Hobby Stash

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy Kathryn Stockett’s debut novel when I first started reading it, but quickly became involved with the characters as they unfolded. The story is told in first person by the three main characters, Aibileen, Minny and Skeeter, and tackles racism in Jackson, Mississippi in the early 1960s. I couldn’t stop reading and didn’t want it to end.

When I searched for more information about Kathryn Stockett, I discovered she was born in and raised in Jackson, Missisppi and moved to New York to work in magazine publishing. Wow! I can’t wait for her next novel. Will there be a sequel?

My Rating:  

Killer View by Ridley Pearson

This second novel in Pearson’s new Walt Fleming series leaves me feeling about the same as I did with the first novel…unsure I want to continue with this series. Domestic terrorism, which seems to be on the rise in our country these days, is the basis for the plot. Unfortunately,  there were points where I was so squeemish with the graphic descriptions of violence, I was tempted to stop reading.  And the characters are still flat. In summary, I miss Lou Boldt.

My Rating:  

Cemetery Dance by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Cemetery Dance was a ripping good, escape-from-realism yarn. I loved how it all came together in the end with semi-plausible explanations for totally implausible events. Once you get past the total lack of professionalism on the part of the police force as well as the FBI, it’s quite enjoyable. But if you can’t make that leap, this book might not be one for you. I, for one, was clueless until almost the end on the culprit responsible.

My Rating:  

In The Dark by Brian Freeman

Interestingly Freeman’s fourth novel has two titles: In The Dark for the U.S version and The Watcher for the U.K. version. Personally I prefer the U.S. title…more mysterious.  This fourth novel in the Jonathan Stride series continues  intertwining an unsolved mystery from his high school years with a current  peeping Tom case he is trying to solve.  I actually managed to figure out the older murder before the killer was revealed but still  surprised by some of the various details that unfolded. Enjoyable as always but I couldn’t help thinking Stride sure has a lot secrets in his closet as well as his friends and just about anyone he meets.  Not sure I’d want to live in the same town with him.

My Rating:  

Square-Up Ruler

I have quite a few rulers with some used more often than others. This baby is used everytime I make half-square triangle blocks and it does a marvelous job of squaring up these blocks. Once I’ve sewn together 2 blocks and cut them apart on the diagonal, I use this ruler to square the block before I press it open…a real time saver! I line up the finished block size indicated on the ruler with the seam allowance and then cut away the excess on the two sides.

Eva Juliette – Almost Done

I’ve finished the hand quilting and the only remaining item is the label for the back. This was an enjoyable project.

Eva Juliette – Hand Basted & Ready to Quilt

The final border has been added and I completed the hand basting this morning. The basting took a bit longer than I’d anticipated but was worth it. Against my better judgement (time constraint wise), I’ve decided to hand quilt it. I found a traditional loft polyester batting I really like. Usually I use the low loft polyester when hand quilting but I like this much better…definitely easier than a cotton batting.

Eva Juliette – First Border

I’ve completed the first border…

Eva Juliette

Our nephew welcomed his daughter, Eva Juliette, into the world on June 5th. In celebration, I’ve designed a baby quilt with a butterfly theme for her. Here’s the center section…