Books and Quilts

The Cure: The Blood Tapestry by Susan Phelan

2009-11-11T10:45:00.004-05:00

Vampire erotica!

I was sent this book by a friend who has also joined the Canadian Book Challenge.

This is the first book by Edmonton author Susan Phelan. She has written two addtional vampire novels.

This is the erotically charger story of good vampire Valian who wants to regain his mortality. There is also Jack, the bad vampire who has been seeking Valian for ages and wants to destroy him. Then there is Dr. Chancella Tremaine who stands between them. She has been researching the vampire myth for several years and thinks she has found a way to bring vampire back from the dead.

She is scared of Valian, yet at the same time very attracted to him.

While I won`t quite call the attraction between them explosive, it did raise my heartbeat and certainly kept me turning the pages.

The only thing that lost me was a sexy vampire who can`t perform completely. As my son would say, you gotta go big or go home. In my image of a vampire, he`s got to go big. My daughter asked to read the book when I was done, but not appropriate in any way for a teen reader, but I won`t hesitate to lend it to a friend or two.

Thanks so much for the `fun` Canadian read.

If romance appeals to you, check out the publisher Cerridwen Press. There are several free short stories that you can download.

The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper

2009-11-11T09:49:00.003-05:00

This is the second book in the Dark is Rising Sequence by author Susan Cooper. The first book is titled 'Over Sea, Under Stone'.

This is the story of Will Stanton age 11. The day before his birthday a number of strange events occur. The family animals seem to be afraid of him, the radio goes static whenever he passes by and the neighbour Mr. Dawson gives his a gift and a cryptic message: "The walker is abroad, and this night will be bad, and tomorrow will be beyond imagining." This is only the start of a very unusual birthday and Christmas.

Will learns that he is one of the 'old ones' and that has been gifted with powers and that he must use them protect the world from the 'Dark' by finding six signs.

I was quite looking forward to reading this book, but it never really clicked with me. Each time Will was faced with a challenge, he seemed to meet it easily. There was more build up to finding the signs than actually getting them. I reminded myself that this book was written for a younger audience. Perhaps for them, that was enough, that it was all about facing the challenge and being brave and keeping your head.

I am not going to recommend this for an adult reader unless you are reading it to your child. For a young reader I think they would love it. It has magic, it has secret rituals and a huge amount of control is given to an 11 year old and he holds the key and the adults need him because they can't do what a child can.

Needlework Tuesday

2009-11-10T10:39:00.003-05:00

This is it, the only needlework project that I touched all week.

its block L-5 Chattanooga Charlie. I wonder if it was given its name for the bowties in the two opposite corners? I enjoyed the challenge of making this block and getting the half square triangles the correct size. Mine came out just right. Notice that again I have varied from strictly orange fabric. I figure if I only use orange and nothing else, the quilt will look rather flat when done. Not enough contrast. So this has a bit of green and some burgundy in it. Aside form that, I love this fabric, its one that I could happily have a bolt of and not get tired of using.

I did do some other 'stitching' but not with a needle rather with words. As some of you are aware, I have taken on the challenge of NaNoWriMo and am spending much of November writing a novel. You can check out my progress over at the National Novel Writing Month website. You could also visit my friend Darilyn's blog 'Tropical Screamer Writes' where she is writing daily about this novel writing experience.

I am writing a mystery and of course it has a bunch of quilters as the main characters. They have been left clues to solving the mystery in 3 quilts that have been donated to a museum. My main character is also working on her version of a 'Dear Jane' quilt and she relates what is happening in her mystery to what Jane might have thought while she was piecing her blocks. Could be similar to what Brenda Papadakis wrote to Jane as she wrote her pattern book, but I don't know as I never did read those passages. At one point my main character (who doesn't have a name) was musing about the blocks she was piecing in honour of her 4 quilting friends. She chose A-7, B-1, H-12 and b-12. These are all blocks that have a component of 4 somethings; hearts, leaves, tear drops etc.

Now I am starting a section that talks about a rare silk quilt and the kimono fabrics that were used in the piecing, only I know very little about silk, so I am off to do some research. Thank goodness for the Internet.

I hope that I will get some more real stitching done this week and manage to keep up with the virtual quilt in my novel. I think I pieced 8 virtual blocks last week. oops, I am falling behind. Funny how my character could also afford to buy much more fabric while shopping hopping than I could.

Better get back to my story. Let me know which block from 'Dear Jane' that I should work into my novel next.

Bye for now and happy stitching.

