This and That

The final borders for Esther’s Bloomers are coming along.  After I finish appliqueing the half circles to the remaining two strips, I will need to add 180 leaves.  Also, not shown is a fourth pieced strip.

The latest fabric splurge arrived last week.  I think it will work as a border fabric on a blue/green/neutral top I began last year.

Julia kindly gifted me with pink flamingoes on my birthday last November.  I’ve decided to continue with the pink theme in my patio plantings.

These little violets are pretty right now, but are so invasive, I’ll be fussing about them later this spring.  As a young woman, I was perplexed when my mother asked for a grubbing hoe for Christmas.  Now that it’s a lot harder for me to get up and down, I’ve come to appreciate a hoe when weeding flower beds.

We finally decided that it is warm enough for Maddie to be groomed.  Believe it or not, this is the same dog.  Who would have thought she had ears?  She does clean up rather well.

And finally, following the lead set by Wanda at Exuberant Color and Julie at Me and My Quilts, here’s what hair that hasn’t seen a stylist in 13 months looks like.  Never ever have I had hair this long.  I had my second Covid shot this week.  So, I’ll be thinking about a hair cut in two weeks or so.

Live -- My 2021 Word            

Decide to live your life. Stop comparing yourself to others. You were not born to live their life. There is no sense in wasting yours being jealous of theirs. Instead, you were born to live your life – determine today to be good at it. After all, you only get one shot. – Joshua Becker

 

Okay, I cratered...

Several years ago, a friend opened a quilt shop on her ranch.  She only opened it to shoppers one day a month and specialized in reproduction fabrics.  She also operated an attached retreat house.  Several years and a pandemic later, she is closing her doors to both.  Since I have two works in progress made primarily from fabric purchased at her store, I decided to stop by (fully masked and socially distanced) last weekend when she marked all her fabric down by 40%.  

 

Here is what came home with me.  Even though I took one of my tops with me, I’m uncertain if I will be able to use one of the reds as a border.  Since I’m a long way from completing my project, I have plenty of time to decide.

While we were gathered, several quilters showed off some of their projects.  I could not get any photos, but take my word for it, they were definitely quilt show worthy.  I left feeling just a little let down.  Then I happened on this 2017 quote from Barbara Black’s blog.  It was a very timely reminder: 

Make the quilts you love for the people you love and celebrate the accolades and prizes of others. Don't be discouraged at quilt shows when you see quilts you know you could never make. Just love the ones you do get to make. We are making "gifts for generations yet unborn".   Barbara Black – 10/12/17

While taking a walk last week, I spotted my first bluebonnets of 2021 just beginning to open. 

 

Live -- My 2021 Word

Just when I think I have learned the way to live, life changes. -- Hugh Prather

 

Just Checking In

I delayed this post in the hopes that I would have something to report other than just cutting and prepping for Unit 6 of Esther’s Bloomers.  Alas, I’m still chugging along in that early stage.  After I finally finish turning the edges on the 180 leaves, I will still need to prep 60 small, medium and large half circles for applique.  I may have to put is aside for a day or two just so I can get some machine stitching therapy in.

 

We have definitely thawed out and the highs this week have been in the mid and high 70s.  Trees are beginning to bud, and our live oaks are dropping leaves like crazy.  They are great trees, but messy this time of year.

 

I received my first Covid vaccine last Saturday and was pleased that I had a very mild reaction.  The second shot may be more potent, or maybe not. 

 

My grandson gave me a gift card for my birthday and I decided to celebrate the thaw with an indulgence.  It was wonderful.

 

And, I guess possession truly is 9/10 of the law, sigh.

 

Live -- My 2021 Word

 The whole point is to live life and be - to use all the colors in the crayon box.--RuPaul