Quilting

I don’t generally watch videos, but…

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I just watched yesterday’s video conversation between Tim Snyder and Heather Cox Richardson. They’re discussing Snyder’s writing about autocracy, freedom, tyranny, relating it to the current political reality in the US and the trump/Israel war against Iran, with Richardson providing historical analogues and analysis.

First of all, if you closed your eyes you might think the conversation had been scripted – it wasn’t – it was spontaneous. What you have are two well informed minds, able to be concise and still broad in how they articulate questions, and how they respond. This is basically an interview of Snyder by Richardson but there are no slow parts, no hesitations. It’s amazingly clear and to the point. It’s about 45 minutes – it will help you understand the complexity of the chaos being created by trump’s (and his advisors’) naivety and lack of understanding of what it takes to undertake “war”. I recommend watching it and passing it on to other people.

Second, the other evening I watched “Breaking The Deadlock” on PBS – this simulation/discussion was about sports gambling and what it’s doing to  young men.

pbs.org/show/deadlock

The format of this program comes from the original Fred W Friendly Seminars [youtube.com/results] – the ones I remember most vividly are on Ethics in America [youtube.com/watch?v=8-9…]. 

This program on sports gambling was gripping because the panelists have to improvise responses to the escalating scenario slowly laid out by the moderator, who is terrific at controlling and containing the conflict between panelists as the story becomes more and more complicated, and they become more and more invested in their positions!

It’s an hour well spent!

This is how I’ve been spending much of my time these days – not watching videos, but reading the arguments of some fine minds as they’re struggling to make sense of what’s happening each day. 

I try to share what I find most compelling; maybe it will help you think about the issues with new information.

With that in mind, I want to share a piece of writing I came across the other day:

From the Globe and Mail: As a Palestinian, this is what I wish the Jewish community could hear – [ theglobeandmail.com/gif…

As a Canadian Jew, this Palestinian’s perspective helped me understand how the Israeli destruction of Gaza and the West Bank looks from where they stand in the rubble!

It’s now also happening in Lebanon! Bridges destroyed, the country cut in two with the obvious intention of Israel occupying that southern 1/3 of Lebanon. Where does this leave the non-Hezbollah supporting Lebanese stuck in a new annexed strip of Israel? Refugees in their own land!

I keep reading, trying to make sense of what is essentially unintelligible, certainly beyond my understanding….

I’ve got this far…

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Black and White
Kaffe Fassett Florals

I want to make a new quilt for the upcoming show at the Central Library from mid-June to end of July. I will only be able to hang maybe 6 quilts and a couple of smaller pieces. I’ve got enough “circle” quilts if I add a new one. I’ve been thinking about extending the two layer idea I used for the last piece I did for Parrsboro last summer.

Finished Wall Hanging/Table Runner

I want a throw (48″x 60″ – more or less). And I want to combine a “Double Vision” idea with multiple sized circles. I have no idea how to do that yet. I plan to start by cutting 5 1/2″ squares from the black and whites, and 5″, 3 1/2″ and 2″ circles from the Kaffe Fassett prints.

I thought briefly about creating the circles using Drunkard’s Path, but I think I will simply appliqué the circles on. I also want to use X-shaped pieces from the prints to reveal circles in the background black and whites.

I’ve done two double vision quilts:

I Love Red
Study in Blue/Green

These two used circles all the same size. This time, I want to vary the size of the circles…

Here goes!

“Lies, violence and the American state”

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Marc Elias is one of many American lawyers engaged in litigating the lawless actions of the trump regime. He began an independent newsletter a number of years ago when he saw the mainstream media supporting the lies of the regime. Today’s piece is definitely worth reading – my title is his title. Today’s piece is based on Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s push back against the Soviet authoritarian lies:

When violence bursts onto the peaceful human condition, its face is flush with self-assurance. It displays on its banner and proclaims: “I am Violence! Make way, step aside, I will crush you!” But violence ages swiftly. A few years pass — and it is no longer sure of itself. To prop itself up, to appear decent, it will without fail call forth its ally —Lies. For violence has nothing to cover itself with but lies, and lies can only persist through violence. [Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn]

Elias continues:

“But as Solzhenitsyn predicted, the violence we are witnessing every day in Minneapolis and elsewhere has proven deeply unpopular. It is indecent, arbitrary and cruel. Its tactics violate our rights as Americans to protest our government. Its purpose violates our moral conscience as human beings.

