Through the DorothyL mystery discussion list I learned of a new medieval mystery series by Priscilla Royal and was thrilled to find that my library had the first book in her series, Wine of Violence. It is set in 1270 at the small priory of Tyndal, a double monastery with both women and men, on the East Anglian coast. A young noblewoman, Eleanor of Wynethorpe, has just been appointed the new prioress. Tension is inherent in this situation simply because of the change of leadership in such a large establishment as a double monastery. But to make matters worse, Eleanor's appointment was a political and the nun who had been expected to be named prioress was demoted. The day after she begins her duties, a monk is brutally murdered and she is faced with solving the murder. As she is talking with the men's prior and his assitants about this murder, a new priest, Brother Thomas, arrives. We learn that he has been sent by a powerful but unnamed church figure to poke about secretly in the monastery's finances and report back. Something is awry and Brother Thomas is charged with finding out what that is. In addition to his spy mission, Brother Thomas also has other difficulties to overcome. He was forced to become a priest and enter monastic orders rather than face death by burning for a brief homosexual affair when he was younger. As it turns out, he is a very intelligent and astute man who is a great deal of help to Eleanor not only in the solving of the murder, but also in helping her work through some of the "personnel" problems that had arisen in the monastery. And to make matters more interesting, Eleanor is strongly attracted to Brother Thomas. So both are fighting several battles at once. Complex, yes, but Priscilla Royal handles it beautifully and I will most certainly be reading the other novels in her series.
I didn't do much sewing yesterday and none at all today. I woke up with a horrific headache which has only abated enough to allow me to get online and type this entry. My eyes feel like they are about to bug out of my head, though. I took a decongestant a while ago and am feeling a tad better.
Yesterday I cut out the green squares and a few more of the muslin squares for my next memory quilt and was hoping to sew some of the strips of shirt fabric onto the muslin today. But I'm not sure I should handle sharp objects right now. We'll see. I would like to get a couple of more squares made.
Here's a link to a picture of a string quilt made by the pattern I've decided to us:
http://www.quilttownusa.com/Quilt_Gallery/stringpiecedgallery.htm
My inspiration is the one by Virgnia Jones (the third one down on the right hand side) that uses half square triangles of strings and solids. Mine won't be as colorful as hers, but I think it will be very dramatic. I've got a really nice medium to dark forest green leaf fabric that I'm using as the solid. I'm using 8" finished squares and am thinking of using sashing and cornerstones to set them apart, but haven't decided on that yet. I thought the light fabric with the green leaves that I used in Janice's quilt would be nice as sashing with a yellow for the cornerstones. I'm hoping to do a mock-up of the quilt in my EQ6 so I can sort of "see" whether that idea will work or not.
Time to go start supper. Yesterday I cooked boneless pork chops in a tomato sauce with petite diced tomatoes and Italian seasonings. It was delicious. We had some of the sauce leftover, so I saved it because it was too delicious to toss out and tomato-based sauces only get better as their flavors sit and blend. I'm thinking I'll braise some chicken for tonight's supper and make some rice. I love rice or potatoes with a tomato based sauce over them. Yum! Low-cal and delicious at the same time.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Medieval mystery kick
Well, I just wrote a rather lengthy entry and then managed to lose it all when I went to preview it. So I'll try to do a shorter version now because my tummy is screaming at me that it needs to be fed and I just don't think my brain can remember what all I wrote. But I've been wanting to keep a record of some of the books I've read and my feelings and thoughts about them, so thus this Quilts 'n Mysteries blog.
I've been on a medieval mystery kick lately, having read three books in the last two weeks set in various medieval time periods. Since I'm starving at the moment, I'll just list what I've read and then try to come back later and make a comment or two.
Several years ago, our church's choir went to England to sing the daily evensong and Sunday services at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. I went along with hubby for the trip since the director was smart enough not to let me sing in the choir. So while the choir was rehearsing each day, I got to spend a good deal of time roaming around that marvelous church, studying the windows, reading about it's history and just generally soaking it all in. I learned that St. Frideswide, patroness of Oxfordshire, had built a convent there way back in the 700s. You can read about her legend here: http://www.britannia.com/history/legend/berks/frideswide01.html.
Well, after returning to the states, I was browsing about at the library doing my usual book selection method that involves randomly pulling books off the shelves to see if they'd interest me. And I came across a set of books by Margaret Frazer set in guess where? St. Frideswide's convent in Oxford! I was so excited and quickly became addicted. The series is set at the small priory of St. Frideswide in the 15th century with Dame Frevisse (another version of the name Frideswide I recently discovered) as a nun who has a knack for solving mysteries. The latest book that I've read is The Apostate's Tale. Sister Cecely suddenly shows up at St. Frideswide's asking for safe haven for herself and her child. She had abandoned her vows nine years before to run off with a man she had met when he visited the priory. But does Sister Cecely really want to redeem herself or is there another motive? I enjoyed this book for the most part. I think Dame Frevisse, who I sometimes found to be annoying and judgmental, has mellowed a bit over the years and she didn't seem to me to be as harsh as she has been in the past, even though the return of a nun they all saw as an apostate drew out lots of anger and angst in this very closed society. It seems that for once, Dame Frevisse at least considered some of the reasons Sister Cecely had failed as a nun, although she was not fool enough to believe the former sister's tale. And well that she didn't, for Sister Cecely turned out not to be at all trustworthy, but was just as shallow and self-absorbed now as she had been as an immature young girl having to enter a priory against her personal wishes. More later. Supper calls and my tummy must answer.
