A Bookish Life

And the Two Shall Become One

We have a just-right sized house that would've accomodated a nursery just fine if the sewing room monster hadn't moved its sloppy self in first. Now I have a ton of work ahead of me- sorting, ironing, folding, organizing, and yet making sure I can still find everything in the future.

So, here's stage 1. Fabric gets color coded and folded on top of the shelf. Anything that doesn't fit gets used in the next few months or donated/tossed out.

This picture shows you nothing of the floor space, desk space, or empty crib space. Purposefully. Hopefully one of those will be stage 2.

Cold mornings

"Lying in bed would be an altogether perfect experience if only one had a colored pencil long enough to draw on the ceiling."

-G.K. Chesterton

Read the whole article here. I highly recommend it.

Persuasion

I always think Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen novel, even if it isn't as infitinely readable as Pride and Prejudice. It's wiser, sadder, more solemn, and perfectly bittersweet. There's not the easy romantic comedy flair, but something just a little bit more real.

I finally finished this quilt that I started so long ago. It's persuasive. Don't you suddenly feel like taking a nap or reading a great book? It's a mix of neutrals, black, and orange with lots of vintage pieces and a lovely tulip fabric from Japan. The binding is vintage cotton and the back is a soft, washed muslin. The whole thing is lovingly rumpled, just the way I prefer a quilt to look, and was pre-washed so you can throw it on into the dryer.

I still need to make a carrying case, but I figure it will be in the shop this week. There's a baby quilt hot on its heels, so stay tuned!

A night of candles and dancing

This dress was made for the wedding we went to this weekend in Austin. True to form, I was fixing the zipper and adding the lace as midnight approached the night before.

I wanted something to wear that a. allowed some room for my growing tummy, b. wasn't all out 'maternal', c. used up some fabric I already had.

The pattern came from Simplicity, I think, and the two little darts pleats allowed for plenty of movement in the front. The dress is a muddy lavender raw silk I got in Dallas. I love raw silk; it ranks up there among my favorite fabrics to work with. At the outset it's nubby, soft, and comfortable, but there's a hidden silken sheen that sparkles in the light.

This wedding was something to behold: candlight, cedar fires, and champagne (or sparkling cider) toasts on a wooden deck overlooking the Guadelupe River. There was dancing, laughter, and chocolate cake, as well as good friends who feel more and more like family as the years tick by.

Cold snap

I am loving Ann Patchett's new book this week. I started reading yesterday morning in bed on the back porch of a Texas Century old farmhouse. The windows were all open, the winds were cool, and all my people were sleeping. It seemed that even the tiny one inside was. I am 18 weeks, but already I've felt some flutters out of that one, and it's a nice companionship we're creating.

I made a dress to wear to an Austin wedding this weekend. I hope to show you tomorrow. It's lavender silk with lace and I am awfully proud of it.

Today the weather turned cold and I got to pull out a sweater I bought in Paris for the first time. My mind, like Manda's, also returned to quilting, since I have been cold throughout my pregnancy too.

With some time set aside to think about Christmas presents and a bloodhound standing on the picnic table, just waiting for me to come outside and play with him, I think it's shaping up to be another fine morning.

Something new

Sometimes all an outfit needs us a new purse!

I wanted to try this design all week; I've seen two in this style recently and been wanting one of my own. It has a pocket on the inside to hold my chapstick and my keys. It's big enough for library books, but not too slouchy without them.

I love playing around with new designs, and this one was so fun that I'm guessing it won't be the last!

Gifts

One thing I have to say for this baby I'm having: I'm pretty sure that it's just about the luckiest kid in the world when it comes to grandparents. Not even 5 months old, and already it has a gift from each grandma waiting for it. I'm pretty sure our baby is going to be swamped in love; I'm fairly certain it already is.

Already this little button has a stuffed sheep from Paris and a fuzzy pair of puppy slippers. These things are politely sitting in their tiny corner of "nursery", waiting for their owner to appear! (of course right now the "nursery" is still a sewing room, but I'm waiting for the piles of fabric to magically fold and organize themselves so there's room for baby things to move in).

Soft and pink

Most of my time these days is spent eating. At least I feel like a significant portion of my hours are spent desperately searching for something to eat or happily digging in to second breakfast, snack #4, etc.

Last night I made Brian take me on a mad dash around town to discover someplace open on a Sunday evening that would sell me black bean quesadillas. Thank you, Taco Bueno.

But the other delight of my weekend was to revel in this magical burst of energy that seems to mark the second trimester. I actually cleaned the house! Played with the puppy! Finished one baby quilt and started another!

With this quilt I'm not saying anything about the sex of my baby, we don't know yet what we're having! It does however give credence to the idea that Bookish Quilts might see a revival of the miniature sort. Small things are fun, and I think a few will end up in the shop.

For instance, this baby quilt, made with pink Liberty fabrics, soft flannel binding, and a cotton linen blend backing, entered the shop this afternoon! It comes with a carrying case that means packing up for Grandma's house is a snap and it's easy to wash- just throw it in the washer and dryer!

I loved working on this quilt so much that I almost finished its predecessor....something in blue.