Temperature Quilt QAL Update

Month one is down and we are now well into the second month of our Temperature Quilt QAL.  I hope everyone is keeping up AND enjoying the process as we move into February.  We have had exceptionally warm temperatures in our area and my month of colors definitely reflects that fact.  I even had to move into the real reds this past week.  I was able to add the second row to my first and I am really enjoying the secondary block that appears when the two rows come together.

We do need a bit more winter and definitely more rain before our rainy season ends next month.  If you are sewing along with us, how are your colors?  Be sure to check out the other participants on IG at #sistempquilt18 #tempquilt2018 and #temperaturequilt2018

Slowly, but surely, my On Ringo Lake quilt has come together.  I had it all spread out on the living room floor as that was the only place big enough to put it all down.  Thus, I HAD to work on it to clean up the floor!  Good planning, right????  Sewing in bits and spurts, I finally finished it yesterday.  I really love the way it turned out.  Now...to get it quilted.

Of course, all was not easy sailing with a pup who thought the new flooring was quite interesting.  Need I say that there were many pieces displaced in a short amount of time?

The weather has been so warm and inviting all to enjoy the great outdoors.  The roses, despite still blooming, needed to be pruned and sprayed for the year.  Three days later over 100 bushes are done.  Doesn't it look "wintery" now???  lol

A few more blooms from the garden...

We took a stroll on the beach and were amazed at all of the debris that has washed down from the recent rains and slides post fire.

The tide was out and Toby enjoyed the tide pools.

A bit more emergency sewing went on here.  A special little one lost her first tooth.

Our Gridster Bee Queen this month is Elizabeth and her request was for food basket blocks.  She provided the food fabrics and we made the rest with our choice of fabrics.

I've had some really fun mail lately.  The first comes from Sherry.  I had remarked about the darling Mah Jongg fabric that she was using to create cute little origami coin bags.  I was completely surprised and delighted when one arrived in my mail.  The little purse is like a puzzle!  She placed a shiny copper penny in one pocket and it ends up in BOTH pockets when they are opened.

Five of us formed a group called Sewing With Friends a few years ago.  We have done row robins and round robins in the past and this year we are swapping fabric postcards.  This one arrived from Lynette.  The colors are so pretty and the construction is perfect.

Is everyone looking forward to the Olympics?  What is your favorite event.  It's a tough choice between the ice skating and skiing for me.

Spring or Winter?

DH and I decided to slip away for a few days and hit the open road - one of our favorite things to do.  One of our favorite roads has always been the 395 with amazing scenery and little traffic.  Spring weather can always be risky and this time was no different.  Once we hit the Sierras we were in snow flurries - in mid May!  It was not sticking to the road, but it made for such pretty sights around us. 

We drove as far north as Walla Walla, WA.  Delightful spring weather surrounded us there with everything in bloom - tulips, iris, dogwoods, lilacs, azaleas everywhere.  While in Walla Walla, I had a fabulous day spending time with Stephanie (IG sadunphy) of Loft Creations and Candace (IG mrssquash).  We had lunch, visited their local quilt shop and then I was treated to a visit to Maple Cottage.  It was such fun to see it in person after following the progress on IG and her blog AND I got to meet the well loved Abby.  Following that we took a short drive to Candace's and saw her beautiful home and stunning gardens.  She and her husband have amazingly green thumbs.  Those two gals have so much fun together and I discovered they are both black licorice lovers like myself.  Who knew???

Leaving Walla Walla, we headed east to Stanley, Idaho.  The scenery was glorious with lots of full streams and rivers, snowy mountains and lush meadows. 

At one of our nightly stays, this greeted us on the tub.

What stress???

 

Heading back south through NV, we enjoyed still more open roads and a desert in full bloom until we reached the I-15.  UGH.  It was back to the dreaded traffic again. 

What we enjoyed for five days!

UGH!!!!

We arrived home in time for Mother's Day weekend where we celebrated with everyone here for a BBQ.  Even momma tortoise laid her eggs for Mother's Day.

We always need a "grandchild fix" when we get home so it was nice to have a few little ones come visit. 

Pretending to sleep.

While in the car, I was able to hand stitch the binding down on En Provence and get a photo of it with a snowy mountain backdrop in Idaho.  Of course, the wind was blowing and DH and I were laughing at ourselves trying to grab the picture while it was calm.  He eventually stabilized it with rocks but it was still blowing. 

The only other sewing that has gone on was my Mother's Day postcard for my mom.  I am hoping to make my way to my sewing machine later today.

Easter Week

It was a beautiful Easter in our area with perfect temperatures, sunshine and lots of fun family time.  Our youngest son and his family have been home for Easter so there has not been a lot of stitching going on here.  Time spent with family is much more valuable.


I did participate in Gosia's SEW ALL AROUND six part circular sewing QAL.  This last week was application of the binding to our mini quilt.  I really like the way this piece finished.

As well, I did some embroidery for some of the grandchildren so they always know which washcloth and towel belongs to them.

April has seen a lot of birthdays so I've had fun with fabric postcards.  I've forgotten to take pictures of most of the ones I have sent, but here are a couple of them. 

Spring continues to produce some gorgeous blooms.  It's always a delight to see them reappear each year. 

Just one last photo of the grandchildren at Easter.  Someone even created photos of the two who were missing due to spring break at college not tying in with our Easter celebration.   Boo! 

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.