Hello lovely lovelies♡ It is Sunday evening again. I am sitting here wondering how do I prattle on about pretty stitching, quilts and flowers, with all that has happened this week?? Because prattling, it is; trivial even, while a despicable, emperor-like, individual causes such heartache, in his endeavours of grabbing power, intent on destroying millions of lives, crushing their souls. Our world once again is living through another unhinged monster at the helm of his 'kingdom'. Somehow it seems irrelevant to chat about such things as sewing, pretty quilts; inconsequential even, when so many are suffering, but I suppose we do, don't we?? We stitch; and drink tea; pray, wait; and watch the devastating images, listen to the sorrowful human stories unfold on TV...or at least I do...and I say this without any humour or lightness of spirit.
But prattle on, I will. What to do when one is feeling sorrowful?? Why, I go into my sewing room, sit for a while, drink in my cosy surroundings and begin to stitch. And....that is exactly what I have been doing for most of the day, really (besides taking happy snaps). I woke up at 6am and went straight into my sewing room and began to prepare, and stitch more pentagons together for the quilt I am working on. For each block, which is a twenty one inch square, six pentagons are stitched together to form wedges; eight wedges in all. Thus far, two blocks are complete, as well as another set of completed wedges which will be stitched to the grey fabric. A slow process as the hand stitching of the wedges to the fabric does take a while.
The designer used about 40 fabrics for her quilt, but I am using many, many more as I want to have a scrappier look than the quilt on the pattern. For the squares at the end of the wedges I used the same fabric; a Liberty fabric called Flower Tops. I wanted a fabric that didn't stand out but disappeared into the background.
It is late in the evening. As I have stitched for most of the day I am sitting here watching the images on TV of a brave and courageous people. Thousands fleeing their homes, walking for what seems forever; boarding trains to seek refuge in other countries. Many leaving their fathers, brothers, husbands behind to fight and stand for their beloved country. Many, many others staying behind to defend their land. Why, I watched a news report of some making molotov cocktails to aid the military. Impossible! Once again another unhinged despot spewing out misinformation, propaganda......to further his insane cause. Another humanitarian disaster which is calling the world to act. Another week. I wonder what will transpire in the coming days?? As I sit here in my little place way down at the bottom of the world, I will be thinking of the beautiful Ukraine people; my heart whispering prayers to God......even stitch a little. Who knows, perhaps by next Sunday there will be a little more of my quilt stitched to prattle on about. Sending you all a little love on this very strange Sunday♡
Until the next time.......
Linking up this week to Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching
It's been a terrible, sad week, hasn't it, Kim?
ReplyDeleteI can imagine all the suffering that the Ukrainian people have to overcome to continue defending their homeland. I feel that humanity as a whole is failing...
Praying for better days.
Your blocks are wonderful.
Hugs
I am with you. Such a disturbing and heartbreaking situation in the Ukraine, I pray for the people of Ukraine and that peace will prevail and soon.
ReplyDeleteI love your pentagon EPP blocks…so pretty, Light and airy!
What a stunning block you are stitching there!! I even think I spy some of my Kismet fabrics in there--so pretty!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sad state of affairs in our world these days...you are so right...
we can but pray that it will be stopped somehow.
hugs Julierose
Ukraine this week .... then where next. Mad men don't know when to stop and think they can take over the world. We watch, pray and then stitch to comfort our soul. Your stitching is lovely ....
ReplyDeleteYou can't change the world, or rather, the ongoing events, by not stitching. And I for one am very grateful to you for showing these lovely photos, and giving me something beautiful to nourish my eyes and soul on.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand what you mean. I can't believe all that is going on in the world and here of course we have our former insane president Trump admiring this other insane leader Putin and saying how strong he is and admiring him - our world has too many crazy people in charge and would love for the world to remember it's history lesson on what happens when you let crazy people be in charge.
ReplyDeleteOn a better subject I love your your applique is looking and your florals look great for this
I love the look of a scrappy quilt. This is going to be gorgeous. Maybe I am a fool but I have to believe that our stitching is adding beauty to this world and that is never wrong. I think using our creativity is a powerful thing.
ReplyDeleteKim... I feel the same as I listen to news this morning here in the USA of a possible peace chat between Ukraine and Russia.... I dont trust Russia or their buddy Belaruse where the peace talks are due to happen... however let ME prattle for a bit on your beautiful and unique dwr with the beautiful array of fabrics you have linked together! I love it <3.... Keep up the prayers for Ukraine as will I! Kathi
ReplyDeleteNo words for what is happening in Ukraine. It scares me to death, and I am not even close to Europe. I have been sewing too to get away from the TV. Watching the news once a day is all I can handle now.
