Classic cars

I quilted a T-shirt quilt for Tove for her husband.  I had used this classic cars panto once before on a Route 66 quilt.

It was great having a solid color backing to show off the cars on.
 

It was nice to use it again.  I always enjoy Meadowlyon designs. 

My yucca blossomed.  

This western fence lizard was posing, showing off his blue underside.  

Quilt delivery

So I was able to finish nine quilts to deliver today.  Thanks to my quilting friends.  I didn't have this one tagged, so don't know who made it.  

This one is from Tove, who is back into her usual super production of quilt tops! 

I found this cute metal bunny at the Salvation Army thrift store.  He's not frightened away by my cats!

My yucca baccata is getting ready to blossom again!  The last time it blossomed was five years ago!  It's such a spectacular flower.  

 You can practically watch this flower develop.

 

 

Sings of spring...

We had a few mornings below freezing.  I don't think the peach tree is going to blossom at all.  The apple tree is blossoming and who knows, maybe it will bear a couple apples!

I was able to walk to the post office a couple of days the past week, and yesterday I found a couple keepers.  The first is this intact little bottle, possibly from the 1970s.

I also found a little piece of Homer Laughlin (the makers of Fiesta ware) which dates to November 1932 according to this chart. 

My tulips didn't mind the snow and it looks like I'm going to have iris blossoms as well.  A couple of the tulip blooms broke off from the weight of snow. 

On another front, I had my interview for citizenship and passed the civics test.  Now all that remains is the oath ceremony.  I'm not much for ceremonies but doing it all on the same day proved not to be an option when the person that issues the certificates was off the day of my interview.  




 

April Fools' Day blizzard

While I was busy getting a package ready to mail...I glance up to see this:

The snow came down quickly in big flakes and soon covered everything including the roads.  The path from garage to house was pretty slick.  Later in the afternoon the snow was all gone, and it rained.  Then a bit later it started snowing again and completely covered everything.  This morning it was 25 and the crusty, icy, snow was still here.  This afternoon there is once again no sign that it ever snowed yesterday.  Don't know if my lilacs can take this!

I decided to cook today.  I made bread to warm the house, though the sun is also warming things up.  I use Lynne's recipe as it consistently comes out.  I've just never figured out how to keep the top from wrinkling and then coming off the slices.   

I finished this little wool piece and sent it to Jackie.  I enjoyed working with the wool.  

I had finished these twofer quilts but hadn't gotten them bound.  Lindsay and Geoff were here for a week, and it was a busy time.  Yesterday I got them bound.  I love when I can get two quilts on one backing.  Thanks Pat.  

Another beautiful sunrise the last day of March. 

 

 

I am still a gatherer...

We don't have mail delivery to homes here, and so a trip to the post office is in order for most days.  I like to walk the two-mile round trip, but the past few weeks the weather hasn't cooperated.  Mostly the wind has been the enemy lately.  

When I do walk, I generally find stuff.  The wind, rain, and snow is continuously unearthing new treasures and recently I laid out my newer collected finds on the picnic table.  

I knew the large white ceramic disk was some type of insulator, but had no knowledge of early glass jar batteries!  I found the three pieces at different times in the same general location.  

I find lots of old brown Clorox jars--well, pieces parts.  The lid on the Purex bottle has held up its claim of being unbreakable and rust proof!  I'm hoping to get back into mosaics when spring decides to arrive permanently.  

I've also finished some more quilts.  This small one from Yetta gave me an opportunity to try a new panto, Wallaby Weave, that I didn't want to commit to doing on a large quilt.  While it is dense, it's not too difficult.

Patti E. gave me this wonderful top.  

Besides keeping me with a healthy supply of tops, Tove sent this already finished quilt along with a matching tote.  

I also finished a large quilt for Pat.  I used Rita's Feather panto on it which while not overly difficult became tedious on such a large quilt. 

Thanks to all my friends who keep me stitching.  A little sign of spring from hyacinths I planted in the fall not knowing if they were still viable after some long neglect in Jackie's garage last spring! 

 

I never tire of beautiful sunrises here.  I have so many pictures that I usually just forgo bundling up to step outside and take another picture, and instead just watch the unfolding color displays.

I continue to quilt, and besides these two I finished for Pat, I have gotten a few done for Dr. Kaufman.  

Some time ago, I made a barn quilt at the request of a blogger friend for her book, Build a Barn.  The barn, my attempt at translating the Round Barn at Ojo Caliente into fabric finally came back to me, so much better after being quilted by Chris Ballard.  I have finally hung it in my home. 

I used a panel for the backing on this quilt, and quilted it with a truck panto from Dave Hudson.  Pat put together the top from swapped blocks.  It's nice to have one that works for boys.

She also put this more feminine top from swapped blocks.  

Another clouds and sky picture.  Today I can't see the mountains for all the dirt blowing around.   

   

Where to begin?  2016 was not a good year for me.  It was punctuated by losses...First my husband, then my father, and to top it off...a breast.  The loss of my husband was the most difficult.  Over a year later and most days I wonder if I'll ever be the same, and stop hurting...

But life goes on and I've missed the ritual of blogging.  I still chronicled my days to friends that I email daily with, but I feel like I need to get back to this long neglected blog.  

Quilting has kept me sane and having that work to do, from wallowing (too much) in my grief.  

Last week Pat and I delivered a pile of quilts to Dr. Kaufman.

My friends have kept me in tops to quilt and it's good to be busy.




Pat has been churning out the quilts since she put up a design wall.  She made a number of tops from kitty blocks, a swap we had participated in.  I was able to load these four on one backing.

Pat also made these tops.
  
 

Tove has also kept me in tops.  This one worked for a boy.  We seem to always have many more feminine tops.

 Patty E. made this great quilt. 

Having all these tops lets me do my favorite part of the process...quilting and binding.  I already have two ready for the next pile-o-quilts for Dr. Kaufman.