Block of the Month - May

The last day of May will come early in the morning so I’m jumping the gun and posting my Hop-to-It Block for May.

From my Garden---- this is the block to remind me of my Blueberry Bushes. When I pulled the wool pieces I kept grabbing a red and a pink… But I kept putting them back….It’s about the blueberries.

My new blueberry plants added to the garden.

The difference one month can make. My garden is planted. A row of perennials has been added. I still have to gather stones to line the edges.

The front flower bed is almost full of impatients . Maybe tomorrow evening after work it will be completed.

The Bleeding hearts seem to tell me that winter has been put on hold for a while.

I found this old chair at a junk store--- five bucks. It’s going to hold a basket a flowers real soon.

Something to Talk about…..

Don’s home. He’s been out of town for three weeks. I’m not a whiner, but that’s a long time. The Garden is not planted, but it’s not his fault. The weather has been horrendous. We’ve even had three deep freeze warnings. The Old timers always tell you not to plant until after Memorial day--- I see why this year.

I’ve bought flower baskets for the front and back porch--- which I have continued to haul in at night religiously to protect “my investment”. When I was potting geraniums into pots I looked at the front door and knew it needed something.

I remembered a project I had purchased on a whim because Mary told me I needed the year’s worth of coupons and the free projects that went with “Any Purchase”. So--- with the longer daylight hours I sat on the porch with fabric and scissors at the table and put my welcome sign together. It’s from the Summer Gatherings Book by Lisa Bongean. I bought it in the dead of winter--- confident there would be a season of flowers again.

A three day weekend ahead…. Maybe that garden will finally get planted. We’ve got a grad party to go to and three days of sleeping in.

Garden Watch 2011

I have had all week to be downstairs in my sewing room quilting up a storm and I just haven’t. We’ve been plagued with thunderstorms that have knocked out power two separate days. Growing up in Louisiana this was a normal occasion, but it’s been twenty years since power has been lost due to rain around here.


Sunday evenings are spent rounding up some hand sewing to work on in the evenings. The days are longer and the pups keep the screen door banging as they bounce from outside to in. My garden quilt is pieced and my Hop to It block is done. I decided to pull out an old project.

My Primitive Garden project was designed by Lisa Bongean. All the blocks are completed. I’m not great at needle-turn appliqué. I exhaled after the blocks were complete ---but got completely discouraged with the border packages came in.

A few month ago Chelsey and I were playing downstairs and she pulled it out, “Mom, you really need to finish this….” Well, Sunday night I pull it out and prepped a border. I’ve been stealing moments working on it here and there this week. It’s not as hard as it was a few years ago. This may be the summer to finish it.

Garden watch 2011 continues.

She’s been tilled. I think next week may be the week to get her rowed up and planted. We have two days of freezing nightly temps but later in the week it’s supposed to be gorgeous. After a week of rain, I’m ready.

Last week I really needed something to babysit. Tired of winter, I found these perennials on sale. Yes, I’m toting them in and out and watering them—But it keeps me from planting that garden too early.

Last Monday I purchased vegetable seeds… I just have to be patient. I did the Wal-mart run yesterday evening – so after a run with the pups…. The rest of the day is for fun.

Gratitudes:
my new love Vege-pizza
Hostas faithfully returning after winter
A New Apple Pie Candle

Mother's Day

It's Mother's Day--- My first Mother's Day without my kids.  A funny feeling.  I turned down three dinner invitations... not out of melancholy moods... just because I wanted to have a day to reflect on all the Mothers' Days in the past. 

I had kicked around going to Appleton for the day, but this is truly one of my favorite holidays teaching Sunday School.  We plant flowers for our moms in terracotta pots-- trying to get more dirt in the pots than ourselves.  We discuss in great detail the wonderful things about our mothers and why they are such a gift to each of us.  This year's comments ranged from-'She makes me macaroni and cheese' to ' she reaches for things I can't get to..." I wouldn't want to miss it.

Here's my mother's day gift to myself:

I had two clay pots left over from church along with a handful of petunias.

