CQJP

I chose to alter the final arrangement for several reasons. The concentration of the white in the center of the quilt was distracting to me.  I felt it detracted from the other blocks.  Secondly, I did not do a good job softening the edges of the white triangles and they seemed harsh.  I had also miscalculated one of the blocks and made it about 2 inches smaller tha the others and had to add to it. This was the center block on the top row so I decided to move it to a less conspicuous - I felt - location.

Whether this arrangement was a good or bad decision, I do not know. Over time I will be more objective. However, my intent in making this quilt was to remember my mother and her sisters, who were the "Wednesday Quilters" in my blog title. They are all but one gone now but when I worked on this quilt, and when I look at this quilt, I can hear them and feel them. So I am just happy that I finished (it will be finished very soon!) this, and can hang it in my home so that I and my daughters will always remember them and their love of quilting and family. 

So whether this will win any awards or be praised by anyone but me and my family, I don't really care. I will always have these ladies close to my heart. 

Preparation

This weekend is dedicated to:

daughter's birthday
organizing UFOs
organizing and planning AAQI pieces
exercise :-) - where I'm headed in a few minutes.

Here are a couple of AAQI UFOs I've been mulling over for many months along with material and various and assorted other things I figure I can put to use. I have a few hundred $$ to go to fulfill my $1000 pledge.

My oldest daughter's birthday is tomorrow and traditionally we (my daughter, sister in law and I) go shopping on the Sunday closest to her birthday. We have breakfast at The Flying Biscuit, take in Ikea and Target, and then spend the rest of the day roaming around Atlantic Station. We look forward to this every year.

I'm cooking chicken pot pie for the family tonight and have found a recipe for a special cake which will be a complete surprise for my daughter. She usually gets the traditional chocolate layer cake, but she's 25 tomorrow and that calls for something special.

I think 2013 is off to a good start. Here's to sustaining that good feeling and positive action.

At the Mahane Yehuda market, Jerusalem

My sister in law and I visited the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem while we were in Israel. Right down the street from our hotel, the Lev Yerushalayim, we could walk there in less than 10 minutes.  It is a  fascinating  market place crammed with fresh fruit, vegetables, oils, nuts, spices, sweets, meat, cheese - "just about anything grown from or picked from the Israeli soil." (Lonely Planet, Israel and the Palestinian Territories). The smells are amazing: cinnamon,  pesto, paprika, coffee, fish - you feel you are in an exotic alternate universe! If you're hungry (when are we not?) you can chose from a number of restaurants. You can also find shops that sell non food items. I stepped in one tiny establishment that was not much bigger than my bathroom at home. It was stifling hot, in October no less. What must it be like in the summer?

We were a bit early the day we were there, so the vendors were just setting up. On my next trip, I will make a point to go in the early afternoon on Friday. In Israel, and especially in Jerusalem, Friday afternoons must be experienced. We were in Mea She'arim, an intensely Orthodox community in Jerusalem, around 2 pm just before Shabbat. It was crazy with activity; folks getting their business done before shutting down for the Sabbath. . I am truly in awe of the devotion and dedication of the people who live in this fascinating community.

Remembering Mom

Eight years ago, on New Year's Day, my mother died after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

I miss her every day.

Love you Mom.

Finish Line In Sight

Well almost; and thanks to all you who apparently visited from the CQJP 2013 web site. Here are pictures of my last three blocks which, if I have to stay up all night, will be finished before tomorrow:

Oh wait. This is our new foster puppy, Brit.

December block

November Block

October block - still in progress

(edited: new colors for a new year)

Catching UP

My vacation really got me off track, big time; however, here are some photos (assuming Blogger will let me upload them) of my progress since then:

Okay, so blogger won't let me upload. Here is a link to my Flickr account if you're really interested:

Getting Close

Here's what the whole piece will look like. I finally decided on how to approach the center block. This looks okay to me.

Not finished with the handwork, you know how long that always takes me.

But, I like it. Can't wait to finish.

Leaving for London Sunday night, then to Tel Aviv. I will be gone for 2 weeks, then it's time for Houston.