Wednesday, September 22, 2010

More Diamonds, More Shirts

I haven't sewn many more of my diamonds but I have enough for a blog post, if not a quilt.

I used one fabric with just one other on the tip to see how it would work, taking my inspiration from a string star utility quilt shown in Gwen Marston's Liberated String Quilts. Anyway, don't really love it, but leaving it in at least for now:


I'm including a few hints of the shirt fabrics that Bonnie sent me (ooh, way back when I lived in Paris ages ago) so I have something other than just stripes, plaids and solidish.

I know I need to buy more of the dark shirts, but it's hard to force myself when there are such amazing, gorgeous wonderful light colors. It wasn't an arm twist to get the fabulous dark purple plaid but I don't find enough wondrousness like that. I figure the pink paisley will work as a dark too - that one fits in the ugly category for me, but I know quilts need ugly fabrics to be fun.


One of these days I won't be living in Florida, so I gotta buy Florida shirts while I can. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I couldn't resist the fabulous iridescent purple even at a higher price (I'll just consider that a donation to Hospice) and look hot pink stripes!


It's so hard to find light blue shirts (just like the quilting fabric in that color is so scarce) and I don't understand why. I don't care that they're not "in." Look how great this shirt looks with Pokey's eyes.


Walking around the mall it was pretty obvious what colors are "in" for fall clothing. Lots of grays and purple/magenta. Can I just have a rant now about standardization?

I asked my branch library about donating new quilting books. Gorgeous books they don't already have - I want them on the shelf, not just sold for a dollar. Nope, not possible. They only put books, CDs, DVDs etc into circulation that have been purchased by someone at HQ, in bulk. All purchasing decisions are made at main. There's no head librarian at each branch making selections.

And you can't have something at this branch that the others don't have? what??? Yes it's a branch library system but that should mean a bigger variety of books, not fewer. I'm not going to be jealous that another branch has it - I'm going to request it and read it!

It costs too much money to catalog an individual book??? A FREE high quality book? grr argh. Get a volunteer to do it - can't be that difficult.

I worked at a city library and later a branch library for years in my hometown. The donations were carefully sifted and high quality books were put on the shelves either as new or as replacements for worn copies. The head librarian at the branch got to order new books herself (I know - I did the typing!). Man, I hope it still works that way there and this horribleness hasn't happened at all libraries.

Sigh. At least my hold request for Justin Cronin's The Passage finally came through...

34 comments:

Janette said...

I absolutely love your scrappy stars with the shirt fabric! Very cool!

Kath said...

Oh they are very jaunty!

Kristin said...

Wow, you have some wonderful shirt fabrics there! I'm quite disheartened by the library story! I don't know if it's that way here as far as purchasing new books, but I know our libraries don't all have the same inventory.

So, where might you live next??

Browndirtcottage said...

Well...I think ALL your stars look great....they just have a totally different look and feel using the shirtings don't they!!
I worked in the library when I was in High School...LOVED IT!!!

Nifty Quilts said...

Your stars are just wonderful!! There really is something about sewing with old clothes. Just can't get that look with store-bought fabrics. I wouldn't fret about darks. They "show off" just fine.

As for libraries, what a bummer. Our quilt guild has a library that would take your books, but I'll bet there's someone closer to you who'd appreciate them.

AnnieO said...

Yes, grab all those Florida shirts for sure! I like blue shirts too (my DH has wonderful turquoisy blue eyes) but generally don't find brighter blues either. I like the stars a lot but am not sure what you will attach them to. Hmm.

The library is a place I have not gone to since my kids were little, I am ashamed to say, even though I love to read. I buy books at thrift stores and I buy new books, but I agree that donated books should be made availalbe to patrons. Outrageous that they aren't!

Sujata Shah said...

That is really sad about the library system! It explains why you can find really great books for a dollar at times during those 'Friends of Library' sales.
I love all your stars and you are onto something really beautiful here!

Lisa said...

too bad about your library! we have an awesome system and I make requests all the time. I have seen some great books that our library doesn't have! those shirts are great btw!

Paula, the quilter said...

Even though my public library is the one and only, they do not put donated books on the shelves. All donations go to the Friends of the Library book sales which fund the purchase of new books. It is what they have put into place and woe be to those who deviate. It is unfortunate, but now I do not donate those really good books. I trade them or sell them outright. Just love those string stars.

Chris Daly said...

How sad. Most of my books live at our local library. I donated many when we first moved here and then worked as a volunteer adding used books and cataloging them. It is nice to know I can go and visit them when I want to see old friends.

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

Pokey's eyes almost glow next to that shirt! I get tired of being 'told' what colors and styles to wear - guess that's why I'm always either way ahead of the style or back a few decades - lol! And I agree with you about the library system. Because of tax shortages, some of our local libraries are only open one or two days a week now.

Jennifer D said...

I am lovin' those stars! You have got some amazing choices there.

I am so excited to see your book! Is that the final cover?

I will be one of the first to buy.
Hugs to pokey and the others.

Louise said...

That library sounds a bit rigid. My library does take donated books for circulation...I checked before I donated.
I love that blue that matches Pokey's eyes! I look for shirts in antique and vintage looking fabric, and that blue sure looks like Prussian Blue to me! (an 1800's fabric dye...sometimes you see sparks of that color in antique quilts)
Louise

woolywoman said...

My library is the same. Makes me nuts, but I just sell my stuff, or donate.

