green convenes

Now is the time when exciting things are happening outside.

I, who used to be so indifferent to spring, am now a convert.  The sweet fresh air, chorus of spring peepers, and tiny green things unfurling everywhere have made me a believer.

I can't stay indoors and not even the rain is enough to keep us inside on the weekends.

Oh, the anticipation!  The magnolias are going to be glorious in a couple of weeks.

Old friends have returned.  I know to expect hyacinths, hellebores, and early-blooming daffodils right now...

Meanwhile, snow-in-summer, forsythia, the bulk of the camellias, redbuds, dogwoods, and azaleas will be right around the corner.  What a delight to daily check their progress!  In the interim, I enjoy the appearance of other new arrivals...

...which is not limited to flora.

In Indiana I would not make the "spring switch" until mid-March or perhaps a bit later, depending on the weather.  But here in South Carolina, I brought spring indoors on February 15th.  All red throws, tablecloth, napkins, placemats, pillow covers, and general accents were put away.  In their place, lots of cream, green, and light blue.  Bird nests were returned, filled with real and ceramic speckled eggs.

Simplicity.

Bouquets all around.

The quilts are still out for cool mornings...I think Bosewichte would strongly protest if I put them away! But at least I'm using the "cool colors" quilt. 

It feels so good to make this seasonal switch.  Since we don't really have four distinct seasons here, it feels like a needed acknowledgement. 

I've also been working on several projects.  I quilted an autumn wall hanging/table runner, but it was accidentally washed with an ink pen.  What a mess!

You'd think that it was ruined, but repeated applications of rubbing alcohol and Grandma's Spot Removal took care of all but one small spot.

I'll gradually bleach that out.  I think I've decided on "table runner" for this project and will use some of my batiks for the autumn wall hanging that I've been mulling over.

I've also been slowly working on my big quilt.  I've completed twelve 15" blocks, and need at least twelve more.  I hate to say it, but I'm not enjoying this quilt.  I am not a fan of making flying geese, and each 15" block needs 20 geese.  This means that I'll have over 500 flying geese for the blocks alone, not to mention the sashing that will go between each of these blocks.  I love the way it looks, but I am going back to a sampler quilt after this, I think.  No more geese for a while! 

I've been knitting a tiny bit, literally.  Having no desire to knit any more socks, hats, cowls, or gloves, and not ready to commit to a sweater right now, I've started knitting miniature things to hang on the Christmas tree.  These tiny mittens will have a little braided cord to connect them.  Although the pattern had directions for a 4-stitch thumb, I decided that it would be a little too fiddly for me. 

Otherwise, work, regular life, and cupcakes.  :)

Have a great week!

Green & Bear It

Despite a recent cold snap, I'm seeing more and more green every day.

The yard is an absolute riot of color.  I love seeing all the different shades of pink, even though I have not traditionally liked pink flowers (except for peonies...swoon!).

I'm still out picking...

...and making my bouquets.

The robins keep me company while I gather!

I take note of all the spring growth.  Every day, a little more progress on sprouting out.

I've been bringing some spring into the house, too, and not just the flowers.  I changed all the fabrics to light-colored ones...

...made up some little 'nests' with ceramic eggs I bought years ago...

...and set out, here and there, some of the needlework that belonged to Todd's grandma.

So cheerful and spring-like...and I've added to the visual inspiration this pair of 'vintage' embroidered strawberry pillow shams from Garnet Hill...snagged at a thrift store for a dollar!

I've been very, very slowly working on my quilt.  I have random stars everywhere.

Making this particular quilt was a spontaneous decision, and one that I'm regretting a little.  I miss paper piecing.  Also, I wish I would've ordered a coordinated fat quarter bundle so that the overall appearance would be more cohesive.  All the fabric I used came from my stash, so it's very random.  I have learned some valuable lessons, though...pressing seams to the side instead of open creates more accurate points.  And, since this is my first time making HST (half-square triangles), I've been able to experiment and find a really accurate way to square them up.  So even if this quilt isn't as beloved as my other two, I'm glad that I made it.

Meanwhile, we'll just continue to enjoy the sun, the flowers, and the birds, and keep an eye on future spring developments!

Have a great week!