First Nations/Aboriginal Fridays: George Copway, Kahgegagahbowh

2009-11-06T11:10:00.005-05:00

A few weeks back I wrote about Ojibway write/story teller Kah-ge-ga-gah-bowh/George Copway. While at my library I came across a children's book that is a re-telling of one of his stories. It has the most lovely of pictures.

'Ladder to the Sky' a legend retold by Barbara Juster Esbensen Illustrated by Helen K. Davie

'Ladder to the Sky' is the retelling of 'How the Gift of Healing came to the Ojibway Nation'

It tells the story of how the Ojibway peoples live a healthy and long life with no illness and death. One day jealousy comes into their midst and from that point life is not so idylic. Eventually one person breaks a taboo and the Great Spirit brings illness on the peoples. The Great Spirit also brings the gift of knowledge about the flowers and berries and their healing properties.

The amount of details in these pictures is amazing. Look below the women's feet at the details of the woven mats.

This painting depicts the gift of knowledge of healing with all the fruits and flowers being given to the people.

This is a lovely retelling of the story. It will appeal to both children and adults.

Read my earlier posting about George Copway

Learn more about Barbara Juster Esbensen and her books

See more work by Helen K. Davie

Needlework Tuesday - oops I forgot this item

2009-11-04T11:18:00.002-05:00

One of my dearest friends in the world was planning to visit me a week and a half ago. A few days prior to the visit she sent me and email to say that her beloved cat Kahlua, who had lived with her for around 17 years, had passes away.

I felt sad for her. Kahlua was a lovely cat to look at, though I have to admit I didn't know her as she was very reluctant to come out of hiding when ever I was there.

I wanted to do something to honour her, so what better than to make a wall hanging.

I used a pattern by designer Pam Bono called 'Cat Naps' and made just a single block. I changed the colours to match Kahlua's colouring.

This finished wall hanging is shown here. It measures 14 inches tall by 16 wide.

My friend really likes it and says it looks just like her cat.

Needlework Tuesday

2009-11-03T13:25:00.002-05:00

Turned out this was a good week for finishing projects. or at least finishing those ones that really didn't need much more work.

First pictures shows our dog Atreyu modelling the scarf that my daughter started last winter. She was knitting it on one of those round looms. One strand of fake fur and one strand of some glittery stuff from a project from many years ago that never got made. She gave up and I decided to finish it for her. The dog kept trying to run away with it each time I put it down, so a very fitting picture.

You've seen this scarf before. It had been waiting for its fringe. Wanting to tidy away all those leftover balls of yarn I grabbed an empty cracker box and started winding the yarn around, when I had enough, I cut one edge and started knotting them on. The scarf if a tube, so the fringe serves to hold it closed.

This pair of socks has sat far too long waiting for me to graft the toes shut. I finally forced my self to do it the other day. One toe is poorly grafted and the other is knit together and bound off in one step. I'll wear them and see if I have a preference. Doesn't bother me that they are different and at least they are now finished. Yippee.

Didn't get to my sewing machine at all. My head is still fuzzy from being sick, I think I have a bit of fever every now and then, so I am not going near my rotary cutter. I've made that mistake before. No progress to report on either the Bird Quilt nor the Dear Jane.

I'm Feeling Better

2009-11-02T10:35:00.002-05:00

I feel like a new person this morning. Still not 100% but so much better.

Thanks to everyone for their messages of concern and best wishes. Hope that all of you manage to avoid this flu. Its a very different one. No tummy upset but lots of fever.

Take care and thanks again for your messages to both my daughter and myself.

NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month

2009-11-02T09:58:00.003-05:00

Have you ever wanted to write a novel? Do you keep putting it off saying you'll do it when you have more time/when the kids grow up/when you retire? Well it's time to stop procrastinating and put the pen to paper or your fingertips to the key board and get started.

It's National Novel Writing Month and all are welcome to pen that epic that they've had in mind. Actually, its international in scope even though the official name says National.

I concept is to write every day during November with the goal of finishing the month with a novel of at least 50 000 words. It is a do able goal just don't worry about editing and all that other stuff that your english teacher would have hounded you about. Leave that for later. For now just get the words on the page.

I never really had this burning ambition to write a novel. Its my daughter. She is writing all the time. I found out that there is a junior version to this program and she signed up. She was allowed to set her own goal of 13 000 words. I joined up so I could encourage her along the way. She'll see me writing so she should want to write (at least that's the plan).

We both wrote yesterday and looks like we are on track.

