Words & Whimsy June 2021 Reading Challenge

Hosted by Words and Whimsy Reading Challenge on Facebook

Theme: Queer as F*ck

Team: Pan-tastic

Final Score: Team -  3rd Place,  6,221 points; Individual - 6th Place, 289 points

Updated: 6/8/2021

Completed: 6/28/2021

20 Points

LGBT Cue: Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur (finished 6/10/21)

Bi-Conic: The Beast by Katee Robert (finished 6/7/21)

Genderal Knowledge: The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang (finished 6/4/21)

Follow the Rainbow: Love in Color by Bolu Babalola (finished 6/24/21)

10 Points

Let Me Be Perfectly Queer: Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado (finished 6/17/21)

Show Your Pride: Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (finished 6/21/21)

Diverse as the Universe: Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell (finished 6/28/21)

Sounds Gay, I'm In: Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (finished 6/15/21)

5 Point Books

5 Points Per Book With LGBTQ+ Author/Character

1 Point Freebies

Snow White: The Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan (finished 6/7/21)

Instagram Prompts 

Days 1-2: Set Your TBR

Days 3-5: Love is Technicolor (book with a rainbow)

Days 6-8: I'm Coming Out (come out story)

Days 9-11: Hate is Inhuman (show us a love story)

Days 12-14: An Act of Bravery (story about bravery)

Days 15-17: Love Has No Gender (book that represents diverse gender)

Days 18-20: Only Your Spirit Defines You (show your rainbow spirit)

Days 21-23: Gay Rights Are Human Rights (LGBTQ main character)

Days 24-26: Sparkle, Baby (sparkle, glitter, metallics)

Days 27-28: Favorite Book of the Month

Mini Challenge (Completed All)

Set Your TBR

Life is Sweet - make a rainbow dessert

Know Your History - read about the Stonewall Riots

Done, read about it on Wikipedia and in a picture book at my boyfriend's place

Read a 3 Degrees Challenge Prompt

Make a Pride Themed Flag From Books

Complete the Charity Challenge

Show and Tell - watch the Words & Whimsy Pride panel

Tune In - make an LGBTQ inspired playlist

Read a Book By a Trans Author

Recommend a Diverse Read

Charity Challenge

Donated to the Grand Rapids Pride Center and shared to Facebook

Words & Whimsy May 2021 Reading Challenge

 Hosted by Words and Whimsy Reading Challenge on Facebook

Theme: "Folk of the Air"

Team: The Palace of Elfhame

Final Score: Team - 2nd Place, 10,187 points; Individual - Rank 12, 130 points

Updated: 6/8/2021

Completed: 5/28/2021

20 Points

Become Something to Fear: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Since I Can't Be Better, I'll Be Worse: Princesses Behaving Badly by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie

I Don't Take Commands From Mortals: Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

Nice Things Don't Happen in Story Books: The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni

10 Points

I Want To Tell You So Many Lies: Learn My Lesson by Katee Robert

My Villain, My Darling, My God: Jolene by Mercedes Lackey

Crave A Little Violence: The Lives of Saints by Leigh Bardugo

By You, I Am Forever Undone: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

5 Point Books

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black (finished after May 28)

5 Points per Author of Asian descent

Instagram Prompts (Completed All)

Days 1-2: Set Your TBR

Days 3-5: He's Flint, You're Tinder

Days 6-8: Love Is a Noble Cause

Days 9-11: Guard Your Mortal Heart

Days 12-14: All Forests Are Magic

Days 15-17: When His Blood Falls, Things Grow

Days 18-20: How Does It Feel To Be Stuck in a Fairy Tale?

Days 21-23: I Am What You Made Me

Days 24-26: Faeries Can't Lie

Days 27-28: Best Book of the Month

Mini Challenge (Completed All)

Set Your TBR

Make a Faerie Door

Design and Name a Crown

Watch a W&W Author Chat

Done

Read a Fae Book

Jolene by Mercedes Lackey

Complete the Charity Challenge

Done

Take Part in a Buddy Read

Read Ariadne by Jennifer Saint with a buddy

Make a Fae Inspired Cocktail

Complete the IG Challenge

Done

Best Book of the Month

Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

Charity Challenge

Donated to Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC and shared to Facebook

