Monday, June 9, 2014

Safari Fever

Some of you will remember I started a little knitted sweater some time ago for my as yet unborn niece or nephew. After my initial start, I haven't felt much like knitting so I decided I'd better make something else.

I settled on a very simple baby quilt. Since I don't yet know the sex of the baby, I am making a unisex blanket.  I bought the prints almost 2 years ago and the muslin backing a year ago. I don't remember when I purchased the brown fabric which I've used for the binding but I'm sure glad I had it in stock.  I absolutely love the African themed prints. They remind me so much of the wonderful times I've had on safari in Kenya over the years.

My inspiration for this little quilt came from Jenny of the Missouri Quilt Company. I was inspired by the quilt process she described but the finished quilt is obviously quite different (size, number of squares, no borders, etc.).

The baby will be born any time and I need to get this quilt shipped out as soon as possible.




Square blocks.  I started out with 8.5 x 8.5 inch squares and made generous seams.




I used muslin for the quilt back.  I made 3 inch binding, attached it to the top of the quilt by machine and to the back with a whip stitch.

Quilting is a simple stitch in the ditch.


Finished quilt size: 32 inches x 36 inches (81.28 cm x 91.44 cm)


I've given it a little pressing and folded it for mailing.  I hope to ship it out on Monday.


I'm so glad I managed to use up some of my fabric stash and make something for a wee member of the family at the same time.  

My goal is to finish the sweater in time for the baby to wear in Fall.  It is far too hot where the baby will live for him/her to wear a wool sweater over the summer months.  The finished sweater should fit about a 6 month old child though I guess that depends on how fast the baby grows. It should be ready before September when the baby will be about 3 months old and summer will be at an end.

I've also completed my hexagons for the African Flower Crochet Quilt. I'll try not to upload any more photos of this quilt until I've finished attaching all the pieces.

Besides working on these projects I've had a busy week shopping, a bit of indoor cleaning and a bit of gardening.

I sent mom her monthly parcel so that entailed a bit of shopping. The contents vary each month and this time there was:  chicklet gum, raw shea butter, a large container of Vicks and tube of Baby Oil Gel. The mail often gets to her the very next day if I send it early but this time it took two days.  I think it is still a quick delivery given the mail has to be sorted at both ends before it gets to her. I'm hoping to visit her again too just as soon as I can get past a few appointments and such.

In my garden, spent some time dead heading all my plants though I fear I may have done this a little too late.   I'm not much of a gardener but my plants do not generally go to seed quite so quickly.  I plan to have guests on the patio soon and need to try and revive my plants and get my patio cleaned up.  Though I love looking at flowering blossoms the outdoor jobs are not my favourite (for reasons I've explained before) but they are necessary.

Just over a week ago I took out a few books from the library.  I completed one of the books, A Weekend in Paris by Robin Susskind. It was a nice little summer read.  Nothing too heavy but still satisfying because it deals with themes of love, travel and adventure.  This book is probably geared to the young adult set (of which I am not a member,lol).  I still enjoyed the book quite a lot.  Probably because it is set in Paris.  A city I still dream about travelling to one day.

Now I'm off to finish The Paradise Guest House by Ellen Sussman.  This book is set in Bali a year after the 2002 nightclub bombings.  Jamie, an adventure guide, has gone back to Bali to reconnect with the man who saved her from the blast.  But upon landing she starts having traumatic memories of the bombings.  I'm at the part where she has travelled back to Bali against the advice of her mother.  She has settled into her room at the Guest House and is dealing with a pesky young man (child of 14) who wants to work for her and won't leave her alone every time she ventures out.

The Glacier Gallows by Stephen Legault is another book in my reading pile.  This is a mystery about a tragedy that strikes during an expedition through Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. I think it will be an interesting read by a "new to me" Canadian author.  Apparently it is the 4th book in a series.  Though I haven't read the other 3 books I'm hoping it won't make a difference.


Yesterday after running some errands at a local mall I decided to take in a movie and use one of my free passes. It was a toss up between "Spiderman 2" or "The Immigrant".  I ended up going to "The Immigrant" because it was playing in the mall I was at.


Marion Cotillard plays Ewa Cybulski, who along with her sister sails to New York from their native Poland in search of a new start and the pursuit of the American dream. Through unfortunate circumstances Ewa is driven into a life of prostitution and a complex and volatile life with with two men, played by Joquin Phoenix and Jeremy Renner. It is quite a slow moving, heavy (as in intense) and dark (as in lighting and subject matter) movie. All the actors give strong and moving performances, especially Cotillard, Phoenix and Renner but even the supporting actors are good and help bring this movie to life. The movie shows just how difficult life was many of those who came to America trying to make a better life.