My Story line:
There are 5 quilters and they buy fabric, drink Tim Horton's coffee and they are yet to come across a mystery that they have to solve by investigating some quilts. and then... Oops, I haven't got any further than that thought.

Have I got you interested? Want to join the fun?

I need a better name for my quilter from Russia. Any suggestions please leave a comment.

NaNoWriMo website
NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program website

First Nations/Aboriginal Fridays

2009-10-30T13:51:00.002-04:00

As some of you know I am sick with the H1N1 virus and not really feeling myself. I turned on the news to get my noon time fix and instead they are showing live the lighting of the Olympic torch prior to the start of longest domestic torch relay.

It's always a surprise of what the ceremonies will include and today was no exception. I didn't realize that there are 4 Host First Nations: the Squamish, Lil' Wat, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Wauthuth and Metis and Inuit.

There will be 12 Aboriginal Youth Flame Attendants. These young people will be charged with caring for the flame and its back-up for the duration of the relay to ensure that it does not go out and that all flame vessels are in good, safe working condition.

I found several websites with videos and photos that will follow the route of the Torch Relay.

VANCOUVER 2010 Official Website

CTV News Canada

Can you read when you have H1N1 in the house?

2009-10-29T10:49:00.006-04:00

So far I am having to say 'no' to this question. Notice though that its small letters, that means I am getting to pick up my book occasionally, but no great progress. Perhaps its the choice of books. Maybe I need an amazing thriller, or a ravishing bodice ripper???

My daughter is the ill one at the moment. It rather stopped her for a few days, but yesterday she started perking up and was even thinking of going to school today. Alas, its 11am and she's still asleep. She did have enough energy yesterday to make some entries on her blog and complete and model a crafty project. You can help her feel better by visiting her blog Illusion-esk and leaving her a get well comment. She also loves Vampire books, so if you have a suggestion appropriate to a barely teen, that would be great. She intends to wear this shirt when she goes back to school.

I am now feeling the effects of this bug and figure I'll be spending the next few days recovering. I have lots of tissue, boxes of favourite tea, and tons of books at hand. I am currently reading 'The Dark is Rising' by Susan Cooper, and when that's done will move onto 'Unbound' by Kim Harrison, Melissa Marr, Jeaniene Frost, Vicki Pettersson and Jocelynn Drake.

If you need a refresher on the symptons of H1N1, please check this Government of Canada link: Key Facts on H1N1 Flu Virus

Needlework Tuesday

2009-10-27T11:43:00.006-04:00

Progress on 'Dear Jane' was limited this week, but I am determined to do at least one block a week. That way it won't get pushed to a back corner and forgotten for months on end. Then I would have my readers sending me inquiries wondering if I ran out of orange fabric or something.

This block is C-3 Rayelle's Fence. At first it looks kind of complicated, but then I realized that its really a 9 patch whose sub-units are 4 patches and fence rails. Didn't have anything small enough to fussy cut for the centre as that piece was only cut 2 inches. The strips were all 1 1/4 inches as were the squares.

View Tropical Screamer's version also in orange.

I was so excited to finish this Cardinal block. All the tiny holly berries are stitched on. They measure about 11mm. Quite tiny. There are 18 of them. Three leaves are not stitched down, as they overlap the neighbouring blocks. Will have to work on one of these neighbouring blocks next. Check back next week to see which.

I started on the Bernat Stitch Along yesterday. I have done 1 1/2 repeats of the pattern and its looking good. The colour in this photo isn't good, but it shows the pattern better this way. I ended up knitting on larger 5.5 mm needles rather than the 5mm called for. We are told that we need to knit this square three times, once in each colour. In a few weeks, they will post the next step/block. I think that this pattern would make a wonderful scarf for a man. Of course done in a colour that doesn't look so pink, unless he likes pink.

I was browsing some of my favourite sites yesterday and came across a pic of my mother. She attended a workshop featuring a quilt teacher from Ireland. The special part is that my mother had been trading fabric postcards with the instructor via an online postcard group. I don't have a copy of the photo to post yet (for some reason I couldn't capture it from the site), but you can click this link and she is the lady to the left in the very first photo. Landscape Technique Workshop with Miriam at Linda's 'Living, Quilting and Stuff . How special that my mother got to meet one of her 'virtual' friends.

Update on Wednesday, October 28. Linda kindly sent along the file with two pictures which I have now posted.

Musing Mondays

2009-10-26T11:08:00.004-04:00

I was visiting over at Books and Needlepoint and found an entry titled 'Musing Mondays'. Sounded interesting so I followed the link back to the originator 'Just One More Page' and decided to join in the discussion.

