What's going on

 around here.

I have been stitching. 

Coral Reef is pieced and ready for quilting. I have the backing already but won't quilt this for a while.

I am playing around with a layout for this quilt which is from an exchange with my quilt group...from 2016. 

I need to complete one block and make one more for this layout. 

I want to use as much of the fabric as possible, so I am wondering how the setting triangles might look as random fabrics with a thin solid purple border followed by the purple print for about a 5-inch border. The binding would be solid purple. I'm also wondering if the Roman Stripe block (second row, left) needs an applique or something in the white area. Your thoughts/suggestions are welcomed.

I stitched up the next clue in the mystery my quilt group is doing.

This is the RSC through August.

Dark blue was the July color. Aqua is the color for August. Since my light blue block has some aqua-ish colors I opted to make a brown/tan block. 

For the past week or so I have been watching this creature remake its web every evening.

Thankfully it is on the outside of the window.

Here are three more of the little quilts from the Endangered Species: Animals and Plants in Fabric Perspectives that were on display at four area forest preserves. 

Close up of the moth. Such lovely detail.

Close up of the bird. Wonderful threadwork.

My yard is in bloom.

This is what I see when I look out my front door. My beds are messy. I know that. I know I need to get out there and pull some weeds and neaten up everything. But, it has been very hot here the last few days. And, I stand here several times a day and just enjoy the view. Sometimes I see butterflies or hummingbirds. And, once in a while I will see a beautiful bird that I don't see often here. It brings me joy. 

The Hibiscus gets a little bigger every year. 

The blossoms are bigger than my hand! and so beautiful.

We are having stormy weather today.

I have a volunteer pumpkin plant. No pumpkins though. Hmm?

And, something is eating the green beans.

That's what's going on in my little corner of the world.

Stay safe and well.

Happy quilting!

Making and Making Do

To see what other quilters have on their design walls go to Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.

I haven't done any more quilting on Windmills.

But, I have been busy with other quilt-related projects. I finished piecing this top, Crimson Poppy.

And, this top - A Sparkling Samper.

I also got out this project yesterday - Coral Reef. 

I got all the foundation papers cut and organized. But I need a bigger surface to work on to cut the fabrics. Before I can do that  I need to clean up in the sewing room.

I started piecing the Churn Dash blocks together over the weekend. 

I divided them into piles - dark backgrounds, light backgrounds. I may regret it later, but for now, I'm just picking up one from each pile and sewing them together. I got one row sewn yesterday. 

My little design wall above the big ironing board is only big enough for a few blocks, not for complete rows.

Plus, I keep pinning things up there so it is slowly getting covered with things that are not quilt blocks. The big ironing board and cutting area are covered with the Churn Dash project and the RSC (yellow for February) block for next month. Somewhere in there are also blocks for the Stashbuster Challenge for 2021 by Border Creek Station. 

So, I am making do with my fabric stash by pinning things to the fabric in the cubbies. 

I like to take photos outside but that isn't happening right now.

And, one more thing to add to my list of projects; My Quilter's Exchange group has decided that since we are unable to meet in person, but are all wanting to have some kind of connection during Covid we will be working on a mystery quilt. It is being organized by our 'leader' and the first clue will be posted today. I have chosen a fat quarter batik bundle and added some more fabrics from my stash. 

The colors aren't true (I just can't seem to get that right) but you can get an idea of what they look like. I will have to use the lighter fabric in the middle as the light because I don't have enough of the darker one. The dark teal on the left and the dark green on the right are border options. I will probably not decide which one until the rest of the top is pieced.

I can't believe it is already February! Winter has made itself known here the last few days.

We have gotten snow. Not a lot, really, but enough to cause problems. 

It all started Saturday afternoon with rain, that turned to slushy rain, that turned to snow. Cold temps and wind have made for icy, drifted roads that are hazardous. 

There are some rabbits that live under the end of the ramp where those drifts are. I think the drifts probably help keep the wind out, maybe.  

The drifts haven't blocked them in. There are a lot of rabbit prints around the front garden.

And, it appears, at least one cat has been lurking about! And, that is fine by me. I hope he is keeping the rodent population under control.

Husband set out early this morning to travel the 1-1/4 mile distance to his parent's house to feed the cows. He had to turn around and come home for the tractor. The roads had drifts large enough that made getting through impossible. A snowplow has just now gone down my road so hopefully, the roads will be better soon. The sun is shining now which is quite deceiving. It looks like a pretty day, but the wind is picking up again and it is COLD!

Stay safe and well.