A Sunday Outside of Books
Happy Sunday! Since this post isn't bookish, I didn't feel right using Sunday Salon in the title.
Yesterday I headed down to the lake for a quiet weekend of R&R. I haven't been reading a ton lately, but I have been reading more than I did in June. Unfortunately, I still haven't been bloghopping a whole lot in the past two weeks. Although my days have gone back to normal at work, and I have my reading time back (in the mornings and at lunch), my evenings have been full of non-bookish things.
Remember that quilt I talked about a few months ago? The top is now finished--just need to add one more strip for length and then it's on to the scary task of quilting, which I've never done by machine before. This is only my third quilt and the past two I've hand-tied. Other than being petrified of machine quilting, I am in love with the colors and design. Is it bad to say I'm pretty darn proud of myself? :P
Even Maggie likes the quilt
The [mostly] finished top:
In addition to quilting, I've been taking a cake decorating class at the local community college. It's kind of a pain because I have to bake and ice the cake ahead of time, which is part of the reason why my evenings have been full--very time consuming until I get the hang of it.
My first decorated cake:
Isn't he cute?
What do your summer days look like outside of books? I hope everyone is having a wonderful and relaxing Sunday!
One simple bookish question: Would you consider Catch-22 a classic? I'm torn about it since it was published in 1961, but I want to count it for the Classics Challenge since it doesn't fit on any of my other lists. What do you think? Is there a cut-off year for classics?
47 comments:
I love your quilt! How I miss having time to craft. Hopefully I will again soon, though. And the cake is almost too cute to eat :D I'm one of those people who find clowns slightly creepy, but yours do NOT creep me out, which is saying a lot :P
A lot of people consider classics to be over 50 years old, but hey, only two years to go, so I'd say it counts :P And plus those rules aren't set in stone anyway.
I made a New Year's Resolution this year to read one non-fiction and one classic each month. My rule is that anything published before or in 1950 can count as a classic. Please don't ask how I came to that conclusion - I totally made it up.
Like Ana, I found clowns slightly creepy, except take out the "slightly," which probably accounts for me not thinking the clowns are cute but scary, haha!
As for Catch-22, it's definitely a classic. It's nearly 50 years old, it made a huge impact on culture, and even introduced vocabulary we still use today. It's not likely to leave the canon any time soon. You should count it. I count it as a classic and have since I first read it in 1998.
For me, there is no cut-off year for classic status. Plus, the book even came out before you were born. Count it!
"Is it bad to say I'm pretty darn proud of myself?" No, absolutely not, Trish! You should be proud of yourself...it's beautiful!
I've long thought of Catch-22 as a classic. Not sure I could put into words how I describe a classic...just that "you know it when you see it" kind of thing. Anyway for what it's worth, in my view, it's a classic.
I say count it. Catch-22 is a classic.
Happy quilting!
Looks like you have had a real crafty month. I just love the clowns on the cake and I am so impressed by your quilt.
Your quilt is so pretty, as is your kitty :). You did a great job on the cake as well.
Totally rockin quilt! Someday before I die I'm going to be a quilter, that and drive a mini-cooper in a reality-free world where there aren't any speed limits, but any-hoo, I've just started Catch-22 as well, and am waiting patiently to know if it's a classic or not. I say if more than 100 people have heard of it, it's probably a classic, if not, do we get picked up by the Challenge police if we enter one of questionable status? :D
Your weekend at the lake sounds so nice. It's nice to get away now and then, isn't it?
The quilt is beautiful, Trish. And I'm glad to see Maggie approves. :-)
What a lovely cake! I love the clowns. Is his body all frosting?
I would definitely count Catch-22 as a classic. It may be a more modern classic but it's had a lasting impact on society--not to mention it's been on required reading lists for what seems like forever. Of course, I'm biased. I counted it towards the classics challenge the year I read it.
Have a good weekend, Trish!
Beautiful quilt. I love all the pretty colors. And your cake turned out fantastic- I don't think I could do so well on a first try. How did you make the clowns?
I think Catch-22 is a classic, because I've always heard of people being made to read it in school! Never managed to get through it myself, though.