May 2021 Star Wars Readathon

 Hosted by Breakeven Books on Youtube

Team: Light Side

Updated: 6/8/2021

Completed: 5/31/2021

Light Side (Read 5) Read 4 plus 1 Neutral

Jedi Council: sequel of book in a series

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Force Spirit: paranormal elements

The Lives of Saints by Leigh Bardugo

Healing: favorite genre

Jolene by Mercedes Lackey

Knowledge: one of oldest books on your TBR pile/shelf

Cleansed: white cover

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Neutral Side (sub any one for Light or Dark side prompt)

Force Sensitive: main character with special abilities

The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni

Force Vision: past or future (sci fi or historical fiction)

Midi-chlorian: middle grade

Telekinesis: book you think will move you

Lightsaber: cover is your favorite color

Ariadne by Jennifer Saint (red)

Dark Side (read 5) Read 2 plus 1 neutral

Rule of Two: duology

Lightning: under 350 pages

A Worthy Opponent by Katee Rober

Force Vision Manipulation: political intrigue or royalty

Seduction: romance

Learn My Lesson by Katee Robert

Corrupted: black cover

Companions (Read 1 per side) Read 1 light side and 1 dark side

Allies (Light Side)

Rebel Alliance: book with rebellion

Resistance: least favorite genre

Princesses Behaving Badly by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie (non-fiction)

Bounty Hunters (Neutral)

Contract Kill: recommendation

Minions (Dark Side)

Galactic Empire: over 500 pages

First Order: first book in a series

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

The Chosen One (Read 1) Did not complete

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir 

April 2021 Mythothon

 Hosted by Foxes and Fairy Tales

Team: Merlin

Updated: 6/8/2021

Completed: 

Prompts

Group Prompt - Read a book with a witch or wizard: The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

King Arthur - featuring royalty: The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni (read in May)

Sir Lancelot - favorite author: Jolene by Mercedes Lackey (read in May)

Sir Gawain - color green on cover or in title: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Sir Percival - shiny cover: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Sir Bors - sequel: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo (read in May)

Sir Lamorak - under-hyped: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Sir Kay - significant sibling relationship: Ariadne by Jennifer Saint (read in May)

Sir Gareth - recent addition to TBR: The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

Sir Bedivere - something pointy on the cover: Princesses Behaving Badly by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie (read in May)

Sir Galahad - title starts with a "G": 

Sir Tristan - romance that should be legendary: The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

Sir Gaheris - audiobook or read part of story aloud: The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

Camelot - place you've never visited: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Group book: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

2020/2021 Retellings Reading Challenge

 Hosted by Cornerfolds, for 2020, but started it in 2021.

1) German Myth/Fairy Tale: 

2) 1001 Nights: Desperate Measures by Katee Roberts (finished in February 2021)

3) Sherlock Holmes: 

4) Debut Author: The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec (finished in April 2021)

5) Goodreads Award Winner: 

6) Edgar Allen Poe: 

7) Sirens or mermaids: 

8) Jane Austen: 

9) Set in Space: 

10) PoC Author: 

11) King Arthur: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (finished in April 2021)

12) African Myth/Fairy Tale: 

13) 500+ Pages: 

14) Phantom of the Opera/Les Mis: 

15) Middle Grade/Graphic Novel: 

16) Mulan: Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim (finished March 2021)

17) Mythical Creature on the Cover: 

18) Villain Origin Story: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (finished April 2021)

19) South American Myth/Fairy Tale: 

20) Author Duo: Tin by Candace Robinson and Amber Duell (finished January 2021)

21) Dracula/Frankenstein: 

22) 2020 Release: Jolene by Mercedes Lackey (finished May 2021)

23) Hades and Persephone: 

24) Own Voices: 

I Spy Cover Challenge 2021

 Hosted on Goodreads

January: airplanes, mittens, scarf, winter hat, boots, magi, wind

When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn

February: heart, bouquet, candy, chocolate, valentine

March: green, shamrock, rainbow, sea, lace, castle, Celtic cross

April: showers, umbrella, clouds, rain, rain boots

May: flowers, garden, table, cupcake, bird, camera

The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni

June: cottage, beach, bike, map, sun, sunglasses, seashell

July: water, drink, fireworks, chair, porch, picnic, sun hat

August: audio, audio players, microphone, earbuds, head phones

September: school, books, flag, quilt, pencil, ruler, basket

October: autumn, leaves, path, costume, pumpkin, apple

November: Armistice, Remembrance, poppy, Thanksgiving, turkey

December: bell, song, wreath, manger, star, sleigh, gift

Read Harder Challenge 2021

 Hosted by Book Riot

Updated: 12/28/21

1) One you've been intimidated to read: Princesses Behaving Badly by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie

