Spirals Quilting Design Pattern

Sometimes being a blogger has some real advantages. I posted a photo last week of my most recently finished table topper, a pattern by Carried Away called Summer Breeze. The pattern is wonderful, but the design my quilter chose for the quilting really set off the design and was so in keeping with the breezy summery feeling of the quilt itself. Sadly, I didn't have any idea what the name of the quilting design was. My quilter usually sends me some suggestions for quilting options but doesn't always attach a name to them.

Imagine my surprise when I received a comment from the actual designer of the quilting pattern! Denise Schillinger is the creator of this quilting design "Denise's Spirals". It is a pantograph available for sale through Urban Elemenz.

How cool is that?

In other news, it has done nothing but rain here for the past two and half months. My husband is out in the garage building an ark as I write this. Well, maybe not, but this situation is getting dire. If I don't see the sun pretty soon I just don't know how much longer I can cope. 

One fun thing the husband and I have been doing is watching some of the movies that were nominated for the 2023 Oscars. As you read this, the winners will have been announced, but I know we have some favorites. We used to be such movie buffs, going to the cinema a couple of times a month. Since the pandemic, we watch things at home on the TV now, which is ok, but there is something so dynamic about seeing a movie on the big screen. Here is what we've seen (I've linked to the trailers if you are interested):

We watched Elvis, which was incredible. Austin Butler will get the award for Best Actor unless he is robbed.

We saw Banshees of Innishiren, starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. The movie was very weird, but quite good. Of course, the story is set on an island off the coast of Ireland, so that's all we needed to be on board. I doubt it will win for Best Picture, but I am very glad to have seen it. The acting was top-notch and made me go from laughing out loud to tearing up in sympathy. It was certainly thought-provoking. You have to know going in that the movie is a metaphor for the Irish Civil War, then things make more sense. 

My husband took himself to the local theater a month or so ago to see Top Gun: Maverick and really enjoyed it. I skipped it due to it not quite being my thing. Very loud and action-packed.

Finally, we saw Women Talking, which is based on the novel by Marian Toews. The plot concerns a sect of Amish women who have been consistently drugged and sexually abused by male members of their community. Now, before you say "Ick" and vow never to see it, hear me out. The cast is amazing: Claire Foy (Queen Elizabeth in The Crown), Rooney Mara, Frances McDormand, and Jessie Buckley (one of Ireland's best actresses). As the movie begins, the attackers have been arrested and taken away to a nearby city. The women are left alone on their compound and hold a meeting to decide 1) If they should stay and do nothing, 2) If they should stay and fight, or 3) If they should all pack up and leave. The philosophical dialog was fascinating as the women talk through the various scenarios open to them. Do they forgive, as their religion teaches them? Do they band together and demand equality and power in their sect? Should they leave the miserable so and so's and start up their own colony elsewhere? This was so so good. I'll be thinking about this movie experience for a very long time. Award-winning performances by the whole cast. If you like a movie that makes you think, this is the one. 

Have you seen any of these movies? Or any others you enjoyed? Do share in the comments. 

Well, I have started the week off in a very chatty way, have I not? With any luck, I will have some sewing to share this week and less to blab about!

Comments

[Bridget]

I love your topper and think the spirals look a bit like an Irish spiral ;) as to movies, well, let's just say another year when I skip the Oscars because I have not been to the movies yet this year...I want to but it seems I am always busy taking kids to THEIR activities! lol We are out of snow days here but not out of snow...not sure which is better, snow or rain.

[Kerry]

I saw several of the Oscar nominated movies and enjoyed them all! So glad to hear you liked Women Talking!!! The author, Miriam Toews, is from a small town (Steinbach) not far from me. Nicole you should check out some of her books. Sorry about the rain! Having lived in Vancouver for several years it can really drag you down not seeing the sun!

[Jan]

I saw 'Top Gun: Maverick' on opening day with my husband & really enjoyed it! I haven't yet seen 'Everything, Everywhere All At Once', but Michelle Yeoh is a favorite from her role in 'Crazy Rich Asians', so I was happy to see that she won Best Actress! Have a good week!

[Kathleen]

We saw and enjoyed the Elvis movie. He really did an excellent job. Loved the Banshees of Innesherin, but had no idea of the metaphor! Interesting. It's a movie I will likely watch again. Saw the Top Gun movie on tv, and while I wasn't looking forward to it, I actually liked it better than the first one. My husband watched and liked Everything Everywhere All At Once...I gave it about 15 minutes and quit! Too much going on and I like movies I don't have to devote too much attention to to enjoy! Will be checking out Women Talking...had no idea what it was about.

[Ina]

We both thought Top Gun was meh. Tom Cruise is really a terrible actor. Oh, well.

You have Acorn streaming...a really good Irish show we loved is called Striking Out. It has some really good quirky characters mixed in with drama. It was first rate.

My husband had to use the sump pump to pump water out from underneath our house yesterday. So much rain and the ground is saturated. My heart breaks for all the people who have lost their homes. I feel like we are living in the end of times. :(

[Denise]

Thank you so much for mentioning me! I’m so honored.