heppy quilting

Although I managed a creditable amount of hand-quilting during our time away on holiday, it wasn't enough to meet my self-imposed deadline. So desperate measures were called for when we returned; they came in the form of a boxed set of David Lean's films which have worked much as super-glue does and have kept me happily in one place for four super-long quilting evenings.

Actually, that should be 'heppily'. If there is one word which keeps me glued to my settee, screen and quilting, it's 'happy' - particularly in David Lean's films where it's almost always pronounced 'heppy'. As in, 'Are you heppy, darling?' to which the answer must be, 'Yes, darling. Very heppy.' Which makes me very heppy, too.

My film-fest has consisted of such gems as Hobson's Choice, The Passionate Friends, Madeleine, This Happy Breed (known in this house as This Heppy Breed) and Blithe Spirit with their casts of marvellous British actors (Rex Harrison, Charles Laughton, Ann Todd, Claude Rains, John Mills, Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson) with perfect diction whether they are (allegedly) in London, Salford or Glasgow.

The films are perfect for quilting for another reason: they don't move too quickly. Look down at your stitches for a nanosecond when watching a contemporary film and the chances are you'll miss a squillion frames and a large chunk of plot. The joy of David Lean's films is that they move at a graceful pace with the camera often lingering on a beautifully lit face or a delicately coloured interior. So you can look down as much as you like and be sure that Claude Rains' brooding, proud, tormented face will still be on-screen when you've done your stitch or stitches.

And these films have a lovely texture to them, especially the black & white ones with their intricate layering of light and dark and shadows. Perfect for quilting: texture for my hands and texture for my eyes - something that makes me verry, verry heppy. Darling.

Comments

[trashalou]

That is why I love b&w films - the utilise light almost as a character in much the same way modern movies use music. After some refelction I have concluded that black and white films make me 'heppy, very heppy'.

[kathleen]

Interesting. I am always looking for more films I will look those up, I have probably seen some of them but didn't realize they were David Lean films, I imagine most of them have been on TCM here in the states. I must say I am enjoying Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer very much, I am reading it slowly and marking the recipes I want to try. I feel lighthearted while reading and its just been loads of fun. I guess it makes me Heppy!

[Gina]

This made me laugh because in our house we always refer to "Brief Encounter" (a personal favourite) as "Hets and Mecs" (Hats and Macs)

[Sarah R]

I'm so heppy to hear that you're heppily quilting, as that means that soon we'll all be heppily looking at some gorgeous new quilts. Dahling.

[méri]

:))
So heppy reading this!
You are quite right about stitching and seeing films. Old films are a heppiness(?)
- i should need a phonetic transcription :)

[Lora]

Yes, I think that knitting and sewing are only deceptively 'quiet' activities. Today I got a glimpse of this diary entry from 1915 by Katharine Mansfield: 'It is so funny to sit quietly sewing while my heart is never for a moment still.' I have today been knitting 'while' overreading her journals 'and' overreading the paper 'and' listening to a couple of records.. Old classic movies would also be a good accompaniment.

[Jayne]

Oooh, what a lovely idea! I'm revisiting Audrey Hepburn at the mo as I deal with all my unfinished knitting projects: Funny Face yesterday, Breakfast at Tiffany's today.
I loved your Aldeburgh post: I was there on Monday, eating nice things and delving into the Britten Pears Foundation archives.

[Kathleen C.]

Hobson's Choice! One of my most favorite all time movies! His face the night of the wedding as he prepares to enter the bedroom... his face the next morning as he kisses her. No words, just a kiss. I get goosebumps thinking about it.
Oh, now you've gone and made me yearn to see it, and the video stores here don't carry it.
Seems I must start looking for my own boxed set of David Lean movies...

[Jackie]

Quilting is nace done by hend, but the petchworking bit is much better done by mechine...and quicker. (I'm sure you would feel as if you were copping out but you'd still have the handquilting...if its quilts you are making.)

