Greeting another year - Late summer lazy river stitching [Newsletter]

I like to think of my birthday as my own personal new year. Some of my friends said, "of course a Virgo would think like that!" But it's fun, a time to celebrate, reflect and look ahead, while it's sunny out, unlike the Gregorian new year < who's Greg anyway?!

I just got back from a birthday weekend in the woods. There was Balkan music galore, and although I didn't dance as much as usual, it was delightful. I was too engrossed with being in and by the river, listening, stitching, and I even had a riverside kaval lesson. What a nice reset before the rainy days arrive.

Earlier this month I ambitiously wondered if I could make 2 whole quilts in the 2 weeks leading up to a market. And with the help of a new-to-me sewing machine and some intense focus, I did it. Then I thought, what if I make 2 quilts EVERY 2 weeks? I won't be doing that but it's fun to think about.

I made a few patchwork books with Coptic binding. Very satisfying, and much was learned about applying the patchwork to the book board. More to come soon as I'm almost out of journal pages...

I also hosted a casual felting class taught by new friend Kim. We met at one of the crafty meet ups and she was so generous to offer this. I'm excited to get back into a craft I haven't done since I was a kid and now I'm dreaming of a quilt filled with batting I felted myself!

I'm still working on a handful of quilts in their in-between stages.

I also started a whole new project last week in realizing that I had nothing to take to the river to stitch on... An hour delay and ~100 safety pins later, I'm working on hand stitching a kawandi style quilt with large blocks of special fabrics that are too delicate to cut.

Also, I'm almost finished with making a dress to add to my arsenal of dresses in which to drive large trucks... Maybe I can squeeze in making one more this weekend.

And I started a study group for The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. It's happening on The Quilty Nook, which is an awesome network of creative folks. But if you want to follow along and you're not on the Nook, I'll be posting most of the posts on this new Substack publication as well.

What I’m enjoying:

• Noticing: Goldenrod, everywhere! And how much sweeter are the berries that are hard to reach!
• Reading: In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of Witch Hunts and Why Women are Still on Trial by Mona Chollet, The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
• Listening: Down By the Water by Abigail Lapell, and the Chetvorno Horo we learned in Bulgarian Ensemble at Balkanalia, on repeat in my head!
• Tasting: All the birthday treats! A coworker snubbed his nose at free nectarines, claiming them inferior to peaches ("who would want a nectarine pie?") so I made a Basque Cheesecake with spiced nectarine sauce, partially because it sounded good, partially to prove him wrong. Yesterday, I picked 3 quarts of huckleberries at a generous neighbor's house, so pie may be in order this weekend?
  

Where to find me / how to support:

• Being a subscriber to this newsletter is enough! Feel free to forward it to a friend. You can also like and share my social media posts, although they are dwindling.
• Follow me on Substack.
• Reply to this email if you’re interested in commissioning something quilty.
• Buy art for yourself or someone you love!
• Shop my small collection of project bags at Fiber Rhythm shop in SE PDX (in store only).
• Buy me a cup of tea.