As a result, that violence has quickly required the support of lies to perpetuate itself.

Donald Trump is an infamous liar. He has lied his way through business, law and politics. The movement he built is based on lies — lies about the economy, immigration and crime. But its most important lie — the Big Lie — is about democracy itself.

Trump abhors democracy because it allows ordinary Americans to reject his lies. Even worse for Trump, it allows us to reject him.

When voters did exactly that in 2020, he responded with more lies — lies in court, lies in the media, and lies to his supporters. On Jan. 6, 2021, those lies turned into violence.”

Elias ends his piece with:

“his (Solzhenitsyn) prescription for resisting authoritarianism remains sound. We must combat lies in every way we can. It is not enough to condemn the violence and protest it; we must also condemn the lying and resist it.

Regardless of the risk or the sense of futility, we must commit ourselves to bearing witness to the truth and proclaiming it to anyone who will listen:

  • Donald Trump lost the 2020 election.
  • Renée Good was shot in the face while trying to turn her car and leave.
  • Alex Pretti was beaten by six federal agents and then shot and killed.
  • The federal government is violating the constitutional rights of its citizens.
  • Trump and the DOJ are violating federal law by refusing to release the Epstein files.
  • Trump and the GOP are preparing to subvert the 2026 election.

Solzhenitsyn lived the next two decades in exile until the lies of the Soviet Union led to its collapse. His campaign against the lies in his country proved prophetic. He taught us that authoritarianism prevails not because people stop believing the truth, but because they stop saying it aloud. If we wish to remain free, we must refuse that silence.”

These are the facts that the trump regime wants to bury.

These are the facts that matter in the US. But we, in Canada, must also be on the watch for the lies – for our government leaders, on both sides of the aisle, are prone to lying to us, too; not so loudly, not so ferociously, perhaps not so frequently, but there are lies – or, if not lies, conflicting decisions that undercut the values on which we try to base our civil society. We need to be alert for the lies and evasions, ready to call out our government and our parliamentary opposition when they obfuscate or outright lie.

The truth matters here as well as in the US. We, too, must refuse silence.

I think I count 9 flowers on my Amaryllis today – both stalks are almost in full bloom. Each stalk has 6 flower buds, I don’t think I will see all six on both stalks open at the same time, but it sure is close today!

We’re On The List

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Here’s Charlie Angus’ take on what the invasion of Venezuela by the US portends for Canada. I think Canadians need to heed his “heads-up” warning!

https://charlieangus.substack.com/p/venezuela-the-lesson-for-canada

And then came Trump.

He has issued sanctions against a Canadian jurist working to investigate the war crimes. He has aligned the United States with the crimes of both Putin and Netanyahu. And he has deliberately targeted the Western alliances with threats of invasion in Greenland or arbitrarily moving the Canadian border.

With the attack on Venezuela, he has upped the ante through invasion and kidnapping. Venezuela puts the world on notice, and Canada must be ready.

We played a key role in establishing the International Criminal Court. We helped establish the Statute of Rome, which laid out key protections against state violence.

Canada has a long history of defending the international rule of law. We are now dealing with a regime that will kill people in the water, seize ships on the high seas, invade other countries, and kidnap their leaders. All bets are off.

This is the age of gangsters. And Canada must be ready to rise to the threat.

Heads-up Canada! Pay attention! We may not be next on the list – BUT WE’RE ON THE LIST!

Some Good News…

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To start 2026 – a synopsis of some of the many positive things that happened in 2025. It’s a long read but worth the time – it will help you reframe and see all the doom and gloom differently.

