I love lilacs and enjoyed several trees at the farm. My lone tree here is a little lacking in blooms though I've tried several interventions to help it. The flowers seem to fade even as the buds are opening.They are such gorgeous colours...this one is a bicolour Sensation...how I wish it were healthier.
Thursday, 25 May 2023
Blue House, June at Hawk Run Hollow, Me at the Spa
Tuesday, 23 May 2023
Tulip Bouquet, Nona QAL, Blueberry Cream Lasagna
Friday, 19 May 2023
Lone Star Medallion, Pink Rainbow House, Free Pretty Patterns
I normally want to cling to my time but have to admit I'm glad this week is almost over. There are some things you just want behind you. But there is always good stuff happening too...life is not static thankfully. I felt off my routine so pushed myself to exercise this morning and jog the trail with Ned. I am better for the fresh air and activity.
Oh the greening up of everything outside is just wonderful to witness. Kitchen window view yesterday. That's the faucet there in the almost middle.
Great Stuff and Free too!
Wonderful Gayle at Sentimental Stitches is offering all the free patterns to make a quilt called Dream Garden. Each block features an appliqued flower with embroidered embellishments. So pretty. Wish I could show you more but you'll have to visit that link to see how simple and sweet the blocks are. Could be interesting too with modern fabrics.
Monday, 15 May 2023
Spring Blossoms, EPP Plus Quilt, Sad News
The spring season is progressing in all its glory. The White Trilliums are in bloom. They are the Ontario provincial flower and the state wildflower of Ohio.
And the wild Dog Violets are in bloom too.Very plentiful this year so the rains we had earlier must have helped them.Thursday, 11 May 2023
Applique, Music, Free Patterns, Rainbow Neighbourhood
The sun came out and dried up all the rain...yes that happened last Friday. Glorious sunshine almost every day since. Temps are a bit cool and there are frost warnings at night. It is shivery still in the shade, but the sunshine makes up for it. Daffodils are blooming and the tiny leaves are appearing on trees. Several of the indoor plants are budding. I'm itching to get these outside.
I heard from many of you about taking the no fabric buying pledge, but some of you are qualifying that with perhaps if a new line catches your eye, or you need more neutrals, :D, etc. Yes, that's a hard pledge to keep as the new fabric lines are always more beautiful than the ones before it seems.
How to control stash...I never thought of this but I read this suggestion for how to cut down/control adding to stash. Buy quilt kits. More and more of the fabric stores are putting together kits with the fabric and pattern, no need to purchase more. For instance, as long as I've been blogging, I've received the Connecting Threads catalogue and they always have a bank of quilt kits; they go on sale at different times of the year and are quite a good bargain then.
Likes and Free Stuff Too
Sassafras Lane Designs' free pattern section includes this one -Mini Patchwork Orange.
Monday, 8 May 2023
Quiche, Table Topper, Turquoise House Lesson, A Bee To Embroider
Yes the Coronation was wonderful...our King is crowned! I loved every minute of the t.v. footage and I made my Coronation Quiche for the day. Daughter gave me this flat of fresh eggs including some duck eggs.
So here is my Rainbow Neighbourhood Turquoise Chipper House blowing in the breeze. First I tried to position it to show new leaf growth.
But I'm not going to be purchasing any more fabric in the meantime. I've been housecleaning nooks and crannies. We have too much stuff- why do I always feel like that! Even in the sewing room, things tend to pile up...partly because I don't have proper space to keep things tidy. However,I really should make a pledge to only purchase fabric for a specific project from here on in. What about you? At that stage too?
A couple of free patterns I loved...
At Nautikra, sailor Mallory shares not only her love of crocheting squares, but a bank of free crochet patterns. All lovely. And at that link you'll find detailed instructions to crochet the Hygge Burst Granny Square pattern shown here.
And World Bee Day is celebrated on May 20th this year. In honour of the special event and to emphasize the importance of bees, the creative folks at DMC introduced this new free pattern to embroider, a real beauty.
Thursday, 4 May 2023
Free Patterns, Tulip Bouquet Quilt, Coronation Quiche, Books
I finished reading an ebook of Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishigura, his first novel since being awarded The Nobel Prize for Literature.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book as I got to know clever Klara and how she was reacting to her human family. However, I lost my way with the second half because I found the storyline got a little boring and I'm happy to admit that was just me. Loads of folks absolutely loved this book. AI is coming faster than we realize and will pose ever more dilemmas for humans. As if we don't have enough to deal with already these complicated days.
I am now reading the wonderful Olive Kitteridge author, Elizabeth Strout...this one of hers is Lucy by the Sea. So far, I am enjoying it very much.
― Elizabeth Strout, Olive Kitteridge
LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color's prompt this week has to do with our singing skills. I sang in church choirs and even sang as part of a trio a number of times when in a junior church choir. I sang well enough to pass the audition for my university glee club (remember those?) and I always loved singing in groups. I also enjoyed singing in the car- by myself. :D Sadly for me, I developed a nodule on a vocal chord from my talkative teaching career and the tune I carry now is a scratchy one. How about you?
I found a free pattern that I had to make- in a true Squirrel moment. It's Tulips Bouquet from very talented Fran at Cotton and Joy
Older daughter asked for a table topper for a sweet little table she has in her den. So I started and have cut out the pieces. She likes the blue and peachy pink too.