Spring

 I think we are slowly getting back to what may be the new normal.  Still observing distances in lines which is not a bad thing and masks in crowds. 

 It was nice to visit and sew with friends last week.  I get inspired seeing what others have been doing.  My yard is fixed for the duration with the exception of a message from Aqua, my water people, about a "backflow prevention device" which should be on and tested yearly.  People here who have lived here for 9 years said it is the first they have heard of this.  I think Aqua dropped the ball when they installed water lines and want us to foot the bill.  HOA is investigating.

This is a beef steak begonia in my friend Judy's  yard.  She gave me a cutting she had rooted.  They are awesome.  

My orchids which were house warming gifts from Mary and her daughter in 2018 have out done theirselves.  The blooms on the small one are nearly gone and the large one had two more blooms after the others had been out for months.  I raise my shades on these windows each morning and give each plant a little water each time.  It seems to keep them happy.

This is Smith mountain morning two.  I finally finished the second edition and am waiting to get material for a back before it goes to Heather. If I have already put this picture in blog just ignore.

I am working on two quilts.  One is a scrappy which I am repeating from a smaller version.  It is 

     difficult for me not to make a large quilt to go over my pillows. The second one is a version of a

     pattern in blues.  Surprise.

Have a wonderful end of April.  Sunny quilting.

Sally

things to do

 I Wanted to get some different end tables especially ones that have some storage so I ordered these from Wayfair.  They were perfect.  Love the size, color and storage.

I also have been trying to finish the 90 blocks for Smith Mountain Morning quilt do over.

 

They are done.  Now just have to do the units for the second pieced border which is the same as the units which make up the star points. 

This is one of nine blocks we started and before I started to do macine applique I decided to practice.

On these little snack mats.  They were fun to do and the binding did not take 5 days to do.

This is Evie Joy and Lukes dog during the Super bowl game.  Not a fan.

Going to work on that pieced border.

Chilly quilting.

s

February blues

 I remember when we were growing up having Mid-Winter Youth Rallys for our Episcopal youth groups at a central church.  We would stay with families in those towns, have meetings and meet others our age.

It has only been in the last 15 years that I realized why we all need a Mid-Winter Rally.  At least in North  Carolina the worst weather is in January and February.  Some people choose to leave for more salubrious climates.  I however like the cold we have here.  I does not stay and it gives me time to rest from all the activities I think I need to do.

With Covid all things change and I will be glad to see the warmer temperatures of April and May.  But not July and August!! And with zoom we have more meetings than we would in person.  At least you have the comforts of home.  

This was my Bonnie Hunter quilt from String Fling pattern book.  Now not only did I not put a label on it so I could find the name I cannot find the book.  Time for a clear out.  I think it is Cotton Candy.

This Paige and Karen and Cecil from 2014.

I am working on blocks P and C and I made when we went to Hatteras some years back.  It was a fun time.  The pattern was a red heart with a stem and flower coming out of the center on a black background.  It is appliqued and I am trying to finish them.

 Until more is happening.

Cool sewing.

S 

Inspiration

 I love to see other quilter's creations.  Just looking at some fabric and thread paintings from P jump started me to finish some I had begun 5 years ago. 

This is a Kaffe Kit I finished in 2020 and have had returned from the quilter but not bound yet. This picture does not do the colors justice.

My niece landscaper, Lily, convinced me to get these snapdragons for a fall-winter box planting and they have been wonderful.  They don't seem to mind the cold here.  

My friend, Judy, asked me to do a plaque for her sister and husband's new house.  The front steps are so steep she has decided to use the back door when she visits. The plaque came from Lowes and was already shaped so all I had to do was paint and finish.

 

Time to get sewing.

S

A New Year

 It has been so long since I have posted I will have to remember how.  Between Covid and politics it was a very busy fall.  I did have my first shot and scheduled for second Feb 3.  Consult for cataracts put off until Jan 28 and trying to figure out my Ninja Foodie do all has kept me busy. 

 I decided to re-do my Smith Mountain Morning Bonnie Hunter quilt that met disaster when I tried to deep clean it in the washing machine at the laundramat.  And that was at least 5 years ago.  I have struggles with what to do.  Do I try to take the back off.  Think about it.  First the binding then all that quilting?  So it sits in the garage reminding me I need to do something.  Last fall I started over.  See above.  Evidentally the format for posting has changed and I can't get the photos the same way.  I am not fond of change. There are 25 blue star blocks, 20 brown star blocks and 49 courthouse steps blocks.

I have 11 more courthouse steps blocks and the pieced border to make.  I should be 104 by 94. Don't know how many more large quilts are in me.

So this is my 2020 Christmas tree.  I love to put it up but taking it down goes a lot faster.

This is Ruby Lee Pope named for her great grandmother and the first girl in a while.  She is a sweetheart and will have two older brothers Kemp 18 months and Dallas 5 years old to watch out for her.

Driving back from Pinehurst in my 2008 Pilot I realized I should go ahead and get a new car which no doubt will be my last.  Love it but had to go back to Honda 4 times to learn all new technology.

This is St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Wilmington all dressed up for Christmas.  We had two services on Christmas Eve with 40 people and one on Christmas Day with 35.

I guess that is enough if you are still reading.  Hopefully I can do better this year with posting.

To quote one of my favorite Hallmark movies remember:  "Ain't no use wishing on a star that don't do nothing but shine."

January quilting.

S

Sewing time

It has rained at least a few drops nearly every day for the last 6 days.  It is nice rain, and just enough to not have to water twice a day.

I have finished the Tiger quilt.

I like the color of the background but not the fabric.  It is linen and difficult to work with in pressing seams.

This is Connie's recipe from the farmer's wife whose name I cannot remember.  It is potato, tomato and zuccini on sauteed onions with gruyere cheese and it is delicious.  I cannot figure out how to make it small yet.  Have to try to find a smaller dish to cook it in.

And last but by no means least is the first four rounds of Stone Log Cabin. It is a quilt from Kaffe.

There are about 18 more rounds.  The challenge will be to keep it flat.

More church zoom meetings and eating.

Rainy quilting.

Sally

 

Rain is welcome wind not so much

The sound of rain is good on many levels.  It is soothing and relieves you of the need to water. Of course too much of a good thing .....etc.
As L likes to clean out flower beds my Tithonia are just about gone and it is maintaining until time for pansies.

Some more flower pictures.

I call these cabbage begonias because the flowers are huge and lovely.

Dahlias are so pretty and less demanding.

My choice for flower of the summer.  Pentas are wonderful.

My trumpet flower plant is lavender with purple edging.  It is stunning.

I love the rose of sharon bush.  I hope it is happy here.

If I have had these on before just ignore.  

I am working on the 8th tiger block and have two quilts to take to H.  Bed runner to go over pillows for a quilt too short and a baby quilt for baby girl due in October. 

I'm working on getting the binding on the mystery quilt.

Every time I think about going to the new Bernina shop here I look at the fabric I have and say "I don't think so.  To be honest if it were not for CV I would have been there several times by now.

Time to get back to work.  

End of July quilting.

S