The restored Apollo Mission Control Center at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Credit: NASA/Architectural Digest
https://fixthenews.com/p/the-telemetry?r=46219&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true

I recommend you read it.

Parrsboro Show – Circles…

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Parrsboro Show – Hung

Had a lovely day yesterday travelling to Parrsboro – my friend MaryAnn drove because she wanted to visit friends and family who live there. Our first stop was the Art Labs Studios and Gallery on Main Street to deliver and hang my four quilts and two wall pieces.

Finished Wall Hanging/Table Runner

I had finished the wall hanging “Circles #6” last week. It just fit the spot where it got hung (I’d created it for a different larger space in the gallery which was already occupied).

Here is a glimpse of the other half of the exhibit – William Forrestall’s work (egg tempera on paper).

MF relaxing for a moment

I had a chat with William Forrestall who made interesting observations about my work – he picked up on the connection to traditional quilting techniques but also noticed the focus on colour and the movement of colour – all intentional aspects of my work. He also commented on the technical aspects of the quilting.

Circles #5

The quilts are on display until August 30. If you’re anywhere in the vicinity, drop in for a browse.

Outside the gallery…

Enjoying A Summer Day

Table Runner

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Table Runner

Moving quickly. I have the background assembled and I can immediately see a problem I want to fix – that dark strip in the bottom left corner has to go! Needs to be lighter. I’m not sure about the second one- I think it may be OK.

The circles are pinned in place for the moment – looking at the photo I can see I want to move them about some more. I’ve also decided the whole thing will be an appliqué work – I’m not going to fight to insert the large circles into the background! So I’m moving along.

Tomorrow I’ll take all the circles off, and reposition them, overlap different ones, underlap others. But first, I need to take that dark strip out!

I also need a piece of buckram to stiffen the runner so it will hold its shape when I hang it horizontally. I’ll pick that up tomorrow, as well.

Circle Quilt #5

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Circle Quilt #5
Quilt Back

I actually started this quilt in the middle of May; I got sewing on it on June 18 (a month ago). I finished it last night (label and hand sewn hidden binding)!

Now I’m ready for the Art Labs show in Parrsboro, Aug 10-30.

I should be able to hang four throw quilts, including this one. I’m calling my contribution to this 2-person exhibit “Circles”.

Circle Quilt #5
Circles On Pink
Drunkard’s Path #5
Planets and Moons

In reserve I have two others:

Skyline #3
Study in Blue / Green

There’s also a narrow wall in the gallery where I may get to hang this small piece

Circles #4

I have time to create one more project – this one potentially will be a table runner, although if it gets hung at all it will be hung horizontally. Approximate dimensions – 45″ x 15″. An assembled background of five 9″ blocks in much lighter grey fabrics than Circles #4, each block with an embedded whole circle finished with appliqué embroidered circles, wherever.

Circles #4 is the only time I have tried embedding an entire circle in a background. I will give it another go just to get better at the technique.

I have until August 5 or so to complete the piece – that should be enough time.

Better get going!

Quilt Top Finished (almost)

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This is the cause of my problem! I finally figured it out yesterday.

My circles aren’t quite circular! I thought it was because I’d cut my quarter circles out a bit large then trimmed them smaller. I wondered whether my sewing was accurate enough. Neither of those.

My problem stemmed from the template I was using to cut the quarter circles! You can see the radius at the edge is 6 1/2″ from the corner to the circumference. But look at the centre radius – from corner to circumference is something like 3/16″ too short! So every quarter circle I cut, was flattened at the mid-point from the seams, and making the “pointy” bits happen at the seams.

I partially solved the problem by trimming the end points 1/1 6″ which helped round out the shape, but if you look closely at the finished quilt top you can still see the irregularity.

To compensate for my not-quite-round circles, I decided to appliqué smaller circles at strategic points – some are placed to eliminate the “pointy” bit at the seams, others to pull your eye from the flattened circumference.

