Lupin Cross Stitch is Done

I added the last outlining stitches to my lupins cross stitch this week when Christine was over to sew one evening. I will take this to the framers soon, along with my Winter Woods project.  I purchased this kit when we were in Newfoundland in June 2023.  I also purchased a kit to make a pitcher plant hooked rug when I was there and hope to work on it next. 

I found my bin of cotton clothesline cording and made a couple of rope bowls this week.  I will probably make a few more this week to use up the cording that is in the bin. The pink fabric was leftover from a quilt backing and was in my pink scrap bin. The darker spots are little birds. 

At the church sewing group, I made another apron for the Christmas bazaar---there is a pocket--Can you see it?  I matched up the pattern so it is not obvious.  I also made a little stuffed rabbit but it still needs a pompom for the tail. Next up, I will be working on an Advent Calendar panel.  

My scarf is a few inches longer --I managed to have two knitting sessions this week.  It needs to be about 15 inches longer than it is right now. 

I tried a new recipe for Lemon Blueberry loaf this week.  It smells heavenly!  

Our azalea bush is in full bloom!  It is such a bright spot of colour in our front garden.

The deutzia bush is in bud.  Soon, it will be covered in small white flowers.  So pretty. 

We took Finn for a walk in the woods at a local conservation area this week.  There were a few wet spots but we managed to stay relatively mud free.  

This Friday and Saturday is the Oxford Guild Quilt Show.  I have 11 quilts plus my painted barn quilt block in the show. If you are in the area, we would love to see you there!  

I will link up with Kathy and the Slow Sunday Stitchers in the morning and with Frederique now.  

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to all who celebrate this holiday!  We had brunch with my husband's family yesterday so the rest of the weekend will be quiet. My niece helped me to make a bunny charcuterie board for the brunch yesterday and I managed to get a picture before people started to nibble.  I will have to make more of these for other family gatherings. 

I only have one more quilt that needs a hanging sleeve for the quilt show. I hope to get to that this weekend. I am one of those people that likes to have things done ahead of time...I don't like the stress of trying to finish something at the last minute. A couple of quilts for the show are not in this pile, but you get the idea. The barn quilt I painted last summer is also going in the show. 

My Arizona Adventures quilt is done and ready for the quilt show.  It will hang in my front hall after the quilt show.  There is another quilt in the to be finished pile that will be hand quilted next. 

Our daughter sent me a picture of her March squares for her book blanket this week as well as a picture of the books she read.  There are not as many books being read at the moment as she is very busy at work these days. Each granny square represents one book read. 

I have this cross stitch picture on display right now for Spring.  I made this for my mother well over 25 years ago.  It was hard to get a picture without any reflections in the glass.  

I have several types of daffodils in bloom right now in my garden.  They are my favourite spring flowers. 

I don't remember planting bloodroot in my garden but they are welcome volunteers.  Such pretty little flowers!  They don't bloom for long but are such a bright spot in the garden.  

Finn was starting to look a bit shaggy and had a haircut this past week. The groomer gave him a new bandana which he proudly wore at the family brunch yesterday. 

This was before the haircut...

While Finn was at the doggy spa, my husband and I went for a hike with the hiking club.  It was cold and everyone was bundled up to stay warm.  The temperatures here continue to fluctuate--it is 20 today...

Here is a picture of my cousin's new grand-daughter with her quilt. Her big brother has been telling her what he sees in all the fabrics.  He has a flannel quilt that I made for him when he was born. 

My sewing plans for this week include finishing that last hanging sleeve and working on more of my spinning drunkard's path blocks. I have a few other volunteer commitments this week too.  Never a dull moment around here!  Have a great week!  I will link up with Kathy and Frederique. 

A Busy Two Weeks

I was away last weekend and did not have time to blog before I left so today's post is a catch up on what I have been up to for the last couple of weeks.  I am happy to report that I have finished hand quilting my Arizona quilt and I am now working on getting the binding hand stitched and adding a sleeve and label.  

The Oxford Quilter's Guild show is the coming up very soon and I have registered 12 quilts in the show.  Most of them do not have hanging sleeves yet so that will be my hand sewing project for the next little while until they are done. I have five prepped and ready to stitch and there are more quilts waiting for sleeves to be made. 

Here is the information about the show in case you are local and are interested in coming to see all the quilts!

The church sewing group finished making the hygiene kits for girls in Africa a few weeks ago, and now we are working on items for our Christmas bazaar in November.  I found some neat vintage kitchen fabric in our stash and made two lined aprons and I am in the midst of making a third apron with bees on it. I used an apron I made for myself 37 years ago for the pattern.  I still wear my apron even though it has a few stains on it.  Maybe I should make myself a new one...

I made two more spinning drunkard's path blocks last week and just have three more to put together.  They will have to wait until I am ready for the quilt show. 

The weather has been up and down here.  One day it is sunny and warm (ish) and they next day we wake up to snow on the ground!  Hopefully, Spring will come and stay soon!  There are a few flowers blooming in my garden including these primroses. 

I have two hellebores that came from my MIL's garden and they are both blooming. 

The first mini  daffodils are out too. 

I am currently reading this cozy mystery, a gift from my daughter for Christmas.  Interesting characters and plot!

I received a kit to grow micro greens and planted them on Tuesday.  By Thursday, they looked like this. 

And today, they are like this.  Growing like crazy.  We will soon be able to enjoy some on a sandwich or a salad!

Snow from earlier in the week...

Finn enjoyed a long walk at the elevated park earlier this week. 

Finn celebrated his 7th birthday last week and my daughter bought him a giant squeaky banana which has proven to be quite popular

My husband and I have been working on a Charley Harper puzzle in the evening.  This one is called "Once there was a field".  I always think elements of his pictures would make interesting quilts. 

I should get back to my hand stitching.  Take care.  I will link up with Kathy and Frederique.