I've been running the pups in the woods early in the mornings because it's been below forty degrees and it keeps the wood ticks at bay.  I ran them this morning and came home with four hitchhikers crawling on me.  I swear I have felt bugs all day.  So needless to day-- for about the next ten weeks we'll be walking the side of our winding road.  I did a practice run this evening and laughed at how we've had 3 days about sixty degrees and the snow blowers have been tucked away and the tillers for the gardens have come out of storage.--- Yep - My garden got tilled as well, but we've got a week's forecast full of rain.  Maybe in a couple of weeks we'll be able to plant.

I'm off to set up some hand sewing for the week and read my books.  Enjoy was is left of the day.

Gratitudes:

Telephones that link us close to our Moms---- and kids.

The furnace is off and the screen door open.

A pot of vegetable soup simmer for this week's lunches

Hop to it Block Two

I’m running behind….story of my life. Here’s my block for April that is for our Hop to it Project.

 Mary and Sue’s blocks turned out great. I’ve had mine complete for about three weeks--- yet I’m the last to post. The yellow buds represent my perennials in my garden. The original blocks from Edyta Sitar’s quilt has them in blue. I want each block to represent something in garden so mine varied to yellow. One of the great things about using the hand-dyed wool for this project is the variations in the colors of the leaves.


We doubled our snowfall data in the month of April. And yet 4 days after the last snowstorm bits of green showed up. My journal logs the snow in the garden.

These snapshots were taken early this morning--- the last day of April. Last Sunday I got out in the garden for the first time to check the herbs and see if my blueberry bushes made it. The chives are about 2 inches tall. And this is a photo of new growth on my blue berries--- they survived the winter.

The Bleeding- Hearts are popping up and the Enchinea and Saliva have green sprouting leaves. I know some places already have ripe strawberries and tomatoes, but where I live I’m thrill over any sign of green.

My dad fell and broke his hip last Saturday afternoon. I’m the daughter that lives too far away to go home. I’ve called about a million times and sent cards and letters, but felt lousy that I couldn’t be there. I don’t know whether I’m trying to convince you or myself that it’s ok that I’m not there… but in the end—it’s not about me, it’s about him and he’s ok and getting better every day.

The Day Before Easter....

My spring and summer clothes are still tucked away. Winter is hanging on as long as it possibly can.


My college kids are home for Easter. I’ve enjoyed them so much. They both have to leave early in the morning so we had our Easter Feast on Good Friday. Everyone was responsible for part of the meal. We had more fun over laughing as 4 adults cooking at the same time in my kitchen.--- Chelsey caved and said--, “I’ll use the grill….” …

My quilting is as close to gardening as I’ve gotten this year--- the yard isn’t even raked out yet. We keep getting snow showers--- but that’s life in the U.P.

Quilting….I completed the vines and leaves on My Garden Quilt….Emptying and entire ball of Valdani Thread.

The quilt had a kit that could be purchased, but I just used colors I already had and DMC floss.

The cornerstones are cut out and glued into place.

Two out of four are completed. I can’t wait to get this on the quilting frame.

 I’ve been practicing feathers—I’m trying to get up the courage to attempt machine quilting some on this new quilt…

As Easter approaches – and every day—remember to count your blessings. There’s so much to be thankful for.

Happy Easter….

Just One Star----

They were made from my scrap box and took about an hour for two from finding the fabrics to the last thread being cut.   The details of the project are at The Cutting Table. It doesn't take long and there's people out there that deserve quilt blocks...

We've had 3 days at 60 degrees. It's awesome. I ran the pups and started the grill. The furnace is off during the day. The robins are returning. There's plenty of time for more snow but we're at least pretending it's over.

I'm off to sew and read a book...Life is better than good---It's great.

Keep Life Simple....

That's the name of this quilt by Rabbit Haven.  Of course it's done in pastels and rough edged applique.  I made it my own because I had to embrace the Northwoods colors and hold onto my faithful needle turn applique.  It still needs flower centers and tons of embroidery work on the bunnies and leaves.  I tell myself not  to rush --- just enjoy every stitch...But I've had this pattern for two Springs and I just might get this piece this season. I'll keep posting the progress.

I have 2 pieces in progress---juggling each of them.  I keep thinking if I focused on just one--- I might actually have a completion...but what fun is that?

We've had a sunny day today.  I'm back to toting the GPS when I run the pups in the woods as the snow trails are gone.  I'm still looking for some sign of green...  I bought flower seeds in the grocery store Sunday amidst sleet, rain, and snow, just what the doctor ordered.

