Thursday, May 24, 2007

Forgot About This One

I found a crusty (the name I've given to work in the style of Susan Shie's Lucky School of Quilting) while I was sorting through boxes that have been in storage. I completely forgot I'd made this one. It wasn't successful - not enough contrast. I love the moon though - I'm tempted to cut this thing apart and just do a section of the moon. Then I could salvage all the bugle beads and buttons and be done with it.

Book Recommendation: Tamara Siler Jones' latest novel Valley of the Soul. Actually I highly recommend all three of her books, but this is the best one yet. They're mystery novels set in a sword and sorcery mileu, using forensic science to solve crime. I'm terrible at describing books because I never want to give anything away. Here's an excerpt from her first Dubric novel Ghosts in the Snow. If you like fantasy novels and CSI you can't go wrong. Plus the author is a quilter and you've got to love that.

Movie Recommendation: Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain aka Amelie. I love this movie and had to rewatch it after visiting Monmartre, esp since Will made a point of taking me to the cafe where the movie filmed. Not that there would be any doubt about that - big huge pictures of Audrey Tautou up on the walls. I even got my husband to watch it with me by convincing him he could work on his French language skills. If you haven't seen the movie it is a lovely and sweet romantic comedy with a bit of a dark side.





20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think the crusty is wonderful! Thanks for the link.

Laurie Ann said...

You're crazy! That's one of my favorites. Maybe I like that it is not quite as abstract as some of the others.

No wonder you didn't like season II of Dark Angel. If you don't like that actor (Alex) then you wouldn't like it at all!

Anonymous said...

I've been reading your blog for several months now, but just took a look at the sidebar items. I too am a fan of Gwen Marston and Joe Cunningham. I realized lately that I prefer free piecing and quilting because I don't get bored that way.

I'm very interested in your quilting without a hoop. Your quilting stitches are really lovely! What size needle do you use and what kind of batting do you use. I've done some quilting without a hoop, though I prefer the hoop so that I have something to hold onto. I also use Quilter's Dream Request which is their thinnest batt and seems easiest for quilting without a hoop. I just finished a mini quilt that I quilted free hand and haven't had that much fun quilting in a long time.

My favorite quilt you did is the Halloween houses one. The quilting is very creative. Thanks so much for sharing your techniques and ideas!

quiltpixie said...

amazing how different things speak to different quilters. I really like the little gem you're showing today -- particularily the fish with their tails hanging off the edges... The moon is nice, but not the piece that really speaks to me :-)

Nellie's Needles said...

I, too, like the whole blue crusty piece.

atet said...

Ouch. It's your piece, you're not thrilled with it, needs more contrast, but OUCH at the thought of cutting it up. Monochromatic is a theme -- and this piece just has such whimsy and fun to it. I'm sure what you do with it will be lovely -- but I am loving the way the fish come off the edges and play amonst the stars and the moon.

Quilts And Pieces said...

I think it is very cute - don't cut it apart! I like how it is subtle.

Off to clean myself for Jenna's big grad party this weekend - well not clean "myself", but I'm off to clean the house!

Mary Johnson said...

I agree - this is one of my favorites lack of contrast and all.

I'm finally reading Julia Child's book - My Life in France and have been thinking of you in Paris.

Magpie Sue said...

I'm in the fan club that says the crusty is just fine the way it is, thank you very much! Hey, both the night sky and the ocean depths are low contrast right? (BTW, how big is it?)

Anonymous said...

I like the little blue quilt too. Don't be too quick to cut it apart.

Carol E. said...

I would pay good money for the crusty as is. Please don't cut it apart!

Jan said...

I LOVE your blue piece! Don't you dare cut into it! lol How big is it? I'm having trouble sizing it up.
I see that Susan has just decided to start her home camps again after several years hiatus. I've taken workshops with her, but not at her place. I think people who've never tried this method don't suspect how time-intensive these pieces are. But fun! (Seriously, you're not going to cut it up, are you?!!)
BTW,Amelie is one of my very favorite movies.

Unknown said...

DON'T!!! (cut it up I mean) It's beautiful - I love the colours and the design - send it to me instead! (no only joking) but isn't it a case of one man's meat is another man's poison?

Lily Mulholland said...

Tonya if you want to see a French film with a really dark side, you must, must, must see Delicatessen. Must. (It's also very funny - gotta love that black humour).

I like your little crusty. The moon's lips are indeed fab.

sophie said...

What a surprise, I come to leave a comment and find everyone else agrees! I love this blue crusty, too, and while it may not have enough contrast to suit you, and is perhaps a bit tamer than your usual design aesthetic, it is truly wonderful--ALL of it.

When I lived/worked in France, a friend and I would occaisonally pull out the Michelin green guide for the area and make ourselves get out and do something touristy ... I enjoyed many nested mountain villages and small museums that I know I otherwise would have completely missed. Maybe you could take yourself out on a weekly Artist Date a la Julia Cameron as a way of exploring Paris.

Jennifer said...

Oh, please don't cut it up ... it's fabulous! I love the low-key color palette ... if you really don't care for it, you could always sell it on ebay or etsy and make a little spending money for some brighter stash LOL! But seriously, it's wonderful. Are the fish separate pieces that you "appliqued" on top? Their edges look like they're finished in the same way as the whole piece.

Terri Stegmiller said...

Whadyamean???????? I think it's a very successful piece. Display it!

kcdi said...

Please don't cut it up! I think it is wonderful just as it is. Thanks for the book recommendation. I'm always looking for a good read.

YankeeQuilter said...

Noooo...I remember when you made this and were really happy with it! Put it away again for a few years and you will like it again soon!

Clare said...

Don't you dare cut it up! I love Amélie too.