2) Non-fiction about anti-racism: 

3) Non-European novel in translation: 

4) LGBTQ+ history book: 

5) Genre novel by Indigenous, First Nations, or Native American author: 

6) Fanfic: 

7) Fat-positive romance: Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn; Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade

8) Romance by a trans or nonbinary author: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

9) Middle grade mystery: The Circus of Stolen Dreams by Lorelei Savaryn

10) SFF anthology edited by PoC: 

11) Food memoir by PoC: 

12) Work of investigative non-fiction by PoC: 

13) Book with cover you didn't like: The Beast by Katee Robert

14) Realistic YA not set in the US/UK/Canada: 

15) Memoir by Latinx author: 

16) Own voices book about disability: The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

17) Own voices YA with Black main character not about Black pain: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn; Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood

18) Book by/about non-western world leader: 

19) Historical fiction with PoC or LGBTQ+ protagonist: Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

20) Book of nature poems: 

21) Children's book centering disabled character but not their disability: 

22) Book set in the Midwest: 

23) Book that demystifies a common mental illness: 

24) Book featuring beloved pet where pet doesn't die: Megabat by Anna Humphrey

Bonus task: complete all tasks with LGBTQ+ authors

Crafter's Block

Have you ever heard of Maslow’s Pyramid of Needs?

You have the best intentions to get to that crafting project, but other things keep sticking in your brain and you can't make them go away. Part of that is no doubt a function of my ADD, but partly it's because I'm stuck in the Physiological Needs zone.

The way this works is that you start at the bottom of the pyramid. If your physiological needs are met, you can move to the next level. If your safety needs are met, you can move to belongingness and love needs, and so on until you reach the self-actualization tier. This is where creativity lives.

Well, I'm stuck at physiological needs because of Covid-19 (I don't feel terribly safe). Even once I come to terms with this new threat to myself and loved ones, I'd get stuck at safety needs, because my love needs aren't currently being met. My brain is overflowing with ways to keep myself safe and secure right now and how I'm going to get food without getting infected with a virus that kills people and that we have no cure or even decent treatment option for.

I hate this, I'd like to get back to crafting again now. I don't want to think about decluttering my house to make it easier to manage, and I definitely don't want to worry about when I can take my kids outside of the house safely again to let them see their friends and family.

Quilt Finish 2018: Mini Diabolical Jane

Final Stats

Name: Mini Diabolical Jane

Dimensions: About 40" x 40" (I think)

Pieces: Front - 201, Back - 2

Pattern: Diabolical Jane by Jessie Aller

Technique: Patchwork

Materials: 100% quilting cottons

Quilting: Machine quilted on my Juki

This story begins as many of my stories do, with an expectant mother of a little boy. I asked my usual question: theme and/or color of the nursery and she told me they were planning to decorate the nursery in blue and orange, with a Finding Nemo theme. I went back and forth with design ideas, including ones with fish and anything else nautical I could find. But after making my mother-in-law's sea life quilt years ago, I really didn't want to do anything like that again. And then I remembered that I'd been meaning to try out the Diabolical Jane pattern that a former guild mate of mine had posted on her blog. And the blue and orange would be great for that.

Plus with the layout of the colors fading to white on the edges it looked like a bubble to me. But first I had to adjust the king sized quilt pattern down to a baby quilt size, and I decide to cut my strips 2.5" wide and my diamonds 2.5" square. As you almost have to do with this quilt, I played with the layout of the strips quite a bit, before I was truly satisfied. I was not happy with those too dark blues at the outer edges, for example, so they got replaced or rearranged. A lot of the fabrics also brought in the nautical/fish theme, though I used anything and everything blue and orange I had in my stash, despite what was on them. Next I started sewing together the sections. The more I sewed, the smaller the quilt got. Which I know is kind of to be expected, but because of the number of pieces, it rather surprised me on this one more than on most.