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about note taking… Do you take notes while reading – either for your reviews or for yourself? How/where do you make these notes (on the page, post-its, scrap paper, notebooks etc)?

Once I started blogging I found that I needed to make notes of characters, locations and quotes I particularly enjoyed. I have 3 or 4 notebooks that I use as I often have several books on the go. If inspiration strikes I have to write it down or risk forgetting it when its time to write my review. Much more freeing than trying to remember all those streams of thought. I don't have anything special, they are those various student notebooks that you get on sale, usually in the fall. Some are left overs from the kids, I just tear out the two or three pages they actually use.

I also make other notes about authors I want to try and titles of their books. New words go in their own special little hard cover journal.

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Musing Mondays post, or share your opinion in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks.

First Nations/Aboriginal Fridays: Ghandl

2009-10-23T14:21:00.006-04:00

Ghandl 1851-1920
Was a member of the Haida, of a village known as Qayahl Llaanas (The Sea Lion People). The Haida live in the area of the Queen Charlotte Islands in British Columbia. Ghandl was blinded as a young man and thus was no longer able to hunt. Fortunate for us, he became know for his story telling. I have read translations of two of his stories, 'In his Father's Village, Someone Was Just About to go Out Hunting Birds' and 'The Sea Lion Hunter'.

A selection from 'In his Father's Village' where the hunter finds a woman to become his wife:

There were two women bathing in a lake.
Something lay there on the shore.
Two goose skins were thrown over it.
Under their tails were patches of white.

After watching for a while,
he swooped in.
He sat on the two skins.
The women asked to have them back.

He asked the better-looking one to marry him.
The other one replied.
'Don't marry my younger sister.
I am smarter. Marry me.'

'No, I will marry your younger sister,'

And she said that she accepted him, they say.

'Well then! Marry my younger sister.
You caught us bathing in a lake
that belongs to our father.
Now give me my skin.'

He gave it back.
She slipped it on while she was swimming in the lake.

A goose swam in the lake then,
and then she started calling.
And then she flew, they say,
though leaving her younger sister
sickened her heart.

quoted from:An Anthology of Canadian Native Literature in English edited by Daniel David Moses & Terry Goldie. Oxford University Press 2005

A brief biography by Robert Bringhurst of Ghandl and translated text of "The Sea Lion Hunter"
.
For further information on the Haida, visit the Council of the Haida Nation website

Map of the Queen Charlotte Islands

A selective Bibliography of the Haida is available at the Canadian Museum of Civilization Library.
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Thanks to Amazon for the cover photo of 'Nine Visits to the Mythworld'.

February by Lisa Moore

2009-10-23T07:52:00.003-04:00

A storm is coming...
It's Valentines Day 1982 and a storm is coming into Newfoundland off the Atlantic right into the face of the Ocean Ranger Oil Platform. All should have been well, however a string of unfortunate events led to its collapse and sinking with lose off all 84 men aboard. Left to mourn them were their wives, families and the entire community.

This is the fictional story of one wife, Helen and her four children: John 9, Cathy 8, Lulu 7, and Gabrielle (not yet born).

Helen essentially stopped living that day. Yes, she went through the motions of everyday life, but she didn't participate with a full heart. She did for her children what was expected and ensured that they had what they needed. She started a business to support her family, but she, herself didn't get on with the art of living.

Her son John also seems to be stuck. He was the eldest of the children and had the most memories of life with his father. When we meet John in the present time he has been confronted with his own mortality, a woman he spent time with has told him with her pregnancy. Another storm in his life that he must deal with or risk sinking. I think it is this event that grabs Helen and forces her back into life.

The whole book presented a very emotional story, I spent at least half my reading time with a tissue to my eyes mopping up tears. The most touching moment for me was when Helen and her sister Louise were coming back from identifying her husband Cal's body and they had stopped the car in front of her house. Helen was frozen with grief in the car and couldn't get out. Traffic was building up behind them, when the man in the following car stomps up to them, very annoyed. When he hears that Helen is one of the widows, he gently helps her from the car and into her house. (yes, the tears are running down my face as I relate this moment).

I loved this book and highly recommend it to all readers, specially those who remember the day these events actually occurred. I remember starting University the following fall, and my husband-to-be's engineering class chose the Ocean Ranger as their term case study, designing safe escape methods/equipment for Oil platforms.

