Roosters and Butterflies

What a combination!

I got my bench-turned-fence painted.

Here it is modeling Sweet n' Sassy while I decided where to place it.

I decided to put it under this tree. Building blocks with bricks behind the legs hold it in place. It will be easy to move if I decide I don't like it here.

Yesterday I spruced it up a little.

My son and his GF gifted me with the chickens. They were meant for the kitchen. There are three of them in graduating sizes. There were linked together with chains meant to be hung and to hold produce. GF's parents were moving and didn't want them anymore. They thought I would like them. Isn't that nice of them to share?! I lined them so the potting soil wouldn't fall through then added plants. I know they don't hide the building blocks but the area does look a little nicer. I looked for trailing plants that would hand down and cover the blocks, but I couldn't find any. Things seem sparse in the garden centers around here this year. The rocks were picked up through the years by Husband when he found them in the fields. 

The background fabric for the Butterfly Baby Quilt arrived yesterday. 

It is a soft pink with a subtle swirly design. 

I got quite a few butterflies cut out. I hope this in enough, but can always add more if needed.

Guess I better get to work!

Stay safe and well.

Inside/Outside

To see what other quilters are up to go to Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.

Before the heat drove me inside I got my little fence placed. I hung a rooster on it. 

I like roosters and chickens. The building blocks hold the fence upright and make the fence easy to relocate if I decide I don't like it there. I got some plants yesterday that I plan to put around the building blocks. I am not going to plant them just yet though. We are on the edge of the expected path of tropical storm Cristobal and are forecasted to get wind gusts up to 45-50 mph with the possibility of tornadoes tomorrow. 

That will not be good for newly relocated plants. I will wait to see what happens. Hope to get things in place later this week.

The temperatures were rising so I went inside to work on stuff stashed under the MegaQuilter frame. I store my thread for machine quilting by color in tubs on the shelf. It was starting to get a little messy.

I discovered I had more of the basic colors - white, off-white, natural, light gray and gray- than I thought. I use these quite a bit and had ordered more the last time there was a thread sale at Connecting Threads. I also don't like the spools sitting out in the open because they get dusty. So I consolidated and re-organized and now it looks like this. Better. I need to get busy quilting so I can use up all that thread. 

I my defense, when I first got the MegaQuilter Husband ordered several thread bundles so I would have some of every color. Isn't he a great guy!?

Today it is cooler with a strong breeze so I have been working outside. I have LOTS of weeds to pull, bushes to trim, watering to do. But first I took a little walk around.

These first two are in memory of my brother. The miniature rose was given to me by my co-workers. The Penstemon was relocated from the prairie area he had worked so hard to start where he lived. My SIL struggled with living in the house the remodeled. Taking care of the land also more than she could handle alone so she has since moved and the sale of the house and land is pending. I am so glad I was able to dig up some plants and move them to my house.

 This is Clustered Bellflower. They are a beautiful purple and are spreading.

These two were unexpected surprises! The Clematis is peaking out from a wild growth near the back of ramp which is at the front of the house. The lily is by the water spigot in the back. I knew they were getting close to blooming, but didn't expect it to be today.

We are experimenting with a soaker hose in the raised garden beds. It is a long hose and easily reaches between the two beds and the small area of mini cucumbers. But, the bed at the beginning of the hose is getting lots of water while the other end isn't. I will try a different configuration the next time we need to water.

Stay safe and well.