Perfect Copy : Unravelling the Cloning Debate by Nicholas Agar

After reading this book it is easy to understand that real life cloning is nothing like that portrayed in movies. As of the printing of this book in 2002, there had been no reported successful cloning of a human. That doesn't stop the author from exploring the many moral and ethical issues surrounding the possible and future cloning of humans. The two reasons for cloning that he examines in detail are for reproduction and the creation of replacement organs.

The presentation of the facts and the arguments of those both for and against cloning is the clearest I have ever read. One argument against cloning says to the effect, 'in our hearts we just know that it is morally wrong'. I loved the way that Mr. Agar deconstructed that angle.

After digesting the information in this book, i still don't know whether I agree with the idea, but i do understand that man will clone because we can.

I found this book at a Bookcrossing meeting and thought it would be interesting. It turned out to be a riveting read. Thanks to the donor for sharing it.

Hello Kitty Quilt is Finished

Yippee, Its finally finished and on my daughter's bed. She is so happy. Her name for the quilt is "Pretty Hello Kitty".

I will be adding a label to the back and making at least one pillowcase to compliment the quilt.

This was a challenging project. Not that the sewing was difficult. But that it took a leap of faith to try a new technique that used such large strips of fabric that you sewed on to the block, and then slashed off half of it. Also, I find it hard when I have to be trimming over sized blocks. I consider any block over 12 1/2 inches in considered over sized. Then there was a added challenge of using the hankies which ranged in size from 9 inches up to 15 inches. eeks. On top of that they weren't perfectly square. arg.

I have included two close up pictures to show the machine quilting. I used a variegated pink/red cotton thread. It turned out to be the perfect choice. All the quilting was done freehand on a regular sewing machine.

Trying hard to keep focused

I am working hard on the Hello Kitty Quilt. Have read a wee bit in the newest book, PerfectCopy: Unravelling the Cloning Debate by Nicholas Agar.

It was a snow day for my daughter yesterday, but she encouraged me to finish attaching the binding to her quilt. So it is now on by machine and needs to be folded to the back and neatly hand stitched down. The last step will be to add a label and then it will seek her bed. yippee.

I am concentrating on this quilt and really want to get it finished. Unfortunately there are so many other projects to distract me. In fact I have a quilt class this evening and it will be a new project. arg. I signed up for the class as part of my social life, not that I needed to start a new project.

Back to my stitching.

Good Sewing Progress

Wanted to send a progress update.

The quilting is now finished on the Hello Kitty quilt and I am ready to cut the binding and apply it. Will be posting a picture as soon as that is done.

The Experiment by John Darnton

This 1999 books cuts very close to reality. It is a medical who done it that explores the underworld of cloning. The main character Jude is researching a news story on Identical twins when to his surprise he finds that he has a mysterious identical twin, Skylar. While the two of them work together to solve their mystery, they become enmeshed in a plot that reaches in the upper realms of the FBI, politics and big business.

The author kept throwing in curves and twist at every step. It definitely kept me turning pages eager for what would happen next.

Thanks to my sister for passing this book my way.

What to Read?

I am currently reading my 99Th book of the year. This is the first time since I started keeping a book log in 1993 that I have come anywhere near that number. I admit that some where shorter, but some where also massive tomes exceeding 1000 pages. eeks. If you are curious of which books they are check my Bookcrossing Shelf.

I don't think it is of much importance that I have read a large number of books, rather its the variety of authors and genres. I get my books from a number of sources, family, friends, foundlings, and recommendations from all over. This year I read lots by Canadian authors so I would have them to take overseas on vacation and be able to give them away (the books not the authors). Lately I have read a number of fiction that are similar to Biographies (don't know what the name of this genre). Mixed in were some rather strange fantasy, children's novels and even non-fiction. Yes, even a bunch of romances, most of them being set in the Regency era.

I have enjoyed almost every one of them. That doesn't mean that I would recommend them all, not by any chance. But for me, they all filled some sort of niche.

So, if a book strikes your fancy, go ahead and read it regardless of what the critics say, or what your family or friends say. Its up to you.

In case you are wondering, today I am reading 'The Experiment' by John Darnton. I welcome your suggestions.

You have to work on a project to finish it!!!

Kinda a profound thought. I often start projects that tend to languish once I have done the part I really enjoy, which happens to be the concept and design phase. After I have started working on it and realize that its going to work and be a success, i really have no interest in finishing it.

Today I was working on a 'Hello Kitty' quilt for my daughter. Several years back my sister mailed me 12 hankies from Japan with the Hello Kitty character on them. It took a while to figure out a pattern so I could use all of them together. I used a technique by Sharyn Squier Craig called Twist'n Turn. Its a terrific way of using different size blocks together without having to cut them all to a specified size. The pictures and samples are very inspiring.

I am working on quilting the actual hankies and then will do the quilting of the boarder and finally the binding. Hope to post a pic for all to see within the next week.

Its good to get back to a project and work and it continuously and see the progress. I will be so happy to finish this, and so will my daughter.