Thanks to Deanna at 'My Tragic Right Hip' for her review of this book which inspired me to pick it up.

This is my 5th book for the Canadian Book Challenge 2009/2010

Needlework Tuesday

2009-10-20T12:20:00.003-04:00

Somehow I did find time to work on my version of the 'Dear Jane' Quilt. I didn't think I would get much done as I have started to move into the more finicky blocks. Much narrower strips of fabric, 1 inch, than I am used to working with.

The first picture shows L-7 Town Square. Quite an appropriate title in my opinion. The centre motif was straight forward. I used full orange squares and stitched a line corner to corner and flipped it back and pressed. I did trim away the underlying layers. View Tropical Screamer's Version.

L-4 St. George's Cross, was a bit more fussy. Those white strips were cut 1 inch and I sewed them to that neat almost orange fabric. I then trimmed them down to size before assembly in 9 patch fashion.

K-3 Seven Sisters. All the pieces were cut 1 inch strips or squares. Rather fiddly but it did work out well. The final outer border of white I cut wider and then trimmed to size. Just a note, after final pressing I put a square ruler over the block and let it cool completely. Once it has cooled it relaxes to proper size. It is only then that I trim. Never trim while warm. The pressing may stretch the fabric a bit, but once it is cool it will have contracted back to proper size. (this is my experience, if you don't agree with me, that's fine).

H-10 Ben's Bowtie. Nice looking block. I did all the triangle bits over sized and then trimmed to the correct measure. The size turned out almost perfect. Again, a 9 patch with a 4 patch in the middle. Yippee. View Tropical Screamer's Version.

I didn't really knit this week, rather I finished ends. This scarf was knit a few months ago but all the ends were waiting to be worked it. I couldn't procrastinate any longer, I needed to clear off that table so I could dust. It is made with two yarns from Paletteyarn.com. This is called Series 011b/219. I used 3 balls of the pink and 1 ball of the beige/brown. Little bits of a different type were used for the stripes between the colours. This is a 100% wool.

I didn't pay much attention to my pattern once I got going, so when I reached the end I forgot that I wanted the squared off end and knit to a point. oops. The left side is squared off and the right is pointed. oh well, not getting changed now.

I did start working on the bird quilt again. I am getting the tiny holly berries ready to applique on the holly leaves that I started months ago. The berries are approximately 11mm across. Too tiny but they will look good, so I will preserver. Pictures next Tuesday.

back to my stitching and reading.

First Nations/Aboriginal Fridays: George Copway, Kahgegagahbowh

2009-10-16T11:19:00.002-04:00

George Copway, Kahgegagahbowh (He Who Stands Forever' 1818-1869

His autobiography 'The Life, History, and Travels of Kah-ge-ga-gah-bowh, 1847' is reputed to be the first book written in English by a Native Canadian. An except of this is included in 'An Anthology of Canadian Native Literature in English' by Daniel David Moses and Terry Goldie.

While the excerpt is several pages in length, it gave me a feeling for Mr. Copway. His passage about his birth in a temporary shelter with evergreen boughs for a roof, is most appealing. For him, having been born out in the midst of nature was more meaningful that if he had been born in a marble palace. He also tells about being raised in a traditional manner, out in the woods with the trees and animals.

"I was taught that it was the gift of the many spirits to be a good hunter and warrior"

He clearly indicted that he loved this traditional life and that he pondered his place within it and the place of his people. He says that he didn't find an answer until the Priests came and taught him about 'God'. They opened up the written word to him.

It is obvious that he was greatly influenced by the Priests and all that they taught him and that it greatly shaped the man he became.

I enjoyed reading this passage, particularly when he was talking of the history of his family. Where they lived on Rice Lake, near Cobourg, Ontario.

Mr. Copway also wrote several other volumes:

The Traditional History and Characteristic Sketches of the Ojibwa Nation (1850)
Running Sketches of Men and Places in England, France, Germany, Belgium and Scotland (1851)
edited weekly Copway's American Indian (1851)

Biography of George Copway
A more complete list of George Copways writings

Gwenhwyfar: The White Spirit by Mercedes Lackey

2009-10-14T11:28:00.004-04:00

When my kids were little I went through a phase where almost every book I read was based on Arthurian Legend. I couldn't get enough of King Arthur, Gwen and Merlin. Oh to have met Lancelot... I've included 2 pictures of some of my Legend books. After taking the pics I realized there are yet a few more scattered on book shelves around the house. I admit that I haven't read all of them and that some I have read more than once, but I wouldn't consider parting with any of them. I did give away one book to a researcher who had lost all her books to a fire and she needed an out of print one that I happened to have a copy of, but no more will be leaving.