Wow, you are so crafty! I can't believe that's your first decorated cake.
--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
I think there's only a cut-off year for classics if one was given in the original challenge. I suppose, given the year it was published in, I'd call Catch-22 a modern classic, but that still uses the term 'classic', so...
Sneaky question out of the way... That is a pretty quilt! And a mighty fine cake. That's your first ever decoration? Just astonishing.
And Maggie! Bless her. We want more pictures of the quilt when it's finished and more pictures of Maggie and more cake decorations, you must understand. (Although it's possible I'm using a royal 'we', but I doubt that...)
What about One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey which was published in 1962? I just finished it and am planning on counting it as a classic. It's almost 50 years old and is has made it to the syllabus of college literature courses. That's my argument for it.
I saw count Catch-22 as a classic.
Love the quilt and the cake. It's fun to see what creative things we readers get up to.
The cake is amazing! It sounds like a really fun class!
I would definitely count it as a classic still.
You are very creative - I love the quilt and the cake! Who gets to eat the lovely cake?
Hi, you have an award at my blog. :)
The cake is adorable!
I'll add my voice to the chorus: Catch-22 is totally a classic!
Love the quilt - and the kitty!
I don't even know where to begin my rave. Your quilt is beautiful and so is your cake. I love the squiggliness of the clown bodies and the turn of their toes. I took a cake decorating class when I was younger, but just couldn't get the hang of it. I do like to put together quilts, but my sewing machine is tucked away until we finish remodeling our house. This summer I am mostly reading, gardening, starting to put up food, and spending too much time on the computer.
About Catch-22 - I would count it as a classic. It's passed the test of time for 48 years.
Wow. The quilt is beautiful and Maggie reminds me of Maddie but she hangs out on the window sills to get the direct sun.
I love the cake. I was watching Ace of Cakes last night and thought about you, wondering how it was going. Thanks for knowing that and giving me an answer so fast!
And Catch-22 is on the Newsweek top 100 book list, which is a compilation of all the other 'best book' lists. I consider it a classic, if that matters.
cjh
Trish, the quilt is just beautiful. I love the colors, they all look so pretty together. Do you hand sew the pieces together or use a machine? I am not good with sewing machines. lol.
Your first cake is fabulous! I didn't expect anything so involved for a first cake. Your clowns are just adorable. Great job! I hope you'll post more of them as you do them.
Have a great Sunday Trish!
Oh my, you guys are too sweet!!
In response:
1. I'm counting Catch-22 as a classic. It is my challenge afterall, right? :P
2. Most of this cake went in the trash since I didn't work Friday. This week I'll take the left overs to my coworkers. The clowns are just a helluva lot of frosting. :) Not sure what's in store next week.
3. I don't hand sew. Who the heck has time for that?? :) I always machine piece, but I usually hand-tie the layers together.
Thanks so much for your encouragement--you're making me blush. :)
*CB James - count it! I'll make a deal--if I can count Catch-22, you can count One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. I've seen people pick books from the 80s and even 90s for the challenge--I'm not here to police. :) It's all fun.
Geez ~ already 24 comments! :) I couldn't let this one go by without giving you a couple pats on the back, a high-five or maybe just a big HOORAY FOR YOU! (Take your pick or take 'em all.) You've done good, Trish!
As for Catch 22 - I'd say it's a classic.
That's good decorating.
To be honest, I have no interest in allocating labels like classic to books. Catch-22 is one of the best novels of all time. That's all there is to it.
.....
But yes it is a classic.
Your quilt is beautiful!! I really love the colors you picked out, they go so well together. I'm so impressed!!
And your cake is quite impressive, too. It's funny, when my mother took cake decorating, I think her first cake had clowns too!! :-) You're a woman of many talents!!
Happy Sunday!!
That quilt is so beautiful! You're right to be proud, you did an amazing work!
I haven't read Catch-22 yet, but I'd count it as a classic based on how often it pops up on most "best of" lists.It's hold enough too, nearly 50 years old, and I'm pretty sure a lot of people will still be reading it 2 years from now! But a "classic" definition varies from one person to another.