I collected batik bits from a couple of scrap boxes, a range of light beige with a bit of contrast. These smaller circles are obvious but not blatant. I think this will rescue the quilt top. These small circles are pinned in place for now while I think about placement for the next couple of days. I will fuse them in place when I’m satisfied with the placement. I will also edge stitch them with decorative stitches and rayon thread.

If I didn’t mention the lack of circularity, you might not have noticed it, but I think you’d still feel a niggling something about those circles. This way, there’s more to look at and the eye isn’t drawn to that abnormality quite so much.

Because I’d cut all the pieces before I began sewing, the only real solution would have been to discard these pieces in a scrap box to reshape for a different quilt, and start from scratch with a more accurate quarter circle template. I had used all I had of some of these fabrics, I’d have had to redevelop the colour scheme; I’d have needed to order more crackle for background, come up with another stripe background fabric.

Not happening.

I am going to reshape the quarter circles on the back. I can get away with that, because I haven’t cut any “L” shaped pieces yet. So whatever template I find in my collection (or one I will make from template plastic) I will use to reshape the “pie” pieces and cut the “L” pieces. The sewing will be much easier than it was making these blocks!

Finally Underway Again

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I got accepted to show at Art Labs in Parrsboro from August 10-30 this summer. I’m sharing gallery space with William Forrestall – an interesting juxtaposition. My textiles with his drawing/painting.

That means I should have wall space for four throw size quilts, possibly one small wall piece. I’ve decided to focus on “Circles” – I have three circle quilts in my stash and enough time to create a fourth.

I started working on this new quilt three/four weeks ago – I came across a photo of minimalist square quilt of overlapping circles against a light background with a lot of open background. The image appealed to me so I drafted a rectangular version on graph paper, pulled a bunch of contrasting batik fabrics from my stash, numbered them, then distributed the numbers on the circle elements in my diagram. I counted the number of solid blocks, the number of drunkard’s path blocks using the background, the number of drunkard’s path where two circles/fabrics overlapped.

Then I started cutting the pieces I needed – a 9 block x 11 block quilt top (5 1/2″ finished blocks) – 99 blocks in all. I still had background fabric to cut when I went to Toronto for a week. I got back last Thursday – finished the cutting and over the weekend I began laying out a pair of rows carefully following my diagram!

Yesterday, I started sewing, today, I finished the 22nd block – I now have two rows – those with grey diamonds on white. I had decided to have a stripe in my background – the remaining background will be constructed using a grey/white crackle print which blends with the grey diamonds in tone so it will take a careful observer to notice the stripe in the background. I don’t think it’s going to stand out.

When I finished the 22 blocks in the stripe, I laid out the blocks on either side – they’re now ready for stitching.

I discovered I was having a small problem with my circles not being precisely circular! I began with the four blocks at the bottom of the photo. I’m leaving them alone for now, but I have a hunch I will take them apart and reconstruct them – I figured out how to piece the drunkard’s path more precisely as I went along.

I was surprised by the lack of circularity – it’s not a problem I’ve encountered before but it happened this time because I’d cut my pieces large, intending to trim them, and that affected the curvature of the seam. I lost the full arc where the four blocks would have joined after I trimmed the finished blocks. As I continued, I trimmed the pieces before stitching them together, consequently my later blocks today are more obviously circular. That purple “circle” at the bottom is definitely going to bother me – I have enough fabric to redo those 4 blocks.

With four columns stitched I will have 4/9ths of the quilt top completed. I’m anticipating it will take about a week to assemble the 99 blocks I need for the quilt top.

I haven’t even begun thinking about a back yet.

An Update

I shared a photo of a gorgeous red kantha bedspread several weeks ago and described what I was hoping to make with it.

Last week a friend came for lunch and we were looking at the various projects I had sitting around.

I had the kantha laid out and she fell in love with it!

I gave it to her – she’ll use it herself or pass it on to her daughter!

That coat/jacket I was going to make – crossed off my list!

Thank goodness! It was beginning to feel like an albatross. I’m happy to be rid of it.