A few weeks ago I was asked by Penguin Books if I would like to review 'Gwenhwyfar: The White Spirit' by Mercedes Lackey. I was jumping out of my chair and saying 'yes, yes, yes, bring it on'.

OK, so I did hug this book a few times since it's arrival and have stroked the cover, but I'm not being obsessive or anything. I just happen to like this genre, a lot.

This is a most different version of Gwen. Ms. Lackey posits that there are actually three Queens married to Arthur (at different times) who are all named Gwenhwyfar. Each is very different from the other and all have varying reasons for marrying him. The author presented this in such a way that it was quite believable. Co-incidence or magic, I have no way of knowing though names go through periods of popularity, so why not.

There was just enough 'magic' to imbue the book with its other worldly feeling. A field of mist, a slight shift of the eye and I could imagine Gwyn ap Nudd, King of the Folk of Annwn appearing at my shoulder and whispering mystic secrets for mine and Gwen's ears alone.

This was a wonderful telling of the story of Gwenhwyfar from her own perspective. A warrior Queen suitable for the High King of Britain. She decided early in her life that she wanted to be a warrior and she sought the training and strove to succeed even though others wanted her to follow another path. Not only did she succeed but she had me cheering for her.

By the end of the book, with tears pouring down my cheeks, I was still rooting for her to make another choice that would be her own and not what others wanted her to do.

I will be keeping this book in the safe company of the other pictured books. Perhaps my daughter will develop a passion for King Arthur and his Companions. If you like stories based on Arthurian Legend, I have no doubt you'll love this version.

Needlework Tuesday

2009-10-13T10:56:00.005-04:00

I am back after a busy Thanksgiving long weekend. Several festive meals were enjoyed with friends and family. Now time to eat left overs, read good books and work on some of my ongoing projects as well as add another one.

I did get one block sewn on my Dear Jane before the migraine struck and then when it cleared I had to get the dining room table cleared off (I generally sew in the Dining room since my sewing studio is too full of unfinished projects).

F-3 Snowball was a fun block to piece. I fussy cut the centre patch to feature the lovely autumn leaf in metallic gold. I didn't paper piece as the Dear Jane website suggested. View Tropical Screamer's Version.

Very little reading got done last week as I was determined to finish this scarf for my son. He is away at school and won't be home for his birthday. As you can see I did get it finished and it is wrapped in a fabric bag and I sent it home with my sister to give to him on his birthday on the 22nd. He knows I made it for him and has even seen the pattern, and some of the un-assembled bits, but hasn't seen the finished product. I am thrilled with how well it turned out. The black mesh part measures 67 inches and the I-tubes are 80 inches. It actually was fairly easy to thread them in. I would recommend not weaving in the ends of the yarn until after you put the strips through the mesh. They did tend to pull back out a little bit. My daughter wants a similar scarf with a black mesh, but with each strip being a different bright colour. Myself, I am planning a brown mesh and then 5 different orange strips.

I first wrote about this pattern a month ago. It's by Iwona at the Knit Cafe.

Bernat has announced that they will be hosting a 'Knit Along' on their new blog. I thought this sounded fun. Son helped me chose colours of their 'Satin' yarn. Forest Mist Heather, Bordeaux, and Camel.

The first step will be on the blog on October 23. You can find the pattern at Bernat Blog Mystery Afghan Knit Along. Stay tuned for my progress on this new project. Let me know if you decide to knit along with this project as well. My sister is thinking about it, though she is going to chose materials from her 'stash'.

If you will all excuse me now, I really do want to get back to my reading. I have a copy of 'Gwenhwyfar: The White Spirit' by Mercedes Lackey that was sent to my by Penguin to review. When my kids were little I read every Arthurian legend book that I could get my hands on. This one is a new look at Gwen and she is a wonderful character. Hope to have my review in the next few days.

Bye for now.

First Nations/Aboriginal Fridays: Joseph Brant

2009-10-09T09:59:00.004-04:00

Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea) 1742 - 1807

There are two entries in this book by Joseph Brant, the first a letter to an un-identified gentleman and the second a letter of condolence. Both are written in a very thoughtful and eloquent manner. They invite, practically implore you to continue reading. Even though I have only read these two passages, it is easy to understand why Mr. Brant was such a good choice of statesman for the people of the Six Nations Confederacy. He played a major roll in the granting of lands to those loyal to the British when they located to where is now known as Brantford, Ontario.

