Busy Fingers, Lovely Quilts

In the three months that I spent having my "writer's block." my sewing machine and I were kept quite busy creating quilts. I decided that I wouldn't start a project unless I had a specific recipient in mind and several opportunities have presented themselves to me.

This first one is going to a "mystery" recipient. I have planned it to be a surprise, something totally unexpected. A couple years ago I surprised my niece with a quilt and she and I both got so much pleasure from it. So I'm hoping we'll have the same reaction when this one arrives at its destination. I will say only that I so enjoyed the particular fabric that I chose, as I believe its new owner will also get quite a kick out of it. It should be in the mail in a day or two.

My family on Graham's side of the aisle was blessed this spring with a new arrival. This baby is the latest in a string of grandsons for Richard and Sue. I knew the crib design featured Winnie the Pooh, but had to wait for news of baby's gender to get started. Thinking I had plenty of time before the due date at the end of April, I took the top and materials to Kingsland in late January. Lo and behold, baby Wyman came a month early, just days after I had picked up the quilt. I made a cute little pillow to go with it and popped it in the mail the day after his birth.

I saw this quilt tutorial on the Missouri Quilt site and determined that I would make it for someone, just needed to figure out who, and what fabric to use. I had some precuts in this woodsy, green/blue/brown, little boy type material that would be just perfect for a "big boy" quilt for Andrew. One of the first quilts I made for Adrian is a big boy quilt, but Andrew's were all baby quilts. I had so much fun crafting this one and think it turned out just right for my growing grandson.

I'm throwing this one in "just because" I loved it so much that I kept it for myself! I almost used it several times this winter, but always threw it off the bed because it was so warm! We need to have a really cold winter for it to get the most use. Or.... if I ever get my quilt wall hanger put up, I'll be more than happy to display it on the wall.

This last quilt is one that I sent to my step-daughter at Christmas. This too was one of those surprise gifts that was totally unexpected but deeply appreciated.

I'm hard at work on a new quilt that I think I'll keep for myself. It is a pattern that is very similar to a quilt that belonged to Graham's grandmother. I chose some vintage fabric that gives it an old-fashioned feel. It is really time-consuming, as every block has multiple steps and I will need a whole lot of blocks for the quilt. I just put some risers on my work table legs that will hopefully make the cutting and pressing a little easier on my back. I'll let you know how that's working for me!



Bluebonnets in the Hill country

I had a quilt to pick up today. And the timing was nearly perfect. You see, the lady who quilts my quilts for me has her shop in Kingsland, in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. And because of the abundance of rain we have enjoyed this winter, the wildflowers are popping out in all their glory right now. I was thrilled that the call came this week so that Graham and I could take the "scenic" route and enjoy the flowers on the way.

From the pictures I have seen from areas around Fredericksburg, these patches are not nearly as glorious, though we relished every bloom and hue. The skies were overcast, even sprinkling some rain here and there as we drove. Even that was not enough to dampen God's beauty as we made our way to Kingsland.

The back road was relatively deserted. I think we were passed by only four cars. A pity, though, that they were in too big a hurry to slow down and enjoy the art show. In addition to the bluebonnets, there were splashes of red, yellow and white thrown into the mix.

What I was looking for didn't materialize, though. My eyes were searching for "pastures" of blue, but the closest we came to that were these wide areas between the road and the fence lines. Still, it was a lovely sight to behold.

I wish I could identify all the different wildflowers, and in fact, I intend to get a guide that will help me to do just that.

 I had an online purchase that needed to be returned to an Ace Hardware store. While we were in Kingsland, we checked out the Ace store there and found it to be a very charming, albeit hardware place. It was spacious and inviting and while we were inside returning my purchase, the rain came down hard, compelling us to look around the store. We made a note to come back to this store when the next quilt is ready to be picked up!

After lunch at a great seafood restaurant in Marble Falls, we began our drive back home, taking the shorter route on Hwy 281. As we neared Bulverde, the highway separated and the median was celebrating spring with more flowers!

Just to prove that not all beauty is blue, this patch of brilliant yellow appeared for our viewing pleasure. And we were filled again with the goodness of God, who has once again painted our world with His paintbrush.

Next week we want to drive over to Fredericksburg and look for those pastures of bluebonnets. And if I find them, rest assured that they'll be shared here with all who care to see.

Happy Birthday, Savannah!

It seems as though I have been in a writer's fog for a few months. I know I haven't written anything here since Christmas. Whether it was a writer's block or I just had nothing to say, I'll never tell. And besides, Spring is officially here and today is Savannah's Special Day. We adopted her a year ago today from Westie Rescue in Houston. Because she was picked up as a stray, her actual birthday is unknown as is her exact age. She was estimated to be around three when we got her, so I am declaring today her fourth birthday! Let's celebrate!

She saw Dr. Earl yesterday for her annual checkup and he pronounced her "healthy" and "very athletic!" The squirrels in the backyard will attest to the athletic part. I put two squirrel corn feeders on the fence posts and now Savannah sits behind the bushes back there and waits for her chance to pounce and bark and scare the little squirrelies half to death!

Since she already has lots of toys, I found this "Create a Collar" at Petco for her. It's red and matches her new rabies tag! You can buy little charms that slip onto the top of the collar. These are two little flowers and a butterfly. There are several other options, including some pretty fancy bling, to choose from. But Westies being who they are, bling would be wasted. So we'll stick to the outdoors theme.

Dr. Earl was asking how she has adapted to our home over the past year. I guess the most obvious adjustment has been how she has settled into our routine. She was very hyper at first. That may have been due to all the changes she had experienced prior to coming here. And I think she took her time to decide whether she actually liked it here or not! At any rate, she is much calmer, more obedient (as long as I ask her to do what she wants to do!), and much more affectionate. If she has to stay inside (as opposed to stalking the squirrels out back), she will stay up near my sewing machine and watch me sew.

Bear in mind that this is a very dirty Westie who's sitting by my sewing machine! I have to place the binding machine between the dirty dog and what I am working on, so she uses that as a place to hold her head while she snoozes! What a character! She has since had a bath and is due for a hair cut next week. And I must remember to tell the attendant "No bows!" when I leave her.

So happy birthday, Miss Savannah. You have become a most welcome addition to the family!