Thursday, April 6, 2017

Spring Continues

Beautiful spring days continue here.  Along with warmer and longer days, there is so much about spring that is refreshing.  We had grandchildren for several days so there were baseball and volleyball games in the warm sunshine.  Sewing was non existent while we were active grandparents, but it felt good to get some free time to play once things slowed down again. 

I am in the Gridster Bee this year and Elizabeth's blocks last month were little pigs.  I sent my two off to Elizabeth and then made one for myself.  I think I need to do more of these.  She should soon be posting her adorable finish on her blog so be sure to watch for it. The pigs are a slight variation of the pattern found on The Objects of Design blog.


Spring also means the arrival of the fair pigs.  Two of the grandchildren will be fattening these pigs up before August.




My April Gridster Bee blocks were finished and sent to Nancy.  This is her own design and it is really fabulous.



One of our granddaughters turns sixteen in June.  They have each asked for a "grown up" quilt for their 16th birthdays.  I've had a layer cake for some time that she has loved.  Researching patterns for layer cakes, I found a fun one on the Missouri Star tutorials.  I really love the colors and how the design shows off the great fabrics.


March geese are flying to join the flock in my Temperature Quilt.  The temps are moving more into the oranges with a red one in there too.  Yesterday saw another red one with our high of 90*.  I'm glad to see the blues disappearing.  My sister in Alaska is doing this project with me and she is happy that April has seen some temps above freezing so her geese can fly upright.  She has no blog, but you can check out her glorious colors on her IG account (@alaskanquilter)


To close off, I will share a few more fun spring photos.  Springtime brings new little hatchlings.  My mom had her resident hummingbird lay two more eggs in her porch plant again this year.  In the last month we have gone from eggs to babies nearly ready to take flight.






Meanwhile, at our house we also have new hatchings.  We have three little yellow balls of fluff and one white one.  Since they hatch two days apart from each other, the little white one is much smaller than the one who is a week old, but I love how the littlest one manages to crawl into the middle of the pile. 


One final spring picture.....our son and DIL went to see the poppies blooming and sent me this photo.  It's amazing what a normal rainfall year will produce.





21 comments:

  1. Happy Spring. Super fun post. Of course, I look forward to seeing your fair pigs get fattened up and hopefully win a good prize at the fair. I've always wanted to do that, but never had the space. But then, you inspired me to think about the space in the back of my SUV. LOL!

    QuiltShopGal
    www.quiltshopgal.com

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  2. I cannot imagine seeing that many poppies in one location.

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  3. How gorgeous is that PIG 🐷 block ! Nancy s Bee 🐝 blocks are lovely too, great colours...
    Bet the kids have fun fattening the wee Piglets 🐷🐷.
    Your temperature Quilt looks interesting....
    Thanks for sharing those cute photos of the tiny baby birds....
    Beautiful Quilt you are making for the Sweet Sixteen GD.
    Amazing field of poppies....

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  4. I just absolutely love the little piggie block! What a fun baby quilt these would make in those delicate pinks. Your granddaughter's new quilt is going to be so pretty, that is a great pattern for featuring fabrics you love. Will need to look up that pattern. Fields of poppies, how beautiful! Spring must be wonderful there this year after all the rains.

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  5. I so enjoyed this post! The field of poppies is quite a sight, I'd love to touch the chicks and the piglets, the pig block is so cute, I'm envious of being so close to the hummingbirds .....
    Have a swell weekend.

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  6. Such a fun post to read! Pigs and poppies and baby birds and quilt blocks. Your granddaughters' "grown up" quilt is gorgeous. I love the fabrics and the colors, too. You have been very busy!

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  7. What a great post Mary :) Pigs and poppies and grown up quilts...so much to love here!

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  8. Wow I haven't seen that many poppies in years, not since I was a kid. Love the pigs, the other blocks are cute too, but the pig block steals my heart.

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  9. Wonderful pictures in your post! From pigs to birds to flowers with quilts included. The quilt for your granddaughter is beautiful. Great idea to showcase that pretty layer cake. Happy Spring! Those poppies are grand :-)

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  10. The bee blocks are wonderful, I really like the neutral background you used for them. The birthday quilt looks amazing. The design really shows off the fabrics. We are still in the cool temperature range, the heater is running continuously today. Your spring photos are great. Wow! Look at those poppies. Did they go to Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve? It is an amazing place.

    -Soma

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  11. I enjoyed your post. The pig block is so cute. Spring is such a special time of year.

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  12. Oh what beautiful photos of the poppies!!! The little balls of fluff are adorable. LOVE fair pigs. I've never seen a hummingbird nest or baby hummingbirds, although we have several hummingbirds that come to our feeder. I need to look closely around the pine trees someday. Have a great weekend!

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  13. Looks like you are having a great star to Spring with flowering plants, sewing, grand kids & all! Good for you.

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  14. I love it all, but of course, I love the piggie block the best. :) Kidding, sort of. I like your jelly roll quilt, too. Good call on letting the fabrics show off with that white contrast.

    Lastly, that's a beautiful shot of those poppies. I didn't get out into the wildflowers this year, and hope that I'll see another display in a year when things aren't so complicated. All that is to say--thanks!--for posting that last photo.

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  15. What a fun-filled post!! I adore the piggy block, but the two real piggies are super-adorable! The quilt that you used the Missouri Star tutorial for is so darling!! And you have baby hummingbirds! HOW COOL!!! :)

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  16. As always I love your posts and that pig block is so adorable!!

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  17. You have been very productive in your sewing room in spite of all the family activity. Those Gridster Bee blocks are amazingand I love the piggie going uphill.

    Lovely picture of the kids sitting in front of the poppies.

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  18. Spring has brought you lots of new hatchlings, piggies, and those gorgeous poppies. Love the quilt for your 16 year old Grand. Spring Bliss Dear...<3

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  19. This post was a treat for the eyes: the piggie block is precious, the star blocks are wonderful, your Missouri Star pattern birthday quilt is absolutely lovely and that Temperature Quilt w/ flying geese is amazing. Those baby birdies and poppies in bloom are affirmations of sweet spring. Thanks for a wonderful, smile inducing, post today!

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  20. Piglets and hatchlings and poppies...oh My! The weather here is getting nice and warm too. Our box tortoise finally decided to come out from under the deck so he has announced that spring is here. I love your quilty stuff today....I'm looking forward to seeing the finish of the temperature quilt at the end of the year!

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  21. Love your piggy block! The quilt for your granddaughter is fabulous! How fun to be able to watch the hummingbirds hatch. Thanks for sharing.

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