Joseph Brant is also known for his translation of the 'Book of Common Prayer' and selections of 'the Bible' , including the Gospel of St. Mark into the Mohawk Language.

Unfortunately I was unable to determine if there is a collection of letters written by Joseph Brant.

Further Information about Joseph Brant:

Indigenouspeople.net

UpperCanadaHistory.ca

The Joseph Brant Monument

The Haldimand Proclamation of 1784

The Canadian Museum of Civilization

Murder in the Magick Club by Byron A. Lorrier

2009-10-07T13:26:00.004-04:00

Sorry that the photo I took does no justice to the wonderful cover of this book. In reality it is a slick, glossy black that begs to be touched.

I started reading and was working through the first chapters taking it very seriously, and not enjoying the story very much. I went and re-read the promo post card that I received from the author and realized I was in the wrong frame of mind for this book. I wasn't reading a financial report, rather a fun, yet quirky story. I told myself to loosen up and enjoy. From the next chapter forward I started to get into the characters.

Bryn has opened a bar called 'the Magick Club' and he employs the oddest assortment of staff. Robert and Cal are his waiters, both petty criminals and definitely not 'above board'. Magdeline(Madge) and Briana(Bri) are waitresses, of which, only Bri seems to have any concept of actually working. Honey is the resident psychic, though she plays only a small roll in the plot.

One morning Bryn finds a body behind the dumpster. None of the employees know the dead man or have any idea what happened. The murder, in fact, is not the main story here. Rather its about this bunch of misfits who find themselves thrown or drawn together each day. They are such a bizarre group that I can't understand why Bryn doesn't fire them all, well except for Briana, and why does she put up with them?

At first I had some empathy for Madge, but the more she opened her mouth the more disgusted I became with her. She was a walking, talking contradiction. I wanted to thump some sense into her. I started to look forward to what weirdness she could spout next. (I'm sitting here shaking my head...).

I could almost like Bryn. His talking in the vernacular at first seemed a bit overdone, but as the chapters fled by, I didn't really notice it anymore and it became natural to him. I don't know what he was doing running a bar. He was an educated man and could have chosen other careers, but for some unknown reason, Robert and Cal hold some sort of sway in getting him to do what they want. This is not really explored, so the reader is left to speculate. Is it the unspoken magic that surrounds the bar, the building, and possibly the whole neighbourhood?

This was a interesting book. The murder was a sideline for me, it was all about the people and their thoughts and behaviours. As odd and unbelievable as they may be, I feel that I may have met some of them specially Madge. No one can make up people like this, they must be real. A visit to some trailer trash and petty criminals all without leaving my comfy front room.

Read Mama Zen's review

Needlework Tuesday

2009-10-06T14:15:00.005-04:00

It was fun digging through my orange fabrics this week. Some hadn't seen the light of day in a few years. Time they were put to good use.

Block M-5 Mother's Point was a nice 4 patch style block.

Block D-13 Field of Dreams was made with fabric that was given to me. I can't recall when it arrived by I know that I liked it instantly. I'm assuming the title of this block refers to a baseball diamond. View Tropical Screamer's Version.

Block L-1 Widow's Pane is assembled log cabin style to get the white inner border. It is also a variation of a 4 patch.

Block M-12 Hopscotch was straight forward to sew. Long strips are sewn together, pressed and then sub-cut to make the striped units. Then it's put together as a 9 patch. Too bad I don't really like doing strip piecing. I find that sewing those long pieces together results in long wavy seams and you then lose accuracy.

Block I-3 Family Album looks like an old fashion window frame with the white sashing. Nice version of a 9 patch. Could easily fussy cut images for each 'window pane'.

Block J-6 Granny Weaver. Wonder why this name was chosen? The orange yarn fabric was one that I purchased for use in an ABC swap. It was used for y-yarn.

Block J-7 Chicken Tracks was a bit fussy to do, all those tiny 9 patches. It does look very nice with the strong contrast between the orange and white.

This was a very productive week. Doubt that I'll be able to top this one, 7 blocks. I have completed most of the straight forward blocks and from now on I expect that they will get to be a bit more time consuming. Come back next week and see how I do on F-3 Snowball.....

Here's Tropical Screamer's version.

Heart Fabric Challenge

2009-10-06T12:35:00.003-04:00

Ages ago I issued a challenge to a quilting list that I moderate. This heart fabric was sent to 30 participants and 27 blocks were returned.

