do you have piles like me? I hope they hold your favorite things! Now, I'd better get back to work.
Thanks for visiting on I Like Thursday. Don't forget to check out all the other bloggers who are linked up at Not Afraid of Color!
I'm a great piler, just not as neat as yours.
ReplyDeleteI have a shelf on the bottom of my coffee table in the living room and there are usually stacks on that of on going projects that are being done by hand, but right now I have been keeping it rather empty and only have one there. I haven't read the book and will look and see if I can find it. I tried the magazine for a year and had the first edition free as it was the first year the magazine was out - it was nice but too pricey for me and I cancelled my subscription - I'm sure I will find a copy to read now and then at a book store that has magazines at it (I hope)
ReplyDeleteYes, I have a basket next to my chair with handwork in it, and a table on the other side with books and magazines to read. I'll look at that author, I haven't read any of her books yet. It sounds like a genre I would enjoy. Have you read any of Anne Rivers Siddons or Anita Shreeve? They write in a similar genre, women overcoming obstacles.
ReplyDeleteI have a messy hope chest top next to my tv chair with hand quilting that's been there since January. It's a big quilt. I need to finish it. I need to fine that novel at my library. thanks.
ReplyDeleteI love that fabric that Cathy sent you! It will be even better with your hand stitching on it. Loose piles aren't a great idea on a boat, so I try to keep things in bins and baskets as much as possible :)
ReplyDeleteI used to have a pile, but now I have to pick everything up or blue takes it out into the backyard. So now it's a pile on a shelf (pretty much exactly the same). I love your cute pouch to store your hexies-- you can never have too many cute pouches. I just recently heard about quilt folk. It is pretty expensive, but I got the arizona issue as a treat, and I'm looking forward to reading it. Really a lovely publication.
ReplyDeleteWithout dogs or little ones around, I tend to have little piles. I keep a basket next to the couch for my hand sewing or knitting projects.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fun walk through the piles you keep about. I also keep piles around the house that I need to clear up when folks come over. Always after that I can't find things.
ReplyDeleteHi Diann! I do not have piles now, but I've always had them before. Now I have a hassock that has all my projects on it. I don't dare share a picture of it! Your books look great - I've read the High Tide Club but this reminds me that I should read it again. Your little mini looks so cute, and handwork is always nice and relaxing. Happy Thursday! ~smile~ Roseanne
ReplyDeletePiles? Ha, ha, ha. Do I have piles. Books, fabric, magazines, UFO's. The only saving grace is that my husband has more and bigger piles than I, so I don't have to feel guilty.
ReplyDeleteI've read some earlier titles by Mary Kay Andrews, but not the one you're reading now. I just discovered I'm behind two books in the Tea Shop mysteries series. That's the one big thing I miss as a retired librarian, I don't see all the new titles being released and I haven't found a good way to keep up with new titles.
Pat
Some piles, mostly baskets of stuff. If it's in a container, then it's organized, right? :-)
ReplyDeleteYes I have some piles in my room right now - books, fabric, two different quilting projects, and a few cross stitch patterns!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to try a Mary Kay Andrews. I am obsessed with Joe Pickett novels right now - C. J. Box writes them and they are about a forest ranger and surprisingly entertaining.
I need to put a basket next to my chair (actually my side of the reclining sofa) because I have a crochet project and magazines piled up! I used to collect Longaberger baskets and love baskets of any shape and size. I wish I had learned how to make one!
You quilting on that flower is lovely!
Do I have piles? Is the Pope Catholic? Like others have said (or most certainly thought), my piles aren’t as neat as yours. And I just LOVE your idea of embroidering on that fabric I sent. Why didn’t I think of that? You always have such fun projects and ideas!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a piler, but My Guy is, big time. I use baskets to contain my arm chair activities. Your piles are very neat and relatively small (My Guy goes big here). Hope your meeting went well and you had a lot of fun.
ReplyDelete