More about these notebooks at the end of this post.
I'm starting a "soft quilt for hard times" - a concept I read on Barb Vedder's blog (Fun with Barb). Just something easy and comforting. This is turning out to be my year for log cabins.
Courthouse steps, really square-in-square.
My sister in law Dottie sent me some fabrics and I pulled things from my stash too:
The white is white-white but that's what I have and I'm using some in every block.
So I'm just piecing along, a few a day, meditative and easy. Listening to Spotify, watching Netflix, and listening to books on Audible.
From my safe and cozy apartment in Tokyo, so far away from the chaos in the U.S. but it's always on my mind.
The times keep getting tougher.... especially for some folks. I am currently listening to "How to be an Anti-Racist" by Ibram X. Kendi on Audible.
A couple weeks ago I listened to Jacqueline Woodson's beautiful memoir in poem form, read by the author, and I can still hear her voice in my mind :
I think it's a time for listening and learning. White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo is next on my list.
This is purely a "process" notebook, bullet journal style. When I start a new notebook, I number all the pages (on front side only, making for a two-page spread per page number) and leave two pages for an index up front.
The good the bad and the ugly.
I usually make a fresh page at the start of the month, listing all my projects. But I haven't done that since February... which melded into March.... mmmmm....
In true bullet journal form, everything is chronological. I just indicate where an idea or project picks up again, like this with the page numbers:
Other notebooks: For my regular bullet journals (calendar, to dos, lists, notes of all kinds, an occasional "tracker" for something) I have used Moleskine, and currently I use Leuchtturm1917 notebooks. They are fantastic - I love them. They hold up well, have a good pocket in the back, and like the Rollbahn, an elastic strap.
And, and we haven't even talked about PENS! ha ha).
xo
Cynthia
I've been hearing about so many great resources for us in order to stand alongside our black brothers and sisters. I'm making a list of books and movies. As tragic as this is the average person is waking up and being active in support- that is always a good thing.
ReplyDeleteLove your notebook!! I made a fallen quilt similar to the one you are working on. Love it!
Thanks for the book recommendation. I definitely want to add the memoir to my library!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt journal is wonderful. What an amazing resource, and I love the tips about the page numbering. Thanks for sharing those details.
Your notebook is a great idea, my notes are generally made on scraps of paper in the midst of other jottings and not well kept, but at least there is a one page list of all the quilts in progress and two status columns, one for completed top size and the second to be checked off with finish size and source of inspiration. Sadly I'll never be an organized person again, gave that up after having to be organized in my work life for 45 years! I love your wonderfully scrappy quilt blocks. Simple piecing and quilting seem right for this year somehow.
ReplyDeleteOh what a fabulous quilt this is going to be! Hard times indeed. We will get through this and hopefully be stronger at the end. I love the notebooks. I am a notebook freak. Love paper and pens. I have kept a daily log in my sewing room since 1988. It has been so helpful when I want to remember when I made a certain quilt. This will be so wonderful to hand down to your grand daughter someday!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the book recommendations.
ReplyDeleteYour soft quilt will be a great scrappy reminded of the hard times through which we are currently journeying.
I am intrigued by the notebooks. I feel so scattered lately. Maybe I need to consider something like this.
Soft Quilt for hard times is very catchy. Definitely something to think about.:)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm going to remember how you label your pages and maybe not obsess so much on prettiness in my new notebook. One thing I'm going to do for quilting is add a picture of the finished quilt to the page... scrapbook style!
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing this post. I used to buy a spiral notebook every year and fill it with all sorts of stuff and never pulled out pages. I'm going to be inspired by this post to continue that practice.
ReplyDeleteLove your log cabin blocks. Nice easy and satisfying piecing.
Our poor Country.....
Great scrappy, soothing project - who says mindless stitching can't be "mindful"!
ReplyDeleteI keep quilting notebooks as well, but I'm not as organized about it as I should be. I try to write down notes and general info about quilt projects, but I often forget and then get frustrated when I need to resume a long-neglected project! Oh, and feel free to talk about pens!
I admire your quilt journaling--I've tried doing it myself several times but it always falls by the wayside. It is fun to look back and see what I do have documented though--lol! I have a log cabin quilt on the very near horizon as soon as I finish up a few loose ends--love your courthouse step blocks!
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with making log cabins as there are infinite variations! Yours is looking lovely. Thank you for the book recommendations; I've had a hard time finding the right things to read during this time and these look good. I always have small paper notebooks going with my quilting thoughts and "to do" lists, but I just discard them when they are full. You are more organized and I like the idea of using nicer notebooks - will try it! Gladi
ReplyDeleteinnings. A journal is a special way to remember some of those details that seem to float away. You seemed to have brought the right stash with you to stitch delightful blocks.
ReplyDeleteWhen I came to the last page in the notebook I started in the late 1980s, I looked for a new book. I did see some of those similar to yours but was afraid the rings and paper might give out as they have in other books I've kept. I did find a notebook of the same size at Itoya in Ginza where I bought the first one. It has numbered pages and aan index at the front and an elastic band. How it will hold up with years of photos, I have no idea, but so far, so good. Of course I don't add things to the book until they are finished (if I remember to take a photo before giving it away).
ReplyDeleteI wish it were my year for log cabin blocks. I have had the itch to do some all year long but have not wanted to take time out from other quilt projects to do it.
ReplyDeleteI am not a notebook/journal person but certainly admire people that make the effort to do so.
Your blocks look great, Cynthia. What a memory quilt it may become.
ReplyDeleteI will read some of the books you mentioned, or others that I see recommended, but I can't do it now. Similar to your "soft quilt for hard times," I need light reading for dark times. I've read articles that enhance my understanding of racial bias and white privilege, but I could not do a whole book just now.
Great notebooks. Thanks so much for sharing them and how you use them.
I like your idea for a quilting notebook, I usually jot notes down on scrap paper and then lose it, if I put it in a notebook at least it would be in one place (and I have plenty of empty notebooks).
ReplyDelete