I spent hours today washing it all and ironing. Horrible job. I listened to French lessons while doing it and that just stresses me out. I'll never be able to learn that language.Work is going well on Hot Crazy Love. All the middle bits are done and I'm on the border now. I love how the triple fans look. This was my first time doing this variant of fans and it turns out all the extra work is worth it.
I obviously did my usual stellar job of basting - I've been hitting all sorts of creases and folds in the backing down here in this area. I just keep quilting along - it all works out.
Anyone else watching "Top Design" on Bravo? I loved the first challenge (design a room for an unmet client, based on five of that person's wild, funky possessions) but the last two were rather dull. I don't care about kids' rooms or cabanas. I wish they'd focus more on the design process and less on the bitchiness of the contestants.Book recommendation: Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler. It's not my usual cup of tea, but it was sweet and entertaining. Shows how pathetic I am tho since I've never read a Jane Austen book, just watched the movies.
glad your energy is coming back - once those meds kick in it really starts to feel good doesn't it? I took lots of french in high school and college but I would not have been a good communicator - it never got easier for me - I have wanted to read the Jane Austin Book Club - might be one of my take along books when we go to Great Britain this summer - btw - I really like the quilting you are doing - is that done with a regular sewing machine?
ReplyDeleteJuliann
Good to hear that you're feeling better. Love the new fabrics!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are feeling closer to normal. I love those fabrics. I am addicted to brights these days. Your stitches are absolutely incredible. In my wildest dreams and after hours of quilting I could never get my stitches that small and regular. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteLuscious colors in those new fabrics, Tonya. Lily and I concur with your choices!
ReplyDeleteFrench is really difficult on so many levels. First, it's hard to hear the words separately in a sentence...people speak fast and they run together. Then, of course, there's the pronunciation problem. Wish there were an easy way to learn...
I loved the Jane Austen Book Club, too. But then, I love Jane Austen, as well -- both the movies and the books. The books are a long, slow read, but very, very good.
Tonya, I'll give you a tip for when you get over to France on learning the language - befriend a neighbour's child, probably around the age of 9, 10 or 11 and test out your French on them - they're young enough not to feel embarrassed about not understanding all English and usually still friendly enough to not mind you asking daft questions all the time. Plus you won't feel silly asking things that adults would find simple. Our eldest befriended a child in the neighbourhood when we lived over there and she was my walking dictionary and never made me feel foolish. Glad you're feeling a little more normal - it's a downhill slope now all the way to Paris. Also take heart from the fact that you'll be in the capital with the usual melting pot of all different nationalities rather than a village in the sticks like we were, where we were the first Brits to ever live there. Unlike my DH I'm not a natural linguist but I got by - although some of the situations were a little ridiculous and we look back and laugh at them now. Love the bright fabrics!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great pile of fabrics! I really like the Jane Austen Book Club - great characters.
ReplyDeleteLily is so beautiful on those fabric pieces...this could easily be the cover of a quilting book! As both a cat lover and a lover of fabric, I wanted to put this photo on my desktop, but I knew that my cats would be all territorially on top of it, and I couldn't afford the cat hair between the keys!
ReplyDeleteglad you had the energy to visit a inspiring quiltshop! Congratulation to you fabric choices - typically Tonya colors :-) Do you know, we Europeans are very glad to have you here in the future? Perhaps we will find the possiblity to meet in person ... one day. hugs from Brigitte in Germany
ReplyDeleteTonya, I see some Lakewood fabric in there!! I have a bunch of that and am planning on making quilts for my nieces (hopefully before they marry!!LOL)
ReplyDeleteI took french in high school for 6 years! The one phrase that stuck with me is "Je ne sais pas" (I don't know) this was my standard answer to any of my teacher's questions!! But hang in there, I'm sure you'll learn enuf to get yourself around!
I love the one in the bottom right hand corner. What French course are you using?
ReplyDeleteAnother useful French phrase is "Comment dit-on ça en française?". How does one say that in French?
"Comment dit-on ça?" (pointing to a bolt of fabric) and the answer should be "tissu". If you need any help at all there is a little French girl in this house who would love to help you. Just say the word and she'll be at your beck and call via email. Unfortunately we haven't got ADSL here, but I'm sure we could work something out.
Another alternative is to do what Anne suggested in exchange for English lessons! The ecole primaires are a bit short on English teachers and if you are offering free English conversation lessons in exchange for French you shouldn't have a problem. Oh and stick to the present tense for the moment otherwise you will get doubly confused! When you are ready to tackle the verbs there is a brilliant little book that all the kids use in school and is the "verb bible". Will let you have the title and publisher when you are ready.
What do you mean French is difficult. I have no problem with it (being born in Brittany has nothing to do with it!) LOL
ReplyDeleteIf you have any question, I will be pleased to answer. Glad to hear you feel better and that you bought so nice fabrics. Have fun with them!
Your hand quilting is beautiful, and such a refreshing sight! I love what it is doing to the texture of the top. I enjoy putting a lot of quilting in also, and I've found that the quilting gets easier as the block gets more densely quilted - the fabric gets much more cooperative. Do you find this?
ReplyDeleteYUM! for both the fabrics and your quilting pattern. Glad you're feeling better.
ReplyDeleteI saw the kids' room episode and found it a bit boring.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear you're getting some energy back. The fabrics are fun!
Yes, I watch Top Design, too. I agree, getting boring.
ReplyDeleteNice fabric selections. Little jealous of you! :)
Oh I LOVE the tripple fans! Now what a good idea! And I'm so happy you are starting to feel a bit better.
ReplyDeleteI imagine that when you are immersed in the language and living there...and needing to understand.. it will be easier to catch on than listening to someone saying things on the tapes. Not that 2 years of French in college is still in my mind. I remember shockingly little!
ReplyDeleteGlad the meds are back in your system. feels good huh! Love the kittys holding down the tables!
Hey Ton, so good to hear you are feeling better..*VBS* More like your old self again..*G*
ReplyDeleteI've been watching Top Design, kind of hit and miss...saw both of the bummer offerings but not the good one...LOL
Great new fabric..love every one of them, including Miss Furry Paws.
Quilting looks spectacular as always. Hugs, Finn