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.

Good things

 are happening.

I have the bottom and middle sections pieced for A Sparkling Sampler.

I have two quadrants pieced for Crimson Poppy, two more to go.

I have thirteen hats ready to donate.

A quilt, Windmills, got loaded on the machine. It is about half quilted. 

All this happened last week before I went to Son's house on Sunday. His new stove was scheduled to be delivered mid-day on Monday. I had planned to go early Monday morning but the weather forecast for my area didn't look good for Sunday night into Monday morning. So I made the decision to go Sunday and spend the night. That went well; my parent came over that day to bring Son some kitchen items since he was left with very little when GF moved out. That's ok, most of it was hers anyway. It was nice to see my parents although my dad didn't recognize me. I wore my mask and my hair looks different from the last time he saw me. As they were leaving, after he was safely in their car, I removed my mask. Then he recognized me! The next morning we woke up to this. Ice on everything.

I was worried the stove delivery wouldn't happen, but the ice was melting and the roads were much better by late morning. The delivery crew were quick, efficient, cleaned up and removed the packing materials, and WORE MASKS

He is one happy camper! 

The weather was not good at home and Son wanted me to stay to help him figure out the new appliance so I spent another night. Pork loin and rice for supper - all cooked by him. 

I don't think the dog minded either. 

We found him 'guarding' my pillows and quilt frequently.

I got a text with a pic of supper last night - salmon, rice, and cooked carrots. He is enjoying cooking. He was very concerned about what his life would be like without GF, but it is never good to stay in a relationship that is not working. He knew his decision would be life-changing, and it was, but he has a good support system and is in a good place.

Last night there was a lovely sunset.

I have trouble getting good photos. The color is never right.

This photo was taken a few minutes later.

The moon was beautiful this morning.

Same shot, different filter. The bottom one is more true to color. And now the sun is shining, which is nice, but it is very cold.

We had to make several trips out to get supplies/groceries. About half the people we saw were not wearing masks. That makes me sad. 

Stay safe and well.

Windmills

is a Fab Five Pattern from The Quilt Factory

I have gotten several five yard bundles of fabric from a quilt store I frequent. 

The owner has designed several patterns to go with the bundles. They are nice but I wanted to try a new one. 

I found Windmills. It went together quickly. It finishes at 56 x 72. Because I was thinking of making this for son's GF's brother I switched out the piece with the roses for a red print.

I like the pattern, but it really isn't long enough for brother - he's well over 6 ft tall. My mom calls him Big J because he is so tall.

Anyway, I got Windmills loaded on the quilt frame. I used a red backing fabric. I am using a variegated thread that goes from dark red to gray on the back and a light gray thread on the top.

I chose a swirly design called Page Boy.

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

Around my yard today the Peonies opening up. They are so pretty

The Hibiscus has had seven new stems. I don't have an eye witness or a confession, but the evidence shows a nice clean cut - Rabbit, I'm looking at you!

I seems the common lilac wasn't done blooming. There are a few way up high.

Miss Kim is a late blooming lilac, but it looks like the frost may have gotten it. There are a few blooms, but they are very sparse. 

Malva Zebrina is a new perennial for me. I got it planted day before yesterday. It looks like a miniature Hollyhock. Love the colors.

The milkweeds are doing well. I am looking forward to seeing Monarch butterflies.

We had purchased a cute little garden bench from a local woodworker several years ago. I have moved it around the flower beds and used it to put potted flowers on. It is the bench Rabbit likes to sit under.  

It has been left outside all these years and finally fell apart. The back is still intact and looks like a fence to me so I decided to give it a coat of paint.

I want a rustic look, but I think it will need at least one more coat. Then I have to decide where to put it. Right now I am using building blocks to help it stay upright. If I do that it can be moved anywhere I want to put it. Pots with bushy, trailing plants can be set in the holes of the blocks. Some pots or long planter boxes can be set in front. 

My latest recipe is 

Homemade Cinnamon Roll Cake. 

We like it. I wouldn't say it tastes like cinnamon rolls, but it is good. I was thinking I might make half the recipe next time. That will depend on how quickly this gets eaten. Husband is in the field for the next few days. He isn't around the house to nibble like he usually does. He also doesn't eat lunch when he is farming so this won't disappear as quickly, as long as I can stay out of it.

Stay safe and well.