Work Rocks--- no more, no less.... We're going to be in our new building this summer. There are glass walls overlooking the Menominee River. It could be a cave and I wouldn't care--- I'm just glad I work there. I'm living proof-- to never lose faith.

Gratitudes:

I-books for free

My Scrap Box of fabric

Gumbo for Supper

From My Garden Block One

I started to write that it all began with a quilt pattern by Edyta Sitar--but truthfully it began with two friends that I have never met.  Swapping comments, emails, and fabrics-- a 'kid' story or two, we became friends. I guess our faith, our weather, and our quilting are what we have in common. So Mary, Sue and I began our project this month and agreed to show how we create each block from our own fabrics on the last day of each month.

The first block is a Heart.  It fits with the grapevine heart that hangs next to my garden gate.

I've also wanted to journal the pieces of a quilt, so this is my chance. I'm saving swatches of each block, why I chose pieces of fabric, cataloguing life that month, My Garden for the next twelve months.

Winter is trying to let go. We had a winter storm that came with warnings 3 days in advance.  It made me a little skittish---but it's just snow... and in the end we got about 4 inches of the stuff. I guess I need to relax.

Life is Good....

My Birthday....

Tuesday was my birthday.... A great day---a great week.  I've said before... In our house we have birth festivals lasting an entire week, not just a birth day.  This a a birthday card from a friend, pretty appropriate and all with the covered porch--- a friend since I was in the fourth grade.  Phones calls, Letters and emails have filled the week. Birthdays are a really big deal where I work now, lots of fun.  My birthday money didn't burn a hole in my pocket, I used it to purchase backing material for My Garden Quilt.  I also got free fat quarters for my birthday.

The Spring quilt is progressing--- don't give up on it, more pictures to come.

Here's the view from the porch of the snow as it fell last Saturday.  A reminder that winter is still trying to hang on.  Today It got up to 57--- in defiance, I refused to wear a jacket. On the docket for this weekend, Friends over for dinner and a ton of quilting....

Gratitudes

My I-Pad from Don

A fireplace mantel full of Birthday cards

Red Hots

Finishing Touches...

The routine is pretty much the same--- Work all day, Come home to a few chores, Run my pups through the woods, Supper, Exhale to my sewing or a good book.  The Quilt is progressing.  You can see what the corner blocks will look like in the snapshot.

I tucked away all the snowman quilts, dishes, and winter decorations last night event though we just got a fresh 6 inches of the whote stuff Wednesday.  Thursday and today it's supposed to be in the 40's.  AMAZING how warm that feels after a cold winter.

Chelsey's coming home for the weekend--- We'll have fun....I'm journalling a quilt so I need to scrapbook the pieces ... She's great at that.

Spring fever is setting in. Something to hope for. I tried to pick out my favorite season-- there are great quilts for all of them..

Gratitudes:
Longer days-- time change on the way.
Seed catalogs in the mail
Handful of DMC embroidery Thread

Sewing Machine Cover

Made from Orphan Blocks.... Here my new sewing machine cover.  Chelsey laughed at me---
"Why do you need to cover it---Mom you are always using it????"

I like it and it gave a chance to practice swirls in machine quilting.

I worked a regular day--- thank goodness.  I came home and took the pups on a long run even thow it was lightly snowing.  They are predicting heavy snow for Wednesday so we have to double up while we can.  You put on  a hat and head outside.... it just brushes off anyway.

I have the another piece stretched on the quilt frame, and the leaves cut out to go on the vines of My Garden Quilt...This time of year I get in more good quilting.....

Gratitudes:
The oldies station on the radio-- brings back memories
Seed catalogs in the mail
The Apple Scented Candle on the counter.

Borders Attached

I'm still talking myself into liking this piece.

An Oxymoron --maybe--a garden quilt in the snow....but it was a beautiful Sunday.

It's still below freezing so the snow just brushes off. When a friend and I signed up for this block of the month we had not seen what the finished product would loook like.  It really has a "Northwoods twist" to it and I pretty pleased with it. It's just not what I pictured it looking like all completed.  I still have wool vines and flowers to go on the border.

