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.
I really enjoyed your photos!
ReplyDeleteNice colours used for the bee blocks...the ruler looks interesting..
ReplyDeleteYour garden is looming beautifully. Lots of different colours..
Cute little hummingbird , hold the egg hatches soon.
Hmm pork on the hoof...
Baby piglets are just the cutests - it's when they grow up! Great Bee block, will be an awesome quilt. Love the flower photos - we are having the biggest and worse snow storm of the winter - wait - it's Spring!!
ReplyDeleteLove seeing your garden and the flowers. Nothing is blooming here in our yard right now, so I'm enjoying your garden instead. Thanks for the recommendation for the Sidelock. I may have to order one for when I'm able to resume quilting.
ReplyDeleteYour flower gardens are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThe bee blocks will make a great quilt.
Great pictures!!! Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner could come and live here :) Your garden is gorgeous - rainy and very windy here today...brrrrr!!!!
ReplyDeleteHow fun to see your gardens all blooming in this blog post--such a treat for a Monday morning. And you are one speedy quilter to get both the triangles finished and the words finished already for April. I'm moving that direction. . . slowly.
ReplyDeleteSo you provided the yard for the bunnies, and now the pigs? (Do you get to have some of the bacon once they go to Pig Heaven?)
Fun post, Mary--thanks!
Your flowers are so very beautiful! I haven't received my fabric yet from Stephanie but I think her blocks are going to make a very lovely quilt. And it has such a great story behind it.
ReplyDeleteWe found two dead baby birds in the yard the day before Easter but have found no nest in any of the trees. So we have no idea even what kind of birds they were. So sad. They seemed a bit large for hummingbirds.
You certainly jumped right on those MCM blocks. My fabric just arrived over the weekend. It will be a very calming quilt with the color scheme Stephanie chose. Makes me think of sand and beach.
ReplyDeleteLove all that sunshine! Thanks for the tool tip, I have not seen that before so will check it out!
ReplyDeleteLove the blocks, Mary....and your flowers!!!!! Can't wait for some colour here, Spring is trying!!!! Lol
ReplyDeleteGoing to Check out the Sidelock too
I sure hope the piggy names don't become their final fate. LOL. I just love Spring. You have such a gorgeous yard. Fun bee blocks!!!
ReplyDeleteCute piglets! I am envious of your flowers, yours are where mine might be in about mid July if it ever quits snowing. Isn't it nice to be able to work in the yard though?
ReplyDeleteThose Mid Century Modern Bee blocks are beautiful Mary! As is your gorgeous garden! We currently have a few inches of snow here. Thanks for the review on the Quilter's side lock.
ReplyDelete"Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner" - oh that's awful, LOL. Jim wanted to raise a pig once but I knew we would just get too attached to it and end up with a 300 pound pet pig.
Fun! I didn't know your grandchildren were in 4-h! That's awesome--what a great experience! I've bought a pig and cow every year at the 4-h auction and we are it all already so we just bought 30 tubes of sausage and a 1/4 cow to tide us over. Homegrown meat is the best! Does one of your kids have a farm?
ReplyDeleteI'd never be able to raise animals to eat because I'd have them named and be too attached. Love the names, though! LOL Beautiful garden photos and that quilt is looking great!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful pictures!! I am still waiting for the snow to quit falling here, but Spring will come, it will!!
ReplyDeleteYour blocks are looking great and your garden must be beautiful! That quilting tool looks useful. I used a suction handle in my wide ruler which works well but I have just noticed today that my ruler has a spilt in it!
ReplyDeleteI need to try a Sidelock! It looks like just what I need! Your clivia looks lovely Mary! I'm afraid that none of mine will bloom this year since I separated them in the fall, but I'm still hopeful.
ReplyDeleteLove your bee blocks, great colours . Your garden is incredible, so nice to see all that colour . The ruler attachment looks intereating.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the tour of your garden. I am inspired to get outside and see what I have been missing in our garden and maybe take a few pictures. Enjoy the weekend.
ReplyDeleteI am going to find me a now slip ruler
ReplyDeleteGorgeous garden pics, and your previous post, too. I will be sure to share that Quilter's tool with my sister - she has an awful time cutting out fabrics accurately for some reason.
ReplyDeleteand thanks for stopping by my blog! life has sure been hectic, and I'm in love with Instagram so have been neglecting my blog, but lately have been enjoying everyone else's blogs, including yours. Your seasons in CA are a bit ahead of ours in RI. Our flowers are just starting to come along.
xo
The piggies! Cute names : )
ReplyDeleteI've just started to garden. Working in the shop 6 days a week takes all my time. Might have to hire one of my kids!
Enjoyed all of your lovely pictures, will have to scout out about the tool you are talking about, thanks!
ReplyDeleteHappy late Easter Mary. Your garden is gorgeous at this time or any time you show it. That cutting tool looks amazing, yes I checked out the website. For someone who hardly quilt I don't think I deserved one! Love the colour of your modern bee block. Hugs Nat
ReplyDeleteSo much colour in your garden for the time of year. Very pretty.
ReplyDeleteI have hummers every year, but have never located their nest.
ReplyDelete