Springtime

I have been a terrible blogger lately.  Springtime is always busy with family events and this one has been no different.  Trying to squeeze in time for stitching proves difficult.

My BIL is so good about saving his shirts for me when he is finished with them,  As a small token of thanks to him and to my sister I used some of his shirts to create a scrappy quilt for them.  The pattern is a variation of a  Bonnie Hunter freebie, Scrappy Mountain Majesties.

The gals in the family are in charge of a big dinner dance and auction tomorrow night.  They asked if I would make a table runner that reflected a "vintage-y/romantic" feel to go with some dishes they also have.  I added a hint of lace without the real lace by stenciling a lace motif on the linen looking background fabric.

This month for our Spelling Bee Carla requested words that had a knitting theme.  She has just opened up a knitting shop and wanted to reflect her love of quilting and knitting.  These are the words I sent off to her.

A dear friend whom I have known for years came up for a few days visit.  We had such fun reminiscing and visiting the Reagan Library.

The gardens continue to bloom beautifully.  My orchids and Epiphyllum (orchid cactus) are the show this week.

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The other excitement in the garden was the arrival of the tortoise eggs.  She laid them a month earlier than normal, but I assume it is because of the warm winter we had.  This is an all day process.

LI-GA-ST

How's that for a title?  It's just what has been going on around here for the last few weeks - living, gardening and stitching....in about that order too.

The weather has been gorgeous and much too nice to be inside, but I have managed to get some stitching in here and there.  Our Mid Century Modern Bee block this month was really fun.  Our bee queen, Stephanie, sent us the fabrics to use and then we got to play with our our color arrangements.  Aren't they going to be fun in one big quilt?

Every once in awhile I come across a tool that I find invaluable in my quilting.  There are many that I can do without too, but I have had one for about six months now and LOVE it.  Have you heard of the Quilter's Sidelock?  It is amazing!  One went home to the UK with my friend.  Another went home to Alaska with my sister so I thought I would rave a bit about it here.  If you are frustrated by slipping rulers in your cutting, you are going to love it.  There is absolutely NO slipping.  They are a little pricey, but well worth it.  I found mine on Massdrop.  It had the lowest price and the shipping was free.  This is my own review and not sponsored by anyone else.

We had a great Easter with the family all gathered.  It seems like it was just yesterday.  The bunnies have all hopped away and the grandchildren have moved on to their new 4-H project.  Meet Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner!

The second hummingbird nest at my mom's has a new little one in it.  It has been several days since the first hatching so I hope the second egg will soon follow.

A walk in the garden yesterday sent me in to grab the camera.

The vegetable garden isn't nearly as exciting at this time, but I'll share pictures of that later.