signs, signs, everywhere signs

Finally...after 2 months of hot and dry, with the ground so hard and cracked that Claudia stopped sharpening her claws on the wood beams outlining the front garden bed and started using a patch of bare dirt by the front porch...we have rain.

It's perfect weather for the advancing season.  We've had some other signs, too...some spots of color in the trees surrounding the property...

...especially with those burning bush shrubs around here.

They make lovely bouquets.

We've had some really vivid sunrises, too.  Interesting how only 30 minutes can make such a dramatic difference in the color tones. 

I've been hard at work on that big load of compost delivered several weeks ago.  Each bed has received a heavy covering, and then I laid out new beds along the side of the house, with a path (to be filled in with pavers soon) running through the center.

It's not very pretty, but it was a necessary job.  I had about 15 plants just transplanted here yesterday.  It's a big risk, this late in the season.  They must be kept watered and must start some kind of root activity before the big freeze, or they could die.  Thankfully, we've got another week of fairly mild weather coming up.  I think they'll be all right.

The cats are loving these spurts of nice weather!

I finished up a little project recently.  Todd and I had been planning a trip to IKEA for a sideboard, since there's just not enough storage room in our kitchen.  Then he found an amazing old trunk at an auction for $20.  I spent a weekend sanding off the old glue strips on the lid, then gave it a nice natural finish with Danish oil.  Todd mounted some legs from Lowe's and the new sideboard was complete!

It's the same size as the one I was going to buy at IKEA, and it's definitely a better fit here.  Todd is going to put in a shallow shelf, and it should be able to hold all of my baking supplies and odd-sized tins.

I just finished up another project, too...a painted "barn quilt" sign for the house!  I primed a 2' x 2' piece of plywood and traced a shape.  Then I used painter's tape to section off each color designation.

Here is the finished product:

It's not a traditional shape, necessarily...meaning that it isn't a traditional star shape.  After hanging it, I saw that it wasn't quite big enough for the space.  But I still love it.  The green on the sign exactly matches the new green house trim, and that mustard color is one of my very favorites.   It was a lot more work than I had expected, between the priming, the multiple coats of paint and the endless touch-up work, plus the final sealant and hanging...but in the end, I'm very satisfied.

Speaking of quilts, I just picked up an old project.  It's a cheddar quilt, referring to that delightful cheesy shade that I love so much.  The original pattern has a blue border, but mine will be plain.

I've got a huge stack of 12" five star blocks...I just need 5 - 10 more to complete it!

I haven't been able to do much sewing, other than finishing off this baby quilt (made up of a series of blocks that I'd already put together before our move):

I love the pattern, but not crazy about the colors now.  With feathers and birds and flowers, it's a perfect design for a baby quilt. 

Todd still needs to "sink" the sewing machine into my table so that the needle sits just above the surface.  It's so much easier on my shoulders and back.  I'm looking forward to getting back to it soon.

Have a great week!