Breezy with a chance of chill.

This was our high today, yup 50.

A bit of rain, a bit of sun, and a bit of brrrr.

 Windows were shut, socks were worn, and the pellet stove came back on.

The only exciting thing going on in the sewing room is fabric prep.  See that big laundry basket?

Yup, all of that fabric needs to be starched, straightened and trimmed up.  Porch sewing requires kits.  All kinds . . . some for QOV, some for me, and maybe some for you.  Exciting ideas are percolating.

Wishing you all a very happy Mother's Day weekend from Dolly and I.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

This, that, and t'other . . .

 I wanted to share this newly finished top in better lighting

 and to show off the greening of the trees

not to mention all it's crinkley goodness!

 Friends gifted me their smaller greenhouse.  This weekend I'll start planting.

 Last year's cabbage plants have gone to seed.  It's time to trim them back.

 Look how fast pumpkin seeds grow, it's one reason I love planting them.

 Steady, almost daily mowing, required a make-do-for-the-moment compost bin.

 Oak pallets held together with sturdy twine.  Newspapers were placed underneath to prevent weed growth.

See how much green has burst forth in the last week.  We're all looking forward to the pollen abating. Achoo!

This wee pup would like to wish you all a restful weekend and of course to remind you Mother's Day is just around the corner.  Dolly has promised me a walk in the park, but asked if I wouldn't mind driving.

Until then, keep stitchin' .  . .

Do you believe in miracles?

Approximately 14 years ago this quilt was assembled.

 Then taken apart and reassembled.

 Then taken apart, reassembled and partially quilted.

 Then un-quilted and re-done with some quilting being un-done/re-done yet again before finishing.

Are you confused yet?  Me too.

The main culprit was a vaguely remembered gray-black fabric by Springmaid which came out around 1990.  It deteriorated after the first washing.

Since I mix my black fabrics on purpose in Amish quilts, there was no telling which fabric it was.  Thus the re-doing.  And doing . . .

But it's finished now and thank goodness for it.  I still love it after all these years.

Until then, keep stitchin'  . . .  

The garden project, part 1.

This year's focus will be on the kitchen garden, the small plot

 My thoughtful neighbor donates his mulched leaves, which were moved away from the dirt yesterday so it can be tilled up this weekend.  In some places the leaves were over a foot high.

 I'm researching how to build a compost box that heats up enough to kill weed seeds.  Do you have any suggestions on the best method?

 Volunteer potato plants will be moved to a wire tower.

 Last year's pie pumpkins have produced this year's seedlings.

 Left in the bucket through the winter, they've decomposed down to the seeds.

 Formerly a bunny hutch made from oak pallet wood, doors were replaced with a tin panel.  Now a compost bin.

 We're going green!  Of course the pollen has arrived in droves also.

I filled the big plastic bin with water on Sunday so somebody got a porch bath this week!  It takes at least 20 gallons of sun-warmed water to get this wee pup clean.  Of course she then went out and sat in the dirt!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

It's time to play in the dirt.

'Taint these purdy?

The pansies were on sale for half price.  Love the orange / yellow combo.

Some of my apple trees are blooming.  I've been re-potting small  fruit trees for 5 years, 1 or 2 at a time.  My goal this spring is to get them planted in the yard." It's been very difficult determining where they're going to reside permanently.  Do I plant them in a straight line, curved line, or group.  So many decisions.

So far, I've managed to get the lilacs, hostas,  peonies, and lilies divided and re-potted.  Some time this summer, I'd like to attempt dividing the hydrangea leaves and start new plants.

Have you had any luck with that method?

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .