fabric therapy

Lately, the sunsets...

...and sunrises...

...have been gorgeous!  It's one of the benefits of getting up at 5 a.m. and getting my day started.  By the time my workout is over, the sun is coming up!  I still like to get in at least one good hike with Todd every week...rain or shine. 

There's a lot of standing water left over from the recent flooding, and these ducks are taking full advantage of it!

I love seeing mating pairs.  It means that soon we'll be seeing...ducklings!!  I am definitely missing our "goz" this year and am looking forward to seeing the local 'littles' a bit later this spring.  Meanwhile, we saw signs of other creatures around.  Lots of beaver activity around the water.  They're loving it! 

I'm thinking about relocation more than hikes and pretty sunrises, though.  Our temporary stay in an apartment has stretched on for many months, since we haven't yet found the right property.  Being in such a small space is tough, and being without my 'extras' is even tougher.  One thing that's extraordinarily hard is not sewing and quilting.  My fabric - and machine - are in storage, and I'm starting to feel a little surly about it.  Buying new fabric helps. 

Recent favorites include May Belle fabric from Penny Rose...

...Guest Room by Moda (the pinks are not nearly as bright as they appear here!)...

...and Garden Variety, also by Moda.

Check out this amazing quilt made with Garden Variety!

Not only have I been purchasing bundles, but I've been picking up random fat quarters at a steady pace.

More than any other color, I have accumulated a lot of mint.  But I've also been drawn to reds and navys, which will make an amazing quilt someday.

Our apartment is so full that I'm resting my feet on sacks of fabric while I work at my computer, so I'm trying not to buy too much more until we move...but I can't resist a thrift store, and I definitely have a fondness for strawberries.  This bone china cake plate was MINE for $3.

I think it's so cheerful for spring and even early summer.  I can't wait to put it in my (future) kitchen!  That day cannot get here soon enough!

The cats don't mind our cozy quarters one bit.  They always seem to find room to stretch out, usually in my lap.

Every day, Tabitha snuggles in for "biscuits and gravy" - kneading and sucking - usually on my arm.  She hasn't changed much.  The photo on the left is from her kitten days...the one on the right is from last week.  ;)   

My sweaters all have little yarn snarls at the inside elbow bend, because she kneads vigorously there for sometimes 10 minutes at a time.  I don't mind, though.  Totally worth it.

Have a great week!