Penny for my thoughts: November 2020

Monday, November 23, 2020

Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel

Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel by Ruth Hogan. New York: William Morrow, 2019. 322 pages, Meet the Author, About the Book, Read On. ****

Told in the alternating voices of child Tilly and adult Tilda, Hogan presents the complexities of a mother - daughter relationship. Seeing her childhood through the eyes of Tilly and her interpretation of the situations and events created by her mother and then to read her mother's journals forces Tilda to re-evaluate her memories and feelings. Tilda's boyfriend Daniel sums it up, "I think it's all about love." The outspoken, confident Tilly is hidden inside the quiet, awkward, insecure Tilda and the two become one when her mother's secrets are brought to light in her journals. Faced with uncomfortable facts, Tilda is determined to seek answers and to visit those who provided a safe environment for a troubled child.

I received a copy of this book as my November read for The Bee Keepers- The Book Hive Book Club Facebook Group. When the book arrives each month chosen by someone else, I sometimes dread reading it because it is accompanied by a journal. I confess I rarely read what other's have written about it and may occasionally read what the owner has to say. I read for enjoyment and am not comfortable dissecting and answering questions. I have read many books and genres that I would not have chosen and have been pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the way in which the story unfolds and the interconnectedness of the characters. The Paradise Hotel provides a safe haven and the perfect backdrop for a larger than life Queenie, Tilda and her mother.

Ruth Hogan's debut novel, The Keeper of Lost Things, was a Sunday Times #1 bestseller and translated into more than a dozen languages. She lives in Bedford, England, with her husband and a pack of much-loved rescue dogs.

#queeniemalonesparadisehotel #thebeekeepers #thebookhivebookclub #bookstagram

Follow me on IG @flamazing_books

Saturday, November 21, 2020

Coronavirus Quilt Finishes and life during a pandemic.

April 2020

Just like everyone else, I am having a hard time getting motivated to quilt and sew. I made masks for a local hospital, family, friends, and neighbors. I used Leah day's youtube tutorial for a pattern, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNX0cRrYj6U

Elastic is hard to come by and I have read that it is irritating to the ears, so I started making masks with ties. More labor intensive, but they seem to fit better, if worn properly.

A local hospital gave my Quilt Guild members fabric and a pattern to make their masks. It is a woven material that is used to sterilize medical instruments.

I have added a Free Mask every day to the Little Free Library in front of my house. Someone left a roll of Toilet Paper in return two days in a row.

I have decided that I really need to get some of my UFOs finished during this stay at home time. Motivating myself is another story!

I completed this quilt top at my Quilt Guild's Retreat in March. It is a free pattern by Sew Can She at https://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/2018/6/19/baby-heart-log-cabin-quilt-free-quilt-pattern This sweet baby quilt is for a friend's Grandbaby. #Coronavirusquilt1

I participated in Gudrun's Elvira Quarantine Quilt Along, http://pennyformythoughts-nona.blogspot.com/2020/04/quarantine-quilt-along-elvira.html

I have ordered red matching fabric for the binding and waiting for it to arrive to finish this quilt. #Coronavirusquilt2 #qqal1

I have a friend whose daughter is having a baby girl in the fall and wanted a girlie, pink quilt. Hope from GEDesigns is a fast, fun, easy quilt to make and to use up scraps of fabric. I also made a lap size Hope quilt.

#hopequilt #coronavirusquilt3 #coronavirusquilt4 #qqal2

$35,000 was raised for charity through the sale of the Hope pattern by GEDesigns. For more information and yummy recipes, https://gequiltdesigns.com/blogs/ge-happenings/hope-quarantine-quilt-along-2-event

During this pandemic, I am starting the Tula Pink's City Sampler 100 Modern Quilt Blocks as part of a Sew Modern Bee.

I am trying to make the "Stay at home" time count in my life and not get discouraged by world events. It has been a trying two weeks with the Pandemic and justifiable protests. On June 5th, my county in Pennsylvania moved from red to yellow in the transitional phase. Hopefully, green is right around the corner. Green began on June 26th, however, most people are still being cautious. Masks and social distancing are a must when going outside of the house.

I have continued to work on the 100 Modern Quilt Blocks and have found these blocks to be addictive! Updates available at https://pennyformythoughts-nona.blogspot.com/2020/07/tula-pinks-city-sampler-100-modern.html.

November 20, 2920

Covid numbers are rising again in Pennsylvania, there are 3, 294 hospitalizations. All are requested not to travel for the Thanksgiving holidays. Dinner is to be eaten with members of our own household, so sad not to see extended family.

Sewing is my saving grace! Two friends and I made this charity quilt in sections. We each completed a section, then sewed it together.

Fun to make and I’m sure a child will be happy to receive it.

Saturday, November 14, 2020

Project Linus - Lucy's Love Notes

Project Linus has launched a 2020 Mystery Quilt - Lucy's Love Notes. This is the 6th year for a Mystery Challenge Quilt.

The cost to participate is 15.00 and the proceeds go to Project Linus unless you indicate a local chapter. Sign up now - https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=2Zr72m

There is also a Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/848183768557929

IG - #lucyslovenotes

I have downloaded the fabric requirements and the suggestion is to use batiks, I may have to go fabric shopping!

Pip and Charlie approve of my fabric choices.