Tomorrow's plan: work on the blocks for one of the memory quilts and read and drool over the new quilt book I bought today. I went to the quilt shop to get a king size batting for my sister-in-law's heart quilt and while there found a book I simply had to have. I've been collecting fabric to make a quilt for my sister and her husband, but just could not settle on a pattern. Sylvia had said she wanted a sampler quilt with stars and the book I found today, Star-Studded Quilts by Roxanne Carter, is just perfect. I'll need to buy more fabric, but that will be part of the fun. The blocks seem a little complicated, but with my trusty Thangles, I think I can handle it. To see some gorgeous quilts, visit Roxanne Carter's website: http://www.quiltingwithroxanne.com/. Sure hope my little quilt turns out even half as gorgeous as those on her website!
I've been on a medieval mystery kick lately, having read three books in the last two weeks set in various medieval time periods. Since I'm starving at the moment, I'll just list what I've read and then try to come back later and make a comment or two.
Several years ago, our church's choir went to England to sing the daily evensong and Sunday services at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. I went along with hubby for the trip since the director was smart enough not to let me sing in the choir. So while the choir was rehearsing each day, I got to spend a good deal of time roaming around that marvelous church, studying the windows, reading about it's history and just generally soaking it all in. I learned that St. Frideswide, patroness of Oxfordshire, had built a convent there way back in the 700s. You can read about her legend here: http://www.britannia.com/history/legend/berks/frideswide01.html.
Well, after returning to the states, I was browsing about at the library doing my usual book selection method that involves randomly pulling books off the shelves to see if they'd interest me. And I came across a set of books by Margaret Frazer set in guess where? St. Frideswide's convent in Oxford! I was so excited and quickly became addicted. The series is set at the small priory of St. Frideswide in the 15th century with Dame Frevisse (another version of the name Frideswide I recently discovered) as a nun who has a knack for solving mysteries. The latest book that I've read is The Apostate's Tale. Sister Cecely suddenly shows up at St. Frideswide's asking for safe haven for herself and her child. She had abandoned her vows nine years before to run off with a man she had met when he visited the priory. But does Sister Cecely really want to redeem herself or is there another motive? I enjoyed this book for the most part. I think Dame Frevisse, who I sometimes found to be annoying and judgmental, has mellowed a bit over the years and she didn't seem to me to be as harsh as she has been in the past, even though the return of a nun they all saw as an apostate drew out lots of anger and angst in this very closed society. It seems that for once, Dame Frevisse at least considered some of the reasons Sister Cecely had failed as a nun, although she was not fool enough to believe the former sister's tale. And well that she didn't, for Sister Cecely turned out not to be at all trustworthy, but was just as shallow and self-absorbed now as she had been as an immature young girl having to enter a priory against her personal wishes. More later. Supper calls and my tummy must answer.
Tomorrow's plan: work on the blocks for one of the memory quilts and read and drool over the new quilt book I bought today. I went to the quilt shop to get a king size batting for my sister-in-law's heart quilt and while there found a book I simply had to have. I've been collecting fabric to make a quilt for my sister and her husband, but just could not settle on a pattern. Sylvia had said she wanted a sampler quilt with stars and the book I found today, Star-Studded Quilts by Roxanne Carter, is just perfect. I'll need to buy more fabric, but that will be part of the fun. The blocks seem a little complicated, but with my trusty Thangles, I think I can handle it. To see some gorgeous quilts, visit Roxanne Carter's website: http://www.quiltingwithroxanne.com/. Sure hope my little quilt turns out even half as gorgeous as those on her website!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
New Adventure
This is my first blog and I'm a bit excited about it. I've been thinking of doing this for a while now and when I came across the Quilting Bloggers web site, I decided to take the plunge. I'm not good at naming things, kitties, books, stories, etc., but since I love quilting and I love reading mysteries, and occasionally participating in a mystery quilt, Quilts 'n Mysteries seemed an appropriate name. There's also the mystery of just exactly when my many UFOs will actually get finished and off to their new homes!
As for making quilts, I'm not doing much at the moment. I finished the top for a memory quilt for my sister-in-law using my brother's shirts. I made a some crazy-patch heart blocks from Jim's shirts, machine appliqued them down to a neutral background square and set them in rows using sashes and cornerstones. It's a quilt for her king size bed, 100" square, with ten inch blocks, and 2 inch sashing and cornerstones, six blocks across and down.