I've got loads more more to do this week.  I'm looking forward to it.  I like checking things off my list.

How is your world this week?

Tragedy strikes during an expedition through Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park - See more at: http://vpl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/3672663038_the_glacier_gallows#sthash.gGZ60y6a.dpuf

23 comments:

tiptoethruphylsgarden.blogspot.com said...

The quilt is such a nice gift for the baby.I still have some people made for my son,& he is 40 now.
I`m sure your mom looks forward to her treasure boxes in the mail,it helps break up her time when you can`t get to visit.
Our world here is rainy & gloomy.There will be some housecleaning done today...Phyllis

Joy said...

You've done a lovely job with the quilt Joyful, and its something that I'm sure will be treasured for years to come.
How nice that you send your Mom regular parcels - I'm sure they must brighten her life. Your mail delivery is very fast isn't it! Enjoy the sweater knitting - it's good that you don't have to rush it for that often takes the enjoyment away from such things, don't you think? I enjoyed your newsy post, thank you for sharing! Have a happy week, love, Joy xo

Annie Jeffries said...

Your sweet wuilt reminds me of my next step with my upcoming g'baby's quilt (and my first attempt). It has been so much fun trying something new and for such a happy event. The little zoo pattern is so cute.

Joanne Noragon said...

Sweet little quilt for a lucky baby's bed.

affectioknit said...

So CUTE!

~Have a lovely day!

Ceil said...

Hi Joyful! That quilt is so great! And animal/jungle things are so popular these days. That material of yellow stripes is just perfect.
I hear that movie was good. I don't think I've seen it around here yet? But I wait for the cheap theaters to show the films. It costs so much to see a movie these days.
At least you dead-head your flowers! I don't even do that. It's a free-for-all out there! But I do love looking at the garden in the morning and then in the evening. It's relaxing.
Hope you get some things off your list today :)
Ceil

Cynthia said...

The safari quilt is precious, as it will be to the family who is receiving it. So much love goes into handmade things. You are so sweet to send your mom packages regularly with such thoughtful items. I'm sure she looks forward to them.

jabbott said...

The quilt will be well received it is very good x

eileeninmd said...

The baby quilt is so cute. I love the safari animals.. Your book sounds interesting.. Thanks for sharing, have a happy week!

carol l mckenna said...

What a beautiful quilt and such hand work ~ love the design you chose ~ they can use it as a wall hanging and have it for the rest of their life ~ What a gift and post for OWT ~ xoxo

artmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)

Kay L. Davies said...

Oh, a baby quilt! So cute, and it brings back old memories. I decided to send you an e-mail with one of my once-upon-a-time stories instead of cluttering up your blog with my long comments.
Take care.
Luv, K

Al said...

That looks like a nice quilt - nobody in my family's ever tried knitting one.

Little Wandering Wren said...

Love the Safari Quilt, so special to have baby gifts like this :) I have enjoyed your blog today for OWT. Thanks to your review, I'm just off to check out the book The Paradise Guest house as I have just come back from Bali, it looks a good read, thanks!
Wren x

Joe Todd said...

Beautiful quilt.. Looks like a lot of work. Have a great week

Sunita Mohan said...

You're so creative! That is beautiful!

Fun60 said...

I am sure that quilt will be treasured for a long time to come.

Mereknits said...

Thank you for the book and movie info. The quilt will be cherished.
Hugs to you,
Meredith

NatureFootstep said...

Nice quilt work.

John's Island said...

Hi Joyful, I really enjoy reading your blog. You are a great writer. I see how much you like reading so I wonder if you have ever written any books? The quilt you are making is a real beauty and the sweater … what a sweet gift for the new baby. Regarding the quilt, I think you are so right about the African patterns … they are beautiful. You will know that I’m into postcards and I would like to find some cards with African patterns on them. That would be cool. I sure enjoyed the flower photos you posted last Wednesday. Thank you so much for taking some of your time to visit John’s Island and leave me a comment. Best from Seattle, John

Terriea Kwong said...

Beautiful safari patchwork. Too sweet to have it no matter a baby or anyone. Such touching work.

Saucy Siciliana said...

The patterns are really gorgeous, but it's your talent that makes the quilt beautiful. I definitely could not make this. The muslim cloth reminds me that I cannot find this material here in Sicily. I want to use it to make tofu but the shops don't carry it. I used it a lot though in India and Bangladesh, it was available everywhere because it's used to make paneer. The flowers here below are stunning Joyful. I wish I had a green thumb. I am very proud of myself though because I finally manged to grow coriander.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Your quilt turned out so well. Now you have the joy of waiting for the baby to arrive....

clairz said...

I love the baby quilt. It's unusual and speaks of your interests, too.

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