ReplyDeleteYour new quilt is coming along beautifully!
Beautiful fabrics and beautiful designs and beautiful flowers. Your post reflects thoughts similar to my own - how do we go on and on about fabric and stitching when so many are enduring such upheaval and destruction? I think it is the only way for us to maintain our sanity. Sewing/quilting keeps me calm and balanced in turbulent times.
ReplyDeleteIt is bittersweet to think about sewing when such suffering is transpiring. It puts everything into perspective quickly. The hexies are absolutely, positively, soft, feminine and floral. The grey background is an excellent choice. This is the first time I've seen this pattern appliqued on a background. Lovely open design with the one without the background hanging near the fernery.
ReplyDeleteStrange days indeed Kim. Sometimes I feel guilty having the life I have when I see people fighting for their life and country...We have a large community of Ukrainians here in Portugal and more are coming...and they are welcomed.
ReplyDeleteYour quilts are lovely...so unusual and original ! Beautiful ! As your pictures ! 6 a.m. ? Courageous woman ;)
Have a shinny week !
Hug
Anna
I share your grief and bewilderment at the horror taking place in the Ukraine. I wonder if the protesters who have strongly resisted masking as an assault on their freedom, view the scenes in Ukraine and realize how precious real freedom is. It is sad to realize how helpless we are to do anything more than send prayers and perhaps some money to humanitarian relief organizations. I think many of us have retreated to our quilting as a respite from the news. I love the design you are working on and marvel at the speed with which you churn out so many units. And that dahlia in the center is gorgeous. May you find some peace in your handwork and your gardens. It's snowing again here with a high wind warning, so the garden seems very far away right now.
ReplyDeletePat
I have stayed away from the TV / news because honestly my brain feels like going to explode into tiny shreds. Busying myself with crochet to avert my thoughts from many ghastly scenarios I play in my head. Your beautiful photos are quite a relief from the dimness surrounding me - thank you for that!
ReplyDeleteYour beautiful fabric and stitching is a feast for the eyes, and always needed! Heading into the sewing room or picking up needle and thread is definitely how I manage my sadness and anxiety about these world events and even those worries closer to home. Reading yesterday about the civilian resistance in Ukraine brought me to tears. Hugs to you, Kim, from the other side of the world. xoxo
ReplyDeleteIt's heart breaking Kim and I am with you in everything you say, I think the whole world looks on in shock and horror it sickens me to my soul, those poor people. One of my nieces and her husband fled Syria at the height of the war and took refuge in Ukraine and now they have had to do the same again except this time her husband has to stay and fight even though he's not a national. We try and continue as normal as that is all we can do and thank goodness we can take refuge in our crafting but there is a heaviness in my heart that won't go away, who knows how this will end.
ReplyDeleteYour pentagons are beautiful, I love all the fabulous flowery fabrics. Have a safe and peaceful week. xx
It is horrible what is going on, and I pray for all those who are having to live through this. It was lovely to stop in and see your beautiful project and flowers though!
ReplyDeleteOh, I do like what you are making here! All those pretty flower fabrics! A feast for eyes. And, like you, desperately watching TV screen, with a hope, wanting it to stop. Naive? Perhaps....This madman is not going to stop, not today anyway.
ReplyDeleteMaybe his own people will put enough pressure on him, maybe.....
Hi my friend...A world without God: war, death, destruction...Praying for Ukraine...Always a pleasure stopping by. Great artwork.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be wonderful, lovely Maristella, if the world was enveloped with God's love?? War, death and destruction would disappear in the Light♡ Thank you for your sweet visit. Kim Xx
DeleteMaravillosas fotos y pentágonos preciosos y noticias terribles......😔😔
ReplyDeleteMuchos BESICOS.
Beautiful stitching on this very strange and sorrowful day and week. I find that doing things to keep hands busy during difficult times helps to maintain sanity and keep anxiety levels in check. Praying for the brave people of Ukraine and for peace. Hugs xo K
ReplyDeleteThe stitching we do eases our minds and hearts. Your stitching is very pretty. I like how the floral fabrics look on that pretty blue background. We must keep the people of Ukraine in our prayers. I am also praying for the people of Russia who dare to protest this awful invasion.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is looking beautiful. Such lovely fabrics that you are working with.
ReplyDeleteI've been avoiding watching the news, because I know that if I start, I will just keep watching it and feeling bad. Your pentagons look so gorgeous all bundled like that in a flower shape. They look wonderful in the quilts too.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is looking beautiful Kim. I find I cannot watch or listen to the News lately ... it just breaks my heart for those poor people.