[Liz in IN]

Oh...This Happy Breed. One of my very favourites. Especially Celia Johnson, with her lovely stoic face and just-barely-enough-energy-to-speak voice (except on occasion).

Heppy quilting.

[Del]

Films run 24 frames per second regardless of whether you are looking at them or not.

[catherine]

Some more films to add to my "must-see" list. I am looking forward to seeing the results of your heppy quilting, especially the floral extravaganza previewed in your previous post.

[Theresa Bakos]

Heppy Sewing to you too!

[Maizee]

I love movies in general and have a special love for the old B&Ws. Blithe Spirit is one of my all time favorites along with Hobson's Choice, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, The Secret Garden, The Enchanted Cottage, Claudia, Brief Encounter and I Remember Mama. I have a whole library of B&Ws and never tire of watching them. There is nothing better than quilting, crocheting, whatever in the company of a good movie. Did not know these were David Lean movies. Was only familiar with more recent productions of his. I will have to find some of the others you mentioned especially This Happy Breed. Celia Johnson
is so good in Brief Encounter-I'll have to see here in this.

[Mara]

I am in love with Maurice at the moment, and just love the languid pace of these kinds of films, where there are things going on but it's not all special effects and explosions and a million things happening at once. Those kinds of films give me a headache and make my heart race in a most unpleasant way.

Unlike Mauricewhich is teh heppy. :)

[suse]

I recently watched the 1938 Robin Hood and was delighted by Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn's perfect diction. I'm pretty sure Marian said "I'm so heppy dahling" too at one point.

Claude Rains was less heppy of course, being Prince John and all.

[LizT]

Hubby and I read this entry and laughed... he says there should be an "H" added to "darling" to make it just that bit more Leanian. :-)
Just got back from Festival of quilts at the NEC. Bought Kaffe Fasset's new book with your quilt in it. Was lucky enough to get to see him and have him sign my book. Am now gorging myself on the photos and colours! Yum!

[Emily]

Your quilting bit looks beautiful! I think I may have to look up some old favorites so I can get some knitting done!

[little red hen]

I absolutely agree with regard to watching films while you work. Even worse when you have a teen aged son armed with a remote control! I spent some considerable time trying to figure what was going on in the plot of a movie once and who the hell these new characters were and how on earth they related to those we met earlier in the film!! (I now try to keep control of the remote!)

[Arianna]

There is a David Lean 'directorspective' coming up at the Barbican.

http://www.barbican.org.uk/film/series.asp?id=596

So marvelous to see these films on the big screen again. Too bad the lights are so low, it would be wonderful to knit or quilt in the cinema!

[Carole]

Just read your post about going to Abingdon in a weeks time. Be sure to check out Masons if you have time. They have two shops, one for wool and one for fabrics. Oh heaven. Happy shoppong.

[Rosepetaljam]

I say 'heppy' too when I am come over all Brief Encounter and say to my Dh "are you heppy, darling?" to which he has to reply 'yes darling, I am very, very heppy' - ha ha!! Glad it's not just me!

[mindfulbeadser]

or those childen in "Brief Encounter":

"Mummmeee!!"
"But they deon't hef pantomaimes in Joon!"

[Jill]

I'd also recommend the Thin Man movies, with the Nick and Nora Charles characters. My sister-in-law sent me the box set for my birthday and the whole family has really enjoyed them. Great embroidery movies.

[Rhiannon]

Adding some of those films to my list. Look forward to seeing the quilting results :)

[Ruby]

When you go to Abingdon next week (I'm not around otherwise I would be there at the bookshop) do pop into Masons at 22 Stert Street- at the front it's all curtain fabric - but the lovely knitting yarns are all towards the back!

[di]

I don't know the films and actors, but I can imagine them from what you have described, and I can completely relate to the problem of loosing track of the story when you look down for too long! Indeed, you need to find the right screen companions for a long night of stitching...

[Cele]

Absolutely love Blythe Spirit, one of my all time favs !
Kay Hammond is wonderful.