I have finally taken a picture of all the blocks. They are wonderful and so imaginative. I have drawn the winners from the participants and will be mailing them off to their new homes.

I also had a contest here on my blog to win a piece of the fabric. I have decided that since I have been so slow I will send a larger piece to each of the 3 entrants.

Anya, Marie and Carol will all receive a piece of fabric with approximately 60 hearts. I trust they will enjoy creating something fun.

Thanks to all who followed this challenge.

I will be looking for a unique fabric for a future fabric challenge.

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

2009-10-06T10:55:00.004-04:00

Author Barbara Kingsolver has a new novel coming out soon, 'The Lacuna'. In anticipation of its release, HarperCollins is offering the full version of her earlier work, 'The Poisonwood Bible' for free on their Browse Inside feature for the month of October.

I have not read this book yet, so I have pasted in a copy of the publishers review. If you would like to start reading right away, Browse Inside 'The Poisonwood Bible'.

From HarperCollins:

The Poisonwood Bible is a story told by the wife and four daughters of Nathan Price, a fierce, evangelical Baptist who takes his family and mission to the Belgian Congo in 1959. They carry with them everything they believe they will need from home, but soon find that all of it—from garden seeds to Scripture—is calamitously transformed on African soil. What follows is a suspenseful epic of one family's tragic undoing and remarkable reconstruction over the course of three decades in postcolonial Africa.

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The novel is set against one of the most dramatic political chronicles of the twentieth century: the Congo's fight for independence from Belgium, the murder of its first elected prime minister, the CIA coup to install his replacement, and the insidious progress of a world economic order that robs the fledgling African nation of its autonomy. Against this backdrop, Orleanna Price reconstructs the story of her evangelist husband's part in the Western assault on Africa, a tale indelibly darkened by her own losses and unanswerable questions about her own culpability. Also narrating the story, by turns, are her four daughters—the self-centered, teenaged Rachel; shrewd adolescent twins Leah and Adah; and Ruth May, a prescient five-year-old. These sharply observant girls, who arrive in the Congo with racial preconceptions forged in 1950s Georgia, will be marked in surprisingly different ways by their father's intractable mission, and by Africa itself. Ultimately each must strike her own separate path to salvation. Their passionately intertwined stories become a compelling exploration of moral risk and personal responsibility.

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Dancing between the dark comedy of human failings and the breathtaking possibilities of human hope, The Poisonwood Bible possesses all that has distinguished Barbara Kingsolver's previous work, and extends this beloved writer's vision to an entirely new level. Taking its place alongside the classic works of postcolonial literature, this ambitious novel establishes Kingsolver as one of the most thoughtful and daring of modern writers.

Thanks to HarperCollins for the cover photo.

First Nations/Aboriginal Fridays

2009-10-02T15:04:00.002-04:00

I wanted to introduce you to a new feature that I will be starting next Friday. I borrowed this wonderful volume from my library and realized that it has so much material in it, from over 50 First Nations authors, that I can't possibly review it in one posting. Over the next while I will review at least one section each Friday.

A few of these authors are familiar to me and I have read some of their works, but many are new and I am looking forward to becoming acquainted with their stories.

I welcome suggestions of additional First Nations/Aboriginal authors both from Canada and other countries.

Let me know if you feature similar literature on your blog and I'll post a link.

I hope that you will return next Friday and join me in getting to know these authors.

The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle

2009-10-02T14:10:00.003-04:00

I was thrilled to receive this book in the mail. It was well travelled by the time it hit my mailbox. It started in England, then to Australia, next to South Africa and finally to Ontario Canada. Wow, I am tired thinking about all those miles.

It is part of the "Lost World Read 2009" that celebrates the 150th birthday of Arthur Conan Doyle and the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin.

This version of the book was specially printed for this program and it has also been registered with Bookcrossing and will continue travelling to other willing readers.

I had never read the book previously, but had watched bits and pieces of television shows based on the book. This finally clues me in to why people are stranded on a plateau with animals thought long extinct.

I really enjoyed 3 of the main characters: Mr. Malone, the young love struck newspaper man who wants to impress his love, Lord John Roxton, an adventurer, and Professor Challenger, the man who first brought word of the lost plateau and its inhabitants. I didn't really like Professor Summerlee, the naysayer, but he was needed for the plot to develop. Does there need to be a doubting Thomas to push for the discovery of evidence?

Throughout their adventures they showed that they could put aside their differences and work together for the common good, which in this case was their survival.

A wonderful read and I look forward to sending it along to its next reader.