ReplyDeleteA cup of tea. A time of prayer. Some stitching to cover up our fear. Beauty and Art in wartime gives a heart hope
ReplyDeleteAah yes....what would we do without a cup of tea, a time of prayer and a little stitching to bring a little smile to our day♡ All necessary in wartime. Kim Xx
DeleteI too try and avoid the news as much as I can, it is just too sad. I feel for those poor people. It was lovely to come to your blog and see your beautiful fabrics, applique and quilt blocks, also the flowers!
ReplyDeleteStrange and very sad times indeed. Just amazing though how the Ukranians are standing together against that massive force.
ReplyDeleteYour blocks are looking beautiful Kim, so effective against the plain background. We need flowers and prettiness at such a time, thank you. xx
Yes, Kim, we do prattle on and try to keep our own home a safe and happy haven, all while praying for all those lovely Ukrainian people. We feel so helpless, but pray we must.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is coming along so beautifully. I can picture you stitching away in your happy spot. Thank you for lifting our spirits with such beauty. 💕
Beautiful quilt! Yes we continue to stitch, I think it's what keeps us sane. The world is turning upside down. Everything people have gone through with Covid, getting Trump out of office (going to bed each night wondering what horrible thing he was going to do), and now this with Putin. Frightening, sad, frustrating and more. I don't want WWIII, but I fear it might happen. How else can we get rid of this horrible power hungry monsters? Spotted you on a mutual friends blog and thought I'd pop in to say hi. It's always nice to meet new bloggers.
ReplyDeleteAah......one Donald J. Trump....another unhinged madman! Goodness, there were times in 2020 when I, too, wondered what he was going to do. I fear there are far too many "power hungry monsters" in this world of ours. On a happier note though, how lovely to 'meet' you, Sandy. A lovely welcome to my little place where more often than not, I chat about stuff and nonsense and beam the odd pretty photo or two. Thank you for stopping by. Now, I am off to 'fly' through cyberspace and visit your lovely place. Kim Xx
DeleteI do know what you mean about going on when there is so much craziness going on, there is always something around the world that is just devastating to me, like you said you have to pray and leave it in God's hands since there isn't much more we can do. My brother and sister in law use to live Ukraine's capital but then my brother got Alzheimer's and they moved back to the states, I can't say how thankful they are here and not there.
ReplyDeleteOh my your quilt is coming along beautifully, the rings are so pretty against your plain background, I bet you are getting very excited as it is coming together!
It's horrible what's going on in the world right now. I'm with you in everything you say. It has come very close when there is war in Europe. We ask our Lord for peace. Here are big fundraisers with everything they might need in Ukraine. I have packed bags with clothes, wool blankets, sleeping bags and bedding and delivered in a trailer that drives to Ukraine tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kim, for the beautiful photo scenes you have made and share with us. As always, it's beautiful to see. We need to rest our eyes and thoughts with beautiful fabrics and flowers in between the images of war that we all have in our living rooms. Thank you!
Dear Kim, it is so sad and frightening what is happening in the Ukraine! I pray they are able to stay strong and continue to resist this mad man. Thank you for sharing your beautiful handiwork as a distraction. It is so cheery and I'm impressed as it looks like there is a lot of "math" used to make the circles so perfect. ;)
ReplyDeleteLet's continue to pray that God lays his protective hands over our Ukrainian friends.
I really like the fabrics, and it's such an interesting pattern. Some bright colors is just what I needed. As for the rest of the world... I can only pray that things will improve.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is all so very sad. It is hard to watch those images coming out of Ukraine. Suddenly everything seems so insignificant here. Many prayers are being said for those innocent people.
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are beautiful. I do LOVE that background fabric you are using.
Your quilt is looking so beautiful Kim. The fabrics are gorgeous. They just make you smile. It is very sad to see the news of the floods here and what is happening in the Ukraine. xx
ReplyDeleteHi Kim, such a pretty quilt it will be
ReplyDeleteKim - you said it well. It seems inappropriate to continue our lives as normal, when something so dreadful is happening in our world. Prayer is a normal activity that we CAN do, and I find some of my best prayer happens when stitching. So carry on, and thanks for sharing the beauty of your creations amidst your garden.
ReplyDeleteWe absolutely NEED places like this to come and visit for awhile simply to make us remember that there IS still good in the world. So your self-termed prattling is a balm for the soul. Please keep it up!
ReplyDeleteIt appears as though the 'other' possible horror is rearing his ugly head again (in reference to 'the Donald'). The possibilities of what could happen if both he and Putin are in power is enough to terrify us all.
Keeping those sorts of thoughts at bay is difficult but we have you and your sweet photographs to give us a sense of balance and that, along with prayers, is welcome.