I love your quilt, Trish! You're so talented! When I was in school, I dreaded sewing classes because I'm just not skilful when it comes to that, but I enjoyed cooking classes!!!
And seeing the cake makes me drool! The clowns are adorable. I'd love to go for baking classes if there's a chance!
Love the quilt and the cake! Two things I wish I knew how to do. I am not crafty at all. I read and I bake (just not the cake decorating kind of baking.) :-)
They both look fabulous!
Trish the quilt is beautiful! I'm so glad you added the white, it really brightens it up. I'm SO far behind.
The cake is a crazy amount of icing. I'm so impressed that it was your first class. How long does the class last? Will your coworkers appreciate it? How was your day off?
I love your quilt. That is a lot of work and hours you have put into it.
I would consider Catch 22 a classic. It is on many required reading lists. I hate to tell you when I read it.
It is close to the 1/2 century mark so go for it.
Besides..didn't you just love the book?
Your cat is adorable.
Happy week....
Wisteria..Bookworms Dinner
I did non-bookish things yesterday. Today I was blogging and reading. I have an eye problem so my reading was limited today. The drops are helping.
Happy Sunday! (30 more minutes anyway)
Catch-22 has got to be a classic. Any book that's that well known 50 years on has got to be a classic. It's also one I really need to read.
Love the cake and the quilt! What cheery colours!
The quilt looks awesome, Trish! Our cat, Presley, loves to sit on nearly finished quilts my wife is making. Kitties and quilts just seem to go together.
The cake decorating looks so cool. What an interesting thing to take a class on.
I would consider Catch-22 a classic. My uncle gave me a copy because he loved it but I'm not a big "war story" fan, movies or books. I may read it someday. Especially if you read it and tell me it's good. :-)
I LOVE your quilt and your cake! It looks very cute! You'll have to make a good cake for your neice's first birthday (which by then, you'll be a super pro!) I would say Catch 22 is a classic for sure. Even though it's not super old yet, it is still read decades after publication and I would imagine it will be read for many years to come! How is it going, by the way...does it make sense yet?
*Joy - thanks for the pats on the back, high fives and hoorays! I haven’t been getting much else done, but I feel somewhat productive.
*Damned Conjuror - LOL—it’s not great decorating, but I’m learning. Tasted good anyway. Loving Catch-22, although I don’t always get it. :P
*Melissa - The class I’m taking isn’t officially Wilton, but we pretty much do everything you would in a Wilton class—maybe that’s why we both did clowns. Does your mom still make cakes?
*Infiniteshelf - I think you’re right about Catch-22. I don’t think people will suddenly stop reading it. I’m definitely counting it!
*Melody - The sewing isn’t too difficult for me because it’s just a straight line. Not sure about doing anything more complicated than that! Do you do a lot of cooking at home?
*Jeanette - The cake decorating isn’t difficult—I just don’t have a creative mind to “see” the design before making it. And little patience. :P
*Lisa - There is a ridiculous amount of icing on that cake. Enough to make anyone sick. :) The class is six weeks, but we missed the first one so don’t know how long it will really go. Maybe just 5? Day off was good but completely unproductive. Oh well.
*Wisteria - Catch-22 is great, but I don’t always ‘get it’ :) I hope your eyes are feeling better by now! That’s such a bummer thing to happen over the weekend.
*Blacksheep - The quilt is full of summery colors, huh? By the time I finish it will be time to make autumn colors. :) Definitely counting Catch-22 after everyone’s input!
*Paxton - I think Kitties and off-limit places go together. It seems our cat knows exactly where she shouldn’t be and goes and makes herself cozy in that spot. About the cake decorating, guess I felt I needed just ooooone more thing to add to my day!
*Laura - I’m definitely bringing this week’s cake up to work on Friday, so prepare yourself. Well, unless it’s rotten, then I won’t. Catch-22 is going well but I don’t think it’s making sense yet. Don’t think it will make sense even at the end. Definitely one to read again and again—um, if you like it.
