Spring has sprung, just not anywhere near here

It has been snowing off and on for two days now. The snowfall warning has been lifted, which means that significant amounts of snow are no longer expected. I think that any amount of snow that falls after the first day of spring is significant!

           I was so impressed by Liri's photos of her daffodils that I had to buy these,

                         and in honour of spring I brought out a few spring things.

                             My two year old grandson thinks these are kitties! 

                 I have finally framed and hung a few of my counted cross stitch pieces.
                                         I'm not sure what took me so long.

                    Warmer weather is predicted for this weekend. I can't wait!

Sandy

Back to the beginning

Sixteen years ago this spring I made my first quilt. It was for my then eighteen years old daughter's twin bed. She needed a new comforter/quilt and could not find anything in the stores that she liked. I had always wanted to learn how to quilt. This seemed like a good time to start.

I found a simple pinwheel pattern and we then went shopping for fabric. The sewing was relatively easy as I had been sewing since I was nine, but the quilting was a bit of a challenge. (I didn't acquire a walking foot until several projects later, along with my first rotary cutter and self-healing mat.) The quilting itself was very simple -- diagonal lines through the blocks. The binding also proved to be a bit tricky without a walking foot. I learned to do a square-cornered binding for that quilt (mitred corners came much later for me). I borrowed the quilt last year to take a few pictures. It is old and faded now and, according to my daughter, only occasionally pulled out of the closet when an extra blanket is needed.

No honours for this quilt, no ribbons or prizes, but it is special to me nonetheless.

My next project is yet another baby quilt, this time for my son-in-law's sister who's baby girl is due in late April. I guess I should get busy!

Sandy

Getting back to normal

My life is slowly getting back to normal. I am no longer 'watching' my dog, Tessa, as she recuperates from surgery. Her sutures were removed on Monday, and she is well on her way to making a full recovery. Even better, we received great news from our veterinarian. The tissue samples from Tessa's second surgery were cancer free. We are cautiously optimistic that we will have her in our lives for a few more years. I don't know what we would do without our two furry girls.

                                                              Katie and Tessa
My computer time was very limited while Tessa was recuperating. Now I can once again read all of your entertaining blogs, and even comment from time to time. (We even have a new, very comfy, computer chair.)

I have been able to do some quilting, and have managed to finish the little boy quilt I started last month.

What looks like a covered journal in the third photo is actually a covered  photo album. The pattern is from the 'apq' website.

I'm not sure when I'll get to meet this new little one, as he lives clear across the country. He and his mama were to have made the trip sometime this month, but it seems that plans have changed. I just might have to pack this up and put it in the mail.

We finally have some spring-like weather, which means lots of muddy paws as the back yard thaws!

Sandy