Sister Quilting Time

My sister has been down visiting family this week from Alaska.  We always manage to spend a couple of days quilting and visiting fabric stores.  This time she brought along two quilts to quilt.  The first one was a quilt top she made to place over her couch for the dog.  I just loved her colors she used - so calming.   It's a gorgeous "dog quilt". 

The next one was a quilt top that her sister in law made.  She is a new quilter - taught by my sister - and I think she had a great teacher.  The quilt seams matched perfectly and quilted up beautifully.

The Bloom SAL continues and this is the newest block.  I think I need to start doing them at the rate of once a week instead of once every two weeks.  You can see others HERE.

The weather has been so chilly and we've have so many frosty nights this year.  So many plants are showing signs of frostbite.  Fortunately, it has not affected the citrus.  The trees are all packed with fruits and it would be such a shame to loose it.  We have three more cold nights forecast for this week.

Tangerines

Naval oranges

Tangelos

We have grandchildren and a grand dog staying with us for a few days.  We've had so little sunshine lately, but the dog has managed to find the little sunshine that there is.

Amazing how well he matches the color of the carpet. 

Quilting and More

I hope I remember how to write a post.  It has been so long since my last one, but life has been full with wonderful times.  My goal to be a better blogger seems to be experiencing a setback, but that works too.  It gets hard to retrace days when it has been so long.

Each month Sherri and Michele are our fearless leaders with the Minis and More quilt parade.  I have been less than stellar in my participation this year, but I do enjoy their monthly projects and ALWAYS have the best intentions.  This month I made it happen.  The pattern chosen was Strawberry Social Mini from The Pattern Basket.  I did a bit of a variation on the pattern to make it my own.

My sister has been visiting so we have had so much fun hanging out with each other and enjoying sharing some quilting time together.  She brought three of her beautiful quilt tops down to quilt so the machines were humming.

On Ringo Lake

Storm as Sea

As well, we took one day to visit Quilt Con in Pasadena and share time with other quilting friends for lunch and dinner.

Monday was my mom's 95th birthday so it has been a week of parties for her.  She has always wanted to put a purple streak in her hair so she got that done too.  Now she wants to do her whole head of hair in purple!

Our February has been an exceptionally warm month until this past week.  We have suddenly plunged into a deep freeze here!  I think my sister packed it in her suitcase and brought it down from Alaska.  I hope she takes it home with her tomorrow.  They even canceled the grandkid's baseball practice yesterday due to snow flurries!!  What is that all about?  One thing for sure, it is making my temperature quilt very interesting.  Just look at the recent week of color.  It is now three full rows and after today I get to add the March block.

I know I must be crazy, but my sister has talked me into doing the Postcards from Sweden QAL.  My fabrics are all ready to start cutting.

Last weekend we attended our granddaughter's horse show up in Fresno.  It's hard to believe this young gal (with our DIL) will be off to college later this year.  Her younger sister will take over the riding while she is gone.  

Meanwhile...... since my lap has not been available this week, this little pup has adopted a pillow for his perch.  Life is so boring when quilting is going on around here.

Happy Pi Day

Happy Pi Day!  Are you going to be making a pie today?  Possibly stitching circles?  Eating a pizza?  Have fun with anything circular.

To acknowledge Pi day I am posting all of my completed circles in my NY Beauty project. 

These are the new pieces added this week.  Slowly, but surely, I am getting this UFO finished.  Why did I wait so long?  Once I finish all of the blocks I will arrange a layout.

My sister from Alaska (IG alaskanquilter) has been in town this week and we have shared some fabulous quilting hours together.  She brought some of her completed tops down to quilt.  First up was a top that her daughter made.  She is a brand new quilter and this is her first quilt top made in a class she took.  Isn't it lovely?

We then moved on to a dog quilt for one of my sister's furry friends.

Lastly, she brought along her En Provence mystery quilt.  It was fun to compare hers with mine before she got it quilted.  This turned out beautifully.  I need to get mine quilted next.

We celebrated her birthday with a trip to one of our favorite quilt shops.  She was able to take advantage of their 30% off birthday discount so significant stash building was accomplished. 

This was the birthday postcard that I made for her this year.  The cactus are in bloom in the desert so thought this fit the season. 

Our days have been glorious with temps in the 80s for the last week.  It has felt fabulous - especially with the longer daylight hours.  Spring is definitely here with the migrating birds back and the tortoises out of hibernation.  I'm ready for it.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all.  Corned beef with cabbage?????

Linking up this week with Val's Quilting, Freemotion By The River,  Midweek Makers and Quilts My Way.