I think it turned out pretty nice, actually. I was very afraid at first that it would be ugly, but I really like the fabric I chose for the sashing and cornerstones. I used a neutral background fabric with tiny white hearts that I like a lot. Jim was an outdoorsman, so I chose fabric with leaves for the borders, sashing and cornerstones.
So, that's one memory quilt down and three to go! I'm making lap-sized quilts for my two nieces and nephew. I joined the Heartstrings group on Yahoo groups because I enjoy doing string quilts with my scraps and like making charity quilts. As a bonus, the site had some links where I found lots of string quilt patterns. Yesterday I used one of those patterns and made a few blocks. I think it's going to be much easier than the crazy patch hearts and will go together faster. Maybe it won't take me two more years to get these three done. Please, God, let me get them done -- SOON!
It's been two years since Jim died and it's way past time to get these quilts finished. It has been very hard working on them. I break down a lot just looking at the shirts and remembering my brother. He shouldn't be dead. He was too alive and full of life. He died of pancreatic cancer and I found out that it can run in families. My father also died of pancreatic cancer when he was only 59. Jim was in his early 60's and had just retired and was planning to move to Arkansas to be near his kids and grandkids. I'm 61 and hopefully in reasonably good health - as far as I know. But who knows? Right? My other older brother found out at his regular yearly checkup that he has prostate cancer. Before that, he had no symptoms whatsoever. And my sister just finished treatment for breast cancer. Her husband is now undergoing treatment for brain cancer. Did I mention that a cousin died of breast cancer many years ago, another aunt had breast cancer, but was cured and doing well, another aunt survived colon cancer and a cousin has had several bouts with prostate and bladder cancer. Seems like too much cancer for one family, IMO.
Well, on to brighter topics. I finished an adorable quilt top for the newest great-nephew on my hubby's side of the family and now need to back it with fleece, put on the binding and get it to the new mom. I found a cute book of baby quilt patterns and made the Goldilocks and the Three Bears quilt. It turned out really cute. I'll take a picture to post now that the camera's been recharged and I have a site to post pictures to. I'm also very slow getting this one done, but at least the baby's only a couple of months old and I should have it finished before he graduates! Maybe doing this blog will help keep me focused? Maybe.
As for mysteries, I've finished three good ones and hope to write about them soon.
As for making quilts, I'm not doing much at the moment. I finished the top for a memory quilt for my sister-in-law using my brother's shirts. I made a some crazy-patch heart blocks from Jim's shirts, machine appliqued them down to a neutral background square and set them in rows using sashes and cornerstones. It's a quilt for her king size bed, 100" square, with ten inch blocks, and 2 inch sashing and cornerstones, six blocks across and down.
I think it turned out pretty nice, actually. I was very afraid at first that it would be ugly, but I really like the fabric I chose for the sashing and cornerstones. I used a neutral background fabric with tiny white hearts that I like a lot. Jim was an outdoorsman, so I chose fabric with leaves for the borders, sashing and cornerstones.
So, that's one memory quilt down and three to go! I'm making lap-sized quilts for my two nieces and nephew. I joined the Heartstrings group on Yahoo groups because I enjoy doing string quilts with my scraps and like making charity quilts. As a bonus, the site had some links where I found lots of string quilt patterns. Yesterday I used one of those patterns and made a few blocks. I think it's going to be much easier than the crazy patch hearts and will go together faster. Maybe it won't take me two more years to get these three done. Please, God, let me get them done -- SOON!
It's been two years since Jim died and it's way past time to get these quilts finished. It has been very hard working on them. I break down a lot just looking at the shirts and remembering my brother. He shouldn't be dead. He was too alive and full of life. He died of pancreatic cancer and I found out that it can run in families. My father also died of pancreatic cancer when he was only 59. Jim was in his early 60's and had just retired and was planning to move to Arkansas to be near his kids and grandkids. I'm 61 and hopefully in reasonably good health - as far as I know. But who knows? Right? My other older brother found out at his regular yearly checkup that he has prostate cancer. Before that, he had no symptoms whatsoever. And my sister just finished treatment for breast cancer. Her husband is now undergoing treatment for brain cancer. Did I mention that a cousin died of breast cancer many years ago, another aunt had breast cancer, but was cured and doing well, another aunt survived colon cancer and a cousin has had several bouts with prostate and bladder cancer. Seems like too much cancer for one family, IMO.
Well, on to brighter topics. I finished an adorable quilt top for the newest great-nephew on my hubby's side of the family and now need to back it with fleece, put on the binding and get it to the new mom. I found a cute book of baby quilt patterns and made the Goldilocks and the Three Bears quilt. It turned out really cute. I'll take a picture to post now that the camera's been recharged and I have a site to post pictures to. I'm also very slow getting this one done, but at least the baby's only a couple of months old and I should have it finished before he graduates! Maybe doing this blog will help keep me focused? Maybe.
As for mysteries, I've finished three good ones and hope to write about them soon.
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