Long Summer Break

 It has been a long, unintentional summer break from blogging.  Apparently, all things techy at my house decided to go on permanent vacations.  My computer was one of the more distressing losses.  That  brought my blogging to a halt.  My new one should arrive next week and get me back up and running again.  For this post, I am using my old, old computer which has a mind of its own.  If I do not reply to your comments, please understand it is only a temporary situation.

I simply wanted to link up with Susan at Quilt Fabrication for her National Dog Day post.....all things dog.  

This is a quilt that I made many years ago for one of our grandsons.  He is currently a 6'5" high school senior so I am sure he is no longer using his quilt.  I have always loved this pattern.  It was posted in a Quiltmaker magazine.  If I were to make it again, I think I would appliqué some black eyes on at least a few of the dogs.

Although we have had cats for pets in the past, we are currently sharing our home with two King Charles Cavaliers.  They are my constant sewing companions and check my work at each stage of quilting.

Be sure to pop over and visit the other cute dog quilts and pups.

Merry May

Happy May!  May is always such a busy month around here with birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, First Communions, Confirmations and Mother's Day squeezed in as well.  It seems like there is a celebration every day.  It is hard to believe that we are nearly half way through 2021 already.

Our youngest grandson moved out of the crib to a "big boy" bed and needed a new quilt to celebrate the event.  There is nothing more fun that an I Spy quilt for a three year old.  Years ago I was part of a novelty charm pack swap.  Those blocks helped with the variety of fabrics in the quilt.  The back I chose was a bug flannel which made for a very snuggly quilt.

May was the month for our most recent "Sewing with Friends" swap.  This year we sent our "ugly" fabrics to our swap partners and let them create something for us in return.  Ida's fabric was my May challenge.  I made her a fabric rope bowl and four coasters with her fabric.  

Several years ago I came across a pattern that I loved.  I printed it off and it just sat there.  This past week I finally pulled it out and sewed it together.  It will be nice to use it in Christmas decorating this year.  It is called Fair Isle and is by Freshly Pieced.  I believe it is still a free pattern.  

The college aged grandchildren are making their way back home for summer vacations so I am looking forward to a busy sewing room again.  

Lastly, the pups are now a month old and growing like weeds.  It has been so much fun to watch their playfullness as they have grown.  Ten puppies is A LOT of work!!!  I'm glad to be able to visit them and not raise them.  lol

Quilts, Monarchs, Flowers and Such

 The main problem with posting so seldom is trying to capture everything in one post.  It has been a busy month around here.  

Sewing started the month off with a gifted quilt for a friend of my DIL who just started chemo for breast cancer.  Snails Trail seemed like an appropriate pattern for the slow months ahead of chemo, radiation, double mastectomy and reconstruction.

The camera angles make one look quite long and thin while the other is square,  It is actually a generous sized throw..  

It progressed to more fun sewing, baby burp cloths and a Christening gown for a baby shower for our eldest granddaughter.  I completely forgot to take a picture of the gown, but will do so at the Christening.  

Then we slipped off to Hawaii for a week of complete relaxation.  It was heavenly!  The view from our balcony was glorious and we enjoyed the sunsets everyday.  The flowers there were also fantastic.  

Can you spot the courting gecko?

This masterpiece was hanging in our hotel lower lobby, artist "unknown". 
A reminder to label your quilts!  (110" square)

From our room we had a view of the hotel gardens below us.  It was such fun to watch the progress of their plantings from when we arrived.  I wouldn’t mind that job!

It’s always fun to return home and see what is happening in my own gardens.  So much is blooming now.  

Cymbidiums.  Many of these once belonged to my dad.  He had quite a green thumb.

Clivia.  These were all started from seeds that my BIL gave me.

Roses...I love this one.  It is called Tuscan Sun by Jackson and Perkins.   

We’ve had so many monarch cocoons this year.  Many have flown free already, but I have several left to hatch.  One is going to break free sometime today and I am trying to capture it on a video.  It’s soooo close.

Lastly, this past week our daughter’s Golden Retriever had ten puppies.  OMGoodness....cuteness galore.  Fear not.....that is not a handmade quilt, but would be worth it.  ;-)

Hello, Hello.....

 Hello again!  Wow, has it really been two months since I wrote my last post?  I guess it's true what they say about time flying when you are having fun.  I just know that it is pretty pathetic when you have to look through your phone photos to see what has happened since the middle of January.

Life has been good as well as busy with plenty of yard work to get ready for the year.  Slowly, but surely, little problem pockets are also being sorted out inside.  In between all of that, sewing HAS to happen to satisfy my needs.  

My scrappy Log Cabin is now all pieced.  It has finished up to be a very generous queen sized top.  

As well, my leader ender project from last year is also together and in the to-be-quilted pile.  I went with a burgundy colored first border and a multi colored dot for the outer border.  It has already been claimed by a granddaughter who told me that she has outgrown her baby quilt!

The scrap basket remains full, but not overflowing as badly as it was.  

I had some fun playing with a bit of monoprinting, using a lime from the orchard.  I used my piece to construct a pouch for a swap partner.  The pattern is the Essential Pouch from #sokahandmadepatterns.  It went together beautifully.  

The monarch butterflies are back and busy laying eggs.  This volunteer milkweed plant seems to be their spot of choice.  Unfortunately, it is not helping my gorgeous hibiscus look healthy.  

I'll try to not wait so long before posting again.  I hope everyone enjoys a great St. Patrick's Day.