For the back I had bought a fish print fabric and added a strip of a seashell fabric to one side to make it larger and that was it. Nothing fancy since the front is already quite busy. After basting it, it sat and sat and sat some more. The problem: my two commission quilts that I was bound and determined to finish before going back to any gift or personal quilts. And so it sat some more, basted, ready to be quilted, for almost a year. When I finally did get around to it, after quilting the African Commission #1 quilt, I chose to play up the bubble idea and did an all-over free-motion pebble design. I love quilting those, it's almost soothing, and on such a small quilt it takes hardly any time at all, nor is it very hard to manipulate through the machine. I quilted them fairly large as well and tried to stay fairly round with them, though I didn't succeed with that completely. I'd say it still turned out really nice. 

When I trimmed the quilt square, I was surprised by how much it shrank, but at that point it was way too late to add borders or anything else. The binding was a dark blue with a faint linear bubble pattern that I found while shopping for some of the other fabrics. It does a good job of framing the quilt so the edges don't fade out completely and still maintains the theme, which I liked. A quick embroidery to add my initials and the date onto the quilt, and I had another quilt ready to send back to Washington, DC. By then that baby was almost or maybe even over a year old. Whoops!

African Commission #2

Stats

Name: African Commission #2

Dimensions: About 60" x 60"

Pieces: Front - 281, Back - 4

Pattern: Chinese Lanterns

Technique: Patchwork, Applique

Materials: Hand-dyed batiks from Africa and Asia, Kona White

Quilting: hand-tied in two different colors of yarn

Same story as African Commission #1, which you can read about here. I convinced her that she should give me free reign on design for the second quilt. It was inspired by the center panel that she had purchased in Asia (I think China, but I don't recall exactly). The lanterns are based off of several Chinese lantern patterns I've seen online over the years. I put the rough dimensions I wanted into EQ7 and adjusted until I was happy with the overall effect. For the corner applique blocks, I was inspired by the center of the panel and created templates for the petals. I sorted out all the blue and white fabrics and used only those from what she had sent me. The lanterns are paper pieced, and I did roughly 2-3 from each of the fabrics. The fabrics that had some variety in the design were great, because they allowed me to use different parts of the fabric to create different lantern designs.

The corner blocks are rough-edge applique with thin iron-on interfacing and a straight-stitch to tack them down. I used paper templates to trace onto the iron-on interfacing, and then used that to cut my pieces out of the fabrics. The center is just a center that I cut to the size I wanted, framed it in a plain white border and then my lantern and corner blocks. I was really happy with how the top came out, I have to say. The back was just four pieces of leftover fabric, the tighter weaves, that I pieced together into something resembling a flat, squarish piece. The client and I had talked about doing a yarn-tied quilt for this one, because I was having a lot of trouble wrapping my brain around how to machine quilt this, especially with the big center panel. I didn't want to do anything that would detract from that stitching, and I usually quilt in white, so it would have shown very clearly on the dark blue background.

I ended up buying a doll needle, which is super long and when I asked the sales clerk, she just looked at me funny for a minute, until we went over where the needles are and there was in fact one called just that. My first attempt was to do the hidden stitching, but between the thickness of the appliqued blocks, the thickness of the yarn I was using, and several other issues, which all boiled down to it being supremely difficult to get the needle through the quilt sandwich, I finally gave up on that. So I did the double-loop with a knot on the back of the quilt, so the front would be flat and the quilting would be nearly hidden. To that end, I also used black and white yarn very strategically so it wouldn't show quite so much. I really liked the overall effect, but it was sooooo time consuming and really hard on my fingers even with bandages and all sorts of other things that I tried to make it easier to pull the needle through.

I really hope the quilting stands up to multiple washing, although the client indicated that she might use it as a wall hanging. In which case, it really doesn't matter. After trimming it to size, I just did an all white binding, so it would blend and let the rest of the quilt design shine. Usually I like darker bindings to put a frame around the finished quilt, but I really like the effect of invisible edges on this one. Some embroidery finished it off, and after my usual photo shoot, it went in a box and was sent to Washington, DC over a year later than anticipated. Luckily the client loved both quilts and seemed fine with the delay. I was pretty proud of myself for finishing it up as well, finally! Though I did promise myself no more commissions for a while, because it seriously depressed my sewing mojo for a long time. Having projects you have to complete that you're not incredibly passionate about is hard. Made harder when you guilt yourself into only working on that project until it's totally done. The result: nothing gets done. Lesson learned (maybe).