I've had a thoroughly enjoyable & relaxing 'Australia Day' long weekend.
On Saturday, i spent a fun day in the city with my daughter, Jade.. shopping, eating and catching a movie. The movie we decided to see was 'Lincoln' which we enjoyed immensely. Daniel Day-Lewis is wonderful in his immersive portrayal of Abraham Lincoln.. in my opinion, an Oscar worthy performance.
Sally Fields, portrays Mary Todd Lincoln.. an equally wonderful performance... Now that i have seen the movie i'm really keen to read 'Mrs Lincoln's Dressmaker' by Jennifer Chiaverini. It's the story of Elizabeth Keckley, Mary Todd Lincoln's dressmaker, confidante and friend. My only criticism of the movie is that there is only one quilt shown in it (a beautiful nine patch star)... but you don't see it until the final minutes of the 2 1/2hr long movie, so, be sure to keep an eye out for it. It just happens to be on the bed of US Congressman Thaddeus Stevens (portayed by the irrepressibleTommy Lee Jones). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Yesterday, i spent a few hours in the garden.. watering my very dry Japanese garden and fernery... as well as harvesting some lovely edible goodies from our little vegie patch...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ On the quilting front, i'm pleased to say that today, i put the finishing touches to my small 'Abundance' quilt. It measures 12" x 12" and i love how it turned out, but i think i might wash it just because i really love the crinkly vintage look...
here's what else i made over the weekend... a 4 1/2 inch foundation pieced block..
you guessed it... it's the fourth block in Pam's mystery pocket sew-along... As you can see the tiny courthouse block looks more presentable minus the foundation paper and a hot press.
that's the last of the blocks in this mystery sew-along... i can't wait till the end of the week, when Pam will reveal what we will make with them :)))
toms, baby corn, spring onions and sweet strawberries... yummm!!!
Quick question about your courthouse steps block...did you use the pattern that Pam shared on her blog? Cuz I used that one and it's different than yours, and different from the finished block she showed. Mine doesn't have as many logs and I'm trying to decide if I should redraft it or just let it be.... Sigh ....
Posted by: Gayle | January 29, 2013 at 05:41 AM
Hi Marian,
We saw Lincoln last week and greatly enjoyed it too! Also caught the quilt at the veeeerrrry end :)
I'm looking forward to reading 'Mrs Lincoln's Dressmaker' soon. I also read 'Lincoln' by Gore Vidal a couple of months ago, another interesting version of his life.
Happy sewing ~ Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | January 29, 2013 at 06:37 AM
I sa w Hichcock last night, not bad but i think i would have preferred Lincoln.I too have just made those two blocks and can't wait to see how the little blocks are set together. The courthouse steps are different to the one in the blog, but sweet none the less. I think the light/dark got reversed and you obviously picked that up which i did not until too late.
Posted by: Sheila | January 29, 2013 at 12:30 PM
You have been a busy little beaver haven't you ! You never cease to amaze me the things you 'whip-up' always just lovely
ps:say hi to Jade ;-)
Posted by: Robyns Nest | January 29, 2013 at 02:09 PM
Love your Abundance! Mine is half way there. Thanks for the movie tip, it's on my list to see. Delicious forage from the garden!!
Posted by: Meredithe | January 30, 2013 at 07:54 PM
i can't imagine anyone who saw the movie doesn't agree with you...and i saw the quilt too...i agree too...need many more!
Posted by: grace | January 31, 2013 at 07:08 AM
Hello... I stumbled upon your blog and I'm the lucky one for doing so! Love everthing about your Abundance block, and your Courthouse Steps too! I think it's your fabric choices... my kind of style too! I enjoyed reading your older posts... just had to add you to my sidebar so I can see what you are up too!
Posted by: Kathy | February 01, 2013 at 05:53 AM
Glad you had a lovely time in the city with Jade! Your new quilt looks fabulous - another one to hang on the wall!! Your vegie garden bounty looks fantastic is it up near the Japenese garden or closer to the house?
Posted by: Helen F | February 01, 2013 at 08:11 PM
I love your little Abundance quilt as well! I am so enjoying seeing how everyone's turned out :). Enjoying your blog!
Posted by: Katy S | February 02, 2013 at 12:13 PM
I found the link to your blog on the smalquilttalk group (joined recently) and loved everything on it, your quilts and your love for vintage and antique things!
Posted by: sandra | February 03, 2013 at 07:10 AM
What lovely projects! I adore your color choices for Abundance!! So sweet!
Posted by: Lorid | February 07, 2013 at 04:31 PM
Wonderful use of fabrics! Love the daring orange....beautiful!
Posted by: Cheryl miller | February 08, 2013 at 08:09 AM
Your Abundance looks wonderful and warm. I love the colors.
Your little courthouse steps block for the Orphans and Scraps SAL looks great, too. I am doing that one as well and I want to make a mini of just that block! : )
Posted by: Janet O. | February 08, 2013 at 04:26 PM