Noelle's Snowball Quilt finished

I've got a goal to make Christmas quilts for my kids and maybe one for us too.  I've finished the first one!  

 I had fun machine quilting this one... 

 ... and then made the unfortunate decision to wash it... without color catchers (not available here as far as I know).  Despite the fact that I'd pre-washed the red solid, it did run - turning this crisp red green and white quilt into a bit of a candy cane.  Ergh. 

Maybe there's an eventual solution.  I'm not too worried - it's not a precious masterpiece. 

One down, two to go, and as life is getting more busy and "normal" again, I'm going to revise my goal of making *all* the Christmas quilts this year, and just go with the flow and get them done as I have time. 

Gratefully xo

Cynthia  

Cherry Blossoms, Snowball quilt

Ahhh spring in Tokyo - so beautiful.  Sakura (cherry blossoms) are in full bloom. 

A group of artists in our park - with some dog walking onlookers, young families, etc.  It seems like everyone is breaking free, out and about (still fully masked at all times of course). 

Meanwhile, inside, I have finished Noelle's Christmas quilt top.  It's just really spare isn't it, but I'm moving forward.  I have a goal to make three Christmas quilts this year. 

 

The alternate blocks really need something deliberate in terms of quilting.  I'm going to dust off my free-motion machine quilting skills (and not be perfectionistic about it).  

 

Next step is to piece the backing.  I adore this print (Scandi 2 snowflake by Makower UK): 

On a bittersweet note, this morning the Olympic relay has started, from Fukushima.  The torch is in the shape of a cherry blossom and is made from materials used in the temporary housing built in Fukushima after the 3-11 earthquake.  

gratefully xo

Cynthia 

Out and about again, and start of Noelle's Snowball quilt

Another week goes by.  The weather is heavenly.  Sunny and brisk.  I know that many of you are still in deep freeze winter, and trust me I will be envying you during our brutal Tokyo summers - but for now, every day is just a gift, weather wise. 

I took myself to Nippori on Monday, for one specific purpose - to find simple replacement buttons for a jacket - 

Ummmmmmm make a decision! 

The shop had some nice precuts and I picked up three or four: 

Here is what I decided on - something more subtle to replace the gold: 

I decided to stroll down this street and just browse.  Another button shop: 

And a little hole-in-the-wall shop: 

All of those shops are on up and down the street directly opposite the main 5 floor Tomato fabric store.  

Then I took a different train from Nippori Station and met David for an early (4:30!) dinner.  This machine automatically takes your temperature.

Seated inside, we read the notice on the plexiglass dividers between tables: 

A screenshot of the translation (notice the mascots - there are mascots for *everything* here): 

We kept our voices down, lol.   We also didn't linger at all.  Yummy soup dumplings. 

Out and about yesterday for a good walk - 

People of all ages jogging (not me):

Glimpse of the Imperial Palace.  It was the Emperor's Birthday.  

More plum blossoms: 

 

In quilting, I'm working on blocks for my first (of three?) Christmas quilts.  

Here's how a plan can evolve.  I wanted to make THE simplest nine patch: 

And I made a few blocks.  Ho hum, not exciting to make at this large scale (the blocks will be 9 inches finished).  Also, too much green for Noelle.  

So, first I pared down the green to be just 1/3 green, 2/3 white.  

That was a start but what about snowballing the white corner squares with the red snowflake fabric I love so much.  

That was cool and when I turned the piece the other way, I *really loved* the effect, how the snowballed corners connected the green bars.  

So, how about then also snowballing the opposite corners, with solid red?   

Now we're cookin' with gas!   The centers will be a whole variety of scraps. 

After figuring all that out I made a sketch and looked to find the block in Barbara Brackman's new encyclopedia (which is gorgeous!) and couldn't find exactly this, but it is most similar to #1729 (Blockhouse, Nancy Cabot) which is "like Rolling Stone", or even #1647 (Crow's Nest or Attic Window), which is "like Shoo Fly".   

I will call this quilt Noelle's Snowball quilt so if the block itself needs a name, I'm calling it 2021 Snowball.  

I feel so good about this.  I love a good nine patch and this one, when paired with plain white alternate blocks, will have the "mostly red and white" and spare look I think Noelle will like.  

Next on my list for tomorrow is to finish up a little mini for February.  Short month, flying by.  

xo

Cynthia