Woo hoo, I've made some progress with these Flowering Snowball blocks. I've decided to do one more row of six blocks, since I have the fabric to spare, and what's not to like about a longer quilt? Don't you love the secondary circular pattern these blocks make? I do enjoy the effects of curved piecing.
Omg. I am loving Downton Abbey, as I have mentioned in previous posts. I have been setting up the lap top on my sewing table and watching all the old episodes while I sew. Well. I discovered on Amazon that one can purchase for $19.00 the entire episodes of the current season 5, and watch them ahead of their airing on PBS here in the US. Of course I did it, since I am so addicted enamored of that show. I watched the final episode #9, season 5 today. I tell you, I wept like a baby. The phone rang--I didn't care. Nothing was going to interrupt my sob fest. At the climax, the entire Crawley family was singing Christmas carols, and a major character had just accepted marriage proposal from another major character. I was a complete wreck. Good lord, I love that program. But, I ask you, seriously, can't Anna and John Bates stay out of jail? Really? Always falsely accused of course, but honestly? Come up with another plot line, please? Can't those two characters have a moment of happiness?
I have watched all the episodes created thus far, even ones that haven't had their air time on US tv. So what next? I am thinking I might start over again with Season One, Episode One and just repeat the experience. Do any of you have favorite Masterpiece Theater programs you might recommend? I am open to considering some other dramas. Maybe.
I love Downton Abbey too but my favorite series by far is Call the Midwife. That should be back on in March I think so get caught up now as there have been a few seasons before the upcoming one. I adore that show.
Posted by: Chris | February 03, 2015 at 04:58 AM
Chris mentioned Call the Midwife ... my walking partner loves that show. I may be the only person left in the US who hasn't seen Downton Abbey. ;-)
Posted by: Kathy | February 03, 2015 at 05:20 AM
Nicole,
There is also a (new to us) show called Grantchester. Yummy about a preacher turned amateur detective. Very good too. Love PBS. G
Posted by: ButterflyGeorge | February 03, 2015 at 05:56 AM
I am loving the series Lilyhammer from Netflix. It's a more humerous Sopranos type of show set in Norway. I also loved the series Sherlock from PBS. Am also a great fan of Downton and am so sorry that season six will be the last (so I heard).
Posted by: Kathi | February 03, 2015 at 06:14 AM
LOVE your pink Flowering Snowball and that secondary circular pattern. Looking good!
These aren't Masterpiece Theater shows, but we love the older BBC series "As Time Goes By" as well as "Midsomer Murders".
Kathy, I haven't seen Downton Abbey either so you're not the only person in the US who has given it a miss.
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | February 03, 2015 at 06:31 AM
My favorites are Endeavor (Inspector Morse when he was young), Inspector Lewis (Morse's second), Silk (a female London barrister),The Mrs Bradley Mysteries with Diana Rigg, Rumpole of the Bailey and all the Agatha Christies - Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple (only with Joan Hickson). What is your set up for listening to books on tape or watching a DVD or streaming video? I would love to do this while sewing. All the technology is over my head these days and my young person has moved out of the house.
Karen L.
Posted by: Karen L. | February 03, 2015 at 06:41 AM
Your quilt is just beautiful! I can't stop looking at the circles. Gorgeous!
Posted by: Lisa D. | February 03, 2015 at 06:43 AM
The quilt is turning out great! Love the cheerful color.
As to viewing pleasures.. I LOVE LOVE BBC shows. They are always so well done. and short. they seem to cut out all those useless filler shows. And what about that proposal??? I was like, you sly dog!!!
As suggested here, if you have not checked out Call the Midwife, you are missing out. Better than Downton. Season 4 already started in the UK so PBS should be getting to air it over the summer.
I JUST finished watching Orphan Black. Ack. That was soooo good.
I hear great things about Mr Selfridge (Season 3 just started in the UK). Lark Rise to Candleford is another BBC show I enjoyed. It's older (Mr Bates was in this show before DA).
Hope this helps in choosing your next show.
Posted by: Sandy M | February 03, 2015 at 07:17 AM
To answer Kathy's question about my set up: For watching DVDs while I sew, I use my Mac laptop with ear buds. I have Amazon Prime and can watch lots of movies and tv episodes for free. I use my ear buds (wish the cord was a bit longer) so I can hear over the noise of the sewing machine. I set the ironong board up right next to me so I don't have to get up. For my audio books, I subscribe to Audible (a division of Amazon) and can listen to audio books on my iPhone or iPod. I use my ear buds for those too so I can hear better. For DVDs, a lot of people join Netflix so they can watch movies and tv programs. Hulu is another program you can subcribe to or download for viewing shows and movies.