Maggie looks like she is contemplating your quilt squares. It looks great! I've never tried quilting, but I do sew occasionally and I like to crochet and do needlepoint.
Fortunately, I don't. :P It's too tiring to cook after work, and plus my inlaws are staying near our area so we always have dinner at their place (they help to look after our 9-mth-old baby, while my eldest one is in childcare center) and then we'll bring the kids home. I do the cooking during the weekends though.
Your quilt is lovely, you should totally be proud of yourself! :-) I wish I could do stuff like that - I'm trying sewing soon though, so maybe I'll succeed at that! :-)
I counted Catch-22 for the classics challenge last year, I think. I'd say it definitely counts!
WOwo! I am PROUD of you Trish... That quilt is so PRETTY! and the cake looks delicious... yummilicious... and mouth-watering!
You cat is so darn cute :)
I am not sure about Catch-22... Let's count it in ;)
I have it and I can read it as well for the classics challenge! :D :D
selfish ME!
This week just keeps getting better and better! Birthday ice cream treats today, then cake on Friday! Woo hoo!
Wow! You should be totally proud - that quilt is gorgeous, I love the mix of colours and patterns. The shapes you chose make it look so fun too.
And I'm speechless about your cake! Great job :)
A. LOVE the quilt!
B. Wow, look at you, getting all creative! The cake is awesome, too.
C. Maggie pictures always are thrilling. So neat that you got a pic of her on your quilt.
D. Yep, Catch-22 is a classic.
The quilt is so pretty..love the colors! The cake is adorable...that takes a lot of patience to do that!! Hey, you have to balance reading with real life...enjoy your summer!
Wow, I LOVE your quilt...gorgeous color combination! I just started quilting and am totally addicted :) Like you, though, machine quilting is beginning to loom quite scary in front of me. I just finished a double bed quilt which I had machine quilted for me...but I also just finished a table topper AND a lap quilt which I am going to attempt to quilt myself. Luckily my local quilt shop is awesome...they have offered to help me get started, so I'll be heading in there tomorrow and take the plunge!
*Terri - Oh I would love to learn how to crochet! I know the basics of it but that only allowed me to do a scarf type pattern. I used to needlepoint years ago but don’t have the patience for it now.
*Melody - I used to cook pretty frequently but haven’t put together a meal in what seems months! I enjoy it, but you’re right about being too tired after work. So nice that your in-laws are so close by.
*Joanna - You’ll have to be sure to tell us how the sewing is going. I can sew in a straight line, but anything more complicated than that is…well, complicated. :)
*Veens - Haha! Yes, read Catch-22! And thanks for your sweetness, Veens. You always make me smile.
*Laura - Boo—now I feel bad that I didn’t bring any cake. I was going to bring just you a piece but I didn’t know if that was silly or not. Ooooh—there’s still all that ice cream in the freezer, though!
*Joanne - Thank you thank you. The shapes are shamelessly easy. It’s just a regular 9-patch sewn together, cut down the middles, and refigured. Too easy. :) Do you sew at all?
*Bookfool - Maggie says hello. I have to keep the quilt top up while I’m gone otherwise she’ll start nesting. :) Creativity doesn’t come naturally to me, but I have fun trying!!
*Bonnie - The cake decorating takes patience and a steady hand! I am learning it is a lot more difficult than it looks. Balance isn’t easy, but we’ve got to try, right?
*Wendy - Thank you! You’ll have to know how the quilting goes for you. Will you be machine quilting the topper and quilt or handquilting? I’ve very overwhelmed and keep putting off working on the quilt because I just don’t know how to go about it. I just have a regular machine and I don’t know how that’s going to work with a quilt sized project!!
I could never do it by hand...so I'll be machine quilting...of course mine is smaller than yours, so I hope it won't be too bad. But I know how scary it is...my local quilt shop is excellent and they are going to help me get started and show me how to pin my quilt "sandwich" together. This is the pattern I'm going to do...it looks pretty straight forward!
While we're talking about quilting...scroll down on this post and be ready to be completely awed by this woman...I don't see how anyone could do this without a laser or marking their quilt top, but she did...WOW!
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