inhale...exhale...relax your shoulders...repeat as often as needed

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

stick season, stitching and home

Stick season comes to Vermont after the foliage has faded and before winter really moves in. It is when the gorgeous and muted colors of tree trunks, rock outcroppings and dried grasses and ferns meld together into somber harmony. This past weekend there was an early dusting of snow that frosted the view. It didn't last, but it marked the turning inward...to fires in the wood stove, root veggies for dinner and flannel sheets on the bed.
I finally made time to get my Constellation Quilt from Haptic Lab organized. It will be my portable project for this late fall season. You can find the pattern here.
As the stitching progresses out from the center, the paper pattern can be ripped away to reveal the night skies in the Northern Hemisphere. The piece will measure about a yard square when it's done, the perfect size for a wall hanging. My Batman is an enthusiastic amateur astronomer, so I think it will find a special place here at our "bit of earth".

We voted this morning at our quintessentially New England town hall, our first time voting as full time Vermonters. We will listen to Vermont Public Radio into the night to hear election results. With each passing marker on the calendar we are feeling more and more at home.

The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.
-Confucius

6 comments:

  1. I don't think I'm as ready for winter as you seem to be:) I completely missed out on mountain leaf peeping this year, so feel like I've missed autumn. I do love your constellation quilt. I can't wait to see how it turns out!

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  2. Love that quote for Election Day. Now get out there and elect your first female federal rep (senate or house) in VT during your tenure!

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  3. Your constellation quilt is of countless stars interest and quality :>) Never saw that quilt paternpaper here in the Netherlands yet.
    And did I see Cassiopeia in the top picture?
    I quilted Cassiopeia in my Polaris quilt's borders.
    What a beautiful present for your husband!
    Sending blessings from another spot under the skies in the Northern Hemisphere.

    Jeanneke.

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  4. Lovely post, Karen. That quilt sounds like it will be beautiful. So happy that you are now a true Vermonter.

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  5. I love constellation quilt. The HAP TIC LABS looks like it has a great thing going. I noticed they even have a map of Madison, WI.

    Your projects are so inspiring.

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  6. I just thought I would post an update regarding the Constellation Quilt from Haptic Lab. Today, I placed an order for the single use template. I like that you show it is a portable project. Since my sewing machine is in another state and I'm itchin' to sew, this is perfect.

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