Sunday, July 1, 2018

I love a mystery!

My kids make fun of me for reading cozy mysteries.  Since I am forever protesting about violence and graphic words or scenes in modern media, they think it is ironic that I read books with "murder" in the title.  What they don't seem to understand is that cozy mysteries aren't about the murder - in fact, rarely does the reader "witness" the crime.  Cozies are all about following clues to figure out "whodunit," usually while following along with an amateur sleuth working outside the law.  This wonderful week of summer included THREE cozies for me: Boiled Over, the second Maine Clambake Mystery by Barbara Ross (I'm from Maine); Gone But Knot Forgotten, the third Quilting Mystery by Mary Marks (I LOVE this series!);

and Deadly Nightshade, the first Martha's Vineyard Mystery by Cynthia Riggs (because we spent three days at Martha's Vineyard this week). Next up on my bedside table is Taken In, the ninth Southern Sewing Circle mystery and my current audiobook is The Cranefly Orchard Murders, the second Martha's Vineyard Mystery by Cynthia Riggs.

But it isn't just in my reading that I like mysteries.  I love the idea of a mystery quilt, although, in truth, I've never actually finished one.  I'm still working on my first, On Ringo Lake by Bonnie Hunter, but the truth is, once the big reveal happens, I usually lose interest.  I haven't worked on that quilt in months!

My 2018 Temperature Quilt is a bit of a mystery quilt since the daily weather dictates what it will ultimately look like.  I think the not knowing is part of what keeps me motivated to make new blocks for that quilt every day (well, that and how easy the block I chose to make is).  Here it is from January 1 through June 11 - I have all the blocks done through June 30, but the next row includes the block with the average temperatures for July, so I can't add any more rows until July is over.

Blocks signify high and low temps for each day of the year (through June 11 so far)
As I mentioned, we spent a few days at Martha's Vineyard this week.  Beforehand, I took my dog up to NH to stay with my sister.  Visiting my sister means time with my nieces and nephew,
One of my nieces - the only thing cuter than a two year old is a two year old wearing a sweater you knit for her!
but it also means getting to see my handiwork all over their house, from sweaters and hats and socks that I have knit for them to quilts that I have made on their walls and on their beds.  They are THE BEST recipients of handmade stuff - they actually USE it!!
My mom was out of town, so I slept in her bed under one of the first bed sized quilts I ever made, a Scrappy Mountain Majesties from Bonnie Hunter's pattern
Once at the Vineyard, I stayed busy with knitting, at the beach

and on the ferry.  Sock knitting is such a perfect travel/vacation project!

And while on vacation, I stumbled upon the Friendship Album, 1933 podcast by Frances O'Roark Dowell, author of Birds in the Air (which I own and have read) and Margaret Goes Modern (which I don't yet own).  I've finished listening to the first four episodes and I am anxiously awaiting future installments of this story.  I've said it so many times, but when I'm not quilting, I love being able to read about quilts, whether in fiction or on blogs or even just scanning photos on Instagram and Pinterest.  What on earth did I do with my time before I started quilting?

I'm linking up with Oh, Scrap and Monday Making.

7 comments:

The Cozy Quilter said...

Your temperature quilt is intriguing ...
I love the picture of your niece—I remember dirty knees and rubber boots!
Nice socks! Looks like you had a fun time on your vacation!

Julie Fukuda said...

I have only done one mystery quilt and it took a long time because it required machine sewing.
A few years ago I belonged to a quilter's book club. We read quilting themed stories and mysteries, discussed them, and made a block to represent the story I was sad when the blogger running it quit blogging. I had 17 blocks, one for each month the club lasted, and am sleeping under that quilt now. I don't have access to books in English and had to order those books from the states. I hesitate to order a book that is not recommended, but if I had access, it sure would be fun to revive that club.

linda schiffer said...

I, too, am making a temperature quilt this year ... and a quilting friend sent me this post to show me your pattern. I have just subscribed to and read through your blog post since 7 months ago. I live in Maryland (between Baltimore and D.C.) but I wish I lived nearer to you. I think we'd get along great - we have a lot in common. :) I have been enjoying reading about your ufo's (I have too many for me to count:)

:) Linda

Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting said...

Cozy mystery is a good way to describe that type of book. I really enjoy mystery quilts, too. Congrats on keeping your temperature quilt up to date! Your niece is adorable.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

While I haven't read any of those, yes, cozy mysteries are my favorite. Check out the 'Mrs. Pollifax' series (13 books) about a grandma who becomes a spy for the CIA. What a hoot!

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

I love the idea of a temperature quilt! Your choice of pattern looks good! That's so nice to spend time with family, and it's even better when they enjoy your handmade quilts and knits! How lucky you are!

Preeti said...

I am too much of a control freak to ever participate in a mystery quilt. The socks look so warm and cozy in a beautiful warm palette of colors. What did I do before I started quilting? Hmmm... watch more TV, maybe.