A Colorful Thread: March 2024
Weaving together my life as a maker and other spheres of life.
Best of Stitched in Color {March}
On My Mind
Experimenting:: with patchwork diamonds. I may have to scrap all my plans to sew a new Positivities quilt because I have diamonds on the mind. I was struck by an idea for a scrappy diamond quilt with repetitive dark value elements for a sense of order. I cut one diamond already, and it is hanging from a clip on my sewing room peg board to remind me of the idea. I am itching to cut a few more.
Reading:: Kinderen van Moeder Aarde by Thea Beckman. Our current bookclub book is written by a beloved Dutch youth author and, so far as I know, only available in Dutch. So far it is an imaginative and easy read. Only I am not doing much reading lately, to be honest. More on that later.
Celebrating:: Ingrid @Leukgemaakt’s absolutely dreamy progress on her Positivities quilt. I know that it is spring and all, but these colors are whispering to me of autumn, which is my very favorite season. I never tire of her warm and jewel-like shades. Ingrid’s sense of color always delights and inspires me.
Anticipating:: a visit to England! What? YES! I have some things to explain.
So about that new boyfriend. When we met last summer, Aart and I felt an instant and mutual interest. By the time I began dating again earlier this year, we had become real friends. Dating other guys only made it obvious to me that I wanted to date Aart, and so it began. We’ve been together about a month now and it feels like coming home to be with him - so comfortable, so secure and so dreamy.
We’ve begun to meet each other’s friends and family too, which is where England comes in. At the end of April we fly into London and will stay in Cambridge a few days. I’ll get to meet his brother, see the country from his eyes (Aart is Dutch, but grew up in Australia and London) and enjoy some artistic outings together. Any tips for inspiring art museums in London or Cambridge? Do tell!
P.S. Aart had already met my children last summer and was even one of our guests at our Thanksgiving-Friendsgiving last year. So, it’s been a rather relaxed transition for him to come around more often and get to know the children better too.
Featured Freebie
Lotus Block tutorial
Stitched in Color includes a library of free tutorials, more than 10 years in the making. Each month I’ll feature one to spread the good news.
Here’s a spring flower for you! Learn how to piece curves while sewing this sweet blossom.
Are you wondering about the house? It went on the market in March, but it hasn’t sold yet, which is surprising but not stressful for me. I am taking this one step at a time and appreciating every day that I get to live in this lovely home.
Being newly in love means that I have been a bit distracted lately and not always keeping to my regular schedules. Still time goes on, work gets done, spring arrives promising summer in its wake and there are so many good things to anticipate in the year to come. I am looking forward to tomorrow, when Aart and I are visiting the Lalique glass art museum, and to next week with its pretty finishes and to all the sunny days ahead.
Wishing you the same joy!
Rachel
