Shutterbug

I'm not good with cameras. I have the best of intentions, but most of my photos come out blurry, or my subject isn't framed the way I'd intended. Or I ruin the shot completely by forgetting to remove the lens cap. I'm even less satisfied with pictures other people take of me. They always make me look short and fat. How did we manage before digital photography? At least with a digital camera I can weed out the 90 shots I'd like to forget and keep the two or three worth saving. I’m getting good at taking pictures of quilt blocks. I've learned by trial and error that using a flash will give a cleaner picture than ambient light, and that mounting the block on a wall works better than shooting it as it lies on a table. This one is called Shutterbug, for the way the center mimics a camera shutter.

Rocky Mountain Chain

Our home town has an elevation of 4525 feet. We live at roughly 300 feet now. The change in altitude has had a deep impact on our lives. The air at sea level is richer here. Heather was able to dispense with oxygen tanks when we moved, and it’s a burden to go back to them when we return for a visit. Cooking is a whole new ball game when you change altitudes. Water boils at a higher temperature here, because the air pressure is higher. It’s easier to accidentally overcook things. I learned to bake in the Rockies. I had to adjust my recipes to make them work here because my first cakes, cookies and breads all turned out flat. Today’s block seemed daunting at first. But like the challenges in my new kitchen, I took it head on. It turned out to be easier than I’d expected.

Valentine's Day

I love romantic comedies, especially the ones masquerading as family movies: Lady and the Tramp, Wall-E, Splash, Princess Bride and Enchanted. Some of my favorite rom/coms happen at Christmas, like The Holiday and Serendipity. Several have romantic settings: French Kiss, Fools Rush In, After the Sunset, and Only You. Some involve people who have died or are in a coma: Defending Your Life, Just Like Heaven, While You Were Sleeping, Truly Madly Deeply, Heart and Souls, Return to Me and Ghost Town. Some are about time travel, like Somewhere in Time, Groundhog Day or Kate and Leopold. A few have pen pals, like You’ve Got Mail, Stranger Than Fiction, Sleepless in Seattle, and The Lake House. And some I just watch because they have Hugh Grant: Sense and Sensibility, Notting Hill, Music and Lyrics, Two Weeks Notice, and About a Boy. Do you have a favorite romantic comedy? I’d love to hear about it.

Providence

This lovely block is called Providence. It might be named for the capital of Rhode Island, but I prefer to think the name suggests divine providence. It’s such an appealing term. Providence describes God’s interaction with us; not just the natural order of the cosmos which supports and includes our collective lives, but also His special intervention in our individual lives. The Latin roots of the word providence are the prefix pro- meaning “ahead” and the word videre , which means “to see.” So God is able to provide for our needs because he can see ahead. There is something very comforting about that. It’s a reminder that even those things which don’t feel like blessings are probably in the long run for our own good. That we should learn to be grateful not just for good things, but for every thing that comes our way.

Nested Ducklings

It's only February, but yesterday felt like it was on loan from April. We had blue skies and balmy breezes. We walked to town and back, passing snowdrops and crocuses as we went. All along our way neighbors had doors and windows thrown open to let in the fresh air. Today it's raining again. But one sunny day can keep you singing through several rainy ones. This block is called Nested Ducklings. The kit was available last fall from Quilting by the Bay in Panama City, Florida. I had to make my own kit because Quilting by the Bay doesn't ship to an APO address. They'd have mailed it to my UK address, but shipping would have nearly tripled the cost. Either way, my billing address is still an APO, and their website just isn't set up for such things. Ah, well. Into each life a little rain must fall...

Mexicali Rose

Today's block gets its name from a ballad written in the 1920's. Gene Autry sang Mexicali Rose, so maybe this block should be set next to Autry Square in the finished quilt. The version of the song I'm familiar with is Bing Crosby's recording. I suspect my grandparents played this for me when I was a very little girl. It's a sentimental old love song, perfect for this time of year:

Mexicali Rose, stop crying. I'll come back to you some sunny day.
Every night you'll know that I'll be pining, every hour a year while I'm away,
Dry those big brown eyes and smile, dear. Banish all those tears and please don't sigh,
Kiss me once again and hold me. Mexicali Rose, goodbye.

Kodiak Star

The traditional design in the center of today's block is a Northern Star. Kodiak, Alaska is north to most everyone. Actually, Kodiak is only a few degrees farther from the equator than our town is. Like us they get long, dark winters, mild summers, and buckets of rain. Just like Harrogate, Kodiak has only one cinema. Fried fish is as popular there as here. Both towns had heavy growth in the 1800's, and now dream of former glory. Of course, you're not likely to run into a bear or an elk on the streets of Harrogate. But we do see our fair share of foxes. I had templates for the triangles in this block, but guessed at the size and shape of the long, thin pieces. If I were to make it again, I'd have the yellow striped fabric run crosswise. It's more forgiving that way.