Nice stars from nice shirts! I have cut up my DH's shirts, but so far too lazy to thrift for shirts.

daveandlo said...

How about a dark background with the light shirts? Great colors!

Lois

Kristin L said...

OK, you have to stop with these plaid string stars. I want to make a bunch now and I really don't need a new project. ;-)

quiltmom anna said...

Great stars Tonya,
It is really too bad about the - it library policy- it makes no sense to me - you would think it would be wonderful when someone was giving books that others could enjoy...

I have the book " The Passage" out from the library too- I hope I get a chance to tackle it before it is due back because I will only have three weeks with it... Read fast, I guess...

Have fun with those beautiful stars...

Clare said...

Love love love those shirt fabrics. The stars are great. Did you finish the Ohio Star you were working on in Paris?

I would have thought that if a donated book is brand new - well untouched and in prestigne condition - a library would take it? After all, isn't that saving them money, rather than buying it!

All this talk of donating books and buying up Florida shirts. You're not moving again are you?

Marit said...

Just love how colorful your shirt fabric is. Have fun with it. The star looks good !! And Pokey, too...
; )

Blogless me said...

My local library will be only too happy to put new crafty books on the shelf! Would you consider donating? I don't know whether the fact that I live in Belgium would be a problem. In my town we've got a school for fine arts and the library reflects that. While doing an art history course myself I found books there that even the university library didn't carry. They are slowly building up a collection of craft books devoted to stitching, knitting and quilting (as recently as 4 years ago we were lucky to have our first knitting/quilting shop open and offer courses). Given that we are in a region where a lot of expats live, I think it would be lovely to have some english-language books on the shelves which otherwise are much more expensive to buy in a non-english speaking country.
Here's the link to my library, so you can check them out.
http://www.vilvoorde.be/asp/bestuurendiensten_diensten_bibliotheek.asp
I would be happy to arrange things with them, if you decide to help us!

Blogless me said...

I did smth wrong while posting the previous comment :-(, so here is an attempt to allow feedback.

Fiber Babble said...

So sad about your library's policy. I make it a point to donate to my local libraries (I'm a member of FOUR) and I like the fact that I can "visit" my books if I want to. Solves some of my shelf-space issues, too!

Cathi said...

I worked at a satellite branch of the Clark County, Nevada library & we were able to put any book we wanted to in the system & on the shelf. Their loss.

Loris said...

I think these plaid diamonds are my favorite! Especially with the fabric blessed by Pokey.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

I wondered about that with libraries... our library in the country has like 2 quilt books and I am the only one who has checked them out like 10 times... you do have some good ones!

Love the shirting stars... they are a little addicting aren't they?? that and half square triangles... that's whats happened to my shirtings...

KateKwiltz said...

I LOVE what you're doing with those shirts! It's one of those projects on my to-do list, but my mother won't let me raid Dad's closet just yet. :)

One of the quilt shops I go to in Michigan has a "borrower's corner" for books that aren't in their sales inventory. If I lived there, I'd definitely take advantage of it -- and most likely donate as well. Since when can libraries afford to be so selective?

YankeeQuilter said...

You would think with the current economy the library would be itching to get new books on the shelf...go figure.

Love the scrappy-plaid stars....

Angel Tucker, Daisy and Leo said...

Palm Beach County Library System? I used to work there, and that was the policy when I left about 4 years ago, and I have heard they don't even let there be local choice any more, we used to be able to pick things we wanted for each branch, now they just send things out. When I left, they had a one year cataloging backup for non-fiction that was not "hot", and they wouldn't let us process anything at the branches. I am a Library Director now, and add good donations to the collection all the time.

Love the color in your stars, and your kitty is beautiful.

Heidi

A Paperback Writer said...

Those stars would make great Christmas ornaments as well.

So, would you like me to check to see if the local library system here in your hometown does what you just described? If they do, I'll buy a copy of your book to donate to their shelves as being from a "local author" -- originally local, of course. :) (Yes, your book is already on my amazon "to buy" list -- for me. But I'll buy another one for the library as well.)

Kim said...

Oh you........ are into vampires!
Happy reading :0)

Looks like you are making real progress on those shirts turned to star blocks......I find star quilts of any kind irresistible...they just sparkle to me!

Happy Sewing

Sharon said...

So sorry to hear that your library has such a stupid system! I totally agree with you. I request books all the time, because my local branch is small.

I love your plaid stars/diamonds! Yes, go for all the light plaids you can find! Those would be beautiful set with a solid black, in mho. Yes, I miss a good turquoise too. It's never easy to find.

Lynda said...

I'm waiting to see what effect the star rays with bright points have when the top is assembled. I think they'll look vibrant and great! As to libraries over here in the UK, new books are king. If it's old but a classic, it gets sold off, because the way the library looks seems to be more important than the information it has in it! Also, there are few true librarians now. Most libraries run on library assisstants (no power to choose books and much cheaper. having said that, my branch library is very good, and has a reasonable quilting section, because 'there is a quilting group in the locality'. At least they respond to demand.

Carol E. said...

Love the stars... and I live in a huge county with a county library system, many branches. I am curious now and am going to ask about donating books, to see what system they have. I hope it's better than yours!

Kyle McDougal said...

I am a fan of your quilt blog. I have a website at www.TheLoveQuilt.com that adds an intimate and creative aspect to a quilt, so checking it out might be a positive experience. It's a great atmosphere to be around.