My Vintage-ish Spring Quilt in Almost Summer

Last spring we had the total delight in having a robin decide that by bathroom window sill would be the perfect place to have her family.  We (my four children then aged 7,5,3 and 1) loved watching the addition of each egg (there were four) and then the hatching and then the growth of these fine birds.  We went on line to learn all we could about robins.  This picture was taken right before they flew the nest.  We were so sad when they did and then on the same day we noticed another robin couple decided to build a nest two window sills down!!  We had robin egg-travaganza last year and so this vintage fabric has even more meaning.

I have been holding on to this vintage fabric that I inherited from my mom's friends mother-in-law who died 8 years ago.  I had many ideas for it from aprons to curtains but after much deliberation I decided the best place is a nice springy/summery quilt.

I didn't want to cut this up too much so I decided to hand quilt around all the birds in each section- I am regretting that decision!  Although I really enjoy hand quilting I probably won't get around to it until fall- or winter.  We'll see.

Here's the back- very simple.  I did the back and the binding the same to tie it altogether.

It's fun to have this quilt in the main living area as most of my quilts are on beds!!  

My Quilt Donation

Earlier this year I had a short love affair with a 15 year old APQS long arm.  I really couldn't get enough- I made A LOT of quilts so I could quilt them.

For more info see: www.swimbikequilt.com

Good thing- here is the quilt I will donate- it is so soft and sweet.  I am so happy that it will bring a lot of love to a little one.  I LOVE the quilting on it- I was so determined to learn how to do free motion.  I did A LOT of drawing before I attempted this.

 Since the departure of the APQS I haven't even tried to do any machine quilting on my current Janome, I now have such a need for speed!  I am waiting patiently for a Juki like the one Crazy Mom Quilts uses.  Actually I had a queen sized quilt a lady wanted me to do a week after I sold the APQS and so I rented time on a long arm- brillant!  I went to her house, had no kids or phone and I just quilted for 3 hours straight- it really is a great way to go.  Having a long-arm is great but they are very expensive and take up a lot of room.  This was a great suggestion I got from a fellow quilter and if you want to experience the long-arm yourself- check it out.

Day 8 Day 9 Day 10

I almost boycotted this day (cue violin music) because living where I do now makes me very sad when it comes to nature and large open spaces!  I miss that big open sky of the west.  I can count on one hand how many sunsets I have seen from my house in 2 years.  Yes, this is a sad state of affairs.

Animal.  This is our pet- Kess.  He is a fabulous dog.  We are actually taking care of him this week-end.  Sound strange?  Due to my husbands work we had to find a new home for him!!  We've had since September to do this but it is still difficult.  We are happy that things are going well for him with his nes family, but we are sure glad to have him here with us for the week.

Haven't got groceries in a few days to show off fruit, but here is my favourite platter of cherries.  My mom was shopping with my sister in Quebec City and found this platter- it is perfect for me.  I love it.



So there we go- three more days to this crazy photo challenge.

Giving From The Heart

Kate over at www.swimbikequilt.com has a great heart and is part of this push to help children who need a little extra love and comfort.  Check out her site for more info on how to give.
I look forward to creating a quilt for a child in need.

Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7

No clouds!  This is the sky from my back yard. We love having the shade from the trees.

Breakfast.  By the time I took the picture and uploaded it my youngest ate all the berries.

I have been doing a lot of family history lately.  I have been asked to teach a class in September so I really have been on it.

Our staircase- isn't it grand?  I really think that it would look a lot better if the carpet went and the spindles were white, but when I think of the sanding, priming and painting I decide that the 'natural' wood is lovely!

My Other Blog

This is a very humble blog which I enjoy having.  I am mostly amazed when someone out in cyber space 'happens' upon it.  I do have another blog which I am working on, it is about my ancestors.  I love to watch "My Generations Project" on BYU tv.  I really love it, in fact I am applying to be on the show!! Wish me luck.  So I wanted to do something that I could connect with other family members.  I am starting to really get it going, but there is so much for me to learn- mostly with how to organize and develop an on-line system to communicate and share.
So check it out- who knows we could be related?!?

www.myfourgenerationsproject.blogspot.com

Let me know what you think and please leave advise for improvement.

Photo Challenge Day 2 and 3

Well, I do confess that I had some fear going into this challenge because of the daily commitment factor, but I am going to try.


Day 2- Shoes

 Yes these are my shoes on top of my freshly planted garden!!  I love being in my garden.  I planted tomatoes, peas, beans, carrots and lot of cucumbers to make pickles.  I have a rather small garden in our yard but will be planting a garden in a joint venture with the city and the Salvation Army.  I will plant potatoes, corn, and some spaghetti squash-yum.





Day 3- Hands

When I was first married I noticed that my husband always helpd his hands like this when he was resting.  I never knew anyone to hold their hands this way before.  His grandfather always held his hands like this- with his thumbs under his pointer finger.

Everyone of our four children since they were babies held their hands this way.