And yes, in case you're wondering, I had a change of heart and changed one of the colors. The blue colorway is a Plucky Knitter yarn called Two Drifters in Primo Fingering. The neutral color is a Cephalopod yarn called Moon Jelly in Skinny Bugga. Now I have to get up the nerve to do the rest -- which involves at least two techniques I've never done before. Yikes! Plus blocking and finishing, of course. I seem to have put it away for now. lol!
Here is my Fussy Cut Fridays Star for the week, using a Jo Morton Woodlands fabric.
And here are my Tula blocks for the week. Being finished with the triangle blocks is a relief. :D
Sorry for the shadows in some of the pictures. I now have 67 blocks out of 100 done. Here's my pile so far.
The father type and I went to our favorite craft fair on Saturday, the Lyndhurst Craft Fair. It's both a foodie and crafty extravaganza. We always manage to get some kettle corn.
And to bring home a yummy tart from Dutch Desserts. (This one was peach/raspberry.)
There were so many wonderful artists there, but I feel funny posting pictures without giving them credit so I won't. But we did stop at one of my favorites, Laura Baring Gould, who makes wonderful cast bronze pieces. This makes the third year I've bought something from her.
We had a lovely conversation about her work and about other things as well. And I brought home a lovely piece.
The piece in the front -- a "bound foot shoe" made from an actual shoe from China. You can see all the wonderful detail from the shoe, even the stitching. The two pears in the back are also Laura's work. What you can't tell from the pictures is how wonderfully heavy and substantial these pieces are. The bound foot shoe has even more significance for me since one of my grandmothers had bound feet. She showed them to me once, unwrapped and naked. It's an experience I will never forget.
(The box in the back is one from the wonderful Betsy Krieg Salm. I've shown it before on this blog.)
I can't end this post without a pic of our Mia. Here she is, having fallen asleep in a typical position in her bed.
Silly cat.
Thanks for stopping by and saying hi. I hope everyone has a great week!
Love the photo of the bound foot shoe with Betsy's box in the background! Lovely works of art.
ReplyDeleteWhat... you've put your knitted bag away!!!! Nooooo..... you mustn't stop now.
I remember seeing an old lady whose feet had obviously been bound in a narrow street of Beijing - it was sad. Great knitting and sewing. I think the knitting looks much better with the new colour.
ReplyDeleteAll of your work is amazing Margaret. I love your story of the bound foot shoe…so very personal for you. Thank you for sharing. Our family history and stories are so important for the next generations. Hugs to you and sweet Mia !!
ReplyDeleteLove seeing all your quilt blocks Margaret. Each one is beautiful and they will all look fantastic when they are all put together in a quilt.
ReplyDeleteGreat purchases at the Craft Fair. Looks like a lot of fun.
Have a great week!
Wow! That knitting is truly wonderful! How neat the bound foot shoe is! Were you young when your grandmother showed you her feet?
ReplyDeleteAww your knitting is so beautiful ❤️
ReplyDeleteAnd your quilt blocks are so looking so lovely ..
Big hugs x
Your knitting is beautiful as our all your quilting blocks. My, you've been busy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the peek inside the craft show. It looks like it was great. Love the photo of your new purchase with Betsy's wonderful wooden box in the background.
Gorgeous knitting on the bag. I'm still amazed at your powers of concentration.
ReplyDeleteA real quilty color explosion there. Keeps those projects interesting to work on I'll bet.
That fair looks like great fun, and it appears that you had great weather too. The bound foot shoe is a really special piece for you.
Mia has spring fever like me!
Gosh, that knitting is amazing! I am sure you will master those two new techniques in no time!
ReplyDeleteOnce you have your quilt blocks all ready we will star to see some amazing quilts! I like that one on the bed - the colours are so nice together!
beautiful quilt blocks, love the knitting as well
ReplyDeleteThat's so interesting to hear about your grandmother Margaret, it's a very apt piece to remind you. Say hi to Mia, she always puts a smile on my face.
ReplyDeleteI love the blue color on the bag--and you can do the 2 new techniques--I know you can! The quilt blocks are fabulous--love all the color!!
ReplyDeleteThe craft fair looks like a wonderful place to explore, and your purchase of the bound foot shoe is a lovely piece that tells a little of your family history. Is there any of that tart left?? : )
I had not heard of a bound foot. Just read up on it. How sad. Your quilt blocks are looking great. I do miss your stitching updates.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Whut? I don't visit you for two seconds, and all of a sudden there's a whole lot of Fair Isle knitting going on! Wow, it looks absolutely amazing, all of it! As does Mia. Of course :o)
ReplyDeleteOooh love that knitted bag! The pattern and colours are great! The bound shoe is so cool but yes, I could imagine seeing an unbound foot would be traumatic. I like how you are collecting pieces from that artist. She really is wonderful. Great fussy cut and blocks! You only have 27 left to do! Give Mia a little scratch for me!
ReplyDeleteLovely post and I love the bound foot shoe bronze - a great memento considering your grandmother. You have been so busy with your craft, too that is so great.
ReplyDeleteLove the knitted bag...it's beautiful! I can't wait to see the finished product for all those quilt blocks...they are soooo pretty and colorful!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great week. I am loving your updates on your quilts. They are spectacular! Your knitting is beautiful! The craft fair sounds like it was amazing - thanks for sharing the significance of the shoe with us. Mia is as always, so adorable! Have a great week Margaret.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the pile of Tula blocks you made!
ReplyDeleteTha knitting is also lovely great colours.
Hug for Mia en a nice week for you.
Evelyne
Oh, those colors on your bag are incredible, Margaret--you can't put them away for long. I'm really looking forward to seeing your finish :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful fussy cut star and new blocks, too. And your day at the fair looks delightful--I can never resist kettle corn either :)
What are the two new techniques? I have no doubt that you'll master them!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how impactful the experience of seeing your grandmothers naked bound foot was to you. The symbolism of this piece must be intensely personal.
Your knitted bag is gorgeous I love the colour combo you've chosen and what a poignant reminder of your grandmother with the little cast bound shoe. I envy you your craft fair it looks like an amazing day out and the sun is shining too!
ReplyDeleteMy mouth dropped when I saw your knitting (bag). I LOVE LOVE the colors and design. Margret your needlework is outstanding!
ReplyDeleteWOW I've never seen a bound shoe ever. I felt faint while reading your story. God bless your grandmother! I love your Betsy's wooden box. Incredible!
More lovely quilt blocks and star.
love Annette
Wow! Gorgeous knitting, gorgeous blocks and the fussy start. Such fun colors in everything.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a perfect day out for the craft fair! Love some kettle corn! Your bronze pieces are so wonderful.
Hugs to you and Mia!
Wow, you are moving right along with those quilt blocks! What a fun post. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful knitting, Margaret!! You must keep going, it will be gorgeous! What a fun fair!! is that in New York near you? I may need to keep it in mind for next year. That peach-raspberry pie looks AMAZINGLY YUM! My favorite combination! Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of your fussy cut stars! I have been following along each week and they are amazing! Is the fabric from your stash or is it a kit? I found the website with the template kit but nothing about fabric. I have never quilted before, but would love to give this a try!
ReplyDeleteAll your pieces are so lovely! The show looks like fun, and your new piece is gorgeous! As is the nodding Mia :-). Off to research...
ReplyDeleteÉclat du Jour is gorgeous. I just started my very first project with Skinny Bugga, I'm liking it so far. Love the interesting piece your bought at the art fair - what a great tribute to your dear GM, the pain and suffering she must have endured. Hope you are having a great week ! Mel
ReplyDeleteOh my what an adorale pic of Mia! She looks so content bless her.
ReplyDeleteLovely pics of your knitting and quilting.
Looks like you had a great time at the fair.
The pattern of your bag looks Elizabethan...like something you might see at the British Museum. The Tula blocks... the grayish purplish floral is a knock out. What a wonderful fair! Best combo ever - food and crafts! Very interesting about your grandmother.
ReplyDeleteYour bag and all the quilt blocks are all lovely.
ReplyDeleteThe bronze shoe is gorgeous, thank you for sharing the story of your grandmother
Hi Margaret, love your shoe from the craft fair. It is amazing!! As others have said, it must have been a profound experience to see your grandmother's feet. I can't imagine the pain and suffering that she went through. Your knitting is so amazing. I want to see the finish!!! Cut little Mia. We are missing Tyg...but we'll be home in a week or so.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful craft fair...lucky you to have such talent close by. Your knitting is beautiful! The little shoe is a beauty...thank you for sharing a glimpse into your heritage. We need to know our past and our children need to as well.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Mother's Day!
Robyn
What a story about your Grandma...thanks for sharing the art fair goodies. Your squares are beautiful and I am excited to see the finished quilt.
ReplyDeleteHope you have an awesome week and Happy Mom's Day!!
Sherry :o)
Hi Margaret! Your piecing and knitting is wonderful as always! That is a very interesting story about your Grandmother. I am sure it made a big impression on you.
ReplyDelete