Spring Growth

Walked around the backyard with my newly-charged camera and decided to try out the Collage feature in Picasa 3

Buttercup Bag Made by Rae

http://madebyrae.blogspot.com/2009/02/free-buttercup-bag-sewing-pattern.html

Take a look at Rae's blog for a very pretty bag.

And her pattern in pdf form.

Woodpecker and Zigzag Socks

Was able to catch a shot of this fellow before he flew off. Since we changed the type of birdseed we are having a types of new birds stopping off.

Here's a little closer view of him. Or, is it a her?

Finished this pair of socks from Vogue's The Ultimate Sock Book.
It's ZigZag Socks by Christine Walter.

It's a fairly easy pattern so long as you keep track of the rows.
Since they were Cuff Down, I had to Kitchener the toes this morning before I could wear them.
Now, it's on to the next pair.

Our Local Library

has a wealth of treasures.

I am an ardent user of it and have spent many happy hours reading mysteries, perusing quilting, knitting and beading books, and listening to audiobooks.

I've just finished listening to KNITTING by Anne Bartlett and ready by Beverley Dunn.

Ms Dunn brings character to Sandra, Cliffie and especially Martha.

It's available at the library [just as soon as I return it], who knows you may enjoy it also.

Amy's Giveaway

I was just visiting Simply This That and The Other

http://simplythisthatandtheother.blogspot.com

[a great blog for inspiration]

who blogged about a giveaway on

Diary of a Quilter

http://thequiltingdiaries.blogspot.com/

{Naturally I jumped right over}

Amy has a fresh and inviting blog and you'll enjoy her tutorials.

And, who knows you may just be the winner as Amy celebrates her 96th blog posting.

Another UFO

finished with some very random free-motion stitching.

The WONKY STARS are from a great tutorial from

http://thesillyboodilly.blogspot.com/

You'll find the tutorial 'bout halfway down the page on the right hand side.

It's a real fun 'star' than works up great without having to match any of the usual pesky points.

Number Seven . . .

Number Seven, since Christmas that is. . . .
A K2P2 ribbing from top to toe.
This leaves three pair on the needles, two pair at the heel and one just beyond the toes.

Had a nice luncheon with some quilting buds that includes a visitor from the UK.
Lots of talk!
Lots of laughter!
Lots of good food!

Received a half inch of rain since bedtime last night and everything is greening up.

Completing UFOs

At the beginning of the year I taught a crazy quilt class and had this block as a result. I've dded the b&w border and then the leafy border, added the gold bullion [is this a play on words? I did pay dearly {dearly in that is is just a just for fun project} for the bullion]

I used the companion leafy fabric on the reverse side.Dosen't take much to entertain me.

Eight Sox, Four Pair

These are my current knitting projects

This luscious Dream in Color Smooshy yarn in shades of pinks is looking great so far as I've gotten with Cat Bordhi's design "Spring Thaw" . . . . .

Ron's sox knit from the cuff down is done in Online yarn and is just a basic ribbed pattern that works up fast and is a good everyday sock.

This is yet another cuff down ribbed pattern - ahah! - something different with this pair. I'm working the Eye of Partridge heel and am now working it on the sole, also.

Not certain whether this will help the sox wear longer or just make ya taller. Hope there enough of this Paton's Sock yarn to make it to the Kitchener stitching.

And, last in this line up is Regia Design Line Kaffe Fassett yarn. This just might be too wild even for me to wear!

And before you ask, it is knit in the ribbed fashion that I found I like for this self-striping yarn.

Daughters-In-Law

We are so fortunate –
we have wonderful daughters-in-law.
Every once in a while we try to let them know how much we think of them.
I used a design from a quilt book d-i-l Lynn gave me for Christmas last year in this Hawaiian Motif Wallhanging.

While going through my stash of blue fabric our d-i-l Deb came to mind as she loves to collect things ‘Cobalt Blue’.

Early Crop Tomatoes

Just off the vine ! ! !

My thanks goes to Kaaron for her inspiration. Her tutorial for these wonderful pincushions is posted to her blog

http://thepaintedquilt.blogspot.com