Every time I worry about Ransom being cold outside he does something like this:

We've been putting in extra hours at work ---better too busy than not busy enough....

Gratitudes:

dark chocolate cream for my coffee

that new spool of thread

Puppy prints in the snow....You're never alone.

The Last Block

Finishing up the last stitches on the last block of the My Garden Quilt. Every time a worked on a block I was convinced I wouldn’t love the next block as much.

 I was wrong each time. I have had such fun. I received the borders this weekend…

I’m really nervous about them. I don’t think I would have ever picked them out myself, but I’ve never seen an ugly quilt from Primitive Gatherings so I’ll keep you posted.


I’m auditioning fabrics for my friendship project for the coming year. I’ve admired the blocks from Linda, The Quilted Pineapple. I read about Edyta Sitar and wanted to make the quilt.

 I didn’t think I could tackle the quilt on my own, so a couple of friends and I are getting together for encouragement. Anyone who wants to join in, we’d love to have you.

The Hop to it book – I found on Amazon and took it to the office supply store and had the spirals put in it. Edyta has great photos in the book along with lesson in fabric choice and techniques. The book itself is great therapy for anyone.

I couldn’t spring for a Quilt kit –plus the spirit of the project is how each of us see the quilt…one block at a time. I purchased a couple of homespun fat quarters, but I’m going to the stash for the rest. We’re going to do one block a month so we have time to do other things and if we’re pressured, we’ve decided it wouldn’t be fun.

I’m taking the homespun-woolen approach to the pattern. I’m using DMC floss unless I happen to have pearl cottons. After working all day, I love pulling the basket out for handwork.

It was the warmest day of the year--- so far. A whopping 48 degrees.

Spring Quilts - A Break from Winter

OK - It may not look like it -- but this is going to be a Spring wall hanging  for my kitchen. I got off of work-- ran home-- grabbed my snowboots and camera for this photo. we didn't get a flake of snow over the weekend.  Despite the bulletins and warnings-- not a flake.  North, South, East and West of us got dumped on...

I stitched on the borders tonight.  We'll update tomorrow. 

I'm a list maker.  Everything but a little handstitching has been checked off today.

Gratitudes:
Email from A Quilting friend. She wasn't lost-- just had a broken PC.
A new Muffin Pan
Gumbo for Supper

The End of February....

I’m so ready for spring…..But living in the U.P. I know I have six to eight weeks left despite what the Groundhog said about four weeks ago.

Here’s my Applejack Quilt ready for quilting. I really like it, but for my home--- it’s going to be lightly tea dyed in just a little while. Country Threads calls the border-- a ‘lipstick‘ border. To me, I love it because it looks like a picket fence.

Chelsey and I picked up the spring time bunny sign yesterday in Green Bay. The most fun part of shopping with Chelsey yesterday is that we had so much fun and never entered a shopping mall. We stopped at stores tucked away that we normally over look. We were definitely looking for the deals and bargains.

The stars, our jobs, the dog kennel lined up and we went home for a week to see my folks. It was good to have my mom’s cooking, and family all around. We even put a new wood floor down in My mother-in-law’s home. The weather was 71 degrees when we landed, but when we travelled home we got caught in the Southern Ice storm. I think people in Louisiana have had more snow days than we have. It’s good to be back home, but I wish we could visit more often.

I sewed up osnaburg fabric for dish towels for my sunday school kids to stamp on for Valentines Day.  We had a lot of fun.

Valentine’s Day was special. We went to a church Valentine’s Day banquet and Don was held hostage as he had to watch Janette Oke’s ‘Love Comes Softly.’ Just goes to show, it doesn’t matter what you do if you’re together.

My Candle on my table is filled with Red Hots – one of my favorite candies.

My February dishes are out.

I finished my last three blocks of My Garden. I just have the border left. I’m already planning my next project with friends.

I found these while I was away --- Wonky Hearts. To some they’re cookie cutters. But the trained eye realizes they are quilting stencils, Sunday school play dough tools, Christmas ornament patterns, oh and ….. cookie cutters.

Life is good. Our company just landed another 8 million $$ contract. The kids are getting over bronchitis stuff. It’s tough when they’re away at school… at least on mommas.

We’re expecting 3 to 5 inches of snow tonight…. Yep, spring is still a ways away.