Posted by: Nicole | February 03, 2015 at 07:31 AM
Probably my all time favorite Masterpiece Theater series was "The Jewel in the Crown" from quite a few years ago. It is set in India. I don't know if it is still available but I loved it. Another British series that is quite good is "Foyle's War" set in Britain around WWII. Also, I sometimes listen to books on CD when I sew. It can really make time fly.
Posted by: Linda Kay | February 03, 2015 at 08:15 AM
Nicole, the original "Upstairs, Downstairs" is still pretty darned spectacular and I think you would like it. Available from Netflix is "The Duchess of Duke Street." It is my absolute all-time favorite TV thing; there are two seasons and whenever I watch, I become completely engrossed in Louisa's life. Give it a try . . . .
Posted by: Nancy, Near Philadelphia | February 03, 2015 at 08:26 AM
Nicole I just LOVE this quilt !!! It is GORGEOUS!!!!
Posted by: Sue Babich | February 03, 2015 at 09:08 AM
Another vote here for Mr. Selfridge. I can't wait until the next season is available on Amazon!
Posted by: Laura @ Prairie Sewn Studios | February 03, 2015 at 09:15 AM
Right now I am watching Mi-5, all ten seasons worth. It's a great show. Others that we love are Midsomer Murders, Broadchurch, Happy Valley, Foyle's War, Bletchley Circle, Prime Suspect, Rosemary and Thyme, Endeavour, Last Tango in Halifax, Doc Martin, Grantchester, the list goes on! We have Netflix so I have access to lots of British shows. Also, our local library has a tremendous selection of Masterpiece series dvds that I can borrow.
Posted by: Miss Jean | February 03, 2015 at 09:23 AM
I LOVE your quilt. That is on my list to make, I bought the same templates you recommended, maybe this Spring or Summer I will start. Curves have never been my friend (quilting or otherwise!) I love DA too and enjoy all tv better when I can watch it on video. This may sound weird but I am enjoying Lilehammer on Netflix, it's comedy/drama with lots of beautiful sweaters! Thank you so much for your blog!
Posted by: Beth F | February 03, 2015 at 09:33 AM
Try Island At War. It has the actress who plays Anna in DA. It was sooooo good. Only 6 episodes but so worth it!
Try THe Forsyte Saga and The Paradise. Also The Aristocrats. all period pieces done well. liked all of these better that DA.
Posted by: ina | February 03, 2015 at 10:44 AM
Hi! I am a friend of your sister Kate! We worked at Crate together. Anyway, I guess that you work in retail a bit also. Now that you have watched all of Downton Abbey, you might try Mr. Selfridge...find the old episodes, also Masterpiece Theatre/PBS. American goes to London to open a new department store with American ideas. Fab costumes!
Posted by: Dona Zarosinski | February 03, 2015 at 11:41 AM
Downton Abbey is wonderful! You may enjoy some of the other British productions that I see have been mentioned in previous comments. Grantchester, Mr.Selfridge (based on the actual American, Doc Martin and Last Tango in Halifax (hilarious!)
Your flowering snowball quilt looks fabulous so far!
Posted by: Donna | February 03, 2015 at 03:32 PM
Love those bright colors! Your quilt is going to be gorgeous!
Posted by: Jan | February 03, 2015 at 06:54 PM
That quilt is gorgeous!! I haven't started on Downton Abbey... I'm sure I would be hooked.
Posted by: Liz S. | February 03, 2015 at 07:34 PM
Beautiful progress on your quilt!!
Ohhh, may need to order season five of Downton Abbey now. Such a letdown after I finished the first four in a matter of a couple weeks or so. I do the same as you-- watch while sewing. I was glad you asked the question about other show options. I am taking notes. :-)
Posted by: Beverly | February 03, 2015 at 09:51 PM
Not a Masterpiece drama, but lots of fun: Monarch of the Glen. Julian Fellowes, head writer for DA, has a recurring role. Also, the movie Gosford Park is one of my all-time favorites. Written by Julian Fellowes, it has the same upstairs-downstairs scheme as DA. The cast of Gosford is amazing!
Posted by: Angie | February 04, 2015 at 04:27 AM